Samsung Phasing Out Tizen OS Smartwatches in Favor of Wear OS

Samsung has officially announced its plans to discontinue support for Tizen OS on its smartwatches, signaling a complete shift to Google’s Wear OS. The transition will culminate in 2025, marking the end of an era for Tizen-powered wearables.

Key Timeline for Tizen OS Termination

1. September 30, 2024: The Galaxy Store will stop selling paid Tizen watch content, including apps and watch faces.

2. May 31, 2025: The Galaxy Store will cease new downloads of free Tizen watch content.

3. September 30, 2025: The “My Apps” section in the Galaxy Store will no longer allow re-downloads of any Tizen content.

Impact on Tizen Users

Users of Tizen-based smartwatches such as the Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch Active, and Galaxy Watch Active 2 will need to transition to newer devices running Wear OS. During this period, users can still download and enjoy content, but post-2025, core services will be significantly restricted, and security updates will cease, leaving devices vulnerable to potential threats.

Reason for Transition

Samsung’s move to Wear OS was driven by the need for a more robust, widely supported operating system. Tizen struggled to keep up with the development pace and feature set of Wear OS, prompting Samsung to adopt Google’s platform starting with the Galaxy Watch 4 series.

Advice for Tizen Smartwatch Owners

While the termination of Tizen support might be disappointing for some, Samsung is offering trade-in promotions to ease the transition. For instance, users can trade in their original Galaxy Watch for up to $100 in credit towards a new Galaxy Watch 6, depending on the condition of the device.

For those considering an upgrade, the Galaxy Watch 6 is a reliable option, but it might be wise to wait for the Galaxy Watch 7 series, expected to be unveiled in August.

Samsung’s decision to phase out Tizen OS marks a significant shift in its wearable strategy, aligning more closely with Google’s Wear OS for better updates, features, and overall user experience. Tizen users have a grace period to enjoy their devices and prepare for the transition, ensuring a smooth shift to the newer ecosystem.