Pixel Watch 3 to require Android 10 or newer version

Google’s upcoming Pixel Watch 3 will introduce a new minimum requirement for compatible smartphones. The smartwatch will only work with Android devices running version 10 or later, marking a slight increase from the Pixel Watch 2’s Android 9 requirement.

New promotional materials that surfaced earlier this week shed light on the upcoming features of the Pixel Watch 3 series. These include enhanced fitness features, updated apps, and a refined Wear OS experience. But nestled in the fine print of these promos is a key detail: users will need a newer Android smartphone to pair with the Pixel Watch 3.

Pixel Watch 3 works with most phones running Android 10.0 or newer, and Pixel Watch 2 works with most phones running Android 9.0 or newer. Both watches require a Google Account and the Google Pixel Watch app.

While the change is unlikely to significantly impact the majority of Android users, it does exclude a small portion of the market still using older operating systems. This move aligns the Pixel Watch 3 with the general trend of tech companies phasing out support for older software versions to focus on newer features and security updates.

The Pixel Watch 3 is expected to launch with Wear OS 5, matching Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch models. Interestingly, Samsung continues to support Android 9 on its Wear OS 5 watches, suggesting a more inclusive approach to software compatibility.

As the release date for the Pixel Watch 3 approaches, users will be eager to see what other features and improvements Google has in store for its latest wearable.

We stand out from the tech-media crowd because we break news stories; we mainly bring you stuff that you won’t find anywhere in the mainstream tech media. Our stories have been picked up by some of the world’s most popular websites and media outlets—more info is available here.