Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6 specs comparison

The Google Pixel Watch 5 is the better choice if you want a proper smartwatch, with Wear OS apps, optional LTE, calls, Google services, ECG and a more advanced health sensor package. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the better fitness-focused option, especially if battery life matters, lasting up to 11 days versus 30 to 40 hours with always-on display on the Pixel Watch 5; I would pick the Pixel for everyday smartwatch features and the Vivoactive 6 for exercise, recovery tracking and far less charging.

At a glance

What's different?

The strongest database-backed differences, without pretending every different number is an advantage.

Google Pixel Watch 5

  • Phone compatibility Most Android 11+
  • Multi-band GPS Built-in dual-band GNSS vs GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou
  • More advanced training tools Daily Readiness, Cardio Load, Target Load
  • Offline maps Not available on the other model
  • Satellite SOS Not available on the other model

Garmin Vivoactive 6

  • Phone compatibility Android and iOS
  • Much longer battery life 11 days vs 30 hours
  • More advanced training tools Body Battery, Morning Report, Garmin Coach
Both include blood oxygen tracking, HRV tracking, on-board music.
Full comparison

The full record

74 specifications across 6 areas, with 38 genuine differences.

1. Design & display 9 differences · Google Pixel Watch 5 leads on Weight, Display size +1 Google Pixel Watch 5
Fact
Google Pixel Watch 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Release date
2026-08-20
2025-04-04
Physical size
41 x 41 x 12.3 mm; 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm
42.2 x 42.2 x 10.9 mm
Weight
41 mm: 31 g; 45 mm: 36.7 g
36 g
Material
Housing: 100% recycled aluminum; Active Band: fluoroelastomer with soft-touch coating; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Case material: fiber-reinforced polymer; Lens material: Corning Gorilla Glass 3; Bezel material: stainless steel
Water resistance
5 ATM; IP68
5 ATM
Color options
Obsidian, Olive, Fog, Canyon
Lunar Gold with Bone Band, Slate with Black Band, Metallic Jasper Green with Jasper Green Band, Metallic Pink Dawn with Pink Dawn Band
Display type
Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO, DCI-P3, always-on display
AMOLED touchscreen
Display size
41 mm: 1.33 inch; 45 mm: 1.49 inch
1.3 inch
Display resolution
41 mm: 408 x 408; 45 mm: 456 x 456; 320 ppi
390 x 390 pixels
2. Battery & charging 3 differences · Garmin Vivoactive 6 leads on Battery life Garmin Vivoactive 6
Fact
Google Pixel Watch 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery; 41 mm: 332 mAh; 45 mm: 465 mAh
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery life
41 mm: up to 30 hours with always-on display, up to 48 hours in Battery Saver mode; 45 mm: up to 40 hours with always-on display, up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode
Up to 11 days smartwatch mode, 5 days always-on display, Battery Saver Smartwatch Mode - up to 21 days, GPS-Only GNSS Mode - up to 21 hours
Charging
Google Pixel Watch Quick Charge Dock
Garmin proprietary charging cable
3. Sensors & positioning 8 differences · Google Pixel Watch 5 leads on GNSS type, Barometric altimeter +6 Google Pixel Watch 5
Fact
Google Pixel Watch 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6
GNSS type
Built-in dual-band GNSS
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou
GPS
Yes; enhanced post-processed route accuracy for walking, running, hiking and cycling
Yes
GALILEO
Yes
Yes
GLONASS
Yes
Yes
QZSS
Yes
Yes
Beidou
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Gyroscope
Yes
Yes
Barometric altimeter
Yes
No
Compass
Yes
Yes
Geomagnetic
Yes
No
Ambient light sensor
Yes
Yes
Optical heart rate
Yes
Yes
Electrical heart rate
Yes
No
SpO2
Yes
Yes
Temperature
Yes
No
Galvanic skin response
Yes
No
Microphone
Yes
No
Speakers
Yes
No
Vibration motor
Yes
Yes
4. Health & activity 4 differences · Google Pixel Watch 5 leads on Floors, Skin temperature +2 Google Pixel Watch 5
Fact
Google Pixel Watch 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Steps
Yes
Yes
Distance
Yes
Yes
Calories burned
Yes
Yes
Floors
Yes
No
Sports tracking
Yes; workout builder, weight and rep tracking, audio cues and rest timers
Yes
Sleep
Yes; claimed 15% more accurate sleep tracking; Smart Wake; overnight sleep breathing quality
Yes
Heart rate
Yes
Yes
HRV
Yes
Yes
Stress
Yes
Yes
Blood oxygen
Yes
Yes
Respiration rate
Yes
Yes
Skin temperature
Yes
No
ECG
Yes
No
Blood pressure
No; Blood Pressure Trends is an app-based report, not direct blood-pressure measurement
No
Body composition
No
No
Glucose
No; Insulin Resistance Trends is an app-based report, not direct glucose measurement
No
Hydration level
No
No
UV exposure
No
No
Calorie intake
No
No
Hyperglycemia risk assessment
No
No
Arterial stiffness detection
No
No
Pulse wave arrhythmia analysis
Yes
No
5. Smart features 8 differences · Google Pixel Watch 5 leads on UWB, Bluetooth calling Google Pixel Watch 5
Fact
Google Pixel Watch 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Smartphone compatibility
Most Android 11+
Android and iOS
Operating system at launch
Wear OS 7
Garmin proprietary
Bluetooth
Yes (6.0)
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4/5 GHz)
Yes
NFC / connected pay
Yes
Yes
UWB
Yes
No
Cellular
Optional
No
Smartphone notifications
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth calling
Yes
No
Smartphone music control
Yes
Yes
On-board music storage
Yes
Yes
Voice assistant
Gemini; Raise to Gemini supports offline questions and answers
No
6. Navigation & safety 6 differences · Google Pixel Watch 5 leads on Offline maps Google Pixel Watch 5
Fact
Google Pixel Watch 5
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Maps
Google Maps
No
Offline maps
Yes (Google Maps)
No
Navigation
Turn-by-turn Google Maps navigation
Yes
Emergency SOS
Yes (availability/connectivity varies)
Yes (paired smartphone)
Satellite SOS
LTE model only (supported regions)
No
Fall detection
Yes (availability varies)
Yes
LED flashlight
No
No
Diving
No
No

Individual specifications

These technical specs are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing.