Google’s new smartwatch is gunning for the Apple Watch, and it’s closely matched on price. Here’s how the Apple Watch Series 11 compares against the Pixel Watch 5.
Google’s fresh batch of Pixel device launches included more than just smartphones. There was also a change to its wrist-based wearable.
The Google Pixel Watch 5 continues the search giant’s line of smartwatches, this time with an even greater emphasis on health features.
Its direct competitor, for the moment, is the Apple Watch Series 11. At least, until Apple introduces a new model in the fall.
This is how the Apple Watch Series 11 compares against the all-new Google Pixel Watch 5.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Specifications
| Specifications | Apple Watch Series 11 | Google Pixel Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (starting) | $399 | $399.99 |
| Sizes | 42mm, 46mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Display | Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED, up to 2,000 nits | Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO, up to 3,000 nits |
| Case Materials | Aluminum, Titanium | Aluminum |
| Cover Glass | Ceramic-coated Ion-X (aluminum), Sapphire (titanium) | 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Processor | S10 SiP | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 + Cortex-M55 |
| Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
| Operating System | watchOS 26 | Wear OS 7.0 |
| Health Sensors | Third-generation optical heart sensor, Electrical heart sensor, Temperature sensor, Blood oxygen sensor | Multi-path optical heart sensor, ECG electrical sensor, SpO2, cEDA, skin temperature |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters (WR50) | 5 ATM, IP68 |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours (38 in Low Power Mode) | Up to 30 hours (41mm), 40 hours (45mm) with always-on display |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS/GNSS, Ultra Wideband | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS, Ultra Wideband, Satellite SOS |
| Colors (Aluminum) | Jet Black, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Silver | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Satin Pyrite, Champagne Gold |
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Case sizes, materials, and weight
Apple and Google take different design approaches to their flagship watches. The most obvious is that Apple uses a rounded square case while Google sticks with a fully circular design.
The Apple Watch Series 11 ships in 42mm and 46mm sizes. The Pixel Watch 5 comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, which are reasonably close enough to Apple’s versions.
What is less close is thickness. The Apple Watch Series 11 measures 9.7mm thick, but the Pixel Watch 5 is a thicker 12.3mm.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5: A side-on view of the Pixel Watch 5
On materials, the two differ in range. Apple offers both aluminum and titanium cases for purchase, while the Pixel Watch 5 is aluminum only.
For weight, the watches are broadly comparable. The Series 11 aluminum models weigh 30.3 grams and 37.8 grams depending on the size with GPS-only, or 34.6 grams and 36.9 grams respectively with cellular connectivity added.
Titanium raises the Apple Watch weight slightly, to 34.6 grams and 43.1 grams, respectively.
The Pixel Watch 5 comes in at 31 grams and 36.7 grams. This is pretty similar to the GPS-only weights for the Apple Watch.
Both watches have strong water resistance. The Series 11 is rated to a depth of 50 meters and IP6X dust resistance, while the Pixel Watch 5 combines a 5 ATM rating with IP68 dust and water resistance.
The cover glass differs in each case. Apple uses a ceramic-coated Ion-X glass on aluminum models, hardened for scratch resistance, while the titanium version has a sapphire front crystal.
Google uses custom 3D Gorilla Glass 5. It’s still protective, either way.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Display
Both watches use an OLED panel with an always-on display, so each is easy to read at a glance. Shape and peak brightness are where they separate.
The Apple Watch Series 11 uses a Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display, reaching up to 2,000 nits. Its wide-angle panel improves viewing at an angle, useful for quick glances.
The resolutions are 416 by 496 pixels and 374 by 446 pixels, with a 326 pixels per inch pixel density. The actual viewable space is 1,220 square millimeters and 989 square millimeters, depending on the physical size.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5: It’s almost the same size, but the Pixel Watch is smaller, and its round face has fewer pixels.
The Pixel Watch 5 uses an Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO display, reaching up to 3,000 nits. Both Pixel Watch and Apple Watch drop to a 1-nit minimum for a dim always-on display in dark conditions.
Google doesn’t state the actual resolution for its smartwatches, but does disclose the pixel density at 320 pixels per inch. This is close enough to what the Apple Watch can display.
One of those reasons is that Google uses a fully circular screen. The Apple Watch has extra pixels to display in the corners that the Pixel Watch simply does not.
The Pixel Watch 5 uses a 1 to 60Hz responsive display, with the lower end helping save battery life by reducing the number of times the display updates. Apple’s LTPO panel does the same thing, also from 1 to 60Hz.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Processor and storage
The two watches use very different chips. Apple designs its own silicon, while Google turns to Qualcomm.
The Apple Watch Series 11 uses the S10 SiP, a 64-bit dual-core chip with a four-core Neural Engine. It is the same chip as the Series 10, but Apple has found new features to run on it.
The Pixel Watch 5 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, paired with a Cortex-M55 co-processor. The co-processor handles lighter always-on tasks to help preserve battery.
Google says that it’s 20% faster at processing than the previous model. Though, since we’re talking about smartwatches here, that doesn’t really matter that much.
Both watches include 64GB of storage for apps, music, and offline content. That is plenty for downloaded playlists and podcasts without a phone nearby.
As usual for a smartwatch comparison, we can’t really compare the two for processing performance. Neither watch is designed for heavy processing.
Smartwatches prioritize efficiency and all-day sensing over raw performance. You aren’t going to try and work on documents or play games from your wrist.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Health and fitness
Health tracking is the core battleground for both watches. Each brings a deep sensor array and a mature software platform.
The Apple Watch Series 11 uses a third-generation optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor for ECG, and a temperature sensor. It supports blood oxygen, sleep apnea notifications, cycle tracking, heart rate issues, noise levels, and even mindfulness.
The headline Series 11 addition was hypertension notifications. The watch reviews data over 30-day periods and can flag signs of chronic high blood pressure, the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
The Pixel Watch 5 matches much of this and adds more sensors. It includes an optical heart sensor, ECG, SpO2, a skin temperature sensor, and a cEDA sensor for body-response and stress tracking.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5: Both Google and Apple have AI-assisted fitness functionality
Google leans on its Fitbit platform for health and fitness. That brings a Daily Readiness Score, detailed sleep tracking, and a large library of workout types, though some features sit behind a Fitbit Premium subscription.
Apple, likewise, provides access to a large number of workouts, with the Apple Watch providing data on its display on how the user’s doing.
There are additional training functions too, with Apple Watch including Workout Buddy while Pixel relies on Google Health Coach. Google’s version can create strength workouts and other routines, and provide feedback based on your recovery metrics and heart rate variability.
Like Google’s offering, Workout Buddy uses AI to monitor your progress to give you real-time feedback and encouragement during workouts. It too can monitor your fitness history and live stats for that extra bit of assistance.
Google’s deeper insights often require Fitbit Premium, a difference worth weighing for long-term cost. Apple keeps its health features free of subscription, though the company has warned that some advanced AI features may be chargeable in the future.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Battery and Connectivity
Battery life has long been a sticking point for the Apple Watch, and the Series 11 improves on it. Apple now quotes up to 24 hours of “normal use.”
The Pixel Watch 5 goes further on paper, especially in the larger size. The 41mm model lasts up to 30 hours with the always-on display, while the 45mm model reaches up to 40 hours.
In Battery Saver mode, the gap widens. The Pixel Watch 5 stretches to 48 hours in the 41mm and 72 hours in the 45mm, against the Series 11’s 38 hours in Low Power Mode.
Charging is quick on both. The Pixel Watch 5 reaches 50 percent in about 15 minutes on its Quick Charge Dock, but hits 80% in 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the model.
The Series 11 hits 80 percent in about 30 minutes using its charging puck. However, Apple adds that you can get 8 hours of normal use from a 15-minute charge, or 8 hours of sleep tracking after a five-minute charge.
On connectivity, both offer cellular and Wi-Fi options.
The Series 11 supports Wi-Fi 4, also known as 802.11n, as well as Bluetooth 5.3. Cellular models support 5G and 4G, though not mmWave.
The Pixel Watch 5 supports 802.11ax Wi-Fi, also branded as Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth supports version 6.0, while cellular is just 4G.
Both include Ultra Wideband for precise device location. NFC is also present, chiefly for payments.
There’s the usual collection of fall detection, crash detection, and emergency SOS on both models. However, the Pixel Watch 5 adds satellite-based SOS for use beyond cellular coverage.
That’s something you’d only get from the Apple Watch Ultra, not the Series 11.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Software and ecosystem
The Apple Watch Series 11 runs watchOS 26 and works only with the iPhone. It integrates tightly with Apple’s ecosystem, including Apple Health, Fitness, and Apple Intelligence features like Workout Buddy.
That said, it’s only going to be that way for a month. The launch of watchOS 27 is happening in the fall, which will bring a lot more AI functionality, including the massively upgraded Siri AI.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5: Apple is catching up with Google on the AI front.
The Pixel Watch 5 runs Wear OS 7.0 and works with most phones on Android 12 or newer. It brings Gemini to the wrist, along with Google apps like Maps, Wallet, and Calendar.
Neither device works natively with the other side’s mobile platform. If you have an iPhone, you’re getting an Apple Watch, and likewise, Pixel Watch for Android.
For buyers already committed to a platform, that settles the decision. The watch simply has to match the smartphone in the pocket.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Price
Both watches start at essentially the same price.
The Apple Watch Series 11 begins at $399 for the 42mm aluminum model, rising to $429 for the 46mm. The Google Pixel Watch 5 starts at $399.99 for the 41mm model, rising to $429.99 for the bigger version.
Unless you get the 45mm Special Edition Stephen Curry model, which is $579 and has cellular, as well as a unique band.
If you want cellular, you’re paying an extra $100 on the Apple Watch Series 11 in aluminum. Google charges the same for its upgrade.
Apple’s titanium models sit well above at $699 and $749, a premium tier the Pixel Watch 5 does not offer. For a like-for-like aluminum comparison, the two are neck and neck on price.
Color choices differ in tone. The Series 11 aluminum comes in Jet Black, Space Gray, Rose Gold, and Silver. The titanium versions are Gold, Natural, and Slate.
The Pixel Watch 5 offers Matte Black, Polished Silver, and Satin Pyrite in both sizes, but Champagne Gold is only on the smaller model.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Google Pixel Watch 5 – Which to buy
The decision of what smartwatch to buy is pretty much dictated by what’s in the buyer’s pocket. Platform support is very important here.
If we ignore platforms, though, we see a fairly comparable set of features. The screens are roughly the same, albeit differently shaped, and each device has its own distinct style.
There’s little splitting them when you look at the wealth of health data processing, the AI functionality, and other major areas of the user experience.
The places we would ding Google’s new smartwatch would be areas like the premium subscription option, the lack of 5G, and the much thicker device. While titanium may not be to everyone’s liking, it would’ve been nice for Google to have that option available.
That said, Google does manage to squeeze satellite features onto its wearable. On the Apple side, you’d have to pay a premium for the Ultra to get the same thing.
The extended battery life on the Pixel Watch is also quite an attractive element too.
While it’s close now, it’s only a very temporary situation. In less than a month, we will have Apple’s special event, which will almost certainly introduce a new Apple Watch Series 12.
For the moment, Google has parity with Apple. But that simply won’t last for long.
Where to buy the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Pixel Watch 5
The Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale now, with triple-digit discounts available at press time in our Apple Watch Series 11 Price Guide.
At press time, Amazon has styles marked down to as low as $299.
The Google Pixel Watch 5, meanwhile, starts at $399.99 and can be ordered at Amazon.
Wireless carriers Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are offering incentives on both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Pixel Watch 5, with deals starting at $5.55 per month.
