Early Samsung watches to be rendered useless with 2021 smartphones
Owners of old Samsung watches might want to hold off on upgrading their phones in 2021. The Samsung Members app has warned users of early Samsung wearables that their devices will not be compatible with the Galaxy S21 and other 2021 phones.
This is according to Dutch website GalaxyClub which spotted the notification in the Galaxy Wearable app. Here’s the translation of the text that was shown.
“The existing service quality of older Samsung Gear wearables cannot be guaranteed and ensured through app updates alone,” the message reads.
“Therefore, older Samsung Gear wearables can no longer be used in conjunction with new Samsung smartphones (from the year of publication 2021).”
The text goes on to say that this refers to five watches released before the Galaxy series. The list includes the Gear1 (Galaxy Gear), Gear2, Gear2 Neo, Gear S and Gear Fit.
The Gear S2, Gear S3 and Gear 3 Neo are not mentioned, so it’s likely they will continue to be supported. At least for now. But it’s likely their days are numbered, as well.
No specific reason has been given as to why supports is being dropped. So we don’t know if it’s tied to Android 11 and One UI 3.0, or the hardware. But don’t be too shocked. It’s never easy keeping older devices compatible with new technology. And there are limits – at least to what the manufacturer can or are willing to do.
All of this means that if you were planning on purchasing the Galaxy S21, A32 or the A52, it might be time to upgrade your watch as well. Samsung has said users of the five smartwatches will be alerted in the Galaxy Wearable app about the changes in the coming weeks.
The other option, of course, to continue using your old watch with your existing smartphone. It will still work with phones manufactured 2020 and earlier.
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