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Qualcomm sheds light on which smartwatches support Google’s new Wear OS

By Wei Zhang
1 min read
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The reveal of a new Wear OS fully supported by Samsung was a big surprise for the wearable industry. In fact, it was such as surprise that many smartwatch manufacturers don’t know whether or not their products support the platform that’s said to combine the best of Wear OS and Tizen.

Not even Google was willing to offer a straight answer when asked which of the current smartwatches can be upgraded to Wear OS 3.0, and which ones will remain on their current version of the OS.

Qualcomm on the other hand has been more generous and shared some info on the matter. XDA reports that a spokesperson for Qualcomm confirmed that Snapdragon Wear 3100 and Snapdragon Wear 4100/4100+ are the only chipsets that would be able to run the new Wear OS 3.0.

We are working with Google on bringing Wear OS 3.0 to Snapdragon Wear 4100+ and 4100 platforms. Snapdragon Wear 3100, 4100+ and 4100 platforms are capable of supporting Wear OS 3.0, but we are not discussing any specifics at this time.

Although that doesn’t necessarily mean that all smartwatches equipped with these specific chipsets will receive the Wear OS 3.0 upgrade, at least we know which ones are more likely to be updated.

Of course, if you’re using a Fossil smartwatch, then you already know you won’t be getting the new Wear OS 3.0 update, as the company has already issued an official statement on the matter not long ago.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which specific chipsets are capable of running the new Wear OS 3.0?

A.

Qualcomm has confirmed that Snapdragon Wear 3100 and Snapdragon Wear 4100/4100+ chipsets are capable of supporting the new Wear OS 3.0.

Q.

Does possessing a compatible chipset guarantee a smartwatch will receive the Wear OS 3.0 upgrade?

A.

No, the article states that having a compatible chipset does not necessarily mean all smartwatches equipped with them will receive the Wear OS 3.0 upgrade.

Q.

Which smartwatch brand has already confirmed its devices will not receive the Wear OS 3.0 update?

A.

Fossil has already issued an official statement confirming that its smartwatches will not be getting the new Wear OS 3.0 update.

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