The Google Pixel Watch 4 is expected to bring a larger battery, but it will continue using the same chipset found in its predecessors. Despite rumors surrounding new chipsets, it seems Google has opted to stick with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, the same chip used in the Pixel Watch 3 and 2. 
This 2022 chipset, built on a 4nm process, features four Cortex-A53 cores.
Meanwhile, Google has been moving away from Samsung and is now working with TSMC for future Tensor chipsets. The first of these, the Tensor G5, will power the upcoming Pixel 10 series and has already surfaced on Geekbench. However, the Pixel Watch 4 won’t see this upgrade just yet.
Qualcomm is developing a new Snapdragon W6, which includes one powerful Cortex-A78 core and four A55 cores, but Google seems uninterested in adopting this chip for its latest smartwatch. It looks like the company is waiting for its custom-built Tensor chip to be ready for the Pixel Watch 5. A leak from late 2024 suggested that this chip will mirror the W6’s configuration, with a Cortex-A78 core paired with four A55 cores-similar to Samsung’s Exynos W1000 in the Galaxy Watch 8 series.
As for the Pixel Watch 4 itself, recent leaks have shown renders indicating a slightly thicker design, increasing from 12.3mm to 14.3mm. The 45mm model, codenamed “kenari”/FK23, and the 41mm model, codenamed “meridian”/FME23, will both feature larger batteries. The 41mm variant will have a 327mAh battery, up by 20mAh from the 41mm Pixel Watch 3, while the 45mm variant will come with a 459mAh battery, a 39mAh increase.
These changes result in modest improvements-around 7% and 9% respectively for the two sizes. However, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset may limit efficiency gains. Charging speeds are expected to improve, though no specific details have emerged yet.
The Pixel Watch 4 will be available in both Bluetooth and 4G versions and offer a variety of band options, ranging from two-tone leather to Active Sport and metal mesh bands. The new smartwatch will be unveiled alongside the Pixel 10 series, and fans can expect more details soon.