Google Pixel Watch to launch with older Samsung Exynos chipset predating the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic
While Google has finally confirmed plans to launch the Pixel Watch, the company has left plenty of details on the table for the time being. So far, Google has showcased the Pixel Watch's design, along with its intention to release the smartwatch this autumn alongside the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. In the meantime, Google will begin selling the Pixel 6a and the Pixel Buds Pro, both due to start shipping in July. Unfortunately, the Pixel Watch may not be the new start for the Wear OS platform that its design suggests.
According to 9to5Google, Google has equipped the Pixel Watch with the Exynos 9110, underlining earlier rumours. However, these rumours also claimed that Google would use a custom Exynos chipset, rather than the standard Exynos 9110. For reference, Samsung has since moved onto the Exynos W920 that powers the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic. While Samsung builds the Exynos 9110 on a narrower manufacturing process than the Snapdragon Wear 4100 and Snapdragon Wear 4100+ platforms, the SoC debuted in 2018 with the Galaxy Watch. Subsequently, Samsung retained the Exynos 9110 for all Galaxy Watch smartwatches up to the Galaxy Watch3.
Based on Samsung's marketing materials for the Exynos W920, the Pixel Watch will offer 20% worse CPU performance and 10x weaker graphics performance than the Exynos W920. Worse still, the Pixel Watch will likely compete against the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, not the Galaxy Watch4 or Galaxy Watch4 Classic. Presumably, Samsung will equip the Galaxy Watch5 series with a newer Exynos chipset, rather than re-using the Exynos W920. It remains to be seen whether Qualcomm will have its long-awaited Snapdragon Wear 5100 platform ready in time for this autumn too, which should also outperform the Exynos 9110.
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