Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 vs Google Pixel Watch 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 lists for about $300 more than the Google Pixel Watch 5. With the screen always on, their makers quote 60 h for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and 30 h for the Google Pixel Watch 5. Phones differ: the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is android; some features need the maker's own phone, the Google Pixel Watch 5 android only. Google sells a paid tier (Google Health Premium) for the Google Pixel Watch 5; Samsung sells none for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2. Every other published figure for both is in the table, with the rows where they differ tinted.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2
~$700
An 800 mAh battery, the largest Samsung has put in a Galaxy Watch, gives the Ultra2 a rated 60 hours with the always-on display on, double the Galaxy Watch9.
Best for: Galaxy phone owners who trail run or hike and want multi-day battery on Wear OS
Google Pixel Watch 5
~$400
Google's 2026 watch keeps Pixel Watch 4's case, weights and battery ratings but moves to Wear OS 7, doubles storage to 64 GB and, per Google, runs 20% faster.
Best for: Android owners (any brand) who want Fitbit-grade health tracking on Wear OS
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 | Google Pixel Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$700 (47 mm LTE (only version sold), $699.99 on samsung.com/us) | ~$400 (41 mm Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, list $399.99 on store.google.com (shown at $349.99 in a sale ending 10/11)) |
| Type | Rugged outdoor | Everyday smartwatch |
| Platform | Wear OS | Wear OS |
| Case sizes | 47 mm | 41 mm / 45 mm |
| Weight | 47 mm: 61.5 g (case and sensors only (Samsung compare page)) | 41 mm: 31 g · 45 mm: 36.7 g (without band (Google spec page)) |
| Battery, smartwatch mode | 3 days (Samsung spec: 'Usage Time (Hours, AOD Off) Up to 80' (800 mAh)) | 30 h (Google: 'Up to 30 hours with always-on display' (41 mm, 332 mAh); 45 mm: 'Up to 40 hours with always-on display' — Google publishes no AOD-off figure) |
| Battery, always-on display | 60 h (Samsung: 'up to 60 hours of usage with AOD on' (US page); spec: 'Usage Time (Hours, AOD On) Up to 60') | 30 h (Google: 'Up to 30 hours with always-on display' (41 mm)) |
| Always-on keeps | 75% of the headline figure | 100% of the headline figure |
| Battery, GPS workout | Not published by the maker | Not published by the maker |
| Battery note | Samsung: 'Route workout with GPS / GPX Up to 16 hrs in Exercise power saving mode'; no standard-mode GPS figure published. Fast charging: 40% in 30 minutes | Battery Saver: up to 48 h (41 mm) / 72 h (45 mm). Quick Charge Dock: about 15 minutes to 50%. No GPS-workout figure published |
| Works with | Android; some features need the maker's own phone | Android only |
| iPhone | No | No |
| Android | Yes, with limits | Yes |
| Phone limits | Samsung: 'Newer Samsung watches with Wear OS are not compatible with iOS.' On Android, ECG Monitor, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification, blood pressure, sleep apnea, Energy Score and Vitals need a Samsung Galaxy phone with Samsung Health / Samsung Health Monitor (Android 13+ for several) | Google: 'Works with most phones running on Android 12.0 or newer'; requires the Google Pixel Watch app. No iPhone support |
| Paid tier | No paid tier sold by the maker | Google Health Premium, $119.88/year |
| What the paid tier gates | Samsung sells no paid tier for watch features; only optional iFit premium workout content in Fitness Index is paid (third-party) | No watch hardware feature needs it; Premium adds Google Health Coach (Gemini-built adaptive fitness, sleep and health coaching) and most guided workout content |
| Update years | 5 years, per Samsung | 3 years, per Google |
| Cleared health features | ECG Monitor app (FDA), Sleep apnea feature (FDA) | ECG app (FDA), Irregular rhythm notifications (FDA), Loss of Pulse Detection (FDA) |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | Route line only (Samsung: 'Load a GPX route and follow your pre-planned course turn by turn' (Trail Run); no downloadable topo maps stated) | not published |
| Music on the watch | Yes | Yes |
| LTE | Optional (LTE models need a separate qualifying wireless plan from the carrier and initial pairing with an Android phone (Samsung footnote)) | Optional (LTE model needs a carrier plan; Google Store currently includes 2 years of Google Fi data for any Pixel Watch 5 (LTE), calling not supported on that offer) |
| Contactless pay | not published | Yes |
| Water rating | 10ATM + IP69K, MIL-STD-810H | 5 ATM + IP68 |
| Case | titanium | aluminum |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2: what it gives up
- No iPhone support
- 61.5 g case is nearly double the Watch9 40 mm
- Single 47 mm size only
- Route following only; no topo maps like a Garmin fenix or Apple Watch Ultra 4's park maps
- Samsung-phone lock for ECG, blood pressure and sleep apnea
Google Pixel Watch 5: what it gives up
- AI coaching and most guided workouts sit behind Google Health Premium at $9.99 a month
- Little hardware change from the cheaper Pixel Watch 4 beyond storage and speed
- Google's update commitment is 3 years, shorter than Samsung's listed security-update date for the Galaxy Watch9
Full pages: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 · Google Pixel Watch 5