Fossil, a prominent name in the Wear OS smartwatch realm, has officially withdrawn from the market. The move follows the company’s sale of all remaining inventory of Wear OS smartwatches, leaving potential buyers unable to find Fossil smartwatches on their website in most cases.
This decision aligns with Fossil’s earlier announcement in January, where they stated their intention to redirect focus towards their core business segments: traditional watches, jewelry, and leather products. Despite no longer producing Wear OS watches, Fossil has committed to providing support and updates for its existing smartwatch models for the next few years.
The reasons behind Fossil’s exit are multifaceted. Google’s efforts to revitalize the Wear OS platform in collaboration with Samsung since 2021, including the launch of the Pixel Watch in 2022, have led to success. However, other Wear OS manufacturers, like Fossil, have found themselves sidelined. It remains uncertain whether Fossil’s smartwatches will receive the anticipated Wear OS 4 update, given their departure from the market.
Critics argue that Google’s approach to Wear OS during its revival, particularly prioritizing the Samsung partnership, may have inadvertently contributed to Fossil’s decision. A more inclusive strategy that facilitated the transition of established Wear OS brands to newer software versions could have fostered a more robust smartwatch ecosystem, reducing fragmentation. This decision may now be revealing its consequences.
While some Fossil Wear OS smartwatch stock may still be available at third-party retailers, the company’s own website lists the Gen 6 Wellness Edition on sale for $79. However, as Fossil smartwatch inventory diminishes, the company’s departure leaves Samsung, Google, and to some extent, OnePlus, as primary players in the Android smartwatch arena. Although smaller players like Mobvoi haven’t made significant impacts with recent Wear OS releases, the TicWatch Pro 5 has garnered some attention.
