Several popular smartwatches will lose software support in 2026
A number of widely used smartwatches from Apple, Google and Samsung are entering their final year of software support in 2026. The devices will keep working but will stop receiving new features and, in some cases, security updates.
2026 marks a significant checkpoint for smartwatch owners, as all three major platform makers — Apple, Google and Samsung — are cutting off support for several popular models this year.
Apple drops five models at once
Apple's current lineup includes the Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and the budget SE (3rd generation). The upcoming watchOS 27 update, expected to arrive in mid-September 2026, will only support Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3 and SE (3rd generation). As a result, the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, SE (2nd generation) and the original Ultra will be left behind. The cutoff appears tied to hardware, since modern Siri reportedly performs best on the chips found in Series 9 and later models. Apple typically supports its watches for three to six years before phasing them out.
Google's Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5
Google's Pixel Watch 2, released in October 2023, will stop receiving both software updates and security patches after October 1, 2026, under the company's three-year support policy. By comparison, the Pixel Watch 3 is covered until 2027 and the Pixel Watch 4 until 2028.
Samsung splits its support into two tracks. The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro, launched in August 2022, will keep receiving Wear OS upgrades until December 31, 2026, while security patches will continue somewhat longer. The older Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic have already lost Wear OS upgrade support, with security patches set to end soon as well.
What losing support actually means
A watch that reaches end of support won't suddenly stop working — it will still track workouts and deliver notifications. What it loses is forward progress: no new operating system features, no improved app compatibility, and potentially no more security patches. That can pose a real risk for anyone using their watch for contactless payments or storing sensitive health data, since unpatched vulnerabilities could be exploited by attackers.
