Wear OS has evolved into a strong competitor against the Apple Watch, with manufacturers like OnePlus and Xiaomi re-entering the market in 2024. Following a challenging decade since its 2014 launch, significant partnerships, such as Google and Samsung’s in 2021, revitalized the platform. Enhancements in battery life and innovative features have further strengthened its appeal, while established brands like Fossil have exited due to fierce competition. Wear OS is now positioned for a promising future.
After a decade of ups and downs, Wear OS has finally emerged as a credible alternative to the Apple Watch. Manufacturers who once abandoned Google’s platform are now returning, leading to a resurgence in 2024.
Wear OS: A Journey Through Turbulence
The saga of Wear OS, originally known as Android Wear, began in 2014 with the launch of its first smartwatches. Back then, Google collaborated with prominent brands like Motorola, Sony, LG, and Samsung to create a buzz in the wearable market. However, as excitement waned, many of these manufacturers gradually pulled out of the Wear OS scene. LG, Sony, and Motorola ceased production of connected watches, while Samsung shifted its focus to its proprietary Tizen operating system.
In those early days, the concept of connected watches was still evolving. Most applications simply mirrored smartphone functionalities on a smaller screen, offering limited value. It wasn’t until a few years later that meaningful use cases emerged, primarily centered around health and fitness tracking.
Strategic Moves by Google and Samsung
Everything changed in 2021 when Google and Samsung announced a groundbreaking partnership. During the Google I/O event, they unveiled Wear OS 3, marking a significant upgrade for the platform. Samsung transitioned from Tizen to Wear OS for its future smartwatches, starting with the Galaxy Watch 4, setting a new standard for connected devices.
In a bold move, Google also launched its own smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch, in late 2022, reinforcing its commitment to the Wear OS ecosystem. This strategic pivot encouraged other manufacturers to reconsider their stance on Wear OS, as the absence of Google-branded hardware had previously hindered adoption.
New Entrants: OnePlus and Xiaomi Join the Fray
As the landscape evolved, 2024 saw the emergence of major players like OnePlus and Xiaomi embracing Wear OS for their connected watches. Xiaomi kicked off this new era with the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, a device that offered a classic design, competitive pricing, and essential health features. Following closely, the Xiaomi Watch 2 was introduced at an attractive price point under 200 euros, breaking from the trend of pricier Wear OS devices.
OnePlus also stepped into the Wear OS arena with its OnePlus Watch 2 and OnePlus Watch 2R, both impressing users with their innovative dual-OS approach that combined Wear OS with a power-efficient RTOS, enabling over two and a half days of battery life. This strategy was mirrored by Oppo, which rebranded the OnePlus Watch 2 as the Oppo Watch X.
Enhanced Battery Life and Autonomy
The improvements in battery life have been a game changer for Wear OS watches. Initially plagued by short battery lives, advancements in technology have led to significant enhancements. Take the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, for example, which boasts an impressive 52 hours of battery life thanks to its robust 590 mAh battery. Similarly, the Google Pixel Watch 3 XL, with its larger format, has achieved up to 57 hours of autonomy.
Innovative solutions have also surfaced, such as Mobvoi’s Ticwatch models, which utilize a dual-screen approach for energy efficiency. The Ticwatch Pro 5, for instance, combines a vibrant OLED display for navigation with a monochrome LCD for basic timekeeping, enabling it to last over 70 hours on a single charge.
Furthermore, the collaboration between OnePlus and Oppo has resulted in watches like the OnePlus Watch 2, which effectively manages battery life by utilizing both Wear OS and RTOS, allowing for a remarkable 62 hours of usage.
The Impact of Competition and Industry Changes
As major smartphone manufacturers have revitalized the Wear OS market, 2024 has also seen the exit of historical players like Fossil. The company recently announced its decision to halt the development of new connected watches, citing fierce competition from brands like Xiaomi, Google, OnePlus, and Samsung. Fossil’s struggle to adapt to Wear OS 3 and its slow update pace have left it at a disadvantage in this rapidly evolving landscape.
In conclusion, Wear OS has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past decade, from initial struggles to a competitive platform favored by leading manufacturers. With continuous improvements in battery life, app availability, and innovative designs, the future of Wear OS looks brighter than ever.