Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 get five years of updates

Samsung is extending software support for its flagship smartwatches: Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will receive major Wear OS updates and security patches for five years. The company says both models will be supported through at least Wear OS 12, with security fixes scheduled to continue until 2031.

That is close to a smartphone-style support period rather than the shorter lifecycle typically associated with wearable devices. Samsung previously offered four major Wear OS upgrades alongside five years of security patches. These two watches are the first to receive an additional operating-system update cycle.

Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 support policy

• Five major Wear OS updates
• Five years of security patches
• Potential upgrade to Wear OS 12
• Support continuing at least until 2031

Samsung introduced both watches alongside its latest generation of foldable smartphones. Their hardware includes the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, higher-capacity batteries and expanded Galaxy AI features. The longer support window shows that Samsung is emphasizing not only hardware specifications, but also a longer usable life for the devices.

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The policy gives Samsung an advantage over several rivals. Google Pixel Watch 4 has a stated three-year period for system and security updates. Apple does not announce comparable support periods in advance, although older Apple Watch models typically stop receiving new watchOS versions around three years after launch.

If Samsung maintains the schedule, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will rank among the longest-supported Wear OS watches. That could make software longevity a more significant factor in smartwatch buying decisions, particularly in a category where devices can become outdated quickly.

Marta Barinova is an editor on the news desk specializing in software analysis, streaming services and policy changes at global technology platforms. She covers Windows updates, feature changes in Spotify and Google, and antitrust issues affecting app stores. She has written more than 140 articles.