Google appears to be exploring new territory with plans to integrate its own Tensor chipset into the Pixel Watch 5 for the first time. This upcoming chipset reportedly features a custom CPU design with one high-performance ARM Cortex-A78 core and two power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores.
Until now, Google has relied on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 for the Pixel Watch 3, the same chipset powering many other Wear OS devices. However, as this Snapdragon model, originally released in 2022, is beginning to show its age, Google is now looking to equip its smartwatches with an in-house Tensor chipset.
According to leaked information from Kamila Wojciechowska, this smartwatch chipset is in development under the codename “NPT.” Unlike the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1, which uses four Cortex-A53 cores, the Tensor NPT is expected to bring a substantial performance boost. Although not as powerful as modern smartphone chipsets, the inclusion of the Cortex-A78 core in the Tensor NPT should offer a noticeably more responsive user experience.
There was previous speculation that Google might switch to Samsung’s Exynos W1000 chipset, which has a similar core structure. However, Google seems committed to developing its own chipset specifically for smartwatches. If the rumors hold true, the Pixel Watch 5 will be the first smartwatch powered by Google’s Tensor chipset.
The Pixel Watch 5, featuring this custom Tensor chipset, is expected to launch in 2026. This move highlights Google’s dedication to building a more cohesive and optimized ecosystem of smart devices. Next year’s release of the Pixel smartphone Tensor G5 chipset, also designed in-house by Google, marks another step away from Samsung’s Exynos designs and further solidifies Google’s independence in hardware innovation.
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