Imagine walking 14,000 steps, relying on two of the most advanced smartwatches to track your every move. Which one would you trust more? The newly launched Google Pixel Watch 4 or the feature-rich Garmin Venu 4? Both have been making waves in the tech world, but here’s where it gets controversial: can one truly outshine the other in the most basic yet crucial task—counting steps? Let’s dive in.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 has quickly climbed to the top of the smartwatch ladder, much like the Garmin Venu 4, which has consistently impressed me over the years as a fitness editor. These watches aren’t just step counters; they’re 24/7 companions that monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns, and even menstrual cycles. But this is the part most people miss: how accurately do they perform the fundamentals? That’s where my test begins.
As someone who’s reviewed the best Garmin watches for a decade, I know that the devil is in the details. So, I strapped both the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Garmin Venu 4 to my wrist and embarked on multiple walks, meticulously counting each step manually with a clicker. Once home, I compared the data to see which watch came closest to my manual count. Spoiler alert: the results were eye-opening.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While both watches use an internal accelerometer to count steps, the Google Pixel Watch 4 slightly edged out the Garmin Venu 4 in accuracy. Over 14,000 steps, the Pixel Watch overcounted by just 85 steps, while the Venu 4 added 118 extra steps. A difference of 36 steps might seem minor, but here’s the thought-provoking question: does this slight edge in accuracy make the Pixel Watch 4 the better choice for fitness enthusiasts?
Let’s break it down further. Both watches are packed with advanced sensors like HRM, ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature trackers, designed to help you live healthier. From a smartwatch perspective, the Pixel Watch 4 feels like an extension of your phone, complete with Google’s Gemini AI assistant, which can even adjust your workouts based on your sleep and recovery. On the other hand, the Garmin Venu 4 boasts Garmin’s top-tier training features like Training Readiness and Body Battery, though some of the Pixel Watch 4’s premium features require a Fitbit Premium subscription.
Price-wise, the Venu 4 starts at $549, a $100 jump from its predecessor, while the Pixel Watch 4 is more budget-friendly at $349. And this is the part most people miss: Is the Venu 4’s higher price justified by its additional features, or does the Pixel Watch 4 offer better value for money?
While step counting is a key metric, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Both watches excel in their own ways, but the Pixel Watch 4’s slight edge in accuracy and its seamless integration with Android devices make it a strong contender. However, the Venu 4’s robust training tools might appeal more to serious athletes. What do you think? Does accuracy trump features, or is it the other way around? Let’s discuss in the comments!
For more in-depth reviews and comparisons, follow Tom's Guide on Google News or add us as a preferred source. And if you’re curious about how the Pixel Watch 4 stacks up against other smartwatches, check out our comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Apple Watch 10. Stay tuned for more testing and insights as we continue to explore these cutting-edge devices!
