It is no longer a surprise that Samsung and Google have worked together numerous times to improve Android and everything associated with it. Samsung was the first company to introduce a smartwatch based on Google’s Wear OS, and Google even acknowledged taking help from Samsung on the matter.
Samsung and Google are serious about Wear OS, as both companies are independently working on future versions
Recent findings suggest that both companies are working together once again on separate versions of Wear OS. One version is based on Android 14, while the other version is based on Android 15. Notably, you will get Wear OS 5 based on Android 14, which is currently being tested on the Exynos 5535 chipset that will power the Galaxy Watch 7. On the other hand, Google is working on Wear OS 6, which is based on Android 15.
All of this information means that both Samsung and Google are not only working together once again, but Google seems to be preparing a yearly release schedule for the Wear OS. For those who do not know, unlike Android, the OS for wearables does not get updated frequently. The latest version that we have was launched all the way back in 2023 and was based on Android 13. So, the one that could come out this year would be based on Android 14, and the version next year would be based on Android 15.
This means that Android and Wear OS are going to follow the same release or upgrade cycle, which certainly is good as it shows Google is serious about supporting the operating system that powers the wearable devices.
Sadly, at the moment, we do not have a lot of information available on Wear OS 5 and 6. However, the good news is that both Samsung and Google are pretty confident in this OS. Based on the information available, it is safe to say that wearables on Android will finally be viable, especially for consumers tired of Apple Watch or some other smartwatch options that run their own custom operating systems.
As far as the release of Wear OS 5 is concerned, I have a feeling that the OS is going to debut alongside the Galaxy Watch 7, which should debut later this year once the new foldable phones come out. That is when Samsung and Google could formally announce the latest operating system. You can expect a ton of information in the coming months, and we will be sure to keep you posted as we learn more.
News Sources: 9to5Google, Mishaal Rahman