Google Pixel Watch 5 review: the Android equivalent of Apple Watch is a next-gen wearable

I’ve been testing the new Google Pixel Watch 5 , which has a lengthy list of key improvements over its predecessors. It’s like an Android version of Apple Watch, and while it works with any Android phone it integrates most deeply and seamlessly with Pixel smartphones (in much the same way that Samsung wearables work best with Samsung phones). READ MORE: I used Pixel 11 Pro Fold for one month - is it the unsung hero of the '26 foldable smartphone world?

READ MORE: Google Pixel 11 Pro review: is this the best Android alternative to an iPhone? The elegant circular wearable is available in both 41mm and 45mm sizes and both models come in white, black and green colour options, with the 41mm size also available in pink. The watches are boxed with an Active Band made of hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber in both small and large sizes, so you can easily find the most suitable fit.

The strap and watch are comfortable to wear around the clock. The casing is made from 100% recycled aluminium. Pixel Watch 5 has the same domed glass and curved Actua 360 AMOLED display as its predecessor, with LTPO tech, DCI-P3 colour and Gorilla Glass protection.

I’m testing the 45mm model on which the screen is 1.46in in diameter with up to 3,000 nits of brightness that adjusts based on ambient light. The display is easy to see and read outdoors in sunlight.

It also has a variable refresh rate, from 1Hz to 60Hz, that contributes to the smooth user experience. There are new Pixel watch faces I love with graphics that bend around the edges to help accentuate the unique look of Watch 5’s design and build. The brains of the wearable is a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 accelerated with a Cortex-M55 coprocessor and 3GB of RAM, which the firm said provides a 12% boost to CPU speed and a 20% performance increase overall.

In short, it’s zippy and capable and the UI is slick and responsive. There is a decent 64GB of built-in storage. The deep integration of Gemini is superbly executed.

The Raise to Talk feature enables hands-free interaction, such as setting alarms, checking calendar details or starting a workout just by lifting your wrist. You also get proactive suggestions, which can deliver information you would have previously had to pull out your phone to access. These AI additions turn the wearable into a really helpful companion to your Pixel phone.

The sensor array includes an accelerometer, altimeter, ambient light sensor, barometer, compass, an electrical sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) and gauge stress, gyroscope, magnetometer, a multi-path optical heart rate sensor, and skin temperature sensor. Pixel Watch 5 can monitor blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) with red and infrared sensors and record an electrocardiogram (ECG) with multipurpose electrical sensors. The watch works seamlessly with both the Google Health app and the Google Health coach.

One of the biggest new software enhancements is the GPS tracking that Google claims is superior to both Garmin and Apple in tough conditions that are traditionally hard to track (such as in cities with lots of tall buildings). Pixel Watch 5 has the same dual-GPS setup as its predecessor, but uses post-processing to deliver more accurate GPS mapping. Other new features include a new Bedtime mode, a smart wake alarm, generative watch faces that are fun to employ, a workout builder app, a Health Guardian safety feature (that monitors for breathing emergencies) and new audio cues and a rest timer designed for strength training.

Battery life is pleasing and testing Pixel Watch 5 with between 30 and 60 minutes of GPS tracking each day and the always-on display enabled, I’ve been getting more than the 40 hours of endurance that Google claims, regularly exceeding two full days or 48 hours between charges. Recharging is superfast, going from zero to 50 percent in around 15 minutes and fully refuelling in about an hour. Overall, the faster performance, improved battery life and deeply integrated Gemini AI means Pixel Watch 5 is the best Android smartwatch I’ve tested.

Google Pixel Watch 5 (45mm reviewed) costs from €449 , while the smaller 41mm model starts at €419. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here .