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Yet another (poorly kept) Google secret is spoiled by an ultra-high-quality Pixel Watch 5 leak

While most Pixel Watch 5 specs and features remain under wraps, the design and color options of Google's impending smartwatch are basically an open book now.

Leaked Google Pixel Watch 5 image in Dark Anthracite color
The Pixel Watch 5 is undoubtedly coming soon with a rather familiar design. | Image by TheTideChart
Compared to the Pixel 11 handset family, Google's next-gen Apple Watch alternative obviously has significantly less attention on it in anticipation of an August 12 launch event, which might explain why the Pixel Watch 5 has made so few headlines over the last couple of months.

But now that the Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold are as transparent as glass in so many key ways, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that the Pixel Watch 4's sequel is also stepping into the limelight and trying to build a little buzz (likely without Google's approval or knowledge) in a bunch of high-res and undoubtedly legit press-friendly renders.

Two sizes, four colors, more than a dozen different models


You didn't really buy that wild theory from a couple of weeks ago that the Pixel Watch 5 had no Wi-Fi-only variants in the pipeline, right? Well, if you did, it's time to put all such speculation to rest and expect Google's next big in-house timepiece to be released both with and without standalone cellular connectivity in 41 and 45mm case sizes.


The bad news is that, unlike the Apple Watch Series 11 (and, presumably, the Series 12 too), the Pixel Watch 5 is still widely expected to settle for 4G LTE speeds in its cellular-enabled models, and given the product's branding, the lack of 5G support feels like an inexplicably missed opportunity and a major unforced error on Google's part.

For what it's worth, the chromatic variety looks pretty great, both on paper and in actual images that make the Pixel Watch 5 shine (both literally and figuratively speaking) with a Warm Gold case and coral band, as well as in a Pyrite (read gold-like yellow) hue with an olive strap. The other two color combinations are not bad or ugly by any means either, pairing a Dark Anthracite case with a black band and a Natural Silver case with a pale gray (that almost looks light blue to me) strap.

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In total, that's four (interesting) color options, but if you consider the 4G LTE-capable and Wi-Fi-only variants, as well as the 41 and 45mm case sizes, you might get to choose between up to 16 different Pixel Watch 5 models soon. Then again, the beautiful Warm Gold shade is currently tipped to be available exclusively in a small size, so that (and other such possible restrictions) may considerably reduce the final number of models.

How exactly will the Pixel Watch 5 stand out from its predecessor?


That, I'm afraid, remains completely under wraps for now, as the design of this "new" smartwatch strikes me as virtually identical to that of last year's Pixel Watch 4 at first glance.


There are no words on Pixel Watch 5 specs today either, so I'm left hoping that Google will somehow find a way to improve battery life without negatively impacting the wearable's dimensions and weight or perhaps even increase the screen size while keeping the overall product measurements unchanged.

I know, I know, that all sounds super-unlikely (because it's the result of my wishful thinking rather than any credible rumors or leaks), but what's definitely possible (albeit also not guaranteed just yet) is an overall performance improvement thanks to a "new wearable-class Tensor chip" replacing the old Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor under the Pixel Watch 4's hood.

What about prices?


Unfortunately, that's the worst part about the Pixel Watch 5, at least based on a recent report that suggested the starting price could go up to $399 in the US.


The most affordable Pixel Watch 4 model, remember, typically costs just $349 stateside, and unlike in the smartphone market, price hikes haven't become the norm in the wearable industry yet.

Between this and Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 family, however, that could change in the very near future, although if the Apple Watch Series 12 doesn't follow suit in the fall, Wear OS devices might find themselves in even more serious trouble than they're currently experiencing.
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