Samsung has officially begun rolling out the One UI 8 Watch update, based on Wear OS 6, to the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024), bypassing the One UI 7 Watch update entirely for this model. This move makes the Galaxy Watch Ultra the first current Wear OS smartwatch to receive the Wear OS 6 update, ahead of the newly announced Galaxy Watch 8 series and the 2025 Galaxy Watch Ultra.
The update brings several new health and wellness tools previously introduced with the Galaxy Watch 8 lineup to a broader user base. Key health features include:
- Running Coach: Creates personalized running plans with performance tests for goals like 5K to full marathons.
- Vascular Load: Measures stress on the circulatory system during sleep and suggests remedies to improve heart health.
- Antioxidant Index: Uses the BioActive sensor to measure carotenoids, antioxidants found in the skin, scoring out of 100.
- Bedtime Guidance: Recommends ideal sleep times based on circadian rhythms and sleep pressure to promote alertness.
The update also enhances the watch’s user interface with:
- Multi-Info Tiles: Customizable display tiles for quick access to preferred health metrics, weather, and other information.
- The Now Bar: Provides easy access to ongoing activities and essential features like media controls, camera controller, stopwatch, and timers.
- Improved notification management with a redesigned UI that stacks notifications for easier navigation.
- New gesture controls such as double pinching to scroll through notifications, control music, and more.
- Location-based reminders and smarter notification settings.
This massive 1.9GB update was rolled out swiftly after its beta phase, surprising some by skipping a second beta testing round. Initially, the update is live mainly in the U.S., with reports from users on major carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T confirming receipt. It is expected to expand to other markets soon.
Samsung is also preparing the One UI 8 Watch update for older Galaxy Watch models, including the Galaxy Watch 4 series, suggesting wider availability in the near future.
This update aligns the 2024 Galaxy Watch Ultra with Samsung’s latest smartwatch user experience, blending powerful health insights with enhanced usability and customizability, all while maintaining the device’s renowned performance and durability.