Quick facts:
- Event: August 12, 2026 — Made by Google, New York City
- On-sale date: Expected around August 20, 2026, alongside the Pixel 11 series
- Starting price: ~$399 for the 41mm Wi-Fi model (roughly a $50 increase over the Watch 4)
- Chip: Qualcomm SW5100 — the same platform used since the Pixel Watch 2 (not a new Google-made chip)
- RAM: Bumped to 3GB, up from 2GB — the first memory increase in the line’s history
- Design: Essentially unchanged from the Pixel Watch 4
- New color: Pyrite joins the lineup, alongside Natural Silver, Dark Anthracite, and Warm Gold (41mm only)
- Pixel Watch 5’s newly leaked auto-lock/unlock feature
What’s changed since the previous roundup
The biggest correction to earlier reporting concerns the chip. For a while, rumors held out hope that the Watch 5 would debut a custom Google-designed wearable chip (some outlets floated the codename “NPT”), which would have made it the first Pixel Watch to ditch Qualcomm silicon entirely.
A Google Play Console listing surfaced by 9to5Google shows the device—internally codenamed “godric”—paired with Qualcomm’s SW5100 platform, the same platform used in the Pixel Watch 2, 3 and 4. Assuming the listing is genuine, the Watch 5 won’t see any meaningful jump in raw CPU or GPU performance.
The upside: that same leak points to a first-ever RAM increase, from 2GB to 3GB. The extra RAM is widely expected to help Wear OS multitasking and future Gemini-powered features, although Google hasn’t confirmed the reason for the increase.
Why the RAM Bump Actually Matters
A 2GB to 3GB jump sounds small on paper, but it’s the first memory increase in Pixel Watch history, and RAM is usually the first thing to bottleneck a smartwatch, not the chip.
Wear OS keeps more apps and complications running in the background than most people realize, and low RAM is typically why older Pixel Watches start stuttering or force-closing apps after a year or two of software updates piling on.
Reusing the Snapdragon SW5100 instead of a new chip means Google isn’t betting on raw processing power this generation. The extra RAM is doing the heavy lifting instead, likely aimed at keeping multiple Wear OS 7 widgets and Gemini running smoothly without needing new silicon.
That’s a cheaper way for Google to extend the platform’s life, but it also means the Watch 5 won’t feel dramatically faster than a Watch 4, only less likely to slow down over time.
Design and colors
Renders attributed to leaker OnLeaks (published via The Tide Chart) show a watch that looks almost identical to the Pixel Watch 4 — same round case, same crown-and-button layout. The one visible change is the color lineup:
Natural Silver and Dark Anthracite return, Warm Gold stays exclusive to the smaller 41mm case, and a new Pyrite finish — described as a muted, slightly green-tinted brass tone — joins both sizes. The renders also show a new watch face built around an analog dial with a dedicated Gemini shortcut.
Separately, a Pixel Watch 5 prototype reportedly surfaced underwater near the Caribbean island of St. Martin after a diver found it on the seabed, with sensor labels for heart rate, SpO2, EDA (electrodermal activity), skin temperature, and UWB visible on the case back, along with IP68 water-resistance markings.
Google hasn’t commented, and as with any prototype leak, it’s worth treating the images with some caution. If authentic, it mainly confirms that the health sensor suite is staying consistent with the Watch 4 rather than expanding.
If you need something more rugged or outdoor-focused, it’s worth checking our Garmin Fenix 9 leaks and expected features coverage instead.
Sizes, connectivity, and pricing
Expect four models again this year: 41mm and 45mm cases, each available in Bluetooth/Wi-Fi or LTE versions. Leaked pricing (via French retail-deals site Dealabs) suggests:
| Model | Watch 4 price | Watch 5 (leaked) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41mm Wi-Fi | $349 | $399 | +$50 |
| 41mm LTE | $449 | $499 | +$50 |
| 45mm Wi-Fi | $399 | $429 | +$30 |
| 45mm LTE | $499 | $529 | +$30 |
Interestingly, the smaller case is taking the bigger percentage hit — the 45mm sees a proportionally smaller increase, making it look like the better value if the leaks are accurate. Google hasn’t explained the reported price increase.
However, the wider tech industry has been dealing with higher memory costs this year, which could be one factor. These figures have been echoed by several publications now, but they remain unofficial until Google’s event. For context on how that pricing stacks up against the competition, see our Galaxy Watch 9 review.
New feature leak: Phone to Watch Unlock
A fresh Android Authority report (July 27, 2026) suggests Google is building a “Phone to Watch Unlock” feature that reverses the existing Watch Unlock system. Right now, Watch Unlock lets your Pixel Watch act as a key to unlock your phone.
The new feature found in code strings would work the other way around — automatically unlocking your Pixel Watch as soon as you unlock your paired Pixel phone, so you wouldn’t need to enter a PIN or pattern on the watch’s small screen after taking it off and putting it back on.
The strings were found inside Google’s Connected Phone & Watch services app, the same app that powers Pixel-exclusive features like Left Behind notifications, which suggests this will likely be a Pixel-only feature rather than a broader Wear OS one.
Setup appears to work similarly to Watch Unlock today — a one-time verification step, plus the ability to carry the trusted relationship over if you switch to a new Pixel Watch.
There’s no confirmation yet on whether this ships with the Watch 5 specifically, and as with any APK teardown, it’s possible the feature never reaches a public release. But it’s a good sign of the kind of software-level polish Google seems to be focusing on this generation, alongside the hardware leaks above.
Battery
Battery capacities have also leaked, suggesting modest increases for both sizes, although real-world endurance will depend just as much on software optimisation and Wear OS 7 as on raw capacity.
Health Features — What’s New vs Watch 4
Based on the ocean prototype’s sensor labels and software leaks:
Returning from Watch 4:
- EDA (Electrodermal Activity) stress sensing
- Skin temperature variation
- Heart rate and SpO2
- Sleep tracking with Google Health
- Fall detection and crash detection
- Satellite SOS (confirmed on Watch 4, expected to continue)
Expected upgrades:
- Google Health as native platform on day one — the app now supports Pixel Watch, Fitbit devices, any Android device with Health Connect, Apple Health on iOS, and third-party services including Strava, Garmin Connect, and Oura.
- More advanced Gemini AI health coaching — on-device processing if Tensor chip ships
- Google Health Premium integration from launch
The subscription angle nobody’s talking about
Here’s something worth flagging directly from Google’s own store listing: the Pixel Watch 4 already comes with a paid AI coaching tier, not just a free health app.
Google Health Coach, built with Gemini, delivers personalized and adaptive training plans, sleep goals, and recovery guidance, but it’s gated behind a Google Health Premium membership. New Watch 4 buyers get three months of Google Health Premium included, then presumably pay to continue.
This is exactly the same playbook Suunto is reportedly running with its new AI Coach on the Race 3, three months free, then a subscription.
Google just got there first, and quietly. If you’re comparing Watch 5 against Watch 4, the AI coaching subscription question isn’t a Watch 5 change at all, it already exists today.
What’s not changing: the sensor set appears familiar — battery life, performance, and software will probably decide whether the Watch 5 feels like a proper step forward.
Software and display
The Watch 5 is expected to ship with Wear OS 7, which has already rolled out to existing Pixel Watch models, bringing a refreshed interface, widgets replacing the old Tiles system, and Live Updates.
Display specs leaked via the same Play Console listing point to a 426 x 426 resolution at 320 ppi for the 41mm model — the listing doesn’t confirm figures for the larger case.
That matches last year’s Pixel Watch 4 display, suggesting Google is focusing on software rather than screen hardware this generation.
If you want to weigh it against other options first, see our best Android smartwatches with Wear OS roundup.
Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4 — what’s actually changing
| Feature | Pixel Watch 4 | Pixel Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 | Qualcomm SW5100 (reused, per leaks) |
| Design | Round, same form factor | Near-identical |
| Starting price | $349 (41mm Wi-Fi) | $399 (41mm Wi-Fi, leaked) |
| Colors | 4 options | 4 options + new Pyrite |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB (leaked) |
| Storage | 32GB | Not confirmed |
| GPS | Dual-frequency GPS | Dual-band (leaked, likely same tech) |
| Display glass | Gorilla Glass | Not confirmed |
| EDA sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temp | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Expected |
| Battery life | 30hr (41mm) / 40hr (45mm) | Modest improvement expected |
| OS | Shipped with Wear OS 6, updated to Wear OS 7 | Wear OS 7 out of the box |
| AI | Gemini via phone | Gemini via phone, with on-device gains expected from the RAM bump |
| Band compatibility | Same connector | Same connector |
What hasn’t leaked yet: Battery capacity numbers, exact IP rating, and final software feature list for Wear OS 7 on the Watch 5 remain unconfirmed. Chip and RAM come from a single Play Console listing; everything else traces back to renders and retail leaks that haven’t been independently verified by Google.
A correction worth flagging: The Pixel Watch 4 already ships with dual-frequency GPS and Gorilla Glass, based on its official Amazon listing. So if you were expecting dual-band GPS to be a new Watch 5 feature, it isn’t, the Watch 4 already has it. The real differences this generation are RAM, price, and the new Pyrite color, not GPS or display glass.
Time-sensitive note: Google’s own store is currently running a $100 off promotion on the Pixel Watch 4, ending August 2, 2026, dropping the 41mm Wi-Fi model toward $249. That’s a real deadline if you’re deciding between buying a Watch 4 now versus waiting for the Watch 5.
Should you buy it or wait?
Based on everything that’s leaked so far, Pixel Watch 4 owners don’t appear to have a compelling upgrade case unless the extra RAM or any battery improvements prove more significant than expected.
If you’re on a Pixel Watch 3 or older, the combination of Wear OS 7, extra memory for Gemini features, and whatever battery-life tuning Google manages should make the Watch 5 a more worthwhile jump.
If you’re shopping across platforms rather than sticking with Pixel, it’s worth weighing the Watch 5 against the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 if you want more rugged durability with Android, or the Apple Watch Series 12 if you’re on iPhone, since Pixel Watch only works with Android devices.
Everything above remains unofficial until Google’s event. Leaks have changed several times already — especially around the processor — so it’s worth waiting for Google’s August 12 announcement before treating any specification as final.
Buy Pixel Watch 4 now if you are…
- Upgrading from a Pixel Watch 2 or older and just want a solid, discounted Wear OS watch
- Not fussed about the Pyrite color or Gemini shortcut button
- Budget-conscious — the Watch 4 is likely to see real price drops once the Watch 5 launches
Wait for Pixel Watch 5 if you are…
- Currently on a Pixel Watch 3 or older and want the extra RAM headroom for Gemini features
- Someone who keeps a watch for 3+ years and wants the newer platform to age better
- Specifically interested in the leaked Phone-to-Watch Unlock feature, if it ships
FAQ
When does the Google Pixel Watch 5 come out?
Google has confirmed a Made by Google event on August 12, 2026, in New York City. The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to go on sale around August 20, 2026, alongside the Pixel 11 series.
How much does the Google Pixel Watch 5 cost?
Leaked pricing points to a $399 starting price for the 41mm Wi-Fi model, roughly $50 more than the Pixel Watch 4. The 41mm LTE is rumored at $499, with the 45mm Wi-Fi and LTE models at $429 and $529 respectively. None of this is official yet.
What chip does the Pixel Watch 5 use?
A Google Play Console listing points to the Qualcomm SW5100, the same platform used in recent Pixel Watch generations, rather than a new custom Google chip. This hasn’t been confirmed by Google.
Does the Pixel Watch 5 look different from the Watch 4?
Not really. Leaked renders show a design that’s nearly identical to the Pixel Watch 4, with the main visible change being a new Pyrite color option.
Should I upgrade from a Pixel Watch 4?
Based on current leaks, there doesn’t appear to be a compelling case to upgrade — the core hardware isn’t changing much beyond the RAM increase. Owners of a Pixel Watch 3 or older have more reason to consider it.
Does the Pixel Watch 5 work with iPhone?
Does the Pixel Watch 5 work with iPhone? No. Like previous Pixel Watches, it requires an Android phone. iPhone users may want to look at the Apple Watch Series 12 instead.
What colors does the Pixel Watch 5 come in?
Natural Silver and Dark Anthracite are expected across both sizes, Warm Gold is limited to the 41mm, and a new Pyrite finish is expected on both sizes.
Is the Pixel Watch 4 worth buying right now, before the Watch 5 launches?
Yes, if you don’t need the RAM bump or Pyrite color specifically. Since the core hardware barely changes between generations, buying a discounted Pixel Watch 4 now is a reasonable way to save money, especially with prices likely to drop further once the Watch 5 releases on August 20.
Will the Pixel Watch 5 get a price drop soon after launch?
Based on past Pixel Watch generations, discounts on the newest model are uncommon in the first few months. The Watch 4 itself is a good example: it launched at $399 (45mm Wi-Fi) and $349 (41mm LTE), and current Amazon listings already show the 41mm LTE Obsidian model at $303.31, a real drop from list price. Expect the Watch 4 to keep getting cheaper once the Watch 5 launches, not the other way around.
Sources: 9to5Google, Android Authority, PhoneArena, TechRadar, Memeburn, the5krunner
