Google has just pulled the wraps off the Pixel Watch 5 alongside the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Here are nine things you need to know about Google’s new smartwatch…
1. It can call an ambulance if you stop breathing
The headline feature is Breathing Emergency Detection. The Pixel Watch 5 uses its PPG sensor, accelerometer and barometer, plus on-device AI, to watch for severe, sustained drops in blood oxygen.
If it spots one and you’re unresponsive, it can call emergency services itself and send your exact location. Google calls it an industry first, and it’s launching in Europe before anywhere else (for once).
It’s a game-changing move, and goes beyond the typical heart rate and fall detection alerts. Smartwatches have been edging into medical territory for years, and this feels like yet another step into “your smartwatch might save your life” territory.
2. Health tracking is more serious
Google’s adding a blood pressure trends feature and an insulin resistance trend tracker. Both are built on what it calls Health Foundation Models, trained on sensor data from opted-in users.
Neither replaces a medical device, obvs, and Google is pitching both firmly as general wellness tools rather than diagnostic ones.
3. Sleep tracking is more accurate
We love a good sleep tracker here at Stuff, and Google claims the Pixel Watch 5 is 15% more accurate when it comes to sleep stage detection.
There are also bedtime automations that pause your audiobook when you nod off, and a Smart Wake alarm that nudges you awake during a lighter sleep phase.
4. GPS accuracy gets a boost
Google claims the Pixel Watch 5 is twice as accurate as before in tricky spots like dense cities and covered trails. It’s also says it beats the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro on route tracking, which is an impressive claim indeed.
We’ll be keen to test these out once we get our review units.
5. Gemini is baked in
It wouldn’t be a 2026 Google release if it didn’t talk about Gemini. We Raise to Talk is faster and now works offline for core tasks like timers and workouts.
There’s also a new proactive suggestions feature, so if someone texts asking about dinner plans, the Pixel Watch 5 digs the reservation out of Gmail and surfaces it without you lifting a finger.
6. There’s new hardware behind it all
The Pixel Watch 5 features a new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip, 50-percent more RAM, and a 12-percent CPU bump add up to 20-percent faster performance overall.
7. The design stays the same
The design is unchanged, with a 3,000-nit Actua 360 display. That’s no bad thing, as the Pixel Watch 4 looked great.
There are three new colourways including Fog, Canyon and a Pyrite-cased Olive, plus a Stephen Curry Special Edition.
8. Battery life
The Pixel Watch 5 battery life is up to 30 hours on the 41mm model, and up to 40 hours on the larger 45mm model.
9. Price and availability
Pre-orders open today, priced from US$399 / £399 for the 41mm and US$429 / £429 for the 45mm.
It hits shelves on 20 August. The Stephen Curry edition is US$579 / £579, arriving 3 September.
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