Which phone does a smartwatch need?
Short answer
Each one sticks to its own side: Apple Watch needs an iPhone, while Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch9 are for Android phones, with some Galaxy features only on Samsung phones.
Which products can do it?
- Samsung Galaxy Watch9Yes
Galaxy Watch9 is an Android watch; some features need a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, and Bedtime Guidance needs Android 13 or later.
Good to know: Check each feature's requirements on Samsung's page.
- Google Pixel Watch 5Yes
Pixel Watch 5 works with most phones on Android 12 or newer, with a Google Account and the Pixel Watch app.
Good to know: Google lists Android phones only.
- Apple Watch Series 12Yes
Apple Watch Series 12 works with an iPhone; Apple lists iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26 for its watchOS 26 features.
Good to know: Apple's requirement is a footnote on its watchOS 26 features.
Why it matters
A smartwatch is useless with the wrong phone, and switching phones later can strand an expensive watch.
Not proven yet
Which features each watch loses on other brands' phones; the makers list requirements per feature.
How we know (3 sources)
Apple Watch Series 12 tech specs (read Oct 23, 2026): up to 24 hours of normal use, up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode, up to 10 hours of workout tracking; 15 minutes of charging gives up to 12 hours. GPS + Cellular models support 5G (RedCap) and LTE. Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. Apple's notes list iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26 for its watchOS 26 features.
Read the sourceGoogle Store page for Pixel Watch 5 (read Oct 23, 2026): from $399.99; raise your wrist to talk with Gemini; up to 40 hours of battery, 15 hours from 15 minutes of charging. LTE models include 2 years of data and offer satellite SOS when there's no LTE coverage. Works with most phones on Android 12 or newer, with a Google Account and the Pixel Watch app.
Read the sourceUS Galaxy Watch9 page (read Oct 23, 2026): from $379.99; Google Gemini answers questions and organizes tasks by voice. LTE models can use GPS without a paired phone; non-LTE models need a Bluetooth phone connection. Some features need a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone; Bedtime Guidance needs Android 13 or later. No battery hours on the page.
Read the source
Status timeline
No status has changed since we started tracking. Every entry is dated and backed by the sources on this page.
- First recorded: In storesSamsung Galaxy Watch9
Galaxy Watch9 is an Android watch; some features need a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, and Bedtime Guidance needs Android 13 or later.
- First recorded: In storesGoogle Pixel Watch 5
Pixel Watch 5 works with most phones on Android 12 or newer, with a Google Account and the Pixel Watch app.
- First recorded: In storesApple Watch Series 12
Apple Watch Series 12 works with an iPhone; Apple lists iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26 for its watchOS 26 features.