I took the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 4 for the same run to see how their workout tracking compared in practice. The results were close for some measures and surprisingly different for others, so I have organised this review as a simple run day checklist: what to set up, what to compare afterwards and what I would check again before choosing a watch for regular training.
Launch Checklist
A comparison is only useful when both devices are tracking as similar a workout as possible. That sounds obvious, but small differences in start time, pause settings and how each watch records a run can affect the numbers later. I started a run on both watches and looked at the results once I had finished.
This was not a controlled laboratory test. I was comparing the watches during an ordinary run, using the workout information each device provided. That makes the results useful for understanding everyday use, but it also means the details need a little context. If one watch starts earlier or pauses differently, its total time and distance may not line up exactly with the other.
The first practical check is to confirm that both watches are ready to record before setting off. Make sure the running activity is selected, the watch is fitted comfortably and the workout has actually begun. If you are comparing two devices, take a moment to check the start screen on each one. A delayed start of even a short time can change the recorded distance and pace.
- Choose the same activity type on each watch.
- Check whether auto pause is enabled.
- Start both recordings as close together as possible.
- Wear each watch securely, but not so tightly that it becomes uncomfortable.
- After the run, stop both recordings before comparing the summaries.
In my test, the watches did not have matching auto pause settings. That became important when I compared duration and pace. It is a useful reminder that a side by side test does not automatically mean every setting is the same.
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After the run: review the workout summaries
Once I had finished, I stopped the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Pixel Watch 4 workouts and opened their recorded summaries. The Samsung had finished its tracking, and I then stopped the Pixel recording. From there, I compared the information shown on the watches and in the phone apps.
That two stage review is worth doing. A watch face gives you a quick snapshot, but the companion phone app can show a more complete view of the workout. When I wanted to compare both devices, I used the phone summaries so I could see the recorded details together rather than relying on memory.
The key measures in this test were duration, distance, pace, steps, heart rate and energy burnt. These numbers do not all respond to the same factors. Duration and pace can be affected by auto pause, while heart rate and energy estimates depend on the watch’s sensors and its interpretation of your activity.
Before treating any difference as a winner or a problem, first ask whether the workouts were recorded under comparable conditions. If the answer is no, note the difference and consider repeating the test with matching settings. That is more useful than drawing a firm conclusion from one run.
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Comparison checklist: check the settings before the numbers
The biggest setup difference was auto pause. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 had auto pause enabled, while I did not have it enabled on the Pixel Watch 4. Auto pause is designed to stop or pause the workout timer when you stop moving, then resume tracking when you start again.
This can be handy if you pause at traffic lights or take a brief break during a run. It can also make comparisons less direct. A watch that pauses the timer may record a shorter active duration than a watch that keeps counting through every stop. If pace is calculated using that duration, the displayed pace can differ too.
That appears to be part of what happened here. The duration was different, and the pace figures were not identical. The Samsung showed a pace around 5:49, while the Pixel reading was closer to six minutes. Because the Pixel did not have auto pause enabled, and because I may have started one recording earlier than the other, those pace readings should not be treated as a clean head to head verdict.
For a fairer test next time, I would make sure auto pause is either enabled on both watches or disabled on both. I would also begin each recording at the same point. These small preparations help separate genuine differences in tracking from differences caused by settings or timing.
Key insight: A pace difference does not necessarily mean one watch is more accurate. Check start times and auto pause settings before comparing workout duration or pace.
Distance and steps
The Pixel Watch 4 recorded a slightly shorter distance than the Samsung. That may reflect a genuine difference in how the watches tracked the route, but it could also be explained by the later start I may have given the Pixel. If one watch misses the first part of a run, it will naturally report less distance.
Distance is one of the most useful numbers for a runner, but a small mismatch on a single outing does not tell the whole story. A more informative comparison would involve several runs on the same route, starting both watches together and reviewing whether one consistently records more or less distance. A single outing is a starting point, not a final accuracy assessment.
The step counts were much closer. That is encouraging, although it does not mean the watches are identical in how they detect movement. Step counts can vary with walking breaks, arm movement and how a watch is worn. If you are interested in your general activity, small differences may matter less than a consistent trend over time.
For practical use, I would focus on whether a device gives you stable results that help you understand your own training. If you are following a distance based plan or comparing your pace across weeks, use the same watch and similar settings where possible. Switching devices can introduce small changes in how the workout is recorded.
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Heart rate check: the closest result
The heart rate readings were the most closely matched headline result. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 recorded an average of 140 beats per minute, while the Pixel Watch 4 recorded 138 beats per minute. A difference of two beats per minute is small in the context of this run, and the readings suggest that both watches gave a similar average.
That is a useful point of comparison, but an average does not show every detail of a workout. It does not tell you whether the watches responded at exactly the same time when effort changed, or whether their readings stayed close throughout the entire run. For that, you would need to inspect the heart rate graphs and compare the same moments in the activity.
Wrist based heart rate readings can also be affected by fit, movement and skin contact. A watch that shifts around can have a harder time maintaining a steady reading. For the most consistent results, wear it securely and position it as recommended by the manufacturer. It should feel stable without being uncomfortably tight.
In this run, the close average heart rate figures made the difference in energy burnt more noticeable. If two devices report a similar average heart rate but very different calories, it is reasonable to ask how each one produced its estimate. The heart rate result alone does not explain the gap.
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Energy burnt: a noticeable gap to investigate
The clearest difference in the summaries was energy burnt. The Samsung watch reported 410 calories, while the Pixel watch reported 265. That is a substantial gap for the same outing, especially when the average heart rate figures were close.
It is tempting to treat a calorie number as a precise measurement, but it is better understood as an estimate. Watches use information such as movement, workout duration, heart rate and personal details to calculate energy use. If the devices have different profile information or process the workout differently, their estimates can diverge.
The settings difference could also matter. If the watches recorded different durations, or one began later, they may have used different activity data to make their calculations. The difference in energy burnt is therefore worth noticing, but this one comparison does not show exactly why it occurred.
If calories are important to your training or daily tracking, check that your height, weight, age and other profile details are current in both companion apps. Then repeat the comparison with the same activity settings and closely matched start times. Look for a pattern across several workouts rather than relying on a single result.
For many runners, pace, distance and how the run felt are more immediately useful than a calorie estimate. If you use calorie data to make decisions about food or training, remember that a smartwatch reading is not a substitute for a precise measurement. Treat it as one indicator among several.
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Post run review: comfort matters as much as data
Numbers are only one part of choosing a running watch. Comfort matters because a device that feels distracting is less enjoyable to wear, especially during longer sessions. After the run, I noticed that the Pixel Watch 4 felt a little heavier to me and was not as comfortable as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
That is a personal impression rather than a measurement. Wrist shape, strap fit and individual preference can all influence how a watch feels. Someone else may prefer the weight or fit of the Pixel. My experience is simply that, on this run, the Samsung felt more comfortable to wear.
I also noticed sweat on both watches. The Samsung looked a little sweatier, while there was some sweat on the Pixel as well. That observation is not a performance result, but it is a practical reminder to clean a watch and strap after exercise according to the manufacturer’s care instructions. Sweat and residue can build up over time, particularly if the watch is worn for daily activity as well as workouts.
When you assess comfort, pay attention to more than the watch body. Consider how the strap sits, whether the watch moves when you run, whether the case catches your attention and how your skin feels after exercise. A watch can have a strong feature list and still not be the one you want to wear every day.
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My post run decision checklist
After reviewing this run, I preferred the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. The heart rate averages were close, the step counts were similar and the difference in distance may have been influenced by the start time. The calorie estimates were far apart, but I would want to repeat the test before deciding that one device is consistently more reliable.
Comfort was the deciding factor for me. The Pixel Watch 4 felt heavier and less comfortable during this run, while the Samsung felt better on my wrist. If I were choosing a watch mainly for running, that day to day feeling would carry real weight alongside the workout data.
Here is the checklist I would use after any watch comparison:
- Confirm the setup. Check that both watches used the same activity and matching auto pause settings.
- Compare start times. Look for a delayed start that could explain a shorter distance or different duration.
- Review several measures. Compare pace, distance, steps and heart rate rather than focusing on one number.
- Investigate large gaps. Check profile details and repeat the test if calorie estimates differ substantially.
- Assess comfort. Notice weight, fit, movement and whether the watch distracted you while running.
- Repeat on a familiar route. Several comparable runs provide better evidence than one outing.
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What to test on your next run
A useful follow up would be to repeat the run with both watches configured as similarly as possible. I would enable auto pause on both or turn it off on both, start each recording at the same spot and use the same route. I would also check that personal profile details are current in both apps.
After that run, compare the results in a consistent order. Start with duration and distance, then check pace and steps. Look at average heart rate and, if available, the heart rate graph. Finally, review the calorie estimates and note any difference without assuming that either figure is exact.
It can help to keep a simple record of each test. Write down the route, approximate conditions, settings and any unusual interruptions. That way, if one watch repeatedly records a different distance or heart rate, you have more than one example to work from. A few notes can make a comparison much more useful than trying to remember separate workouts.
Also take your own experience seriously. If one device feels more comfortable and gives you information you can understand, that may matter more than a small difference in a single metric. The best running watch is not only the one with the most data. It is the one you are comfortable wearing and can rely on for your own routine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which watch tracked heart rate more closely?
The readings were similar in this run: the Pixel Watch 4 averaged around 148 bpm and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 around 150 bpm. Wrist-based readings can vary with fit, movement and sensor contact, so it’s best to compare trends across several workouts.
Why were the recorded pace and duration different?
The watches had different auto-pause settings, and one recording may have started earlier than the other. These differences can affect workout duration and pace, so they don’t necessarily show that one watch is more accurate.
How can I compare the watches more fairly?
Choose the same activity type, match the auto-pause settings, wear both watches securely and start them at the same time. Repeat the comparison on the same route over several runs for a more useful picture.
Were the distance and step counts similar?
The Pixel Watch 4 recorded a slightly shorter distance, while step counts were closer. A delayed start could explain some of the distance difference, and both measures can vary with route tracking, movement and how the watches are worn.
Are the watches’ calorie estimates exact?
No. The Pixel estimated about 443 calories burnt and the Samsung about 455, but these are estimates rather than direct measurements. Treat them as general context, not precise figures.
