Wearables
After massive Q1 gains, the Galaxy Watch8 set to cement Samsung’s wearables growth

Samsung is betting big on the Galaxy Watch8 series for wearables growth. The company will likely launch the next-gen Galaxy Watch this July, which will further cement its market presence, following the massive surge in Q1.
Canalys Wearable Market Report
Canalys reports, Samsung sold 4.9 million wrist-wearable devices in the first quarter. In the first quarter of last year, the company sold 2.8 million units, which was 74 percent lower than the shipments mark of the previous quarter.
Samsung’s wearable share rebounded in the first quarter as it recorded double-digit growth. While the Watch7 maintained decent sales in developed markets, the Fit3 band has significantly boosted its share in emerging markets.
Xiaomi sold 8.7 million wearables, while Apple shipped 7.6 million, Huawei 7.1 million, Samsung 4.9 million, and Garmin 1.8 million. Apart from the top five, the remaining brands shipped 16.5 million wearables collectively.
Galaxy Watch8 to lead Samsung’s wearables growth
This year, the Galaxy Watch8 series will mark the return of the Classic model, bringing the iconic rotating bezel. Recent renders leak revealed a design revamp, with Watch8 models adopting the Watch Ultra-inspired squircle design.
Samsung’s Watch8 and Watch8 Classic would be a hit in the Wear OS market. Apart from shipping with the new Wear OS 6, the upcoming smartwatches are likely to introduce new health tracking features and AI enhancements.
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic could come in a single 47mm size with a 1.5-inch screen. The battery capacity is rumored to be 435mAh, with software optimization likely playing a key role in enhancing the battery life in the competitive market.
What to expect this July?
Earlier leaks showcased the One UI 8 Watch operating system. The company has redesigned the user interface, bringing half-screen tiles. Core features will also be optimized to improve the battery life while retaining performance.
Samsung is likely to hold an Unpacked event in early July this year. The company will unveil new foldable phones, an affordable Flip device, new smartwatches, second-gen Watch Ultra, as well as the Android 16-based One UI 8.
One UI
One UI 8 Watch early access opens soon for Galaxy Watch 6, Classic

Samsung will soon open early access to One UI 8 Watch for Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic users. Last month, the Beta Program went live for the Watch 7 and Watch Ultra models, but Samsung is now preparing for an expansion.
While users eagerly await the One UI 8 Watch update, Aptivi discovered signs of an early access launch for the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic. Samsung’s test firmware servers have listed Beta builds for the two smartwatches.
Samsung last month confirmed that the Watch 5 and later models are eligible for the One UI 8 Watch Beta. At the Unpacked event, the company also announced that the Stable update will be provided to Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, too.
Similar to the Watch 7 and Ultra strategy, the Beta access may be limited to South Korea and the US. The first Beta for the latest models was released on June 30, and users are now anticipating the next Beta firmware with improvements.
The new builds spotted on fota server are as follows (via Aptivi):
- SM-R930: R930XXU1ZYG2 [KOO, XAA]
- SM-R940: R940XXU1ZYG2 [KOO, XAA]
- SM-R950: R950XXU1ZYG2 [KOO, XAA]
- SM-R960: R960XXU1ZYG2 [KOO, XAA]
With Samsung now free from product unveiling, users can expect swift progress in the software department. The One UI 8 Beta is also available on the S25 series, and device expansion is in question due to Samsung’s silence.
All Korean users of the Galaxy Watch 6 and Classic will be able to join the Beta Program. Meanwhile, the US availability may be limited to just T-Mobile subscribers, more specifically, LTE models might be exclusively invited.
One UI 8 Watch update brings refreshed tiles and smoother animations. The stable upgrade would also extend the battery life of your wearable. Samsung is also preparing to offer new Watch 8 faces to older smartwatches; read more:
Samsung bringing Galaxy Watch 8 faces to older smartwatches [Gallery]
Wearables
Samsung bringing Galaxy Watch 8 faces to older smartwatches [Gallery]

Samsung will soon offer new watch faces from the new Galaxy Watch 8 and One UI 8 Watch OS to older models. The company is preparing to expand the new faces, which would soon pop up on your wrist gadget.
On July 9, Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 8 series with One UI 8 Watch. The new OS brings fresh watch faces to the Galaxy Watch 8 and Classic, which Samsung is gradually providing on older watch models, including the Watch 7.
One UI 8 Watch Beta is available for the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra in the US and Korea. Samsung enthusiast Theordysm shared plenty of screenshots, showcasing the new faces that landed on Galaxy Wearable for Watch 7.
As shown in the images, Samsung’s One UI 8 Watch has at least 7 new faces for the Watch 8 series. These screen walls are the most stylish ones ever provided by Samsung, which will bring a complete makeover to your Galaxy Watch.
These new faces from Watch 8 are coming to your Galaxy Watch:
- Sporty Classic
- Heritage Classic
- Daily Dashboard
- Circle Dashboard
- Minimal Analog
- Minimal Digital
- Dynamic Digits

Source – Theordysm
As the expansion has already begun, Galaxy Watch users can look forward to a new Galaxy Wearable app update. The new watch faces will be provided through the Wearable app’s update, but there may be a Wear OS 6 requirement.
Galaxy Watch becomes the immediate beneficiary of Samsung’s new software enhancements. Recently, Google started rolling out AI assistant Gemini to Wear OS 4+ smartwatches, mainly from Samsung’s Galaxy Watch lineup.
Now, the latest findings suggest Samsung has plans to bring plenty of new stylish faces to all Galaxy Watch users. Meanwhile, note that the rollout is gradual, and you may have to wait longer if your Watch model is older.
News
Confirmed: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 getting surprise revival with One UI 8 Watch

At Unpacked, Samsung officially confirmed the One UI 8 Watch 4/Classic upgrade. That said, the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are now confirmed to be getting the Wear OS 6-based One UI 8 Watch upgrade this year.
On June 30, Samsung kicked off the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program. The company mentioned that the Watch 5 and later models are eligible. It sparked a debate that Samsung has dropped the Watch 4 series from Wear OS 6 eligibility.
Well, the official confirmation at Unpacked has cleared all the doubts.
Wear OS 6 plus One UI 8 Watch
Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are the first Samsung smartwatches that launch with Wear OS. While the software support is about to end this August, Samsung is still bringing a big free upgrade, marking the 4th OS release.
Wear OS 6 will come to the Watch 4 series as its fourth major update. This new OS arrives on Samsung smartwatches as part of One UI 8 Watch. The development hasn’t yet begun, so a specific timeline is tough to predict.
Samsung’s new One UI 8 Watch succeeds the One UI 6 Watch version. The company has entirely skipped v7 to match the Galaxy Watch and One UI Watch numbering. Like One UI 7 for Mobile, One UI 8 Watch brings big visual revamps.
The new design and tiles are being hated by many. Samsung is likely to make some visual changes during the Beta Program. Notably, the entire focus is shifted to offering streamlined user experiences to Galaxy Watch owners.
Meanwhile, your Galaxy Watch is also getting a big AI upgrade. Google started rolling out the Gemini AI assistant to Wear OS watches running Wear OS 4+. Samsung’s entire Wear OS smartwatch lineup is eligible for this AI upgrade.
News
Google rolls out AI assistant Gemini to Samsung and Wear OS smartwatches

Google officially announces AI assistant Gemini for Samsung and Wear OS smartwatches. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch 8 series marks the debut of official Wear OS 6 and integrates the Gemini AI assistant as well.
Starting July 9, Google has started rolling out Gemini AI to Wear OS smartwatches from Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, along with its own Pixel watches. This major upgrade will replace the classic Google Assistant on your watch.
AI assistant Gemini is starting to roll out to Wear OS 4+ watches over the coming weeks. Watches upgrading to Wear OS 6 will also include support for your watch brand’s apps, so you can keep using the apps you use every day.
Google says Gemini for Wear OS is as powerful and smart as its Android variant. Users will have a consistent, smart assistant right on their wrist. Gemini unlocks a more natural, intelligent, and capable way to manage tasks and access info.
Gemini for Wear OS – Key Features
You can start talking with Gemini by simply saying “Hey Google,” as well as pressing and holding the side button on your watch, or tapping on the Gemini app icon on your watch screen. It’s easy to access and ready to impress with its capabilities.

Source – Google
You can talk to it naturally, just like you would with a friend, and it gets you, picking up on your speech patterns and giving quick, clear answers.
Your watch can now tackle bigger tasks that used to mean grabbing your phone and jumping through hoops. With Gemini, it’s all streamlined, working across your apps to get things done fast.
Gemini can also connect to Gmail and Google Calendar. Just head to the Gemini app settings on your paired phone, turn on the apps you want to use, and give it the okay with permissions.
Plus, Gemini has got your back for keeping track of important stuff. Ask it to save something you need to remember, and it will pull it up for you whenever you ask.
Wearables
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 vs Original: What’s new, what’s better

Samsung has just unveiled its most powerful and rugged smartwatch yet, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025. This watch is packed with smart features, a strong titanium body, more storage, and a battery that goes for days.
Announced at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 comes alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic. Compared to the first Galaxy Watch Ultra, the 2025 variant takes things to the next level with a new color. It’s faster, lasts longer, and comes with smarter health tracking thanks to Galaxy AI. It keeps the same bold look but brings big upgrades inside.
While the core hardware remains the same as last year’s model, the 2025 version introduces 64GB of internal storage, a new Titanium Blue colorway, and ships with One UI 8 Watch based on Wear OS 6. Apart from the new color and storage upgrade, everything else stays unchanged.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 has a strong titanium body with a big 1.5-inch Super AMOLED sapphire crystal display with 480×480 resolution and 3,000 nits peak brightness. It is built to handle almost anything – heat, water, dust, and drops. It’s water resistant up to 100 meters and has military-grade durability.
Powered by the new Exynos W1000 chip, it includes 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It runs on Wear OS 6 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 8, which offers several AI features, a personalized running coach, a new watch interface, and more.
It equips a 590 mAh battery that lasts up to 60 hours of regular use. It also supports Power Saving Mode (up to 100 hours) and Exercise Power Saving Mode (up to 48 hours).
Health features include heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, body composition analysis, AGEs index tracking, sleep apnea detection, fall detection, ECG, and blood pressure monitoring. However, the price of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 is the same as last year, $649.
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