The Pixel Watch 5 isn’t much at a glance, until you get to ‘At a Glance’ [Hands-on]

Google unveiled the Pixel Watch 5 at the Made by Google 2026 event. This Wear OS device is visually similar to its predecessor but boasts internal hardware upgrades for enhanced help and health tracking. The standout software feature is At a Glance, which focuses on proactive suggestions and health monitoring. The Pixel Watch 5 maintains the same 12.3mm thickness and 320 PPI AMOLED LTPO screen, now with up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness.

Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chip, the device experiences a 20% speed boost thanks to improved CPU processing power, increased RAM, and the addition of a dual-chip (M55 co-processor) architecture. Storage is expanded to 64 GB, enabling on-device AI features. The Pixel Watch 5 introduces new AI capabilities, such as Proactive Suggestions, faster smart replies, and Gemini app updates with Neural Expressive and Personal Intelligence integration.

Offline Gemini commands allow the device to perform tasks like setting timers and alarms without a phone or internet connection. The "At a Glance" surface at the bottom of the watch provides real-time content and notifications, making it easier to glance at important information. The Pixel Watch 5 also features new watch faces, complications, and generative UI options.

Health improvements include 2x more accurate route tracking and a new Bedtime Automation feature. Google has also introduced Smart Wake Alarms and revamped Morning Brief functionality. Health Guardian, a term encompassing various health monitoring features, includes new capabilities like Breathing Emergency Detection and improved sleep stage tracking. The Pixel Watch 5 is priced at $399.