Technology
Multiple Apple, Google, and Samsung smartwatches reach final year of software support in 2026
Major smartwatch makers are concluding operating system updates and security patches for several popular models released in recent years.
The short version
- Smartwatch models from Apple, Google, and Samsung are hitting their software support cutoffs during 2026.
- Apple is discontinuing update eligibility for five models with watchOS 27, while Google's Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 series reach support milestones.
- Affected watches will continue to track activity and deliver notifications, but will lose access to new operating system features, app updates, and eventually security fixes.
- Users relying on older devices for sensitive tasks like contactless payments face increasing security risks once patching concludes.
Key facts
- The upcoming release of watchOS 27, expected in mid-September 2026, drops support for the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, SE 2nd generation, and original Apple Watch Ultra.[Engadget]
- Google's guaranteed support window for both Wear OS version updates and security patches on the Pixel Watch 2 expires on October 1, 2026, concluding its three-year cycle.[Engadget]
- Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will receive Wear OS operating system upgrades through December 31, 2026, though security updates will continue afterward under Samsung's five-year security policy.[Engadget]
- Smartwatches that reach end-of-life retain basic functions such as fitness tracking and notifications, but will not receive new system features or future vulnerability patches once full support ends.[Engadget]
What remains uncertain
- The exact release date for Apple's watchOS 27 remains unannounced, though it is expected around mid-September 2026 alongside hardware launches.[Engadget]