Pixel Watch 5 beats Garmin Fenix 8 Pro in GPS accuracy test, ZDNET finds

The reviewer tested the watches on tree-covered trails and through downtown Seattle, where skyscrapers obscure satellite signals. While the overall distance, ascent, and step counts were similar on both devices, the GPS track from the Pixel Watch 5 matched the actual sidewalks and streets the reviewer used. The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, meanwhile, showed what the reviewer described as "strange tracking" in the city.

Google had claimed when announcing the Pixel Watch 5 that it outperformed the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 3 in GPS accuracy. The company attributed the improvement to the watch's ability to compensate for building reflections and satellite reading errors, using Google's extensive mapping database. The ZDNET reviewer said the test results confirmed Google's claims, and the accuracy alone made the Pixel Watch 5 the new standard against which he will measure future smartwatches.

The price difference between the two watches is significant: the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro starts at $950, while the Pixel Watch 5 costs $400. The review noted this gap but did not delve into value comparisons.

Beyond GPS, the review highlighted other advantages of the Pixel Watch 5. Its Google Health Coach offers a conversational and highly customizable AI coaching experience, allowing users to create weekly training plans with specific activities, such as two or three days of indoor rowing and two days of running. Garmin Coach plans were described as less flexible.

Google's focus on safety also stands out. The Pixel Watch 5 includes Safety Check, which works without a cellular subscription and shares the user's real-time location with emergency contacts if a timer expires unanswered. The device also features pulse detection, launched last year, which can alert contacts if the wearer suffers cardiac issues without anyone nearby.