When it comes to fitness tracking, step count is the most basic metric—but is it the most accurate? We put two of the hottest smartwatches, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and the Google Pixel Watch 4, to the test in a real-world step-count challenge. The goal was simple: see which wearable is more accurate during a mixed-paced, 6,500-step walk. You might expect a clear winner, but the results were much closer than anticipated, with a surprising twist that highlights a key difference in their tracking philosophy.
The Step Count Showdown: A Tale of Two Trackers
In a controlled test, a walker wore both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and the Pixel Watch 4 simultaneously on a predefined route. The actual step count was verified using a manual clicker for a ground-truth comparison.
After completing the 6,500-step walk, the results were in:
- The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 reported a total that was very close to the actual step count, showing a slight but consistent over-count.
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 also delivered a highly accurate reading, landing within a very tight margin of the true number.
The surprise? Neither watch was definitively "more accurate" in a significant way. Both demonstrated excellent step count accuracy for basic walking, making them reliable for daily activity tracking. The real difference, however, wasn't in the final number, but in the behavior during the walk.
The Key Difference: Sensitivity vs. Consistency
While the final tallies were close, the watches got there in different ways. The test revealed a fundamental divergence in their algorithms:
- Pixel Watch 4's High Sensitivity: The Pixel Watch 4 was notably more sensitive to minor movements. It tended to pick up on slight arm swings or fidgeting, sometimes counting these as steps. This can be good for capturing every little bit of movement but can lead to a slight over-count throughout the day.
- Galaxy Watch 8's Consistent Counting: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 appeared to have a more refined algorithm that filtered out "non-step" arm movements. It focused on a consistent walking rhythm, which made it slightly less sensitive to incidental motion but potentially more strictly accurate for dedicated walks.
This distinction is crucial: do you want a tracker that captures every possible movement, or one that gives you a more filtered count of intentional steps?
Which Fitness Watch Should You Choose?
So, in the battle of Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Pixel Watch 4 for step counting, which one wins?
For the purest step-count accuracy in a dedicated walking session, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 had a slight edge in consistency. However, the Pixel Watch 4 is an excellent performer that ensures you get credit for all your minor movements.
Your choice for the best fitness watch ultimately depends on your preferences:
- Choose the Galaxy Watch 8 if you prefer a consistent, filtered step count and are already invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
- Choose the Pixel Watch 4 if you want a highly sensitive tracker and value deep integration with Google services and a compact design.
Join the Discussion
This test proves that even the most basic metric can have nuance. The "best" watch often comes down to personal tracking philosophy.
What do you think?
- Do you prefer a highly sensitive tracker that counts every movement, or a more conservative one that focuses on dedicated activity?
- How important is absolute step count accuracy to you versus other features like battery life or design?
- Have you compared different wearables and been surprised by the results?