Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Which has more accurate GPS?

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One of the first tests I conduct while evaluating smartwatches is GPS location accuracy -- I want to see how close it can track my actual path. Most of the time, the overall distance is fairly close, but zooming in on the GPS track reveals differences in where I walked. Google focused heavily on improving the accuracy of its location tracking in the Pixel Watch 5, so I took it out running, walking, and biking with a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro over the past few weeks to compare. 

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Garmin watches have been the standard by which I've measured others over the past many years and they have held up well, particularly in GPS tracking. Obviously there's a significant price difference between the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro -- starting at $950 -- and the Google Pixel Watch 5 at just $400, so we won't get into the value proposition in this discussion.

Let's take a look at Google's accuracy claims and a few other key differences between these two watches.

Specifications

You should buy the Google Pixel Watch 5 if...

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1. You want the most accurate location tracking

When the Pixel Watch 5 was announced, Google claimed it outperformed the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 3 for GPS location accuracy. Google says part of this is due to the Pixel Watch 5's compensation for building reflections and satellite reading errors. Given its vast mapping database and understanding of structures, it makes sense that the company has access to data to improve signals in these areas.

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In order to test these claims, I ran through both tree-covered trails and downtown Seattle where tall buildings obscure the sky. My testing with a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro showed that Google's claims are accurate and I was pretty surprised by the strange tracking that showed up on the Garmin watch. I rarely run in big cities, but if you do, the Pixel Watch 5 is likely to provide you with very accurate location tracking.

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The overall distance, ascent, and steps measured were about the same, but the track captured by the Pixel Watch 5 matched my real world experiences with the sidewalks and streets I was on during the run. It was impressive how accurate the tracking was, and I look forward to further testing with more watches, as this point alone has made the Pixel Watch 5 the new standard by which to measure against. 

2. You want an adaptive personalized AI coach

People seem to either love or hate the new Google Health Coach. Personally, I'm in the camp of enjoying the conversational nature and extreme customization the AI coach offers. I like that I can have it create weekly training plans that include two or three days of indoor rowing and two days of running. The Garmin Coach plans are not as flexible and customizable, and for those of us that are not serious athletes, we need that adaptability that supports typical daily life.

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3. You want the best safety features

One way Google stands apart from just about every other smartwatch is its focus on safety. The first Pixel Watch included the basic fall and crash detection features we now see in others. The company also incorporated emergency sharing and Safety Check. Note that the Safety Check works even if you don't have a subscription to cellular service. Just set a timer for your activity, and if it runs out without you responding, your real-time location is shared with your emergency contacts. 

Last year, Google launched the pulse detection feature that will hopefully save lives for anyone who suffers cardiac issues without someone close by. This year, Google launched the breathing emergency detection feature and as someone who tends to choke easily I look forward to this security blanket being approved for use in the U.S. soon.

You should buy the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro if...

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1. You want to communicate while off the grid

The Pixel Watch 5 has cellular support and satellite connectivity, but the satellite functionality is only for sending SOS messages in a time of extreme need. The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, like the Apple Watch Ultra 3, can be used to send location and check in messages with family and friends via satellite connection. If you spend a lot of time trail running, hiking, camping, or fishing outside of cellular coverage, the Fenix 8 Pro may be your best choice.

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While you can do more with the satellite connectivity on the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, note that it does require a Garmin inReach subscription. You can subscribe for $7.99 per month, and even the lowest level of service provides unlimited LTE cellular service, too.

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2. You use running power as a training metric

With a major focus on runners, I was a bit surprised that the Pixel Watch 5 (as well as the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2) does not have running power as a trackable metric. Heart rate or pace training are popular metrics to track, but over the past few years, running power has become more popular as it accounts for varied terrain and provides instant measurement of your mechanical effort while beats of your heart may be delayed.

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Running power is useful within an ecosystem and unlike cycling power the values can't be compared across platforms, such as comparing Garmin running power to Coros running power. However, within an ecosystem it is valuable to compare power values across exercises and within a specific activity over time. 

3. You want long battery life and a flashlight

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (left), inReach Messenger (center), and inReach Mini (right). 

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Google has done a good job of providing a couple of days of battery life on the Pixel Watch 5, but having a watch that lasts for a week (with always-on display enabled) or two is great for regular training and short trips. When I go away, I always switch to a fully-charged Garmin watch so I can forget about charging and just enjoy my time away for work or pleasure.

I'm frankly a bit surprised that there is still no single smartwatch vendor that has integrated the LED flashlight Garmin launched first in 2022. I was expecting to see the larger rugged Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra integrate this key design element, but we have only seen other sports watch makers (Suunto and Amazfit) release watches with the feature. I use this bright light on my watches every single day and hope to someday see this on a smartwatch too.

Writer's choice

It is great to see Google pushing GPS location accuracy forward with its advanced technology, and it's pretty clear if you want to track the exact details of your outdoor workout, the Pixel Watch 5 should be your first choice. It also has several free advanced safety features and as a guy approaching 60 I think my family will appreciate it if I wear the watch all of the time.

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The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, however, captures more health metrics and has that LED flashlight I just can't give up -- not to mention for a fairly low monthly cost I can keep my family updated when I fly fish or trail run off the grid. 

As I have been doing for a few years, I will continue to wear two watches (one on each wrist) since there is not yet one watch that has it all. Each year I think I can stick with just one, then another watch comes out with a feature or function that is compelling and I'm right back to wearing two watches again.