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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGoogle Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
If you are torn between Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) and Apple Watch Ultra 2, this breakdown is for you. We compare specs, pros, and cons so you can decide confidently.
Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.7★
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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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Apple Watch Ultra 2
★4.7
(1,082)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later 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 finish)
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Comparison: Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
★4.5(405)Amazon
Apple Watch Ultra 2
★4.7(1,082)Amazon
| Criterion | Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(405)Amazon | ★4.7(1,082)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS | iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18 or later |
Operating System | Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed) | watchOS |
Case Size | 45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm) | 49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D) |
Case Material | 100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black finish) |
Display Type | Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO (1-60Hz) with 15% thinner bezels | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED (flat sapphire crystal display) |
Display Size | 1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design) | 1185 sq mm display area |
Resolution | 456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi) | 410 x 502 pixels (326 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 100 m (ISO 22810); 40 m recreational high-speed water sports (EN13319) |
Durability | IP68 dust and water resistance; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | IP6X dust resistant; tested to MIL-STD 810H (altitude, high/low temp, temperature shock, immersion, freeze/thaw, ice/freezing rain, shock/vibration) |
GPS | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | Precision dual-frequency GPS: L1 and L5 (GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available | LTE and UMTS (Cellular is standard); Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip |
NFC Payments | Google Wallet | Apple Pay |
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 | Electrical heart sensor (ECG app); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensing; depth gauge (±1 m accuracy); water temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high dynamic range gyroscope; ambient light sensor; blood oxygen sensor (feature availability subject to US patent rulings) |
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 | ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular rhythm notifications; Sleep tracking with stages; Sleep apnea notifications; Vitals app; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates; Noise app |
Workout Modes | 40+ exercise modes; Auto-workout detection; Custom runs; Real-time guidance; Pace training; Heart Zone training | Customizable Action Button for instant workout start; Advanced running metrics (stride length, ground contact time); Multisport; Swimming; Hiking; Diving (Oceanic+ app required for dive computer functions) |
Storage | 32GB eMMC flash | 64GB |
Speaker Mic | Built-in speaker (improved for Gemini); Microphone | Dual speakers (40% louder than Series 8); Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation |
Calls | Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models) | Yes (Cellular, Wi-Fi, and iPhone tethering) |
Battery | 455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode | Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode) |
Charging | Fast charging (50% in 15 min; 80% in 30 min; 100% in 60 min) via 5-pin magnetic dock | Fast charging capable (0–80% in approx. 1 hour); USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable included |
Weight | 36.7 g (without band) | 61.4 g (Natural Titanium); 61.8 g (Black Titanium) [case only] |
Band Sizes | Active Band included (Small: 150–185 mm; Large: 165–215 mm) | Trail Loop (S/M, M/L); Alpine Loop (S, M, L); Ocean Band (One Size); fits 130–210mm wrists depending on selection |
Extras | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; Cortex M55 co-processor; Satellite SOS (LTE only); Offline Google Maps; Safety Check; Fall Detection | S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; On-device Siri; Precision Finding for iPhone 15/16 lineup; 86-decibel Siren; Night Mode (Modular Ultra face) |
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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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Apple Watch Ultra 2
Rating:★4.7(1,082)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later 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 finish)
Display Type:Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED (flat sapphire crystal display)
Display Size:1185 sq mm display area
Resolution:410 x 502 pixels (326 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m (ISO 22810); 40 m recreational high-speed water sports (EN13319)
Durability:IP6X dust resistant; tested to MIL-STD 810H (altitude, high/low temp, temperature shock, immersion, freeze/thaw, ice/freezing rain, shock/vibration)
GPS:Precision dual-frequency GPS: L1 and L5 (GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou)
Connectivity:LTE and UMTS (Cellular is standard); Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart sensor (ECG app); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensing; depth gauge (±1 m accuracy); water temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high dynamic range gyroscope; ambient light sensor; blood oxygen sensor (feature availability subject to US patent rulings)
Health Features:ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular rhythm notifications; Sleep tracking with stages; Sleep apnea notifications; Vitals app; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates; Noise app
Workout Modes:Customizable Action Button for instant workout start; Advanced running metrics (stride length, ground contact time); Multisport; Swimming; Hiking; Diving (Oceanic+ app required for dive computer functions)
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Dual speakers (40% louder than Series 8); Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation
Calls:Yes (Cellular, Wi-Fi, and iPhone tethering)
Battery:Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charging capable (0–80% in approx. 1 hour); USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable included
Weight:61.4 g (Natural Titanium); 61.8 g (Black Titanium) [case only]
Band Sizes:Trail Loop (S/M, M/L); Alpine Loop (S, M, L); Ocean Band (One Size); fits 130–210mm wrists depending on selection
Extras:S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; On-device Siri; Precision Finding for iPhone 15/16 lineup; 86-decibel Siren; Night Mode (Modular Ultra face)
✓ Pros:
- • Brightest Apple display ever (up to 3,000 nits) for superior outdoor visibility
- • Excellent battery life for an Apple Watch (up to 36 hours standard, 72 hours low power)
- • Rugged titanium build with sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance
- • Fast S9 SiP allows for Double Tap gesture and on-device Siri
- • Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) offers accurate tracking in dense environments
✗ Cons:
- • Large 49mm x 14.4mm casing is bulky on smaller wrists
- • Blood Oxygen feature is disabled on units sold by Apple in the US (post-Jan 2024)
- • Requires an iPhone to function; no Android compatibility
- • Expensive entry price compared to standard Series models
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple Watch Ultra 2: 4.5★ vs Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm): 4.7★), Apple Watch Ultra 2 pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) excels at: Battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with AOD enabled, Brighter Actua 360 display (3,000 nits) with thinner bezels
Watch for: Design remains largely unchanged (still uses Gorilla Glass 5)
Apple Watch Ultra 2 excels at: Brightest Apple display ever (up to 3,000 nits) for superior outdoor visibility, Excellent battery life for an Apple Watch (up to 36 hours standard, 72 hours low power)
Watch for: Large 49mm x 14.4mm casing is bulky on smaller wrists
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) excels if you value battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with aod enabled. Apple Watch Ultra 2 is better if you prioritize brightest apple display ever (up to 3,000 nits) for superior outdoor visibility. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
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