With Google's Pixel event not far off, the spotlight seems to be on the upcoming Pixel devices and what upgrades they will bring about. Like with other tech giant products, much has been leaked about the upcoming phones and their key specification, leaving little mystery for the users and the tech community. However, the upcoming Pixel Watch 4 has managed to stay under the hood, as we have sparse information on it except for a few details related to the possible colorway and some renders.
With the launch merely weeks away, the rumor mill is finally putting out specifications we have been waiting for a long time. However, the latest news is not what users might hope for in the next generation of wearables.
Google Pixel Watch 4 leak is here, revealing some rather disappointing news when it comes to performance upgrades
We have had little information about the upcoming Pixel Watch 4 specifications until now, which has piqued our curiosity about what Google has in store this time, especially regarding the wearable's performance and the upgrades this year. Android Authority has uncovered some details, owing to a Google source, about the Pixel Watch 4, and it is a letdown for those who have been hoping for a noticeable performance gain.
Unsurprisingly, the Pixel Watch 4 will be available in two sizes, with the larger model measuring 45mm and the smaller version measuring 41mm. This has been Google's approach to the series. The former would be codenamed "Kenari" (FK23), and the latter would be "Meridian" (FME23), which seems to be following a Star Wars theme, stepping away from its previous approach when it comes to the naming style. Both models will be available in LTE and Wi-Fi-only options.
This, however, is not the major revelation, as the biggest takeaway is Google's plan to continue using the same Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 for the Pixel Watch 4 that has been used previously for the Pixel Watch 3 and 2. If this turns out to be true, this would be the third year in a row that the company would be opting for minimal performance gains. Users might find this decision underwhelming, especially if the expectations were of a performance boost, but it seems to be practically driven.
This move might be coming from no real alternative being present at the moment, since Qualcomm's SW6100 wearable platform, which promises some massive upgrades, is not ready yet, and the only option available is to resort to an Exynos chip. Going down that lane also does not make sense because Google has plans to launch its custom chip for wearables next year, and opting for a switch for such a short span seems like merely added effort. Also, there is ambiguity regarding the Exynos W-series being available to other manufacturers besides Samsung. So, given the current circumstances, the decision seems like a smart one.
Google is committed to offering improved battery life. Both models are said to be getting a boost in battery, with the 41mm model going up from 307mAh to 327mAh and, similarly, the 45mm version going up to 459mAh, which is a significant boost, given how the previous variant offered 420mAh. The charging speeds will also improve, even though their details are kept under wraps. However, we should expect the wearable to perform better on the always-on display.
Users should not conclude already because there are many factors that contribute to the user experience. The software optimizations, battery upgrades, and faster charging speeds may improve the overall experience, but if raw performance is what you seek, you may want to wait until next year.
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