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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGoogle Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Time to compare Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) with Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED). We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.6★
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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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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6
(1,856)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
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Comparison: Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm)
★4.5(405)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(405)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 11.0 or later (Google account required); not compatible with iOS | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Wear OS 6.0 (pre-installed) | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 45mm (45.0 x 45.0 x 12.3 mm) | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | 100% recycled aluminum case; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO (1-60Hz) with 15% thinner bezels | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.4 in (Actua 360 domed design) | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi) | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum) | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | IP68 dust and water resistance; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz/5GHz; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB); LTE version available | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | Google Wallet | Garmin 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 | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m) |
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 | Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot |
Workout Modes | 40+ exercise modes; Auto-workout detection; Custom runs; Real-time guidance; Pace training; Heart Zone training | Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others |
Storage | 32GB eMMC flash | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Built-in speaker (improved for Gemini); Microphone | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | 455 mAh; Up to 40 hours with Always-On Display; Up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode | Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days |
Charging | Fast charging (50% in 15 min; 80% in 30 min; 100% in 60 min) via 5-pin magnetic dock | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 36.7 g (without band) | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | Active Band included (Small: 150–185 mm; Large: 165–215 mm) | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; Cortex M55 co-processor; Satellite SOS (LTE only); Offline Google Maps; Safety Check; Fall Detection | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
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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
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Rating:★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters
Durability:MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m)
Health Features:Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable)
Weight:Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life
- • Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
- • Built-in LED flashlight and speaker/mic add massive daily utility
- • Comprehensive offline mapping and best-in-class GPS accuracy
- • Advanced strength training plans tailored to specific sports
✗ Cons:
- • High price point compared to previous generations and competitors
- • No LTE/Cellular option for standalone calls (requires phone nearby)
- • Titanium models with Sapphire glass command a significant premium
- • Proprietary charging cable (not wireless/Qi standard)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED): 4.5★ vs Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm): 4.6★), Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) (Battery life significantly improved to 40 hours with AOD enabled, Brighter Actua 360 display (3,000 nits) with thinner bezels)
For value or versatility: Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) (Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
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. Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is better if you prioritize stunning 1.4" amoled display with efficient 16-day battery life. 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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