Google used the same Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip on the Pixel Watch 3 as its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 2. Unfortunately, if you were hoping Google would use a newer, faster chip on the Pixel Watch 4 for better performance and efficiency, prepare for disappointment.
An Android Authority report, citing an inside source from Google, claims Google will stick to the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 platform on its upcoming smartwatches. This would be the third year in a row that the company will reuse the same chipset on its wearable.
The Qualcomm chip powers several other Wear OS watches. Introduced in 2022, it played a key role in reviving the Wear OS platform with its superior efficiency and performance. But three years later, it’s starting to show its age, with the Cortex-A53 CPU cores feeling outdated and struggling to keep up with more demanding apps.
Google could make bigger internal changes to its 2026 smartwatch, with one rumor suggesting the Pixel Watch 5 may feature a Tensor chip. Plus, Qualcomm is also working on a new wearable chip, dubbed SW6100. It will bring a similar generational jump in performance and efficiency as the current model, thanks to its newer CPU cores and a more cutting-edge fabrication node. However, it won’t debut until 2026.
A marginally bigger battery and faster charging times
Like last year, Google will supposedly launch the Pixel Watch 4 in two sizes: 41mm “meridian” and 45mm “kenari.” Both variants will offer two connectivity options: Bluetooth and LTE.
As per the report, Google will fit a 7% larger battery on the 41mm Pixel Watch 4, while the 45mm model will house a 9% larger cell (459mAh) over its predecessor. While not massive, this may help Google’s fourth smartwatch to last a wee bit longer.
On a positive note, charging speeds will seemingly get a bigger upgrade, reducing the top-up times further. The Pixel Watch 2 made solid progress in this area, and last year’s Pixel Watch 3 improved further with a 20% boost, reducing overall charging time by as much as 15 minutes. It seems the Pixel Watch 4 will make things even better.
Leaked renders suggest Google could ditch the POGO pins in favor of wireless charging on the Pixel Watch 4. This switch could be the reason behind the supposedly reduced charging times.
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