Technologies

Google Pixel Watch 4 Specs vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Circle Takes On Squircle

The battle of the best Android smartwatch is heating up with the new Pixel Watch 4 going head to head with Samsung’s heavyweight Galaxy Watch 8. Here’s how they stack up on paper.

Google’s Pixel Watch 4 has arrived with a sleeker design, better battery life, first-of-its-kind emergency satellite connectivity, and an AI-powered health coach, giving even the most established smartwatches a serious run for their money.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, builds on more than a decade of experience, pairing advanced health metrics like Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index with seamless integration across Galaxy phones and the broader Samsung ecosystem.

As smartwatches (and now smart rings) evolve from nice-to-have phone companions into serious health tools with lifesaving safety features and advanced vitals tracking, both Google and Samsung are stepping up their game to earn a permanent spot on your wrist. And while we haven’t tested the Pixel Watch 4 in the wild just yet, here’s how it stacks up against the Galaxy Watch 8 — at least on paper.

Both nail the basics

Each watch starts at $350 and comes in two sizes. The Pixel Watch, however, gets pricier at the top end, with the larger LTE version costing $70 more than the equivalent Galaxy Watch.

Memory, processing power, mobile payments and most core smart features are on par and best in class. They’re both running the latest Wear OS 6 along with Google’s game-changing Gemini voice assistant built-in right out of the gate. Though the Pixel Watch 4 has a slight edge because it can summon the assistant with just the raise of the wrist (no «Hey Google» needed). But the Galaxy Watch 8 does offer gesture control for other shortcuts.

Design, display, dimensions and durability

The Pixel Watch 4 sticks with its signature minimalist, round design. It comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with a rounded case and no visible frame. The screen curves outward in a seamless, bubble-like finish that gives it an all-screen look.

The Galaxy Watch 8, by contrast, embraces a bolder, more divisive design. Its circular display sits inside a wider squared-off base with softened edges, available in 40mm and 44mm options.

The Galaxy Watch’s display makes content look crisper, but the Pixel’s all-screen design and slightly larger dimensions gives it more usable screen real estate that’s easier to see from every angle. And they both have an always-on display option. One advantage of the Galaxy Watch however, is that it’s a couple grams lighter, making it more comfortable to wear, especially at night.

Both come in silver and dark gray finishes, but only Google offers a gold option. Samsung’s flex is the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, a pricier sibling with a sleeker design and fan-favorite rotating bezel. They each have their own proprietary interchangeable band system with customizable options and standard durability (5ATM, IP68), meaning each should be able to stand water, dust and particles without any issue.

Health and safety features

Both watches cover the basics: advanced heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen and temperature tracking. Samsung pushes further with skin analysis that tracks carotenoids (a key indicator of nutrition and overall health) and advanced heart metrics.

The Pixel Watch 4 may not measure antioxidant levels, but its overall health package is more robust and easier to understand thanks to the Fitbit app integration. It also has a new retroactive workout detection feature that registers your workout even if you forget to press start. Most importantly, it debuts an AI coach that helps decode all your health data and uses it to make personalized training plans. You can even ask questions like «Should I workout or sleep in an extra hour?», or » How do I improve my VO2 max?»

The catch: We won’t be able to test the Pixel 4’s AI coach in the wild until October, and even then it’ll launch in preview mode first. It’s also tied to Fitbit Premium, which requires a $10/month subscription fee, though Pixel Watch 4 owners may get a free trial period. All of Samsung’s health features and data are free.

Safety is also a Pixel highlight. Both watches include fall detection and SOS alerts, but Google adds loss-of-pulse alerts, a safety check feature and emergency satellite connectivity that lets you send out a cry for help even when you’re off the grid without phone or cell service in sight (LTE models only, free for two years).

Battery and charging

Google claims a 30-40-hour battery life for the Pixel Watch 4 (depending on size), while our real-world battery testing of the Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm) delivered 26-30 hours with always-on display active. That gives the Pixel a small edge on paper.

A clear win for the Pixel Watch is charging speed: It powers up to 50% in just 15 minutes on the new charging dock and reaches a full charge in about an hour. The Galaxy Watch takes around 80 minutes to fill and only hits 13% after 15 minutes.

Bottom line

If you’re already in Samsung’s ecosystem, you may not feel compelled to switch (unless you truly dislike the new design). But if you’re health-focused and open to something new, the Pixel Watch 4’s October health coach rollout could make it the one to watch. Check out the specs chart below for more on how the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8 stack up against each other.

Pixel Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Specs at a glance

	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 8
Design & sizes	Round, 41mm & 45mm	Squircle (round screen), 40mm & 44mm
Display	AMOLED LTPO, 320 ppi	Super AMOLED, up to 480 ppi
Thickness & weight	12.3mm; 31–36.7g	8.6mm; 30–34g
Durability	5ATM water + IP68 dust	5ATM water + IP68 dust
Battery life	30–40 hrs + quick charge dock	26-30 hrs with always-on
Sensors	ECG, SpO₂, heart rate, skin temp, loss of pulse detection	ECG, SpO₂, heart rate, infrared temp sensor
Emergency features	Satellite SOS, Safety Check, Safety Signal, fall & crash detection	Fall detection, SOS, siren
AI & coaching	Gemini voice assistant; Fitbit AI health coach (via Premium)	Gemini voice assistant; Samsung Running Coach
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, Cortex-M55 co-processor	Exynos W1000 processor
RAM/Storage	2GB, 32GB (storage)	2GB, 32GB (storage)
Payments	Google Wallet	Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet
Price (US)	$350–$500	$350–$430

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, April 8

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 8.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Hint: It uses a lot of the letter Z for some reason. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: ___-Carlton (hotel chain)
Answer: RITZ

5A clue: Span of the alphabet
Answer: ATOZ

6A clue: Cable channel with an out-of-this-world name
Answer: STARZ

7A clue: Takes care of, as a squeaky wheel
Answer: OILS

8A clue: Toy on a string
Answer: YOYO

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: When a post receives far more negative comments than likes, in social media slang
Answer: RATIO

2D clue: World’s leading wine producer
Answer: ITALY

3D clue: Middle of the human body
Answer: TORSO

4D clue: Sleeping sound
Answer: ZZZ

6D clue: Tofu base
Answer: SOY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 8, #562

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 8 No. 562.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Working out.

Green group hint: Cover your face.

Blue group hint: NFL players.

Purple group hint: Leap.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Exercises in singular form.

Green group: Sporting jobs that require masks.

Blue group: Hall of Fame defensive ends.

Purple group: ____ jump.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is exercises in singular form. The four answers are crunch, plank, situp and squat.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is sporting jobs that require masks. The four answers are catcher, fencer, football player and goaltender.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Hall of Fame defensive ends. The four answers are Dent, Peppers, Strahan and Youngblood.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ jump. The four answers are broad, high, long and triple.

Technologies

The $135M Google Data Settlement Site Is Live — See If You’re Eligible

Use the settlement website to select your preferred payment method, and you may end up $100 richer.

You can now file a claim in the $135 million Google data settlement. The case centers on claims that Android devices transmitted user data without consent. Specifically, the class action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC contends that Google’s Android devices passively transferred cellular data to Google without user permission, even when the devices were idle. While not admitting fault, Google reached a preliminary settlement in January, agreeing to pay $135 million to about 100 million US Android phone users.

The official settlement website for the lawsuit is now live. The final approval hearing won’t occur until June 23, when the court will consider whether Google’s settlement is fair and listen to objections. After that, the court will decide whether to approve the $135 million settlement.

In the meantime, if you qualify and want to be paid as part of the settlement, you can select your preferred payment method on the official website. There, you can find information on speaking at the June 23 court hearing and on how to exclude yourself or write to the court to object by May 29.

As part of the settlement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that certain data transfers do occur passively even when you’re not using your Android device, and that cellular data may be relied upon when not connected to Wi-Fi. This can’t always be disabled, but users will be asked to consent to it when setting up their device.

Google will also fully stop collecting data when its «allow background data usage» option is toggled off.

Who can be part of the settlement?

In order to join the Taylor v. Google LLC settlement, you must meet four qualifications:

Be a living, individual human being in the US.
Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
Have used the aforementioned device at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the date when the settlement receives final approval.
You’re not a class member in the Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit, which is similar but specifically for California residents.

The final approval hearing is on June 23, so you can add your payment method until then. The hearing’s date and time may change, and any updates will be posted on the settlement website.

If you choose to do nothing, you will still be issued a settlement payment, but you may not receive it if you don’t select a payment method.

How much will I get paid?

It’s not currently known exactly how much each settlement class member will receive, but the cap is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and after any appeals are resolved.

After all administrative, tax and attorney costs are paid, the settlement administrator will attempt to pay each member an equal amount. If any funds remain after payments are sent, and it’s economically feasible, they will be redistributed to members who were previously and successfully paid. If it’s not economically feasible, the funds will go to an organization approved by the court.