Right here at Wareable, we price each the Google Pixel Watch and Fitbit Versa 4 as strong smartwatches in the fitting fingers.
When you’re choosing between them, although, there are many variations (and a few similarities) to learn about earlier than you resolve.
It is why we have created this whole comparability information, analyzing the important thing components of every watch’s design, function set, monitoring expertise and battery life.
For a extra in-depth take a look at every smartwatch, you may try our prolonged evaluations. Beneath, although, we’ll be sizing this pair up in opposition to each other. Who wins? Let’s discover out.
Value comparability
Comparatively talking, these two smartwatches sit on reverse ends of the spectrum. Although technically beneath completely different manufacturers, the actual fact Google now owns Fitbit means the costs for the smartwatch vary – which additionally contains the Fitbit Sense 2 – are all laddered with one another in thoughts.
The Versa 4, then, assumes the entry-level function within the lineup, whereas the debut Google smartwatch is usually discovered round double the value and is the flagship choice of Wear OS.
One other issue to think about right here is sale costs. Fitbit smartwatches are sometimes extra available at a reduced price, whereas the Pixel Watch (launched in October 2022) has but to see any actual worth reduce.
You may test the newest costs utilizing the widgets beneath:
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Design and really feel
Given the value disparity, it should not come as a shock that there are many design variations right here.
There are the plain distinctions in case form and magnificence – with the Pixel Watch’s being a domed, round face with an in depth crown on the fitting aspect, and the Versa 4 being a squared-off face with only a aspect button – nevertheless it’s the texture on the wrist that we price as essentially the most noticeable issue right here.
The Pixel Watch’s chrome steel, heavier presence actually provides to the construct high quality and feels a lot nearer to one thing just like the Apple Watch, whereas the Fitbit does not boast fairly the identical high quality.
There are many folks on the market that would not actually thoughts the Fitbit’s extra funds really feel, we think about, however it’s one thing to bear in mind if you need one thing that may mix in with extra formal outfits.
It is also vital to notice that each solely are available one case measurement – 41mm for the Pixel Watch, and 40.5mm for the Versa 4 – although you may not less than jazz issues up with completely different bands. Every is out there in 4 completely different finishes, too.
Then there are the opposite {hardware} variations. Whereas each can monitor coronary heart price repeatedly, monitor location throughout train through the GPS, survive in water as much as 5ATM, and make contactless funds due to the built-in NFC chip, the Pixel Watch’s design unlocks a couple of extra options than the Versa 4. We’ll come onto these within the sections beneath.
Sensible options and software program
Arguably an much more important distinction between these two gadgets is the on-watch expertise. Whereas the Versa 4 runs on Fitbit OS, Google’s smartwatch, as you’ll count on, is powered by Put on OS.
The latter is a way more highly effective, succesful and quick working system, that includes a horde of third-party apps (like Spotify and Strava), integrations with Google’s providers and tons of customizable components like Tiles and watch faces.
Fitbit’s personal working system is just like Put on OS in feel and appear, however the total implementation is far more primary. It is laggy when in comparison with Google’s OS, and there isn’t any performance for issues like apps (although you do get Google Maps and, coming quickly, Google Pockets).
Then there’s the Pixel Watch’s LTE assist. Supplied you purchase the LTE version and pay the mandatory subscription, you will unlock the power to stay related even when away out of your cellphone – and even have entry to the likes of SOS calls.
No such assist exists for the Versa 4, however that is to not say it is totally devoid of sensible options.
It boasts assist for Amazon’s Alexa sensible assistant (form of bizarrely), which suggests it may well match up in that sense to the Pixel Watch’s Google Assistant, and might nonetheless ping you notifications and calendar occasions when related to your cellphone.
And, talking of telephones, compatibility is presumably its greatest benefit over the Pixel Watch. Whereas Google’s smartwatch is Android-only, Fitbit’s smartwatches are capable of work on each iOS and Android.
Well being, sleep and health monitoring
That is the one space through which issues are barely extra aligned, on condition that the Pixel Watch’s health and sleep monitoring factor is powered by Fitbit.
It signifies that the on-watch train metrics are introduced in just about the identical method, and that the Fitbit app remains to be your major dashboard whichever you select.
Regardless of the marginally completely different {hardware}, we have not likely observed any variations within the accuracy of the health or train monitoring, both. Each are dependable sufficient – although, as you will see should you proceed on to our evaluations, coronary heart price accuracy is a bit iffy once in a while.
To make up for that, each do not less than function Fitbit’s best-in-class sleep monitoring. Whereas the Pixel Watch misses out on the extra detailed components, similar to noise and snore detection, SmartWake alarms and mindfulness content material, it does nonetheless provide a wonderful core expertise that features insights into sleep phases and a sleep rating.
It is solely actually once you start to get into well being monitoring that the variations emerge.
Two huge well being options are break up throughout the Versa 4 and Pixel Watch, with the previous taking blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring and the latter capable of carry out electrocardiogram (ECG) readings.
And regardless of the Pixel Watch’s extra superior coronary heart monitor, it does not provide notifications for irregular rhythms or excessive/low coronary heart charges just like the Versa 4 does.
It does not less than have one other unique within the type of Fall Detection, however, total, it does not actually prolong itself from the Versa 4 within the monitoring division.
Battery life
Whereas the Pixel Watch dunks on the Versa 4 in most areas, as we have detailed above, it pays for it closely in battery life.
After utilizing the watch since its launch, we grade it as its greatest concern to resolve when Google will get round to the Pixel Watch 2. It signifies that regardless of some nice performance and an excellent design, you are going to must cost it each day.
And on condition that it depends on you carrying it throughout sleep as a way to present insights similar to Day by day Readiness, it may well get fairly tough to pack that cost into your routine.
Issues naturally enhance should you flip off options just like the always-on show, or should you do not use it for issues like GPS-tracked train, however, even nonetheless, that 24-hour battery estimate is a little bit of a stretch.
It is a shock, as properly, as a result of Fitbit has historically excelled in battery life – and it is one thing we imagined would translate to the Pixel Watch.
As compared, the Versa 4 is estimated to achieve round six days, and we persistently discover that rings true in testing. This is not wholly sudden, given its lack of sensible options and working system, nevertheless it’s nonetheless spectacular.
Verdict: Which is greatest?
The Pixel Watch and Fitbit Versa 4 are two very completely different smartwatches, all issues thought-about, and this makes it comparatively simple to advocate the kind of person that ought to be selecting them.
We expect the Versa 4 is a good starter smartwatch for individuals who do not wish to get too slowed down in issues like apps and options, and are far more involved with simply having a succesful tracker on their wrist. It is not the nicest-feeling or most feature-packed system, however what it’s able to is can be sufficient for lots of customers on the market.
For many who do wish to make a leap ahead, the Pixel Watch is an effective selection. You continue to get all the very best bits of Fitbit’s monitoring ecosystem (save for a few odd well being monitoring omissions) whereas additionally having fun with a nicer design and a a lot smoother working system and all the advantages that include it.
The battery life is a critical concern, although, so we do additionally advocate that anyone contemplating the Pixel Watch additionally try the broader assortment of Wear OS smartwatches earlier than selecting.