ConsFirst / Smartwatches & fitness trackers / Compare
Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Amazfit Active 3 Premium
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Google Pixel Watch 4 ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on smart features. Amazfit Active 3 Premium wins on battery life.
The biggest complaint about the Google Pixel Watch 4 is battery and value split owners; for the Amazfit Active 3 Premium it's limited smartwatch features. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Google Pixel Watch 4 | Amazfit Active 3 Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smartwatches & fitness trackers | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $ |
| Type | Smartwatch | Smartwatch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 11% | 5% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 3.6 |
| Battery life | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Fitness tracking | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Smart features | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Comfort | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–350 · $$$ over $350. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Battery and value split owners
Amazon's review summary says battery life and value for money get mixed reviews, with some owners saying the battery only lasts a couple of days and others saying it isn't worth the price. Tom's Guide, by contrast, got close to 60 hours on the 45 mm model.
- Heart-rate accuracy questioned
Amazon's review summary says customers disagree on how accurate the heart-rate tracking is. Tom's Guide calls the fitness and health updates incremental.
- New charger, and SOS only on LTE
Tom's Guide lists incompatibility with older chargers as a con, along with satellite SOS messaging being limited to the pricier LTE models.
Amazfit Active 3 Premium
- Limited smartwatch features
Tom's Guide says you don't get the emergency alerts, on-watch calls or third-party apps of Apple and Google watches. Runtesters calls the ecosystem weaker, with a smaller app store, payments not available everywhere, and less polished watch faces and music support.
- Heart rate struggles on hard efforts
Runtesters says heart rate is good overall but falls behind during high-intensity runs. Amazon's summary says customers note accuracy issues, especially with high-intensity heart-rate monitoring. Runtesters also notes it has only single-band GPS.
- Battery short of the 12-day claim
Tom's Guide got just over a week, about eight days, against Amazfit's 12-day claim. Runtesters says GPS battery life seems shorter than advertised and that it needs a proprietary charger.
- Few style options and phone hiccups
Tom's Guide's only listed con is the lack of 'feminine' style options despite being aimed at women; it comes in black, navy and white. Amazon owners report mixed experiences with compatibility.
Who should pick which
Pick the Google Pixel Watch 4 if
Android users on any brand of phone
Two days between charges (45 mm)
People who want a repairable watch (replaceable battery and screen)
Skip it if: You use an iPhone; You want satellite SOS without paying for LTE; You want to reuse an older Pixel Watch charger
Pick the Amazfit Active 3 Premium if
Budget buyers who want serious fitness tracking
Week-long battery life
People who switch between iPhone and Android
Skip it if: You want fall detection, health alerts or third-party apps; You do high-intensity interval training and need precise heart rate; You want dual-band GPS
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