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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple Watch Ultra 3 vs Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
For most users, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the better buy due to its rugged titanium build and superior water resistance at 100m, making it ideal for outdoor activities. You get a 36-hour battery life compared to Google Pixel Watch 4's 40 hours, but it's worth it for the extra durability and advanced features. After testing both, the Apple Watch Ultra 3's 49mm display shines at 3,000 nits, offering incredible clarity even in bright sunlight. The Google Pixel Watch 4's 45mm display is also bright at 3,000 nits, but its Gorilla Glass 5 isn't as tough as the Ultra 3's sapphire crystal, which is essential for those seeking a lasting smartwatch in 2026.
🔋 Battery: 564 mAh vs 455 mAh⚖️ Weight: 2.18 oz vs 1.29 oz💽 Storage: 64 GB vs 32 GB
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Apple Watch Ultra 3
★4.7
(425)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later (incl. iPhone SE 2nd gen+) with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS
Case Size:49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D)
Case Material:Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black)
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Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
★4.5
(405)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed)
Case Size:45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm)
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple Watch Ultra 3
1245 sq mm display area
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design)
Resolution
Apple Watch Ultra 3
422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Apple Watch Ultra 3
64GBWinner
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
32GB eMMC flash
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)Winner
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple Watch Ultra 3
61.8 g
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
36.7 g (without band)Winner
Water Resistance
Apple Watch Ultra 3
100 m (ISO 22810); EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40 m (130 ft)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
5 ATM (50 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple Watch Ultra 3
watchOS
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple Watch Ultra 3
LTE and UMTS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; U2 Ultra Wideband chip
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
★4.7(425)Amazon
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
★4.5(405)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(425)Amazon | ★4.5(405)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone Xs or later (incl. iPhone SE 2nd gen+) with iOS 18 or later | Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS |
Operating System | watchOS | Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed) |
Case Size | 49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D) | 45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm) |
Case Material | Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black) | 100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Display Type | Always-On Retina display (LTPO3 OLED) with flat sapphire crystal | Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO (1-60Hz) with 15% thinner bezels |
Display Size | 1245 sq mm display area | 1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design) |
Resolution | 422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi) | 456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum) |
Water Resistance | 100 m (ISO 22810); EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40 m (130 ft) | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
Durability | IP6X dust resistance; MIL-STD 810H tested | IP68 dust and water resistance; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
GPS | Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5) | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC |
Connectivity | LTE and UMTS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; U2 Ultra Wideband chip | Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available |
NFC Payments | Apple Pay | Google Wallet |
Sensors | Electrical heart (ECG), optical heart (Gen 3), temperature (body/water), blood oxygen, depth gauge, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope | Compass; Altimeter; Red/Infrared SpO2 sensors; Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Barometer; Magnetometer |
Health Features | ECG, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate zones, Sleep Tracking/Apnea notifications, Vitals app, Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates | Gemini-powered Health Coach; Sleep Apnea detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Stress management (cEDA); Skin temperature variation |
Workout Modes | Multisport, Running (Advanced Metrics), Hiking (Topographic Maps), Ocean Diving, Swimming, Cycling | 40+ exercise modes; Auto-workout detection; Custom runs; Real-time guidance; Pace training; Heart Zone training |
Storage | 64GB | 32GB eMMC flash |
Speaker Mic | Dual speakers; three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation; 86dB Siren | Built-in speaker (improved for Gemini); Microphone |
Calls | Yes (via Cellular or Wi-Fi) | Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models) |
Battery | Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode) | 455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode |
Charging | Fast charging (0–80% in approx. 1 hour) with USB-C Magnetic Fast Charger | Fast charging (50% in 15 min; 80% in 30 min; 100% in 60 min) via 5-pin magnetic dock |
Weight | 61.8 g | 36.7 g (without band) |
Band Sizes | Fits 130–210mm wrists (Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Ocean Band) | Active Band included (Small: 150–185 mm; Large: 165–215 mm) |
Extras | S10 SiP, Double Tap gesture, On-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, Flashlight/Night Mode, Crash Detection, Fall Detection | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; Cortex M55 co-processor; Satellite SOS (LTE only); Offline Google Maps; Safety Check; Fall Detection |
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Apple Watch Ultra 3
Rating:★4.7(425)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later (incl. iPhone SE 2nd gen+) with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS
Case Size:49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D)
Case Material:Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black)
Display Type:Always-On Retina display (LTPO3 OLED) with flat sapphire crystal
Display Size:1245 sq mm display area
Resolution:422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m (ISO 22810); EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40 m (130 ft)
Durability:IP6X dust resistance; MIL-STD 810H tested
GPS:Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5)
Connectivity:LTE and UMTS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; U2 Ultra Wideband chip
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart (ECG), optical heart (Gen 3), temperature (body/water), blood oxygen, depth gauge, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope
Health Features:ECG, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate zones, Sleep Tracking/Apnea notifications, Vitals app, Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Workout Modes:Multisport, Running (Advanced Metrics), Hiking (Topographic Maps), Ocean Diving, Swimming, Cycling
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Dual speakers; three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation; 86dB Siren
Calls:Yes (via Cellular or Wi-Fi)
Battery:Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charging (0–80% in approx. 1 hour) with USB-C Magnetic Fast Charger
Weight:61.8 g
Band Sizes:Fits 130–210mm wrists (Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Ocean Band)
Extras:S10 SiP, Double Tap gesture, On-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, Flashlight/Night Mode, Crash Detection, Fall Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading 3,000-nit display brightness
- • Rugged titanium build with 100m water resistance
- • Excellent battery life relative to category (up to 72h low power)
- • Precision dual-frequency GPS ideal for outdoor sports
✗ Cons:
- • Large 49mm case may be too bulky for smaller wrists
- • High price point
- • Exclusive to iPhone ecosystem
- • Minimal design changes from previous generation
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Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
Rating:★4.5(405)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed)
Case Size:45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm)
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Display Type:Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO (1-60Hz) with 15% thinner bezels
Display Size:1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design)
Resolution:456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (50 meters)
Durability:IP68 dust and water resistance; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC
Connectivity:Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available
NFC Payments:Google Wallet
Sensors:Compass; Altimeter; Red/Infrared SpO2 sensors; Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Barometer; Magnetometer
Health Features:Gemini-powered Health Coach; Sleep Apnea detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Stress management (cEDA); Skin temperature variation
Workout Modes:40+ exercise modes; Auto-workout detection; Custom runs; Real-time guidance; Pace training; Heart Zone training
Storage:32GB eMMC flash
Speaker Mic:Built-in speaker (improved for Gemini); Microphone
Calls:Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models)
Battery:455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode
Charging:Fast charging (50% in 15 min; 80% in 30 min; 100% in 60 min) via 5-pin magnetic dock
Weight:36.7 g (without band)
Band Sizes:Active Band included (Small: 150–185 mm; Large: 165–215 mm)
Extras:Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; Cortex M55 co-processor; Satellite SOS (LTE only); Offline Google Maps; Safety Check; Fall Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with AOD enabled
- • Brighter Actua 360 display (3,000 nits) with thinner bezels
- • Faster charging (0-50% in just 15 minutes)
- • New Satellite SOS feature for emergency communication (LTE models)
✗ Cons:
- • Design remains largely unchanged (still uses Gorilla Glass 5)
- • Requires Android 11.0+ (no iOS support)
- • Case thickness (12.3mm) is substantial compared to competitors
- • Satellite SOS requires an active LTE plan/carrier support
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Which one is better?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the better buy for most people - its 100m water resistance crushes the Google Pixel Watch 4's 50m. That said, grab the Google Pixel Watch 4 if you want a lighter watch at 1.29oz compared to the heavier 2.18oz of the Ultra 3.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if: you need a rugged design for outdoor adventures, you want advanced health features like ECG, or you prefer better water resistance. (564 mAh battery, 2.18 oz weight)
Choose the Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) if: you want a lighter watch for daily wear, you prefer longer battery life of 40 hours, or you're on an Android device and need compatibility.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple Watch Ultra 3 excels if you value class-leading 3,000-nit display brightness. Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) is better if you prioritize battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with aod enabled. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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