In a surprising development, Google has reportedly commenced testing Wear OS 5.1, the next iteration of its operating system for wearables. What’s even more intriguing is that this new version is said to be based on Android 15, a departure from the previous trend of Wear OS lagging behind its mobile counterpart by a year.
This revelation comes after Android Authority spotted test builds of Wear OS 5.1 running on the Pixel Watch 2. If confirmed, this would mark the first time in two years that Google has introduced an interim point update for Wear OS, with the last being Wear OS 3.5.
Wear OS versions have traditionally aligned with the previous year’s Android release. For example, Wear OS 3 was based on Android 13, and Wear OS 5 was linked to Android 14. However, the emergence of Wear OS 5.1 based on Android 15 suggests a potential shift in Google’s strategy.
This move could bring several advantages. First, it could accelerate the delivery of new features and improvements to Wear OS devices. By basing them on the latest Android version, users can expect to see more cutting-edge functionalities and better integration with other Android devices. Second, it could streamline Google’s development efforts, as it could reuse more Android code.
While the news is still testing, it has generated significant excitement among wearable enthusiasts. The prospect of a more feature-rich and up-to-date Wear OS experience is undoubtedly enticing. However, it’s essential to temper expectations, as the final version of Wear OS 5.1 might still be several months away, and not all features might make the cut.
As we await more concrete information from Google, it’s clear that the wearable OS landscape is evolving rapidly. With this potential shift in strategy, the future of Wear OS looks promising, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the overall smartwatch ecosystem.
