Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Enables Satellite Messaging for Wearables

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.

The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is compatible with the latest version of Wear OS and launching first with Pixel Watch 4^[1]and fine-tuned for multi-device experiences, seamless integration, and advanced features.

“With Snapdragon W5+ and W5 Gen 2 platforms, Qualcomm Technologies continues 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.”