Google Pixel Watch 4 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Surprisingly Close

For both watches, you need an active carrier plan to access the satellites, that is, you need to have a separate phone line or number share for your watch. You need to be in a location with a clear view of the sky, and the Pixel Watch 4 and Watch Ultra 3 will patiently guide you to get the best satellite reception. (I like this feature because I often have trouble finding reception with a regular satellite messenger.)

The Pixel Watch 4 only offers satellite emergency services, meaning you have to dial 911 and be in an active emergency, and you can only do that in the contiguous United States at this time. The Watch Ultra 3 lets you send regular text messages, just like you can with your iPhone. For international travelers, satellite messaging is available for the Watch Ultra 3 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

Offline maps were the first time I encountered the limits of Apple’s famous walled garden. Apple introduced offline topographic maps with WatchOS 10. I’ve used it before and it’s fine. You search the area in Apple Maps, sync with your watch, create your own hiking routes, and more. I prefer this to using a Garmin because you don’t need to use dedicated software, or subscribe to a platform like AllTrails.

I just didn’t realize how much my partner and I were using Google Maps more and more often. I planned to visit my friend’s cabin and used Google Maps on my laptop to look up directions. I opened Google Maps on my Pixel 9 later, and voila. I downloaded the maps offline, zoomed out to include a scenic hike near her house, dropped the Pixel Watch 4 on the charger to sync the maps and recharge the battery while I ran, filling a water bottle and grabbing a jacket and a chocolate bar. It was so easy.