It is stated that Google is preparing to produce its own special processor for the Pixel Watch 5 model, which it plans to launch in 2026. According to information leaked from the company’s internal sources, this Tensor processor, codenamed “NPT”, will use a structure containing ARM Cortex-A78 and two Cortex-A55 cores. It is thought that choosing these older generation cores is done to optimize battery life and energy efficiency, especially in wearable technologies.
Blockages in the chip supply chain, which has been a problem for Android device manufacturers for a long time, give rise to Google’s desire to develop its own solution in this area. Until now, Google’s Pixel Watch series used processors from third-party manufacturers such as Samsung and Qualcomm. However, it is stated that this dependence limits the pace of original development of Google’s Wear OS platform. In this regard, it is stated that the company aims for higher performance and efficiency with a processor specifically adapted to its needs.
Google aims to strengthen in the smart watch market
It is important for Google to make strong moves in terms of hardware in order to compete with its major competitors such as Samsung and Apple in the smart watch market. Pixel Watch 5 with the new Tensor processor, expected to be introduced in 2026, may mark Google’s transition to an innovation-oriented period in the wearable technology ecosystem. With this processor, the company aims to make the Wear OS platform more stable and improve the user experience. For example, such customized processors, which provide lower power consumption in wearable devices, can extend the battery life of the watch while also making features such as health and fitness tracking more efficient.
The Wear OS 3 platform, launched in 2021 in cooperation with Google and Samsung, put pressure on processor manufacturers such as Qualcomm and increased the performance expectations of wearable devices. However, Qualcomm’s late introduction of innovations, especially in the Snapdragon Wear series, made it difficult for Android smart watches to compete with rivals such as Apple. Google’s development of a special chip could be a big step towards closing this gap.
On the other hand, it has not yet been announced which production technology this chip will use. It is stated that Google will switch to TSMC’s advanced 3nm manufacturing process in the next generation Tensor chips in Pixel phones. Similarly, a production process that will provide high efficiency may be preferred for the Tensor processor to be developed for Pixel Watch 5.
This move by Google is expected to improve users’ smartwatch experiences as well as strengthen the Android-based wearable device ecosystem. Although not all the details about this processor have been clarified, Google having more control over its own hardware ecosystem could help it gain a competitive position in the industry.