Tech outlet Android Authority revealed in a July 15 blog post that Google's upcoming Pixel Watch 4 will retain Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor, the same chipset powering its predecessor. The smartwatch will debut in two case sizes—41mm and 45mm—both featuring significantly enhanced battery capacities.

Internal codenames surfaced for the variants: "kenari" (FK23) designates the 45mm edition, while "meridian" (FKE23) identifies the smaller 41mm model. Battery upgrades prove substantial, with the compact version jumping from 307mAh to 327mAh—a 7% surge. Meanwhile, the larger model leaps from 420mAh to 459mAh, marking a robust 9% capacity boost.

Though the chipset reuse might initially disappoint enthusiasts, industry analysis suggests strategic necessity. Qualcomm's next-generation "sw6100" wearable platform promises notable advancements but remains under development. Alternatively, adopting Samsung's Exynos chips would demand considerable adaptation efforts—a questionable investment given Google's rumored transition to proprietary wearable silicon slated for 2025. This calculated conservatism balances immediate performance needs against impending architectural shifts in Google's hardware roadmap.