Google Pixel Watch 2 leak reveals a new watch strap – but one feature is missing
The wearable at the FCC
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
A device that we’re fairly certain is theGoogle Pixel Watch 2has arrived at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for regulatory approval, a key step for getting any gadget launched in the US – and the filing gives us a few bits of information about the upcoming smartwatch.
First of all, thedocumentation(via9to5Google) mentions testing with four separate straps: a plastic active strap, a metal mesh strap, a metal link strap, and a metal slim strap. The plastic active and metal link straps are presumably the same as are already available today for the originalPixel Watch.
That leaves the metal mesh strap, which was announced for theGoogle Pixel Watchbut never actually went on sale, and the metal slim strap – a strap that could be a completely new one, though we’ll have to wait for the device to launch to be sure.
The other key tidbit from the FCC filing is that ultra-wideband (UWB) technology isn’t included in the wearable – though a leak last weeksaid that it would. The tech helps in locating devices and in device-to-device communication, and can currently be found in theGoogle Pixel 7and Pixel 7 Pro, and in theGoogle Pixel Tablet.
Previous rumors
While this particularGooglePixel Watch 2 leak might not be the most exciting in terms of what it reveals, it confirms that the wearable is on the way. The thinking is that it could launch sometime in October, along theGoogle Pixel 8.
We have heard that the design of the Pixel Watch 2might be more lightweightthan the watch it’s replacing, with the casing set to be made out of aluminum rather than stainless steel. That should make it more comfortable to wear on the wrist.
There’s also expected to be a significantlyfaster processorinside the Pixel Watch 2, meaning snappier performance for Wear OS. A more modern CPU should also be more efficient, which can help with battery life.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
We’ve also seensome of the new watch facesthat Google is prepping as exclusives for its new smartwatch, which should launch alongside Wear OS 4, the next major update for Google’s software for wearables.
Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.
Your next smartwatch could be battery-free – and powered by your skin
I’m a Garmin expert: here are the 3 Garmin watches I think will get big discounts on Black Friday
Anker Nebula Mars 3 review: A powerful and truly portable projector
