Samsung Ends Software Support for Galaxy Watch 4 Smartwatches

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic smartwatches, released in 2021, will not receive the One UI 9 Watch update. The new system launched in August with the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. This means the Galaxy Watch 4 series will be the only major model line excluded from the update. The decision also applies to limited-edition versions.

The Galaxy Watch 4 series has received 4 major system updates to date. These are One UI Watch 4.5, One UI 5 Watch, One UI 6 Watch and, most recently, One UI 8 Watch. The end of software support also covers the Galaxy Watch 4 Golf Edition and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Thom Browne Edition. This series once marked the beginning of the transition from Tizen OS to Google's Wear OS platform.

The Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and newer models will receive the update by the end of 2026. One UI 9 Watch will have a cleaner look. Users will also be able to launch the AI assistant by raising their wrist. The system will add Daily Cardio Load, which shows the daily strain placed on the heart, and Heart Health Score, which assesses the heart's overall condition.

Samsung promises 5 major system updates for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. For previous-generation Galaxy Watch models, that number is 4. Not receiving the One UI 9 Watch update will not directly affect how older watches currently operate. However, these devices will not receive new features, bug fixes or security updates. It is also unclear whether they will be compatible with future apps.

Galaxy Watch 4 users will have to switch to a newer model to continue receiving software support. The Galaxy Watch 9, released in August, detects sleep apnea, monitors skin temperature and will receive updates for 5 years. Those who want to keep the watch's physical rotating bezel can choose the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. The old watch can be used as a sleep tracker, a smart home control panel or a media remote.