Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are getting a firmware refresh in the US amid One UI 8 Watch update uncertainty. Verizon has just pushed a new security patch dated March 2025 to Samsung’s OG Wear OS smartwatches.

Recently, Samsung announced the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program. The company has also revealed eligible watch models that exclude the Watch 4 series. It’s the first official hint that the OG wearables may not get the One UI 8 Watch update.

The Galaxy Watch 4 series at Verizon is getting the March 2025 security patch. We are about to enter July, and the carrier providing an old patch seems a bit weird. However, it might be the last OTA, hitting the end of support next month.

You can update the Watch through the Galaxy Wearable app on your smartphone. Open the app and enter the Watch settings section. You will find the Watch software update at the bottom, from where you can get the new OTA.

Software Version:

• Galaxy Watch 4
  • R865USQU1IYCD (40mm)
  • R875USQU1IYCD (44mm)
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
  • R885USQU1IYCD (42mm)
  • R895USQU1IYCD (46mm)

Source – Samsung

Galaxy Watch 4 was launched alongside the Galaxy S21 series in 2021. Samsung usually offers four years of software updates support on wearables. That makes the Watch 4 series, probably, ineligible for another big OS upgrade.

We’ve already predicted Samsung’s potential move to exclude the Watch 4 series from One UI 8 Watch. As the official version debuts in July, the rollout may kick off in August or September, which is passing the July support end deadline of Watch 4.

Wear OS 6-based One UI 8 Watch will be available in South Korea and the US this month. The Watch 5 and later models are eligible for the Beta, and Samsung might surprise Watch 4 users with a direct switch to One UI 8 Watch software.

Samsung is getting ready to launch its next generation of smartwatches, and fresh leaks have given us a good look at what’s coming. New renders of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 have surfaced online.

Evan Blass shared new renders of the upcoming Galaxy watches through its newsletter. These leaked images show us the design and some features we can expect from Samsung’s upcoming wearable lineup. Earlier leaks showed side views and partial images of the watches, but these new renders offer a full front-facing look.

The most highlighted change in these new renders is the shape of the watches. All three models now share a similar design that is a squircle, inspired by the Watch Ultra. This is a combination of a square and a circle.

After the success of the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung is now planning to use this unique squircle design across all Watch 8 models. This new shape makes the next Galaxy Watch models look more unified and modern.

Aside from this, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is making a comeback with a much-loved physical rotating bezel, which was ditched in the Galaxy Watch 7 series. This bezel makes scrolling through menus easier and gives the watch a more traditional feel.

Alongside this, the Classic and Ultra models now feature three side buttons. A new Quick/Action button is located in the middle. which lets users launch apps, start workouts, or perform other actions with one press.

Just recently, Samsung unveiled the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program along with the device list. It also confirmed that all three models of the upcoming series will offer One UI 8 Watch software out of the box. It will bring new health and fitness features like sleep tracking improvements and carotenoid level tracking.

Samsung hasn’t announced an official launch date yet. The new Galaxy Watch lineup is expected to be revealed at the next Galaxy Unpacked event, likely happening in July 2025.

One UI 8 Watch Beta is official in the US – Eligible models and how to join the Beta Program

Google just shared some big news about Wear OS watch faces, and it’s going to affect Samsung Galaxy Watch users. As of January 14, 2026, older watch faces built with AndroidX or Wearable Support Library (WSL) won’t be supported on Google Play anymore.

Back at I/O 2023, Google and Samsung introduced the Watch Face Format, a new way to create watch faces using XML. It’s simpler for developers, saves battery life, and keeps things secure since there’s no executable code involved.

From January 27, 2025, developers are barred from adding new legacy watch faces to the Play Store. They can still update existing ones until the 2026 cutoff. After January 14, 2026, you won’t be able to download these older watch faces from the Play Store.

While installed faces will remain functional, Wear OS developers won’t be able to release updates, and monetization options like one-off purchases or subscriptions will end, though existing purchases will remain active.

Developers using Watch Face Studio must resubmit watch faces using version 1.8.7 or higher. They should republish for all Play Store tracks and remove older bundles. Google provides resources like guides and samples to assist with the migration process.

Benefits of the Watch Face Format

Watch Face Format was developed to support developers in creating watch faces. This format provides numerous advantages to both developers and end users:

• Simplified development: Streamlined workflows and visual design tools make building watch faces easier.
• Enhanced performance: Optimized for battery efficiency and smooth interactions.
• Increased security: Robust security features protect user data and privacy.
• Forward-compatible: Access to the latest features and capabilities of Wear OS.

For Samsung Galaxy Watch users, it’s a good idea to check your watch faces now. Legacy ones will still work if installed, but you won’t get new ones or updates after January 14, 2026. Keep an eye out for Wear OS 6 news for more customization fun.

If you use a Samsung Galaxy Watch that runs on Wear OS, you’ll soon get earthquake alerts right on your wrist. Google is expanding its Android earthquake alert system to Wear OS smartwatches, which includes Samsung Galaxy Watch models like the Galaxy Watch 7, Watch 6, and Watch 5.

The new feature has been announced with Google Play Services version 25.21. Once it reaches your watch, you’ll receive a warning when an earthquake is expected to cause shaking in your area. The alert will show the magnitude and how far you are from the center of the earthquake.

Samsung Galaxy Watches with cellular connection will especially benefit. Many users go for walks or runs without their phones. Now, even if your phone is at home, your watch can still warn you in time to stay safe.

Image via Android Authority

Google first launched its Android earthquake alert system in 2020. It uses sensor data from millions of Android phones to detect earthquakes quickly. When shaking is detected, the system sends out fast alerts to people nearby, and now, it’s doing the same for smartwatches.

Although Google hasn’t made a big announcement yet, the change was spotted in Google’s Play System update notes. If you live in an earthquake-prone area, make sure your watch is updated with the latest software. The earthquake alert feature will soon be available on Wear OS running Samsung Galaxy Watches.

Samsung is preparing to launch three new flagship smartwatches next month. Ahead of the official reveal, the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic smartwatches’ design and colors have emerged along with Watch Ultra 2/2025.

Folks over at AndroidHeadlines published CAD renders of the Galaxy Watch 8, Classic, and Ultra 2025 that reveal design and colors. Both the Watch 8 models will adopt an Ultra-level design, while the Ultra 2 will get a bold new Blue color.

Renders show that the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Ultra will ditch the all-circular design. Rather, the smartwatches will debut an Ultra-inspired squircle appearance, with the Classic model retaining Samsung’s physical rotating bezel.

The biggest difference between the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic is the thickness of the bezel. The base model features a slim bezel design, while the Classic model features a thick bezel due to its physical rotating functionality.

The Watch 8 will be available in two sizes, including 40mm and 44mm. The Watch 8 Classic and Watch Ultra 2 would have a single size availability. Note that the Watch 8 models won’t be rugged in reality, unlike the Watch Ultra 2.

On the flip side, the Watch Ultra 2/2025 would be available in a striking Blue colorway. It features a similar design to its predecessor, which was the first Samsung smartwatch to carry a squircle design rather than circular or rectangular.

Samsung is likely to announce the Watch 8 series next month. The Galaxy Unpacked event may be held in early July in New York. At this mega event, Samsung’s new foldable phones, an affordable Flip phone, are slated to steal the spotlight.