Apple Watch Series 9 vs Galaxy Watch 6 vs Pixel Watch 2 vs Garmin Venu 3 vs Fitbit Sense 2: The Ultimate Smartwatch Showdown 2025

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Top Smartwatch Competitors

Which smartwatch reigns supreme in 2025? Apple’s latest Watch Series 9 faces stiff competition from Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6, Google’s Fitbit-powered Pixel Watch 2, Garmin’s fitness-centric Venu 3, and Fitbit’s own Sense 2. These wearables each excel in different areas – from advanced health sensors to marathon battery life – making the choice less than straightforward. In this comprehensive report, we’ll compare all five across key dimensions: health and fitness tracking, smart features and apps, design and display, battery life, ecosystem integration, and pricing. We’ve gathered insights from expert reviews and industry voices to see how the Apple Watch Series 9 stacks up against its Android rivals (Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2) as well as hybrid platforms like Garmin Venu 3 and Fitbit Sense 2. By the end, you’ll know which smartwatch is the best fit for your lifestyle (and your smartphone). Let’s dive into the details of this ultimate smartwatch showdown.

Health and Wellness Tracking

When it comes to health monitoring, all five watches are packed with sensors, but they emphasize different strengths:

• Apple Watch Series 9: Apple’s reputation as the “gold standard” of smartwatch health tracking is well-earned tomsguide.com. The Series 9 carries a full suite of sensors: continuous heart-rate monitoring, ECG for atrial fibrillation detection, blood oxygen (SpO₂) readings, skin-temperature tracking (used for cycle and sleep insights), and high/low heart rate alerts appleinsider.com. Notably, Apple didn’t introduce new health hardware over the Series 8 – improvements came via the new S9 chip enabling on-device Siri for health queries and a brighter screen, rather than new sensors appleinsider.com appleinsider.com. That said, the Apple Watch’s health features are highly polished and clinically validated (its ECG and irregular rhythm notifications are FDA-cleared). It also integrates deeply with Apple’s Health app ecosystem, which means your Watch can help track everything from workouts and sleep to medications and mindfulness sessions. While the Series 9 doesn’t explicitly calculate a “stress score,” it offers mindfulness apps and heart-rate variability readings, and its sleep apnea detection feature (announced for watchOS) underscores Apple’s ongoing health ambitions womenshealthmag.com. Overall, for someone with an iPhone, the Series 9 delivers comprehensive and reliable health tracking, packaged in an intuitive interface that “seamlessly integrates into your daily routine,” as one tester noted techgearlab.com.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Samsung’s Wear OS-powered watch matches many of Apple’s health features and adds a few tricks of its own. It has an optical heart-rate sensor with continuous tracking, can produce an ECG (like Apple, it’s cleared for AFib detection), and measures blood oxygen. Samsung goes further with a bioimpedance sensor that calculates body composition (body fat and muscle percentage) – a unique feature among these five. It also has a skin temperature sensor now utilized for advanced cycle tracking and even a fun “Thermo Check” app to gauge ambient object temperatures theverge.com. The Galaxy Watch 6 can passively monitor irregular heart rhythms as of its latest update (similar to Apple’s AFib notifications) theverge.com theverge.com. One caveat: some of Samsung’s medical features are restricted to Samsung phone users – for instance, blood pressure monitoring (where available) and even ECG setup require Samsung’s phone app theverge.com. This ecosystem lock-in means if you don’t use a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you might miss out on part of the Watch 6’s health toolkit. In terms of accuracy, expert testing found the Watch 6’s heart-rate sensor solid for daily use but a step behind the very best. TechGearLab notes the Watch 6 “fell behind other top performers in our Health metric” and had a “less-than-accurate heart rate sensor”, which is one reason their testers preferred the Garmin Venu 3 for serious workouts techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. Still, the Galaxy Watch 6 covers all core wellness bases – heart health, sleep, stress (via stress score and guided breathing exercises in Samsung Health), and more – making it a well-rounded health tracker for Android users.
• Google Pixel Watch 2: Google’s second-gen watch doubles down on health and fitness by leveraging Fitbit’s expertise. It introduced three new sensors: a multipath optical heart-rate sensor that is significantly more accurate during high-intensity exercise, a continuous electrodermal activity sensor for stress, and a skin temperature sensor store.google.com store.google.com. The result is a watch that one reviewer calls “the rare sequel that’s better than the original”, largely thanks to health improvements theverge.com. The Pixel Watch 2’s heart tracking is impressively precise – Google claims 40% better accuracy in vigorous workouts, and testing bore this out with heart-rate readings within ~5 BPM of a chest strap and virtually on par with an Apple Watch Ultra theverge.com. It supports on-demand ECG (FDA-cleared) via the Fitbit app and now offers irregular heart rhythm alerts, high/low heart-rate notifications, and nightly SpO₂ tracking – features the first Pixel Watch lacked at launch theverge.com. Sleep tracking on Pixel Watch 2 is handled by Fitbit’s renowned algorithms, providing detailed sleep stage graphs and a personalized Sleep Profile each month (if you use Fitbit Premium). For stress, the Pixel Watch 2 goes beyond a simple stress score: its new Body Response feature combines the continuous EDA, heart rate, and temperature data to detect signs of stress or excitement throughout your day, prompting you to log mood or mindfulness sessions. This essentially brings the all-day stress monitoring of the Fitbit Sense line into the Pixel watch store.google.com. Summing up, the Pixel Watch 2 offers excellent health tracking for Android users, essentially matching Fitbit’s most advanced tracker (the Sense 2) feature-for-feature. The only downside is that some of Fitbit’s insights require a subscription – for example, advanced workout routing and long-term health trends need Fitbit Premium (more on that under Pricing) techgearlab.com. But out of the box, Pixel Watch 2 gives you a holistic health picture, from heart health to stress and sleep, that’s only rivaled by the Apple and Garmin in certain areas techgearlab.com.
• Garmin Venu 3: Garmin’s forte has always been fitness, but the Venu 3 also stakes a claim as a health monitoring powerhouse. It’s equipped with Garmin’s Elevate 4 optical heart-rate sensor (known for accuracy), plus a pulse oximeter for blood oxygen, and it finally adds an ECG app – new to Garmin with the Venu 3 (and a few siblings) as of late 2023 livescience.com. This means the Venu 3 can record a 30-second ECG to detect AFib versus normal sinus rhythm, bringing it in line with Apple, Samsung, and Google on heart health tech. Reviewers have praised the Venu 3’s biometric accuracy – Live Science noted “strong GPS and HR accuracy” in testing livescience.com. Beyond the basics, Garmin provides stress tracking (based on heart-rate variability) all day, a feature they helped popularize long before others. They translate that data into a Body Battery score, a 0–100 gauge of your overall energy/resilience that fluctuates with rest and stress – great for intuitively tracking recovery. Sleep tracking on the Venu 3 is in-depth: it not only logs stages and scores but also introduced Sleep Coach, which gives personalized advice and even accounts for daytime naps (the Venu 3 can auto-detect naps and factor them into your recovery metrics – a unique touch). Garmin even added modes for wheelchair users, tracking pushes instead of steps and handcycling workouts, underscoring their holistic approach to fitness and health inclusivity. In short, the Garmin Venu 3 is brimming with health insights. Its sensors and metrics are arguably matched only by the Pixel Watch 2 in breadth, and Garmin’s decades of experience in physiology show – as one review put it, “for adventurous types who need their battery to last many days, there is no better option,” and its health sensors are “only rivaled by the Pixel Watch 2” techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. The only catch? The Garmin lacks some of the on-watch polish of the others for health tracking – for instance, it doesn’t have a native electrodermal stress sensor (it infers stress from HRV) and, surprisingly, it lacks a native on-watch mapping app for workouts, despite Garmin’s GPS pedigree techgearlab.com. (You can sync courses or use your phone for maps, but there’s no Google/Apple Maps on the wrist here.) Overall, the Venu 3 is the go-to choice for serious fitness and multi-day health tracking, providing a depth of data that can overwhelm casual users but delight athletes and data geeks.
• Fitbit Sense 2: Fitbit built its brand on health tracking, and the Sense 2 exemplifies that focus on wellness. It matches many of the high-end sensors above: continuous heart rate (with alerts for high/low rates), an ECG app for AFib (Fitbit was one of the first after Apple to get clearance), SpO₂ overnight tracking, skin temperature trends, and the signature electrodermal activity sensor for stress. In fact, the Sense 2’s marquee upgrade was a new continuous EDA sensor that monitors stress reactions throughout the day – making it one of the most proactive stress trackers on any smartwatch tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. The watch will periodically detect “Body Response” events (similar to Pixel Watch 2’s approach) and prompt you to reflect on how you’re feeling, helping you correlate moments of stress or excitement with your daily activities. Sleep tracking is another strength: Fitbit’s algorithms give you a detailed sleep stage breakdown and a nightly score, plus a monthly Sleep Profile that compares your habits to benchmarks (Fitbit popularized the playful “sleep animal” profiles). All of this feeds into Fitbit’s holistic wellness platform, which integrates with the Fitbit app and (optionally) Fitbit Premium for deeper analysis and coaching. One thing to note: no new major health sensors were added from the original Sense – rather, Google (which now owns Fitbit) removed some features on the software side to streamline the device and differentiate it from the Pixel. For example, Sense 2 lost the ability to run third-party health apps and even Google Assistant (more on that later) tomsguide.com. Still, what’s on the Sense 2 works well: Tom’s Guide praised it as “an advanced fitness-tracking smartwatch, with great battery life, and tools to help manage your physical health and mood” tomsguide.com. The Sense 2 is also platform-agnostic (works with both iPhones and Android), so it’s an option for someone who wants robust health tracking without being tied to Apple or Google. The main drawbacks are on the “smart” side rather than health: the Sense 2’s sensor set is top-notch for wellness, but you won’t find as much data granularity as Garmin provides for hardcore athletes, and many of Fitbit’s most insightful features (like Daily Readiness scores, long-term trends, and video workouts) sit behind a subscription paywall after the included 6-month trial techgearlab.com. We’ll address that under Pricing, but in pure health terms, the Sense 2 is comprehensively equipped for fitness and wellness – essentially on par with the Pixel Watch 2’s sensor array (which isn’t surprising, as the Pixel’s features grew directly out of Fitbit’s platform).

Bottom line: All five watches offer 24/7 heart-rate tracking, ECG capabilities, sleep analysis, and various wellness alerts. The Apple Watch Series 9 stands out for its seamless integration and trusted accuracy within the iOS ecosystem, whereas Samsung’s Watch 6 and Google’s Pixel Watch 2 provide nearly equivalent health tracking for Android users – with the Pixel inching ahead thanks to Fitbit enhancements (and Samsung adding niche metrics like body composition). Garmin’s Venu 3 is in a league of its own for fitness enthusiasts, delivering vast sport-specific data and multi-day physiological tracking that far outlasts the others (both in scope and battery longevity) techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. Meanwhile, Fitbit’s Sense 2 targets the everyday wellness seeker who wants stress management, solid health stats, and battery life to spare – so long as they don’t need many smartphone bells and whistles. With health monitoring covered, let’s see how these devices stack up when it’s time to actually work out.

Fitness and Exercise Features

A smartwatch’s true worth often shows when you hit the gym or the trail. In this category, all five contenders track exercise, but with varying levels of depth and coaching:

• Apple Watch Series 9: Apple has steadily evolved its fitness features, and the Series 9 running watchOS 10 is a capable workout companion for most users. It supports over 100 workout types (from standard running/cycling/swimming to yoga, HIIT, hiking, and dance), with automatic workout detection for common activities like walking, running, and cycling (it’ll prompt you to start/stop after a few minutes). Apple’s workout app provides real-time stats and now includes advanced metrics for runners that were introduced in watchOS 9: things like heart rate zones, stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation (the latter few require pairing with an iPhone or specific sensors). The Series 9 also benefits from features like track mode (which automatically snaps outdoor runs to a standard 400m track for accurate lap distances) and custom workout and interval creation. Where Apple shines is user-friendly visuals and integration: for example, you can race against your past routes, get pace notifications, and see your progress toward weekly activity goals (the famous Activity rings). Apple Fitness+ (a subscription service) can further turn the watch into a personal coach, syncing with workout videos on your iPhone/Apple TV and showing your heart rate on screen. However, serious athletes might find Apple’s training analysis somewhat basic. There’s no native concept of recovery time or training load beyond closing your daily rings. Apple does estimate VO₂ max (labeled “Cardio Fitness” score) and will alert if it trends low, but deeper insights like training effect, stress recovery, or periodization plans aren’t (yet) part of the package. In short, the Series 9 is excellent for general fitness – reliably accurate GPS (Apple’s GPS was “100% accurate” in TechGearLab’s tests techgearlab.com) and heart-rate make it fine for marathon training and casual competition – but highly competitive athletes who crave granular performance metrics or offline mapping might gravitate to Garmin or similar.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Samsung’s approach to fitness tracking is to offer a broad feature set that’s competitive with Apple and Google, while leaning on its hardware advantages. The Watch 6 has standalone GPS built-in, and while it doesn’t yet support dual-frequency/multi-band GPS like some Garmins do, testers found it reasonably accurate (though occasionally a bit off on distance until acquiring a solid lock) theverge.com. Samsung Health offers 90+ workout modes, covering everything from running, cycling, and swimming (5ATM water resistant) to more specialized modes like circuit training, Pilates, or even lawn mowing. With the Galaxy Watch 6 series, Samsung caught up on some features that others already had: it added personalized heart-rate zones and improved interval training views, and even a new Track Run mode for proper lane tracking on athletic tracks theverge.com. As one reviewer noted, these were “all things Apple added last year…and Garmin’s had for ages”, indicating Samsung is more refining than revolutionizing in fitness this round theverge.com. A unique fitness metric Samsung offers is its Body Composition analysis using the BIA sensor – after a 15-second measurement with your fingers on the buttons, you get readings for body fat percentage, skeletal muscle, body water, and BMI. It’s a useful baseline, though not as precise as a dedicated body composition scale. In terms of guidance, Samsung Health has programs like running coaching, and the Watch 6 can auto-detect activities (it will auto-log walks, runs, cycling, elliptical, rowing, and dynamic workouts). One nifty addition is that after a run or cycle, the watch can display a recovery guide with your heart rate recovery and some recommended rehydration info. GPS navigation during workouts is handled via connected phone (or LTE) using Google Maps on Wear OS, which can give turn-by-turn directions on the watch – a handy smart feature Apple lacks natively. Overall, Galaxy Watch 6 is a very capable fitness tracker for the average user, though in testing it wasn’t the top performer in accuracy or battery for hardcore training. For instance, its GPS occasionally showed minor wonkiness (like odd low SpO₂ readings during sleep or a slight distance overshoot in runs, which reviewers flagged) theverge.com. And while it tracks dozens of activities, it doesn’t go into the extreme depth on each that Garmin does. Samsung’s edge is providing a bit of everything: a touch of coaching, decent accuracy, and even entertainment (you can store Spotify playlists offline to listen while running, similar to Apple). It’s the well-rounded fitness all-rounder on Android – not the absolute best in any single metric, but solid across the board techgearlab.com techgearlab.com.
• Google Pixel Watch 2: With the Pixel Watch 2, Google essentially fused a Fitbit fitness tracker into a smartwatch body. That means for exercise you’re using the Fitbit app experience. The watch can track 40+ exercise modes, which is fewer than Apple or Samsung, but covers all the common ones (run, bike, swim, treadmill, strength, yoga, etc.) plus some niche activities (it even has an ECG-based Yoga mode to help with mindfulness). The big improvement in Pixel Watch 2 is the accuracy and intelligence of tracking. Thanks to the new multi-path heart sensor, the Pixel 2 can more reliably track heart rate during HIIT, spinning, and other rapid HR-change workouts store.google.com. Reviewers noted far less lag in heart-rate updates mid-workout, and overall, the Pixel’s readings stayed within a few beats of chest straps and high-end watches theverge.com. The Pixel Watch 2 also finally added on-wrist automatic workout detection (for walks, runs, etc.) – previously, a Fitbit would detect exercise after the fact, but now Pixel gives real-time prompts like Apple and Samsung theverge.com. In terms of metrics, Pixel/Fitbit emphasize simplicity: you’ll see core stats (pace, distance, heart rate, zones, Active Zone Minutes, etc.) easily on the AMOLED display. New to this model are on-device heart rate zone alerts (with customizable zones) and pace training features theverge.com theverge.com. For instance, you can set a target pace and the watch will buzz if you go too fast or slow – great for runners trying to hit a specific time goal. You can also be alerted when you change heart-rate zones, and even set the watch to notify you if you fall out of your desired zone (say, to ensure a tempo run stays in the vigorous zone) theverge.com. These features bring the Pixel Watch 2 closer to parity with Apple and Samsung in training tools – “It’s good to see Google and Fitbit catch up here,” wrote The Verge theverge.com. However, the Pixel is still geared toward casual-to-intermediate exercisers, not elite athletes. One reason is GPS performance: while it’s competent, it’s not as snappy or accurate as the best. Reviewers observed the Pixel 2 taking longer to lock GPS and occasionally over-reporting distance a bit (e.g. ~0.05 mile extra per mile) theverge.com. It’s not deal-breaking for everyday runs, but serious marathoners might notice the difference. Additionally, while the Pixel+Fitbit ecosystem will cheerily track your workouts and give you an effort score (Active Zone Minutes) and a Daily Readiness score (with Premium) to gauge recovery, it won’t provide the richer training load or VO₂ trends that a Garmin might. As one review concluded, “This is a watch best suited for casual to intermediate activity tracking”, noting that it lacks some of Garmin’s hardcore features (and its screen can be hard to read in bright sun during outdoor workouts) theverge.com theverge.com. The Pixel Watch 2 does benefit from Fitbit’s social community (challenges, leaderboards in the Fitbit app) and has perks like on-watch Emergency SOS and Safety Check for runners or cyclists concerned about safety (you can have it alert contacts if you don’t confirm you’re okay after a set time) theverge.com theverge.com. In sum, Pixel Watch 2 delivers a friendly, effective fitness experience for most people – it’s just not trying to be a Garmin that exhaustively documents every aspect of athletic performance.
• Garmin Venu 3: This is where the Venu 3 flexes its muscles. Garmin essentially took its sport watch expertise (from the Forerunner/Fenix line) and put it into a more lifestyle-friendly design. The result is a watch that can track an enormous range of activities – far beyond what the Apple, Samsung, or Pixel offer. From mainstream sports (running, cycling, pool and open-water swimming, strength, golf, etc.) to niche pursuits like hiking, climbing, skiing/snowboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, Pilates, breathwork, pickleball – you name it, it likely has a mode techgearlab.com. Not only are there dozens of activity profiles, but each is customizable with specific data screens. For example, hikers can see elevation gain and maps (if you sync a route from your phone), strength trainers can see animated muscle maps of which muscle groups you’ve worked, and golfers get course maps and swing analysis. The Venu 3 also introduces some firsts for Garmin’s lifestyle line, like a dedicated wheelchair mode (tracking pushes and strokes instead of steps, plus sports like wheelchair basketball) – a sign of Garmin’s comprehensive approach. In terms of accuracy, Garmin is top-tier. TechGearLab’s side-by-side tests put the Venu 3 at the head of the pack for heart-rate accuracy during workouts (they actually preferred the Venu 3 for tracking workouts over the Samsung Watch6, citing the latter’s sensor lag) techgearlab.com. GPS accuracy is excellent, especially if stationary GPS lock is achieved; the Venu 3 doesn’t have multi-band GPS in specs, yet still delivered very strong results in testing (99%+ route accuracy) techgearlab.com. Where Garmin truly separates is in training analytics. The Venu 3 can give you VO₂ max estimates for runs and cycling, calculate your Fitness Age, and even assess Training Effect (aerobic and anaerobic impact scores) for each workout. It provides a suggested recovery time after hard activities and can track your acute load and training status over weeks (features inherited from higher-end Garmins). It also has a clever Morning Report that, each morning, summarizes your sleep, recovery (Body Battery), and suggests a workout for the day if you want. These are features typically found on advanced running watches, now in the Venu 3. The flipside of all this prowess is that the Venu 3 is less “smart” during workouts in terms of connected features – for example, as noted earlier, it lacks on-board maps or turn-by-turn Google Maps directions on the wrist techgearlab.com. You also won’t get music streaming services beyond Spotify/Amazon Music/Deezer downloads (no Apple Music or YouTube Music app here). And if you’re mid-workout and get a text, Garmin will show it, but responding (especially on iPhone) is limited or not possible. However, those are trade-offs serious athletes often accept for a device that, in pure fitness terms, “far outstrips” others when it comes to tracking workouts and customizing sport modes techgearlab.com. Garmin’s mantra is data and battery over flashy features, and the Venu 3 epitomizes that. If your idea of a smartwatch is one that primarily serves as a training partner and health monitor – to the extent that you might charge it once a week and forget – the Venu 3 is the champion here.
• Fitbit Sense 2: The Sense 2 is more a wellness watch than a performance sports watch, but it covers the exercise basics reasonably well. It has built-in GPS, so you can map outdoor workouts without a phone. It offers about 40 exercise modes, very similar to the Pixel Watch’s selection since they’re both drawing from Fitbit’s platform. This includes running, cycling, swimming (50m water resistant), treadmill, weights, interval workouts, yoga, etc., plus some less common options like circuit training, martial arts, and bootcamp. The interface is simple: during workouts you see 3 metrics at a time (e.g. time, distance, heart rate), and you can customize some of what’s shown via the Fitbit app. One highlight is Fitbit’s Active Zone Minutes (AZM) system: rather than focusing on calorie burn or strict step counts, AZM encourages you to spend time in elevated heart-rate zones. You earn double points for minutes spent in cardio or peak zone. This is a beginner-friendly way to ensure you’re getting the recommended cardio intensity per week. The Sense 2 will buzz when you move between heart zones, similarly to the Pixel, since AZM is a Fitbit staple. However, you won’t get features like configurable heart-rate alerts or pace targets on the Sense 2 – it’s a bit more bare-bones in guiding your training compared to Pixel Watch 2 or Galaxy Watch. One thing to note: auto-detection of workouts on Fitbit is mostly in the background. Fitbit’s SmartTrack will auto-record certain exercises (walks, runs, bike rides, etc. after ~10 minutes) but it won’t prompt you on the watch to start/stop – it just logs them so you get credit later. That’s less interactive than how Apple, Samsung, and now Pixel handle auto pause/resume. Accuracy-wise, the Sense 2 is decent but not class-leading. Its GPS can take a minute to lock on, and is generally fine for casual use but might cut a corner here or there. Heart-rate tracking is usually solid at steady paces, but rapid changes (like interval sprints) can cause some lag. Interestingly, some tests have found Fitbit’s sensors very well-tuned for certain scenarios – TechGearLab found the Sense 2’s step counting to be extremely accurate on a treadmill, even more so than the Apple Watch in their test techgearlab.com. But they also rated the Sense 2 lower overall for sports, likely due to its limited metrics and lack of high-end features techgearlab.com. The Sense 2 does not offer advanced metrics like VO₂ max on the watch (Fitbit will estimate a VO₂ max in-app as a “Cardio Fitness Score,” but it’s not prominently used). Nor does it have training load or structured workout plans on-watch (Fitbit Premium does have some training programs in the app). Essentially, Fitbit’s exercise philosophy is moderate and health-oriented: get your weekly Active Zone Minutes, don’t stress about the rest. This aligns with the Sense 2’s target audience – someone who prioritizes stress reduction and daily activity over hardcore athletic training. It’s worth highlighting that Fitbit Premium subscribers unlock a Daily Readiness Score which suggests how hard to work out each day, similar to Garmin’s Body Battery or WHOOP’s recovery score. But that score is viewed in the phone app, not on the watch, and the Sense 2 won’t nudge you with performance analytics on its own. In summary, the Sense 2 is competent for casual fitness – it’ll track your runs, walks, and gym sessions reliably enough and log them to Fitbit’s app where you can see maps and basic stats. Just don’t expect the Sense 2 to coach you through a marathon or give detailed feedback beyond “you were in peak zone for 10 minutes.” It’s a “get moving and manage your stress” kind of watch, not a triathlete’s training tool.

Bottom line: For fitness enthusiasts, Garmin Venu 3 is the standout – it offers a rich array of sports modes and analytics that one reviewer said “far outstrips” the others in tracking workouts techgearlab.com. Apple Watch Series 9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 are close behind in general fitness capability, with Apple excelling in polish and integration (especially if you use Fitness+ or third-party workout apps) and Samsung providing a feature-packed experience for Android users (even if much of it is catching up to Apple/Garmin’s innovations) theverge.com. Pixel Watch 2 significantly improved its workout game with better accuracy and new training tools, making it a strong choice for Android users who want Fitbit’s simplicity with a dash of coaching – it’s now “a watch that could fit into my everyday life” even for active use, as one reviewer noted theverge.com theverge.com. Fitbit Sense 2, while not aimed at performance athletes, still covers the bases for casual exercise and contributes to a bigger picture of your wellness (tying your workouts into stress and sleep data nicely). Ultimately, if you’re training for a serious athletic goal, Garmin (or possibly Apple with third-party apps) has the edge. But for most people looking to stay active, any of these watches can get the job done – with the main considerations being what level of insight and guidance you want during and after your workouts.

Smart Features and Apps

Beyond health and fitness, a smartwatch has to actually be smart. This includes running apps, showing notifications, handling calls and texts, using voice assistants, and more. Here’s how our five devices compare on the smarts:

• Apple Watch Series 9: The Apple Watch set the template for a modern smartwatch, and Series 9 continues to offer the most polished and seamless smart experience – provided you have an iPhone (it’s incompatible with Android phones entirely) techgearlab.com. App support is second to none: the watch has its own App Store with thousands of apps optimized for the wrist, from big names like Spotify, Google Maps (yes, there’s an Apple Watch Google Maps app), and WhatsApp, to niche utilities. Apple’s native apps are also excellent – Maps with turn-by-turn directions tapping your wrist, a great Messages app with scribble, dictation, or emoji input, and rich notification interactions. You can not only read notifications from any iPhone app but often respond or take action (reply to a message, archive an email, etc.) right from the watch. A unique new gesture introduced with Series 9 (via a software update) is Double Tap – tapping your thumb and forefinger together lets you control the watch one-handed (for example, answer a call or pause music) without touching the screen, which is magical when your other hand is occupied appleinsider.com appleinsider.com. Siri, while not the most brainy assistant in 2025, is available at a raise of the wrist, and thanks to the S9 chip’s Neural Engine, Siri requests on Series 9 are processed on-device for speed and even work offline for tasks like setting timers or starting workouts theverge.com theverge.com. Later in 2024, Siri gained the ability to log health data via voice (e.g. “record my weight” or “how’s my sleep?”) completely on the watch. The Series 9 can take phone calls (it has a speaker/mic and even optional cellular models), and testers found call quality superb – “basically as good as the iPhone itself” for the person talking on the watch techgearlab.com. You can send texts via voice or scribble with ease; Apple’s voice-to-text is very accurate (even handling tongue-twisters with ~95% accuracy in one test) theverge.com. Music is fully supported: you can sync Apple Music playlists or use Spotify, Pandora, etc. with offline playback. Contactless payments with Apple Pay are a given, and very convenient. One area Apple also excels is smart home and ecosystem control – with Series 9’s U1 chip, you can use Precision Find to locate a misplaced iPhone, or unlock your Mac or authenticate on your iPhone just by wearing your unlocked watch. Essentially, the Apple Watch turns your Apple ecosystem into a cohesive whole. It’s no surprise that for iPhone users, Apple Watch is often considered indispensable. The interface is highly intuitive – Apple’s thoughtful design means, as an expert noted, “the Watch app looks just like the interface you experience on your iPhone, which makes for super intuitive use” techgearlab.com. The only downside? It won’t work at all with Android, and Apple still doesn’t allow alternatives like Google Assistant or custom watch faces – you live in Apple’s world, for better and worse (though with the depth of apps available, that “walled garden” is very lush).
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Being a Wear OS 4 device with Samsung’s One UI Watch overlay, the Galaxy Watch 6 is highly capable in the smart department – arguably the best choice for Android users who want a full Apple Watch equivalent. You get the Google Play Store on the watch, giving access to many third-party apps: Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Maps, Strava, Google Keep, and plenty more. In fact, the core Google apps are well integrated: out of the box you have Google Assistant, Google Wallet for tap-to-pay, Google Maps for navigation, YouTube Music for tunes, and even Gmail and Calendar watch apps. Samsung also includes its own apps like Samsung Pay (now integrated as Samsung Wallet) and Bixby voice assistant, though you can choose to use Assistant instead – it’s up to you. The combination means the Watch 6 can do pretty much anything: control smart home devices (Google Home app), serve as a digital wallet, or even stream YouTube videos in a pinch (tiny as that may be). Notifications mirror your Android phone, with rich interactivity – for instance, you can reply to messages via voice, the built-in keyboard (swipe typing on a tiny circle actually works decently), or choose from smart replies. One tester remarked that the Watch 6’s notifications and interface felt very familiar to Android users, with icons and layout that “Android users will feel at home with” techgearlab.com. The Watch 6 also can take calls via Bluetooth or LTE; call quality was found to be loud and clear on the wrist, even outperforming the Pixel Watch 2’s speaker clarity in one comparison techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. A standout feature of Samsung’s Classic model is the physical rotating bezel (on the Watch 6 Classic) which offers satisfying tactile navigation through apps and notifications – something unique to Samsung in the modern smartwatch market. Even the standard Watch 6 has a haptic “digital bezel” around the screen (though reviewers found it “more finicky than a physical rotating bezel” for scrolling techgearlab.com techgearlab.com). Another feather in Samsung’s cap is customization: you have a lot of watch faces (and third-party faces) to choose from, and you can mix Samsung’s ecosystem with Google’s. For example, you might use Samsung Health for some things, Google Fit for others, Bixby for a quick command (it’s decent for device-specific tasks), and Google Assistant for general knowledge queries. However, note that for some advanced features (like ECG and blood pressure), you must install Samsung’s phone apps and, in some regions, have a Samsung phone – a bit of a silo that might push non-Samsung Android users toward Pixel Watch instead theverge.com. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 6 stands as the top smartwatch for Android when it comes to all-around smart features. It has a slight edge over the Pixel Watch in hardware (more sizes, optional rotating bezel, arguably more durable build with the Classic’s stainless steel, and a larger screen), and equals it in software breadth thanks to running the same Play Store apps. It’s telling that TechGearLab gave the Watch 6 their “Best Overall Android Smartwatch” award, stating that its native app layout “might be the most all-encompassing…of the entire lineup” techgearlab.com. The only real drawbacks are that it can’t be used with iPhone at all, and if you stray from the Samsung ecosystem you lose a couple features (though core Google services remain intact). But if you own an Android phone – especially a Samsung – the Galaxy Watch 6 delivers nearly everything a modern smartwatch should, from music to maps to voice assistants, in a refined package.
• Google Pixel Watch 2: The Pixel Watch 2, running Wear OS 4 as well, is Google’s direct answer to Apple Watch – and it leverages Google’s strengths in software. The Pixel Watch 2 comes loaded with Google apps and services: Assistant, Maps, Gmail, Calendar, Google Wallet, Google Home, and YouTube Music are all either preloaded or available, ensuring tight integration with the Google ecosystem theverge.com. For instance, you can use Assistant to send a quick message, control Nest thermostats via the Home app tile, get turn-by-turn directions on the watch (even without your phone if you have LTE), or stream/download music from YouTube Music. One area the Pixel Watch shines is voice assistance – Google Assistant is fast and naturally more capable in answering general queries than Siri or Bixby. Want to know the weather, set a reminder, or dictate a WhatsApp message? Assistant handles it smoothly. The Pixel Watch’s design philosophy is clean and helpful. Its UI is minimalist with Google’s Material You touches, and navigation is via touch and the rotating crown (similar to Apple’s digital crown). Notifications on Pixel Watch are rich and actionable; you can reply by voice, use the tiny keyboard, or choose smart replies. Thanks to Wear OS, third-party app selection is robust – basically identical to what Samsung’s watch can run. However, the Pixel Watch 2 only comes in one size (41mm), which some users with larger wrists find small theverge.com. The domed AMOLED display is beautiful but a bit petite compared to, say, the 45mm Apple Watch or 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Also, its bezels are on the thicker side (though Google cleverly uses dark watch faces to mask this). These factors mean less screen real estate for apps, but on the flip side, the Pixel’s compact size is very comfortable for most people and looks stylish. When it comes to performance, the Pixel Watch 2’s new processor and 2GB RAM make it zippy in day-to-day use – faster than its predecessor, with smoother app launches. Importantly, Google addressed a big gripe from the first model: battery life. The Pixel Watch 2 finally lasts a full day (24+ hours) with always-on display, as we’ll detail in the battery section, meaning you’re not as tethered to the charger theverge.com theverge.com. This reliability elevates its smart features – you can use sleep tracking and still have juice for the next day’s apps and notifications. One potential concern with Pixel is that it’s still a relatively new hardware line for Google. Some early Pixel Watch 2 users and reviewers experienced minor connectivity bugs (watch disconnecting from phone) that required a reset techgearlab.com, though updates have been ironing these issues out. Another factor is Fitbit integration: the Pixel Watch 2 uses the Fitbit app for health/fitness data, which is separate from Google Fit. This is great if you’re a Fitbit user (your data continuity is preserved), but it means you juggle an extra app. Google’s vision is merging Fitbit into Wear OS, and by and large it works well – you just need to remember to use the Fitbit app for your health metrics. One trade-off of this Fitbit-centric approach is that, unlike Samsung or Apple, there is no third-party app ecosystem for fitness on Pixel – you basically use Fitbit for all health needs (which for many is fine). Also, like the Sense 2, accessing advanced fitness analysis requires Fitbit Premium subscription after the free trial techgearlab.com. In terms of calls and texts, the Pixel Watch 2 can do both. Its speaker is adequate (loud enough for calls, though testers noted it has a bit of static and isn’t as crisp as Samsung’s) techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. The microphone is good – people on the other end generally can’t tell you’re on a watch unless you’re in a noisy environment. One cool Pixel-exclusive feature is Safety Check (also on Pixel phones): you can set a timer when, say, walking alone at night, and if you don’t mark yourself safe when time’s up, it alerts your emergency contacts with your location theverge.com theverge.com. The watch will also auto-detect if you’ve had a hard fall or accident (Fall Detection and Emergency SOS), similar to Apple’s safety features. All told, the Pixel Watch 2 is an excellent all-around smartwatch for Android, especially if you lean on Google services. It doesn’t have the physical finesse of a rotating bezel or multiple sizes like Samsung, but it nails the essentials and presents them in a friendly, Pixel-y way. As one reviewer succinctly put it: “Listen, almost everything is better [on Pixel Watch 2].” theverge.com It’s a strong sign that Google is committed to this product line (with Pixel Watch 3 already on the market by late 2024, building on these strengths).
• Garmin Venu 3: Garmin has been integrating more “smart” features into its watches, and the Venu 3 is their most smartwatch-like device yet livescience.com. It offers the basics well: you get notifications from your phone (Android or iPhone) on your wrist, and unlike older Garmins, the Venu 3 can take phone calls when paired (there’s a speaker and mic, so you can answer a call in the middle of a jog – handy when your phone’s in your pocket). For Android users, Garmin even allows replying to texts from the watch – you can send quick replies or even type out a response on an on-screen keyboard if needed techgearlab.com. (On iPhone, due to iOS restrictions, you can view messages but not respond.) The Venu 3 also supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which works with many major banks (though not as universally accepted as Apple/Google Pay). When it comes to apps, Garmin’s ecosystem (Connect IQ) is more limited. There are some third-party apps and watch faces – things like Spotify (for downloading music to the watch), Deezer, Strava integration, some simple games or utility apps – but nowhere near the breadth of Apple or Wear OS app stores. You won’t find, say, a ride-hailing or banking app for Garmin. Connect IQ apps tend to focus on fitness and data fields (like specialized running metrics, maps, or widgets for weather, etc.). So, Garmin’s smart functionality is focused: it’s great at delivering notifications, calendar alerts, weather updates, and letting you control music or calls, but it’s not trying to replace your phone for a lot of tasks. One notable absence is a voice assistant. The Venu 3 cannot talk to Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa directly on the watch (contrast with the Garmin Venu 2 Plus which had a workaround where you could trigger your phone’s assistant with a long-press – that feature didn’t carry over to Venu 3). This means no talking to your wrist to send a text or set a reminder; everything is manual via buttons/touch. In everyday use, the Venu 3’s interface is a blend of touchscreen and two side buttons for navigation. It’s generally easy, but some testers noted that relying on a touchscreen during workouts can lead to accidental swipes or taps, especially if it’s raining or you’re moving – a drawback compared to watches with rotating crowns or bezels livescience.com. On the positive side, Garmin has added nice quality-of-life features: the Venu 3 can show you animated workouts on-screen (for guided strength, yoga, or Pilates sessions), and its Morning Report and daily calendar widgets make it a good daily companion. It even has a new Text-to-Speech feature that can read out your sleep summary or workout stats – a bit robotic, but an interesting step toward more accessible tech. Compatibility is a plus: because it works with both iOS and Android, it’s a flexible choice if you switch phones or have an iPad/Android tablet mix. And Garmin’s Connect app is excellent for data and allows a lot of customization on how notifications are handled. Summing up, the Venu 3 is smart enough for most purposes, but it’s not going to replace having your phone nearby for anything beyond the basics. Garmin deliberately doesn’t chase every app or feature – they prioritize battery life and fitness. A TechGearLab comparison highlighted that trade-off, noting the Venu 3’s app ecosystem is “less mature” than Apple’s or Samsung’s techgearlab.com. They specifically called out that the Venu 3 “lacks basic texting functions” beyond simple replies (especially on iPhone) and that the absence of a native mapping app was surprising techgearlab.com. If you need onboard Google Maps or the ability to summon an Uber from your watch, Garmin isn’t for you. But if you primarily want your watch to mirror important notifications, handle music and payments, and maybe show who’s calling, the Venu 3 handles those with ease – all while lasting days longer than the ultra-smartwatches.
• Fitbit Sense 2: Here is where the Sense 2’s limitations become clear. Unlike all the others, the Sense 2 does not support third-party apps at all tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. That means no app store on the watch – you are basically limited to the built-in functionality that Fitbit (Google) provides. At launch in 2022, this was a major criticism, though Google partially mitigated it by adding a couple of their own apps later: namely, Google Maps and Google Wallet are now available on the Sense 2 after updates tomsguide.com. With Google Maps, you can get turn-by-turn directions on your Sense 2’s screen (it uses your phone’s GPS for navigation, acting as a second screen). With Google Wallet, you can tap the watch to pay at NFC terminals – effectively replacing the older Fitbit Pay with Google’s more widely accepted system. For voice interactions, the Sense 2 has Amazon Alexa built-in (accessible via the Alexa app on the watch) tomsguide.com. You can ask Alexa questions, set reminders, control smart home devices, etc., and Alexa will reply with text on the screen (and through the speaker for certain responses) documents.4rgos.it. However, Google Assistant – which was available on the original Sense – was removed on Sense 2, likely to push Pixel Watch for those who want Google’s assistant tomsguide.com. The omission of Assistant is unfortunate for those in Google’s ecosystem, but at least Alexa provides an option for voice control. When it comes to notifications, the Sense 2 will show alerts from your phone (Android or iPhone). If you’re on Android, you can send quick replies or emojis to messages from certain apps and even accept/decline calls with a preset text reply community.fitbit.com. If you’re on iPhone, you can view notifications but cannot respond (again, an Apple restriction). Originally, Sense 2 could not answer calls via the watch, even though it had a microphone and speaker. This changed with a firmware update: as of early 2023, Sense 2 can take on-wrist phone calls when paired to your smartphone support.google.com. You use the watch’s speakerphone and mic to talk, which is a welcome improvement and brings it in line with others for basic calling. Music control on Sense 2 is limited – there’s no onboard music storage or apps like Spotify (since no third-party apps). You can control your phone’s music (play/pause, skip tracks) with the music controller, but you can’t stream directly on the watch or play offline music to earbuds without your phone. This underscores that Fitbit has positioned the Sense 2 more as a health watch than an app platform. In daily use, the interface is simple and fluid (it’s based on Google’s Wear OS design language, just without the app ecosystem). You swipe for notifications, swipe the other way for quick settings, and there’s a single physical button for back/home. Many users appreciate the simplicity – it’s harder to get lost in menus compared to an Apple or Wear OS watch. Tom’s Guide noted the Sense 2 is “comfortable to wear for long periods” and its simpler UI means less distraction, which aligns with Fitbit’s wellness ethos tomsguide.com. The downside is obvious: if you expect your smartwatch to run your favorite apps or do more than fitness tracking and basic utilities, the Sense 2 will disappoint. For example, you cannot use it to control your phone’s camera, cannot get a public transit schedule app, and cannot add music streaming apps. It does, however, have a couple of built-in goodies like a Weather app, Timers, Alarms, and the aforementioned Alexa, Maps, and Wallet. And it still does the things like displaying calendar events and controlling basic phone functions. In essence, the Sense 2 is closer to a traditional fitness tracker with a big screen than a full-fledged smartwatch. This was by design – Google confirmed in 2024 that they are phasing out Fitbit “smartwatches” and focusing on the Pixel Watch for app-rich experiences techtimes.com. So the Sense 2 stands as likely the last of its kind: a smartwatch with great battery life and health features, but intentionally stripped down on smart apps to avoid overlapping with the Pixel Watch techtimes.com techtimes.com. If your needs are modest (notifications, mobile payments, voice replies, and health tracking), the Sense 2 will serve you well. But if you imagine doing Dick Tracy stuff with lots of apps on your wrist, you’ll want to look at the other watches on this list.

Bottom line: In terms of sheer “smart” capabilities, the Apple Watch Series 9 is still top dog for its rich app ecosystem and tight iPhone integration – it truly extends your phone, and even our connected home, to your wrist in a seamless way techgearlab.com. On the Android side, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 and Google’s Pixel Watch 2 are very closely matched. Samsung offers a bit more in hardware options and has the familiarity of One UI (plus possibly better longevity with its larger batteries), whereas Pixel provides the clean Google experience and the latest updates (and no feature gating for non-Samsung phones) theverge.com. Both run the same apps and both can leverage Google’s and Samsung’s ecosystems – they are the best choices for Android users who want Apple Watch-like capabilities. Garmin Venu 3, while not as app-rich, covers the core smart features (notifications, calls, payments) and has the huge benefit of working on both iOS and Android with equal support. It’s the best pick if you want cross-platform compatibility or if you prioritize not being tethered to a charger over having every app – keep in mind it lacks many third-party apps and any voice assistant techgearlab.com. Fitbit Sense 2 is clearly the most limited in classic smartwatch terms – no app store and only Alexa as a voice assistant – but it still handles messaging, calls, and pay, which for many users (especially those who value its other strengths and multi-day battery) is enough. A TechGearLab summary put it well: watches like the Apple, Samsung, and Pixel have virtually all the app availability one could want, whereas “neither the Sense 2 nor Versa 4 have the ability to connect to the Google Play store, which severely limits their overall smart function” techgearlab.com. So, if you need a full-fledged smartwatch, stick with Apple or a Wear OS device; if you just need the fundamentals and prefer simplicity (and days of battery), Garmin or Fitbit might actually be more appealing.

Design and Display

Style and screen quality are more than vanity – they affect how you use the watch every day. Here we compare the designs, build, and display tech of our five competitors:

• Apple Watch Series 9: Apple’s design is iconic and virtually unchanged since the Series 4 – a squarish rounded rectangle with slim bezels and a bright OLED display. The Series 9 comes in two sizes, 41 mm and 45 mm, both with an always-on Retina LTPO OLED screen that can reach 2,000 nits peak brightness (twice as bright as pre-Series 8 models) theverge.com. In practical terms, that means the Series 9 is easily viewable outdoors in sunny conditions; it automatically adjusts brightness via an ambient light sensor to avoid blinding you indoors theverge.com. The display is sharp ( crisp text and smooth animations), and Apple’s typography and UI scaling make excellent use of the space. Being rectangular, the Apple Watch screen can show a lot of text – great for reading messages or scrolling through emails without too much truncation. Apple also has perhaps the best selection of watch faces, ranging from informative (multi-complication faces) to artsy, and you can even set your own photos or portraits that depth-effect behind the clock hands. In terms of materials, the Series 9 aluminum models have Ion-X strengthened glass displays (and are very lightweight), while the stainless steel models use sapphire crystal which is extremely scratch-resistant appleinsider.com. The case itself is sleek and flush; the underside has a ceramic and sapphire back housing the sensors – comfortable on skin. Apple offers a huge array of bands, and the lug mechanism makes swapping bands effortless, which is a plus for those who want their watch to match their outfit or activity. The shape of the Apple Watch is distinctive but functional – some find the squircle look less like a traditional watch, but others love how information-dense it can be. One trade-off: Apple Watch’s design prioritizes being slim and attractive, but not necessarily ultra-rugged. It’s plenty durable for everyday wear (water resistant to 50 m for swimming, crack-resistant front crystal), but heavy-duty adventurers might prefer more protected designs (Apple would point them to the Watch Ultra). Still, Series 9’s build quality is premium. The tactile digital crown and side button are satisfying to press and scroll. Women’s Health Magazine’s review said, “The Series 9 has a totally re-designed inside… the powerful S9 chip allows for new features like Double Tap,” but on the outside it essentially “looks just like” recent predecessors womenshealthmag.com – meaning if you’ve seen an Apple Watch, you know what you’re getting here. The upside of Apple sticking to one design: it’s very refined, and third-party accessories are abundant.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Samsung went with a classic round watch design, pleasing those who prefer the traditional aesthetic. The Galaxy Watch 6 actually comes in two styles: the standard Watch 6 (which has a modern minimalist look) in 40 mm or 44 mm sizes, and the Watch 6 Classic in 43 mm or 47 mm sizes which brings back the beloved physical rotating bezel in a more traditional watch-like frame. Both share similar internals and displays: vibrant AMOLED screens that are always-on capable. The 44 mm Watch 6 and 47 mm Classic have a 1.5-inch display (about 480×480 resolution), while the smaller 40 mm/43 mm have around 1.3-inch displays (still sharp due to high pixel density). Samsung dramatically shrunk the bezels on the standard Watch 6 compared to Watch 5 – by about 30% – which makes the screen look much larger without increasing the case size theverge.com theverge.com. In fact, side by side the 40 mm Watch 6 looks visibly bigger in screen area than the 40 mm Watch 5 theverge.com. The Classic’s bezel is 15% thinner than the last iteration, giving it a sleeker feel too theverge.com. Build materials: the standard Watch 6 has an aluminum case (lightweight but slightly less premium feel), and the Classic uses stainless steel (more weighty and durable). Both have strong glass – Samsung uses Sapphire Crystal on all Watch 6 models for scratch resistance theverge.com. The design is refined evolution rather than a revolution: the Watch 6 looks very similar to Watch 4/5 at a glance, especially the non-Classic variant which has a smooth bezel-less face. The Classic looks like a high-end analog watch, and that spinning bezel is not just for show – it’s a brilliant navigation tool that many Samsung fans swear by (it’s also fun to fidget with). Comfort-wise, Samsung kept the watches relatively slim (around 10.9 mm thick) and lightweight (e.g. ~33 g for 44 mm aluminum). They don’t “chunk” off the wrist and can be worn to sleep easily. Samsung includes standard 20 mm quick-release bands, so you can swap bands with any third-party strap – a nice advantage over Pixel’s proprietary bands. The display quality is top-notch: deep blacks, punchy colors (great for watch faces), and up to around 2,000 nits brightness reportedly (Samsung doesn’t always quote a number, but testers confirm it’s easily readable outside). One reviewer praised that Samsung managed to enlarge the screen and battery without making the watch a “hockey puck” – the 47 mm Classic, for instance, doesn’t feel ridiculously huge due to clever bezel slimming theverge.com theverge.com. In summary, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers a sleek, round design that combines modern screen tech with traditional watch vibes (particularly the Classic variant). If you like the look of an analog watch but want a smart one, the Watch 6 Classic is arguably the most attractive in that vein. And if you prefer a sporty, digital look, the standard Watch 6 with its nearly all-screen front is very appealing and comfortable. Samsung basically gives you the best of both design worlds in one generation. There’s little to criticize beyond subjective preferences – perhaps the Watch 6’s styling is a bit safe (e.g. the aluminum model looks very plain compared to a shiny Apple Watch or a distinct Pixel dome), but it’s undeniably a refined piece that doesn’t look out of place anywhere.
• Google Pixel Watch 2: Google took a bold design approach with the Pixel Watch line – a perfectly circular domed glass watch face that almost looks like a pebble. The Pixel Watch 2 inherits the same design as the original: a single size (41 mm case diameter) with a 1.2-inch AMOLED display (384×384 resolution). The glass is 3D Gorilla Glass 5 that curves all the way to the edges, creating a smooth, rounded surface. This gives the Pixel Watch a distinctive look; it’s arguably the most stylish of the bunch, often compared to a piece of jewelry or a “water droplet” aesthetic. Many love it, though the trade-off is the bezel around the actual display pixels is relatively thick (Google hides it with black watch face backgrounds – in normal use you don’t notice much, but on bright-solid watch faces you’ll see a black ring). The Pixel Watch 2’s case is now made of 100% recycled aluminum (versus stainless steel on the first-gen) store.google.com. This change made the watch lighter (just 31 g without band) but also slightly less premium-feeling and potentially less resistant to heavy knocks than steel. However, aluminum doesn’t corrode and it helped Google reduce cost a bit. On the underside, the heart-rate sensor dome protrudes slightly, but the watch’s compact size and curved back make it very comfortable. People with smaller wrists particularly appreciate the Pixel Watch because the lug-to-lug length is short – it doesn’t overhang. One downside of the petite dimensions: it might look a bit dainty on very large wrists, and the smaller screen means slightly less content at a glance (Google compensates with a very UI-efficient design, so it’s surprisingly usable for the size). The Pixel Watch’s display is crisp and colorful. It’s an OLED with always-on mode, and Pixel Watch 2 cranked brightness enough to be usable outdoors (though as mentioned in the Pixel review, it could still be brighter – direct sunlight can wash it out a tad, even with the boost) theverge.com. Indoors it looks fantastic, with deep blacks that blend with the bezel. Google provides a set of playful watch faces (some with Fitbit integrations, some animated), though not as many official options as Apple or Samsung; third-party Wear OS faces can fill the gap. The watch has a rotating crown on the side and a button above it, similar to Apple’s layout, and they feel high-quality. Another thing to note: Pixel uses a proprietary band attachment system – you have to use Pixel Watch bands or third-party bands made for Pixel’s mount. Swapping is easy once you learn the twist-and-click motion, but it’s not as universal as the pin lugs on Samsung/Garmin/Fitbit. As for durability, the original Pixel Watch’s domed glass proved quite scratch-resistant (perhaps due to the heavy curve which deflects some impacts), but it is more exposed at the edges than, say, the Samsung Classic’s recessed bezel or Garmin’s raised bezels. Indeed, The Verge noted they “wrecked another Pixel Watch screen… without trying” during a year of use theverge.com theverge.com – suggesting that heavy knocks or drops can crack that pretty dome. So a case or screen protector might be wise if you’re rough on watches. In conclusion, the Pixel Watch 2’s design can be summarized as sleek, modern, and compact. It looks equally appropriate at the office or the gym, and its comfort is top-tier. The only potential negatives are the single size might not suit all tastes, and the elegant curved glass needs a bit of care. But many consider the Pixel one of the best-looking smartwatches available – it doesn’t scream gadget on your wrist, which is exactly what some people want.
• Garmin Venu 3: Garmin’s design ethos with the Venu series is to blend sport watch durability with smartwatch style. The Venu 3 comes in two sizes: the standard Venu 3 is 45 mm and the smaller Venu 3S is 41 mm. Both have a round shape with a bright AMOLED display (1.4-inch, 454×454 pixels on the Venu 3; slightly smaller on 3S). The screen is vibrant and sharp – a big jump from Garmin’s older transflective displays, making it great for colorful watch faces and widgets livescience.com. It’s not as edge-to-edge as Samsung’s; there’s a noticeable black bezel, partly hidden by a metallic ring (bezel) that frames the display. The bezel has a knurled texture and gives a subtle, quality accent to the watch. The build materials are interesting: Garmin uses a fiber-reinforced polymer (tough plastic) for the case with a stainless steel bezel. The lens is Gorilla Glass 3, which is durable but not as hard as sapphire (on the plus side, Gorilla Glass is less prone to shattering on impact than sapphire). The combination makes the watch light (only ~46 g) but also robust – it can take some knocks and is 5 ATM water rated. The design is fairly unisex and understated. It’s not as overtly “luxury” or high-tech looking as an Apple or Galaxy Watch; one reviewer noted “it’s quite plain-looking as smartwatches go… stylish by Garmin’s standards, but less so by the wider industry’s standards” livescience.com livescience.com. In other words, the Venu 3 isn’t trying to turn heads with its design – it’s meant to be practical and comfortable. The watch is indeed very comfortable for its size: the 45 mm Venu 3 is thinner and lighter than Garmin’s more rugged models, and the silicone band and rounded edges make it easy to wear 24/7 (which is the intent given its long battery life). The touchscreen on Venu 3 is responsive for swipes and taps, and you have two side buttons for additional control (one acts as a selector/start, the other as a back/lap button). Some users prefer Garmin’s approach of having both touch and physical buttons, especially for workouts. However, as mentioned, the touchscreen can occasionally lead to inadvertent commands (e.g. brushing against it might pause an activity – though Garmin has screen lock options). Aesthetic options: Garmin doesn’t offer as many official watch faces that are as polished, but through Connect IQ you can download tons of user-created faces, or even design your own with photos. As for customization, Garmin uses standard quick-release bands (22 mm width for Venu 3, 18 mm for Venu 3S), so you can swap bands freely. The watch’s overall look is sporty minimalism; you can wear it with casual attire no problem, and even dress it up a bit (the black or stainless model with a leather strap could pass in a business casual environment). It just won’t be mistaken for a mechanical dress watch or fine jewelry. One clear advantage of Garmin’s design: legibility and durability during outdoor use. The display is easy to read in most conditions (though like the Pixel, extremely bright sunlight might wash it out a little, since AMOLED doesn’t get as inherently bright as the best Apple/Samsung screens). Garmin chose a slightly lower max brightness to conserve battery, but you can still activate an optional always-on mode or raise-to-wake. The Venu 3’s design might not wow tech fashionistas, but it’s practical and comfortable, aligning with Garmin’s focus on function. Live Science summed it up: “The Venu 3 looks slicker [than other Garmins]… it’s fairly light, not too bulky and is generally a joy to wear” livescience.com livescience.com. If your priority is a watch that you hardly notice on your wrist until you need it, Garmin did well. Just don’t expect people to gush over it at a dinner party – it’s the quietly competent type of design.
• Fitbit Sense 2: The Sense 2 sports a familiar Fitbit look – a squarish watch face with rounded corners (a “squircle”), often likened to the Apple Watch’s general shape but with its own flair. It’s quite slim and lightweight. In fact, the Sense 2 is about 15% lighter and 10% thinner than the first Sense, weighing in at just ~37 g (with band) tomsguide.com. This makes it extremely comfortable for long-term wear; you can sleep with it and barely feel it. Fitbit moved back to a physical button on the Sense 2 (after an unpopular experiment with a capacitive haptic spot on the original Sense). This button on the left side is easy to press and more reliable. The case is aluminum, and the front is covered by a curved Gorilla Glass 3 lens. The display is a 1.58-inch AMOLED (336×336 resolution) that is bright and colorful. It’s basically the same size and specs as the original Sense/Versa 3 display, which is to say it’s not as pixel-dense as the tiny Pixel Watch, but it’s a good screen that shows off Fitbit’s simple graphics and text clearly. It has an always-on mode as well. The shape being more square allows slightly more text per screen than a round watch of equivalent diameter – a plus for readability of messages and stats. Design-wise, the Sense 2 is subtle. It doesn’t have flashy bezels or crowns; the bezels around the screen are not invisible but they’re not too thick either, and Fitbit’s UI usually has a black background to blend them. The watch comes in soft colors (black/graphite, silver/fog gray, and pale gold) with matching silicone infinity bands (which tuck under and don’t snag on clothing). It looks very much like a fitness watch rather than a luxury timepiece – which is fine for workouts and casual wear, but it’s the least “dressy” of this group. The plus side: it’s very comfortable and unassuming. One reviewer even noted that aside from Apple Watch, the Sense 2 was one of the only watches they could wear all day and night without any discomfort tomsguide.com. The Sense 2 is also durable for daily life – it has 50 m water resistance and a slightly raised edge around the screen that offers minor protection. However, like Pixel, it doesn’t use sapphire or any super-hard glass, so one should be mindful to avoid scraping it against rough surfaces to prevent scratches. The band mechanism is proprietary (the Fitbit infinity band connector), but lots of third-party bands exist for it due to Fitbit’s popularity. Style-wise, the Sense 2 can be spruced up with a leather or metal band, but the watch face itself remains a sporty square computer on your wrist. It likely won’t impress a watch aficionado in looks alone. But if your vibe is techy-athleisure, it fits right in. It’s also one of the lightest and thinnest, which cannot be overstated – many people who find bulky watches annoying might prefer the low profile of Sense 2. In essence, the Fitbit Sense 2’s design serves its purpose: comfortable, approachable, and fitness-oriented. It doesn’t try to be a fashion statement, which in a way aligns with Google’s repositioning of Fitbit as a mainstream wellness device rather than a premium smartwatch. It’s attractive enough, but next to the refined metal of Apple or the bold bezel of a Galaxy Watch Classic, it might seem a bit plain. Then again, slip a nice clock face on it and it will do the job while flying under the radar – and sometimes not drawing attention is a design win in itself for a health device.

Bottom line: Design is subjective, but each watch has its strong points. The Apple Watch Series 9 offers a bright, high-resolution display and a sleek iconic design that many recognize – it’s great for showing a lot of info and is built with premium materials (especially the steel/sapphire models) appleinsider.com. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 gives you traditional style options – especially with the Classic’s rotating bezel – combined with a vibrant AMOLED screen and multiple sizes to fit different wrists theverge.com theverge.com. It feels like a modern take on a classic watch. Google’s Pixel Watch 2 is stylish and compact, with its unique domed glass and minimalist chic – it’s possibly the most elegant, though that elegance comes with the trade-off of one size and a need for careful handling theverge.com. Garmin Venu 3 is practical and sporty, not the flashiest, but comfortable and robust for active use – its screen is big and colorful, though the watch itself leans utilitarian in looks livescience.com livescience.com. Fitbit Sense 2 is all about lightweight comfort and simplicity; it won’t win fashion contests, but it also never gets in your way and still provides a quality display for your stats. When choosing among them, consider your style and how you’ll wear it: Apple and Samsung can dress up or down easily, Pixel is sleek and modern but only in one size, Garmin is best paired with casual/athletic attire, and Fitbit is the least noticeable (which some might actually prefer). All have excellent build quality; it’s more about whether you favor a square or circle, a rotating bezel or a plain face, and how much you prioritize screen real estate versus watch size.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life can make or break the user experience of a smartwatch. In this category, there are huge differences: some of these watches need a daily charge, while others can go nearly a week. Let’s compare:

• Apple Watch Series 9: Apple famously prioritizes a bright display and powerful processor over multi-day battery. The official rated battery life is 18 hours (what Apple calls “all-day”), which typically translates to charging it every night. In real-world use, many users find they can stretch it a bit further – for instance, The Verge’s review noted getting 25–30 hours on a charge on the 45 mm Series 9 with normal use (including sleep tracking), which is slightly improved from prior models theverge.com theverge.com. If you enable the Low Power Mode (which cuts some features), you can extend the Series 9 up to around 36–48 hours, but that sacrifices the always-on display and continuous heart tracking. For most people, the Apple Watch is effectively a one-day device – you charge it nightly or at least for a bit each day. The good news: Series 9 charges quite fast. With Apple’s fast charger (USB-C puck), it can go 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes, and a full charge in roughly 75–90 minutes. Apple even advertises that 8 minutes on the charger gives about 8 hours of use (in low-power scenarios), which is great if you forget to charge before bed – a quick 8-minute top-up can get you through a night of sleep tracking theverge.com. Reviewers at TechGearLab highlighted that the Series 9’s 308 mAh battery lasts about 55.6 hours in their testing under regular use – but note, that figure likely involves not using always-on display and perhaps some low-power settings techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. That number (55 hours) seems quite high compared to typical user reports, so mileage will vary depending on screen settings and usage. In any case, relative to others, Apple Watch has the shortest battery life here except possibly Pixel’s first gen. It’s a conscious trade-off Apple makes, assuming users will charge daily like they do their phone. The Series 9 does at least maintain battery life even with the new S9 chip’s capabilities (on-device Siri didn’t reduce endurance). For someone coming from a traditional watch or a Fitbit, the idea of charging daily might seem burdensome. But many Series 9 users mitigate this by habit – for example, popping it on the charger during their morning routine or while showering (since a full charge is quick). It’s a very different philosophy from Garmin/Fitbit’s multi-day approach. In context of this comparison: if you need a watch to last a weekend camping trip, Apple Watch isn’t it (unless you bring a charger or battery pack). But if you’re okay with nightly charging and want all the advanced features and brightest screen, Apple’s stance is that 18–24 hours is enough. Fast-charge ability softens the blow, making it fairly easy to top up theverge.com theverge.com. Just remember that you’ll pretty much be charging the Series 9 5–7 times more often than a Garmin or Fitbit.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 improved battery life over the Watch 5 slightly, but it’s still in the 1.5 to 2-day range for most users – better than Apple, but not by a huge margin. Samsung quotes about 30 hours with always-on display on, or 40 hours with it off for the 44 mm model theverge.com. This roughly aligns with reviews: people tend to get ~2 days on a charge if they don’t use the always-on display, or closer to ~1.5 days if they do keep the screen always visible. In practical terms, that means if you wear it 24/7, you’ll likely charge it every other day (or every night if you use it heavily). The larger 44 mm (425 mAh battery) obviously lasts longer than the 40 mm (300 mAh). For example, a reviewer might get through two full days with the bigger one, but the small one might be struggling by the end of day 1 if you used GPS or always-on a lot. The charging on Watch 6 is fairly quick as well, though not quite as fast as Apple’s. It uses a magnetic puck with USB-C and supports fast charging – about ~80 minutes for a full charge. As noted by Samsung, “eight minutes of fast charging delivers eight hours of battery” theverge.com, which conveniently covers a night’s sleep if you top up before bed. In TechGearLab’s measured tests, they got about 62.5 hours (regular use) out of Watch 6, which is about 2.6 days techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. However, they also measured 9.1 hours of continuous GPS (so if you go on a long run/hike, that’s the drain you can expect) techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. They pointed out that the Watch 6’s battery, while decent, is far outclassed by the Garmin Venu 3’s longevity (143 hours) techgearlab.com. Samsung does have various power-saving modes if needed. Most users won’t push it to 0% in a single day unless doing many hours of GPS exercise or playing with it constantly. But if you plan to track sleep, you either need to charge a bit before bed or in the morning. Many Galaxy Watch folks adopt a routine like charging while they shower or for 30 min in the morning, since even a partial charge can easily cover the rest of a second day due to Samsung’s relatively fast top-ups (50% in half an hour or so). The bottom line for Samsung: It’s a solid improvement over Apple – you’re not as strictly tied to a nightly charge – but it’s not anywhere near Garmin/Fitbit’s multi-day endurance. It strikes a middle ground that most smartwatch veterans find manageable. And as TechGearLab concluded, “if you simply want your new smartwatch to sync to the rhythms of your work-life balance, then we choose the Watch 6 every time” over something like a Garmin, which hints that Watch 6’s battery is sufficient for typical daily routines where you can charge periodically techgearlab.com.
• Google Pixel Watch 2: Battery life was one of the biggest upgrades in the Pixel Watch 2. The original Pixel Watch often barely lasted 12–15 hours for some, requiring two charges a day if you did sleep tracking. Pixel Watch 2, by contrast, is designed to last a full 24 hours with always-on display active store.google.com – and many users report even more. In testing, The Verge was “consistently getting 24 hours on a single charge, give or take an hour,” with AOD on and 30–45 minutes of GPS workout each day theverge.com. That is a dramatic improvement – it means you can wake up with, say, 20% left after wearing it all day and night, which was near-impossible on gen 1. Some anecdotal reports (especially if AOD is off and tilt-to-wake is used) claim up to 36–38 hours on Pixel Watch 2 theguardian.com, which suggests that if you’re conservative, you might get a day and a half. But Google’s official stance is 24 hours with AOD, “all-day (24 hours) battery life”, which in this case seems actually achievable in real life theverge.com theverge.com. The battery is 306 mAh, and part of the longevity gain comes from the newer Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset and efficiency improvements in Wear OS 4. The Pixel Watch 2 also charges faster than the first: about 80% in 45 minutes, and ~100% in just over an hour techgearlab.com. The Verge noted you can get 50% in ~30 minutes theverge.com, which aligns well with quickly topping up. So, practically speaking, Pixel Watch 2 owners can adopt either a daily overnight charge routine (like Apple Watch users), or some have found alternate schedules like charging for a bit in the morning and evening to cover continuous wear. Given it can now reasonably track sleep and still have juice for the next day, it’s become a viable 24/7 tracker. Pixel still isn’t anywhere near Garmin-level endurance – you won’t get multi-day heavy usage. If you forget to charge it one night, you’ll likely need to charge by mid-next-day. One reviewer acknowledged that some folks will still see “24 hours as a failure” because Fitbits and Garmins last days/weeks, “but as far as flagship smartwatches go, Google’s one job was to make a watch that could last an entire day without caveats. And it’s done that.” theverge.com. That captures it well: Pixel Watch 2 brought battery life up to par for a modern full-featured smartwatch. It’s now no longer a pain point, even if it’s not a selling point. In TechGearLab’s trials, they measured ~34.5 hours on regular use (likely with some features off) techgearlab.com techgearlab.com and around 10 hours of continuous GPS before dying techgearlab.com. These numbers are good – roughly double what the first Pixel could do in GPS (which often died in ~5–6 hours of GPS). Also worth noting, the Pixel Watch includes smart battery-saving software: it will turn off always-on display automatically during sleep hours to conserve power, etc. So Google is optimizing on the software side as well. Overall, Pixel Watch 2’s battery is in the same ballpark as Samsung’s now – about a day to a day and a half depending on usage. It still falls far short of Garmin or Fitbit’s multi-day stamina, but it’s a huge relief for those who liked Pixel Watch’s features and design but hated the battery life of gen 1.
• Garmin Venu 3: Battery life is one of Garmin’s crowning achievements. The Venu 3 boasts up to 14 days of battery in smartwatch mode (for the 45 mm Venu 3) per Garmin’s specs garmin.com. Real-world use tends to get closer to a week, but even that dwarfs the 1–2 days of the Apple/Google/Samsung watches. TechGearLab measured about 142.9 hours (almost 6 days) of regular use on the Venu 3 techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. They also got 20 hours of continuous GPS tracking, which is excellent (more than enough for an ultramarathon or a full day hike) techgearlab.com. In their head-to-head, they pointed out this is “remarkable considering [Galaxy Watch 6 and Venu 3] have approximately the same size battery” techgearlab.com – highlighting Garmin’s efficiency. Indeed, the Venu 3’s battery is around 450 mAh, similar to Galaxy Watch, but Garmin’s simpler OS and transflective-screen heritage mean they know how to stretch battery. Now, note that using the always-on display on the Venu 3 will reduce that somewhat (the 14-day claim is presumably with raise-to-wake mode for the screen). If you turn on always-on, you might get more like 5–6 days. And if you do heavy GPS and music usage daily, you could bring it down to 3–4 days. But the key is: multi-day use is the norm. You can go away for a long weekend trip without even bringing the charger, which is liberating. When you do need to charge, the Garmin uses a proprietary cable (USB-A on one side, small Garmin plug on the other) and it’s not as speedy as the quick-charge of others. It takes roughly 1.5–2 hours to fill up, and there’s no official “fast charge” spec where 10 minutes gives hours of use. However, because you charge so infrequently, it’s less of an issue. Garmin’s power management is also excellent. It has features like Battery Saver mode that can stretch it even further by turning the watch essentially into a basic timepiece with sensors off (useful if you’re in a pinch). Garmin watches also don’t mind being left on a shelf for a few days – minimal idle drain – whereas something like an Apple Watch might be dead if you leave it off charger for days. The Venu 3’s long battery unlocks features like advanced sleep tracking with naps, 24/7 pulse ox if you want it, etc., without worrying much about the battery hit. It encourages you to wear it all the time, which is great for holistic health tracking. As one reviewer put it: “for adventurous types who need their battery to last many days, there is no better option than the Garmin Venu 3,” with an “incredible 143 hours” of life in testing techgearlab.com. The trade-off is you don’t get quite as fancy a screen as Apple/Samsung (though it’s still AMOLED, Garmin likely runs it at lower brightness by default) and the processor isn’t doing flashy stuff like those watches – but clearly many are happy to make that trade for a once-a-week charging schedule.
• Fitbit Sense 2: Being akin to a fitness tracker, the Sense 2 also shines in battery life. Officially, Fitbit claims ~6 days on a charge tomsguide.com – and this is quite realistic. Many users get anywhere from 4 to 7 days depending on usage. Tom’s Guide in early tests got the full 6 days consistently tomsguide.com. TechGearLab’s table showed about 125 hours (5.2 days) for Sense 2 in regular use techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. If you use the always-on display mode, it will drop considerably (likely to 2–3 days), but the Sense 2 by default has raise-to-wake which is fine for most. With things like continuous stress tracking (EDA scans) and lots of notifications, you might lean toward the lower end (4–5 days), but even that is far above the one-day club. Charging the Sense 2 is moderately quick: it uses a proprietary magnetic USB charger (the same one as the Versa 3/4 and original Sense). It can charge from 0–100% in about 2 hours. A quick 12-minute charge can give around 20–30% boost thanks to its relatively small battery, which can be a couple days of use. So while not warp-speed, because you do it infrequently, it’s not burdensome. The idea with Sense 2 (and Fitbit in general) is you can wear it to sleep for days straight, capturing all that data, and just charge maybe once a workweek. It’s the kind of device you could take on a 4-day trip and not pack a charger, similar to Garmin in that regard. This longer life also supports features like always-on stress monitoring – the Sense 2 can scan for stress events throughout the day and still easily last multiple days on battery, something Apple or Pixel couldn’t do without draining faster. As with Garmin, the extended battery is a conscious design choice: the Sense 2’s processor is not as powerful as Wear OS devices, and it doesn’t do as much heavy work (no app store, simpler animations), which keeps power draw low. Also, Fitbit’s OLED likely isn’t cranked to extreme brightness 24/7. For many users, the multi-day battery is the biggest appeal of devices like Sense 2 (and Garmin) – it’s hassle-free. You can get into a routine of charging once or twice a week. Some Tom’s Guide commentary indicated that by late 2023, Fitbit had slightly reduced the advertised battery to 5 days after updates, but in practice many still achieve ~6 days tomsguide.com. Even at 5 days, that’s enough that charging is only a weekly thought rather than a nightly one. One thing to mention: Fitbit devices do tend to chew through battery quicker if you use the always-on display or do a lot of GPS exercise (GPS will give about 5 hours continuous on a full charge). But if you just do, say, 30 min GPS workouts a few times a week, it hardly dents the overall endurance. Fitbit’s approach is clearly maximum convenience – it wants you to wear the watch, not have it on a charger stand, as much as possible. In our lineup, the Sense 2 (and to similar extent, Garmin) are in a different league from Apple/Pixel/Samsung on this metric, with nearly an order of magnitude more runtime in days.

Bottom line: If battery life is critical to you, the watches sort themselves into two groups:

• Multi-day champions: Garmin Venu 3 and Fitbit Sense 2. These can last nearly a week on a single charge with normal use. Garmin Venu 3 in particular was measured at ~6 days techgearlab.com and can stretch to 10–14 days with lighter usage garminrumors.com. Fitbit Sense 2 is a solid 4–6 day device in practice tomsguide.com. These are the ones you can wear to track sleep every night and not fret about daily charging. Great for trips, outdoor adventures, or simply if you dislike charging things. They however achieve this by having more limited “smart” functionality – it’s a trade-off.
• 1–2 day devices: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Google Pixel Watch 2 live in the roughly 1.5-day zone (2 days at best) theverge.com theverge.com, and the Apple Watch Series 9 is basically a 1-day device (maybe 1.5 with frugal use) theverge.com. These need more regular charging – essentially one full charge per 24 hours of wear, give or take. The upside is they pack the most advanced features and displays, which consume more power. Among these, Samsung maybe edges out Pixel by a small margin in longevity if you disable AOD, and Pixel now handily covers a full day (unlike its predecessor) theverge.com theverge.com. Apple is the shortest but mitigates it with very fast charging, so a quick charge burst can keep it going theverge.com. As one comparison put it, “Android and Apple have drawn hard battle lines” on compatibility techgearlab.com – similarly they’ve drawn lines on battery philosophies: Apple saying “just charge me nightly, it’s fine,” Samsung/Pixel saying “we’ll give you a bit more, but charge me most days,” whereas Garmin/Fitbit go “I’ll be there for you all week.”

In summary, if you never want battery anxiety, Garmin or Fitbit are clear winners, providing days of usage and true 24/7 monitoring techgearlab.com tomsguide.com. If you’re okay with a daily/top-up routine in exchange for richer smart features, Apple, Samsung, or Pixel will serve you – with Samsung/Pixel now proving they can last a full day including sleep, and Apple relying on quick top-ups to achieve something similar theverge.com theverge.com. Always consider your lifestyle: do you mind a charger every night, or do you prefer to forget the charger for nearly a week? That will heavily influence which watch suits you best in the battery department.

OS and Ecosystem Integration

Each of these watches ties into a broader software ecosystem, and choosing one often means considering what phone you use and what services you prefer:

• Apple Watch Series 9 (watchOS 10): This watch only works with iPhones – it’s arguably an extension of the iOS ecosystem. If you’re an iPhone user, the integration is superb: the Watch pulls in your Apple ID, syncs with iCloud, Apple Health, Apple Music, etc. The experience is seamless – as noted, the interface feels like a natural part of iOS techgearlab.com. Notifications and messages from your iPhone are instantly on your wrist; you can use Continuity features like unlocking your Mac with your Watch or using it as a camera remote for your iPhone. The Apple Watch also integrates with Apple’s ecosystem services: Siri for voice, Apple Pay for payments, Fitness+ workouts, HomeKit for smart home control, and so on. If you have other Apple devices (Mac, iPad), the Watch can serve as a trusted device for 2FA codes or a way to ping your iPhone when you misplace it. The tight coupling means that if you ever switch to Android, the Apple Watch becomes a paperweight (it can’t even be set up without an iPhone). Apple’s philosophy is to create a walled garden where everything works “automagically” together. And by and large, it does – which is why “for Apple and iPhone users” the Watch’s “seamless integration… translates to” a frictionless daily experience techgearlab.com. However, that comes at the cost of flexibility – you are effectively locked into Apple’s ecosystem. But for those in it, the Watch is extremely valuable. One could say Apple Watch is a platform of its own too; the watchOS App Store and accessories ecosystem (tons of bands, chargers, stands) add to its integration. Apple also rolls out watchOS updates annually in sync with iOS, bringing new features (like AssistiveTouch gestures earlier, or widgets in watchOS 10). Notably, Apple tends to support their watches for many years of updates (Series 3 got ~5 years of updates). So the Series 9 will likely get software improvements for a long while. In short, if you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch feels like a natural part of that ecosystem, and it’s considered a must-have by many in the Apple community. If you don’t use an iPhone, it’s not an option at all techgearlab.com.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Wear OS 4 with One UI Watch): Samsung’s watches require an Android phone (and officially, ones running Android 8.0 or later with Google Mobile Services). They do not work with iPhones either (since Samsung moved to Wear OS, iOS support was dropped). So, an ecosystem consideration: if you get a Galaxy Watch 6, you’re tying yourself to Android (which is fine for most – iPhone users have Apple Watch anyway). Within Android, the Watch 6 works best with Samsung Galaxy phones. Why? Because Samsung enables certain features only with their phones: notably, the ECG and blood pressure functions use the Samsung Health Monitor app which is only available on Samsung phones officially (there are hacks for other Androids, but out of box it’s restricted) theverge.com. Also, features like the Camera Controller (which lets you preview and snap photos on your phone from the watch) originally only worked with Samsung phones (though I believe some updates made it available for other Androids too). Samsung Pay on the watch can be used regardless of phone brand now (and you can use Google Pay as well). So, if you have a non-Samsung Android, you still get 90% of the experience (and Google’s ecosystem via the watch). But if you have a Samsung phone, you get 100% – e.g., the Galaxy Watch can unlock your Samsung phone or tablet automatically when the watch is on your wrist and near the device (a feature akin to Apple’s unlock). Integration with Android: Since it’s Wear OS, the Galaxy Watch syncs notifications and Google account info pretty seamlessly. You use the Galaxy Wearable app plus some plugins to manage the watch. On a Pixel or OnePlus phone, it’s an extra app but works fine. Samsung has its own services integrated too: e.g., if you use Samsung Health on your phone, it will sync fitness data from the watch nicely; if you use Google Fit, you might need a third-party bridge app or just use Samsung Health/Strava. The Watch 6 being an Android-first (and Samsung-first) device means it plays well with Google’s ecosystem to a point – you have Assistant, Google Maps, Gmail, etc., which integrate with your Google account. But Samsung also tries to maintain its ecosystem: Bixby, Samsung Health, etc. The user can mix and match, which is flexibility but also a bit of duplication. For example, you could set it up so Samsung Health handles your exercise but Google Assistant handles your queries. They generally coexist without trouble. Another ecosystem angle: Samsung’s watches allow third-party clock faces and apps via Play Store, which is a big improvement from Tizen days. And you can integrate the watch with many popular Android apps (the “best smartwatches for Android” all revolve around Wear OS now, which means the Galaxy Watch is well-supported). If you’re deep into Samsung’s ecosystem (Galaxy phones, maybe a Samsung tablet or TV), the watch ties in modestly – e.g., you can control a PowerPoint on a Samsung phone from your watch, or use it as a shutter remote for Galaxy phone’s camera, etc. Not as broad as Apple’s cross-device integration, but still there. If you have a SmartThings smart home, the watch has a SmartThings app to control devices, fitting into Samsung’s IoT world. In summary, the Galaxy Watch 6 is best experienced with a Samsung phone, very good with any Android phone, and non-functional with an iPhone. It stands at the intersection of Google’s ecosystem and Samsung’s ecosystem – benefiting from both. But be aware of the few Samsung exclusives (ECG, BP) that might influence you if you’re on, say, a Pixel phone. Many reviewers still recommended the Pixel Watch to non-Samsung phone owners because of those restrictions on Watch 5 (and similar apply to Watch 6) theverge.com. So that’s a consideration: if you’re not using a Samsung handset, you might lean Pixel Watch 2 for full features with no brand lock.
• Google Pixel Watch 2 (Wear OS 4): The Pixel Watch 2 is an Android-only device as well (needs Android 9.0+). It’s basically built by Google to showcase the tight integration of Wear OS with the broader Google ecosystem – especially now that it also carries Fitbit integration. If you use an Android phone, especially a Pixel phone, setup is effortless (Fast Pair, etc.). The watch ties into your Google account, so it knows your Calendar events, Gmail, etc. It also naturally works with Google services: Assistant is the default, Google Wallet, Google Photos watch faces, etc. One big integration is with Fitbit: upon setup, you link (or create) a Fitbit account under your Google login, and the watch syncs health data to the Fitbit app. This merging of ecosystems (Google + Fitbit) is a unique aspect of Pixel Watch. It means if you were a Fitbit user, you can keep your history. But it also means you’re now in a bit of a Google-Fitbit hybrid ecosystem. The Pixel Watch doesn’t use Google Fit at all (Google Fit is being deprioritized in favor of Fitbit). So Pixel Watch owners essentially become part of the Fitbit ecosystem for health – including possibly subscribing to Fitbit Premium. This has its pros and cons: Fitbit’s platform is robust and device-agnostic to an extent (works on iPhones too with trackers), but on Pixel Watch, you still need an Android phone to use the watch. The watch’s advantages come if you use Google everything – for instance, you can dictate a message on the watch and send it via Google’s Messages app or WhatsApp, and it will appear seamlessly. If you have a Pixel phone, you get some exclusive synergy: for example, the Pixel Watch can plug into Pixel phone’s Personal Safety app features like Safety Check and Emergency SOS with location sharing theverge.com theverge.com. That is all Google ecosystem stuff that works uniformly if you have their devices. Unlike Samsung, Google doesn’t restrict features to their own phones – e.g., ECG on Pixel Watch works with any Android (via Fitbit app) because Google wants everyone to use it. This openness in the Android sphere is nice; you’re not losing features if you have, say, a Xiaomi phone. In terms of OS integration, some early Pixel Watch users reported connectivity issues (the watch-app connection dropping) techgearlab.com, but those are hopefully resolved with updates; it suggests that Google is still refining how Wear OS communicates via the companion app (Pixel Watch app). Over time, that should stabilize. Another part of the Pixel ecosystem – updates: Pixel Watch will get fast updates directly from Google (like Pixel phones do), which is an advantage over, say, other Wear OS watches that might wait on OEMs. Indeed, Pixel Watch 2 shipped with Wear OS 4 and will get at least 3 years of updates, presumably faster than Samsung’s schedule. Pixel also is at the forefront of new features – e.g., it was among the first with Assistant on device, etc. If you are a heavy Google services user (Gmail, Google Calendar, Keep, Photos, Home), Pixel Watch integrates extremely well – it’s basically built for that. You can add a Google Home complication to check your Nest doorbell, use Assistant to control Chromecast, etc. It is essentially the Nexus/Pixel of smartwatches for Android – meaning a clean, Google-centered experience without third-party overlays. So if you prefer pure Google to Samsung’s mix, Pixel is the way. As far as switching ecosystems: Pixel Watch doesn’t work with iPhone at all either (Wear OS 3/4 cannot pair with iOS). If one day Google enabled it, maybe – but currently, no. However, if you someday decide Fitbit trackers or another Wear OS watch, your data largely stays with Google/Fitbit, so you’re not locked by data in one device. Summarily, Pixel Watch 2 is best for someone deep in Google’s world – Android phone (especially Pixel phone), using Google apps, wanting Fitbit fitness. It’s the true Apple Watch equivalent for Google’s ecosystem, just with slightly shorter support horizon historically (Apple Watches often outlast in support). It being Android-only is limiting to iPhone folks, but Google bet that those folks have Apple Watch anyway.
• Garmin Venu 3 (Garmin OS): Garmin’s Venu 3 is platform-agnostic: it fully supports both Android and iOS (and even some limited functions on a computer). That means if you have an iPhone but don’t want an Apple Watch (maybe you want that battery life or sports focus), you can use Venu 3 with it. If you have an Android, Garmin works great too. It’s one of the few high-end options for cross-platform users. However, integration with each ecosystem is a bit shallower than native watches. Example: on an iPhone, you will get notifications on Garmin, but you cannot respond from the watch (Apple locks down iMessage/etc. to Apple Watch only) techgearlab.com. On Android, you can respond (Garmin allows replying with preset texts or keyboard) techgearlab.com. Phone calls: on both iOS and Android, Garmin can answer calls on-wrist via Bluetooth. But things like voice assistant – Garmin doesn’t have it natively on Venu 3, whereas on an Apple Watch or Pixel you could talk to Siri/Assistant. So Garmin deliberately chooses not to embed deeply into either OS’s proprietary functions, likely to keep it universal. You won’t get things like Apple’s handoff or Google Assistant integration. Instead, Garmin tries to be self-contained: it has its own Garmin Connect app and cloud, where all your health/fitness data goes (which is accessible on any phone or web). Garmin’s ecosystem is fitness-centric: if you use Garmin devices (watch, bike computer, etc.), they all sync to Garmin Connect. But Garmin doesn’t integrate with many third-party apps on the watch itself (Connect IQ is limited). It does integrate with services like Strava, MyFitnessPal for data exchange, and you can export data out. Another interesting integration: if you care about Apple Health or Google Fit – Garmin’s app can sync to those (via third-party connectors or some built-in, not sure if official Garmin Connect sends to Apple Health, but I think it does steps/heart). There are ways to feed Garmin data into Apple Health for instance, albeit a bit manual. But if you rely on Apple’s Fitness rings or Google Fit, Garmin won’t directly close an Apple Fitness ring for you (Apple doesn’t allow non-Apple watches to write exercise minutes). So Garmin on iPhone exists in its own silo (you’d use Garmin’s app to view everything, not Apple’s Health app for a comprehensive view). On Android, similarly, you’d likely just stick with Garmin’s platform or link to Strava. For some, that’s fine or even preferred. It means though that Garmin isn’t as deeply integrated into smartphone features. Think of Garmin watch + phone as having parallel lives: the phone gives Garmin a data connection for things like notifications, live weather, calendar sync (Garmin can show your phone’s calendar events), but Garmin doesn’t control phone features. It can’t do something like trigger your phone camera (no official feature for that), whereas others can. One highlight: Garmin works with both Siri and Google Assistant through a workaround on older models (Venu 2 Plus had a mic that could invoke the phone’s assistant), but Venu 3 doesn’t list that – it seems they omitted the assistant trigger, focusing more on calls and texts. So no voice assistant bridging on Venu 3. On ecosystem longevity: Garmin is independent; their watches get updates and new features sometimes years after (they added ECG via update, etc.). They aren’t on an annual OS like Apple/Google, but they do incrementally improve Connect IQ and such. A small ecosystem plus: Garmin Pay is platform-independent – it’s not as widely supported as Apple/Google Pay, but on an Android you might still use Google Pay on a Pixel watch, whereas Garmin Pay works from the watch no matter what phone, as long as your bank is supported. Ultimately, Garmin’s integration strength is that it’s flexible – you can switch from Android to iOS or vice versa and keep your same watch, same data. It plays nice with basic phone functions (calls, notifications) but doesn’t dive deep into either’s proprietary apps. That could be a pro or con. If you have a foot in both worlds or foresee changing phones, Garmin or Fitbit are the only ones that give you that freedom. Speaking of Fitbit…
• Fitbit Sense 2 (Fitbit OS): Like Garmin, Fitbit Sense 2 is also compatible with both iPhone and Android (Fitbit has long supported iOS/Android through its app). And similarly, it’s not tightly integrated with either – it’s sort of its own ecosystem centered around the Fitbit app and Fitbit cloud. On an Android phone, the Sense 2 can show notifications and allow quick replies (and now handle calls) community.fitbit.com support.google.com. On an iPhone, it can show notifications (but no replies, since Apple doesn’t allow it) and can accept calls via Bluetooth (they added on-wrist calls for iOS too) youtube.com. It has Alexa built-in, which is platform-neutral (all it needs is an internet connection via your phone’s BT or Wi-Fi). There is no Siri or Google Assistant support on the watch – but ironically, if you have an iPhone, you could just use the phone’s Siri as normal (though Siri can’t control Fitbit). If you have an Android, you likely have Google Assistant on your phone for queries beyond Alexa’s scope. Fitbit’s ecosystem revolves around Fitbit Premium for advanced insights and the social community and challenges in the Fitbit app. None of that depends on phone type. So, you could use a Sense 2 with an iPhone and still partake in Fitbit challenges with friends who have Fitbits. This cross-platform nature is a plus if you value being able to switch phone brands or if you have family on both. However, like Garmin, the Sense 2 doesn’t integrate with Apple Health or Google Fit in any deep way. You typically view all data in the Fitbit app or on the Fitbit/Google Dashboard online. Fitbit can sync some basic data to Apple Health via third-party sync apps if needed. But Apple Watch and Apple Health’s tight integration is not replicated here. Similarly, Google Fit isn’t automatically fed by Fitbit (Fitbit wants you to use their platform, not Google Fit). A crucial ecosystem update: Google is transitioning Fitbit accounts to Google Accounts by 2025/26 theverge.com theverge.com. This means eventually you’ll log into Fitbit with a Google account. But Google has stated that Fitbit devices like Sense 2 will not get new smart features – any new “smartwatchy” developments will be on Pixel Watch techtimes.com techtimes.com. That implies the Sense 2 sits in an ecosystem that is somewhat in maintenance mode. It’ll continue to get health features and app support, but no app store or integration with Google Play services (and indeed it doesn’t have those). In August 2024, Google confirmed no Sense 3 or Versa 5 coming; Pixel Watch is the future techtimes.com. So the Sense 2 is an ecosystem dead-end in terms of hardware lineage, but the Fitbit ecosystem (app, platform) remains alive and will just be accessed through Pixel Watches and trackers. For a user, that means you can count on Fitbit’s app and Premium sticking around, but you shouldn’t expect, say, Google Assistant or third-party apps to be added to Sense 2 – they won’t. It’s stable in its own bubble. In a way, that’s fine: as is, it works with iOS or Android reliably for what it does. It’s just not very extensible. Summarizing: Fitbit Sense 2 offers the most neutrality – you get core notifications/calls on any phone, Alexa as a third-party assistant, and all your data in a platform accessible from any device. It’s great if you want to not worry about switching ecosystems. But if you are firmly in Apple or Google’s world and want to maximize those ecosystems, Sense 2 is the least integrated with either. It doesn’t leverage unique iOS or Android features much at all (except notifications). It is, however, the simplest to use across ecosystems.

In conclusion on ecosystems:

• If you live and breathe Apple’s world, the Apple Watch Series 9 is hands-down the best choice – it’s built for iPhone and only iPhone techgearlab.com, and it enriches that ecosystem tremendously (but won’t work outside it).
• If you’re an Android user, both Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Google Pixel Watch 2 give you deep integration with Google’s apps and services. The choice may boil down to whether you have a Samsung phone (then Galaxy Watch might edge out due to exclusive features theverge.com) or if you want a cleaner Google experience (Pixel Watch). Pixel ties you into Fitbit too, which is an added consideration (potential subscription) techgearlab.com.
• Garmin Venu 3 and Fitbit Sense 2 stand apart by being platform-agnostic: great for users who might switch phones or who prioritize the device’s features (battery life, fitness) over phone integration. They handle the basics on any platform but don’t deeply meld with either Apple’s or Google’s ecosystem. Garmin is more about advanced fitness and its own Connect app, Fitbit about holistic wellness and social challenges. They’re good if you want your smartwatch experience insulated from phone brand wars – e.g., you use an iPhone but maybe prefer Garmin’s approach to training data, or you use an Android but want a simple, long-lasting wellness tracker.
• A cautionary note: Both Garmin and Fitbit mean yet another app/platform to manage, separate from Apple Health or Google Fit. Some users like having one central health repository (Apple’s Health app is great for that, and Apple Watch feeds it natively). With Garmin, you’ll likely use Garmin Connect as your hub; with Fitbit, the Fitbit app (and maybe sync selective data to HealthKit manually if on iPhone). If that matters, weigh it in.

So, choosing one of these watches isn’t just about hardware – it’s about choosing an ecosystem alliance or independence. Apple Watch aligns you with iOS tightly, Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch align with Android (Samsung vs pure Google flavors), whereas Garmin and Fitbit keep you more independent but somewhat siloed in their own environments. There’s no wrong answer – just the one that best fits your tech lifestyle.

Pricing and Value

Finally, let’s talk dollars (and sense). These five wearables span a range of price points and ongoing costs, so it’s important to factor in what you’re getting for the money:

• Apple Watch Series 9: Apple’s pricing starts at $399 USD for the base 41 mm aluminum GPS model prices.appleinsider.com. The 45 mm is $30–$50 more, and adding cellular capability adds about $100. Stainless steel case versions are significantly pricier (starting around $699), and if you go for fancy bands or the Hermes edition, it skyrockets further – but those are luxury options. In general, expect to pay $399–$529 for a Series 9 depending on size and connectivity (before any discounts). Apple rarely discounts their products, though retailers sometimes knock ~$50 off. At $399, Series 9 is positioned as a premium smartwatch – notably more expensive than the Pixel Watch 2 or Galaxy Watch 6 base models. Is it worth it? If you have an iPhone and value the polished integration and rich features, many say yes – it’s often called the “gold standard” of smartwatches tomsguide.com and has consistently been rated the best overall by reviewers (for iPhone users). The build quality, performance, and support period (likely 5+ years of updates) add value too. However, you may want to consider the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) which is about $249 and offers most smart features minus some health sensors (no ECG or SpO₂). But since we focus on Series 9 vs competitors, Series 9 gives you the full suite. When comparing value: the Apple Watch is the most expensive of this bunch for the base model. You pay a premium for the brand, ecosystem, and its powerful capabilities. Reviewers often note that while Apple Watch is pricey, it tends to deliver on performance and quality, and retains value relatively well. One must also consider potential hidden costs: while Apple doesn’t require any subscription for its features, they do push Apple Fitness+ ($9.99/mo) for guided workouts, and many users pick up extra bands (Apple’s official bands are pricey too). But those are optional. The core experience doesn’t demand extra fees (aside from maybe an iCloud plan if you sync a lot of health data, but that’s minor). So, value summary for Apple: Expensive but arguably best-in-class if you’re in the market for a full-featured smartwatch and have an iPhone. It’s an investment in Apple’s ecosystem. If you need budget, the SE exists but the question specifically is Series 9 vs others, so we’ll stick to Series 9’s value.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Samsung priced the Watch 6 quite competitively: the base 40 mm Bluetooth model launched at $299.99 MSRP theverge.com theverge.com. The 44 mm was about $329. Adding LTE is ~+$50. The Watch 6 Classic (with physical bezel, stainless steel) started at $399 (43 mm) and $429 (47 mm) – basically $100 more than standard due to the materials and design samsung.com samsung.com. In practice, Samsung watches also see discounts more often; one might find a Watch 6 for ~$249 on sale within months of release, and even more so a year later. Compared to Apple: a $300 Samsung Watch undercuts Apple by $100 while offering similar (even more, in terms of BIA sensor) features – if you have an Android phone. That’s a good value. The classic at $399 directly matches Apple’s entry price, but for that you get a stainless steel build and rotating bezel, which arguably competes more with Apple’s $699 steel watches in quality. However, Samsung doesn’t have the same longevity of software support (they promised maybe 4 years of updates for Wear OS on Galaxy Watches). Still, for Android users, especially if you snag it on sale, the Watch 6 is considered a great bang for buck – you get a flagship experience for less than a base Apple Watch. One might compare it also to Pixel Watch 2’s price: Pixel 2 is $349 (so Samsung is $50 less at base). Some reviews noted that Samsung’s slightly lower price and more open compatibility made it a better “value” pick for many Android folks theverge.com. There’s also Galaxy Watch5 from 2022, often on sale around $200 now, which is another value consideration – but again focusing on latest models here. In terms of durability for cost, Samsung’s included bands are decent, and standard 20 mm means you can cheaply replace them. They also often bundle offers (like trade-ins or freebies) which Apple typically doesn’t. So value summary for Samsung: Arguably the best value for a full-featured smartwatch on Android when it’s at $300 or less. You get nearly all the capability of a $400+ Apple Watch for a lower entry price. The only caution: some features are gated to Samsung phones (reducing value if you don’t have one), and battery life is only average. But as TechGearLab said, the Watch 6 offers “side-by-side overall value that might even make Apple users jealous” techgearlab.com – hinting that at its price, it’s a very compelling package.
• Google Pixel Watch 2: The Pixel Watch 2 launched at $349.99 for the Wi-Fi model, $399.99 for LTE theverge.com. Google often runs promotions (like bundling with phone pre-orders or giving store credit). Still, at $349 it sits between the base Galaxy and Apple’s price. For what you get – new sensors, improved battery, and Fitbit Premium trial – it’s priced to compete. Tom’s Guide notes Pixel Watch 3 (released later) stayed at $349, which means Pixel 2 might get discounted in 2024. But focusing on now: Pixel Watch 2’s value is strong if you want Fitbit integration and the latest Wear OS. It’s $50 more than Galaxy Watch 6, but Pixel includes 6 months of Fitbit Premium (worth ~$60) store.google.com. Premium is optional thereafter ($9.99/mo), but to get the most from Pixel’s health features (like Daily Readiness, detailed wellness reports), you’ll likely want it – so that is an ongoing cost to consider. Essentially, Pixel Watch 2’s full potential assumes you might eventually pay for Fitbit Premium (Samsung’s features are mostly free aside from maybe their equivalent of coaching which they don’t really have as a paid service). Fitbit Premium is not mandatory – the watch still tracks everything without it, you just won’t get some advanced analytics and content. But it’s fair to factor: after the free trial, continuing Premium is ~$80/year techgearlab.com. So over, say, three years, that’s an extra $240 of subscription. For some, that’s worth it for what you get (workout programs, advanced metrics) – for others, not. Pixel Watch 2 gives you a lot out of the box though: GPS, ECG, etc. I’d say its value proposition is good for Android users who prioritize health tracking quality. It basically rolls a high-end Fitbit and a Wear OS smartwatch into one, which if you priced separately would be more. At $349 it’s more expensive than many expected (some hoped for $299), but Google aims it as a premium device. On pure specs vs price, some might argue Galaxy Watch 6 is slightly better value (bigger screen, slightly cheaper). Yet Pixel’s unique appeal is that deep Fitbit integration – which for someone already paying for Fitbit Premium and loving that platform, Pixel Watch might even save them from having a Fitbit and a smartwatch separately. The Verge called it “the rare sequel that’s better than the original” and didn’t emphasize price issues theverge.com, implying it felt worth the tag. It’s also worth noting Pixel Watch 2 uses aluminum (cheaper material than steel) but still costs more than Galaxy’s aluminum model – so you are paying a bit for the brand and that Fitbit ecosystem R&D. Overall, value summary for Pixel Watch 2: Fairly priced for a high-end Android watch with top-notch health features, but keep in mind the potential Fitbit Premium subscription cost when assessing long-term value techgearlab.com. If you won’t use Premium after the trial, you’re still left with an excellent smartwatch, just one that’s slightly pricier than a comparable Galaxy.
• Garmin Venu 3: Garmin launched Venu 3 at $449.99 for the full size (and similar price for 3S) techradar.com livescience.com. That is the highest base price of this group (excluding if you count Apple’s steel models). Garmin’s positioning is more towards the serious fitness market – that $450 gets you the top “health and fitness” watch in Garmin’s lineup (short of their $600+ Fenix series). Is it worth $450? For those who want its strengths (battery, advanced metrics, cross-platform) it can be. But compared to others: for $50 more than an Apple Watch, you get triple the battery life and far deeper fitness tracking, but you sacrifice some smart convenience. Versus Pixel/Watch6, it’s $100-$150 more, which is significant. Part of Garmin’s value proposition is no subscription needed – all features and metrics (body battery, training load, etc.) are included free. There’s no premium service for extra health data (they had something called Garmin Coach and LiveScope, but those are free too). So while you might pay more upfront, Garmin won’t ask for $10/mo to unlock anything. Over a few years, that could narrow the effective cost gap if you considered, say, Pixel + Fitbit Premium or Apple + Fitness+. Additionally, Garmin devices are known for longevity – physically (they’re rugged) and in usage. People often use a Garmin watch for many years because battery stays good and they aren’t tied to yearly upgrade cycles. The Venu 3 specifically offers a lot: new ECG, big battery, heaps of sport profiles. If those matter to you, the $450 is justified as it’s basically a smart sport watch and everyday watch in one. If you’re mostly wanting a smartwatch for apps and notifications, Garmin would seem overpriced. So value of Venu 3 depends on your priorities. Live Science’s review noted it’s “quite pricey” and lacks some features of similar-priced Forerunners, but also said it combines accuracy and lifestyle features well livescience.com livescience.com. Garmin often holds value in the sense that there aren’t many direct competitors offering the same for less (maybe a slightly cheaper Polar or older model). That said, $449 might be hard to swallow for someone who just wants general fitness tracking – they might opt for a Fitbit at half the price. Garmin is sort of an enthusiast’s choice here. They also rarely go on sale steeply until maybe much later. You might see $50 off on occasion. In sum, value summary for Garmin Venu 3: High upfront cost, but delivers unique long-term value in multi-day performance and pro-grade fitness tools, with no ongoing fees and cross-platform flexibility. It’s worth it if you’ll use its advanced capabilities; otherwise, it might be overkill.
• Fitbit Sense 2: The Sense 2 originally launched at $299.95, but by late 2023 Fitbit dropped it to $249.95 as the regular price tomsguide.com. Even more, it’s frequently on sale around $199 or less (it’s been seen as low as $149–$199 during holiday deals) 9to5toys.com. This aggressive discounting reflects that Google isn’t putting out a new model, so they’ve made the Sense 2 a very affordable option for a full-featured health watch. At ~$250 or below, the Sense 2 is arguably the best value for purely health and wellness tracking among these five. It has ECG, SpO₂, EDA stress tracking, GPS, 6-day battery – that’s a lot of tech for under $300. None of the others give you that combination at that price point. The catch is, of course, it doesn’t have third-party apps or the depth of smart features the others do tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. So its value depends on if you primarily care about health tracking with some notifications. For many casual users, that’s exactly what they want. Tom’s Guide even said at the new $250 price, it’s “a lot cheaper than the first-gen Sense” and still offers a holistic suite of sensors tomsguide.com. When comparing, the Sense 2 is often up against something like an Apple Watch SE ($249) or a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (which you can find ~$250). But Sense 2’s advantage is those stress sensors and multi-day battery. The ongoing costs: Fitbit also strongly nudges Premium. Like Pixel, Sense 2 comes with 6 months Premium free tomsguide.com. After that, if you want those deep analytics, it’s $80/year. Many Fitbit users do pay it, but many don’t and still get plenty out of the device (you still get basic sleep scores, etc., just not the advanced Daily Readiness or long-term trends). The Sense 2 provides great core value even without Premium, but unlocking its “full” potential is tied to that subscription techgearlab.com. Value-wise, one might consider: if you buy a Sense 2 at $200 and keep it 3 years, and you do subscribe to Premium, your total cost of ownership becomes $200 + (3$80) = $440. That’s about the same as buying a Garmin Venu 3 outright (which has no additional fees). If you choose not to renew Premium after trial, you keep the basic features at the base device cost. So, the value equation for Sense 2 is quite flexible. Given current street prices, it’s arguably the budget pick here with high-end health features. It’s also often bundled or discounted heavily because Google is focusing elsewhere. The risk: since no Fitbit Sense 3 is coming, by 2025 or 2026 Google might shift all focus to Pixel and possibly phase out support for older Fitbit OS devices. But they’ve promised to keep services working (with account migration) until at least 2026 theverge.com. The hardware will still function even beyond that. Considering how low the cost can be, that risk is minor. Overall, Fitbit Sense 2 offers tremendous value for money in health tracking, especially if you catch a sale around $180–$200. It’s less valuable if you expect a smartwatch with apps – in that case, the money might be better spent on a Pixel or Samsung. But as a wellness watch, it’s kind of a bargain now.

To wrap up the pricing discussion: if we list MSRP roughly (noting sales can change things):

• Fitbit Sense 2: $249 (often ~$199) – Cheapest, great health features per dollar tomsguide.com.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: $299 (often ~$249) – Strong value for an all-round smartwatch.
• Pixel Watch 2: $349 – Mid-high price, justified by premium build and Fitbit combo, but slightly pricier than Samsung theverge.com.
• Apple Watch Series 9: $399 – Premium price, delivers top-notch experience for those in Apple land tomsguide.com.
• Garmin Venu 3: $449 – Most expensive, but unique multi-day + pro fitness value if that’s what you need livescience.com.

Each can be considered “worth it” for the right user. It’s about where you find value: a lower upfront cost? No subscriptions? Best features? Longevity?

One more note: Recent developments/offers – at the time of writing, Apple is about to or has just launched a Series 10 (which might push Series 9 discounts or make people consider waiting) techgearlab.com. Samsung launched Watch7 (which might drop Watch6 prices) techgearlab.com. Pixel Watch 3 launched, making Pixel 2 possibly found at a discount. Fitbit’s situation means Sense 2 might continue to drop just to clear stock. So, the value is also a moving target as new models arrive. But for now, we’ve compared them as contemporaries.

Conclusion

In this five-way showdown of smartwatches, there’s no one-size-fits-all winner – instead, the “best” choice hinges on your priorities and ecosystem:

• Apple Watch Series 9 – The all-rounder for Apple users: It offers the most polished smartwatch experience with seamless iPhone integration and an unrivaled app selection techgearlab.com. Health and fitness tracking are robust (ECG, SpO₂, temperature) and continually validated in studies, though Apple’s focus is more on holistic wellness and convenience than hardcore training analytics. You’ll get only about a day of battery theverge.com, but in exchange you have a bright, beautiful screen and ultra-responsive performance. For anyone carrying an iPhone, the Series 9 is the gold standard – as one source put it, “it’s considered the gold standard for smartwatches” tomsguide.com. Its value shines if you live in Apple’s ecosystem, where features like unlocking your Mac, paying via Apple Pay, or handoff between devices truly augment daily life. It is pricey, but it “just works” in ways others often try to imitate. Recent news: Apple’s updates (watchOS 10 and beyond) continue to add features like mental health and vision health tracking, and while Series 9 was an incremental upgrade, rumors suggest a bigger “Watch X” overhaul may come in 2024 appleinsider.com appleinsider.com. Still, today, the Series 9 is the best choice for iPhone owners who want a bit of everything – slick fitness tracking, rich smart features, and long-term support – in one stylish package.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – The versatile powerhouse for Android (especially Samsung) users: It delivers a comprehensive feature set at a slightly lower cost than Apple theverge.com. You get an excellent AMOLED display, snappy performance, and a wealth of health tools: heart rate, ECG, SpO₂, blood pressure (with a catch), even body composition analysis – a differentiator Apple and Google don’t have theverge.com. Its fitness tracking improved with personalized heart zones and track workout modes theverge.com, making it nearly as capable as Apple’s for most people’s needs (aside from ultra-endurance metrics). With Wear OS and Samsung’s One UI, it runs Google apps and Samsung’s own, giving it arguably the widest range of apps and services compatibility on Android. Reviewers dubbed it the “best overall Android smartwatch” for its balance of functionality techgearlab.com. Battery life lands around 2 days maximum theverge.com – better than Apple’s, but you’ll still charge a few times a week. The main caveat is ecosystem: it works with any modern Android, but if you pair it with a non-Samsung phone you lose a few features (ECG/BP require Samsung Health Monitor on a Samsung phone) theverge.com. Samsung did release a Galaxy Watch 7 recently, refining the formula (slightly better battery and new health features), but the Watch 6 remains a top contender and is now often found at a discount techgearlab.com. For Android users – and Galaxy phone owners in particular – the Watch 6 is a superb value and a true competitor to the Apple Watch in capabilities. It’s the go-to if you want broad app support, a classic watch look (especially the Classic model with its rotating bezel), and deep fitness and health features without jumping to a specialized brand like Garmin.
• Google Pixel Watch 2 – The new star for health-focused Android users: It’s essentially Google’s take on the Apple Watch, with a sleek design and tight integration with Google services plus Fitbit’s renowned health platform. The second-gen Pixel Watch earned praise as “the rare sequel that’s better than the original”, chiefly by improving battery life and doubling down on health accuracy theverge.com theverge.com. Its heart-rate tracking is now among the best (within a few BPM of chest straps in tests) theverge.com, and features like continuous stress tracking (via the new Body Response sensor) give it an edge in holistic wellness monitoring. The Pixel Watch 2’s Fitbit DNA means you get features like Daily Readiness Score, Active Zone Minutes, and top-tier sleep analysis – making it arguably the most comprehensive health tracker in a smartwatch form-factor. And you get 6 months of Fitbit Premium to explore all those insights tomsguide.com. Smartwatch-wise, it’s very capable too: Google Assistant on wrist is fast, notifications are actionable, and you have the Play Store for apps. The main limitations are its one-size design (some find the 41 mm a tad small) and the fact that, like others in this category, it’s locked to Android. It doesn’t have some of Samsung’s niche sensors (no body composition) and its screen, while gorgeous, is a bit hard to read in direct sun compared to Apple/Samsung’s brightest theverge.com. But for Pixel phone users or anyone deep into Google’s ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 2 is a perfect fit – it feels native to your Android experience. Recent developments: Google is unifying Fitbit accounts into Google accounts and has now positioned Pixel Watch as the future of its wearables, meaning we can expect strong support and new features via updates techtimes.com. With the Pixel Watch 3 released with only modest upgrades, the Pixel Watch 2 remains a compelling choice and is often found at a slightly lower price now, enhancing its value. In short, if you want a premium Android watch with a heavy focus on health and you appreciate Fitbit’s approach, Pixel Watch 2 is an excellent pick.
• Garmin Venu 3 – The endurance athlete and data-lover’s smartwatch: It stands out by offering exceptional battery life (5–6 days typical techgearlab.com, up to 14 days in smartwatch mode) and the richest suite of fitness analytics among these five. It’s the watch for those who prioritize training and recovery data over third-party apps. Garmin’s expertise in exercise shines: the Venu 3 tracks an enormous variety of activities (from running and cycling to rowing, skiing, even pickleball) with great accuracy techgearlab.com, provides training metrics like load and recovery time, and even includes new tools like sleep coaching and nap detection to help optimize recovery. One reviewer noted, “for adventurous types who need their battery to last many days, there is no better option” techgearlab.com – that about sums it up. The Venu 3 also introduced an FDA-cleared ECG, bringing it on par with the others for heart health monitoring livescience.com. Where it lags is general “smart” flair: its app ecosystem (Connect IQ) is sparse, and it lacks conveniences like a voice assistant or full texting capabilities on iPhone techgearlab.com. It will do notifications, music downloads, and Garmin Pay, but it’s not attempting to replace your phone on your wrist. Instead, it complements your phone for the active parts of your life – and it does so while being platform-agnostic (works with both Android and iOS), which is a big plus if you ever switch phones techgearlab.com. The build quality is solid (though a bit utilitarian in design), and the AMOLED display is lively while still allowing that multi-day battery life. At $450, it’s the priciest of the lot, but its value comes from eliminating the need for daily charging and perhaps even obviating a need for separate fitness devices. Recent news: Garmin added features via software updates (e.g., more weightlifting profiles, an improved widget interface) and is likely to keep supporting Venu 3 for years, as they do with their watches. Also, with Garmin expanding features like ECG via updates dcrainmaker.com, the Venu 3’s functionality will likely grow. This watch is ideal for serious fitness enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, or someone who wants deep health insights without being tied to Apple or Google’s ecosystems. It’s a bit of a different category, but if that description is you, the Venu 3 delivers immense value.
• Fitbit Sense 2 – The wellness watcher on a budget: While it doesn’t have the app richness of the others, the Sense 2 focuses on what Fitbit does best – accessible health tracking – and it does it at a lower price point (often around $200 now) tomsguide.com. With a 6+ day battery life tomsguide.com, it’s a device you can wear constantly, allowing its advanced sensors to shine. It uniquely offers continuous EDA stress monitoring, literally tracking your body’s stress responses all day – a feature none of the others match at this level tomsguide.com. It also has ECG, SpO₂, skin temperature trends, and all the sleep and activity tracking Fitbit is known for. In a sense, the Sense 2 is like a gentler cousin to the Garmin – aimed more at overall wellness (stress, sleep, general fitness) than hardcore training. And unlike Garmin, Fitbit’s platform is very engaging for everyday users: friendly charts, badges, and a huge social community for challenges. The Sense 2’s limitations are in smart features: no third-party apps, no onboard music, and only Alexa voice control tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Notifications and calls, however, work fine on both Android and iPhone (quick replies Android-only) community.fitbit.com. For someone who wants to reduce screen time and just quietly collect health data, this minimalist approach might even be a positive. With Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, the Sense 2 is likely the last of its kind (Fitbit’s future watches are effectively Pixel-branded) techtimes.com. The good news is Fitbit features are migrating into Google’s offerings, and the Sense 2 will continue to be supported (it recently got on-wrist call support via update community.fitbit.com). It’s also now very affordable relative to others. So the Sense 2 presents a fantastic value for those who primarily want to monitor health and stress, have a device that just quietly works for days, and don’t need all the bells and whistles of an app ecosystem. As one expert review noted, “at the new lower price, it’s a lot cheaper than [competitors]… and you get Google Maps and Wallet, and voice control with Alexa”, but “you don’t get third-party apps” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. That’s the trade-off. Many users are perfectly happy with that trade-off, essentially using Sense 2 as an advanced health band that also tells time and does basics. If that’s you – maybe you’re considering a dedicated fitness tracker – the Sense 2 is likely the most feature-packed fitness tracker-like smartwatch you can get without breaking the bank.

In summary, here are some parting recommendations:

• If you’re an iPhone user and want a no-compromise smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 9 is still the best overall choice tomsguide.com. It marries fitness, safety, and connectivity in a way that’s become integral to the iOS experience.
• If you’re on Android, decide between Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Google Pixel Watch 2 based on your phone and priorities. The Watch 6 is slightly more versatile with hardware (larger sizes, rotating bezel, and no required subscription) and is fantastic for general use, especially with a Samsung phone theverge.com. The Pixel Watch 2 edges ahead in health tracking accuracy and integration (thanks to Fitbit) theverge.com, and would appeal to those who prioritize wellness features or who are already in the Fitbit fold. Both are top-tier smartwatches; you really can’t go wrong with either for everyday smart features on Android.
• If your focus is fitness and battery – you want to track workouts or health metrics in detail and not charge often – then Garmin Venu 3 is worth the premium for its endurance and data depth techgearlab.com, while Fitbit Sense 2 offers a budget-friendly middle ground with stress tracking and multi-day life tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Choose Garmin if you’re more the athletic type or data geek who might benefit from training load analysis and doesn’t mind spending more. Choose Fitbit if you mainly care about managing stress, sleep, and daily activity in a straightforward way – and you appreciate a watch that’s practically hassle-free in maintenance.

In terms of recent developments: Apple and Samsung have iterated new models (Series 10, Watch7) that bring incremental upgrades, but nothing that drastically changes the landscape yet – Series 9 and Watch6 remain highly relevant, often at better prices techgearlab.com. Google’s Pixel Watch line is solidifying, and Fitbit’s transition into Google means we’ll see more convergence (e.g., eventually one might see a Pixel Watch with 4-5 day battery incorporating more Fitbit DNA, which could shift the balance of power). For now, each device we compared excels in its niche:

• The Series 9 continues Apple’s dominance in smart integration and safety (with features like fall detection, Crash Detection, and extensive app support) – it’s often dubbed the best all-around smartwatch if platform isn’t a factor, but of course, it only serves iOS users tomsguide.com.
• The Galaxy Watch 6 (and its Classic variant) arguably takes the crown for best smartwatch for Android users broadly, thanks to its blend of functionality, style, and slightly friendlier pricing techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. It’s the closest direct rival to Apple Watch in philosophy and is now refined enough that Android folks don’t feel they’re settling by not having an Apple Watch – it’s a fantastic watch in its own right.
• The Pixel Watch 2, meanwhile, might quietly be the best choice for health enthusiasts on Android, given its focus on accurate monitoring and the promise of Google’s software updates. It represents the maturation of Google’s wearable vision – which means Android users now have two excellent “first-party” options in Pixel and Galaxy.
• Garmin and Fitbit carve out their healthy living niches: Garmin for the athlete/analyst who doesn’t mind paying more for durability and detail, and Fitbit for the everyday user who wants powerful health tools wrapped in simplicity and a low price.

Ultimately, the “main competitor” to your chosen watch will be one of the others that best fits where you don’t choose. But any of these five can ably serve as a modern wrist companion – they just each have distinct strengths. The Apple Watch Series 9, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Google Pixel Watch 2, Garmin Venu 3, and Fitbit Sense 2 are all superb – but in different ways. By considering their ecosystems, health and fitness prowess, smart features, design, and price, you can decide which aligns with your needs and lifestyle.

No matter which you pick, it’s an exciting time: wearable tech is more advanced than ever in 2025, and these watches exemplify how far we’ve come. From helping detect irregular heart rhythms to nudging us to breathe when stressed, from letting us leave our phone in our pocket to guiding us turn-by-turn on a run – a smartwatch can be a valuable tool for health, convenience, and peace of mind. Each of these five excels in some aspect of that promise:

• The Series 9 as the polished do-it-all (within Apple’s realm) techgearlab.com,
• The Watch 6 as the versatile Android powerhouse techgearlab.com,
• The Pixel Watch 2 as the Fitbit-fueled wellness coach theverge.com theverge.com,
• The Venu 3 as the stamina and sports champion techgearlab.com techgearlab.com,
• The Sense 2 as the stress-sensing, budget-friendly health companion tomsguide.com tomsguide.com.

Consider what matters most to you, and you’ll likely find your perfect match among these. In the end, the best smartwatch is the one that seamlessly supports your lifestyle – whether that’s closing rings, crushing workouts, managing stress, or simply keeping you connected – and each of these contenders is the best in class for the right user.

Sources:

• Apple Watch Series 9 seamlessly integrates with the iPhone, providing an intuitive experience “so well standardized” that it feels like a natural extension of iOS techgearlab.com. It’s widely regarded as the gold-standard smartwatch for iPhone owners tomsguide.com.
• Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 offers broad capabilities for Android users. Testers found its interface “clearly laid out and all-encompassing”, making it the top pick for an Android smartwatch, with a vibrant display and robust app selection techgearlab.com techgearlab.com.
• Google’s Pixel Watch 2 impresses with its deep Fitbit integration and improved battery. Reviewers noted its new multi-path sensor delivers heart-rate accuracy “within 5 BPM” of chest straps, and it finally achieves all-day battery life – a huge leap over the first model theverge.com theverge.com.
• Garmin’s Venu 3 is unmatched in battery endurance and sport features. With ~6 days of real-world use and “143 hours” in testing techgearlab.com techgearlab.com, plus advanced tracking for dozens of activities, it “far outstrips” other watches for serious fitness enthusiasts techgearlab.com.
• Fitbit’s Sense 2 focuses on wellness essentials. It introduced continuous EDA stress monitoring – logging your body’s responses 24/7 – on top of ECG, SpO₂, and sleep tracking, all with a lightweight design and ~6-day battery that’s “a lot cheaper” than rivals after its price drop tomsguide.com tomsguide.com.