The Google Pixel Watch still feels like a relatively new release, but rumours are already swelling about its successor. The next generation of Google smartwatch will reportedly feature a new construction as well as a Qualcomm processor, so it could prove to be a fairly different experience to the first generation watch.
If you're looking forward to the next Google smartwatch, keep reading, we've rounded up all the rumours that have surfaced so far and laid them out below.
Google Pixel Watch
With its combination of great design, fluid software and comprehensive fitness tracking, the Pixel Watch is a great first home-made option from Google.
Pixel Watch 2 release date and price
- 4 October 2023 - alongside Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
- Likely around $349
Google has sent out official invites to the hardware launch, which will take place on 4 October, and rumours say the Google Pixel Watch 2 will make its official debut at the event, alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
The invite reads: "You're invited to an in-person Made by Google event where we'll introduce the latest additions to our Pixel portfolio of devices." That suggests it's not just phones, but other Pixel products too and - given last year's launch - it would be a reasonable expectation to assume the watch will be there too.
There haven't been any rumours about the pricing yet, but the Pixel Watch retails for $349.99 and we'd expect similar pricing for the new model, too.
Pixel Watch 2 design
- Lightweight aluminium construction
- Larger sizes?
So far, there has only been one rumour about the Pixel Watch 2's design. A report from 9to5Google claims that the Pixel Watch 2 will switch to an aluminium design, as opposed to the stainless steel chassis utilised for the original Pixel Watch.
It's thought that this move will be made in an effort to reduce the weight of the wearable. The current Pixel Watch weighs in at 36 grams without its strap, which is noticeably heavier than aluminium smartwatches like the Fitbit Sense 2, which comes in at 26 grams without a strap. This would be a welcome change for anyone that likes to use their Pixel Watch for sleep and sports tracking.
Many people are hoping for the addition of more size options this time around, and we wouldn't be too surprised if that turns out to be the case. The original Pixel Watch is only available in 41mm, and it looks a little small for those of us with larger wrists.
Another thing that's high on the design wishlist is for the successor to have smaller bezels on its display. While the Pixel Watch does a great job of disguising its bezels, they are on the large side, and it would be nice to see them shrink a bit.
On the software side, four new watch faces for the Pixel Watch 2 have been revealed by Android Authority. They're named Accessible, Arc, Bold Digital and Analog Bold. All of the faces are quite simple, with a plain black background and a minimal aesthetic, but they're all highly customisable, too.
You can select from a variety of colours on each watch face, as well as adjust the amount of complications and where they're located. A new Wear OS 4 feature called dynamic theming will extend your chosen colours to the rest of the watch UI, too. Just like Material You on Android phones.
Pixel Watch 2 specs
- Qualcomm Snapdragon W5100 SoC - 2GB RAM
- Same sensors as the Fitbit Sense 2?
- Ultra-wideband connectivity
So far the only things we've heard about the Pixel Watch 2's hardware is that we can expect a move to a Snapdragon processor, rather than Exynos, and we can expect UWB connectivity.
This processor is said to be from Qualcomm's latest W5 series of chips, but we don't know which one just yet. The TicWatch Pro 5 recently debuted with the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset, and a leaked piece of code from Google's own Play Console, which states that we'll see a Snapragon Wear 5100 processor inside. This leak also revealed that the watch will feature 2GB RAM.
Rumours say the Pixel Watch 2 will gain a new cEDA sensor for tracking stress levels and a skin temperature sensor. This will likely be in addition to all the sensors found on the first Pixel Watch: GPS, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope and optical heart rate sensor.
Finally, the Pixel Watch 2 is set to be the first Android wearable to feature UWB connectivity. Android Authority says it'll benefit from the NXP SR100T UWB module, and this will allow for some exciting new features.
If you're not familiar with ultra-wideband, it's a relatively new tech that allows for pinpoint accuracy with location tracking. Obviously, this is great for a fitness tracker, but more excitingly, it offers up the potential for Apple AirTag-like functionality and possibly even digital keys for your car and smart door locks in the future.
Pixel Watch 2 battery life
- 306 mAh (4 per cent larger)
- Over a day of usage with the always-on display enabled.
Rumours say that the Pixel Watch 2's battery will be rated at 306mAh, which is only marginally larger than the original Pixel Watch battery, which sits at 294mAh. However, we can expect it to last significantly longer thanks to the more efficient processor and software tweaks that have been made in Wear OS 4.
There are not many specifics at the moment, just a suggestion that Google has been seeing over a day's use with the always-on display enabled - something that's not achievable with the current Pixel Watch.
Pixel Watch 2: What's happened so far?
30 August 2023: Pixel Watch 2 to launch on 4 October
Google has sent out invites to a Pixel hardware launch event taking place on 4 October, and the watch will likely be there.
21 August 2023: Google just leaked its Pixel Watch 2 specs early
According to some leaked code, Pixel Watch 2 is switching away from Samsung's Exynos-based chipset, to Snapdragon W5.
5 August 2023: New report claims the Pixel Watch 2 will have UWB connectivity and a slightly larger battery
A report from Android Authority claims that the Pixel Watch 2 will feature UWB connectivity, for the first time on Android wearable, which could enable some exciting features. It also says that the Pixel Watch 2 battery will be approximately 4 per cent larger than its predecessor.
31 July 2023: Here's our first look at the Pixel Watch 2 watch faces
Images from an anonymous source inside Google were shared with Android Authority, showing four new faces, each of which is highly configurable.
23 July 2023: Pixel Watch 2 will reportedly switch to a lightweight aluminium design
A report from 9to5Google claims that the Pixel Watch 2 will be constructed from aluminium, rather than stainless steel, in an effort to reduce weight.
30 May 2023: Google Pixel Watch 2 will switch to Snapdragon and have much better battery life, rumours say
According to 9to5Google, we'll be seeing a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset in the new wearable, and it'll be from the latest W5 lineup. The report also claims we'll see over a day of battery life with the always-on display enabled and similar health sensors to the Fitbit Sense 2.