# Pixel Watch 5 Leak Indicates Google May Emulate Samsung Instead of Taking Risks with RISC-V or Reverting to Qualcomm
As the smartwatch industry undergoes transformation, Google confronts an important choice concerning the hardware for its forthcoming Pixel Watch 5, anticipated to debut in 2026. A recent leak implies that Google might decide to align with Samsung’s approach by utilizing Arm-based Tensor chips, rather than pursuing more experimental or high-stakes options such as RISC-V or returning to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear lineup. This choice could significantly affect the trajectory of Wear OS and Google’s standing in the fiercely competitive wearable technology landscape.
## The Three Possible Directions for Pixel Watch Hardware
Google has three main avenues for the Pixel Watch 5’s hardware:
1. **Arm-powered Tensor chips**: This option entails employing similar Arm cores as those utilized in Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7, which is driven by the Exynos W1000 SoC.
2. **RISC-V architecture**: Serving as an open-source substitute to Arm, RISC-V presents potential advantages in performance and efficiency but also comes with considerable technical and political challenges.
3. **Qualcomm’s Oryon-powered Snapdragon Wear**: Qualcomm’s next-generation wearable chips, expected to arrive in 2025 and potentially featuring custom Oryon cores, could provide a noteworthy alternative to Arm-based solutions.
While each alternative has its strengths and weaknesses, the leaked intel hints that Google is favoring the first option: following Samsung’s model with Arm-powered Tensor chips. Although this route may be safer, it might let down those who were anticipating more innovative developments in the smartwatch sector.
## The Case for RISC-V: Advantages and Challenges
RISC-V is an open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) that has gained recognition for its capacity to deliver improved performance and efficiency compared to conventional Arm cores. By assigning distinct instructions for each task, RISC-V can enhance local processing speeds, making it an appealing choice for niche platforms like wearables.
Should Google decide to develop a custom Tensor chip utilizing RISC-V, it could provide the Pixel Watch 5 with a distinctive advantage over rivals like Samsung, which depends on its own Exynos technology. The modularity and open-source attributes of RISC-V also liberate companies from Arm’s licensing costs, potentially leading to lower expenses.
Nevertheless, substantial difficulties accompany RISC-V. As Qualcomm’s VP of wearables, Dino Bekis, noted in a recent conversation, while the creation of RISC-V hardware can be relatively easy, crafting the specialized software instructions essential for optimizing functionality is a far more intricate endeavor. This might prolong the development timeline and complicate Google’s ability to launch a refined product.
Moreover, RISC-V’s open-source characteristics have sparked worries regarding its prospective usage by Chinese firms to bypass U.S. export restrictions. A U.S. House subcommittee has suggested that the Department of Commerce evaluate whether RISC-V poses a threat to national security. In light of the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, Google may conclude that the dangers associated with RISC-V exceed its possible advantages.
## Qualcomm’s Oryon: A Promising Yet Uncertain Outlook
Qualcomm has been a significant contributor to the Wear OS ecosystem, with its Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip powering the Pixel Watch 2 and 3. The company is developing its next-gen wearable chips, which may include custom Oryon cores aimed at delivering enhanced performance and battery longevity.
Qualcomm’s Oryon cores, which were introduced in the Snapdragon 8 Elite for PCs, are anticipated to be made smaller for mobile devices and wearables. Qualcomm has high aspirations for its upcoming chips, targeting “a week’s worth of battery life” for Wear OS gadgets. If they succeed, Oryon-powered chips could emerge as strong contenders for future Pixel Watches.
However, Qualcomm is currently caught in a legal dispute with Arm regarding its use of Nuvia’s custom designs, which might jeopardize its Oryon plans. Should Arm prevail in the lawsuit, Qualcomm could be compelled to relinquish its custom cores, leaving Google with limited choices for its wearable hardware.
## The Secure Option: Arm-Powered Tensor Chips
Given the uncertainties surrounding both RISC-V and Qualcomm’s Oryon, it is reasonable for Google to consider taking a conservative approach by opting for Arm-powered Tensor chips for the Pixel Watch 5. The leak suggests that the 2026 Pixel Watch could incorporate a custom Tensor chip featuring one ARM Cortex-A78 core and two ARM Cortex-A55 cores, likely fabricated using a 3nm process.
This strategy would replicate Samsung’s approach with the Galaxy Watch 7, which utilizes a 3nm Exynos chip comprising one Cortex-A78 core and four Cortex-A55 cores. While this configuration would endow the Pixel Watch 5 with decent capabilities, it could already be regarded as outdated upon its release, especially since Samsung is expected to transition to more advanced chips by then.
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