These modern smartwatches are in their last year of updates
Several popular smartwatches from Apple, Google and Samsung will lose software support during 2026, marking the end of new features and, in some cases, security updates for these devices. The watches will keep working for basic tasks like step tracking and notifications, but the loss of security patches raises concerns for anyone using them for contactless payments or storing health data. The scale is notable this year, with Apple cutting support for five models in one go and Google's and Samsung's support windows also expiring for various models.
With watchOS 27 expected in mid-September 2026, Apple will drop support for the Watch Series 6, 7 and 8, the SE (2nd generation) and the first-generation Watch Ultra, leaving only Series 9 and later, Ultra 2/3 and the SE (3rd generation) compatible. Google's Pixel Watch 2, released in October 2023, loses all updates after 1 October 2026 under Google's three-year support policy, the shortest among the major brands. Samsung splits support into OS upgrades and security patches: the Galaxy Watch 4/4 Classic has already lost OS support, while the Watch 5/5 Pro will stop receiving Wear OS upgrades after 31 December 2026, though security patches continue for longer.
- Many Apple, Google and Samsung smartwatches lose software support in 2026
- watchOS 27 drops five Apple Watch models, including Series 8 and original Ultra
- Pixel Watch 2 loses all support from October 2026; Galaxy Watch 5 OS support ends December 2026
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Modern smartwatches from Apple, Google and Samsung run software that needs regular updates, much like a phone. These updates bring new features and, importantly, security fixes that protect data such as fitness and health records, and information used for contactless payments. Manufacturers only commit to supporting each model for a set number of years before moving on to newer devices.
During 2026, several widely owned models are reaching the end of that support window at around the same time. This includes a handful of Apple Watch generations, Google's Pixel Watch 2, and older Samsung Galaxy Watch models, each following slightly different rules set by their manufacturer for how long updates continue. Apple, Google and Samsung each have their own approach to how long they support devices and how updates are phased out.
This matters because an unsupported smartwatch does not stop working, but it becomes less secure over time as new vulnerabilities go unpatched. Owners of the affected watches are left to weigh continuing to use an older device against upgrading to a newer, supported model.