Summary
- The Google Pixel Watch 2 is rumored to have major upgrades, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chipset and improved battery life.
- The second-generation Pixel Watch might have an aluminum body instead of stainless steel, which may make it more susceptible to scratches and dings.
- The Pixel Watch 2 is expected to be unveiled at a Made by Google event in New York on October 4, with preorders starting that day.
The Google Pixel Watch is one of our favorite Wear OS watches in terms of styling and software experience, but it's not hard to spot its flaws. Battery life is middling at best, and although the watch features a unique, high-end aesthetic, it falls flat in many ways compared to other high-end Wear OS options today. The Pixel Watch has aging internals and a 30Hz display that's not as smooth as what you get from Samsung and others.
But rumors and leaks — and more recently, official teasers — are in full swing about the upcoming sequel. While there are still details we don't have, the Pixel Watch 2 might solve many of our problems with the first generation. Here's everything we know so far.
Google Pixel Watch 2: Design and specs
We didn't see much in the way of credible Pixel Watch 2 leaks until late spring. Toward the end of May, 9to5Google reported learning from anonymous sources that the Pixel Watch 2 could come with a major internal upgrade. While the first generation is powered by a years-old Samsung chipset, the Pixel Watch 2 will apparently sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chipset. Whether the baseline W5 or the newer W5+ powers the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5, it would mean both performance and battery life gains.
In August, Android Authority released a comprehensive report that corroborated this. AA believes that the second-gen Pixel Watch will use the non-plus Snapdragon W5 chipset along with the same NXP coprocessor used in the original model. Android Authority further says that the second-gen Pixel Watch will have a marginally larger battery: 306mAh compared to the first-gen's 294mAh. Finally, the report says that the Pixel Watch 2 will come with ultra-wideband (UWB) support, though that functionality isn't spelled out in the FCC documentation spotted later in the month.
In June, 9to5Google found references in a Google app beta to what it believes to be the Pixel Watch 2 under the codenames Eos and Aurora, potentially Wi-Fi and LTE models. It also found a new animation for what appears to be Google Assistant functionality on the Pixel Watch 2, and based on the animation, it doesn't seem the new watch's design will be much different from the first model. However, the animation may be a placeholder.
A July leak published at 9to5Google indicated that the second-generation Pixel Watch could come with a materials downgrade. The new watch's body could be made of aluminum rather than stainless steel. That won't matter much to most users, but aluminum is less durable than steel, meaning the new watch's body might be more susceptible to scratches and dings than the older models.
FCC info unearthed in August points to three versions of the second-generation Pixel Watch. One Wi-Fi/Bluetooth model and two with differing LTE support, potentially for different wireless carriers. The FCC filing also reveals that there will be several bands available, including a plastic active strap, a metal mesh strap, a metal link strap, and a metal slip strap. That's a lot of metal.
The Pixel Watch 2 appeared in the Google Play Console device catalog in August, seemingly confirming several hardware features. The listing corroborates earlier reporting that the watch will run on a Qualcomm W5 chipset and also seems to indicate that the size and resolution of the display will be unchanged from the first generation.
In early September, Google posted the above teaser video for the Pixel Watch 2. It confirms a few things. The design of the new wearable will be similar to the first generation, with the same domed glass design. However, it looks like the glass on the Pixel Watch 2 doesn't extend as far down the sides of the watch as in the first-gen Pixel Watch. The back of the watch also sports a continuous electrodermal activity sensor for approximating stress levels and a clear IP68 marking, both new features (the first Pixel Watch was rated at 5ATM for water resistance but had no formal IP rating).
Later in the month, a leak from Droid-Life claimed that the Pixel Watch 2 would be available in the same three colorways as the original. The watch case would be champagne gold, matte black, or polished silver. Droid-Life says the gold watch will be offered with a Hazel active band, matte black with Obsidian, and silver with either white or Bay options. We haven't seen images of these bands, but we expect the first three will be the same as the ones offered with the first-gen Pixel Watch. While Droid-Life speculates Bay will be a cool green or brown color, we expect it'll be blue, similar to the Bay colorway offered on Google's first-party Pixel Fold case.
Droid-Life also mentions new Sport-style bands. Essentially, silicone straps with holes in them to help with breathability. These Sport bands will supposedly come in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, Coral, or Moondust colorways. The first four are known quantities. Hazel is a greenish gray, Obsidian is black, Porcelain is white, and Coral is orange. Google hasn't offered any products in Moondust to date, but if we had to guess, it will be a lighter color option. Finally, Droid-Life says Google will offer a fast charging cable for the Pixel Watch 2, which should mean the wearable will support faster charging speeds than the paltry 5W seen in the first generation.
We know that Google is planning at least two new metal bands for the Pixel Watch 2. A September leak showed off a new mesh-style band, plus a thinner band with metal links. It appears that the new bands will come in colors that match the watch. A mesh band was planned for the first-gen Pixel Watch but was never released. It would've cost $130, so we expect the new metal bands for the second-gen model will go for about the same.
Google Pixel Watch 2: Software
At this stage, we know even less about the Pixel Watch 2's software than we know about its hardware. It'll surely come with the latest version of Wear OS, potentially the same Wear OS 4 that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 debuted in July 2023.
Some of the Pixel Watch 2's supposed watch faces.
In late July 2023, Android Authority leaked a handful of watch faces it claims will be exclusive to the Pixel Watch 2. More interesting than the watch faces, though, was the detail that the watch's software might support dynamic theming. That is, UI elements throughout the watch's software may automatically change color to match the palette you chose on your watch face.
A teaser page for the Pixel Watch 2 and the Pixel 8 series published in early September has confirmed that the new Wear OS watch will require a phone running Android 9 or newer. Still, considering we're coming up on Android 14, that limitation shouldn't impact many prospective buyers.
September reporting from 9to5Google mentions a few software enhancements coming to the second-generation Pixel Watch. The Fitbit app's Wear OS interface is getting a refresh that'll put the focus on your heart rate, and the Personal Safety app is getting new features. You'll be able to share your location with trusted contacts from the Pixel Watch 2, and the LTE variant will be able to share your location even when your phone isn't nearby. Google is also evidently working on getting Assistant's interpreter mode working on the new wearable, allowing for near-real-time conversation translation between two languages right from your wrist.
Google Pixel Watch 2: Price and release date
We don't yet have specifics regarding the Pixel Watch 2's pricing, but we know when we'll know more: Google has confirmed that its next Made by Google hardware event will take place on October 4 in New York. The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will launch there, and the Pixel Watch 2 should make its official debut at the same time. Promotional materials for Google's Fall 2023 lineup have mentioned a preorder date of October 4, meaning the Pixel Watch 2 should be available for purchase during or shortly after the event.
Considering the first-generation Pixel Watch is pricey for a Wear OS device at $350, a second generation shouldn't see much of a price increase. For now, that much is just wishful thinking.
Google Pixel Watch 2: Google's next-gen wearable
Google is in a good position for the Pixel Watch 2. While the first generation is easy to like in many ways, its flaws are also apparent, which, should mean they'll be easy to address in a sequel. In the meantime, the original Pixel Watch is still a good option for the right buyer.
If you're rocking a first-gen, and you're not tempted to upgrade by these early rumors, check out our recommendations for the best Pixel watch cases and best Pixel Watch screen protectors to keep your Pixel Watch looking like new.
Google Pixel Watch
We've been waiting for Google to make a watch for the better part of a decade, and the Google Pixel Watch has finally arrived. The first Android smartwatch with Fitbit health tracking, the Pixel Watch aims to help you stay fit or get fit easily, while Wear OS 3.5 brings us Google's vision for a wearable UI and exclusive Wear OS apps for Google services like Google Home.