I've tested the Apple Watch 12, Galaxy Watch 9 and Pixel Watch 5 — here is the smartwatch I'd buy with my own money
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I’ve spent the past few months diving deep into the new Apple Watch Series 12, Google Pixel Watch 5, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. In fact, I wrote long-form reviews of the latter two and have tested the former head-to-head against the competition over a dozen times.
Hi, I’m Dan, and I lead our smartwatch coverage here at Tom’s Guide, and I often get asked, “OS preference aside, which smartwatch from the BIG THREE would I actually buy in 2026?”
It’s a difficult question to answer, given that all three models have advantages over their competitors. Moreover, Apple, Google, and Samsung all make seriously lovely wearables — some of the best smartwatches in 2026 — brimming with smart, health, safety, and connectivity features.
But enough excuses. Below, I’ve compared the Apple Watch 12 , Pixel Watch 5 , and Galaxy Watch 9 across six categories — cost, design, display, fitness/recovery features, health/safety features, and battery — with a winner or winners declared for each. If you’re short on time, you can find my ultimate verdict at the very end.
The Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm) and Pixel Watch 5 (41mm) each start at $399 for the smaller respective models without cellular. (Note: The Pixel Watch 5 is currently $100 off at Amazon .) The Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm) is a tiny bit cheaper, starting at $379 .
If you spring for the larger size with cellular connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 12 (46mm) is the priciest at $549 , followed by the Pixel Watch 5 (45mm) at $529 , with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (44mm) being the best bargain of the fully-loaded big boys at $459 .
Based on value alone, Samsung wins this category; however, a savings of $20 to $100 is unlikely to be the determining factor in which smartwatch I’d ultimately buy. Moreover, I prefer smaller watches and don't really need cellular, diminishing Samsung’s pricing advantage.
Winner: draw
The Apple Watch Series 12, Google Pixel Watch 5, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 are all extremely well-built, durable, and comfortable devices based on my extended testing. Each boasts 50 meters of water resistance, enough for surface-level swims, with metal cases and scratch-resistant displays.
No matter which model you go with, you get two physical controls along the side of the case. On the Galaxy Watch 9, those controls come in the form of two identical-looking buttons. On the Pixel Watch 5 and Apple Watch 12, you get a physical button and a digital crown that can be both turned and pressed, making it more valuable than a standard button.
As a result, I prefer the controls of the latest Apple Watch and Pixel Watch to those of the newest Galaxy Watch.
Each of the major manufacturers has settled on a unique case shape. Apple is a square, Google is a circle, and Samsung is a squarish circle.
In 2026, each of the major full-featured smartwatch manufacturers has settled on a unique case shape. Apple is a square, Google is a circle, and Samsung is a squarish circle. Of the three shapes, I prefer Apple’s the best.
The Galaxy Watch 9’s circular display mounted on a rounded square case results in what feels like wasted space around the bezel. Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch 5’s circular case coupled with its domed Actua 360 circular display makes the watch feel a little too bubbly/sit rather high on my wrist.
With the best controls and sleekest case design, Apple gets my nod in this category.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 12
All three of these smartwatches sport bright, crisp, and well-saturated AMOLED screens. However, Samsung and Google’s displays offer a higher maximum output (they get brighter) than Apple’s, making them a bit easier to read in direct sunlight.
The latest Apple Watch Series 12 screen maxes out at 2,000 nits compared to 3,000 nits for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Pixel Watch 5.
Winner: Google Pixel Watch 5 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
I’ve spent a ton of time exploring the vast array of fitness tracking and workout planning features found in the best smartwatch models of 2026. That said, for basic insights into your physical activity, sleep quality, and overall well-being, the Apple Watch 12, Pixel Watch 5, or Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 will all serve you well.
However, for more advanced workout training and recovery insights that don’t require a subscription, Samsung has both Apple and Google beat. Don’t get me wrong, the new Google Health app (formerly the Fitbit app) is jam-packed with features comparable to what the Samsung Health app offers. However, the best ones require a monthly Google Health Premium subscription ($9.99 a month or $99 for the year). That’s not the case for the Galaxy Watch.
Samsung’s free daily sleep reports are also the most comprehensive of the three, [and] only the Galaxy Watch 9 and Apple Watch 12 offer FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection.
Samsung’s free daily sleep reports are also the most comprehensive of the three, in my opinion. Also, only the Galaxy Watch 9 and Apple Watch 12 offer FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection.
Apple’s health and fitness tracking chops are decent, but I still feel the Cupertino Kid is catching up to its two biggest competitors when it comes to dynamic wellness insights. For example, Apple just got a daily readiness score this year. Samsung, meanwhile, has offered an “Energy Score” since 2024, right around the same time Google launched its daily readiness score.
Apple’s sleep score feature is also relatively new (launched in 2025), and from my experience, it tends to be the most optimistic of the three, which is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
All three smartwatches have some form of fall/crash detection, which can automatically call for help when triggered, as well as user-activated SOS safety tools. You also get alerts for high/low heart rates, along with AFib detection and SpO2 readings.
However, only the Apple Watch 12 offers 24-7 hypertension alerts , designed to detect signs of high blood pressure early. On the other hand, only the Pixel Watch 5 offers Loss of Pulse Detection and Breathing Emergency Detection , both of which work similarly to fall/crash detection.
The Pixel Watch 5 also supports new Blood Pressure Trends and Insulin Resistance Trends, along with Breathing Quality Trends, making it arguably the king of on-wrist health and safety in 2026.
Winner: Google Pixel Watch 5
On paper, the Apple Watch 12 is supposed to last up to 24 hours per charge, while the Galaxy Watch 9 and Pixel Watch 5 are rated at up to 40 hours per charge. In reality, both the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch easily meet their battery life ratings.
The Pixel Watch 5, meanwhile, far surpasses the 40-hour rating in my testing . I reviewed the larger model and averaged closer to 48 hours per charge.
Winner: Google Pixel Watch 5
Ultimately, if I were spending my hard-earned money on one of the top smartwatches in 2026 — ignoring smartphone OS preferences — I’d likely choose the Apple Watch Series 12 over the Google Pixel Watch 5 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 9.
The main reason is that I prefer the design of the Apple Watch Series 12 to the competition. I also genuinely appreciate Apple’s simple approach to daily fitness and health tracking — via “closing your rings” — even if it's a little bit basic for hardcore users.
I prefer the design of the Apple Watch Series 12 to the competition. I also genuinely appreciate Apple’s simple approach to daily fitness and health tracking.
Apple is still playing catch-up a bit when it comes to health and advanced training metrics, but the brand has definitely made up for lost ground in 2026 with the debut of a daily readiness score, heart rate variability tracking, the forthcoming health age metric, and a greater overall emphasis on tracking long-term wellness trends.
Still, Google has Apple beat when it comes to on-wrist safety, and Samsung’s health/fitness tools remain a bit more comprehensive than Apple’s... for now. All that said, I really wish Apple would step up its game when it comes to battery performance.
Which of these three high-end 2026 smartwatches would you choose? Let me know below.
Overall winner: Apple Watch Series 12