The Google Pixel Watch 5 has finally arrived, and... well, it's basically the Pixel Watch 4. Google didn't change much about the watch, giving it an identical design, a very small bump in specs, and a boosted version of the same chipset.
It's not too surprising, as companies usually keep things roughly the same for at least a generation before pushing the needle a bit more with a successor. The Pixel Watch 5 is clearly the tock when the Pixel Watch 4 was the tick, so it's mostly a refined version of its predecessor.
That said, there are some notable changes, and the new chipset should help the Pixel Watch 5 handle its upgraded software better. However, it will come at a price.
Here's everything you need to know about the Pixel Watch 5.
Google Pixel Watch 5: Price and availability
The Pixel Watch 5 was launched on August 12, 2026, and will be released in stores on August 20.
As for cost, the base price has gone up for each model, with the cheapest Bluetooth 41mm SKU starting at $399, $50 up from last year's model. The 45mm variant, meanwhile, now starts at $429, only a $30 difference. Expect LTE models to be priced roughly $100 more than Wi-Fi/Bluetooth models.
There is also a Stephen Curry Edition Pixel Watch 5 that will retail for $579 and release on September 3.
Google Pixel Watch 5: Specs
Specs |
Google Pixel Watch 5 |
|---|---|
OS |
Wear OS 7 |
CPU |
Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated, Cortex M55 co-processor |
Display |
Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO display, 320ppi 3,000 nits, 1-60Hz refresh rate |
Storage |
64GB |
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, UWB, LTE (optional), dual-frequency GPS, Galileo, Glonass, (ROW) Beidou, QZSS, Navic, Satellite SOS, |
Sensors |
Compass, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, multi-path optical heart rate sensor, cEDA, SpO2, ECG, far field skin temperature sensor |
Battery |
41mm: 332mAh, 30 hours with AOD, 48 hours with Battery Saver 45mm: 465mAh, 40 hours with AOD, 72 hours with Battery Saver |
Charging |
41mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 25 minutes to 80%, 45 minutes to 100% 45mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 30 minutes to 80%, 60 minutes to 100% |
Materials |
Recycled aluminum |
Protection |
Custom Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 5ATM, IP68 |
Band |
Active (fluoroelastomer) |
Dimensions |
41 x 41 x 12.3mm 45 x 45 x 12.3mm |
Weight (w/out band) |
41mm: 31g 45mm: 36.7g |
Colors |
Matte Black, Polished Silver, Satin Pyrite, Champagne Gold (41mm only) Stephen Curry Special Edition (45mm only) |
Google Pixel Watch 5: Design and display
If you haven't noticed, everything visually about the Pixel Watch 5 is the same as the Pixel Watch 4. That includes the dimensions and weight, despite the slightly larger batteries. The only notable difference is the color options: Satin Moonstone has been swapped out for Satin Pyrite.
Watch bands have also been updated, so the Pixel Watch 5 bands should match the new Pixel 11 phones, as well as the new Buds 2 Pro color.
The special edition Stephen Curry Pixel Watch 5 comes with a custom band, similar to the Fitbit Air, as well as a custom watch face.
The displays also remain the same. The Pixel Watch 5 features two case sizes: 41mm and 45mm, both featuring a domed Gorilla Glass 5 screen to protect the Actua 360 OLED display. The refresh rate shifts between 1-60Hz, and it reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits.
Thanks to the IP68 and 5ATM ratings, the Pixel Watch 5 is protected again st water submersion, to the point where you can swim with the watch without issue. The chassis is also made from 100% recycled aluminum, while the Active band is made of Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) with soft-touch coating.
Google Pixel Watch 5: Hardware and sensors
On the hardware front, very little has changed. The Pixel Watch 5 features the same bevy of sensors as the Pixel Watch 4, which promise to provide you with pretty comprehensive health and fitness tracking.
The main notable change with Pixel Watch 5 hardware is the new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chip, which appears to be a boosted version of the chip running in the Pixel Watch 4. It's not clear why Google did not opt for the more performant and capable Snapdragon Wear Elite, but it likely came down to cost (although the Galaxy Watch 9 has a lower starting price).
Still, Google says it will provide 20% faster processing than the Pixel Watch 4 and allow it to process useful data in the background and even some AI queries offline.
The Pixel Watch 5 gets double the storage, which will allow you to download more apps or save more offline music, although it may be a bit overkill. Google is also highlighting improved dual-band GPS to better keep track of you on runs.
Google slightly increased battery capacity, but not by much. As such, the Pixel Watch 5 battery estimates are identical to those of the Pixel Watch 4. In our experience, the Pixel Watch 4 easily gets about two days on a single charge, so the Pixel Watch 5 shouldn't really struggle in this area.
Charging is also the same, and you'll get faster charging on the 41mm model since it has a smaller battery.
Google Pixel Watch 5: Software and fitness
The Pixel Watch 5 runs Wear OS 7 out of the box. This brings a bevy of new features, including AI-generated widgets, Live Updates, audio output control, and more.
Gemini Intelligence is also available on the Pixel Watch 5. This means you'll be able to generate widgets directly on the watch and receive personalized context-based updates.
Google is also highlighting new health and fitness features, which should appeal to gym-goers. Thanks to updates to Google Health, you can now create tailored HIIT or weightlifting workouts, tracking both reps and weight with the ability to change them on the fly. The Pixel will also track sets and rest periods, providing audio cues so you know when to start up again.
This sounds like a major upgrade to that better follows the workout experiences on rival watches from Samsung and Garmin.
Blood Pressure Trends is an increasingly popular feature on smartwatches these days, and the Pixel Watch 5 is helping users better understand the patterns to get ahead of any issues. That also goes for the new Insulin Resistance feature, to help those who need to keep track of their insulin levels,
There's also a big focus on sleep, with the introduction of features like Sleep Breathing Quality to better understand how to improve the quality of your sleep. There's also a Smart Wake Alarm that will wake you up at an optimal time based on your schedule and when you're in your lightest sleep. And when you wake up, the revamped Morning Brief will provide you with more information to get your day started.
