Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Comprehensive Review and Feature Comparison

As smartwatches continue to evolve, the competition between top brands like Google and Samsung has become more intense than ever. With the release of the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7, both companies have introduced cutting-edge features and enhancements that cater to tech enthusiasts and fitness fanatics alike. If you’re deciding between these two top-tier devices, this blog will provide an in-depth comparison, covering everything from design to battery life, price, and health features. Let’s dive into the ultimate showdown: Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7.

Design and Build Quality: Aesthetics and Durability

When it comes to design, both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 offer sleek, modern looks, but they cater to slightly different tastes.

Pixel Watch 3 Design: Google’s Pixel Watch 3 continues the minimalist design ethos of its predecessor, featuring a rounded pebble shape with curved Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and recycled aluminum for the casing. It’s available in two sizes—41mm and a new 45mm variant, catering to those who prefer a larger display. The watch is lightweight, with the 41mm model weighing in at 31g and the 45mm at 37g.
Galaxy Watch 7 Design: On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 7 sports a more robust and traditional design. With flat aluminum sides, lugs that protrude from the casing, and a sapphire crystal-protected screen, it exudes durability. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Galaxy Watch 7 is slightly lighter than its Google counterpart, making it a comfortable wear for extended periods.

Both watches boast IP68 certification, ensuring they are dust-resistant and water-resistant up to 5ATM. However, the Galaxy Watch 7 goes a step further with MIL-STD-810H approval, protecting it against extreme temperatures and shocks—a feature that may appeal to those with an active lifestyle.

Winner: The Galaxy Watch 7 edges out slightly due to its durability and rugged design.

Display Quality: Brightness and Interaction

Display quality is crucial for any smartwatch, as it directly affects readability and user interaction.

Pixel Watch 3 Display: The Pixel Watch 3 features an AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, ensuring that the screen is visible even in direct sunlight. The larger screen, extending closer to the bezel, enhances the overall viewing experience. Google has retained the physical rotating crown for a tactile interaction, a feature many users appreciate for its precision.
Galaxy Watch 7 Display: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 also boasts a Super AMOLED display with the same 2,000-nit peak brightness. The watch’s flat circular face is slightly larger than the Pixel Watch 3’s, offering 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch screens for the 40mm and 44mm models, respectively. Samsung’s watch includes a touch-sensitive digital bezel and two side buttons, providing multiple ways to interact with the device.

Winner: This is a close call, but Galaxy Watch 7 wins due to its larger display options and versatile interaction methods.

Battery Life: How Long Can They Last?

Battery life is often a deciding factor when choosing a smartwatch. Both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 have made strides in this area, but neither is perfect.

Pixel Watch 3 Battery Life: The Pixel Watch 3 offers 24 hours of use with the always-on display (AOD) enabled and up to 36 hours in Battery Saver Mode. While this is an improvement over previous models, it still requires daily charging for those who want to use features like sleep tracking consistently.
Galaxy Watch 7 Battery Life: The Galaxy Watch 7 slightly outperforms the Pixel Watch 3 with up to 30 hours of battery life with AOD enabled, and up to 40 hours with it off. The watch benefits from Samsung’s new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip, which is not only faster but also more power-efficient.

Both watches take under 90 minutes to recharge fully, but the longer battery life of the Galaxy Watch 7 gives it a slight edge.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 7 for its longer battery life, making it more convenient for users who prefer not to charge daily.

Features and Performance: Software, Sensors, and Usability

The Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 run on the latest version of Wear OS, but each offers unique features that cater to different user preferences.

Pixel Watch 3 Features: The Pixel Watch 3 is deeply integrated with the Google ecosystem, offering seamless access to Google services like Maps, Wallet, and Nest devices. It also introduces a UWB (ultra-wideband) chip for new functionalities, such as automatic unlocking of compatible Pixel phones and cars. Additionally, the Fitbit integration enhances its health-tracking capabilities, making it a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts.
Galaxy Watch 7 Features: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 runs Wear OS with its One UI 6 Watch overlay, providing a familiar interface for Galaxy smartphone users. Unique features include gesture-based shortcuts, advanced health metrics, and compatibility with the Galaxy Ring. The watch also introduces new health-focused features like sleep apnea detection and the Energy Score, which analyzes your overall readiness for the day based on sleep, recovery, and heart rate variability (HRV).

Both watches perform admirably in daily tasks, but the Galaxy Watch 7’s new Exynos W1000 chip makes it slightly faster and more responsive.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 7 for its enhanced performance and additional health features, particularly for users with Samsung devices.

Health and Fitness Tracking: A Detailed Comparison

Health and fitness tracking are major selling points for both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7, and both devices have made significant improvements in this area.

Pixel Watch 3 Health Features: Google’s partnership with Fitbit shines through in the Pixel Watch 3, offering advanced metrics like readiness scores, stress monitoring, and detailed sleep tracking. The new Cardio Load and Target Load metrics provide insights into your workout intensity and recovery needs. The watch also offers ECG, body temperature tracking, and female cycle tracking.
Galaxy Watch 7 Health Features: The Galaxy Watch 7 is no slouch either, featuring Samsung’s BioActive sensor for heart rate, blood oxygen monitoring, and body composition analysis. The watch introduces new health tools like sleep apnea detection, snoring detection, and the Energy Score, which gives you an overview of your readiness to tackle the day. However, some advanced health features, like ECG tracking and blood pressure monitoring, are only available when paired with a Samsung smartphone.

Winner: Pixel Watch 3 slightly edges out due to its comprehensive health tracking features powered by Fitbit, making it a better choice for users focused on fitness.

Pricing: Which Offers Better Value?

Pricing is always a critical factor in deciding which smartwatch to purchase. Both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 are priced competitively, but there are differences depending on the variant you choose.

Pixel Watch 3 Pricing: The Pixel Watch 3 starts at $349.99 for the 41mm WiFi-only version and goes up to $499.99 for the 45mm LTE model. While the pricing is consistent with previous Pixel Watches, the larger variant and LTE model are significantly more expensive than their Samsung counterparts.
Galaxy Watch 7 Pricing: The Galaxy Watch 7 offers better value with the 40mm WiFi-only model starting at $299, and the 44mm LTE model at $379. Samsung has maintained its pricing strategy from previous years, making the Galaxy Watch 7 more accessible to a broader audience.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 7 offers better value for money, especially when considering the similar feature set and performance.

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Final Verdict

Choosing between the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 ultimately depends on your priorities. If you are deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem and prioritize health and fitness tracking, the Pixel Watch 3 is a fantastic option with its Fitbit integration and Google services.

However, if you are looking for a more durable watch with a longer battery life, advanced health features, and better value for money, the Galaxy Watch 7 is the clear winner. Samsung’s consistent performance and user-friendly interface, especially for Galaxy phone users, make it a versatile and reliable choice.

Both watches offer excellent performance, but the Galaxy Watch 7 slightly outshines the Pixel Watch 3 in several key areas, including battery life, pricing, and durability. Whether you choose the Pixel Watch 3 or the Galaxy Watch 7, you are guaranteed a high-quality smartwatch experience that caters to your tech and fitness needs.

For more insights into wearable technology and how to integrate it into your daily life, check out Regent Studies. If you’re still on the fence, consider trying both watches at a local retailer to see which one feels best on your wrist.

In conclusion, whether it’s the Pixel Watch 3 or Galaxy Watch 7, you’re investing in a device that blends style, functionality, and advanced technology into one seamless package. The decision ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and ecosystem loyalty. Choose wisely, and you’ll have a smartwatch that serves you well for years to come.