A wave of popular smartwatches from Apple, Google, and Samsung will reach the end of their software support lifecycles in 2026, according to a report from Engadget. Affected devices include the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, along with Google’s Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro. These watches will continue to function for basic tasks like tracking steps and showing notifications, but they will stop receiving new operating system features and, in some cases, security patches.
Apple is making the largest single cut, dropping five models with the upcoming watchOS 27 update, which is expected to roll out in mid-September 2026. The only Apple Watch models compatible with that update are the Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and the third-generation SE. The company’s decision appears tied to hardware, as newer Siri features work best with the chips found in Series 9 and later models. Apple typically supports watch models for between three and six years of major OS updates, and the Series 8 and the first-generation Ultra both launched in 2022.
Google’s Pixel Watch 2, which went on sale in October 2023, has a guaranteed software update window that expires on October 1, 2026. That deadline covers both Wear OS version updates and security patches, after which neither will be provided. Google’s current Pixel Watch lineup follows a three-year support policy from the device’s release date, which is notably shorter than the seven years of support the company offers for its Pixel smartphones. As a result, Google provides the shortest watch support period among the major brands.
Samsung takes a different approach, splitting its support commitment into separate timelines for Wear OS upgrades and security updates. The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro, both released in August 2022, will receive Wear OS upgrades until December 31, 2026, while security updates will continue beyond that date. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic have already lost Wear OS support, with security upgrades expected to stop in the near future. Newer models like the Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch FE have longer support windows, with Wear OS upgrades guaranteed until December 2027 and December 2028, respectively.
The end of support does not mean the devices will become unusable or immediately require replacement. Owners will still be able to track workouts, receive notifications, and use most daily features. However, the lack of ongoing security updates poses a risk for users who rely on contactless payments or store sensitive health data on their watches, as unpatched vulnerabilities could potentially be exploited. With major cutoffs arriving across all three platforms this year, 2026 represents a significant checkpoint for smartwatch owners to assess where their devices stand.
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