The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts the largest display and slimmest design of any Apple Watch yet. While battery life lags behind the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Google Pixel Watch 3, it remains my preferred Apple Watch. Conversely, the Pixel Watch 3 excels in heart rate tracking, a vital metric often less precise on Apple Watches. This comparison explores which wearable provides superior fitness tracking by analyzing a one-mile walk test in Dubai.
Initial Setup and Unexpected Hiccup
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Initially, the plan was a 0.8-mile round trip to the mall, as measured by Google Maps. However, neither watch registered the walk after 0.2 miles. While the Pixel Watch 3’s inconsistent auto-detection was anticipated, the Apple Watch Series 10’s failure was unexpected. Upon reaching the mall, both walk profiles were manually activated. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers indoor and outdoor walk options, while the Pixel Watch 3 provides a single walking workout. The indoor walk was chosen for the Apple Watch Series 10, disabling GPS tracking, whereas the Pixel Watch 3 maintained GPS functionality. After several mall laps, my pedometer indicated 0.6 miles. The Apple Watch Series 10 registered 0.49 miles, while the Pixel Watch 3 recorded 0.74 miles, revealing early discrepancies in distance tracking.
Analyzing the Data Discrepancies
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Throughout the test, these distance tracking variations persisted. The Pixel Watch 3 consistently overestimated distance, while the Apple Watch Series 10 tended to underestimate. These differences likely stem from the algorithms and sensors each smartwatch employs to discern movement.
| Metric | Apple Watch Series 10 | Google Pixel Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 26:40 | 26:35 |
| Distance | 0.94 miles | 1.15 miles |
| Active Calories | 98.9 calories | 245 calories |
| Cardio Load / Workout Effort | 4 | 4 |
| Avg Heart Rate | 94 bpm | N/A |
By the end, my pedometer measured 1.02 miles. The Pixel Watch 3 logged 1.16 miles, while the Apple Watch Series 10 recorded 0.95 miles, proving the latter closer to the actual distance. The calorie estimates also differed significantly: 245 calories for the Pixel Watch 3 versus just under 100 for the Apple Watch Series 10. Given Apple’s access to more historical data, including several years of my activity and recent weeks’ worth of workouts, their calorie estimate seemed more plausible.
Heart Rate Tracking: A Closer Look
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The Pixel Watch 3’s heart rate tracking has consistently impressed, outperforming many other wearables tested. While the Fitbit app makes accessing post-workout heart rate data cumbersome, observations during the walk provided some insights. The Pixel Watch 3 indicated heart rate fluctuations between 90 and 105 bpm, while the Apple Watch Series 10 mostly remained around 101 bpm. The final results only showed a cardio load factor of 4 for the Pixel Watch 3, while the Apple Watch Series 10 provided an estimated workout effort of 4 and an average heart rate of 94 bpm. A key difference lies in their heart rate monitoring frequency: the Pixel Watch 3 measures every second, while the Apple Watch updates every five minutes outside of workout mode. Although the Pixel Watch 3 excels in continuous heart rate monitoring, neither device matches dedicated heart rate monitors from Polar or fitness-focused wearables like Garmin.
Beyond the Numbers: User Experience and Data Accessibility
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The test highlighted other key differences. For mixed indoor/outdoor workouts, the Pixel Watch 3’s single profile offers a smoother transition, unlike the Apple Watch Series 10, which requires manual GPS activation when moving outdoors. Apple presents the data more intuitively than Google/Fitbit. Accessing workout data in the Fitbit app is a multi-step process, requiring navigation through the Today tab, Exercise Days, and then selecting each individual workout. This complexity contrasts with Apple Health’s user-friendly data presentation. While the Fitbit app champions features like Cardio Load and Target Load, its lack of granular heart rate data is a drawback for users seeking more in-depth information.
The Verdict: Which Smartwatch Reigns Supreme?
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The failure of both devices to automatically detect the initial walk was surprising. While anticipated from the Pixel Watch 3, the Apple Watch Series 10’s miss was unexpected. Both wearables collect comprehensive data, but presentation and accessibility differ significantly. Fitbit prioritizes user-friendliness for the average user, while Apple Health offers a more customizable and detailed approach to data exploration. Despite the Pixel Watch 3’s accurate heart rate tracking and helpful Cardio Load feature, the limited access to detailed data makes the Apple Watch Series 10 a more compelling choice for tracking workouts.
