Apps & Software

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Lineup Excluded From One UI 9 Update

Samsung has detailed its latest wearable operating system rollout, confirming that select legacy smartwatches will miss out on the newly released One UI 9 Watch upgrade.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 31, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026 · 3 min read

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Lineup Excluded From One UI 9 Update — Image: Engadget

One UI 9 Watch Rollout Details

Samsung has released the latest version of its wearable operating system, One UI 9 Watch, with the vast majority of its smartwatch lineup slated to receive the update. According to Engadget, the list of devices missing out on the new firmware is mercifully small, though it marks a definitive shift for older hardware.

In August, Samsung released the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which arrived pre-installed with the latest One UI 9 Watch operating system. The company has also been running beta versions of the software for newer models, including the sixth One UI 9 Watch beta update launched in late October for Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic owners in South Korea. While most previous devices will eventually secure the update, older models have reached the end of their designated support windows.

Which Watches Are Left Behind

The specific Samsung Galaxy Watch devices that will not receive the One UI 9 Watch update are the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Originally released in 2021, this lineup has already received four major OS upgrades: One UI Watch 4.5, One UI 5 Watch, One UI 6 Watch, and finally One UI 8 Watch. This exclusion naturally covers limited editions such as the Galaxy Watch 4 Golf Edition and the high-end Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Thom Browne Edition.

The loss of support for the Galaxy Watch 4 family also signifies the end of a specific hardware era. This generation initially heralded Samsung's transition away from Tizen OS toward a custom-skinned version of Google's Wear OS smartwatch operating system.

Support Policy Differences

While Samsung has bumped up software support for newer hardware like the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to five major OS upgrades, their predecessors in the broader Watch lineup only received four. Consequently, users running older hardware face a choice regarding future app compatibility, bug fixes, and security patches.

Missing out on One UI 9 Watch will not immediately impact baseline performance, but it means devices will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or new features. Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and all subsequent models will receive One UI 9 Watch by the end of 2026.

Hand holding a Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic on display. — Image related to the report from Engadget · Source: Engadget

New Features in One UI 9 Watch

For devices making the cut, the One UI 9 Watch update introduces a refined visual interface alongside expanded functionality. Users can now raise their wrist to activate an AI assistant, while advanced health metrics bring tracking capabilities like Daily Cardio Load and a dedicated Heart Health Score.

Upgrade Considerations and Alternatives

For owners of the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, transitioning to a newer device offers access to the latest software features. For instance, the Galaxy Watch 9 debuted in August alongside improved hardware, sleep apnea detection, skin temperature tracking, and a commitment to five years of upgrades.

For users who prefer legacy hardware features, such as the physical rotating bezel found on older classic models, alternatives like the Watch 8 Classic provide a comparable physical design layout. Beyond purchasing new hardware, users can also repurpose legacy watches into dedicated sleep trackers, smart home dashboards, or media remotes.