Smart watches have a fairly good lifespan, supported for several years. Samsung Galaxy smartwatches typically have software support for up to four years, but Samsung has increased this to five years for the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2, making Samsung the smartwatch brand with the longest software support. This does not mean that the smartwatch will suddenly stop working once this time has passed. But you won’t be able to get the latest operating system and features. Security support also typically ends one year after software support. So it’s a good idea to start considering an upgrade once that time arrives.
If you’re holding onto an older model of the Samsung Galaxy Watch, you might not even realize that it’s nearing its end of life date for major updates. But it’s important to keep this in mind so you can start planning a replacement or be ready to enjoy the laptop as is for the foreseeable future.
Which Galaxy Watch models will no longer be updated?
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Before the end of 2026, a few Samsung Galaxy Watch models are still in circulation and will no longer be supported. Affected models include the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, 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 in December 2025, but security updates continued through 2026. However, as Android Authority reports, Samsung ended all types of updates for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic in August 2026, so we’re not counting them among the four Galaxy Watch models that will soon stop receiving updates — they’ve already reached their end date of life.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 5 And Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will receive Wear OS updates until December 31, 2026. If you have a Galaxy Watch 6 Or Galaxy Watch 6 ClassicYou still have some time left, as Wear OS updates will continue until December 2027.
As for newer models, the Galaxy Watch FE, introduced in June 2024, will receive support until December 31, 2028, while the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra introduced in 2024 are expected to receive updates until 2028, and the Galaxy Watch 8, launched in 2025, until 2029. As mentioned, since the 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 until 2031.
Should you upgrade or wait?
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Ending software support doesn’t necessarily mean you have to throw away your old smartwatch and rush to upgrade: the smartwatch will still work. Many Apple Watch owners still use, for example, the no longer supported Apple Watch Series 4 models, and they work just fine. You may notice battery issues, miss 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 as long as it turns on and connects.
However, even though they aren’t as important on a smartwatch as they are on a computer or phone, you should still pay attention to security updates. The five years of security updates, a year longer than OS upgrades for the Galaxy Watch 8 and older models (and the same time frame for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2), is a better indication of when you should start considering an upgrade. Once this step has passed, you might 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, as there are still five full years of support left. You’ll also get a pretty good lifespan with the Galaxy Watch 8, which is now available for purchase on the Google Store. If you’re planning to upgrade again in the next three or four years, you could also get away with a Galaxy Watch 7 model or the Galaxy Watch FE.
