Google could make a long-awaited SoC switch with Pixel Watch 5 in 2026

Google’s Pixel Watch models have used chipsets from Samsung and Qualcomm since their introduction in 2022. According to the latest leaks regarding 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 may support older CPU use cores. Next year’s Pixel Watch 4 will likely come with a Qualcomm SoC.

Google could place a custom chip in its smartwatches

Android Authority, citing documents from Google’s gChips division reports that Google plans to release a custom Tensor chip for Pixel Watches alongside the Pixel Watch 5 in 2026. The chip codenamed NPT (Newport Beach) is said to have a core configuration consisting of an ARM Cortex A78 and two Arm Cortex A55s. Google is reportedly assessing RISC-V as a potential alternative to Arm.

The CPU cores are old and Cortex-A55 dates back to 2017, the report said. NPT’s configuration is said to be similar to Samsung’s Exynos W1000 chipset, which has 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 have already produced their portable chipsets. Google’s original Pixel Watch launched with a Samsung Exynos 9110 chipset, while the Pixel Watch 2 features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 SoC. The latest Pixel Watch 3 was unveiled in August at the Made By Google event with a Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor. The Pixel Watch 4, expected to launch in 2025, will likely feature a Qualcomm SoC.

Google’s Pixel Watch 3 has a starting price of 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.