Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
Google’s new Wear OS platform is here, but for now, Wear OS 3 smart watches are rare. Samsung, which cooperated with Google to create a “unified platform”, will temporarily maintain its leading position and own the exclusive rights to the new operating system.
Currently, the only watches running Wear OS 3 are Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Although the hybrid system has made its debut, only some existing smart watches are eligible for software updates, and they will not be launched soon. In addition, only confirmed the launch of a new device in the near future.
Smart watches that will currently receive Wear OS 3 updates
Some existing watches can continue to focus on their own upgrades. Google has confirmed that a small number of Wear OS devices will be eligible for software updates, but the invitation list is very short. Devices currently eligible for upgrade include:
That’s it. No other current smartwatch—not Moto 360, Suunto 7 or Skagen Falster 3—will get an update. Even the latest $2,000 Tag Heuer Connected watch will not get it.
There are a few more points to note: Wear OS 3 won’t start rolling out until the middle of next year at the earliest, so TicWatch users still have a while to wait.
In addition, Wear OS 3 has a great impact. The numerous changes contained in the update will require users to reset their devices to factory settings. This means deleting all data stored on the smartwatch itself. If this makes some people hesitant to update to Wear OS 3, they can simply choose not to. Users who opt-out will still experience the application and security updates for at least two years after their device starts up.
Future smartwatches confirmed to be launched with Wear OS 3
So far, we have only heard from a few companies about their future Wear OS 3 smart watches. These unreleased smart watches have been confirmed to be released with Wear OS 3:
- Future Mobvoi TicWatch Watch
- The future watch of the Fossil Group
We have not heard from Motorola, Suunto, Tag Heuer, Oppo or other smart watch manufacturers about their Wear OS 3 plans. We will update this list when we learn more.
Expected to arrive later this year, the new Fossil Gen 6 smart watch will launch Google’s upgraded operating system. Just a few days before the Samsung Unpacked event on August 11, a sixth-generation trailer promoting the “faster way” appeared in the inbox, and more information and images have been leaked since then. The details are still few, but one thing is certain: a high-end Fossil smartwatch running Wear OS 3 is about to come out. This is especially exciting because existing Fossil watches will not be upgraded to new software.
If you have been patiently waiting for the best time to buy a smartwatch, you may need to wait for a while. Wear OS 3 will bring an exciting upgrade to Wear OS-based smart watches, but not all devices will benefit from it.