Samsung rolls out One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch Ultra

Summary

Samsung has released One UI Watch 8 for last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra.
One UI 8 Watch includes a new UI design, and new features such as Running Coach and Antioxidant Index.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra receives the One UI 8 Watch update ahead of the release of the Galaxy Watch 8 series on July 25.

At Galaxy Unpacked earlier this month, Samsung revealed the Galaxy Watch 8 series, including the Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and a refreshed Galaxy Watch Ultra in a new titanium blue color. One of the main features of the Galaxy Watch 8 series, besides the upgraded chipset and new designs, is that these watches come with One UI 8 Watch, Samsung’s latest wearable OS based on Wear OS 6, pre-installed.

Now, Samsung has announced that the One UI 8 Watch update is rolling out to last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, ahead of the release of the Galaxy Watch 8 series on July 25.

“With One UI 8 Watch, the user interface is optimized to deliver essential information at a glance on a smartwatch-sized screen,” Samsung said in a press release. “Multi-Info Tiles pull everything from health metrics to weather into a customizable view, delivering the information users need, exactly when they need it.”

Brand: Samsung
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Color Screen: Yes
Notification Support: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 100 hours
Operating System: Wear OS 5

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is a rugged, titanium smartwatch with a new Quick Action button that you can assign to a shortcut of your choice. At Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung announced a refreshed Galaxy Watch Ultra, which comes in a new blue titanium color with 64GB of storage.

Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

Samsung unveils Galaxy Watch 8 series and a fresh look for the Galaxy Watch Ultra

The Galaxy Watch 8 series is set to arrive on July 25.

How to update to One UI 8 Watch on your Galaxy Watch Ultra

You’ll need to go to Software Updates in the Wear app

A hand holds the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in front of a pink and orange background.

If you have last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra and want to update to One UI 8 Watch now, the process is relatively simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Make sure your Galaxy Watch Ultra is charged and paired with your Galaxy phone.

2. Open the Wear app.

3. Select Watch Settings.

4. Tap Watch Software Update.

5. Choose Download and Install.

6. The app will scan for updates, and One UI 8 Watch should appear as available for download.

You can also check for the One UI 8 Watch update directly on your Galaxy Watch Ultra, by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

One UI 8 Watch introduces several notable features for Galaxy Watch users, including Running Coach, Vascular Load, and Antioxidant Index. Running Coach is designed to help runners train for marathons and assist new runners in getting started. Vascular Load measures the stress on your vascular system during sleep, helping you monitor and improve your cardiovascular health. Lastly, the Antioxidant Index lets you place your thumb on your watch’s sensor to measure carotenoid levels in your skin, which are antioxidants found in certain fruits and vegetables.

In addition to its new features, One UI 8 Watch features a new UI design with multi-widget tiles. I’ve tested it on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and so far I’m impressed by how smooth One UI 8 Watch looks and feels. Other Galaxy Watch models, like the Galaxy Watch 7, are also expected to receive the update soon.