I biked 9 miles with the Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7  the results surprised me

I biked 9 miles with the Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 — the results surprised me

Introduction

The world of smartwatches is running at a very frenetic pace, and new models mark consecutively higher standards of design, features, and performance. Of all the android smartwatches in existence, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3 are the two most innovative and highly asked-for timepieces. Both watches boast smooth performances, combining fitness tracking, fashion, and durability. Still, even though they look somewhat comparable, each of them has its particular strengths.

Having tried both, I relatively soon came to realize that choosing between them is not exactly easy: both are comfortable to wear, stylish, and fit in all the necessary features to make them very good smartwatches, each in their respective ways.

It's true that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is more reasonably priced, but the Google Pixel Watch 3 boasts much longer battery life on its larger variant-a fact that might seal the deal for many people. To break the tie, I decided to put these watches through a rigorous fitness test and compare their performance.

Design

This design approach to these smartwatches is to present a modern and sleek look that would be appealing to most people. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 retains a traditional feel with a face being perfectly round, resembling conventional watches that are universally fitting. Its two physical buttons are thoughtfully positioned so you intuitively and easily navigate.

It is lightweight in overall construction and comfortable to wear all day, whether at the office, working out, or out for a casual day. The Galaxy Watch 7 also combines several different bands that users can easily interchange to fit any occasion, from formal to sporty. This makes it versatile for style-conscious users who don't wish to compromise on functionality.

By contrast, the design language of the Google Pixel Watch 3 is pure minimalism. More rounded edges with smoother, cleaner lines give it a more modern, space-age feel that should hopefully appeal to owners who want an understatement.

The Pixel Watch 3 also has one of the major unique features: a digital crown that enables easier and aesthetically fine usage when navigating an interface. It makes its usage much more effective, especially in scrolling up or down through some apps or notifications. Its design will make the Pixel Watch 3 compact and subtle on the wrist-perfect for users who want to be functional yet fashionable.

And, of course, by the variations in size: Galaxy Watch 7 is released in both 41mm and 45mm variants, catering to different sizes of wrists and personal tastes alike. The Pixel Watch 3 also comes with similarly practical dimensions promised to keep it comfortable for everyone. For that, both models offer cellular connectivity to let one make calls, send texts, and say connected without carrying any phone around.

This feature certainly will be convenient for people who have an active lifestyle and would want to be connected while on the move.

Display

Both smartwatches sport bright, high-resolution platforms for a great user experience. The AMOLED display on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 boasts of a colorful brightness and deep, rich contrast that is soft on the eyes when you have to work in direct sunlight.

The screen response is top-notch, with an appealing, fluid feel to touch. From scrolling through notifications to your day-to-day fitness tracking or simply interacting with your favorite apps, this display is intended to always show crisp visuals.

The display is also great on the Google Pixel Watch 3, but slightly smaller at 1.36 inches compared to the Galaxy Watch 7 in its 41mm variant. The touchscreen on the Pixel Watch is responsive and clear, ensuring that its features will still be reachable even outdoors under bright sunlight. Both smartwatches use Gorilla Glass for extra scratch and drop protection, which is necessary for wearables going through everyday wear and tear.

Features

Speaking of features, both wearables have quite a lot to offer for both the enthusiast of ultimate fitness and the casual user. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 has an edge with its AI-powered wellness tracking system, offering advanced sleep analysis, workout tracking, and deep integration with Samsung's broader Galaxy ecosystem.

The galaxy watch 7 is where heart rate, accurate monitoring, and detailed sleep tracking give insight into one's general health and well-being. It will analyze your workouts from running to cycling so that you stay on top to achieve your desired fitness.

It would be a hard act to follow, as the Google Pixel Watch 3 brings solid health insights into sleep tracking, menstrual health monitoring, and analysis of workout recovery. It also boasts excellent GPS tracking and is thus just the right device for running and biking outdoors.

One of the main features of the Pixel Watch 3 concerns its battery life. Consequently, the larger 45mm variant can easily make it up to two days on a single charge, which is arguably one of the most alluring elements for users who may not want to charge every night. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers around 24 hours of battery life while in normal usage.

Conclusion

Therefore, in carrying out a choice between Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3, each watch should be checked for how well it fits personal needs and a lifestyle. The Galaxy Watch 7 offers a load of impressive features, especially for those who are already integrated into the Samsung ecosystem.

Its starting price being competitive at 1,122 SAR, Galaxy Watch 7 is an excellent wearable for fitness tracking with heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and all kinds of workout modes that appeal to unserious and serious fitness enthusiasts.

It also offers great integration with other Samsung devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to provide users with consistency across multiple platforms. It's a good option for those for whom value-for-money is important, and already invested in Samsung products: Galaxy Watch 7.

By contrast, the Google Pixel Watch 3 has a price of 1,310 SAR for much better advantages than its predecessor to meet users whose needs exceed those pertaining to fitness. It would pack in one of the best features: more battery life.

That would mean going longer between charges is possible, which becomes a very critical aspect for people with busy schedules. The navigation system in the Pixel Watch 3 is based on a digital crown, thus making its scroll through menus and applications much smoother. The Pixel Watch 3 runs on Google's robust Wear OS-meaning those who deeply integrate into the ecosystem of Google services will find this a great bet.

Ultimately, whether you value Samsung's ecosystem or you just want a watch with longer battery life and better Google integration is the ultimate deciding factor between the two watches. Both provide premium experiences, but your decision hinges on your specific priorities.

FAQs

1. Which one is better, would you rather have the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or the Google Pixel Watch 3?

Where the battery life is concerned, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is far the outlier in opposition to challengers like the Galaxy Watch 7 by Samsung. The Pixel Watch 3 has boasted a battery life of up to two days on one charge, the best there is for users who intend on using their smartwatch a bit more extensively between recharges.

Rely on this extended battery life, especially for users of the watch in a fashion continuous enough to track fitness, including notifications and daily activity, without needing frequent charges. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 gives about one day's length at 24 hours or a bit more using regular usage grouped into notifications, fitness tracking, and light app usage.

As such, this will get you through a whole day but is going to involve daily charging, which can be just a wee bit less practical than usual. Both provide fast charging options; if it's about more battery longevity for you, then definitely, it is from the Google Pixel Watch 3.

This fact may be useful in cases of travel or long outdoor activities where charging is not available as per regular usage; the Pixel Watch 3 can extend use into another day.

2. Can both smartwatches be used without a phone?

Of course, there are cellular options for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3, but they can function independently from the host smartphone. Cellular models also let users make phone calls, send texts, stream music, and even access some apps without having the phone on their person.

Perfect for pre- or post-work running, hiking, or whatever other outdoor-oriented sport where a phone isn't exactly welcome. Besides cellular connectivity, both watches boast built-in GPS capability, route tracking, and fitness tracking. Still, for full functionality and software updates, they are best paired with a smartphone, though.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections are supported on the watches, availing the user to sync data and get notifications when the phone is not around their persons. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or Google Pixel Watch 3 can still ensure strong smartphone independence, and both are great for people who look at Standalone Smart Life feelings and experiences.

3. Which of these two watches support iPhones?

The future Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3 will also be significantly optimized for Android devices because of their deep integrations into Google and Samsung ecosystems. But they do have some limited compatibility with the iPhone. Taking, for instance, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 on its own, one is able to install the app Samsung Galaxy Wearable on an iPhone-to-pair watch. Primarily, what this means for the watch is that some of the basic functionality works, such as notifications, fitness tracking, and some application use.

That said, features such as Samsung Pay or Bixby may not work, or at least will not function fully with an iPhone pairing. This is somewhat similar to the Google Pixel Watch 3 in the sense that it is mainly capable of connecting to an iPhone only through the app for the Google Pixel Watch. However, it does allow it to lose much of its functionality.

Features such as Google Assistant, in-depth fitness tracking, and integrations with apps may not be as polished as it would on an Android device.

While both Smartwatches can technically be used with an iPhone, overall experiences are much more limited when compared to an Android phone. In that regard, for any serious user of the iPhone, an Apple Watch would get the job done way better.

4. Which one is better at fitness tracking?

Definitely, both are top wearables in terms of fitness; however, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers better integration in consideration of its link to Samsung's greater fitness ecosystem. It also carries heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen monitoring (SpO2), and advanced sleep tracking on the Galaxy Watch 7. It also supports a running gamut of workout modes from running to swimming and offers in-depth analytics after workouts through the Samsung Health app.

It further plays nice with other Samsung devices and smart home features, making it more holistic for fitness enthusiasts. On the other hand, fitness tracking is also strong on the Google Pixel Watch 3: it's home to heart rate monitoring, GPS, and workout recovery analysis, among the whole health tracking package available from Fitbit.

This means that it does a great job of providing valuable insights into daily activity and sleep patterns, and into stress management courtesy of the Fitbit ecosystem. Where it might get beaten, though, is by Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 and some specialized health features like blood pressure monitoring. With both, one can keep track of fitness goals, although the Galaxy Watch 7 does a little better with deeper ecosystem integration.

5. Which one of these smartwatches is cheaper?

Relatively cheaper between the two is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Starting from just about 1,122 SAR, this smartwatch covers the top features: health tracking, customizable watch faces, and cellular connectivity. This will be remembered as an excellent option for users in search of a sophisticated smartwatch experience without having to break the bank. In front of it, the starting price for the Google Pixel Watch 3 is usually higher at about 1,310 SAR, by far the higher rate.

The prices for the Pixel Watch 3 are somewhat justified, considering the longer battery life, integration into the Fitbit ecosystem, and a premium design. With this, not everyone will need such additional price to be paid, especially when one does not need that extra day in the battery or prefer Samsung's ecosystem.

For the budget-conscious fitness enthusiast, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series hits that sweet spot because it blends a perfect mix of value sans losing out too much on features. But it could be well rewarded if one can stretch their budget in the case of a Pixel Watch 3 and is invested in the Google ecosystem.


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