Pixel Watch 5 leak reveals AI-focused RAM boost and 'Accelerated' chip
Leaked specifications suggest Google is prioritizing on-device Gemini AI with a hardware refresh slated for August 2026.
Google is preparing to pivot its wearable strategy toward on-device artificial intelligence with the upcoming Pixel Watch 5. A comprehensive specifications leak suggests the company is prioritizing processing power and memory to bring its Gemini AI ecosystem directly to the wrist.
According to reports from 9to5Google and Dealabs, the Pixel Watch 5 will be powered by a "Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated" chip, paired with a Cortex-M55 coprocessor. In a first for the Pixel Watch line, RAM is reportedly increasing to 3 GB, up from the 2 GB found in previous generations. Other leaked hardware updates include a second-generation Active Band and a doubling of internal storage to 64 GB. The device is expected to carry a starting price of $399, marking a $50 increase over its predecessor.
A Shift in Silicon Strategy
Google typically refreshes its wearable lineup annually. While early industry rumors suggested the company might transition to a custom, Google-designed chip codenamed "NPT," these latest leaks indicate that Google has opted to remain with Qualcomm silicon. By utilizing the "Accelerated" variant of the W5 Gen 2 and adding a dedicated coprocessor, Google appears to be seeking a middle ground—leveraging proven hardware while optimizing it specifically for the heavy computational demands of AI.
The Push for Wearable AI
The decision to increase RAM is a critical signal of Google's intent to integrate Gemini AI more deeply into the watch's OS. Moving AI tasks from the cloud to the device reduces latency and improves privacy, but requires a larger memory footprint. The addition of the Cortex-M55 coprocessor is likely intended to handle these AI workloads efficiently, ensuring that the increased performance does not lead to a catastrophic drop in battery life, which has remained a primary pain point for the series.
What to Watch
If these specifications hold, the Pixel Watch 5 will represent the most significant internal hardware leap in the series' history. While the external design remains unconfirmed, the focus on "Accelerated" performance suggests a device designed for speed and intelligence rather than just fitness tracking. Google is expected to officially reveal the device at an event later in August 2026, where the company will likely demonstrate the specific Gemini features that necessitated this hardware upgrade.