The latest One UI 8 Watch beta based on Wear OS 6 has been launched by Samsung, but it seems that the Galaxy Watch 4 may not be included in the update. In the rollout notice on Samsung's official forums, it's mentioned that only users with the Galaxy Watch 5 or newer models are eligible for the beta program. While Samsung has not explicitly stated that the Watch 4 won't receive the new software, the exclusion of the 2021 model from the list suggests otherwise.
The Galaxy Watch 4, which made the switch from Tizen to Wear OS in August 2021, is at a disadvantage due to Samsung's typical three-year support policy for smartwatches. With the Watch 4 approaching the end of its support cycle, it may not receive the One UI 8 Watch update in time. While smaller updates or security patches may still be pushed out, major updates are unlikely for the Watch 4 based on the current rollout.
It's not uncommon for devices with older hardware to be left behind as new features outstrip their capabilities. Even though Samsung hasn't officially confirmed the Watch 4's update status, it follows a trend seen in other smartwatch manufacturers like Google and Apple. Despite the potential lack of future major updates, users can take solace in the Watch 4's strong performance during its lifespan.
