Google’s Pixel Watch models have used chipsets from Samsung and Qualcomm since their inception in 2022. According to the latest leak related to Google’s chip division, the brand will be changing things up with the Pixel Watch 5. Google is reportedly considering adding its custom Tensor processor to the Pixel Watch 5 starting in 2026. However, the Tensor chip can use older CPU cores. Next year’s Pixel Watch 4 will likely come with a Qualcomm SoC.
Google may put a custom chip in its smartwatch
Android Authority, citing documents from Google’s gChips division, reports that Google plans to release a custom Tensor chip for Pixel Watches starting with the Pixel Watch 5 in 2026. The chip codenamed NPT (Newport Beach) is said to have a core configuration consisting of ARM. Cortex A78 and two Arm Cortex A55s. Google is reportedly assessing RISC-V as a possible alternative to Arm.
The CPU cores are dated to 2017 with Cortex-A55, the report said. The configuration of the NPT is said to be similar to Samsung’s Exynos W1000 chipset, with 1x Cortex-A78 and 4x Arm Cortex-A55. The process node and modem of the new chipset are currently unclear.
This would be a big change for Google as Samsung and Qualcomm produce all of its wearable chipsets. Google’s original Pixel Watch has been launched with Samsung Exynos 9110 chipset, while Pixel Watch 2 is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 SoC. The latest Pixel Watch 3 was unveiled during the Made by Google event in August with a Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor. The Pixel Watch 4, which is expected to launch in 2025, will likely pack a Qualcomm SoC.
Google’s Pixel Watch 3 starts at Rs. Rs 39,900 for the 41mm model with Wi-Fi connectivity in India. The 45mm model with Wi-Fi connectivity starts at Rs. 43,900.
