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While the Google Pixel 10 series smartphones have already leaked to the fullest, very little is known about Google's fourth generation Pixel Watch. The Pixel Watch 4 will likely launch alongside the Pixel 10 series, and it seems like Google is not in the mood to follow the "latest and the greatest" mantra with the upcoming Pixel watch.
Folks over at Android Authority have learnt that the Google Pixel Watch 4 will be powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 wearable processor, based on trusted sources. For those unaware, Qualcomm released this particular chipset, way back in July 2022.
While on surface, this is indeed a disappointing development, but if we dig deeper, Google's decision to use a three year old chipset might make sense, at least to some extent. Let me break it down for you.
While it is well known that Qualcomm is hard at work prepping the next iteration of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC (codename: sw6100), it is nowhere near the finish line. Other than that, Google is left with an Exynos chipset, specifically, the Exynos W920 wearable platform. However, other than the very first Google Pixel Watch and Samsung's own lineup of Galaxy Watches, none of the other smartwatch manufactures have used an Exynos SoC to power their wearables.
So, the W5 Gen 1 is the only tried and tested processor that is currently available for Google to use. They have been using it for the past two years straight, on the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3.
Apart from this, the Pixel Watch 4 will stick to a familiar circular design, with the watch said to come in the 41 mm and 45 mm case sizes. Now, speaking of actual spec upgrades, it looks like Google will equip the Pixel Watch 4 with bigger batteries. The 41 mm variant will reportedly get a 327mAh battery, with the 45 mm variant coming with a 459mAh cell.
The Pixel Watch 4 could also support Qi2 wireless charging, since a previous leak hinted at the removal of charging pins, indicating the departure of the usual magnetic pogo-pin charger that we saw with the Pixel Watch 3.
Other than that, the previous leak also hinted at the Obsidian (Black), Porcelain (Creamy White), Lemon (Yellow) and Iris (Silver) colour options for the Pixel Watch 4. It's also expected to come with a range of strap styles to complement the new colourways.
Beebom Gadgets' Take
Now, you might remember that I mentioned above that this is a sensible decision, but only "to some extent". Why? Because, alongside the W5 Gen 1, Qualcomm also introduced the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 SoC in July 2022. The key addition here is the inclusion of a co-processor with the W5+ Gen 1 that can handle less-intensive tasks, making smartwatches efficient, with better battery life.
This could have worked, especially for WearOS watches, that have a longstanding history of poor battery life. So, Google could have used the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 for the Pixel Watch 4. Based on my Pixel Watch 3 usage, and the watch barely crossed the 15-hour mark, even though Google claimed 24 hours of battery life. In comparison, the Xiaomi Watch 2, which launched in February 2024 with the Snapdragon W5+ processor, can reportedly last up to 65 hours, and it also runs on WearOS.
Since nothing is confirmed yet, I really hope Google decides to go the W5+ way or the latest Qualcomm wearable SoC, whichever is available at their disposal.
