Samsung, a prominent player in the smartwatch market, is saying goodbye to its Tizen-powered smartwatches, marking the end of an era that began with the original Galaxy Watch back in 2018. Let’s take a closer look at this transition and what it means for users.
– Samsung made a strategic shift from Tizen to Wear OS with the launch of the Galaxy Watch 4 in 2021, leaving Tizen behind.
– According to reports by Android Authority and Reddit user Seaweed_Maximum, Samsung is phasing out support for Tizen on its Galaxy Store.
– Starting September 30, 2024, the store will stop selling paid Tizen watch content. Free downloads will be discontinued on May 31, 2025.
– By September 30, 2025, re-downloads from the “My Apps” section will no longer be possible, closing access to new or existing Tizen content.
Samsung has announced that “core services” for Tizen watches will end after May 2025. This timeline applies to all Samsung Gear and Galaxy-branded Tizen watches. The Galaxy Store itself will remain operational despite these changes.
While this news may disappoint owners of older Galaxy Watches, it’s essential to know that core functionalities will continue for at least another year. The final Tizen-powered smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 3 released in 2020, may prompt users to consider an upgrade. Wear OS-based Samsung smartwatches launched since the Galaxy Watch 4 will not be affected by this transition and will continue to receive updates.
Although it’s always hard to say goodbye to a familiar system like Tizen, this shift sets the stage for exciting developments in Samsung’s smartwatch lineup. As we look forward to what lies ahead with Wear OS, users can make the most of their remaining time with their current devices and start exploring new possibilities for future upgrades.