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I took 9,000 steps with the Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3 — 5 things that surprised me

Online Niel October 27, 2024

The Apple Watch Series 10 and Google Pixel Watch 3 are the ones best smart watch models for iPhone and Android users respectively. Debuting just a month apart, each device offers an impressive array of wellness technology, smart features and design improvements over its predecessor.

The Apple Watch 10 offers a slimmer case and a brighter screen with improved viewing angles compared to the 9 series. Pixel Watch 3 it also offers display improvements over its predecessor via a brighter, more responsive screen paired with a slimmer bezel.

The Pixel Watch 3 additionally boasts Google’s most accurate heart rate sensor and a promising new pulse loss detection feature (still awaiting approval in the US). On the health front, the Apple Watch 10 gains sleep apnea detection – here it is how to turn it on — and the latest watchOS 11 the software also adds a new Vitals app to keep track of relevant health data.

When it comes to tracking your workout, both smartwatches offer equally impressive sets of sensors and tools to track key metrics like distance, cadence, heart rate, elevation gain, and pace.

But, is one better than the other for tracking outdoor exercise like walking, hiking, running, jogging, and biking? I wanted to find out.

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, I charged up the Pixel Watch 3 and Apple Watch 10 and strapped them to my wrist for a 5-mile walk around Seattle, Washington. With fall leaves displaying a spectacular array of colors, clear blue skies and a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the vibes were nothing short of spot on.

The Apple Watch 10 graced my left wrist while I wore the Pixel Watch 3 on my right. As a control, I also tracked my gait using The Strava app on my phone. And for another data point, I used the distance measurer Google Maps after the walk, measuring my exact route to the best of my ability.

After about 90 minutes, just over 5 miles traveled and 550 feet of elevation gain, I returned home and compared my results, which you can view in the graph below.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3: walking test results

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Header cell – Column 0	Apple Watch 10	Pixel Watch 3	Strava	Google Maps (distance tool)
Distance	5.23 miles	5.37 miles	5.58 miles	5.13 miles
tread	9,352 steps	9,588 steps	9,424 steps	N/A
Increase in share	559 feet	588 feet	558 feet	N/A
Medium pace	17:42 per mile	17:01 per mile	14:48 per mile	N/A
Calories	622 assets, 774 total	859 calories	N/A	N/A
Average heart rate	133 bpm	129 bpm	N/A	N/A
Maximum heart rate	172 bpm	167 bpm	N/A	N/A

Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3: 5 things that surprised me

This is my first time testing Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3 at the same time, several things stood out to me when using both side by side, beyond how their values matched.

Here are the five biggest things I learned from my walking test.

Close-up of the Apple Watch 10 (left) next to the Pixel Watch 3 on a user's wrist, with colorful leaves out of focus in the background

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)

1. The Pixel Watch saw a bigger and faster ride

The Pixel Watch 3 recorded an additional 0.14 miles of mileage compared to the Apple Watch 10, which is pretty small potatoes. Which is more correct? It is impossible to say.

But if you average the total from my two commands, Strava (5.58 miles) and Google Distance Tool (5.13 miles), you get a total distance of 5.36 miles, which is one-hundredth miles less than Google’s total. . Not too bad, Pixel Watch.

The Google device also noted a slightly faster pace than the Apple Watch: 17 minutes and 1 second per mile versus 17 minutes and 42 seconds per mile. Given Google’s longer distance, this isn’t too surprising. What’s surprising is that those paces are significantly slower than Strava’s number of 14 minutes and 48 seconds per mile. What gives?

I suspect this difference is probably because Strava automatically stops and starts recording when you physically stop and start moving. For example, if I stop for 30 seconds waiting for the crosswalk light to change, Strava won’t count those 30 seconds as not moving at my pace, while it seems both Apple and and Google does.

That said, when I stopped for a 5-minute break to enjoy the sun near the halfway point of my route, both the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch presented me with a message after a few minutes of standing still asking me if I’m done with training. Both times I hit Ignore and continued watching.

2. Step count totals were significantly similar

Google Pixel Watch 3 in a user's hand showing the screen

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

I was pleasantly surprised to see that both smartwatches recorded similar total steps for my walk, with less than 250 steps separating their accounts. Also impressive; The Apple Watch 10 is 72 steps away from Strava’s total, while the Pixel Watch is 164 steps away from Strava.

All in all, these are results I like to see, and a reminder that the best smartwatches hold that title for a reason: they do what they promise, and they do it well.

3. The Pixel Watch recorded another 30 feet of elevation

The post-walk value that disappointed me the most is the extra 29 feet of climbing measured by the Pixel Watch 3. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 10 and the Strava app both noted total climbs that were only a foot apart, suggesting that the Google device probably overcalculated.

Does this mean Google Watch will always add an extra 5 or 6 feet of elevation for every 100 feet climbed? Let’s hope not. But, more direct tests are needed to confirm. However, for people like me who put a lot of emphasis on altitude stats, especially when hiking or skiing in the mountains, I want to be sure that my smartwatch is giving me the most accurate readings possible.

4. Apple Watch recorded a higher heart rate

Apple Watch Series 10

(Image credit: Future)

The Apple Watch recorded slightly higher heart rate data than the Google Watch. This could be attributed to the fact that I wore the devices on opposite wrists, or that the Pixel Watch 3’s rubber band was worn looser than the Apple Watch 10’s cloth sport loop, as the former is less comfortable when fastened tightly .

However, the Apple Watch 10 recorded my average heart rate 4 bpm faster than the Google, and my maximum walking heart rate 5 bpm faster. While it’s again difficult to say which is more accurate, these heart rate readings generally line up with what I expect.

For vigorous walks, my average heart rate is often around 130 bpm, as it was during my recent run. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch SE walking test. Maximum heart rate, on the other hand, can vary greatly depending on the day or route.

For this ride, I pushed myself to the end, especially during my final climb, and the respective heart rate highs on each watch reflect that. Both 172 and 167 bpm are in my max heart rate zone.

5. Pixel Watch used less battery; The Apple Watch was more comfortable

Close-ups of the Apple Watch 10 on a user's wrist next to the Google Pixel Watch 3

(Image credit: Future)

I left home with both devices at 100% battery. When I returned about 90 minutes later, the Pixel Watch 3 (in 45mm) was pretty much at 87%, while the Apple Watch Series 10 was a little more drained at 77%.

Given that battery drain rate, the Apple Watch 10 should be able to GPS track a hike for 6 to 7 hours before dying, while the Pixel Watch 3 XL should last more like 11 or 12 hours . This is quite a noticeable difference.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch felt more comfortable on my wrist during my walking test. This is partly because the Apple Watch is thinner than the Pixel Watch, which also makes it less likely to catch on your jacket cuff. However, both devices weigh about the same amount.

The other factor that sets the Apple Watch 10 apart in terms of wearability is the much softer and more elastic sports band that came with it. Compared to the traditional rubber band on the Pixel Watch 3, the Apple loop doesn’t catch my hair and feel gross/sticky when I start sweating.

Of course, the Pixel Watch 3 offers a wide range of bands, and the Apple Watch 10 also comes with an equally unpleasant rubber band for training. Either way, if you’re going to work out with your new smartwatch, consider the strap you’ll be wearing.

Ultimately, both the Apple Watch Series 10 and Pixel Watch 3 are competent smartwatch models for tracking outdoor exercise of all kinds. And while I’ve split some hairs here, my test results mostly line up nicely. So, whether spring for the best apple watch or the the best smart watch for androidyou can look forward to accurate fitness and health tracking with tons of information to help you train.

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