This archive report was first published on 24 July 2021.
Published on July 24, 2021, Google has shed light on the compatibility of its Wear OS 3.0 with various smartwatches.
While designed for smartwatches, the Wear OS 3.0 update will not be deployed on all existing models, nor will it be mandatory for compatible ones.
Snapdragon Wear 4100: The Key to Upgrades ¶
Watches equipped with the Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor will be eligible for the critical update, but those using a Snapdragon Wear 3100 or 2100 will not be able to upgrade.
Google has committed to providing new application experiences for those who will not enjoy Wear OS 3.0 or simply do not want to update. The company will maintain security patches for at least two years from the launch of the respective watch.
Interestingly, Google will not force anyone to switch to the new version of its OS, giving each compatible watch owner the choice to update or not.
Wear OS 3.0 is expected to launch in the second half of 2022.
