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Google Pixel Watch rumours, specs and news

May 01, 2022

A Google-branded smartwatch has been rumoured for some time - no pun intended - but it has yet to materialise despite a new version of the Wear OS platform launching in cooperation with Samsung on the Galaxy Watch 4.

After a flurry of recent leaks though, it looks like the Pixel Watch is real - and it seems it is approaching launch. Here is everything that's been claimed so far surrounding the Pixel Watch. 

Pixel Watch release date

  • Google I/O 2022 reveal?
  • October launch claimed

The Google Pixel Watch has been rumoured for quite some time now. Having been suggested for launch on a number of previous occasions, the best indicators now point to a 2022 reveal.

Firstly, because the Pixel Watch is said to have appeared on a US carrier's inventory system, giving us a little more faith in its existence. It's also said the online Google Store is being restructured to accomodate a new smartwatch, further supporting the idea that the Pixel Watch does actually exist - along with a trademark filing.

It's been suggested Google will tease the Pixel Watch during Google I/O in May 2022 alongside the launch of the rumoured Pixel 6a, followed by a proper launch in October 2022 with the Pixel 7 devices.

collection: Pixel Watch reddit leak

Pixel Watch design

  • Premium design
  • Circular minimalist aesthetic
  • Heart rate sensor on rear

Pictures of the Pixel Watch have appeared online a few times, showing a premium design with a circular face, slim and smooth bezels and a crown on the the right hand side. Having seen renders and images from presentations, we've now seen a hands-on leak with a prototype device claiming to be the Pixel Watch.

From that we can see that it's a quality device, clearly designed to compete with the Apple Watch from a hardware point of view. The casing is kept to a minimum, so it's mostly just the screen and the body in a round design. 

Aside from the crown, there are two buttons on the side of the device, as well as a speaker and microphone openings. There is a heart rate sensor on the rear of the watch.

The Pixel Watch appears to support a proprietary strap attachment, much like the Apple Watch. This might suggest that you won't be able to use your own watch strap, but that Google will want to sell you lots of accessory straps instead. The person with the leaked prototype said that the strap feels secure.

There's no indication of how the watch charges - it's like to be via a magnetic Qi charger, but this hasn't been revealed. There are some pogo pins on the side of the watch under one of the strap attachment points, which could be a physical charging point.

It is said to be coming in black, gold and grey colour options.

Pixel Watch hardware and software

  • Wear OS 3
  • Likely Fitbit features
  • Exynos hardware

We'd expect the Pixel Watch to run on the Wear OS 3 software, developed by Google and Samsung as a combination of the best features from Wear OS and Tizen OS. We'd also expect Fitbit software or features to play a part on the watch, perhaps offering Fitbit's excellent sleep tracking, for example. Leaks show Fitbit's logo on the Pixel Watch face and it's an obvious route to take.

Rumours previously suggested basic fitness tracking will be on board, like heart rate tracking and step counting, though we wouldn't be surprised to see a little more advanced features too. Competition in this field is tough, with the Apple Watch and Samsung's latest smartwatches offering plenty of health features so it would make sense that the Pixel Watch does too.

It's claimed the Pixel Watch will come with 32GB of internal storage and it is expected to offer a variant with cellular connectivity.

There has also been the discovery of code relating to Exynos hardware. This might be because of the close working relationship between Google and Samsung - the Galaxy Watch 4 is Exynos powered - but it might also be that Google will develop Tensor hardware that's an evolution of Samsung's Exynos hardware. Eitherway, it might be that there's no Qualcomm in this watch.

Google Pixel Watch rumours: What's happened?

Here is everything we have heard so far about the Google Pixel Watch.

28 April 2022: Google Pixel Watch could come in three models

A listing appeared on Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and it refers to a device called BT Wearable Design-Controller Subsystem, which is thought to be the Pixel Watch. The listing mentions three models - GWT9R, GBZ4S, and GQF4C. 

27 April 2022: Pixel Watch leaks again: Latest images show Google's smartwatch on a wrist

Having shared details about the Pixel Watch left in a restaurant, the guy who has it has started sharing photos of it.

25 April 2022: Google's Pixel Watch breaks cover in real world photos

The Pixel Watch has surfaced in real world photos after apparently being found in a restaurant.

23 April 2022: Google files trademark for 'Pixel Watch' ahead of I/O: Is a launch imminent?

The name "Pixel Watch" is official as a trademark gets filed.

20 April 2022: Pixel Watch breaks cover as Google preps online store for launch

91Mobiles published a face-on image of the Pixel Watch, showing a crown on the right, domed glass on the top and the Fitbit logo in the centre, suggesting the platform will be integrated properly.

9to5Google also reported that the online Google Store is being redesigned to make space for the new smartwatch, suggesting a launch is imminent.

25 March 2022: Google Pixel Watch to be teased at I/O but launched with Pixel 7 in October

Leaker Jon Prosser claims the Pixel Watch will be teased at Google I/O 2022, before launching properly in October.

2 March 2022: Google Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch could be imminent after carrier listing found

The Google Pixel Watch appeared on a US carrier's inventory and it's claimed to come in grey, black and gold colours, aloong with 32GB on on board storage.

22 December 2021: Google Pixel Watch tipped to feature Exynos chip and next-gen Google Assistant

9to5Google has uncovered various strings of code hinting that the Pixel Watch will feature the next-gen Google Assistant and may be powered by Exynos.

6 December 2021: New Google Pixel Watch renders give us our best look yet at the rumoured smartwatch

Jon Prosser has shared some alleged marketing images of the Pixel Watch, showing a circular design. 

collection: Google Pixel Watch Jon Prosser Leak

3 December 2021: Google's in-house smartwatch, aka Pixel Watch, could launch in 2022

According to a report from Insider, Google is working on a smartwatch. It is internally codenamed Rohan, and it's being worked on by Google's Pixel hardware group, which is separate from Fitbit. 

It is expected to cost more than a Fitbit, competing directly with the Apple Watch. It's also said to have basic fitness tracking features, such as step counting and a heart rate monitor and may have Fitbit integration into Wear OS, thanks to an effort codenamed Nightlight.

11 October 2021: Pixel Watch likely delayed

Leaker Max Weinbach claimed on Twitter that while he was told the Pixel Watch was coming about six months ago, but could be delayed because of chip shortage, he is assuming it has been delayed and is unsure if it will be revealed with the Pixel 6 on 19 October or next year.

25 May 2021: More Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 5a 5G details revealed in leak

Max Weinbach revealed some details about the Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro in a podcast. He also claimed the Google Watch would be revealed in October 2021 alongside the Pixel devices though.

18 May 2021: Google redesigns Wear OS with Samsung and Fitbit

Google announced a redesigned Wear OS in collaboration with Samsung and Fitbit.

9 April 2021: Apparent Pixel Watch design revealed in new leak

Jon Prosser revealed the apparent design of the long-rumoured Pixel Watch in a video. It has a circular face, bezel-free design and a physical crown. It's claimed to be codenamed Rohan and the renders were created based on images provided by a source.

19 May 2020: Pixel Watch could have a gesture feature

Google filed a patent with the US Patent Office in May 2020 that suggests the company is working on bringing hand gestures to a smartwatch.

19 September 2019: Why Google Pixel Watch was cancelled at the last minute

A new report on Business Insider has claimed Google cancelled plans to launch a Pixel Watch at the last minute because Google's hardware chief, Rick Osterloh, was of the opinion at the time that it "didn't look like what belonged in the Pixel family." 

The report also said that a former employee stated that the syncing between the Pixel smartphone and smartwatch also "didn't work that great", making for another reason to pull the launch. There were fears that with this and the smartwatch not quite looking right, it would "...bring down the name of the Google hardware brand." 

Instead of killing the watches completely, Google is said to have decided not to launch them under its own brand name as originally planned, and instead launched them under LG in the LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style. 

The report adds that while there are still rumours Google is working on its own-branded smartwatch, sources claim that there will be no smartwatch launching alongside the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL at its event on 15 October.

3 September 2019: Google Pixel Watch with built-in camera appears in patent

A patent filed by Google called 'Camera Watch' has been approved. The patent shows a watch with a round face and a camera built-in, though it is not clear from the patent whether the camera is a hole-punch design or under the display.

There are no buttons on the design sketches, suggesting the Pixel Watch could feature some form of rotating or touch bezel.

4 April 2019: Possible Pixel Watch tech pops up in patent

A recently approved patent reveals Google has been working on several quick release watch band mechanisms. Several options are shown in the patent images, one of which is a tradition quick release pin method, while the others appear a little more complex. 

8 February 2019: New job listings suggest Pixel Watch still happening

Two job listings at Google for a "Vice President, Hardware Engineering, Wearables" and "Wearables Design Manager, Consumer Hardware", suggest Google continues to have major hardware ambitions for wearables.

25 January 2019: Possible Pixel Watch codenames appear online

9to5Google reported on two codenames - Medaka and Salmon - which appeared online and are suggested to reference the Pixel Watch. The codenames appeared in AOSP alongside evidence suggesting they are smartwatches but no further details were offered.

17 January 2019: Google and Fossil enter into $40 million agreement

Google and Fossil Group enter into a $40 million agreement, in which Google will acquire some of Fossil's smartwatch technology, along with members of the Fossil's research and development team. While details are scarce, it suggests Google is still serious about Wear OS.

3 September 2018: No Pixel Watch in 2018

Tom's Guide reported that the rumoured Pixel Watch would not launch in 2018. 

Miles Barr, Google's director of engineering for Wear OS, said in an interview with Tom's Guide: "To think of a one-size-fits-all watch, I don't think we're there yet. Our focus is on our partners for now," he explained.

The Pixel Watch will likely place a special focus on Google Assistant and AI learning when it finally arrives though as Barr told Tom's Guide his ideal Pixel Watch would offer these. 

A separate Google spokesperson also confirmed that the company would not be announcing its own smartwatch in 2018.

10 May 2018: Three models of the Pixel Watch claimed to be in the works

WinFuture reported that there are three models of Pixel Watch in the works, but these might just be prototypes with a plan to only release one.

10 May 2018: Google's fall event expected to feature Pixel-branded watch

Notorious leakster Evan Blass tweeted that a reliable source told him "with high confidence" that a Pixel-branded watch would appear at the 2018 fall hardware event alongside the two smartphones and second-gen Pixel Buds. Of course, that wasn't the case in the end.

15 March 2018: Google rebrands Android Wear to Wear OS

Google's smartwatch platform, Android Wear, first arrived in 2014. In 2018, Google ditched the name and branding, relaunching the software as Wear OS.

10 February 2017: LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style launch

LG announced the LG Watch Sport and the LG Watch Style, backed by Google as the poster watches for Android Wear 2.0 with their rotating dials. They put an end to the Google-branded smartwatch...for a while.

23 December 2016: Google to launch two Android Wear watches in 2017

The Verge reported that Jeff Chang, product manager of Android Wear, said Google is planning to launch new watches that will be flagship Android Wear 2.0 devices.

Chang said the device wouldn't be Pixel branded however, despite the Pixel and Pixel XL launching two months earlier, replacing the Nexus line. Instead, the watches would take the name of the manufacturer that makes them.

12 July 2016: Renders appear of Google's Nexus smartwatches

Android Police published some renders of Google's Android Wear smartwatches. The larger device, known as Angelfish, is said to be on the left, while Swordfish, the smaller device, is on the right.

6 July 2016: Google working on Nexus-branded smartwatches

Android Police reported that Google was working on Nexus-branded smartwatches. The two devices were claimed to be Google-made and they had codenames of Angelfish and Swordfish.

Rumours suggests Angelfish was a larger, sportier model which would come with LTE data, GPS and heart rate. Swordfish meanwhile was said to be smaller and miss LTE data and GPS off its features list. 

Both watches were claimed to feature circular displays.



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