Apple, Google or Samsung: which new smartwatch a Tom's Guide expert would buy

Apple, Google and Samsung all have new flagship smartwatches, and a Tom's Guide expert has compared them head to head. Dan, who leads smartwatch coverage there, scored the Apple Watch 12, Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 across six areas. The biggest surprise for shoppers is that the price on the box is not the whole cost.

What they cost

The Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm) and Pixel Watch 5 (41mm) each start at $399 for the smaller size without cellular. The Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm) starts at $379. The Pixel Watch 5 is currently $100 off at Amazon.

For the larger size with cellular, Apple is $549, Google is $529 and Samsung is $459. Samsung wins on price, though the reviewer says a $20 to $100 gap is unlikely to decide his own pick.

Design and screen

All three have metal cases, scratch-resistant screens and 50 meters of water resistance, enough for surface-level swims. Each has two controls on the side. Apple and Google pair a button with a digital crown that can be turned and pressed. Samsung uses two identical buttons. Apple wins the design round, with a square case the reviewer found sleekest.

On brightness, Samsung and Google reach 3,000 nits, while Apple reaches 2,000. A nit measures screen brightness, and higher numbers are easier to read in direct sunlight. Google and Samsung share that win.

Health, fitness and fees

For advanced workout and recovery insights without a subscription, the reviewer says Samsung beats both rivals. Google's health app, the Google Health app (formerly Fitbit), has comparable features. But its best ones need Google Health Premium, which costs $9.99 a month or $99 a year.

• Only the Galaxy Watch 9 and Apple Watch 12 offer FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection.
• Only the Apple Watch 12 offers 24-7 hypertension alerts, meant to spot signs of high blood pressure early.
• Only the Pixel Watch 5 offers Loss of Pulse Detection and Breathing Emergency Detection.
• All three have fall and crash detection, SOS tools, heart rate alerts, AFib detection and SpO2 readings.

Apple is described as catching up on daily wellness scores. Its readiness score is new this year, and its sleep score launched in 2025. Samsung has offered an Energy Score since 2024.

What is not known yet

The supplied text cuts off before the battery comparison and the final verdict, so the reviewer's actual pick is not included here. Battery life and the full Pixel Watch 5 health feature list are also missing.