New information has come to light regarding the situation of Google's Pixel Watch smartwatch sector. At present, Google is using the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 in the Pixel Watch 3 models, which come in 41 mm and 45 mm sizes (currently priced at $399.99 on Amazon). This is the same chip used in nearly all Wear OS devices, except for those made by Samsung. However, the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1, along with its counterpart, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, are becoming quite dated in the mobile world since they were introduced in the third quarter of 2022.
Need for Updates
This means that the Wear OS platform is long overdue for some fresh updates in this area. Unfortunately, it seems that a new Qualcomm chipset isn't on the horizon. As a result, Google is reportedly working on its first Tensor chipset designed specifically for smartwatches, aiming for a release around 2026.
Future Plans
This chipset is likely intended for the upcoming Google Pixel Watch 5 series. According to insights from Kamila Wojciechowska, Google is crafting its first smartwatch chipset, codenamed 'NPT,' which will feature three CPU cores—one ARM Cortex-A78 performance core and two Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. In comparison, the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 uses four Cortex-A53 cores.
While the Tensor NPT may not be cutting-edge according to today’s smartphone standards, it still would provide a performance boost over the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1. There have been indications that Google might consider Samsung's Exynos W1000 chipset, which has a similar configuration. This could still be a possibility, especially since the Exynos W1000 has the same CPU core structure, but with an additional two Cortex-A55 cores for enhanced performance.
Conclusion
In summary, as Google moves forward, there’s a clear push to upgrade its hardware for the Pixel Watch line. With the Tensor NPT chipset in development, it seems that Google is aiming to improve the performance of its smartwatches, which is essential in keeping up with the competitive market.
