Wear OS 3.0 can run on existing smartwatches after all, but there’s a catch
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
TL; DR
- Qualcomm said in a statement that the Snapdragon Wear 3100 supports Wear OS 3.0.
- The chip manufacturer has not confirmed which Wear OS wearables will receive the update.
- Google is also still silent on the update schedule for existing Wear OS watches.
Qualcomm has confirmed that the new version of Wear OS developed by Google and Samsung can run on existing smartwatches with the Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset.
In a statement to XDA developersaid the chip maker: “We are working with Google to bring Wear OS 3.0 to the Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus and 4100 platforms. The Snapdragon Wear 3100, 4100 Plus, and 4100 platforms can support Wear OS 3.0, but we’re not discussing the details at this time. “
Ideally, this should be good news for people using older Wear OS smartwatches like the Suunto 7 or the Moto 360 (2019). However, Google or the OEMs have not yet explicitly made it clear that older devices such as these are eligible for the new Wear OS update.
Plus, Fossil, maker of some of the best Wear OS smartwatches, has already confirmed that its older models will not receive the new software. Instead, the company will launch a new premium smartwatch with the operating system made by Google and Samsung.
Samsung will not upgrade its older Galaxy Watches with Wear OS 3.0 either.
Connected: The best Wear OS smartwatches you can buy right now
While Qualcomm has made it clear that older hardware isn’t a problem for the new Wear OS, that doesn’t necessarily mean the software with the Snapdragon Wear 3100 SoC is leaking to existing devices. This requires OEMs to work closely with Google and Qualcomm to create updates for their devices. The process can be lengthy and require more effort than just rolling out newer devices with the updated software.
Google said it before 9to5Google Current Wear OS owners will have to do this “later this year” when they receive the new version.
