Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
Most smartwatch comparisons try to rank devices but I think most smartwatch reviews get this wrong.
They compare everything equally.
But realistically these watches are built for completely different people.
How to choose a smartwatch in 2026
If you’re deciding between Apple Watch, Garmin, Pixel, and Galaxy…
🏃♂️ Garmin: built for training
Garmin is what you buy when your watch is a tool.
Battery lasts days (sometimes weeks)
Physical buttons → no accidental taps mid-run
Deep training metrics (VO2 max, recovery, load)
Huge range: running, golf, triathlon, everyday wear
If you’re training seriously (marathons, cycling, structured workouts) Garmin makes more sense.
It’s reliable, focused, and doesn’t try to do everything. It just does the job.
📱 Apple Watch: built for everything else
Apple Watch is what you buy when your watch is part of your daily system.
Best-in-class smart features
Tight iPhone integration
Payments, notifications, apps
Actually useful outside workouts
The reason most people stay with Apple Watch isn’t fitness, it’s friction.
Small things like:
Paying with your wrist
Unlocking stuff
Notifications that just work
Scanning into places (gym, office, etc.)
Individually, none of these matter that much but together, they make it very hard to leave.
🤖 Pixel Watch: the clean Android middle ground
Pixel Watch is probably the closest thing to an Apple Watch on Android.
Clean software (feels very “Google”)
Good smartwatch features
Fitbit integration for health tracking
Comfortable, minimal design
It’s the one that feels right if you’re on Android but…
👉 It’s not as powerful as Garmin for fitness
👉 It’s not as complete as Apple Watch for daily life
⚙️ Galaxy Watch: the ecosystem pick
It’s less about being the best and more about where you already are.
Solid hardware
Good health tracking
Deep Samsung integration
Works best with Galaxy phones
So the real reason to buy it is simple:
👉 You’re already deep in Samsung’s ecosystem
How I’d pick between these
If you care about… | Get this |
|---|---|
Running, cycling, structured training | Garmin |
Battery that lasts days/weeks | Garmin |
Physical buttons (no touch issues) | Garmin |
iPhone integration | Apple Watch |
Payments, apps, daily convenience | Apple Watch |
“One device for everything” | Apple Watch |
Clean Android smartwatch experience | Pixel Watch |
Fitbit-style health tracking | Pixel Watch |
Samsung phone ecosystem | Galaxy Watch |
Best all-round Android option | Pixel Watch |
You don’t want to think about it | Apple Watch |
After trying all of these, I keep landing on the same simple rule:
👉 If you’re into sports and fitness: just get a Garmin
👉 For basically anything else: get an Apple Watch
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