The longevity of a smartwatch depends on two main factors: the hardware that makes up the device and the software that allows it to be used. A watch may seem outdated if its software support has ended, even if the touchscreens, sensors, and batteries are working perfectly. Tech companies notoriously limit software support for different devices, partly to encourage the purchase of newer models, and partly because older hardware may struggle with newer software features.
No matter how stylish an Apple Watch becomes over time, the usefulness of any smartwatch will depend on the manufacturer’s commitment to software updates. On the hardware side, users can extend the life of their smartwatch by following good charging habits, and many manufacturers advise keeping the device away from extreme temperatures. On the software side, updating a smartwatch’s companion app can ensure continued compatibility with mobile devices, but larger operating system updates will keep the watch relevant for longer. Smartwatch manufacturers all offer different longevity guarantees, so here we take a look at which smartwatches have the longest software support.
Samsung
Samsung is known for offering long-term support on its mobile device lines. On the phone side, Samsung is currently promising up to seven years of OS and security updates for flagship Galaxy S devices. Samsung has a slightly different policy for its wearables, although for years a similar commitment has carried over to the Galaxy Watch line. Historically, Samsung Galaxy Watches have been supported for four years of major operating system upgrades and five years of security updates.
While this policy is enough to put wearables like the Galaxy Watch 8 above other smartwatches in terms of software support longevity, Samsung recently announced even greater support. With the release of the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Samsung has chosen to deliver five major operating system upgrades and five years of security patches. Samsung has also improved its firmware support policies several times over the past few years.
Some popular Galaxy Watches will lose support after 2027, including the Galaxy Watch 6, simply due to their age. That said, Samsung’s latest support guarantee will keep owners of the latest Galaxy Watch models up to date through 2031. This brings the company’s wearable lineup closer to its mobile devices in terms of software support longevity, and the five-year commitment is one of the best among popular smartwatch makers.
Apple
Notoriously ambiguous when it comes to software support, Apple isn’t as transparent about the Apple Watch line as Samsung is about its Galaxy Watches. The Apple Watch 12 and Ultra 4 will likely have the longest lifespan from then on, but only because they’re the newest to hit the market. Models like the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 still get support through annual watchOS updates and periodic security updates, as do even older models like the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.
Apple’s oldest models still supported are the Series 9 and Ultra 2, both released in 2023. But with the 2026 release of watchOS 27, support for earlier Apple Watch models was discontinued, removing the Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra from the list of models that can still be updated. The oldest of these is the Apple Watch Series 6. It launched in 2020, meaning Apple has provided owners with almost six full years of software support.
However, not all Apple Watches have enjoyed this length of support, as the Series 8 and the original Ultra launched in 2022, meaning they only received four years of updates. Of course, a smartwatch can continue to work beyond officially supported software updates. Several Apple Watch owners report long lifespans from their devices, and stopping software updates only eliminates the ability to receive the latest features and compatibility with certain apps.
Among tech giants, Google is one of the most transparent companies when it comes to its software support policies, even backing them up in its marketing materials. Just like Samsung, Google offers a seven-year guarantee of operating system and security updates for its Pixel series of phones, which includes the recently released Google Pixel 11 lineup. But Samsung and Google differ when it comes to smartwatch support, with Google only guaranteeing three years of updates for Pixel watches.
The current generation Pixel Watch 5 launched in August 2026 and will have software support until October 2029, just over three years. Previous generations of the Pixel Watch support Google’s claim that it offers three years of software support, since the original Pixel Watch debuted in October 2022 and Google discontinued support in October 2025. The first Google Pixel Watch saw two major operating system upgrades during this period, going from Wear OS 3.5 at launch to Wear OS 5.1.
One thing to note is that Google’s language often claims that the company guarantees “at least” three years of software updates. While the three-year warranty was valid for the original Pixel Watch, the Pixel Watch 2 is nearing the end of its guaranteed update window. With this window set to end in October 2026, it remains to be seen whether Google will expand support for the Pixel Watch 2 or begin establishing a three-year model for its most current models.
Amazon
Amazfit may not have the name recognition of some other smartwatch brands, but it is among the best cheap smartwatch brands according to users. Its latest models include the Bip 6 and Bip Max smartwatches, each costing less than $100. The affordable price doesn’t negate strong software support, with Amazfit devices typically receiving security updates every 90 days for at least two years after the smartwatch’s first ship date.
Zepp Health, the company that owns Amazfit, also notes in its product support policy overview that it can support security updates for more than three years for some models. In cases of extreme security vulnerabilities, even devices on their end-of-life list can benefit from software support. Two years of software support doesn’t necessarily bring much comfort to smartwatch buyers, but Amazfit’s commitment remains one of the best among smartwatch makers.
Zepp Health does a good job keeping customers informed about Amazfit smartwatches, publishing and frequently updating a list of devices and their update windows. Owners of older Amazfit smartwatches can use it to see if their device has reached its EOL declaration. Those who purchased newer models like the Amazfit Balance, Amazfit T-Rex 3, and the previously mentioned Bip 6 and Bip Max can use it to see if their devices will receive extended support in the coming years.
Garmin
In many ways, Garmin watches beat the Apple Watch for fitness users. However, this is not quite the case when it comes to software support. Much like Apple, Garmin hasn’t released a software support policy or timeline for any of its smartwatches, but while Apple has a five to six year software support model, Garmin shows a two to three year model for its smartwatches. Its most recent flagship releases are the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro, both of which start near the $1,000 mark.
Even with such high prices, Garmin does not guarantee feature updates through software support for these smartwatches. But its Forerunner 965 was released in March 2023, with Garmin confirming that no new features were planned for the watch in May 2025. Similarly, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro hit the market in May 2023 and was confirmed excluded from new features in May 2025. Typically, Garmin smartwatches have software support until the latest iteration of the model is released.
But Garmin users will also recognize that security updates and bug fixes can continue several years after a watch is released. In one Reddit forum, for example, the owner of a Garmin 735XT claims that the smartwatch is more than eight years old and still receives occasional maintenance updates. Although Garmin smartwatch owners can expect the company to restrict feature updates to encourage the purchase of newer models, it has demonstrated support for security concerns for years after the release of those models.
