Wear OS smartwatches are getting a huge upgrade — what it could mean for Pixel Watch

Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Wear OS chipset
(Image credit: Future)

Pretty soon, Wear OS 3 smartwatches might be unstoppable. Qualcomm just announced an upgraded wearable chipset that promises a major breakthrough for smartwatch battery life.

Called the Snapdragon W5+ and W5, the next evolution of the Snapdragon 4100+ found in a number of the best smartwatches for Android, this chipset touts 50% lower power. While it also claims twice as much performance and features from before, extended battery life appears to be the biggest priority. 

Many of the overall best smartwatches struggle to last more than a day or two due to the amount of computing jammed into such small devices. Despite display updates and other annual improvements, the likes of the Apple Watch Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 still require a daily charge.

Of course, the best Fitbit watches and best Garmin watches can last several days, but both brands have a stronger emphasis on fitness-tracking than general connectivity. Qualcomm’s previous chipsets have been found in Fossil and Mobvoi watches, which are perhaps more lifestyle-driven smartwatch options.

This new chipset, which consists of a “4nm-based system-on-chip and 22nm-based highly integrated always-on co-processor,” is already confirmed to arrive inside future Oppo and Mobvoi watches. The Oppo Watch 3 series is launching in August, and though we don’t have a specified timeframe for the next TicWatch, rumors say it’s coming soon.

But as Qualcomm works with Google on these chips for upcoming Wear OS devices, we of course wonder what this could also mean for Google’s debut smartwatch.

Snapdragon W5+ — what it could mean for Pixel Watch

Google Pixel Watch

(Image credit: Google)

"With the Snapdragon W5+ platform, we're excited for what's possible in bringing new levels of performance, capability and battery life to Wear OS smartwatches,” said Bjorn Kilburn, GM and Senior Director of Wear OS at Google as part of Qualcomm’s announcement. 

Could this indicate excitement for what the Snapdragon W5+ will offer for the Google Pixel Watch? Of course, the Pixel Watch isn’t referenced as part of the Snapdragon W5+ launch, but we know the smartwatch is coming sometime this fall alongside the Google Pixel 7 series.

Though this is simply speculation, it seems possible for the W5+ to power the Pixel Watch. Unless Google is planning a version of the Tensor chip for its first smartwatch, Qualcomm’s newest platform for Wear OS devices would make sense.

Not only that, if the emphasis on battery life actually makes W5+ smartwatches last long, the Pixel Watch could arrive to the market with a major advantage over its competitors. The chip’s ultra-low power Bluetooth 5.3 architecture and low power islands for Wi-Fi, GNSS and audio should limit the managed connectivity demands. Meanwhile, low power states such as 'Deep Sleep' and 'Hibernate' may keep the W5+ smartwatches from losing juice when they're not in use.

These all sound like things we'd want to see the Google Pixel Watch. As a newcomer facing brands that have been making their own smartwatches for several years, the Pixel Watch will need a trick up its sleeve. The Snapdragon W5+ could be just that.

TOPICS
Kate Kozuch

Kate Kozuch is the managing editor of social and video at Tom’s Guide. She writes about smartwatches, TVs, audio devices, and some cooking appliances, too. Kate appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account, which you should be following if you don't already. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her taking up a new sport, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef.

Read more
OnePlus Watch 3
OnePlus Watch 3 looks to beat the Apple Watch with 5 days of battery life
Google Pixel Watch 3 XL in hand
Google Pixel Watch battery health could get a boost with this new feature
The 41mm and 45mm Pixel Watch on a red table with accessories
Google Pixel Watch 3 review: Third time’s the charm
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a will have to fix one crucial thing to hold off its low-cost rivals
OnePlus Watch 3 watch face
OnePlus Watch 3 review: Good becomes great
Snapdragon X Elite
I’m hyped for Snapdragon X2, but it must outmuscle Intel and AMD — 5 ways to do so
Latest in Smartwatches
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 shown close-up on a user's wrist with the snorkeling and surfing workout tracking modes displayed; colorful flowers are out of focus in the background
I went surfing and snorkeling with the Amazfit T-Rex 3 — here's why I prefer it to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for water sports
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 3 just tipped for two major upgrades
Apple Watch SE (2022) shown on wrist
Apple Watch SE 3 reportedly in ’serious jeopardy’ — here’s why
Apple Watch Series 10
Future Apple Watch models could get a surprising new feature — what we know
The coolest things the Apple Watch can do
A folding Apple Watch could follow the iPhone Flip — here’s what we know
Atari 2600 My Play Watch
It's not just Pebble — Atari is back with a watch that lets you play retro games on your wrist
Latest in News
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
Amazon is giving away a ton of free games for its Big Spring Sale — here’s how to claim yours
A TV with the Netflix logo sits behind a hand holding a remote
Netflix is rolling out a big video quality upgrade — what you need to know
Choi Hyun-Wook, Hong Kyung, and Park Ji-hoon in "Weak Hero Class 1" now streaming on Netflix
This action-packed K-drama is now streaming on Netflix — and now’s the time to binge-watch before season 2
OnePlus 13 back, leaning against blue wall
OnePlus 13T could come with an even bigger battery than OnePlus 13 — this is incredible
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 3 just tipped for two major upgrades
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 25 (#653)