Samsung has officially ended support for the Galaxy Watch 4 series: the watches no longer receive firmware updates, and the Watch 4 is not included in One UI 9 Watch beta testing currently rolling out to several older Galaxy Watches. With support over, now is a logical moment to consider upgrading — particularly if you want to trade in your Watch 4 for a discount on a newer model.
What the end of Galaxy Watch 4 support means
The Galaxy Watch 4 no longer receives firmware updates and is excluded from One UI 9 Watch beta tests that are underway on other older Galaxy Watches. That leaves owners with limited future software and health-feature upgrades and may make an upgrade more attractive, especially given trade-in options.
Galaxy Watch 9 (2026)
The Galaxy Watch 9 is Samsung’s latest standard model for 2026 and is described as the cheapest 2026 Samsung smartwatch available. It ships with One UI 9 Watch OS and includes the newest Samsung Health and fitness tracking tools that the Watch 4 lacks. Key hardware and feature highlights listed for the Watch 9 include:
– Super AMOLED 1.47-inch display rated at 3000 nits with sapphire crystal protection.
– 3nm Snapdragon Wear Elite chip.
– 32GB storage and 2GB RAM.
– Newer connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0 and dual GPS for more accurate location tracking.
– Battery: 390mAh (40mm) and 445mAh (44mm).
– A modernized Cushion Design (squarer shape) intended to provide a more secure wrist fit and improved tracking accuracy.
Health features available on the Galaxy Watch 9 that are noted as missing from the Watch 4 include: hearing (sound exposure monitoring); vitals tracking; daily cardio load; vascular load; antioxidant index; and AGEs index.
Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic (2025)
The Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) and Watch 9 share a very similar appearance, thickness and Cushion Design. The Watch 8 series uses an Exynos W1000 chip, which is described as less powerful than the Watch 9’s chipset, and it lacks a few of the newest Health and tracking features. The Watch 8 is recommended as a potential upgrade mainly because it can usually be found cheaper than the Watch 9.
Some—but not all—of Samsung’s latest Health features will become available on the Watch 8 through the One UI 9 Watch update. The current support status reported is:
– Hearing (sound exposure monitoring): Not supported.
– Vitals tracking: Supported with One UI 9 Watch.
– Daily cardio load: Supported with One UI 9 Watch.
– Vascular load: Supported.
– Antioxidant index: Supported.
– AGEs index: Supported.
The Watch 8 Classic shares the same basic story but includes a physical rotating bezel. For owners of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic who want a familiar interface and a newer device, the Watch 8 Classic is presented as a closer match.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (2026)
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is described as the top choice and combines the Watch 9’s capabilities with a tougher, more rugged build. Notable facts include:
– It is Samsung’s first dive-ready smartwatch and carries an EN13319 rating.
– It is the only Samsung smartwatch listed with an IP68/IP69K rating, making it highly water-resistant and able to withstand powerful streams and water jets; it can submerge up to 100 meters for 10 minutes.
– A Silicon-Carbon 800mAh battery is specified, substantially larger than the Watch 4’s 248mAh/361mAh batteries.
– The Ultra series includes a third button called a Quick Button for quickly initiating workouts, launching apps, or activating the Emergency Siren. The Ultra 2’s bezel is noted as decorative and does not rotate to control the UI.
Which Galaxy Watch 4 upgrade should you choose?
Choice depends largely on budget and priorities. If you want the most advanced features and rugged hardware, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is presented as the top option. If you prefer a slimmer package with the latest software and sensors but not the dive-ready build, the Galaxy Watch 9 is the modern alternative. The Galaxy Watch 8 can serve as a more affordable upgrade if you can forgo one or two of the newest features and can find it at a discount. For users who value a physical rotating bezel similar to the Watch 4 Classic, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is currently the available option.
