Wear OS 5: Features, Supported Devices & More

Google has finally released the next major Wear OS version, i.e., Wear OS 5, marking this occasion as one of the first times Wear OS got a major update within a year. Wear OS 5 was in developer preview until the launch of Galaxy Watch 7 followed by the Pixel Watch 3, and it’s now seeding to more Wear OS devices. Here’s everything you need to know about Wear OS 5.

Wear OS 5: Release Date

Google announced Wear OS 5 during Google I/O 2024 but at the time, it didn’t specify the launch date. The Pixel Watch 3 (review), Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra (review) were the only Wear OS 5 watches in the market until Google released the same for the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2.

Wear OS 5 was released onSeptember 25, 2024, and isavailable on all Pixel Watchesand Galaxy Watch 7. The update will soon hit all Galaxy Watches starting with the Galaxy Watch 4 series (more info below).

Wear OS 5: New Features

Wear OS 5 bumps up the Android version from Android 13 to 14. Reports suggest that Google is already working on Wear OS 5.1 based on Android 15. Wear OS 5 for older Pixel Watches definitely came as a surprise as we were anticipating Google to release it alongsideAndroid 15 in October.

In terms of features, there are not a lot to start with. However, one of the highlights of the update is the Watch Face Format which wasannouncedlast year in partnership with Samsung.

It makes it easier for designers to build watch faces for Wear OS watches by using XML rather than executables. Besides, there are new ways to design watch faces and implement complications along with battery and performance optimizations.

While Wear OS 5 brings a significant change to watch faces, that’s about where the greatness ends though. Sure, it brings the new Voice recorder app, improvements to the Pixel Camera app, and a grid layout in the launcher, but those areall Pixel Watch-specific features. The actual Wear OS 5 features are one too few, and it feels like a minor incremental update.

Wear OS 5: Supported Watches

The recently releasedPixel Watch 3andGalaxy Watch 7 / Ultrawere the first to launch with Wear OS 5. The Pixel Watch 2 and the original Pixel Watch are the latest wearables to join the list.

As for the Samsung watches, One UI 6 Watch is currently in beta forGalaxy Watch 4 and aboveand is expected to be available by the end of this year. OnePlus, however, hasn’t shared a timeline of the Wear OS 5 release for the OnePlus Watch 2 and 2R yet. Here’s a list of all wearables expected to get the update.

Features I Miss on Wear OS 5

Besides a few Android 14-specific features and battery life improvements, it doesn’t bring much to the table. Here are all the features I wish it brought.

And that was all you need to know about the new version. What are some of the features that you would like to see in future Wear OS versions? Let us know in the comments.

Ajaay Srinivasan

Ajaay’s love affair with technology started young, with the Nokia N-Gage piquing his interest. Since 2016, he’s channeled his passion for tech into crafting explainers and guides on iOS, macOS, Android, social media, privacy & cybersecurity, and AI. When it’s time to unplug, Ajaay enjoys playing EAFC, unwinding to music on a pair of open-backs, building his dream audiophile gear, or watching Arsenal struggle to keep a clean sheet.

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Wear OS 5: Features, Supported Devices & More#

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Wear OS 5: New Features#

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Features I Miss on Wear OS 5#

Ajaay Srinivasan#