Next Generation Snapdragon W5+ and W5 Platforms: The World’s First Wearable Platforms with NB-NTN Satellite Support

This press release from Qualcomm can be found here.

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Aug 20, 2025, SAN DIEGO

Highlights:

• Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 can allow users to send and receive messages via satellite when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage areas.
• New machine learning capabilities enhance GPS accuracy for users, helping to increase accuracy in densely urban or deep canyon environments.
• Optimized RF Front End (RFFE) delivers reduction in size and lower power for OEMs to develop smaller and more efficient wearable devices.
• At today’s Made by Google event, the new Google Pixel Watch 4 was unveiled, featuring Snapdragon W5 Gen 2.

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Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today announced Snapdragon® W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 Wearable Platforms, bringing enhancements in connectivity, efficiency, form factor and location tracking to wearable technology.

The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 platforms are the first to introduce satellite support to the wearable industry leveraging Skylo’s Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Network (NB-NTN). This advancement enables two-way emergency messaging directly from the wearable device, helping to bring peace of mind to users in remote areas without cell connection. For instance, adventurers could use their wearable to send SOS messages in case of emergencies without worrying about mobile network coverage.

The platform is available both with a low power co-processor as Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2, or without the co-processor as Snapdragon W5 Gen 2. Built around a 4nm system-on-chip (SoC) architecture, the new platform features advancements including:

• Location Machine Learning 3.0 for improved GPS positioning accuracy by up to 50% compared to our previous generation.
• Optimized RFFE that contributes to around a 20% reduction in size and lower power consumption compared to our previous generation, enabling OEMs to deliver sleeker wearable designs and extended battery life.

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The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is compatible with the latest version of Wear OS and launching first with Pixel Watch 4¹ and fine-tuned for multi-device experiences, seamless integration, and advanced features.

“With Snapdragon W5+ and W5 Gen 2 platforms, we continue to be a leader in wearable technology by enabling Wear OS to become the first operating system to integrate NB-NTN," said Dino Bekis, VP & GM of Wearables & Mixed Signal Solutions at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "This technology can allow users to stay connected in the most remote locations, sending and receiving critical messages via satellite. This innovation underscores our commitment to ensure that users have more reliable communications and enhanced safety with the integration of advancing satellite technology capabilities in wearable platforms.”

“We’re excited to have the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 powering the new Google Pixel Watch 4, delivering high performance, delightful experiences, and potentially life-saving capabilities,” said Sandeep Waraich, Sr. Director, Product Management for Google Wearables. "For smartwatches, performance, efficiency, and connectivity are crucial features that need to work seamlessly in any environment, and this new platform, coupled with Wear OS 6, delivers on all fronts, and to be the first smartwatch to market with emergency satellite communications is a huge leap forward in our suite of safety features.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies beyond smartphones, automotive, and IoT to bring satellite connectivity to wearables. The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2, ensures that small form factor wearable devices can maintain coverage even in areas outside of terrestrial service," said Tarun Gupta, Chief Product Officer and co-founder at Skylo. "This innovation fundamentally changes how consumers and enterprises view NTN connectivity as new devices and a wide range of use cases with optimized integrations that were previously unimaginable come to market. Our exciting collaboration aims to enhance the functionality and safety of wearable devices, making them indispensable for users in any setting without sacrificing battery life.”

For more information about the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 Wearable Platforms, visit our website. To learn more about how Qualcomm Technologies is enhancing connectivity and safety by integrating satellite connectivity into wearable devices, read our OnQ Blog.

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Building on our 40 years of technology leadership in creating era-defining breakthroughs, we deliver a broad portfolio of solutions built with our leading-edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Our Snapdragon^® platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences, and our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products empower businesses and industries to scale to new heights. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.