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I've tested the Apple Watch 12, Galaxy Watch 9 and Pixel Watch 5 - here is the smartwatch I'd buy with my own money
Tom's Guide • • technology
Key Points:
- The Apple Watch Series 12, Google Pixel Watch 5, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 are all high-quality smartwatches in 2026, each excelling in different areas such as design, display, fitness tracking, health features, and battery life.
- Samsung offers the best value for cost, especially for larger cellular models, but the price difference is not a major deciding factor for the reviewer, who prefers smaller, non-cellular watches.
- Apple leads in design with the preferred case shape and controls, while Google and Samsung provide brighter displays; Samsung excels in fitness and recovery features without requiring a subscription.
- Google Pixel Watch 5 stands out for advanced health and safety features including Loss of Pulse Detection and Breathing Emergency Detection, and it also offers the longest battery life among the three.
- Despite some areas where Samsung and Google excel, the reviewer ultimately favors the Apple Watch Series 12 for its design and straightforward approach to fitness and health tracking, naming it the overall winner.
