Pixel Watch 5: A Pricier Google Smartwatch With Bigger Ambitions
The Pixel Watch 5 is Google’s upcoming smartwatch, expected to launch alongside the Pixel 11 smartphones and to arrive in two sizes with Wi‑Fi and LTE variants, higher pricing than its predecessor, new connectivity features, and fresh case finishes positioned toward the premium end of the smartwatch market.
The headline news is not that Google has another watch, but that the Pixel Watch 5 price is going up—and Google seems comfortable with that. A price bump of around EUR 20 across the lineup compared with the Pixel Watch 4 is being widely tipped, suggesting a deliberate push into more premium territory rather than a minor tweak. At the same time, the device has appeared in the Google Play Console Supported Devices list under the marketing name “Pixel Watch 5,” confirming it as a core part of the next Google smartwatch launch rather than a side experiment. In other words, Google is staking a bigger claim in the high-end smartwatch space and expecting buyers to follow.
Launch Timing and Leaks: Google Isn’t Hiding Its Confidence
Google has already confirmed that its next Made by Google event will be held on 12th August 2026, where the Pixel Watch 5 is expected to share the stage with the Pixel 11 series smartphones. That timing matters: pairing a new Google smartwatch launch with flagship phones turns the watch into a headline act rather than an accessory. The listing of “Pixel Watch 5” on the Google Play Console Supported Devices list, under the device code “godric_btwifi,” all but locks in its near-term arrival and signals that software support is already being lined up.
Leaks are doing much of the marketing already. European pricing and colour options have surfaced ahead of the official announcement, giving buyers a clear picture of where the watch sits in the broader smartwatch pricing 2026 landscape. One quotable takeaway is: “The 41 mm Wi‑Fi model is tipped to carry a starting price of EUR 419 (about USD 399 or £369), while its LTE variant could be priced at EUR 519 (about USD 499 or £469).” Google appears unbothered by these early reveals, which suggests a quiet confidence in the product and its positioning.
Pixel Watch 5 Price: How Much More and For What?
This is where the Pixel Watch 5 price story gets concrete. Leaks indicate that the 41 mm Wi‑Fi model will start at EUR 419 (about USD 399 or £369), which is EUR 20 more than the equivalent Pixel Watch 4 variant. The 41 mm LTE version is tipped to cost EUR 519 (about USD 499 or £469). The larger 45 mm Pixel Watch 5 is said to start at EUR 449 (about USD 429 or £399) for the Wi‑Fi model, while the LTE variant could be priced at EUR 549 (about USD 529 or £499). In USD terms, those figures translate to USD 399 (approx. RM1,840), USD 499 (approx. RM2,300), USD 429 (approx. RM1,980), and USD 529 (approx. RM2,440) respectively.
On paper, a EUR 20 hike across the lineup might look modest, but it is intentional. It pushes every variant deeper into premium territory, narrowing the gap with top-tier rivals and leaving less room for “budget flagship” expectations. The leaked pricing also tightens the ladder between sizes and connectivity options: each step up—bigger case, LTE instead of Wi‑Fi—comes with a clear, predictable surcharge. That kind of structured pricing says Google wants buyers to see the watch as a calibrated, premium purchase instead of something you pick up on discount alongside a phone.
Design, Colours and Specs: Where the Extra Money Is Going
If Google is asking for more, the Pixel Watch 5 specs and design need to justify it. The watch is expected to come in two sizes—41 mm and 45 mm—with different but overlapping colour options. The 41 mm model could arrive in Dark Anthracite, Natural Silver, Pyrite, and Warm Gold, while the 45 mm model is tipped to offer Dark Anthracite, Natural Silver, and Pyrite. The Dark Anthracite and Pyrite variants are said to feature satin finishes, whereas Natural Silver and Warm Gold are reportedly polished metal. This mix of finishes signals a clear push toward a more jewellery-like, premium look rather than a purely fitness-first aesthetic.
Under the surface, the watch is likely to support LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and ultra‑wideband (UWB) connectivity. Rumours also point to Qualcomm’s next‑generation Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset powering the device, which would position it as a performance-forward Google smartwatch. These additions matter. UWB opens up tighter integration with other devices and more precise location features, while a newer chipset promises better responsiveness and battery efficiency. Rising component costs are already cited as a reason buyers “may probably have to be prepared for increased pricing this time,” but Google is not just passing through costs—it is using them to justify a more capable, more premium Pixel Watch.
Is the Price Hike Justified—and What Comes Next?
The uncomfortable truth is that smartwatch pricing 2026 is drifting upward, and the Pixel Watch 5 is a clear example. When compared with the Pixel Watch 4, a price hike of around EUR 20 is expected across the lineup, and leaks explicitly suggest Google could increase prices for all variants. Given the likely addition of UWB, broader connectivity, and a next‑generation Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, the strategy is obvious: push the Pixel Watch 5 closer to the premium segment instead of chasing value alone.
Whether that move resonates will depend on how well the watch performs in everyday use and how tightly it integrates with the wider Pixel ecosystem. For now, the leaks set the stage: a more expensive, more ambitious Google smartwatch launch on 12th August 2026, with more details expected in the coming days as further updates surface about the device. The conclusion is simple: if you want a cheaper Google watch, you may need to look to older models or discounts. The Pixel Watch 5, as currently tipped, is unapologetically premium—and priced to match.
