RAMaggedon looks set to claim another victim: the Pixel Watch 5.
Just a day after it leaked some pretty hefty Pixel 11 price rises (though all is not as it seems there), French site Dealabs is back with news on Google’s next smartwatch. And it doesn’t make for pretty reading.
As expected, all four versions of the Pixel Watch 5 will be more expensive than their predecessors. The cheapest model (41mm, no LTE) will now set you back £369/$399 at launch – that’s £20/$50 more expensive than the equivalent Pixel Watch 4 configuration.
The increase is particularly painful for US customers, as it’s the first time the base model has ever increased in price: the original Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4 all started at $349. In the UK, aside from the £339 original, every Pixel Watch has started at £349.
Chris Martin / Foundry
However, the hikes vary on other models. The 45mm non-LTE version is the same price in the UK and only $20 more in the US, while the 45mm LTE configuration costs £50/$80 more. But the biggest increases have been reserved for the 41mm LTE model, which is £70/$100 more than its predecessor.
While none of these figures are confirmed, Dealabs has a strong track record for Pixel news, so they’re unlikely to be too far wide of the mark.
Brand new colour
However, there is a crunb of comfort for Pixel Watch 5 fans – a new colour to look forward to.
Both Dealabs and Dutch site Nieuwe Mobiel suggest the watch will be available in four colours: ‘Natural Silver’, ‘Dark Anthracite’, ‘Warm Gold’ and ‘Pyrite’.
Chris Martin / Foundry
While the first three are variations on existing Pixel Watch 4 colours, the latter is a new addition. However, the the two sites are conflicted on which colour it’ll most closely resemble. Dealabs suggests it’ll be a shade of green, while Nieuwe Mobiel’s mockup gives it more of a tan shade.
Launch is just weeks away
The site was one day off with its 11 August launch date prediction, with Google having now confirmed an event for 12 August, but its suggestion of a 20 August shipping date may still be accurate.
There’s no official mention of smartwatches, but it’d be a huge shock to not see the Pixel Watch 5 launch alongside the Pixel 11 series.
But will these expected price rises affect its chances of being one of the best smartwatches you can buy? We won’t have to wait long to find out.