A Quick Scoop on Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4
The End of the Line?
Prepare to bid farewell, as your elderly Samsung Galaxy Watch may soon be rendered outdated
Gear up for a curious twist with Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4, as it seems the watch might be losing its software support going forward. The beta release notes are hinting at a requirement for a Galaxy Watch 5 (or newer) to run new software updates.
Samsung's Generous Smartphone Update Policy, Not so Much for Smartwatches
While Samsung has demonstrated impressive software update support for smartphones, offering up to seven years for high-end models like the Galaxy S25 series, the situation isn't the same for its smartwatches. Samsung's smartwatches have received less attention in terms of software update support when compared to their smartphone counterparts.
The Galaxy Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch 4 - On Thin Ice
The Galaxy Watch 3, launched in 2020, was last updated in late 2023, and the Galaxy Watch 4, released in 2021, is next on the chopping block.
Say Goodbye to the One UI 8 Watch Update?
The Galaxy Watch 4 received an update last month, but the One U1 8 Watch beta based on Wear OS 6 doesn't list the Galaxy Watch 4 in the beta release footnotes. Instead, Galaxy Watch models from the 5 series or later are included, implying the Galaxy Watch 4 may not receive the One UI 8 Watch update.
Security Patches - A Matter of Uncertainty
The Galaxy Watch 4 continues to receive security patch updates as of mid-2025, but whether it will continue to get them moving forward remains unclear. The watch's extensive life span and Samsung's generally generous support policy might provide a glimmer of hope for more updates, but it's mostly a 50/50 shot at this point.
A Quick Reality Check
Save yourself the disappointment and consider an upgrade if the Galaxy Watch 4's software support and potential lack of the One UI 8 Watch update are a deal-breaker for you. Stay tuned for all the latest news and updates from us!
Despite Samsung's history of providing software updates for up to seven years for high-end smartphones, their smartwatches, such as the Galaxy Watch 4, may not receive equivalent support. Most recently, the One UI 8 Watch beta, based on Wear OS 6, does not list the Galaxy Watch 4, hinting it might miss out on this update, and the ongoing security patch updates remain uncertain moving forward.
