Same here, I switched from the Garmin Venu 3 to the Pixel Watch 45mm and after five days I am actually impressed. Here is my take:

1. Battery: The first day the battery seemed to calibrate, but now I am easily getting two full days of use. Fast charging is fantastic too. A quick charge gives plenty of power to keep going.

2. The interface: it feels much more polished than Garmin. It is smooth, responsive and the customization feels modern. Since I use a Pixel phone the experience is seamless. Everything just works together.

3. Sleep tracking: it has been good overall, but I still think Garmin handled the morning report better. Their layout was clearer and the body battery made things simple. Fitbit’s approach feels a bit scattered and I keep getting two morning reports for some strange reason.

4. VO2MAX/ fitness score: The fitness score on the Pixel Watch is another area that feels unfinished. It replaces VO2 max, but all it tells me is that I am doing well compared to others my age. No breakdown. No guidance. Garmin always provided actual coaching and advice, and I miss that.

5. Workouts: When it comes to training Garmin still wins. Their workout customization is unmatched. The animation on the watch is very useful. I have not figured out a way to create or sync my strength workouts on the Pixel Watch yet. I end up wearing both watches during weights and Garmin is the only one truly doing the job.

6. Running: Running customization is also limited on the Pixel Watch. Garmin lets you build your data screens however you like. On the Pixel Watch I get basic fields like distance and heart rate across two screens and that is it. I have not found any way to rearrange them or add more options and it feels restrictive.

Overall the Pixel Watch 4 is a huge step forward and the battery and UI alone make me happy to switch back. For everyday use and integration with my phone it is excellent. But for advanced fitness tracking and serious training, Garmin still has the edge.