5 smartwatches you should buy instead of the Google Pixel Watch 5

The Google Pixel Watch 5, the latest smartwatch from Google, brings fresh colors, improved performance, larger batteries, more local storage, and new health and fitness tracking metrics. However, its higher cost might not justify the limited upgrades for some users. Here are five smartwatches you could consider instead:

1. Google Pixel Watch 4 (2025): This watch offers multi-day battery life, fast charging, sleep tracking, and dual-band GPS, making it great for runners. It is currently the most affordable smartwatch to support Google's Gemini Intelligence features. Future updates may bring additional features to the Pixel Watch 4.

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 9: Launched in July 2026, this watch is cheaper than the Pixel Watch 5 and offers a more modern SoC, a sapphire crystal display, and a larger battery in the 40mm model. It boasts the Raise-to-talk feature for Gemini and runs the latest One UI 9 Watch software, unlocking AI-powered health features.

3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (2024): This watch is a viable option with software updates until 2028. It offers premium features like sapphire crystal glass, Energy Score, and useful Galaxy AI features like Daily Cardio Load. The 40mm version ranges from $220 to $280, making it an excellent value pick.

4. Amazfit Balance 3: This fitness smartwatch promises up to 21 days of battery life, 64GB of storage, a bright 1.5-inch AMOLED display with sapphire glass, and specialized training tools for HYROX. Its HybridCharge Energy Intelligence system focuses on predicting energy levels and readiness scores.

5. COROS PACE 4: Available in multiple variants starting at $250, the PACE 4 is a solid fitness training alternative to the Pixel Watch 5. It offers multiple casing options and includes features like a flashlight, a brighter display, and specialized training tools for HYROX.