I think the Pixel Watch 5 proves hardware upgrades are dead, but honestly, I'm not sad about it

By Mariyan Slavov · Senior Reviews Writer

Published: Aug 13, 2026, 5:55 AM

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Google didn't break a sweat with the Pixel Watch 5, just like this PR athlete above. | Image by Google

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Google lifted the curtain before the latest iteration of the Pixel Watch during yesterday's Made by Google event. It's been a long time coming, but I think that we've finally reached the end of hardware upgrades as a big thing in tech. And the Pixel Watch 5 draws the demarcation line

The Pixel Watch 5 is almost identical to the Pixel Watch 4

Google's own comparison tool doesn't show many differences between the new Pixel Watch 5 and its predecessor. | Image by Google

Let's get to the point. This new smartwatch not only looks identical to its predecessor, but it's almost exactly the same — inside and out. I kind of knew this already from all the leaks and rumors surrounding every tech event nowadays, but to get the press materials and write the news piece about the launch was eye-opening.

There still are a couple of upgrades on this watch compared to the previous generation. The biggest one, in my opinion, is the doubled internal storage — from 32GB on the Pixel Watch 4 to 64GB on the new model.

The Pixel Watch 5 looks identical to its predecessor. There aren't many differences on the inside either. | Image by Google

The Snapdragon chip inside is slightly overclocked, bearing the label "accelerated," and the batteries inside both variants are ever so slightly larger — 10 mAh bigger in the 45 mm version and 7 mAh bigger in the smaller, 41 mm model.

I'm not sure such a minuscule difference even qualifies as an upgrade, as it could very well be within the margin of error when rating these batteries.

Google also said the Pixel Watch 5 has 50% more RAM, but given the Pixel Watch 4 came out with 2GB of RAM, this equals 3GB for the new watch. It's still something, but 50% more sounds much better on paper.

Finally, Google boasts a new and improved GPS system, but at the core of it lies a sophisticated AI algorithm and GPS data from Google's stations around the world.

Would you buy the Pixel Watch 5?

People are upset with the Pixel Watch 5

I was disappointed initially, just like most of the users on the PixelWatch subreddit forum. People call the Pixel Watch 5 "basically a variant of the 4 with a bit more RAM" and also "embarrassing" for Google to call it a new model.

I don't think in the history of technology there was a smaller upgrade than the 4 to the 5. The 5 is basically a variant of the 4 with a bit more RAM

- Reddit user noamm12

Some people used the comparison tool on Google's store page and found no difference, while others pointed out that this never-ending cycle of new devices every year is not only irrelevant for most users but also hurting the planet.

Compare the 4 and 5 on their store tool…. There’s literally no difference

- Reddit user lazzzym

I'm onboard with all this and share the same sentiment. I don't think people need new models every year, especially when it comes to smartwatches. We've seen the same trend with smartphones — the last couple of Galaxy S series devices offered incremental hardware upgrades and made fans angry as well.

Same chip, same case, a bit more battery, a bit more RAM. None of that is worth a new product. They're shipping it to keep the yearly cadence, the same as the Pixel 11, and the cost is a pile of perfectly good watches that aren't even a year old going into drawers or the landfill, plus more silicon pointed at AI that Google burns endless water and power on so it can tell you your sleep was bad and your resting heart rate is a little lower than last week

- Reddit user Leliana403

The end of hardware upgrades as we know them

Samsing did a classic Apple move with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. | Image by PhoneArena

To be honest, this thought occurred in my head when Samsung launched a "new color" for the Galaxy Watch Ultra last year and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 doing the same a year earlier. But the Pixel Watch 5 took that thought, put it into a frame, and nailed it to the wall inside my mind.

The thing is, we don't need most of these hardware upgrades anyway. Companies are stuck in a vicious cycle of launching new processors and GPUs, new graphics-heavy UIs to use the power of these chips, and new displays that are XX percent brighter.

At this point it's diminishing returns. People don't understand you're not supposed to upgrade these devices yearly. Some people need an upgrade after, like, 4 years, and some don't if they got a previous model.

- Reddit user Smallville456

When in reality, most of these upgrades don't translate into real-world experience. I have a Huawei Mate 20 Pro from 2018 with a broken bootloader (I tinkered with it, I admit). This phone hasn't received any updates in the past 8 years, and it works as fast, or even faster than some of the modern flagships.

I digressed. I think tech companies do understand the shift that's happening. They'll try to keep going with this "new model every year" scheme as long as they can, because revenue forecasts depend on it.

I'm not sad about the new status quo

Cool marketing shot, but it probably won't make people buy the Pixel Watch 5. | Image by Google

I think the market will self-regulate. People will just skip these irrelevant models and upgrade when they feel it's really necessary. With the current state of the global economy and the ongoing chip shortage, people are inclined to hold on to their devices as long as they can.

Pixel Watch owners as far back as models 2 and 3 are skipping the latest model, waiting for the Pixel Watch 6 and more substantial changes.

Let's also not forget the longer support cycles most flagship smartwatches and phones get nowadays. With the hardware capable enough and upgrades mostly in the software department now, all new features should trickle down to older devices with updates anyway.

The smartwatch as a service

Everything could be a subscription service nowadays, even groceries. | Image by Serious Eats

This all points toward the smartphone or smartwatch as a service — a business model that's been in place in many other areas, mostly software distribution, but also pretty much everything subscription-based — Netflix, Spotify, even including physical goods, such as groceries.

This shift won't be easy; there are too many players involved. But I think it will happen sooner or later. What about the Pixel Watch 5 then? Is it a good buy, or should you skip it?

It's a great first Pixel Watch, and maybe a good upgrade if you own the first or the second generation. In all other cases, there's little to no reason to upgrade.

Read more about the Pixel Watch 5 and other smartwatch news here:

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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.

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