5 Smartwatch Brands With The Longest Software Support

A smartwatch's longevity depends on two primary factors: the hardware that makes up the device and the software that allows it to be put to use. A watch can feel outdated if its software support has ended, despite the touchscreens, sensors, and batteries working just fine. Tech companies notoriously limit software support for different devices, in part to encourage the purchase of newer models, and in part because older hardware can struggle with newer software features.

No matter how stylish an Apple Watch remains over time, any smartwatch's usefulness will depend on the manufacturer's commitment to software updates. On the hardware side, users can get more life out of their smartwatch by following proper charging habits, and many manufacturers advise keeping the device away from extreme temperatures. On the software side, keeping a smartwatch's companion app updated can ensure continued compatibility with mobile devices, but larger OS updates are what will keep the watch relevant for longer. Smartwatch manufacturers all offer different longevity guarantees, so here we're taking a look at which smartwatches come with the longest software support.

Samsung is known for offering long-term support across its mobile device lineups. On the phone side, Samsung currently promises up to seven years of OS and security updates for flagship Galaxy S devices. Samsung has a slightly different policy for its wearables, though for years a similar commitment has trickled down to the Galaxy Watch lineup. Historically, Samsung Galaxy Watches have received support for four years of major OS upgrades and five years of security updates.

While that policy was enough for wearables like the Galaxy Watch 8 to sit above other smartwatches in terms of software support longevity, Samsung recently announced even more support. With the release of the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Samsung opted to provide five major OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Samsung has improved its firmware support policies several times over the last few years as well.

Some popular Galaxy Watches will lose support after 2027, including the Galaxy Watch 6, simply due to age. That said, Samsung's latest support guarantee will keep owners of the latest Galaxy Watch models updated through 2031. This puts the company's wearables line closer to its mobile devices in terms of software support longevity, and the five-year commitment is one of the best among popular smartwatch makers.

Notoriously ambiguous when it comes to software support, Apple isn't as transparent about the Apple Watch lineup as Samsung is about its Galaxy Watches. The Apple Watch 12 and Ultra 4 are likely to have the longest lifespans from this point in time, but only because they're the most recent to hit the market. Models like the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 are still receiving support through annual watchOS updates and periodic security updates, as are even older models like the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.

Apple's oldest models still receiving support are the Series 9 and Ultra 2, which were both released in 2023. But with the 2026 release of watchOS 27 came the discontinuation of support for earlier Apple Watch models, nixing the Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, SE 2, and original Apple Watch Ultra from the list of models that can still be updated. The oldest among them is the Apple Watch Series 6. It launched in 2020, which means Apple provided owners with close to six full years of software support.

Not all Apple Watches received that duration of support, however, as the Series 8 and original Ultra were released in 2022, meaning they only received four years of updates. Of course, a smartwatch can continue to work beyond its officially supported software updates. Several Apple Watch owners report long lifespans out of the devices, and the discontinuation of software updates only eliminates the ability to receive the newest features and compatibility with some apps.

As tech giants go, Google is one of the more transparent companies when it comes to its software support policies, even standing behind them in its marketing materials. Just like Samsung, Google provides a guaranteed seven years of OS and security updates for its Pixel phone series, which includes the recently released Google Pixel 11 lineup. But Samsung and Google differ when it comes to smartwatch support, with Google only guaranteeing three years of updates for Pixel Watches.

The current generation Pixel Watch 5 launched in August of 2026 and will receive software support until October of 2029, which is good for a little more than three years. Previous generations of the Pixel Watch support Google's claim that it provides three years of software support, as the original Pixel Watch debuted in October of 2022 and Google discontinued support in October of 2025. The first Google Pixel Watch moved through two major OS upgrades during that timeframe, going from Wear OS 3.5 at launch to Wear OS 5.1.

One thing to note is that Google's language often claims the company guarantees "at least" three years of software updates. While the three-year guarantee held true for the original Pixel Watch, the Pixel Watch 2 is nearing the end of its guaranteed update window. With that window set to end in October 2026, it remains to be seen if Google will extend support for the Pixel Watch 2 or start to establish a three-year pattern for its more current models.

Amazfit might not carry the name recognition of some other smartwatch brands, but it's among the best cheap smartwatch brands according to users. Its latest models include the Bip 6 and Bip Max smartwatches, each of which is priced under $100. The affordability doesn't negate solid software support, with Amazfit devices typically receiving security updates every 90 days for at least two years after the smartwatch's first shipment date.

Zepp Health, the company that owns Amazfit, also notes in its product support policy overview that it may support security updates for more than three years for some models. In case of extreme security vulnerabilities, even devices on their end-of-life product list may receive software support. Two years of software support doesn't necessarily provide much comfort for smartwatch purchasers, but Amazfit's commitment is still one of the best among smartwatch manufacturers.

Zepp Health does a good job of keeping Amazfit smartwatch customers informed, publishing and frequently updating a list of devices and their update windows. Owners of older Amazfit smartwatches can use it to see if their device has reached its EOL declaration. Those who've purchased newer models like the Amazfit Balance, Amazfit T-Rex 3, and previously mentioned Bip 6 and Bip Max can use it to see if their devices will receive extended support over the coming years.

In many ways, Garmin watches beat the Apple Watch for fitness users. However, that isn't quite the case when it comes to software support. Just like Apple, Garmin doesn't have a published software support policy or timeline for any of its smartwatches, but while Apple has established a five- to six-year pattern of software support, Garmin shows a two- to three-year pattern for its smartwatches. Its most recent flagship releases are the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro, both of which start close to the $1,000 mark.

Even with such hefty price tags, Garmin doesn't guarantee feature updates through software support for these smartwatches. But its Forerunner 965 was released in March of 2023, with Garmin confirming that no new features were planned for the watch in May of 2025. Similarly, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro hit the market in May of 2023 and was confirmed to be excluded from new features in May of 2025. Typically, Garmin smartwatches get software support until the model's newest iteration is released.

But Garmin users will also acknowledge that security updates and bug fixes can continue for several years after a watch is released. In a Reddit forum, for example, the owner of a Garmin 735XT claims the smartwatch is more than eight years old and still receives occasional maintenance updates. While Garmin smartwatch owners can expect the company to restrict feature updates to encourage the purchase of newer models, it has exhibited support for security issues for years beyond the release of such models.