Latest news with #wearable
Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Google Pixel Watch 4: The Full Scoop Before the AugustLaunch
The Google Pixel Watch 4, launching alongside the Pixel 10 series, introduces a range of practical updates designed to enhance usability and convenience. While it doesn't aim to transform the smartwatch market, it refines critical aspects such as battery life, charging efficiency, and design flexibility. These updates align with Google's strategy of delivering steady, incremental improvements, making sure to provide a polished and dependable wearable experience for users. Watch this video on YouTube. Enhanced Design and Size Variants The Pixel Watch 4 offers two distinct size options to accommodate varying preferences and wrist sizes: The 41 mm model, codenamed 'Meridian.' The 45 mm model, referred to as 'Canari.' Both models are available in LTE and Wi-Fi-only configurations, allowing users to select the option that best suits their connectivity needs. The design retains Google's signature minimalist aesthetic, making sure the watch remains lightweight and comfortable for extended wear. These size and connectivity options make the Pixel Watch 4 a versatile choice for a diverse range of users, from fitness enthusiasts to professionals seeking a sleek, everyday wearable. Reliable Performance with Snapdragon W5 Gen1 For the third consecutive year, the Pixel Watch series is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen1 processor. While some anticipated a shift to newer chipsets, Google has chosen to prioritize consistency and reliability. The Snapdragon W5 Gen1 continues to deliver efficient performance, supporting essential features such as fitness tracking, app usage, and notifications without compromising battery life. This decision reflects Google's focus on providing a dependable user experience rather than pursuing dramatic hardware changes. Battery Life and Charging Improvements Battery performance remains a critical factor for any smartwatch, and the Pixel Watch 4 introduces notable enhancements in this area: The 41 mm model now features a 327 mAh battery, offering a 7% increase in capacity compared to its predecessor's 300 mAh battery. The 45 mm model sees a 9% boost, with its battery capacity increasing from 420 mAh to 459 mAh. These upgrades translate to longer usage times, reducing the need for frequent recharging. Additionally, the Pixel Watch 4 is expected to feature faster charging capabilities, though specific details on charging speeds have not yet been disclosed. These improvements aim to make the watch more convenient for daily use, making sure it can keep up with the demands of modern lifestyles. Connectivity Options for Every Lifestyle The Pixel Watch 4 offers two connectivity configurations to cater to different user needs: The LTE model enables users to stay connected even when their smartphone is out of reach, making it ideal for those with active, on-the-go lifestyles. The Wi-Fi-only model is better suited for users who primarily rely on their smartwatch within the range of their smartphone or Wi-Fi networks. These options ensure the Pixel Watch 4 remains adaptable, providing flexibility for a variety of usage scenarios. Whether you need standalone connectivity or prefer a more traditional smartwatch experience, the Pixel Watch 4 delivers. Future Prospects: Custom Chip Development Google is reportedly working on a custom chip for its wearables, with a potential release as early as 2026. This development could signify a major shift in Google's approach to smartwatch hardware, similar to the success of its Tensor chips in smartphones. A custom chip could enable enhanced performance, improved battery efficiency, and seamless hardware-software integration, unlocking new possibilities for the Pixel Watch lineup. While this innovation remains on the horizon, it highlights Google's commitment to advancing its wearable technology in meaningful ways. Balancing Performance and Efficiency Despite the absence of a new processor, the Snapdragon W5 Gen1 remains a capable and efficient choice for the Pixel Watch 4. Its proven performance ensures the smartwatch can handle everyday tasks without significant battery drain. This approach aligns with Google's broader strategy of prioritizing incremental, user-focused improvements over dramatic changes. By maintaining a balance between performance and efficiency, the Pixel Watch 4 continues to deliver a reliable and consistent experience for users. A Steady Step Forward The Google Pixel Watch 4 may not aim to redefine the smartwatch landscape, but it offers practical enhancements that improve the overall user experience. With increased battery capacity, faster charging, and flexible design options, it caters to a wide range of users. While the processor remains unchanged, its reliability ensures consistent performance for everyday use. As Google explores the potential of custom chip development for future wearables, the Pixel Watch 4 represents a thoughtful and dependable evolution in the Pixel Watch series. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on Google Pixel Watch 4. Source & Image Credit: Demon's Tech Filed Under: Android News, Gadgets News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Flexible AI-Powered Skin Patches Transform Disease Detection and Management
The global wearable electronic skin patches market is rapidly growing, propelled by breakthroughs in flexible electronics and AI integration, responding to surges in demand for continuous health monitoring. As these patches transition from experimental to mainstream healthcare solutions, they're crucial in tackling global health challenges like chronic diseases and aging populations. AI and IoMT integration are enhancing the predictive capabilities of these patches, making them transformative healthcare tools. However, challenges like data privacy and regulatory standards remain. Despite these, the market is poised for extensive growth driven by innovations in materials and AI analytics, promising a shift towards personalized medicine. The report delves into these dynamics, offering insights into technology trends, applications, and strategic market opportunities. Dublin, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Electronic Skin Patches Market 2026-2036" report has been added to offering. The global wearable electronic skin patches market is experiencing major growth, driven by revolutionary advances in flexible electronics, artificial intelligence integration, and an increasing demand for continuous health monitoring solutions. This growth trajectory reflects the technology's transition from experimental devices to mainstream healthcare solutions addressing critical global health challenges. The market expansion is fuelled by multiple converging factors, including the aging global population, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and increasing healthcare costs that demand remote monitoring solutions. The diabetes management segment holds a dominant presence in the market, with electronic skin patches offering continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin patch pumps that sense excess glucose in sweat and automatically administer drugs. This application alone represents the largest single market segment, reflecting the urgent need for non-invasive diabetes management solutions. The cardiovascular monitor segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period due to its thin, stretchable, and flexible properties that enable continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and other essential vital signs. This growth is supported by increasing awareness of cardiovascular diseases and the need for early detection systems. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms is transforming electronic skin patches from simple monitoring devices into predictive healthcare platforms. These advanced systems can analyze patterns in physiological data to provide early warning systems for medical emergencies, optimize treatment protocols, and enable personalized medicine approaches. The convergence with Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) platforms is creating comprehensive health ecosystems that connect patients, healthcare providers, and medical institutions in real-time. The future landscape promises even more revolutionary applications as the technology matures. Emerging areas include mental health monitoring through stress biomarkers, environmental exposure assessment, and integration with augmented reality systems for enhanced user experiences. The electrochemical sensors segment accounts for the largest market share of 40.9% in 2023, valued for their accuracy, reliability, and ability to deliver personalized health insights. The market faces challenges including data privacy concerns, regulatory compliance requirements, and the need for standardization across platforms. However, these obstacles are being addressed through improved encryption technologies, streamlined regulatory pathways, and industry collaboration on technical standards. Looking ahead, the electronic skin patches market is positioned for sustained growth, with innovations in biointegrated materials, energy harvesting systems, and AI-powered analytics driving the next wave of market expansion. The technology's potential to transform healthcare delivery from reactive treatment to proactive wellness management represents a fundamental shift that will define the future of personalized medicine. The Global Wearable Electronic Skin Patches Market 2026-2036 report provides exhaustive analysis of the wearable electronic skin patches industry, providing critical insights into technological innovations, market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and strategic opportunities spanning the forecast period from 2026 to 2036. As healthcare systems worldwide transition toward preventive care models and remote patient monitoring solutions, wearable electronic skin patches emerge as transformative technologies capable of continuous, non-invasive health monitoring across diverse applications. The market evolution from rigid electronics to biointegrated systems represents a paradigm shift that enables seamless integration with human physiology, opening unprecedented opportunities for personalized medicine, chronic disease management, and real-time health analytics. This report examines the complete wearable electronic skin patches ecosystem, from foundational technologies including stretchable electronics, nanomaterials, and energy harvesting systems to comprehensive application analysis across healthcare monitoring, drug delivery, cosmetic applications, and industrial safety solutions. The analysis encompasses detailed technology readiness assessments, manufacturing scalability roadmaps, regulatory compliance frameworks, and market penetration strategies that illuminate pathways toward mainstream commercial adoption. Report contents include: Comprehensive analysis of the transformation from rigid to biointegrated electronics, convergence revolution encompassing AI, IoT, and flexible electronics, 2025 market landscape assessment, and technology readiness evaluation across TRL 1-9 applications Advanced Technologies and Component Integration: In-depth examination of stretchable and flexible electronics architecture including serpentine and kirigami design principles, liquid metal interconnects, organic thin-film transistors, and printed electronics manufacturing processes Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Integration: Detailed analysis of edge AI processing capabilities, machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition, predictive analytics for early disease detection, digital biomarkers development, data security protocols, and IoMT cloud integration strategies Comprehensive Market Applications Analysis: A Granular assessment of 15 major application segments including temperature and respiratory monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring, cardiovascular health platforms, pregnancy and newborn monitoring, hydration sensors, sweat analysis systems, drug delivery platforms, femtech devices, cosmetic applications, smart wound care, fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, and emerging healthcare applications Manufacturing and Scalability Roadmap: Extensive coverage of roll-to-roll manufacturing processes, additive manufacturing integration, quality control protocols, cost reduction strategies through 206, and supply chain resilience development Power Management and Energy Systems: Advanced analysis of energy harvesting technologies including triboelectric nanogenerators, photovoltaic integration, thermoelectric systems, wireless power transfer, battery technologies, and machine learning optimization Global Market Size and Regional Analysis: Comprehensive market forecasts by product segment and geographic region Technology Roadmap and Future Outlook: Strategic analysis of short-term manufacturing scale development (2026-2028), medium-term AI integration expansion (2029-2032), and long-term biointegration advancement (2033-2035) Investment Landscape and Funding Analysis: Detailed assessment of venture capital trends, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions activity, and IPO pipeline developments Regulatory Framework Evolution: Comprehensive analysis of FDA 510(k) pathways, European CE marking requirements, international standards harmonization, data privacy compliance, and reimbursement strategies Supply Chain Transformation: In-depth examination of manufacturing challenges, component sourcing strategies, localization initiatives, and sustainability integration Emerging Applications Beyond Healthcare: Analysis of defense applications, agricultural monitoring, sports performance optimization, industrial safety solutions, and environmental sensing platforms This report features comprehensive profiles of 174 leading companies shaping the wearable electronic skin patches industry including detailed analysis of their technology platforms, product portfolios, commercial strategies, funding status, regulatory approvals, and competitive positioning within the rapidly expanding wearable electronic skin patches marketplace driving the future of connected healthcare and personalized medicine solutions. Company Coverage Includes: 1drop Abbott Laboratories ABIORO Afford SENS Corporation Aidar Health AMF Medical Amorepacific Corporation AMSU (Shenzhen) New Technology Co. Ltd. Anpoly Inc. AquilX Inc. Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. Bend Labs Beneli AB Biobeat Technologies Ltd. Biofourmis Inc. BioIntelliSense Biolinq Inc. Biorithm Pte Ltd. BioSenseTek Corporation BioSerenity SAS Biotricity Bittium Corporation BloomerTech Blue Spark Technologies Inc. Bold Diagnostics Bonbouton Borsam Biomedical Instruments Co. Ltd. BrainStem Biometrics Inc. Brewer Science Inc. CardiacSense CareWear Corporation Cari Health Inc. Chronolife SAS Cipher Skin Cortrium APS Cosinuss Cue Health Debiotech S.A. Dexcom Inc. DiaMonTech AG dorsaVi Ltd. Ectosense Element Science Inc. Embr Labs Enfucell OY Eccrine Systems Inc. EOFlow Co Ltd. Epicore Biosystems Epi-Watch Equivital ERT (eResearchTechnology Inc.) FeelIT FinnAdvance Fleming Medical Flosonics Medical Flow Bio Fujita Medical Instruments Gaugewear Inc. GE Healthcare Gentag Inc. G-Tech Medical GlySens Incorporated Glucovation GluSense Grapheal GraphWear Technologies greenTEG AG Healbe Corporation Hivok Biotek Inc. Holst Centre IDUN Technologies AG IDRO Indigo Diabetes n.v. Innovega Inc. Insulet Corporation IONIQ Skincare GmbH & Co. KG iRhythm Technologies Inc. Isansys Lifecare i-SENS Inc. Insulet ivWatch LLC iWEECARE Co. Ltd. Kenzen Inc. Know Labs Kyocera Corporation Laxmi Therapeutic Devices Leaf Healthcare Inc. Lief Therapeutics Inc. LifePlus LifeSignals Group Inc. LifeSpan Linxens Liquid Wire Inc. Lucid Audio LLC MagArray Inc. MAWI MCK Tech Co. Ltd. Medherant Ltd. MediBioSense Ltd. Medtronic Medtrum Technologies Metyos For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Android Authority
12-07-2025
- Health
- Android Authority
This $99 discreet, subscription-free fitness band is a good budget Whoop tracker alternative
Amazfit Helio Strap The Amazfit Helio Strap isn't trying to be a high-powered training tool, but instead a comfortable, distraction-free fitness and health tracker that delivers solid wellness insights without the bloat of a screen or the burden of a subscription. If you're after a low-maintenance wearable that quietly does its job and lets you focus on your day, it's a great value at $99. I'm a screen fiend as much as the next shopper, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a distraction-free wearable. Amazfit's Helio Strap is the latest minimalist fitness tracker designed for those who want passive, no-fuss monitoring. At just $99 with no subscription fees, it's an attractive, budget-friendly option with a good amount to offer. After spending some time with it, I can say it's not going to topple Whoop anytime soon, but it holds its own as a solid activity tracker that stays out of your way. Screen-free and comfortable all-day wear Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Amazfit's new Helio Strap drops into the landscape with an unassuming build and a complete lack of display. The result is a noticeably lightweight design. At just 20 grams, it's one of the lightest wearables I've worn. The strap itself is adjustable with a velcro closure, officially listed as fitting wrist sizes from 145mm to 205mm. It's very slightly big for my wrist, which is just shy of 145mm, so you'll see in the photos how I have to pull the closure all the way up alongside the tracking device. This looks a little less refined than it would otherwise, and it tended to catch on things, but it's still comfortable overall and stayed put throughout my review. If I'm being picky, I would have preferred the logo in a more subtle tone like gray or white, rather than the brand's iconic orange. Unlike Whoop, Amazfit doesn't offer any alternative ways to wear the tracker secured in clothing, but the company's site does tease an armband option coming soon. For now, the simple nylon strap wristband is comfortable for all-day wear. My only complaint is that, like all fabric bands, it takes a long time to dry out, which meant after a sweaty gym session, I was left with that gross feeling akin to wearing socks after you've stepped in a kitchen puddle. The material comes in two colorways. I tested the black option, which still looks good after a week of use. I can't imagine the white colorway would hold up quite as well on the hikes and outdoor workouts I completed. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The tracker itself is loaded with sensors to monitor heart rate, HRV, SpO₂, skin temperature, and stress levels, providing continuous, behind-the-scenes tracking while you forget you've even strapped it on. Compared to testing a new smartwatch or traditional tracker, the strap feels incredibly low-maintenance. It doesn't tempt me to tap through arbitrary settings or distract me with notifications. There's a vibration alert available for alarms (which I really appreciate), but otherwise, no pings or pulls on my attention. First and foremost, the Helio Strap is a distraction-free fitness tracker. In a word, it's pleasant. Like the Whoop band, the Helio Strap is ideal for anyone who doesn't need on-wrist data or smart features, just passive health tracking with all the insights waiting in the app. Personally, I'd consider wearing this over a smart ring. It doesn't get in the way during lifts or on handled machines and offers a similar level of subtlety. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority It also boasts fantastic battery life, so I rarely have to think about it. The strap features a 10-day battery life claim, and so far in my review period, that seems about right if not a little underestimated. After 8 days of testing, I still have about 30 percent left. Compared to smartwatches, or even my Oura Ring 4 (which is my go-to wearable for screenless tracking), more than a week between charges is an amazing luxury. A useful (but basic) activity tracker Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority As mentioned, it tracks a wide range of health and fitness metrics, including daily steps, calories burned, stress levels, and PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence), plus continuous heart rate (resting and during workouts), heart rate variability, skin temperature, and detailed sleep data. It even monitors respiration rate during sleep and can be used for non-medical grade sleep apnea detection. For training purposes, the band also tracks Exertion, or your total daily energy output (in direct contrast to your rest/sleep data), and provides metrics like training status, training load, and recovery time. The strap measures all the basics, plus a readiness-style BioCharge score. Amazfit also introduces BioCharge, a readiness-style energy score similar to Garmin's Body Battery. This metric centers the dashboard of the companion app, and I found these big-picture metrics super useful, though I'm not convinced it's being executed perfectly. My workouts didn't always logically impact my score, and my perceived energy didn't align as closely as I would have expected. Still, if you use your BioCharge for general guidance and throw in the Exertion and sleep scores, the strap offers plenty of general insights. The key to accurate measurement is accurate heart rate data, and there, Amazfit delivers. I tested the strap throughout a variety of workouts and was overall impressed with its heart rate sensor. For a majority of the workouts, the device showed close alignment with my dedicated chest strap, an impressive result at this price. It did, however, struggle at times to pick up heart rate spikes, even compared to other wrist-based wearables. On the graph above, you can see where my Garmin Watch (which aligned with my chest strap) registered my heart rate jumping immediately when I started an intense interval. The Helio Strap, on the other hand, lags behind, recording values roughly 20bpm off. It eventually catches up, though, and did considerably well for the remainder of the workout; it's just worth noting that it isn't going to give you pinpoint accuracy. Still, I was happy with the results overall throughout this review. With that said, the Helio Strap isn't a Whoop strap, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for serious athletes. Its companion app lacks the same training depth, and some of the tracking algorithms and software integration need polishing. For part of this review, I ran into issues populating an Exertion score. Automatic workout detection is also laughably unreliable. (If I actually worked out every time the Strap recorded a workout, I'd be much fitter.) Instead, the Helio Strap is better suited for users who care more about daily health trends than fine-tuned recovery or strain scores. Post-workout analysis exists in the Zepp app, but it's not front and center. Like Amazfit's Helio Ring, the strap is also compatible as a partner device to the brand's watches, which remain stronger picks for training with real-time data and guidance. The strap also doesn't pack GPS, so it can't record routes like the Balance 2 or Active lineup. Amazfit Helio Strap review: The verdict Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The Amazfit Helio Strap isn't trying to be everything, and that's the heart of its appeal. It's not flashy, it's not overloaded with features, and it won't impress hardcore athletes chasing precise training metrics. But if you're looking for a lightweight, screen-free companion that quietly tracks your wellness, the strap makes a strong case. With solid sensor performance, excellent battery life, and no subscription fees, it's a refreshingly simple alternative in a market full of bloated smart tech. Compared to the Whoop 5.0 , it boasts a very attractive one-time price tag of just $99. Just don't expect perfection or a polished training suite, and you'll likely be pleasantly surprised by what Amazfit delivers for the price. Amazfit Helio Strap Budget-friendly price point with no subscription fee • Comfortable, lightweight, screen-free design • Broad range health and fitness tracker MSRP: $99.99 Distraction- and subscription-free fitness tracker. The Amazfit Helio Strap is a comfortable, distraction-free fitness tracker that delivers solid wellness insights without the bloat of a screen or the burden of a subscription. See price at Amazon Positives Budget-friendly price point with no subscription fee Budget-friendly price point with no subscription fee Comfortable, lightweight, screen-free design Comfortable, lightweight, screen-free design Broad range health and fitness tracker Broad range health and fitness tracker Useful haptics for alarms and timers Cons Imperfect heart rate data Imperfect heart rate data Unreliable automatic workout detection Unreliable automatic workout detection Analysis tools could use refinement
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Samsung is looking into more AI devices - potentially including earrings and necklaces
Samsung is looking into new wearable devices, potentially including earrings and necklaces, amid an industry-wide push to develop new types of AI-powered consumer electronics. AI could enable a new wave of devices that allow users to communicate and get things done more quickly without having to take out a phone, Won-joon Choi, chief operating officer for Samsung's mobile experience division, told CNN this week. For Samsung, these types of new devices could be something you wear around your neck, dangle from your ears or slip on your finger. 'We believe it should be wearable, something that you shouldn't carry, (that) you don't need to carry,' he said. 'So it could be something that you wear, glasses, earrings, watches, rings and sometimes (a) necklace.' Choi's comments underscore the opportunity tech giants see to develop new hardware products around AI, a technology that some say is expected to be as impactful as the internet itself. AI services like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini have moved beyond basic text prompts and are getting better at handling complex tasks. That's led tech giants to look into devices that require less manual input than smartphones, which largely require typing and swiping on screens. That search is already in full swing, starting with smart glasses. Meta has touted its AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses, of which 2 million have been sold since 2023, as a success. The Facebook parent also recently acquired a minority stake in Ray-Ban parent company EssilorLuxottica, according to Bloomberg, further indicating the company's interest in AI-powered wearable gadgets. Samsung, Google and Snap are also developing smart glasses, while OpenAI and ex-Apple designer Jony Ive are collaborating on a mysterious new AI device for next year. When CNN asked Choi whether Samsung is actively looking into developing earrings or other smart jewelry, like a pendant or bracelet, Choi said the company is 'looking at all kinds of possibilities.' 'What do you wear? Glasses, earrings… necklaces, watches and rings, something like those,' he said. However, that doesn't mean those possibilities will become products. Samsung and other tech companies routinely develop prototypes and evaluate new technologies internally without bringing them to market. Some tech startups have already unsuccessfully tried to develop new AI gadgets to replace smartphones at certain tasks. The Humane AI Pin, created by a pair of Apple veterans, flopped because of its high price and buggy performance. The company shut down the product and sold parts of itself to computing giant HP in February. Another device called the Rabbit R1 also launched to a lackluster reception last year, although it's undergone significant updates since then. And a startup called Friend created an AI necklace that's meant to be a digital companion, although its launch has been delayed until the third quarter of this year. Samsung's approach, unlike some of these options, will involve a device that's a companion to your phone rather than a standalone product, similar to the company's smartwatches, according to Choi. And the company's upcoming smart glasses, which it hasn't revealed many details about yet, could be just the start. 'We are actively working on glasses, but some people do not want to wear glasses because they change their look,' he said. 'So we are also exploring other types of devices.'
Android Authority
11-07-2025
- Android Authority
Exclusive: New Snapdragon wearables chip in the works, could supercharge Wear OS watch performance
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Qualcomm is working on a new wearable chip, the 'SW6100', also called 'aspena' The processor is not based on any previous Qualcomm product, unlike its previous wearable chips The specs include 1x Arm Cortex-A78 + 4x Arm Cortex-A55, an LPDDR5X RAM controller, all built on a TSMC process node Wear OS smartwatches have been in a bit of a standstill lately. After releasing Snapdragon W5/+ Gen 1 in 2022, Qualcomm hasn't given the platform any attention, with only Samsung continuing to develop new chips for wearables. Google smartwatches, for example, have been stuck on the same Qualcomm platform for three years now. There was some talk about possible RISC-V-based SoCs as well as next-generation chips for a while now, but without any concrete details. That is, until now. Android Authority has viewed credible evidence that Qualcomm is working on a new wearables platform and some of its specs. If it does see the light of day, it could give the next generation of Wear OS wearables a much-needed performance jump. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. These reports reflect developments at the time of writing. Some features or details uncovered in leaks may change before official release. Kamila Wojciechowska / Android Authority Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 reference design from my collection Historically, Qualcomm's wear chips haven't received the same attention to detail as its smartphone models. They are often existing smartphone chips with minor modifications, and some are also built on a newer process node. In fact, some of the earlier reference designs Qualcomm provides to OEMs use unmodified smartphone chips! Of course, some work still goes into them (like optimizing sensor hubs and wireless), but a fully bespoke design has never been a priority for Qualcomm. The only fully custom part of the platform was the external coprocessor chips, but even those were built in the cheapest way possible, utilizing a lot of off-the-shelf IP. For example, Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1's QCC5100 coprocessor utilizes an Arm-designed Ethos ML core, Cadence's HiFi 5 DSP and Think Silicon's Nema|pico 2.5D GPU, even though Qualcomm has its own cores to do all of these functions and scaling them down for use in a coprocessor is perfectly possible. I compiled a table of Qualcomm's past wearable chips, as well as the smartphone chips I assume they are based on: Wearable chip Based on Wear 2100 | Wear 2500 | Wear 3100 MSM8909w 4x Arm Cortex-A7 @ up to 1.2 GHz Adreno 304 GPU Released 2016 (Wear 2100) 28 nm-class TSMC process (28LP) Optional QCC1110 coprocessor (Wear 3100 only) Snapdragon 210 MSM8909 4x Arm Cortex-A7 @ up to 1.1 GHz Adreno 304 GPU Released 2014 28 nm-class TSMC process (28LP) Wear 4100 SDM429w 4x Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0 GHz Adreno 504 GPU Released 2020 12 nm-class TSMC process (12FFC) Optional QCC4100 coprocessor Snapdragon 429 SDM429 4x Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0 GHz Adreno 504 GPU Released 2018 12 nm-class TSMC process (12FFC) W5 Gen 1 | W5+ Gen 1 SW5100 4x Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 1.7 GHz Adreno 702 GPU Released 2022 4 nm-class Samsung process Optional QCC5100 coprocessor (W5+ Gen 1 only) QCS2290 (IoT chip) QCS2290 4x Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0 GHz Adreno 702 GPU Released 2021 11 nm-class process (dual-sourced from Global Foundries and Samsung) It looks like Qualcomm might start taking the category more seriously now, though. Based on the information we viewed, a new chip called SW6100, codenamed Aspen, is currently in the testing phase at Qualcomm. We don't know what the new chip will be called, but my guess is that it will either be W5 Gen 2 or W6 Gen 1. We also learned quite a bit about it — first, it's based on a TSMC process node. Unfortunately, we don't know which specific one it is. Whatever the case, it should improve the platform's efficiency, as Samsung process nodes are currently behind in that area. Additionally, the RAM controller was upgraded to support LPDDR5X (whereas W5 Gen 1 only supported LPDDR4), which should give a small but non-negligible battery life boost. There's also the QCC6100 coprocessor, which we unfortunately don't know anything about just yet. Qualcomm could finally give its wearable platform the performance boost it desperately needs. We also found out the CPU core configuration — 1x Arm Cortex-A78 + 4x Arm Cortex-A55. This would represent a huge upgrade over the previous generation. Going from Cortex-A53 cores (first introduced in 2012, by the way) to a much newer Cortex-A55 cluster with an additional big core like Cortex-A78 should improve performance. Surprisingly, Qualcomm isn't the only one putting that config into a wearable chip, as the Samsung Exynos W1000 uses the exact same one. Of course, these cores are still dated, and it would be nice to see something newer in a watch someday, but they're still a huge improvement over the previous generations. Hopefully, it was a calculated decision to provide better efficiency instead of extra performance that's probably not needed in a watch anyway. Qualcomm What's interesting is that Qualcomm was working with Google to bring RISC-V wear chips to the market. This leak suggests that's not happening anytime soon, if ever. The Cortex-A78 core in SW6100 is also surprising — there are almost no licensable RISC-V cores that are that powerful, so it will be intriguing to see how Qualcomm handles that. We don't know when the new chip will be released, but if it does reach production, we could see it in Wear OS smartwatches in 2026.
