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Google‘s Pixel Watch 2 might fix several shortcomings of the first-gen model. There are already rumors that the upcoming wearable will offer improved battery life and feature an aluminum body, making it lighter. A new leak has now revealed some of its key specs and there’s plenty to be excited about.
According to Android Authority, the Pixel Watch 2 will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest wearable processor, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1. It’s a 4nm chip featuring four Cortex-A53 CPU cores clocked at up to 1.7GHz. In comparison, the original Pixel Watch uses an outdated Samsung Exynos 9110 SoC from 2018. The latter is a 10nm solution with two Cortex-A53 cores clocked at just 1.3GHz.
While these figures already suggest a massive leap in raw performance, a more advanced process node should mean improved power efficiency as well. Coupled with features like Deep Sleep and Hibernation, the Pixel Watch 2 should deliver much better battery life than its predecessor. It’s not just the new processor that may be adding to the watch’s battery life, though. We are also expecting a bigger battery (306mAh vs. 294mAh).
Additionally, the new chip packs a more advanced GPU, Adreno 702, so navigating through system menus should feel smoother too. Note that Qualcomm also offers a Plus version of this chip. It includes a first-party QCC5100 co-processor. Google has decided not to use it and instead opted for a custom co-processor based on a chip from the Dutch semiconductor company NXP. It did something similar the last time around as well. But the main processor is responsible for most tasks, and the Pixel Watch 2 should excel at them.
The Pixel Watch 2 will add UWB support
Google has more meaningful upgrades planned for its second-gen smartwatch. The upcoming model will reportedly offer UWB (ultra-wideband) support. It features an NXP SR100T UWB module to enable new applications. Among those applications should be more precise device tracking.
The tech biggie is seemingly looking to create a comprehensive ecosystem as it strengthens its Find My Device network with UWB support. It is also rumored to be working on a smart object tracker, similar to the Apple AirTag and Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. UWB support may also allow the Pixel Watch 2 to store digital car keys and seamlessly transfer media playback to a compatible device.
The new Google Watch will run Wear OS 4 out of the box, bringing Android 13 to your wrist. This adds support for seamless updates, significantly lowering the downtime of the watch during updates. The device will install the latest update in the background, only requiring a restart to complete it. You won’t have to sit out the entire updating process. “The Pixel Watch 2 fully supports the feature,” the report states.
Google is also switching to Samsung for the Pixel Watch 2’s display, after sourcing the original model’s display from the Chinese firm BOE. While the screen size, bezels, and other basic specs remain the same, this switch may bring improvements in brightness and power efficiency. Overall, the Pixel Watch 2 is shaping up to be a major upgrade over the original model. Stay tuned for its official launch this fall.