Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Spot the difference!

Pros

Same battery life
Fast charging
Faster processor
Even more accurate GPS tracking
50% more RAM and 2x storage
On-device Gemini Nano

Cons

Some features unavailable at launch
Same non-rugged design
Costly Fitbit Premium subscription after the free trial

Pros

Same great OS
Identical charging
Striking domed design
Dual-frequency GPS tracking
Easily repairable

Cons

Design isn’t rugged, with no sapphire glass
Costly Fitbit Premium subscription after the free trial
Gemini requires an internet connection

You’ve certainly heard this one before: on the surface, the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 5 look identical. They’ve got the same beautiful domed glass design, use the same fast-charging solution, and sport the latest version of Google’s Wear OS platform. But under the hood (or glass, I suppose), things are quite different.

The Pixel Watch 5 features 50% more RAM and 2x storage, a faster processor, more accurate GPS tracking, and on-device Gemini Nano. For just $30 more, it’s a surprisingly good spec bump that’s a worthwhile upgrade for anyone coming from an older Pixel Watch (or something else, entirely).

Of course, at this point, you could probably find a Pixel Watch 4 for much less, and that would be a great purchase, especially if we’re talking something like $100 less than the Pixel Watch 5. Let’s explore what these differences mean and if the newer Watch 5 is the best choice for you.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Design, hardware, and specs

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As you can see from the image above, both watches look identical. They’ve got the exact same dimensions and weight, use the same glass dome, have the same water and dust resistance, diving specs, and even all the same sensors. It’s even got the same 3,000-nit display.

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Specs	Google Pixel Watch 5	Google Pixel Watch 4
OS	Wear OS 7	Wear OS 7
CPU	Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated, Cortex M55 co-processor	Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, Cortex M55 co-processor
Display	Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO display, 320ppi 3,000 nits, 1-60Hz refresh rate	Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO display, 320ppi 3,000 nits, 1-60Hz refresh rate
RAM	3GB	2GB
Storage	64GB	32GB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, UWB, LTE (optional), dual-frequency GPS, Galileo, Glonass, (ROW) Beidou, QZSS, Navic, Satellite SOS,	Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, UWB, LTE (optional), dual-frequency GPS, Galileo, Glonass, (ROW) Beidou, QZSS, Navic, Satellite SOS,
Sensors	Compass, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, multi-path optical heart rate sensor, cEDA, SpO2, ECG, far field skin temperature sensor	Compass, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, multi-path optical heart rate sensor, cEDA, SpO2, ECG, far field skin temperature sensor
Battery	41mm: 332mAh, 30 hours with AOD, 48 hours with Battery Saver 45mm: 465mAh, 40 hours with AOD, 72 hours with Battery Saver	41mm: 325mAh, 30 hours with AOD, 48 hours with Battery Saver 45mm: 455mAh, 40 hours with AOD, 72 hours with Battery Saver
Charging	41mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 25 minutes to 80%, 45 minutes to 100% 45mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 30 minutes to 80%, 60 minutes to 100%	41mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 25 minutes to 80%, 45 minutes to 100% 45mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 30 minutes to 80%, 60 minutes to 100%
Materials	Recycled aluminum	Recycled aluminum
Protection	Custom Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 5ATM, IP68	Custom Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 5ATM, IP68
Band	Active (fluoroelastomer)	Active (fluoroelastomer)
Dimensions	41 x 41 x 12.3mm 45 x 45 x 12.3mm	41 x 41 x 12.3mm 45 x 45 x 12.3mm
Weight (w/out band)	41mm: 31g 45mm: 36.7g	41mm: 31g 45mm: 36.7g
Colors	Matte Black, Polished Silver, Satin Pyrite, Champagne Gold (41mm only) Stephen Curry Special Edition (45mm only)	Matte Black Aluminum, Polished Silver Aluminum, Satin Moonstone Aluminum (45mm), Champagne Gold (41mm)

The Pixel Watch 5 has a 2% larger battery than the Pixel Watch 4, which helps give it the same battery life as the Pixel Watch 4, even though the Watch 5 has a chipset that’s 20% faster. The Pixel Watch 5 also ships with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while the Watch 4 only has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

The extra 1GB doesn’t sound like much, but it enables Gemini Nano to function properly, and the extra storage means you can download more music and podcasts for listening while you work out.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Both models feature Google’s superb haptic engine, the lovely rotating crown, a super shiny, bubbly exterior, support for all the same wristbands, and the same great connection capabilities.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Software and AI

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

There’s no meaningful difference between the features on these watches, but there are a few things to note. Google’s new Health Guardian is supported back to the Pixel Watch 3, so you can buy an even older (and cheaper) Pixel Watch if insulin resistance and blood pressure trends are your main reason for looking at new hardware. You can even sideload Pixel Watch 5 watch faces onto a Pixel Watch 4, if you want.

The real difference lies in Gemini capability and software support. The Pixel Watch 4 will get OS updates through October 2028, while the Watch 5 is supported through October 2029. That extra year of support will likely include new Gemini-based features, too, since the Pixel Watch 5 has 50% more RAM.

And speaking of Gemini, the Watch 5 supports onboard Gemini Nano, so all those simple commands (like starting a timer, controlling workouts or music with your voice, toggling settings) are all instant, while the Pixel Watch 4 needs an internet connection to get the job done. That may not matter most of the time, but it will make a difference if you’re out on a run and don’t have your phone (or an LTE connection) with you.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Health and workout tracking

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Google announced a ton of great new health features alongside the Pixel Watch 5, and the good news is that all of those features are headed to the Pixel Watch 4. The new insulin resistance and blood pressure trends features are all here.

The only real difference lies in Google’s new enhanced GPS tracking on the Pixel Watch 5, which further improves accuracy from the already excellent dual-band tracking on the Pixel Watch 4. This will come in handy if you navigate Google Maps a lot on your watch, especially in a city, but might not be a big deal otherwise.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Which should you buy?

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

At retail price, it makes more sense to buy a Pixel Watch 5. For just $30 more, you’re getting double the RAM, a faster processor, proper on-device Gemini capability, and an extra year of software support. That’s a no-brainer choice.

If you can find the Pixel Watch 4 for at least $100 less, however, the tide changes a bit. It’s still a less capable watch, but most people won’t care about the fancy new features if they can save a ton of money in the process. Just remember that the Pixel Watch 4 only has two more years of software support left (ending in October 2028) if you’re worried about that.