Google and Qualcomm are fixing the worst thing about smartwatches

Google and Qualcomm are fixing the worst matter well-nigh smartwatches

James Tsai's concept design for the much rumored Pixel Watch

(Prototype credit: James Tsai)

Some of the best smartwatches for Android could get amend very before long. More specifically, smartwatches running Vesture OS are moving toward major bombardment life improvements with Qualcomm's help.

During the Qualcomm Habiliment Summit 2021, which nosotros attended virtually, Google's Björn Kilburn offered insights on the management of Wear Os smartwatches. Though in that location was no mention of the Google Pixel Watch, Kilburn said Google and Qualcomm are collaborating on an "ever-connected experience that extends bombardment life."

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When Google revealed the new Wearable OS at its I/O developers briefing before this year, the software promised impressive bombardment life among other sweeping upgrades. As it stands, most of the best smartwatches don't accident us away in terms of stamina — a slightly-abrasive setback compared to the best fitness trackers that we've learned to deal with.

Though the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 shipped with Wear OS, it didn't alive up to the battery life hype. In our testing, Samsung'south watch lasted about one day with normal use. So instead time to come Article of clothing OS smartwatches using a Qualcomm SoC could deliver the significant battery life improvements Google teased.

Co-ordinate to Kilburn, the Wear OS platform is on pace to notice success with "ultra-low-powered co-processors," or chipsets that offer superior bombardment life compared to some electric current smartwatches. Qualcomm's contemporary habiliment processor is the Snapdragon 4100/4100+, found in the small crop of smartwatches eligible to upgrade to the new Wear Bone sometime adjacent year including Fossil Gen 6.

Neither Google nor Qualcomm mentioned whether the Snapdragon 4100 or a dissimilar upcoming processor volition attain longer bombardment life ambitions. But information technology's apparent the start Wear OS device that lasts significantly longer betwixt charges is coming as the result of the companies working together.

Right now the all-time Fitbit and all-time Garmin watches perhaps provide the mainstream smartwatch market's top battery life estimates. The old brand operates nether Google, then it's possible the premiere Fitbit device running Clothing OS volition be long-lasting smartwatch nosotros've been waiting for. The Fitbit Sense already lasts up to vi days, only that's with limiting display settings and consequent GPS use. We'd really similar to encounter a smartwatch that lasts a full week with fewer limitations.

Kate Kozuch is a senior writer at Tom's Guide covering wearables, TVs and everything smart-home related. When she'southward not in cyborg mode, yous tin find her on an exercise bike or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot army volition dominion the world i solar day, but until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.