Google has officially begun teasing the Pixel Watch 5 ahead of its upcoming hardware event on August 12, giving fans a glimpse of the company’s next-generation smartwatch.
In a promotional video, Google keeps much of the Pixel Watch 5 hidden in darkness, revealing its familiar circular design. The teaser highlights features such as sleep and fitness tracking while taking a playful swipe at Apple’s smartwatch design.
The narrator says the Pixel Watch 5 “still has the decency to look like a watch,” an apparent reference to the rectangular design of the Apple Watch Series 11. The comment could also be aimed at competitors such as Samsung, whose recent Galaxy Watch models have adopted more rounded-square designs.
Despite the marketing tease, leaked information suggests that Google may not be making major hardware changes with the Pixel Watch 5. The smartwatch is expected to retain a design and display similar to the Pixel Watch 4, along with the same chipset and health sensors.
The biggest hardware changes could reportedly include slightly improved battery life and increased base storage, with the entry-level model potentially moving from 32GB to 64GB.
Instead of focusing heavily on hardware changes, Google appears to be putting greater emphasis on software and artificial intelligence. The company is expected to integrate Gemini AI more deeply into the Pixel Watch experience, potentially allowing the smartwatch to provide more proactive assistance and personalized information.
Leaked promotional material reportedly describes Gemini as being able to anticipate users’ needs and provide helpful information at the right time, signaling Google’s broader strategy of bringing AI deeper into its wearable ecosystem.
The Pixel Watch’s distinctive circular, dome-shaped appearance remains one of its defining characteristics. While the design gives the smartwatch a more traditional and premium watch-like appearance, its curved glass has also faced criticism because the lack of a prominent protective bezel can leave the screen more exposed to scratches and impacts.
Google is expected to reveal the Pixel Watch 5, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro Fold in greater detail during its August 12 hardware event.
