A new market report reveals that the global smartwatch market has returned to growth, with major brands gaining momentum. Samsung took a different path in Q1 2026, with smartwatch shipments facing a steep decline.

According to Counterpoint Research, the global smartwatch shipments grew 4% YoY in Q1 2026. Analysts believe Apple was the key driver given its newest Watch portfolio, along with growing demand for premium devices.

Samsung was the only smartwatch brand that flagged a massive downturn in its shipments in Q1 2026. The company’s market share declined from 7 percent in Q1 2025 to 5 percent in the first quarter of the year.

The shipment data reveals that Galaxy Watch shipments declined 28 percent YoY. It signals that the company’s wearable strategy requires revisions. A new set of watches is coming next month, and market share is expected to rise.

Apple led the worldwide smartwatch market with 23 percent market share. The US tech giant flagged a steep growth of 21 percent year-on-year. The momentum will continue as Q3 is set to welcome the next-gen wearables.

Huawei also grew 12 percent, with the company’s market share jumping from 16 percent in Q1 2025 to 17 percent in Q1 2026. The Chinese brand ranked second, thanks to aggressive marketing and push from key markets.

The growth of the Chinese market, led by Huawei’s ecosystem push and government subsidies, encouraged consumer upgrades and strengthened overall demand.

Xiaomi maintained its third spot and 10 percent market share in Q1 2026’s smartwatch market. The company’s overall smartwatch shipments grew 9 percent year over year.

imoo was the fourth largest smartwatch vendor in the first quarter, retaining 7 percent market share with 2 percent YoY growth.

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Google announced the official release of Wear OS 7 for eligible Pixel smartwatch models. This rollout quickly followed the start of Android 17 distribution. Samsung will bring a Wear OS 7-based One UI 9 Watch update later this year.

Wear OS 7 update aims to elevate your smartwatch device’s performance and battery life. Meanwhile, Google is highlighting three key features for users, including Live Updates, multi-device controls, and Gemini Intelligence.

Battery life upgrade

Google has optimized the Wear OS 7 operating system for battery life improvements. The company says users can expect a battery life improvement of up to 10 percent over the Wear OS 6 version released last year.

Thanks to deep, system-level power optimizations, Wear OS 7 lets you enjoy all of these new features. Average users who upgrade their watches from Wear OS 6 to Wear OS 7 can expect up to 10% improvement in battery life.

Live Updates

Google is bringing Android’s Live Updates to Wear OS with version 7. Users owning an eligible smartwatch will be able to track ongoing events right on the wrist.

It could be either the score of a big game, your food order’s arrival time, or your workout progress.

Cross-device connectivity

Wear OS 7 focuses on improving cross-device connectivity. Your smartwatch can be a central hub to control certain features across connected devices such as your smartphone, headphones, speaker, TV, Nest Hub, earbuds, or smart glasses.

For instance, if you take a photo with your audio glasses, you can review your capture instantly with a quick glance at your watch.

Gemini Intelligence

Gemini Intelligence is the biggest upgrade of Wear OS 7. Select smartwatches will receive the AI features later this year. The list may include the upcoming Galaxy Watch 9, Watch Ultra 2 and Google’s Pixel Watch 4.

• Create My Widget – Build custom dashboards using natural language
• Multi-step app automation – Gemini navigates tasks directly from your watch
• Neural Expressive design with Personal Intelligence

Samsung Watch models released in the past three years are confirmed to receive the Wear OS 7 update later this year. The list includes:

• Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, 44mm, and 46mm)
• Galaxy Watch Ultra
• Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch FE
• Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm and 47mm)

Samsung may also upgrade these older Watch models:

• Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm and 44mm)
• Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

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Samsung is quietly ticking boxes ahead of what’s shaping up to be a busy July. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 have both cleared FCC certification in the US, while their rumored sibling, the Galaxy Watch 9 Classic, is missing.

Update: FCC certification – June 15, 2026

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 have been spotted on the FCC database ahead of launch. Similar to the CMIIT certification, the Classic version is missing from the authority database, indicating that it wouldn’t launch.

• Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: SM-L715 (Cellular)
• Galaxy Watch 9 (small): SM-L340 (WiFi), SM-L345 (LTE)
• Galaxy Watch 9 (big): SM-L350 (WiF), SM-L355 (LTE)

Initial story: CMIIT certification – June 9, 2026

CMIIT certification, via 91mobiles, mentions Samsung’s SM-L3550 (Galaxy Watch 9) and SM-L7150 (Galaxy Watch Ultra 2). What’s missing is the Galaxy Watch 9 Classic, no certification filing, no model number sighting.

Whether Samsung is planning a later announcement or has quietly dropped the Classic variant altogether isn’t clear yet. The last year’s lineup had a Classic version, so it’s less likely to show up this year due to Ultra sequel.

• Waiting for Galaxy Watch 9 Classic in 2026? Don’t

On the charging front, the 3C filing confirmed 10W wired charging for both models. Same as the Watch 8 series. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 reportedly packs a 784mAh battery and could be Samsung’s first smartwatch with 5G support.

On the flip side, the Watch 9 is expected to come in 40mm and 44mm, with a new Exynos wearable chip and battery sizes of 382mAh and 435mAh.

Galaxy Unpacked is rumoured for July 22nd in London, where Samsung is expected to show the new watches alongside its next foldables. Well, Samsung is already testing the Galaxy S27 as it just emerged on the GSMA database.

Image credits – 91mobiles

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June 8, 2026 | Samsung has new firmware updates for its smartwatch portfolio. While users are busy exploring One UI 8.5, Samsung has started pushing the May 2026 Wear OS update to its smartwatch lineup, starting with Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 7.

Galaxy Watch models receive new firmware updates once a quarter. Samsung strictly follows its Watch Update Mechanism to deliver timely releases. The latest update follows the March rollout, which brought the February patch.

May 2026 Wear OS update is available on these models:

1. Galaxy Watch 8 [AZE1]
2. Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
3. Galaxy Watch 7 [BZE1]
4. Galaxy Watch Ultra
5. Galaxy Watch 6 – CZE1
6. Galaxy Watch Classic
7. Galaxy Watch 5 – DZE1
8. Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
9. Galaxy Watch 4 – JZE1
10. Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
11. Galaxy Watch FE – CZE1

The rollout began on June 8 in South Korea, covering the two recent Watch ranges. Remaining lineups, including the Galaxy Watch 6, Watch 5, and Watch 4, have joined the update party as of June 16, 2026. Details follow:

June 16, 2026 | Samsung is now rolling out the latest Wear OS improvements to the Galaxy Watch 4, Watch 4 Classic, Watch FE, Watch 5, Watch 5 Pro, Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic smartwatch models in South Korea.

• Watch 4 – JZE1
• Watch 5 – DZE1
• Watch 6 – CZE1
• Watch FE – CZE1

June 13, 2026 | Verizon-bounded Galaxy Watch 7, Watch Ultra, Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic have started to receive the May 2026 firmware update in the US.

• Changelog:
  • The current software update provides the most up to date Android security patches for your device.
• Build versions:
  • Watch 7 – L305USQU3BZB4 (40mm) / L315USQU3BZB4 (44mm)
  • Watch Ultra – L705USQS3BZE1
  • Watch 8 – L335USQS3AZE1 (44mm) / L325USQS3AZE1 (40mm)
  • Watch 8 Classic – L505USQS3AZE1

What’s new in Watch firmware

Samsung announced it addressed 39 vulnerability items in its May 2026 package. Those vulnerabilities were linked to Android and One UI; meanwhile, the content may differ on smartwatch models.

Apart from fixes, Samsung updates usually clean the system cache and unnecessary files. OTAs also optimize the overall system stability and reliability. As a result, Galaxy users have a better experience with health tracking.

How to update your Galaxy Watch

You can update your Watch’s firmware through Galaxy Wearable or the smartwatch itself. I prefer installing OTAs using the Galaxy Wearable app as it’s seamless and ensures that everything goes perfect while installation.

To update the watch, open the Wearable app, followed by Watch settings. Now tap Watch software update so your watch finds a new firmware. Follow the on-screen instructions if the system delivers an update to your watch.

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