Samsung and Google are both seen working at the same table again to prepare for the next generation of Wear OS, which is the Android 14-based Wear OS 5 update.
The upgrade cycle for Wear OS seems pretty slow as compared to other software upgrades. Although if we turn back the pages, it will appear that major Wear OS updates were few and far between. Back in 2018, Wear OS 2.2 based on Android 9 arrived with a few feature additions, such as tiles, and then for too long stayed unchanged.
Then, two years later, in 2021, Wear OS 3, based on Android 11, arrived with the Galaxy Watch 4 series; however, that began a new zone for smartwatches built on Google’s software. Then, the following year, Google also debuted its very first Pixel Watch, along with Wear OS 3.5 with Fitbit support and a reworked Google Assistant experience.
Wear OS 5 is arriving for Samsung and Pixel watches
Then the most recent addition is the Galaxy Watch 6, which debuted in 2023 and brought Android 13, backup capabilities, and convenient improvements to supported watches.
Recent reports indicate that Samsung is actively working to support a build of Android 14 for its forthcoming Galaxy Watch 7 chip. Several regions refer to this build as Wear OS 5. With this expectation, it appears that Samsung will introduce its Galaxy Watch 7 series based on Wear OS 5. Furthermore, reports indicate that the Pixel Watch 3, which may arrive in two sizes, is expected to follow in the fall.
However, at the moment, there are no specific details shared officially regarding what to expect from the update to Wear OS 5. Noticeably, in recent years, Wear OS has usually jumped out of Android versions, getting versions 9, 11, and 13. While preparing Android 14 for watches, it appears that Google is looking to deliver wearables in an annual update cycle rivaling smartphones.
