5 smartwatches you should buy instead of the Google Pixel Watch 5

Key Points:

• The Google Pixel Watch 5 offers minor upgrades over the Pixel Watch 4, including new colors, improved performance, larger batteries, more storage, and enhanced health tracking, but comes at a higher price with limited hardware changes.
• The Pixel Watch 4 remains a strong value option with similar features, multi-day battery life, fast charging, dual-band GPS, and software support through at least October 2028, making it the best Wear OS smartwatch for value and performance.
• Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9, launched in July 2026, is a competitive alternative featuring a more powerful Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, sapphire crystal display, larger battery, and AI-powered health features, though it has slower charging than the Pixel Watch 5.
• The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 from 2024 is a budget-friendly Wear OS option with ongoing software updates until 2028, premium features like sapphire glass, and solid health tracking, despite some GPS issues and partial feature limitations requiring a Samsung phone.
• For fitness-focused users, the Amazfit Balance 3 and COROS PACE 4 offer excellent battery life, specialized training tools, and accurate health tracking at lower prices, making them strong alternatives for dedicated athletes and fitness enthusiasts.