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Smartwatches have pretty good lifespans, supported for several years. Samsung Galaxy smartwatches typically receive software support for up to four years, but Samsung has upped this to five years for the newest Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2, making Samsung the smartwatch brand with the longest software support. This doesn’t mean the smartwatch will suddenly stop working after that time has elapsed, however. But you will not be able to get the latest OS and features. Security support usually ends a year after software support as well. So, it’s a good idea to start considering an upgrade once this time has arrived.
If you’re hanging on to an older Samsung Galaxy Watch model, you might not even realize that it’s coming up on its end-of-life date for major updates. But it’s important to keep this in mind so you can start planning to get a replacement, or be prepared to enjoy the wearable as-is for the foreseeable future.
Which Galaxy Watch models won’t be updated anymore?
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Before the end of 2026, there are a few Samsung Galaxy Watch models still in circulation that will no longer be supported. The affected models include the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, which were released in August 2021, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro, released in August 2022, and the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic (August 2023).
Wear OS support already ended for the Galaxy Watch 4 models back in December 2025, but security updates continued through 2026. However, as reported by Android Authority, Samsung ended all types of updates for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic in August 2026, so we’re not counting these among the four Galaxy Watch models that will stop receiving updates soon — they’ve already reached their end-of-life date.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will receive Wear OS updates through December 31, 2026. If you own a Galaxy Watch 6 or Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, you have a bit of time left, as Wear OS updates will continue through December 2027.
When it comes to newer models, the Galaxy Watch FE, introduced in June 2024, will receive support through December 31, 2028, while the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra introduced in 2024 should receive updates through 2028, and the Galaxy Watch 8, launched in 2025, through 2029. As mentioned, since the just-launched Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 we reviewed this year now offer five years of software support, you’ll be able to update them through 2031.
Should you upgrade or wait?
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The end of software support doesn’t necessarily mean you need to toss your old smartwatch and rush to upgrade — the smartwatch will still work. Many Apple Watch owners still use the no-longer-supported Apple Watch Series 4 models, for example, and they work just fine. You might notice battery issues, you’ll miss out on the latest features, and some apps may no longer be supported. But as a simple smartwatch for notifications, mobile wallet, and tracking workouts and basic vitals, an older-model Galaxy Watch is fine provided it powers up and connects.
However, while they might not be as important on a smartwatch as they are on a computer or phone, you should still be mindful of security updates. The five years of security updates, a year longer than OS upgrades for Galaxy Watch 8 and older models (and the same timeframe for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2), is a better indication of when you should start considering an upgrade. Once this lapses, you could miss a crucial privacy and security update. It’s not essential to upgrade at this time, but it’s something to seriously consider for this reason.
If you want the longest support possible, go with the Galaxy Watch 9 since there’s still a full five years of support left. You’ll still get pretty good life from the Galaxy Watch 8 as well, which is now available for purchase on the Google Store. If you plan to upgrade again in the next three or four years, you can get away with a Galaxy Watch 7 model or the Galaxy Watch FE as well.
