Get ready, galaxy watch owners! samsung has officially launched the One UI 8 Watch beta program, bringing the next generation of its wearable software, based on Wear OS 6, to users. This initial rollout targets the newest devices, specifically the Galaxy Watch 7 and the robust Galaxy Watch Ultra. It marks a significant step forward for the platform, promising exciting new features and interface enhancements.
Access to this beta update is currently limited to users in South Korea and the United States. Samsung has indicated plans to expand the program to more regions and older eligible models soon, including the Galaxy Watch FE, Watch 6 series, and Watch 5 series. If you own a Watch 7 or Watch Ultra and are in a supported area, you might be able to get a first look at what’s coming!
What’s New in One UI 8 Watch Beta?
This beta release isn’t just a minor tweak. It introduces a refreshed user interface design intended to make navigating your watch more intuitive. Early reports suggest new elements like the “Now Bar” and “Now Brief” to streamline information display and app access directly from your wrist.
Beyond the visual changes, the update packs several significant improvements focused on health and wellness tracking. While some highly anticipated features like Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index may arrive in later beta versions or with the final release, this initial build introduces core new capabilities. These include enhanced sleep analysis with Bedtime Guidance, which provides personalized recommendations for better rest. Users can also expect additions like emotion tracking and mindfulness exercises within Samsung Health, pushing towards a more holistic view of well-being.
Deeper Dive into Health Features
Samsung is clearly emphasizing health with One UI 8 Watch. The inclusion of features like Bedtime Guidance aims to turn sleep data into actionable advice. Instead of just showing metrics, the watch helps you understand how to improve your sleep quality based on your patterns.
Future health features, potentially appearing in later beta builds or the stable release, are even more advanced. Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index represent Samsung’s ambition to provide deeper physiological insights. There’s also a Running Coach feature planned, designed to assist runners with optimizing their training and form directly from their wrist.
Interface Enhancements and Gestures
The user interface refresh goes beyond cosmetic changes. Reports indicate that One UI 8 Watch is exploring new ways to interact with your device. Enhanced gesture controls might be part of this, potentially including actions like a double-pinch to handle notifications or calls and a shake-to-dismiss gesture for alerts. While the effectiveness and natural feel of such gestures remain to be seen and have faced skepticism in the past, their inclusion signals Samsung’s intent to reduce reliance on screen touches.
Notification management is also getting an overhaul. Alerts are expected to be grouped by application, leading to a cleaner, less cluttered notification stream. Users may gain more granular control over where notifications appear – on the watch, phone, or both – depending on their activity and preferences.
How to Join the Beta Program
Participating in the Galaxy Watch One UI 8 Watch beta requires a few specific steps and conditions. First and foremost, you need an eligible device (currently Galaxy Watch 7 or Watch Ultra) and must be located in a supported region (South Korea or the USA).
You also need a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone paired with your watch. Here’s the process to enroll:
- Install the latest Samsung Members app: Make sure you have the most recent version downloaded from the Galaxy Store on your connected Samsung phone.
- Sign in: Log into the Samsung Members app using the exact same Samsung Account linked to your Galaxy Watch.
- Find the beta banner: Look for a banner or section labeled “One UI 8 Watch Beta Program” or similar on the Samsung Members app’s main page.
- Enroll your device: Tap the banner and follow the on-screen prompts to register your specific Galaxy Watch for the beta.
- Check for update: Once successfully enrolled, open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone. Navigate to the watch settings and check for available software updates.
Update Details and Requirements
The first beta release of One UI 8 Watch is quite large for a wearable update, reportedly weighing in at over 1.9 GB. Due to its size, the download requires a Wi-Fi connection. Ensure your watch is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before attempting to download the update.
Besides the Samsung Members and Galaxy Wearable apps, you’ll also need the latest version of the Watch Manager app installed from the Galaxy Store. Keeping all relevant Samsung apps updated is crucial for a smooth beta experience.
Firmware versions for the beta differ by region. For instance, the South Korean market saw versions like L305NKOU1ZYFE for the Watch 7 and L705NKOU1ZYFE for the Watch Ultra. US firmware versions will have different identifiers.
If you encounter any issues or bugs while using the beta software, Samsung encourages participants to provide detailed feedback. You can do this through the dedicated feedback section within the Samsung Members app, helping Samsung refine the software before its wider public release.
Eligibility and Future Plans
While the initial beta is limited, Samsung has confirmed that several other models are designated to join the program later. The Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Watch 6, and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are all on the list of eligible devices expected to receive beta access in the coming weeks.
However, there’s important news regarding older models. Samsung has explicitly stated that the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will not be included in the One UI 8 Watch beta program. This strongly suggests that these watches are unlikely to receive the final stable One UI 8 Watch update either, marking an end to major OS updates for that series.
For users in the USA, note that the initial beta availability for the Watch 7 and Watch Ultra is specifically for Bluetooth-only models and LTE units on T-Mobile’s network. Availability for other carriers or configurations might follow later.
The official public release of One UI 8 Watch is still likely several months away. It’s widely anticipated to debut alongside Samsung’s next generation of smartwatches, potentially the Galaxy Watch 8 series, later this year. The beta program allows Samsung to test the software on existing hardware and gather valuable user feedback before the final launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new features are included in the One UI 8 Watch beta update?
The initial One UI 8 Watch beta brings a new UI design with features like the “Now Bar” and “Now Brief” for better navigation. It also introduces new health capabilities, including enhanced Bedtime Guidance for improved sleep analysis. Future beta updates or the final release are expected to add more advanced features like Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, and a Running Coach, as well as potentially new gesture controls and improved notification grouping.
How can I join the One UI 8 Watch beta program for my eligible watch?
To join, you need a Galaxy Watch 7 or Watch Ultra (initially) in South Korea or the USA, paired with a Samsung phone. Install the latest Samsung Members app, sign in with your watch’s Samsung Account, find the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program banner on the home screen, and enroll your device. After successful registration, you can find and download the update via the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone while connected to Wi-Fi.
Which Galaxy Watch models are eligible for the One UI 8 Watch beta, and which are not?
Currently, the beta is available for the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra. Samsung plans to expand eligibility later to the Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. However, Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic models are not eligible for the One UI 8 Watch beta and are unlikely to receive the final update.
This first Galaxy Watch One UI 8 Watch beta offers an exciting preview of the future of Samsung’s wearable experience. With a focus on a refined UI, deeper health insights, and potential new interaction methods, it lays the groundwork for the next iteration of Wear OS on Galaxy smartwatches. While beta software can have bugs, participating provides a chance to influence the final product and get early access to promising new features. Ensure your device is eligible, follow the enrollment steps carefully, and be prepared to provide feedback if you join the program.
