Recent leaks suggest that Google is planning to create a custom Tensor chip for its Pixel Watch, potentially launching within the next couple of years. So far, the Pixel Watch series has relied on standard chipsets from Samsung and Qualcomm, including the Snapdragon W5+ chip in the Pixel Watch 2 and Watch 3.
This new chip has notably enhanced battery life compared to the older Exynos chip used in the first Pixel Watch, marking a significant upgrade in performance.
It seems almost certain that Google will adopt a similar strategy for its smartwatches as it has for its phones by bringing chip production in-house, and it looks like that shift is happening sooner rather than later. Recent leaks from Google’s chip division, discovered by the team at Android Authority, provide evidence that the company is indeed working on a Tensor chipset specifically for the Pixel Watch.
Details about Google’s upcoming Tensor chip for the Pixel Watch are still a bit scarce, unlike the full specs we saw for the Tensor G5 and G6. However, the new “NPT” chip is set to debut in 2026, likely coinciding with the release of the Pixel Watch 5.
The rumored chip for the Pixel Watch will include 1 Arm Cortex-A78 core and 2 Arm Cortex-A55 cores, which might seem outdated. However, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ uses even older Cortex-A53 cores on a 4nm node, so this isn’t a major drawback. With Google moving to TSMC’s 3nm process for its Tensor chips, the Pixel Watch’s chip could potentially outpace Qualcomm’s current offerings.
Though many questions remain about the Tensor chip for smartwatches, this leak provides a glimpse into Google’s future plans.
