Fossil's Future in Wear OS Uncertain as Gen 7 Smartwatch Release Appears in Limbo Amid Price Cuts and Platform Challenges

Fossil, once a prominent player in the Wear OS smartwatch category, seems to be reconsidering its commitment to the platform. Reddit users claim to have spoken to Fossil retail employees who suggest that the company's Gen 7 Wear OS smartwatches may not be released. One user speculates that Fossil is waiting for Qualcomm to launch a new Wear OS chipset, but there's no concrete evidence to support this claim. While Fossil has not officially addressed its future Wear OS plans, recent actions indicate a shift in focus.

There are reports of a fire sale on Fossil's last smartwatch, the Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition, with its price slashed from $299 to $129. The availability of other Gen 6 watches, including the Skagen Falster Gen 6, has dwindled. Despite being a major player in the Wear OS segment, Fossil has not launched a smartwatch running Wear OS 4. After a delayed rollout of the Wear OS 3.5 update for its Gen 6 wearables in November 2023, users reported issues such as poor battery life and performance problems.

Fossil's hesitance to release a Wear OS 4 watch and the discounting of its existing models suggest a potential shift away from the Wear OS platform. The deepened partnership between Google and Samsung, with the exclusivity of new Wear OS releases for Samsung, further complicates the landscape for other players like Fossil. While TicWatch remains a competitor in the Wear OS category, it faces challenges, including missing out on Google Assistant and delays in receiving Wear OS updates. The Wear OS smartwatch market is evolving, and Fossil's future role in it remains uncertain.