Pixel Watch 5 vs Motorola Watch Ultra: which should you buy?

Key differences

Still a tie on the makers' figures: the two read the same on water resistance, and the two are close on peak brightness (3000 vs 2700 nits). Pick on price, or on what each Guide says it is best for.

• Peak brightness: close (3000 vs 2700 nits)Pixel Watch 5: 3000 nits (Actua 360 domed AMOLED 3000 nits) ConfirmedSourceMotorola Watch Ultra: 2700 nits (1.5-inch curved pOLED, up to 2700 nits, always-on) ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

• The Pixel Watch 5 Guide names it for health and AI assistant.Health: Heart rate held close to a Polar H10 chest strap with very minor deviations, so your health trends start from good data. Source linkedSourceAI assistant: Raise your wrist and talk to launch Gemini, no wake word needed. Source linkedSource
• The Motorola Watch Ultra Guide names it for sleep and navigation.Sleep: Multi-stage sleep tracking with Polar's Sleep Plus Stages and Nightly Recharge. Source linkedSourceNavigation: Built-in dual-band GPS and Google Maps on the wrist, with LTE so you can leave the phone at home. Source linkedSource

From what each Guide names the product best for. Both Guides also name fitness.