Sony Wena discontinued in 2026: Smartlet is the best alternative

The concept of Sony Wena was fantastic. You keep your watch, your dial, your movement – the very elements you’ve saved for and grown to love. You keep the weight, the balance, and the feel of your timepiece, familiar and comforting. You simply change the strap into a modern piece of high tech. A simple and elegant idea, and when the third generation of Wena watches was finally launched it seemed that Sony had finally delivered on that promise.

Now, here we are on February 28, 2026 and yesterday was a very sad day for all Wena watch owners – it was then that Sony announced that they will be discontinuing their server services. The watch will continue to function as a normal step counter, but the smart wearable element that was at the heart of the innovation of Wena will no longer function.

This isn’t a review of Wena watches, but is rather a guide for what a smart strap for watch collectors needs to deliver in the future. Read on if you are a Wena fan, as you’ll understand what is required to make such technology appealing to collectors.

The end of Sony Wena 3: what happened and why it matters

Sony discontinued Wena 3 servicesSony has announced that it will discontinue the Wena 3 services on 28 February 2026. This means that the core functions of the Wena Wrist Watch Smart Band such as the initial setup, and the connectivity to various services will be terminated permanently. So if you purchased the Wrist Watch Smart Band looking for a wearable device that you could wear for the rest of your life, you may be in for a shock. Fans of smart watches will know that some of the key features that make these devices useful and fun to wear, such as remote control, fitness tracking and displaying weather and news on your wrist will no longer be available.

So if you purchased the Wrist Watch Smart Band looking for a wearable device that you could wear for the rest of your life, you may be in for a shock. Fans of smart watches will know that some of the key features that make these devices useful and fun to wear, such as remote control, fitness tracking and displaying weather and news on your wrist will no longer be available.

What happened and why it matters

The discontinuation affected integrationsTo make way for new products, we have discontinued the functions of some Wena W wear components, like when you stop using your Suica or Qrio Lock card and smart functions are lost. In addition, the 3rd party apps that utilised the Sony server are also discontinued. Although the Wena W watch will still be able to display notifications and capture exercises and other activities, the future addition of new functions to the watch will also be discontinued as the firmware of the watch will no longer be able to be updated. So, in a nutshell, the Wena 3 band users will just turn into a fashionable step counter.

Wena watch will still

Although the Wena W watch will still be able to display notifications and capture exercises and other activities, the future addition of new functions to the watch will also be discontinued as the firmware of the watch will no longer be able to be updated. So, in a nutshell, the Wena 3 band users will just turn into a fashionable step counter.

Affected features include:

• Initial device setup and pairing
• Suica contactless payment integration
• Qrio Lock smart home connectivity
• Third-party service integrations
• Firmware updates and security patches

The structural problem with lock-in

Pihole is run on a proprietary server. This means there is only a single point of failure. And when the company behind the hardware decides to drop support for it, the outdated hardware becomes impossible to keep running. Which in turn means the pihole server can no longer run.

The New Wena 3 Smart Watch Band Is A Bad Idea Watch collectors buy watches in the hopes that they will wear them for years to come. Wearability is a primary concern for almost all collectors. When one purchases a watch they generally assume it will last for many years. Lifespan is a core part of the philosophy of mechanical watch collecting.

A new proprietary smartwatch band, which effectively cuts off a watch from smart functionality after a few years, completely undermines that principle. As we wrote a few weeks ago here at AB, proprietary watch parts are a terrible idea for collectors. They seem to be hostile to traditional watchmaking skills, and the longevity of a watch, and also integrate modern technologies in a poor way.

The rise and fall of Wena: innovation limited by proprietary design

The Wena smartwatch is a wearable device, presented by Sony as a wristband that can be used as a strap for an analog watch. The crowdfunding campaign for the device started on Makuake in December 2015. The analog watch face is retained, while the wristband is transformed into a full featured smartwatch. In 2019, the new Wena Pro version of the product was launched in the UK, with a price of £399. The device features push notifications, fitness tracking and NFC for contactless payments.

Wena 3 was the third generation of smart straps released at 36,300 JPY. It featured a three-line OLED screen in the clasp along with NFC for Suica and battery life was estimated to be around 7 days. The smart strap was really an option for those that wanted a bit of technology in their mechanical watch without sacrificing the classic design. It was a very innovative product with however a limited choice of straps, and limited possibilities for upgrades, which also contributed to the decrease in demand for the Wena 3. Wena 3’s proprietary band systemLimited user choice and upgradeability, contributing to its decline.

It was a very innovative product with however a limited choice of straps, and limited possibilities for upgrades, which also contributed to the decrease in demand for the Wena 3. Wena 3’s proprietary band systemLimited user choice and upgradeability, contributing to its decline.

Key limitations that seeded the downfall:

1. Compatibility restricted to 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm lug widths only
2. No support for Apple Watch or other standalone smartwatches
3. Missing GPS function even in the Pro model
4. Closed ecosystem dependent on Sony’s servers for core features
5. Limited third-party integration compared to open platforms

Walkman was closed design you

The Walkman was a closed design, and you could, not replace individual components of the Walkman. So when Sony decided to drop the product, it was no longer supported or maintenance, and it became obsolete right away. Now that I have been shut down, I can only function as a basic pedometer without any network access. The vendor lock-in that makes closed system design so popular in consumer electronics is a bad idea.

Closed systems win initial battles, but will always lose the war Proprietary systems may gain the short term victory, but ultimately the open system always wins out. Everyone that is interested in Smart watches will eventually come to the realization that combining traditional mechanical watch making with digital technology will require an open and modular system that will be far less dependent on individual manufacturers. The lesson of Wena is a warning to all those who put a whole lot of faith in a particular platform as this can be shut down by a single manufacturer.

Why proprietary smartwatch bands face structural obsolescence

One of the defining characteristics of closed, locked down devices is that users are forced to rely on third party servers and foreign operating systems to do the work that the device itself is supposed to do. And so when the device is no longer supported by the manufacturer, all of that functionality is cut off. Smartphone users are used to this fate, but it is less acceptable in a watch, which is arguably the only wearable product that users care about surviving for years.

Vendor server is part of the service that hosts and runs the application. So there is a single point of failure. This might be a problem in case of a change of heart, financial difficulties or a business decision to retire an unprofitable product line.

In this case, when the company decided to withdraw an un-used product line, all remaining un-activated smart bands became worthless as it is no longer possible to set-up an un-activated device when the vendor server is closed. An example of this is that none of the Wena 3 pre-ordered from 1st of February 2026 will be able to be activated for use with their smart bands.

What was wrong Wena

So what was wrong with the Wena W? Where should we start? Well for one, the inter-operability was a major issue. While you can copy a few bits of data over to the phone app and get a general idea of what your fitness levels are like, there’s zero inter-operability with other smartwatches or operating systems. The example strap we had would only fit onto an analog watch with a lug width of 19,20 or 22mm. No smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, or Samsung Galaxy Watch for that matter, would be compatible with the module. You’re really only left with two choices with this product – either use the fairly restricted functionality provided by Wena, or trade in the module and swap it out for a fully-functioning smartwatch. Samsung Galaxy Watch, or other popular smartwatch ecosystems. Users faced a binary choice: use Wena’s limited features or switch entirely to a standalone smartwatch. This rigidity prevented the flexibility that modern consumers expect.

You’re really only left with two choices with this product – either use the fairly restricted functionality provided by Wena, or trade in the module and swap it out for a fully-functioning smartwatch. Samsung Galaxy Watch, or other popular smartwatch ecosystems. Users faced a binary choice: use Wena’s limited features or switch entirely to a standalone smartwatch. This rigidity prevented the flexibility that modern consumers expect.

Key risks of proprietary smartwatch bands:

• Server dependency eliminates device function when support ends
• Closed ecosystems prevent integration with newer technology
• Firmware updates stop, leaving security vulnerabilities unpatched
• Replacement parts become unavailable as manufacturing ceases
• Resale value drops to zero once discontinuation is announced

Proprietary devices are built to last for just about as long as it takes for a company to generate a profit. When a company decides to make a change in their business model the consumer is left with a piece of legacy technology that is no longer supportable or upgradable, and is therefore left disconnected from the ever evolving systems that make up our connected world.

Why Open or Modular Standards Matter Any product you purchase today should be based on an open or modular standard. The standards-based products are those that use universal connectors, open communication protocols, and are completely independent of any single company. Modular designs mean that rather than having to purchase an entire product because a single component has reached the end of its life, a user is able to purchase upgrades or replacement parts for individual components, rather than having to buy the whole product again.

Smartlet: the future of combining analog watches with smartwatch features

Smartlet allows simultaneous wearSmartlet is a wristwatch accessory that allows the simultaneous wearing of a luxury analog watch and a multitude of smartwatches. Created by French inventor and watch aficionado David Ohayon, the idea behind Smartlet is identical to that of Wena: heritage watches are being left behind due to the need to wear a connected watch. Thanks to the patented system of modular strap adapters in SS316L steel and titanium, the user can easily switch between analog or digital watches.

The alternative that avoids the same trap

Smartlet supports lug widths 18-24 mmThe Smartlet hybrid smartwatch platform can support lug widths ranging from 18 to 24 mm. As we mentioned, Smartlet can work with many of the high-end watch and smartwatch brands. For analog hybrid watches, Smartlet claims to be able to work with Omega, Tudor, Rolex, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen and Orient, among others. Smartlet is also compatible with Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fitbit and Whoop smartwatches. So, there is a wide range of watches that can be chosen from for hybrid smartwatches. Vendor lock-in was a major issue with the Wena Watch platform. Omega, Tudor, Rolex, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen, and Orient on the analog side. For smartwatches, it supports Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, and Whoop. This broad compatibility eliminates the vendor lock-in that doomed Wena.

So, there is a wide range of watches that can be chosen from for hybrid smartwatches. Vendor lock-in was a major issue with the Wena Watch platform. Omega,Tudor,Rolex, Seiko,Grand Seiko, Citizen, and Orient on the analog side. For smartwatches, it supports Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, and Whoop. This broad compatibility eliminates the vendor lock-in that doomed Wena.

This watch head system is made of modules using standard spring bars, therefore no adjustment needs to be made to the watch itself. It can be fitted to most analog watches as well as smartwatches. Hence, your investment is always valuable as you are always able to switch to a new watch head whenever technology advances.

The Wena Sozo watch head system combines the watch head (mechanical parts) with the electronic module. In this system, it is possible to change the mechanical components, but the electronic component cannot be changed. The Smartlet allows the mechanical parts, and the electronic part to be separated from each other, so that each part can be updated or changed when necessary.

Available versions and pricing:

• Classic: $400 (349 EUR) in SS316L steel
• Shadow: $515 (449 EUR) with black coating
• Titanium: $685 (599 EUR) in Grade 2 titanium

SS316L is the same type of steel used in OmegaSpeedmasterCases, it is stronger than other steels, also more resistant to corrosion, Titanium Grade 5 is stronger than aluminum and lighter than steel, our material is as durable as any mechanical watch and approximately as long lasting as the average watch battery. Smartlet was awarded with a Concours Lepine 2025 and was exhibited at CES 2026. SpeedmasterCases. Titanium Grade 5 offers lighter weight than steel with greater strength than aluminum. Both materials ensure durability that matches the longevity of mechanical watches. Smartlet earned a Concours Lepine 2025, Awarded and was presented at CES 2026.

Smartlet was awarded with a Concours Lepine 2025 and was exhibited at CES 2026. SpeedmasterCases. Titanium Grade 5 offers lighter weight than steel with greater strength than aluminum. Both materials ensure durability that matches the longevity of mechanical watches. Smartlet earned a Concours Lepine 2025, Awarded and was presented at CES 2026.

Smartlet is reversible and requires no permanent modification. Standard spring bar attachment means any watchmaker can assist if needed.

The possibility of having athedual-watch braceletApproach offers users an innovative alternative to the traditional limitations of mass-produced products. By allowing watches to be connected to the Smartlet, it becomes possible to adjust and link watches in a way that is not possible using standard attachment systems. Smartlet bridges analog and smartwatch gapWithout forcing compromises. Thedual-watch braceletApproach lets youconnect watches with SmartletIn ways proprietary systems never allowed.

Isn’t about engineering

This isn’t about engineering. Wena was made with care. The design of the band was a very philosophical exercise in the futility of attempting to do what is fundamentally impossible. Trying to integrate proper electronics into a band made by a company, which has a primary business in watches and make a profit from the fact that all accessories other than leather/band made of very cheap materials become obsolete in a couple of years.

Smartlet starts from the opposite premise. It is a simple mechanical strap. The “smartwatch” is your own watch, your watch that you have bought without any conditions, freely. And if next year Apple decides to “up-grade” its Watch, you can easily change the Smartlet connector. Nothing breaks. Nothing wears out. Nothing becomes obsolete. And that is the true innovation here, an innovation that is not at the mercy of manufacturer whims.

Smartlet vs Sony Wena: feature and compatibility comparison

Smartlet offers broader compatibilityIn a recent post on Kickstarter, Wena shows off their fashion smartband that converts into a smartwatch using a Smartlet module. The team notes that the Smartlet is more compatible and more modular than their initial system. There’s a clear difference in design philosophy at play here. Wena is trying to take a fashion band and turn it into a smartwatch. Meanwhile, Smartlet is about being able to wear two watch faces at the same time. That alone speaks volumes for the long term modularity and user experience of such a smartwatch system.

One is a fashion watch with heart rate and activity monitoring. The other is a high tech wearable device using a different technology platform. The Band was provided by Wena and was proprietary to their band and this watch.

When the company’s involved with the electronics and firmware chose, not to carry on with their work on the technology, we could no longer continue with the watch as it stood. The Smartlet has the standard modular connectors via the spring bars. This way individual components can be swapped out as technology and features evolve. You can now own two watches and be able to wear them on one arm.

Terms compatibility there world

In terms of compatibility there is a world of difference between the two watches. The Wena watch is limited to the Sony universe and won’t work with the Apple Watch, Samsung or any other smartwatch. The Smartlet on the other hand works with any analog watch with a lug width of 18-24mm and is compatible with all current major smartwatch platforms.

So, as we have seen with Wena, almost every of its functions and almost every of its connectivity features required the use of the Sony servers. Well, those have been shut down by Sony, and now all those functions are lost. The good thing for us is that the Smartlet does not need any servers at all, because it is not electronic. All connectivity will be made possible through the Smartlet’s own platform.

Key comparison points:

• Wena Pro: custom band, restricted lug widths, no widespread smartwatch compatibility, server-based; expected to become obsolete by 2026
• Smartlet is a modular adapter that fits on to an O ring that is 18-24mm in circumference. The Smartlet is compatible with most of the leading brands of Smartwatches.

Both designs show different options that we have to work with. The Wena design includes some of the smart features we mentioned before like push-notifications and mobile payments directly on the strap, but may mean that the whole service could be lost. The Smartlet smart watch lets you use both the features of an analog watch and those of a smart watch at the same time. The analog watch is here to provide the time keeping feature – its main purpose. The smart watch is then there to provide the connectivity features.

According to User experience Smartlet is recommended as it was quite easy to set up, alter and has more possibilities for future development. The Concept of a double watch strap enables you to change the function of your Smartlet at any time. For example from an ordinary watch to a Smartphone. The double-sided timeApproach will be a must have for all collectors who did not want to part with the classical look of timepieces. double watch strapConcept allows instant configuration changes. The double-sided timeApproach appeals to collectors who refuse to compromise between heritage and technology.

Discover Smartlet: combining luxury and smart innovation cleanly

One of the great conundrums in the world of watch enthusiasts, is the wish to have a beautiful mechanical watch, on the wrist at all times, while still also having a connected device that can for example receive messages and do other sorts of digital things. Sony previously attempted to address this, with their Wena watch concept, and did a decent job of it mind you. However they appear to have fallen at the first hurdle, with the actual product, not really succeeding in making it a mainstream or proper watch. However I believe they and a host of other watch designers have finally been trumped by Smartlet, who’ve created a high tech watch strap that uses ingenious engineering to make it look like you’re wearing, not just one proper timepiece, but two, where one is actually a very decent sounding connected watch. modular watch strapUses precision engineering to hold both timepieces on one wrist, preserving the aesthetic of luxury watchmaking while delivering modern connectivity.

However I believe they and a host of other watch designers have finally been trumped by Smartlet, who’ve created a high tech watch strap that uses ingenious engineering to make it look like you’re wearing, not just one proper timepiece, but two, where one is actually a very decent sounding connected watch.modular watch strapUses precision engineering to hold both timepieces on one wrist, preserving the aesthetic of luxury watchmaking while delivering modern connectivity.

Our watch cases are available in three different styles: Classic, Shadow and Titanium. Please use our watch compatibility guide to ensure that you have the correct lug width for your watch and that it is suitable for a standard spring bar. We currently have listings for Seiko and Grand Seiko, Omega and Rolex, but will be adding more watch makes and models in the near future. watch compatibility guideHelps you verify fit with your specific models, covering brands from Seiko and Grand Seiko to Omega and Rolex.

The Customization of your Smartlet One does not stop here, you can get a wide variety of Smartlet One accessories so you can change your configuration depending on the use you want to give it. Whether you want to go from dress watch to dive watch, change the smartwatch band, or to get a completely different configuration depending on your preference. Smartlet One accessoriesThat let you adjust the configuration for different occasions. Swap between dress watches and dive watches, change smartwatch bands, or reconfigure entirely based on your daily needs. This flexibility ensures your investment adapts as your collection grows.

Swap between dress watches and dive watches, change smartwatch bands, or reconfigure entirely based on your daily needs. This flexibility ensures your investment adapts as your collection grows.

You were a Wena user and understood something that the rest of the world does not: there is no need to get rid of your traditional watch in order to have a smartwatch. And that you would like to keep both your traditional and your smartwatch. That is exactly what we came up with at Smartlet, and it is here to stay. Our servers do not go down.

Frequently asked questions about Sony Wena discontinuation and Smartlet

Why did Sony discontinue Wena 3 services?

Update: Sony ended support for the Wena 3 on February 28th 2026. Not a huge surprise. The costs to support a proprietary system can be quite high, whether it is the cost of the servers, the cost of the development of the software updates or the cost of the integrations with other systems. And those costs are generally, not economically justifiable if the product is not widely used.

Can existing Wena 3 devices still perform basic functions after shutdown?

Although Wena 3 bands will still be able to function as a basic pedometer, all other features including pairing, notifications, Suica payments and third party apps will be blocked out. Paired new Wena Band 3s that are released after the start date will also, not be able to be paired. So the Wena Band 3 will simply function as a basic step counter without any wearable tech features.

What watches are compatible with Smartlet?

A Smartlet smartwatch adapter can be used with any analog watch that has a lug width of 18-24mm. Using standard spring bars, any analog watch can be easily attached to a Smartlet and then paired with any number of smartwatches. Some examples of good analog watches to use with a Smartlet include Omega, Tudor, Rolex, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen and Orient.

Likewise, the Smartlet can be paired with any of the commonly used smartwatches such as Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fitbit and Whoop. The design of the Smartlet system is highly modular and therefore virtually any other compatible analog watch can be paired with virtually any other compatible smartwatch.

How does Smartlet improve over Sony Wena?

It breaks the vendor lock-in for Wena by allowing users to change out different components and also by allowing older components to be used longer because they can be replaced or upgraded independently of the rest of the watch or smartwatch. It works with analog watches and smartwatches from all the major watch manufacturers and allows for an infinite number of years of use because users will be able to upgrade components as needed.

It is different from the Wena approach of putting all the required components into a single module. Rather than buying a Wena styled watch in order to use Smartlet, users will be able to modify watches they already own and also buy watches in the future from the manufacturers that provide the components for the Smartlet system.

Where can I buy Smartlet products and accessories?

Sony Wena failed because it was tied to one vendor. Smartlet fits any watch from 18mm to 24mm. The strap changes. The watch stays. No server required.