Google Pixel Watch 3 to Receive Wear OS Updates for Three Years, But Short of Samsung Rivals
Google has unveiled the details of its Android 14-based Wear OS 5-powered Pixel Watch 3, which marks the company’s latest move into the smartwatch segment. In a significant twist, Google has confirmed that the new wearable will only receive Wear OS updates for three years, which contrasts with its seven-year pledge for Pixel smartphones.
Pitted against Samsung’s ambitious Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra models that promise four years of updates, Google’s Pixel Watch 3’s three-year support might raise concerns over its long-term viability in the competitive wearables landscape.
As per Google’s official support page, the Pixel Watch 3, launched alongside the Pixel 9 series last month, will receive guaranteed software updates until October 2027. The updates will be a combination of security, feature drops, and general software enhancements.
The wearables manufacturer is promising to offer similar three-year support for previous wearables like the Pixel Watch 2, which will get updates until October 2026, and the Pixel Watch from 2022 will receive updates until October 2025.
Other notable specifications of the Google Pixel Watch 3 in India include a starting price tag of Rs. 39,900 for the 41mm model, a 2,000nits peak brightness Display with 320ppi pixel density, IP68-rated build, a 307mAh battery or 420mAh battery options, and Qualcomm SW5100 processor alongside Cortex M33 co-processor.
The devices are available for pre-order through Flipkart, as well as retailers like Reliance Digitial and Croma.
In conclusion, while Google’s Pixel Watch 3 may have shown promise, its limited upgrade support in comparison to leading competitors raises concerns about long-term usability and reliability of the wearable device. Consumers would do well to wait and assess the market, taking into account factors including upgrade policies and ecosystem cohesiveness, before investing in this or other watch brands.
