Pixel Watch 3 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5: Who's Superior?
Naila Syifa
Updated November 2024
In the ever-evolving world of smartwatches, two contenders stand out in 2024: Google's latest Pixel Watch 3 and Garmin's popular Vivoactive 5. Both devices target health-conscious users but take distinctly different approaches to the smartwatch experience. This comparison breaks down their key differences to help you decide which watch better suits your lifestyle and needs.
Key Takeaways
Pixel Watch 3 is superior for advanced training features and smartwatch functionality, while Garmin Vivoactive 5 excels in battery life and inclusivity for wheelchair users.
Pixel Watch 3
Smart & Active Smartwatch
✓ 40+ Exercises
✓ Readiness Insights
✓ Google Apps
✓ Optional LTE
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Lifestyle & Fitness Smartwatch
✓ 50 Activity Profiles
✓ Meditation & Breathwork
✓ Body Battery Energy Monitoring
✓ Wheelchair Mode
Design & Display
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes in 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm dimensions with a 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Its bezel is made of aluminum while the case is constructed from fiber-reinforced polymer. The quick-release silicone band is easy to swap out and comes in multiple color options.
Pixel Watch 3, coming in 41mm and 45mm case sizes, features a signature domed design that elegantly curves to meet the case. The Actua display, which is Google's OLED screen with enhanced brightness and color accuracy, reaches up to 2000 nits peak brightness and is protected by a custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Both the Pixel Watch 3 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 boast a 5 ATM water resistance rating, making them swim-friendly and suitable for everyday water exposure.
Health & Fitness Features
Pixel Watch 3
Basic capabilities like heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, stress, and activity tracking are present on both smartwatches, but Pixel Watch 3 includes more advanced health features like skin temperature sensing, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and ECG.
Pixel Watch 3 also offers richer workout and training features, including real-time pace guidance for running, a readiness feature to determine your body's capacity for exercise each day, and cardio load tracking to see your training intensity each day.
With Fitbit Premium, you get even more detailed Google AI-powered health insights, personalized recommendations, and guided workouts.
However, Garmin Vivoactive 5 is not without its own unique advantages. With wheelchair mode, it can track pushes and support workouts for wheelchair users.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 also offers the well-known Garmin Body Battery energy monitoring feature, which measures your energy levels throughout the day to help optimize activity and rest periods.
Smartwatch Features
Pixel Watch 3
When it comes to smartwatch functionality, both devices offer essential features including messaging, smart notifications, contactless payments, music playback control, incident detection, and location tracking during emergencies.
However, as a Wear OS device, the Pixel Watch 3 offers so much more. It can control Pixel Camera and some smart home devices like Google TV, Nest Cam, and Nest Doorbell. It integrates seamlessly with the Google ecosystem and provides access to a wide range of apps through the Play Store, including Google Maps and Google Wallet.
Pixel Watch 3 even offers a built-in speaker and microphone for on-wrist calling, voice assistant, and audio recording. These features are notably absent from the Garmin Vivoactive 5, making the Pixel Watch 3 a more versatile smartwatch for daily communication and productivity.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Pixel Watch 3 comes equipped with a 307mAh battery in the 41mm version and a larger 420mAh battery in the 45mm model, which can last for up to 24 hours (1 day) of use with the always-on display activated, while enabling battery-saver mode extends the runtime to 36 hours.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 offers a much longer runtime. In smartwatch mode with the always-on display, it can last for up to 5 days. In battery-saver smartwatch mode, it can extend up to 21 days.
Pixel Watch 3 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Final Thoughts
Pixel Watch 3
If you're looking for a feature-rich smartwatch with advanced training features, seamless Google ecosystem integration, and on-wrist communication capabilities, the Pixel Watch 3 is the clear winner. However, if battery life and basic fitness tracking are your main priorities, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 would be the better choice.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Pixel Watch 3 vs Garmin Venu 3
Pixel Watch 3 vs Fitbit Sense 2
Pixel Watch 3 vs Fitbit Versa 4
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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