Imagine strapping two of the hottest Android smartwatches to your wrists and embarking on a fitness face-off. That's exactly what I did, and the results might just sway your next smartwatch purchase! The Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (specifically, the sought-after Classic edition) are battling it out for the title of 'Best Smartwatch for Android' in 2025. Both boast similar price tags, cutting-edge features including Google's impressive Gemini AI, and impressive tech specs, making the decision a real head-scratcher. I've reviewed both for Tom's Guide, and honestly, I'd recommend either in a heartbeat. But, in the relentless pursuit of accuracy, I decided to put them to the ultimate test: a side-by-side step-counting showdown.
So, I armed myself with the Galaxy Watch 8 on one wrist and the Pixel Watch 4 on the other, and set off for an hour-long walk amidst the stunning scenery of Seattle, Washington. To ensure a reliable benchmark, I also used a classic tally counter (yes, the old-school kind!) to manually count my steps. Plus, I ran Strava on my iPhone 12 mini as a control for distance, pace, and elevation data. Think of it as a smartwatch triathlon, but without the swimming or biking!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty results, let's quickly compare these two titans. Both the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8 have starting prices around $349 and come in various case sizes to suit different wrists: 40mm and 44mm for the Samsung, and 41mm and 45mm for the Pixel Watch. You can also choose between models with or without cellular connectivity, depending on whether you want to stay connected on the go without your phone. But here's where it gets interesting: the Galaxy Watch 8 also comes in a 'Classic' edition, which boasts a larger battery and a rotating bezel – a feature that's noticeably absent from the Pixel Watch 4 lineup. I tested the Classic version for this comparison.
Both the Pixel Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 8 have seriously bright and responsive touchscreens, making them a joy to use. They also include physical buttons along the sides for quick access to certain functions. Battery life is impressive on both devices, easily exceeding 40 hours per charge, although the Pixel Watch 4 did edge out the Galaxy Watch 8 in my battery testing.
When it comes to fitness, wellness, and safety features, both watches are packed to the brim. And this is the part most people miss... the Pixel Watch 4 has one unique advantage: Loss of Pulse Detection. This potentially life-saving feature, currently absent from the Apple Watch, could be a crucial selling point for some users. Additionally, the LTE versions of the Pixel Watch 4 offer satellite messaging for emergency communications in areas without cellular coverage. Very cool!
You can track your sleep with either watch, but I've found that Samsung's sleep reports tend to be more detailed and offer more actionable advice for improving your sleep quality. Google's Gemini AI voice assistant is available on both, but the Pixel Watch 4 makes it easier to activate using a new raise-the-wrist gesture.
For outdoor workout tracking, both the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8 are equipped with dual-band GPS and onboard altimeters. This means they should be equally capable of monitoring your location and elevation changes. Given that there's no clear technological advantage on either side, our walk test promised to be a truly fair fight.
Now, for the moment of truth: the walk test results! With the Pixel Watch 4 secured to my left wrist and the Galaxy Watch 8 on my right, I set off on my one-hour stroll through Seattle. To maintain a precise step count, I clicked my trusty tally counter every hundred steps. I also wore noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions and keep me focused on my steps.
Here's a breakdown of the data:
| Metric | Pixel Watch 4 | Galaxy Watch 8 | Control (Manual/Strava) |
|-----------------|----------------|----------------|--------------------------|
| Steps | 6,529 | 6,503 | 6,500 |
| Distance | 3.49 miles | 3.48 miles | 3.57 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 410 feet | 353 feet | 361 feet |
| Average Pace | 17 mins 42 secs/mile | 16 mins 55 secs/mile | 16 mins 16 secs/mile |
| Average Heart Rate | 127 bpm | 130 bpm | n/a |
| Max Heart Rate | 171 bpm | 173 bpm | n/a |
| Calories Burned | 557 calories | 418 calories | n/a |
| Battery Drain | 7% | 5% | n/a |
Overall, the fitness tracking data from both smartwatches was remarkably impressive. The fact that both devices recorded step counts within 30 steps of my manual count after an hour of walking is truly amazing.
The watches measured slightly less distance than Strava, but the difference is negligible. However, the Pixel Watch 4's elevation data seemed a bit off. While the Galaxy Watch 8 was within 8 feet of the control data, the Pixel Watch 4 seemingly overestimated by 49 feet. What's going on there?
Samsung's average pace data was also a bit slower than Strava's, while Google's was significantly slower. My theory is that Google's average pace metric reflects an elapsed pace, which includes any time spent standing still, whereas Samsung and Strava provide both moving and elapsed pace.
Heart rate data was consistent across both devices, with similar averages and maximums. For the record, my maximum heart rate occurred while I was tackling the steepest hill in Seattle. This is where things get controversial... Some might argue that the differences in pace calculation are a deal-breaker, while others might prioritize features like the Pixel Watch 4's Loss of Pulse Detection.
Finally, the Pixel Watch 4 reported burning more calories and consumed slightly more battery during the walk. This was surprising, considering that the Pixel Watch 4 ultimately lasted longer in my overall battery testing.
So, who emerges victorious in this smartwatch showdown? Drumroll, please...
Based on its remarkably accurate step count (just three steps off from my manual count) and more accurate elevation and pace data, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 takes the crown for accuracy in this head-to-head battle!
Still, the Pixel Watch 4 performed admirably across the board, with the exception of its seemingly inflated elevation data. I plan to continue testing the Pixel Watch 4's fitness tracking capabilities to determine whether this elevation issue was a one-off occurrence or a more persistent problem. Stay tuned for a future comparison between the Pixel Watch 4 and the Apple Watch 11.
Until then, keep racking up those steps!
Now, I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Which of these smartwatches would you choose, and why? Does the Galaxy Watch 8's accuracy outweigh the Pixel Watch 4's unique features like Loss of Pulse Detection and satellite messaging? Let me know in the comments below! And here's a question to really get you thinking: Could the Pixel Watch 4's focus on 'elapsed' pace actually be more useful for casual walkers who want a true reflection of their total time commitment, rather than just their moving speed?
