Checking Smartwatch GPS Accuracy Using Google Map

Generally, I’m not after extremely precise track accuracy for my watch (Samsung Galaxy Watch 4) records for my workouts. I’m fine with the tracks it records for my walks and hikes.

But from time to time I zoom in deep enough. And a few times the tracks looked a bit off.

For instance, this hiking track looks like I swam a bit, but I’m absolutely sure that I was dry that day:

This walk record looks a bit off as well (track does not follow the street):

Does this prove watch GPS inaccuracy? First, I thought so.

But then I switched google maps to the satellite view. And, the tracks magically become much more reasonable!

It turned out that google vector map are sometimes less accurate than my watch.

Just keep this in mind when you do GPS accuracy tests.