Galaxy Watch One UI 8: AI, Health Features & Beta Details

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Samsung is gearing up for a significant software refresh for its wearable devices with the upcoming One UI 8 Watch update. Set to debut alongside the anticipated Galaxy Watch8 series in July, this update promises a wealth of new features, particularly focusing on health and wellness, and is expected to roll out to older compatible Galaxy Watch models subsequently. Eager users might get an early look, as Samsung plans to open a limited beta program soon.

Marking a notable leap, the One UI 8 Watch update is rumored to jump directly to version 8, potentially skipping intermediate iterations like 6.5 or 7. This suggests a substantial overhaul is underway. The update is also expected to bring a visual refresh, including rounder icons that align the watch’s interface with the design language seen in One UI 7 and the upcoming One UI 8 for Samsung’s smartphones, which is based on Android 16 and also slated for a summer release in the US.

Enhanced Health & Wellness Tracking

Samsung is highlighting four key health-centric features coming with One UI 8 Watch, designed to offer users deeper insights and proactive guidance:

  1. Bedtime Guidance: This feature aims to optimize your sleep schedule. Based on your lifestyle and existing sleep patterns, it will suggest an ideal bedtime and send reminders to help you maintain consistency. The guidance will continuously adapt, recalculating your optimal bedtime based on your sleep over the preceding three days.
  2. Vascular Load: Focusing on cardiovascular health during sleep, this feature monitors stress on your vascular system. By analyzing watch stats alongside other factors like sleep quality, exercise levels, and stress, it provides insights intended to help you develop healthier habits and improve overall well-being.
  3. Running Coach: Perfect for runners looking to improve, this feature offers personalized training. After completing a 12-minute run, it analyzes your performance, assigning a score from 1 to 10. Based on this assessment, it can generate a detailed running plan for distances ranging from 5K all the way up to a full marathon. During subsequent runs, it offers real-time guidance to help you stay on pace and potentially prevent injuries associated with over-exertion.
  4. Antioxidant Index: A novel feature, this uses the watch’s optical BioActive sensor to measure the concentration of carotenoids stored in your skin in just 5 seconds. Carotenoids are potent antioxidants commonly found in colorful fruits and vegetables, linked to promoting healthy aging. Reports indicate this measurement is taken by pressing your thumb pad against the watch’s back. Samsung clarifies that this feature is strictly for fitness and wellness tracking and not intended for diagnosing or treating any medical condition.
  5. Beyond Health: AI Integration and More

    One of the most significant additions expected in One UI 8 Watch, as revealed by recent leaks and analysis, is the integration of Google’s Gemini AI. This could see Gemini AI potentially replacing the current Google Assistant, bringing new AI-powered capabilities directly to your wrist. Anticipated ‘Gemini Actions’ could include voice commands for tasks like summarizing emails, managing calendar events, and getting personalized weather updates, leveraging Gemini’s advanced conversational and processing abilities. This integration may coincide with the launch of Wear OS 6, which is also rumored to incorporate Gemini.

    Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team at Samsung’s Mobile eXperience division, underscored the importance of sleep in their health strategy, stating, “Sleep remains a cornerstone of our approach to health, as it influences physical and mental well-being… Now, we envision our Galaxy Watch delivering holistic insights centered around sleep — insights that lead to meaningful changes in daily life.” He added that this aligns with Samsung’s goal of empowering users toward healthier lives through proactive and holistic health management.

    With the One UI 8 Watch update, Samsung appears to be building a more intelligent, health-focused, and seamlessly integrated experience for Galaxy Watch users, positioning the wearable not just as a notification device, but a comprehensive personal health and wellness companion.

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