Wearables
Is your Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vibrating for no reason? Here’s what we know
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 randomly vibrating for no reason, users report. It seems to be a software glitch which has been reporting since late July. Affected Galaxy Watch owners are quite frustrated as unexplained vibrations are much annoying.
Going by the threads posted in community forums, Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra users experiencing unnecessary vibration. Even without any notification, select Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 units have been vibrating weirdly.
Phantom Vibration:
AndroidPolice highlights a study held in 2018, which found roughly 60 percent of the surveyed participants experienced PVS (phantom vibration syndrome). Unlikely, the Watch 7 and Watch Ultra vibrations are caused by a software bug.
Users explain that their smartwatch vibrates once without any screen activity. After a short break, the device again vibrates three times and then stops itself. Samsung has yet to acknowledge the issue and users anticipating a fix as soon as possible.
“I have the same problem with my Watch 7, it is driving me crazy. I’m in contact with Samsung support since 2 weeks, no progress,” wrote user mtanner876 on a Samsung community post via 9to5Google.
Affected Galaxy Watch users have also tried factory resetting which didn’t work. The problem remains unresolved, suggesting a new software fix. We urge Samsung to look into the matter and provide a fix firmware to address the problem.
Temporary fixes that could work:
You can try disabling Health Platform, Google Maps’ “mirroring” option, and WhatsApp. Disable the apps one by one to check which try resolves the issue. I guess these DIY tricks would make things a lot better until Samsung rolls a new OTA.
Wear OS 5-based One UI 6 Watch:
Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra come packed with Wear OS 5-based One UI 6 Watch. The company hasn’t opened a public rollout for older models. However, Beta participants have started getting the Stable update in select markets.
Wearables
Samsung to introduce larger Galaxy Ring sizes in January 2025
Samsung is reportedly preparing to release new Galaxy Ring models next month. While previous reports had hinted at a successor of the Galaxy Ring, the upcoming January 2025 release will focus on offering additional sizes.
According to the information via @MaxJmb, Samsung will introduce new sizes of Galaxy Ring next month. With these upcoming sizes, Samsung aims to offer more size options to suit a wider range of users.
The two new larger sizes of the Galaxy Ring are reportedly coming in January 2025 are Size 14 and Size 15. The Galaxy Ring Size 14 has a model number SM-Q514 with a diameter of 23mm and 3.2g weight. While Size 15 is a little bigger, featuring a 23.8mm diameter and model number SM-Q515.
These two new sizes will add to the current range, which already includes sizes 5 to 13. As with the current options, the larger sizes might come with slightly bigger batteries, as larger rings tend to have more space for larger battery capacities.
The new Galaxy Ring sizes 14 and 15 will likely be available in the same colors as the existing models: Titanium Silver, Titanium Gold, and Titanium Black. They should also be priced the same as the current models, which cost $399.
It is expected that Samsung will launch the new sizes of the Galaxy Ring at the Galaxy Event in January 2025. At this event, the company is going to release the Galaxy S25 series, including the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphones, along with other devices.
Wearables
Future Samsung Galaxy Watch to feature different type of strap mechanism
Samsung exploring a different type of strap mechanism for Galaxy Watch. A new patent submission reveals the company’s plans to introduce a new way that is easier to attach, adjust, and secure the band to your wrist.
91mobiles spotted a new Samsung patent, which talks about a different type of strap mechanism on the Galaxy Watch. Samsung’s watches already offer a quick-release mechanism to change straps, but it will be even easier in the future.
Titled “WEARABLE DEVICE INCLUDING STRUCTURE FOR ASSISTING ASSEMBLY,” the wearable-centric patent reveals a new type of strap design, which could make Galaxy Watches of the future much easier to use.
The patent shows a strap with three components and there’s a core made up of two fastening portions, one of which moves and one of which is static.
The strap consists of two halves of a band, a frame that connects them to the core, and grooves that help secure the connection between the two.
The patent doesn’t point to any tentative release timeline for the new strap mechanism. While the information is limited, the image shows the new design would make it easier to attach and detach watch bands at a moment’s notice.
In addition, the design also suggests that the bands stay securely fastened to your watch when you’re wearing it. The new mechanism would enable bands to fit more comfortably and crucially, offering more accurate fitness tracking.
Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra. The next-gen wearables could be introduced in the second half of the next year. It is not certain that the Watch 8 will debut the patented strap design mechanism.
Wearables
Google embarked on Wear OS 5.1 journey amid slow One UI 6 Watch rollout
Google has confirmed the release of Wear OS 5.1, the latest version of its wearable operating system. This new update is based on Android 15, which changes how Wear OS works. Meanwhile, Samsung has just started the official One UI 6 Watch rollout based on Wear OS 5 for Galaxy Watch 6 after a long beta testing.
Wear OS 5.1 builds on Wear OS 5, which was based on Android 14. Google announced the update in a developer post and suggested that developers test their apps on the new version using the Android emulator.
Google has confirmed the Wear OS 5.1 update but it is not yet available for physical devices like smartwatches, including the Pixel Watch. It’s likely that Wear OS 5.1 will eventually come to devices but there’s no exact date yet.
Notably, Private Space feature support is not available with Wear OS 5.1. This feature was introduced with Android 15 on phones and tablets and caused problems when used with Wear OS watches. Notifications that were meant to stay private were showing up on the smartwatch, even if they shouldn’t have. Google acknowledged this issue and decided to remove the feature from Wear OS 5.1 instead of trying to fix it. We can expect that in upcoming updates.
Currently, if you want to try out Wear OS 5.1, you’ll need to use the Android emulator, as the update isn’t available on any smartwatches yet. The official rollout date for this new version is still unknown, but it’s expected to reach devices in the future.
On the other side, Samsung started rolling out the Galaxy Watch 7 series feature based on Wear OS 5 to the Galaxy Watch. It is expected that more Galaxy Watch models will get this major update in the coming days or weeks. Samsung will also start developing its One UI Watch update based on Wear OS 5.1 soon. Stay tuned for more details as Google continues to develop Wear OS 5.1.
Official One UI 6 Watch update live for Galaxy Watch 6 series in the US