The Wear OS 6-based update will land later this year, but users remain in the dark on specifics
Samsung has officially confirmed that its latest smartwatch software—One UI 8 Watch—will be expanding beyond the Galaxy Watch 8 series to older models later this year.
It’s both a helpful and unhelpful update. For those eagerly awaiting the update on an older device like the Galaxy Watch 7, the confirmation does at least put rest to any notion (however unlikely it was) that the latest software wouldn’t roll back in 2025.
However, the timeline remains pretty vague—meaning, theoretically, it might not land on older Galaxy Watch devices until late December.
The confirmation came as part of a broader announcement about the One UI 8 beta program for its smartphones. In the release, Samsung stated the watch update would deliver “motivational health features and a more refined, intuitive smartwatch interface” to a broader range of users.
Any frustration Samsung users have regarding the update is likely compounded by the fact that the 2024 Galaxy Watch Ultra received its One UI 8 update early, while the Watch 7—which launched at the same time with similar internal hardware—is still waiting.
There is also a slightly updated 2025 Galaxy Watch Ultra that features the latest software, too, in case you missed that release. And while it’s assumed that devices as old as the Galaxy Watch 4 will eventually receive the update (based on Samsung’s past commitments), it’s also unclear which specific features will be included for each device.
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Still, to save waiting around for news or scanning your watch for new updates, you can stay up to date with our Wear OS 6 device tracker.