Google has combined the Wi-Fi and cellular versions into a single release.
TL;DR
Google has released factory photos of the Pixel Watch 5 in addition to the Pixel 11 series.
But unlike previous years, the Pixel Watch 5’s cellular and Wi-Fi versions only have one image
As with the Pixel Watch 4, flashing factory images on the Pixel Watch 5 will be challenging because Google’s invite-only debug adapter is still needed.
Google has complied by releasing factory pictures for the Pixel 11 series, which will be gradually made available to consumers starting this week. Additionally, the business released production photos of the Pixel Watch 5 at the same time. The new smartwatch does, however, have one significant modification.
Google sells the Pixel Watch 5 in Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and 4G LTE versions, just like it did last year. The manufacturer is just releasing one build this time, despite the fact that it has previously released distinct photos for these variations (via 9to5Google).
17.0.0 (August 2026, CD5A.260611.008)
In addition to making things easier for developers, this consolidation of Pixel Watch 5 models could help Google expedite development on upcoming updates. Nevertheless, it is not very easy to flash factory images on the Pixel Watch 5.
The procedure “needs a debug adapter that Google delivers by invitation only,” according to the Pixel Watch 5 factory pictures page. This also applied to the Pixel Watch 4, although the Pixel Watch 3 and 2 were able to flash images because of the charging connections that came with them. Google redesigned the Pixel Watch 4’s charging system and continued that concept with its replacement.
To make matters more complicated, a Google product specialist in the Pixel Watch community forum claims that this invite-only debug adapter is difficult to find. This essentially means that if you need to flash the firmware on your Pixel Watch 5, you are at Google’s mercy.
