Okay, so I’ve been messing around with smartwatches lately, trying to find the “perfect” one. I recently got my hands on both the TicWatch Pro 5 and the Pixel Watch 2, and figured I’d share my experience pitting them against each other.
First Impressions
Out of the box, both watches felt pretty premium. The TicWatch Pro 5 is definitely the bigger, bulkier one. It’s got that rugged, “I can handle anything” vibe. The Pixel Watch 2, on the other hand, is much sleeker and more minimalist. It’s almost dainty in comparison.
Getting Them Set Up
Both watches use Wear OS, so the setup was pretty similar. Download the Wear OS app, pair it with your phone, follow the on-screen prompts. Pretty standard stuff. I did notice the Pixel Watch 2 was a little quicker to get everything synced and ready to go. Maybe it’s that new processor they’re boasting about.
Daily Use – What I Did
I wore both watches for a full week, swapping them out every other day. I used them for the usual stuff:
- Tracking my steps and workouts. I’m no athlete, but I try to hit the gym a few times a week.
- Checking notifications. Gotta stay on top of those emails and messages, right?
- Controlling my music. Super handy when I’m out for a walk.
- Occasionally using Google Assistant. Mostly for setting timers and checking the weather.
Battery Life – The Big Test
This is where things got interesting. The TicWatch Pro 5, with its dual-layer display, absolutely crushed it. I was consistently getting 2-3 days on a single charge, even with moderate use. That secondary, low-power display is a game-changer.
The Pixel Watch 2, well… it didn’t fare as well. I was charging it every night, without fail. Sometimes, if I had a particularly active day, I’d even need to top it up in the evening. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely a noticeable difference compared to the TicWatch.
Performance – Snappy or Sluggish?
Both watches felt pretty responsive. Swiping through menus, launching apps, everything was smooth. I didn’t notice any major lag or stuttering on either one. The Pixel Watch 2 might have been a tiny bit faster, but it wasn’t a night-and-day difference.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Both watches cover the basics: steps, heart rate, sleep tracking. The Pixel Watch 2 has Fitbit integration, which is nice if you’re already in that ecosystem. I found the data from both watches to be pretty consistent with each other. No major discrepancies there.
Final Thoughts
After spending a solid week with both, I made the big choice, and my choice is… The TicWatch Pro 5.
It’s really good.
Honestly, it’s a tough call. Both are great watches. If you prioritize battery life and a more rugged design, the TicWatch Pro 5 is the clear winner. If you prefer a sleeker look and tighter integration with Google services, the Pixel Watch 2 is a solid choice. It really comes down to personal preference and what you value most in a smartwatch.