Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7 battery test

One of the main reasons why Ultra watches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Galaxy Watch Ultra are so popular is their battery life. These watches offer a significant improvement over their regular versions. However, for fans of the Pixel Watch, there is no Ultra variant available.

I have been using the Apple Watch Series 10 and have been impressed by it, to the point where I have switched from my Apple Watch Ultra 2. However, one area where it falls short is the battery life. It is noticeably lower than the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and it is easy to forget to charge it.

After wearing the Apple Watch Series 10 and getting used to its battery life, I wanted to compare it to its two main competitors – the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Google Pixel Watch 3. The results may surprise you.

The specs comparison

All three watches are priced similarly, with comparable specs and features. The Apple Watch Series 10 costs $400, the Pixel Watch 3 costs $350, and the Galaxy Watch 7 is priced at $300. Here is a comparison of the key specs: display, performance, and battery.

How I tested these smartwatches

Over several days, I monitored the battery life of each watch at different times throughout the day, taking into account factors like sleep mode and notifications. I wore all three watches simultaneously and kept all tracking and mode detection on automatic.

For the charging tests, I used the provided charging cable – the latest one for the Apple Watch Series 10 and Pixel Watch 3 – along with a charger capable of delivering the maximum supported wattage. I double-checked any unusual data points and confirmed the final results through additional testing.

Samsung and Google provided the samples for testing, but were unaware that this test was being conducted. The Apple Watch Series 10 used in the testing was purchased directly from Apple.

How does the battery life compare?

To get an accurate picture of battery life, I wore all three watches for two weeks and recorded the battery consumption during specific activities. I also noted the battery life at specific intervals with all three smartwatches charged to 100%.

Here is the battery life of each smartwatch:

The Apple Watch Series 10 has the shortest battery life of the three, averaging 38 hours and 30 minutes, while the Galaxy Watch 7 lasts almost two full days at 43 hours. However, both are significantly lower than the Pixel Watch 3, which exceeded expectations at 52 hours and 30 minutes. This is more than half a day longer than the Apple Watch Series 10.

It is important to note that I kept the always-on display (AOD) enabled for all three smartwatches. Disabling the AOD can improve battery life by around 20%. While each smartwatch offers low power and extra low power modes, among other features, these modes disable some of the health tracking features.

Battery life during sleep tracking

One of Apple’s biggest challenges, and possibly a key reason for the existence of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, is the battery life of the regular Apple Watch. It has improved this year compared to previous years, but still falls short compared to competitors in the same price range and size. Overall, it is inferior, but how does it perform in two specific areas: sleep tracking and workouts?

There is nothing worse than getting into bed and realizing that your watch battery may not last the night. How much battery is needed to track your sleep at night? Is 16% enough to last the night? 20%? 30%?

On average, all three watches consume similar amounts of battery during the night. The Apple Watch Series 10 and Galaxy Watch 7 use between 13% and 15% on average, while the Pixel Watch 3 uses slightly more at 17%.

However, while this is the average usage, you will likely need more battery to ensure your watch lasts through the night. How long does it take for each smartwatch to charge fully, and what if you need a quick top-up before bed?

What about charging times?

Apple has emphasized the charging capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 10, and for good reason – it has addressed one of the biggest complaints about its wearables. Now, you can achieve fast charges in about an hour, which is faster than the competition.

The Pixel Watch 3 keeps up with the Apple Watch Series 10 in terms of charging speed, but there is a noticeable difference in total charging time. The Apple Watch Series 10 fully charges in 57 minutes, while the Pixel Watch 3 takes 1 hour and 19 minutes. The Galaxy Watch 7 is much slower, with a total charging time of 1 hour and 42 minutes.

Many companies recommend not charging your battery to full to prolong its lifespan, so they often highlight charging speeds at specific intervals. At the 30-minute mark, the Apple Watch Series 10 reaches 64% battery life, while the Pixel Watch 3 is at 55%. The Galaxy Watch 7 lags behind at 36%.

A quick (or not-so-quick) burst charge

Sometimes, you only have time for a quick 15-minute charge while getting ready for the day. What can you expect from a quick burst if your watch is completely drained? The Apple Watch Series 10 should reach around 32%, the Pixel Watch 3 around 26%, and the Galaxy Watch 7 around 17%.

These percentages are indicative of the charge level, but how long will that quick burst charge last on each watch? The Apple Watch Series 10, at 32% battery, is expected to last around 12 hours. The Pixel Watch 3 lasts approximately 14 hours, while the Galaxy Watch 7 lasts about eight hours.

Fact-checking advertised charging claims

Every company touts great battery life for its products, whether it be reaching 80% charge in X number of minutes or lasting a full day no matter what. Often, these numbers are achieved under controlled conditions, so do they hold up to the advertised claims when used with all features enabled?

Apple claims that the Apple Watch Series 10 can reach an 80% charge in just 30 minutes. In our testing, it actually reaches around 65%, which is a significant improvement over previous Apple Watches and even outperforms competitors from Google and Samsung. This 65% charge will give you over 25 hours of use with all tracking and sensors enabled, ensuring you get a full day’s use with a 30-minute charge or less.