Fwiw, first gen apple products tend to have shorter support windows, and the AI change is legitimately a big technology shift (even if not wonderfully executed) that necessitated more aggressive hardware cutoffs. The first three apple watches and the first SE also had the same 4 year support as the first Ultra. Apple is a remarkably consistent company when it comes to its own habits and behaviors.
I think that's likely the logic they operated from inside. Personally, I agree something like the AWU should have been supported longer because longevity is one of the core defining elements of the premium watch market, and thats the market they chose to enter. To Apple's eyes though these are all still 'gadget-like computers' rather than 'computer-like gadgets' [1], and thus the expectations and culture of the fast moving computer industry dominates.
I think that's likely the logic they operated from inside. Personally, I agree something like the AWU should have been supported longer because longevity is one of the core defining elements of the premium watch market, and thats the market they chose to enter. To Apple's eyes though these are all still 'gadget-like computers' rather than 'computer-like gadgets' [1], and thus the expectations and culture of the fast moving computer industry dominates.
[1]: https://daringfireball.net/2015/04/the_apple_watch