Google’s upcoming Pixel Watch 4 is shaping up to be a versatile wrist companion. Although the wearable isn’t tipped to be very different from its predecessors when it comes to design, it has been reported to offer several tiny improvements in both the hardware and software departments.
These improvements include not just new strength training workout modes and continuous SpO2 monitoring, but also improved battery life, a new charging orientation, and seamless repairability.
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Amidst those welcome upgrades, leaks point out that Google is also looking to give the Pixel Watch 4 a much more significant and potentially life-saving addition — one that the Apple Watch has had since the launch of the iPhone 14 lineup in 2022.
Compelling evidence unearthed by the folks over at Android Authority all but confirms that the Pixel Watch 4 will sport Satellite SOS functionality, though unlike bigger devices with a built-in satellite modem, the wearable will likely just piggyback off a connected Pixel phone’s satellite capabilities (which is fine).
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According to the report, the latest Satellite Gateway app (v20250707), which is responsible for enabling Satellite SOS features on Pixel phones, houses new code strings that explicitly mention “watchui.” Pair that with references to “com.google.android.apps.scone,” the Adaptive Connectivity Service app that helps guide users to point their device towards a satellite, and it becomes clear that Satellite SOS functionality is indeed headed for the Pixel Watch.
Users will need a Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold to be able to enable Satellite SOS connectivity on their Pixel Watch 4. The Pixel 10 series will be launched alongside the upcoming wearable, and it’s all but confirmed to offer the same emergency communication capabilities.
Google’s satellite connectivity might be Pixel-exclusive
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What’s uncertain, however, is whether the functionality will extend to Google’s own older wearables and to Wear OS devices from other OEMs. Considering that the Pixel Watch 4 will simply leverage the satellite modem on a compatible Pixel phone, it’s possible, though not certain, that older Pixel Watch models, too, could gain the potentially life-saving feature through a subsequent software update. Other Wear OS watch owners, however, might not be as fortunate.
Within the same Satellite Gateway app codebank, references to the functionality also hinted at checks like “isPixelDevice:%s” and, more importantly, “isPixelWatch:%s.” Said checks strongly indicate that Google-powered satellite communication features will be exclusive to Pixel-branded devices. Sorry non-Pixel Wear OS faithfuls.
Google’s upcoming hardware event is now less than a month away, where we expect Google to fully detail the Pixel Watch 4 and its capabilities.
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