Google Pixel Watch 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Which Smartwatch is Better for You in 2023?

Google recently launched its second-generation Pixel Watch 2 globally. The Google Pixel Watch 2 claims to possess advanced health features, longer battery life, and WearOS 4 experience. With the launch of Pixel Watch 2, Google has entered into a full-blown competition with the existing Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 that launched earlier this year. Galaxy Watches have been consumer favorites for years but does Google’s Pixel Watch have the calibre to disrupt Samsung wearable’s established market? Let’s find out by comparing the two smartwatches.

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Design

When we compare the design of these two smartwatches, neither the Pixel Watch 2 nor the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 can boast of having a revolutionary design. While the Google Pixel Watch 2 has a minimalist design similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 6 also resembles the Watch 5 featuring a sporty design with slight tweaks in dimensions. Both watches have smooth, circular designs but the edges of the Pixel Watch 2 are more curved when compared to flatter ones of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

Talking about dimensions, the Google Pixel Watch 2 comes in a single 41mm dial variant while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 can be bought in 40mm and 44mm variants, so you can choose if you want a bigger dial or a smaller one. Both Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 are made of aluminum and neither feels heavy on the wrist as the former weighs 31 grams and the latter weighs 33 grams.

More than the difference in design, there is a difference between physical controls on these watches. While Samsung provides 2 buttons on the right side of the Galaxy Watch 6, the Pixel Watch 2 has a single side button that blends into the rounded watch case. Both designs offer 5ATM water resistance and IP68 dust resistance.

As for band mechanisms and options, Samsung offers more flexibility here as its quick-release bands are flexible and lightweight. Moreover, the Galaxy Watch 6 supports third-party bands too so mixing up your look is easier and more affordable. Meanwhile, Pixel Watch 2 has a unique mechanism, that includes the device’s band into its case for a sleeker look, and the bands can be changed but are proprietary. This means you will have to buy bands from Google only if you want to experiment with the look of your watch.

Google Pixel Watch 2 comes in Matte black, Polished silver, and Champagne gold shades while Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is available in graphite, silver, and gold shades.

Winner- It’s a Tie

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Display

Google Pixel Watch 2 & Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 have always-on-AMOLED displays that provide decent contrast and colors, but the size of the displays a different. While Galaxy Watch 6 offers 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch options, Pixel Watch 2 has a 1.2-inch display panel. Bigger display always looks better so Galaxy Watch has an edge here.

Moreover, Galaxy Watch 6 displays peak at 2000 nits while Pixel Watch 2 maxes out at 1000 nits brightness. The Pixel Watch 2 has a 320 ppi resolution while Galaxy Watch 6 has a 330 ppi resolution.

Winner- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the winner

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Performance & Software

Samsung as well as Google both use Wear OS for their wearables, which means the Pixel Watch 2 as well as Galaxy Watch 6 run Google’s operating system. While this means that the interface and app catalogs are similar Google does have some advantages as Samsung’s version of Wear OS 4 features the brand’s One UI watch skin on top. This means the Galaxy Watch 6 is loaded with Samsung’s own apps and features. Google’s Watch OS is clean and fluid and comes pre-loaded with Google Wallet, Google Maps, and YouTube Music. Animations too flow better on this one.

In terms of chipset, Pixel Watch 2 is powered by a Qualcomm SW5100 quad-core processor with Cortex M33 co-processor. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is powered by a dual-core Exynos W930 processor with a 5nm architecture. Google’s chipset is newer and more powerful.

Both wearables support Bluetooth and WiFi and offer seamless connectivity with smartphones. NFC is also available so tap-to-pay features like Google Wallet can also be used.

Winner- Google Pixel 2 is the winner

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Health Features

High-end wearables come with mostly all fitness trackers these days. Both Google and Samsung have also loaded their smartwatches with a variety of health features. The difference lies because Google runs its fitness and health functions through Fitbit while Samsung uses its in-house health platform.

Pixel Watch 2 as well as Galaxy Watch 6 come with heart rate sensors, skin temperature sensors, SpO2 sensors, workout trackers, and more. While Samsung has a bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure body composition, the Pixel Watch 2 lacks this one. Emergency health features like fall detection and SOS are also available in both watches. Fitbit app support allows the Pixel Watch 2 to display data well but it has some less sensors than the Galaxy Watch 6.

Winner- Galaxy Watch 6 is the winner

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Battery

While the Google Pixel Watch 2 packs a 306mAh battery, the Galaxy Watch 6 packs 425mAh (44m) and 300mAh (40mm) batteries. In terms of size, the Pixel Watch 2 and Galaxy Watch 6 smaller variants have the same batteries, but it all boils down to the runtime the battery provides.

Google promises 24 hours of battery life on a single charge with AOD enabled and the watch can charge to 100% in 75 minutes. Although Pixel Watch 2 is yet to be tested in real-world scenarios if what Google claims is accurate then Pixel Watch 2 will last 2 hours longer than Galaxy Watch 6.

Winner- indecisive as Pixel Watch 2 hasn’t been tested

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Price

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 comes in the following variants-

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm)- Rs. 29,999
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (44mm)- Rs. 32,999
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 LTE (40mm)- Rs. 32,990
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 LTE (44mm)- Rs. 36,630

The watch comes in gold, graphite, black, silver, gray, green, and sapphire shades.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 comes in the following variants-

• Google Pixel Watch 2 (41mm)-Rs. 32,990
• Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE (41mm) Rs. 39,900

It comes in polished silver, matte black, and champagne gold colors.

In terms of pricing, Galaxy Watch 6 offers more options and can be bought even if your budget is under 30k.

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Verdict

Which smartwatch you go for totally depends on your preference and usage. It is definitely hard to look beyond Galaxy Watch 6 easily as it comes in 2 sizes, is very durable, has a good battery life, a bigger display, and more. However, this doesn’t mean that Pixel Watch 2 is not at all appealing. The latest from Google has Google’s own WearOS 4, advanced health features, long battery life, light and sleek design, and much more. At the end of the day, it boils down to which one you like more considering your usage and style preferences.

Google Pixel Watch 2 Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Spec comparison

Although we have covered all the major aspects, for other minor differences, refer to the spec comparison table below.

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