Qualcomm Technologies has announced its next-generation wearable chipsets, the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, bringing major improvements in performance, efficiency, and connectivity for upcoming smartwatches. Most notably, this marks the first time wearable platforms support satellite communication, opening new possibilities for safety and always-available connectivity.
First Satellite-Enabled Smartwatch Platforms
Both chipsets integrate support for Skylo’s Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Network (NB-NTN). This enables two-way emergency messaging directly from a smartwatch, even in areas without cellular coverage—letting users send SOS alerts or critical updates when traveling in remote locations such as mountains or offshore zones.
Two Variants for Different Needs
Qualcomm is offering two platform options:
- W5+ Gen 2 – includes a dedicated ultra-low-power co-processor for background tasks like notifications, sensors, GPS, and audio. This helps maximize efficiency and extends battery life.
- W5 Gen 2 – a more streamlined variant without the co-processor, aimed at compact, thin wearable designs.
Both chips are built on a 4nm process, striking a balance between performance and energy savings.
Key Improvements Over Previous Generation
- Smarter GPS Tracking – Qualcomm’s new Location Machine Learning 3.0 improves accuracy by up to 50% in challenging environments such as city blocks or canyons.
- Slimmer Designs & Lower Power Use – the updated RF front-end module is about 20% smaller and consumes less energy, enabling thinner smartwatches with longer battery life.
- Advanced Background Processing – the co-processor (W5+ Gen 2) now supports Wi-Fi, GNSS, and audio in ultra-low-power states, including Deep Sleep and Hibernate.
- Hybrid Task Management – display, notifications, sensor input, and audio tasks can be offloaded to reduce load on the main CPU.
- Wear OS Optimization – designed in close partnership with Google, ensuring seamless integration with the latest Wear OS features, multi-device experiences, and improved power management.
Hardware Specifications
- CPU: Up to 1.7 GHz
- GPU: Adreno A702, 1 GHz, 2.5D graphics, OpenGL ES 3.1
- Memory: LPDDR4 (2133 MHz, 16-bit)
- Storage: eMMC (up to 4.5 GB)
- Connectivity: LTE, Wi-Fi 4 (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC (via partner)
- Location Support: NB-NTN satellite, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou with dual-band (L1/L5)
- Camera/ISP: Qualcomm Spectra ISP with EIS 3.0, MFNR, dual-lane DPHY/CPHY support
- Security: Qualcomm Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) 4.0.5
Availability
The first device powered by the new platform is the Google Pixel Watch 4, set to debut with Snapdragon W5 Gen 2. More Wear OS devices from Qualcomm partners are expected to roll out later this year.