Google announced the new generation of its Pixel Watch 5 smartwatch during a Made by Google event in New York on August 12, 2026, alongside the Pixel 11 phones, with a clear focus on health and fitness tools. The watch introduces two new features for monitoring blood pressure and insulin resistance, which are typically not available in most smartwatches' health tracking tools. However, Google won't launch these features with the watch; instead, they will be introduced via a software update in September. These features come alongside a redesigned fitness experience that includes daily readiness assessments, deeper sleep analysis, and greater integration of the AI assistant Gemini.

Blood pressure and insulin resistance monitoring

The blood pressure monitoring feature aims to detect patterns and changes over time rather than relying on a single reading, which could help track gradual stress indicators on the heart. The insulin resistance tracking feature also focuses on monitoring changes and trends over a month-long period instead of providing a single reading. Google emphasizes that these features are intended for health and wellness purposes and are not meant to replace specialized medical measuring devices. Therefore, they should not be relied upon as a means of diagnosing health conditions. The Pixel Watch 5 also retains existing health features such as AFib detection, stress tracking, heart rate monitoring, SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) measurement, and respiratory rate.

Readiness assessment determines the level of exercise

Google has redesigned the fitness experience on the watch so that exercises begin with a Readiness Score, an assessment based on recovery data during sleep, which suggests whether the user is ready for an intense workout or needs to ease up. This score appears on the new Morning Brief screen, which also gathers sleep data and weather forecasts. Through the Google Health app, users can set up training sessions through more than 50 exercises, including running, swimming, hiking, strength training, HIIT workouts, basketball, and Pickleball.

September update adds more personalized training

Google is also scheduled to add the ability to create custom training circuits for strength training and HIIT in September, with the number of repetitions, weights, and rest periods specified. During exercise, the watch provides audio and visual guidance for each set and rest period, and allows you to adjust the number of repetitions or weight during the session itself. Outdoor exercises rely on dual-frequency GPS, which Google says is the most accurate in its watches so far, especially in places where signal strength is weak, such as tree-lined paths or areas between tall buildings. After completing a workout, the Key Metrics feature provides an analysis of performance and shows how close the user is to achieving a new personal record.

Gemini becomes an integral part of the watch

With Wear OS 7, the Gemini assistant is more present in the Pixel Watch experience. The assistant can understand the context of messages and automatically display related information; for example, if a friend asks you for a babysitter's number, the watch can show it automatically. Gemini can also display information such as flight status and important updates on the watch face, execute multi-step commands like searching for a nearby lunch spot and providing directions, and users can use voice commands to manage timers, alarms, and workouts even when the watch is offline due to the use of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chip, which provides 20% higher processing speed compared to the previous generation.

Pixel Watch 5 also focuses on sleep

The watch adds a range of new tools that make it more focused on tracking sleep. The Bedtime Automations feature automatically turns off music and silences notifications while preparing for bed. Google is working on the Sleep Breathing Quality feature, which analyzes minute changes in blood oxygen levels during the night and links breathing patterns to energy, recovery, and heart health indicators. The watch continues to divide sleep into wakefulness, REM, light, and deep sleep stages, then combines them into a Sleep Score. Meanwhile, the Smart Wake Alarms feature aims to wake users at the optimal moment within a pre-set period.

Storage capacity doubled

The Pixel Watch 5 has double the storage space compared to the Pixel Watch 4, along with hardware improvements. The battery capacity increases slightly to 465 mAh for the 45 mm model and 332 mAh for the 41 mm model. Despite the increased capacity, Google's battery life figures remain unchanged: up to 40 hours for the larger model and 30 hours for the smaller one with the screen always on. This increases to 72 and 48 hours respectively when power-saving mode is activated. The Quick Charge Dock charger can charge 50% of the battery in about 15 minutes, while a full charge takes around 60 minutes for the 45 mm model and 45 minutes for the 41 mm model.

Bright screen and water-resistant

The watch retains its curved Actua 360 display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5, with a maximum brightness of up to 3,000 nits. It maintains its water and dust resistance standards of 5 ATM and IP68. The watch strap has been updated by Google from fluoropolymer to HNBR material with a soft-touch layer. In the UK, the European Union, Switzerland, and Australia, Google has extended the warranty period to two years instead of one.

Emergency safety features

The Pixel Watch 5 also supports a range of safety tools, including satellite emergency calling in areas with no mobile network coverage. It includes Safety Check and Emergency Sharing features, fall detection, and car crash detection. The watch also supports Loss of Pulse Detection, which can automatically call emergency services if it detects a stopped heartbeat and the user does not respond. When paired with a Pixel phone, the watch can be used to remotely control the phone’s camera, lock the phone when out of reach, access Google Wallet, use offline maps, check calls, and control Nest cameras and doorbells.

New designs and colors

The 45mm version of the Pixel Watch 5 is available in Matte Black and Polished Silver, as well as a new color called Satin Pyrite with an Olive strap. The 41mm version adds Champagne Gold with a Canyon strap. Google has also introduced new watch faces, including a moving design called Weave and a Chronograph interface. It’s also possible to create custom watch faces using AI. Google is also collaborating with NBA star Stephen Curry to offer a special edition of the watch with an exclusive design and strap.

When will the Pixel Watch 5 be released?

Google has opened pre-orders for the Pixel Watch 5, which will be available in stores on August 20, 2026, along with the Pixel 11 phones. The most notable upgrades compared to the previous generation include double storage capacity, a faster chip, and a more advanced health and fitness experience that relies on data analysis rather than just recording. Google is placing some of its most advanced training and fitness analysis features behind a subscription to Google Health Premium, which uses Gemini to convert fitness, sleep, and period tracking data into training plans and recovery tips. Buyers of the watch will receive a three-month free subscription, after which it will cost $9.99 per month.