Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
Google’s new Wear OS platform but for now Wear OS 3 smartwatches will be few and far between. Samsung, which has created a ‘integrated platform’ in partnership with Google, currently plans to maintain its dominant position with exclusive rights to the new operating system.
Currently, the only watches running Wear OS 3 are the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Hybrid systems have debuted, but only a few current smartwatches are eligible for software updates, and they won’t be available anytime soon. Also, only one new device will be released in the near future.
Current smartwatches that will receive Wear OS 3 updates
Some existing clocks may continue to calibrate themselves to upgrade. Some of Google’s Wear OS devices may receive software updates, but the invite list is very short. Existing devices eligible for upgrade include:
And that’s it. There is no other smartwatch of the current generation. Moto 360, Suunto 7, or skagen falster 3 — you’ll receive updates. Even the latest $2,000 TAG Heuer Connected Watch doesn’t have this feature.
A few extras: Wear OS 3 won’t be released until early next year until mid-next year, so TicWatch users will have to wait a little longer.
Wear OS 3 also delivers powerful performance. The scope of changes included in the update will require users to reset their device to factory settings. This means that all data stored on the smartwatch will be deleted. If this makes you reluctant to update to Wear OS 3, you can simply choose not to update. Users who opt out will continue to experience app and security updates for at least two years after device launch.
Check out the future smartwatches coming with Wear OS 3
So far, we’ve only heard from a handful of companies about future Wear OS 3-based smartwatches. This yet-to-be-released smartwatch is confirmed to ship with Wear OS 3.
- Mobvoi TicWatch is the watch of the future
- Keep an eye out for the Future Fossil Group
We haven’t heard anything about plans for Wear OS 3 from Motorola, Suunto, Tag Heuer, Oppo, or other smartwatch manufacturers. We’ll update this list as we learn more.
New products to be released later this year Fossil 6th generation smartwatch will ship with Google’s upgraded operating system. NS 6th Generation Teaser A few days before Samsung’s Unpacked event on August 11, we’ve been getting a “very fast” boost in our inbox. Information and images have since been leaked. Details are still scarce, but one thing is certain. High-end Fossil smartwatches running Wear OS 3 are coming soon. This is especially interesting because existing Fossil watches will not be upgraded with the new software.
If you’ve been patiently waiting for the perfect time to buy a smartwatch, you may have to wait a little longer. Wear OS 3 brings exciting upgrades. Not all devices can benefit from wearing an OS-based smartwatch, however.