Pixel Watch 5 model confusion explained

Plus, one possible upgrade seems denied

It’s no surprise that the Pixel Watch 5 is on the way. It’s been leaked in a few ways already (including one supposedly found at the bottom of the sea).

Now, Google’s upcoming flagship smartwatch has been submitted to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), but it brings with it some level of confusion.

The device appearing in the regular way helps to confirm that the Pixel Watch 5 is coming soon. It’s been seen there under the model numbers G25QD, G1XJ6, G0F3Y, and GFW3R – previously confirmed via BIS listing – and are all listed as a ‘wireless device’.

That’s all well and good since we’re expecting the usual set of four wearables: two sizes and a choice of connectivity.

This is where the confusion comes in, because the FCC listings state that all four models have LTE (4G) as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This implies there will be no cheaper Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-only configuration like normal.

While there’s some debate about whether Google is making some other Pro or Ultra model to go alongside this Pixel Watch 5, I think things are a lot less complicated than that.

Sorry to be boring, but this listing is most likely due to the fact that all Pixel Watch 5 models will be manufactured with the same internals. So, the circuit board has a modem capable of 4G connectivity, but it’s simply switched off at firmware level before it leaves the factory.

It’s a little bit like how some vehicles leave the factory with a speed limiter because of their intended use. It’s still theoretically capable of a higher speed, with the same engine underneath, but has been modified.

There’s bigger news here

Perhaps the bigger revelation here is that the Pixel Watch 5 won’t be upgraded to 5G to match the likes of the Apple Watch Series 11.

To unpack a little further, this might be curious because upcoming smartwatches in 2026 are due to come with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite chipset, which does have 5G RedCap. This may well power a key rival, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 series, but that’s also expected to be limited to 4G LTE.

The likely reason is that in the midst of the memory crisis, causing the price of tech to rise significantly, the cost of upgrading these devices to 5G isn’t worth it – particularly when most of the target market won’t notice or value the benefit.

Instead, they may simply be buying a cheaper version to protect the profit margin.

We shouldn’t have too long to wait until we find out, since the Pixel Watch 5 is due to launch in August alongside the Pixel 11 phones and Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy Watch 9 series, along with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, on 22 July at its rumoured Unpacked event.