Title: Samsung extends Galaxy Watch software support to five major OS updates and five years of security patches
Samsung announced at its Unpacked event in London that the new Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will receive five major operating system updates and five years of security patches.
A clear change to software support policy
Until now, Galaxy Watch models released since the Galaxy Watch 4 followed a four-major-update policy, though they already benefited from a five-year security patch window. With the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Samsung is extending major OS update support to five releases — a policy shift revealed during the London presentation.
What we know about previous models
Samsung has not confirmed whether the new five-major-update policy will be applied retroactively to older models such as the Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, or the first Galaxy Watch Ultra. The company says further details will be shared at a later date.
Software features and timeline
Both new watches ship with Wear OS 7 and One UI 9 Watch. Samsung also highlighted several AI- and health-focused features during the event, though it did not list every capability in detail. Based on the five-major-update commitment, devices sold in 2026 would receive their final significant OS upgrade in 2031.
Availability and pricing
Preorders for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 opened on July 22, with a global launch scheduled for August 7. The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at €409 (US$379), while the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is offered in a single configuration (47 mm with LTE) at €749 (US$699).
What this means for buyers
Samsung’s decision extends the advertised software lifespan of its latest smartwatches, a meaningful consideration for prospective buyers. Whether the same extension will be applied to earlier generations remains unresolved.
