First and foremost, the smartwatch you buy strongly depends on what mobile operating system you use. The Apple Watch Series 9 works with iPhones only (operating on iOS 17 or later). Meanwhile, unlike many Fitbit models which support both iOS and Android, Google and Fitbit’s Pixel Watch 2 only supports Android devices (running on Android 9.0 or higher), so you can forget about it if you’re a lifelong iPhone user.
The software and operating system running the watches also make them remarkably different. The Series 9 Watch runs on Apple’s latest WatchOS 10, known for its Smart Stack of widgets and visual improvements to its previous version. WatchOS 10 also features Family Setup, offering parental controls for children, even if they don’t own an iPhone. Google’s equivalent operating system, Wear OS 4.0, is all about strengthening the Google ecosystem, offering all the mobile essentials like Calendar and Gmail as well as the improved Google Assistant. If your work life revolves around your Google Account, the Pixel Watch 2 is a must-buy.
Overall, there’s a lot on offer when picking between a smartwatch from the two tech giants. If you’re looking for detailed health data and insights, the Pixel Watch 2’s seamless integration with Fitbit is likely to surpass your needs. If you’re seeking more storage space, a larger display, and parental controls, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the route to go.
