Samsung One UI 8 Watch Officially Launched: Galaxy Watch Ultra Gets First, Watch 7 Still Waiting

On July 22, 2025, Samsung officially launched the stable One UI 8 Watch, bringing a wave of software improvements to its smartwatch lineup. However, this rollout has sparked both celebration and disappointment across the Galaxy Watch community. While Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024) users are already receiving the update, those with Galaxy Watch 7 are still left waiting—despite both models participating in the Beta Program simultaneously.

Galaxy Watch Ultra One UI 8 Watch Stable Update Rollout

The rollout favors Samsung’s premium flagship wearable, and although Watch 7 users remain stuck on beta firmware, there’s still hope. Let’s dive deep into Samsung's One UI 8 Watch journey, the current update status, and what to expect next for all Galaxy smartwatch users.

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🆕 What is One UI 8 Watch?

One UI 8 Watch is Samsung’s latest custom skin built on Wear OS 6, jointly developed with Google. This new iteration brings numerous upgrades in terms of:

• UI refinements

• Performance optimizations

• Battery efficiency

• New health and fitness features

• Tighter Galaxy ecosystem integration

Samsung aims to unify the experience across its Galaxy devices—phones, tablets, and wearables—with this release.

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🚀 Galaxy Watch Ultra Gets the First Stable One UI 8 Watch Update

Samsung kicked off the stable One UI 8 Watch rollout with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2024 model, marking it the first Galaxy smartwatch to receive the final version of the new OS.

📌 Key Update Details:

• Date: July 22, 2025

• Model: Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024)

• Software: Wear OS 6-based One UI 8 Watch

• Region: Initial rollout in South Korea and the USA

This move was facilitated due to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 refresh, which launched with Wear OS 6 pre-installed, helping Samsung fast-track stable firmware for the first-gen Ultra model.

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📱 The Watch 7 Dilemma – Still Stuck on Beta

Here lies the disappointing part for users of the Galaxy Watch 7. Despite joining the Beta Program alongside the Watch Ultra, the Watch 7 has not yet received the stable update.

😟 User Frustration:

Many Watch 7 users feel neglected by Samsung, especially since both watches have nearly identical software builds in beta testing. Watch 7 is a popular, mainstream wearable, and the delay in the stable rollout is puzzling.

✅ Beta Experience So Far:

• No critical bugs reported in Beta 1

• Minor performance issues exist

• Good feedback from the community

These signs suggest that Samsung is very close to finalizing the stable build for the Watch 7. However, it may want to roll out a Beta 2 update to smoothen performance and squash any remaining bugs.

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🧪 One UI 8 Watch Beta – What’s Next?

As of now, the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program is still ongoing. Samsung may soon release a Beta 2 firmware to Galaxy Watch 7 before the final stable release. The update might focus on:

• Further performance optimizations

• Battery life tuning

• Improved gesture controls

• Enhanced app animations

However, there is no official confirmation yet from Samsung about the Beta 2 rollout or the stable update timeline for the Watch 7.

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🔁 Software Disparity: Ultra vs. Watch 7

💡 Watch Ultra 2025: The Catalyst

Last month, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025, a refresh with:

• New color options

• Larger onboard storage

• Same hardware specs as the 2024 version

• Pre-installed One UI 8 Watch

Because the Watch Ultra 2025 is virtually the same device with minor hardware refinements, Samsung was able to finalize the One UI 8 Watch software for it, and then backport the stable version to the 2024 model.

😐 Watch 7 Left Behind

Watch 7, despite being technically capable, hasn't received the stable update yet. This has raised fair criticism about Samsung’s update priorities.

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⌚ Beta Eligibility for Older Watches – Watch 6 & Watch 5

Samsung had earlier announced that the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 5 series will also be eligible for the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program. However:

• No Beta build has been released for these models

• No timeline shared by Samsung

• Users are worried about a delayed or limited rollout

The delay in stable updates for Phase 1 devices (Watch 7 and Watch Ultra) indirectly delays everything downstream, putting older devices at an even longer wait.

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🌍 Limited Beta Access: USA & South Korea Only

Currently, the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program is available only in South Korea and the USA. This regional limitation has led to:

• Slower testing feedback loops

• Smaller beta user base

• Delayed stable release in other markets like India, Europe, and Latin America

Samsung may expand the rollout globally after the stable build hits the Watch 7, but again—no official date yet.

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📊 How Samsung’s Delay Affects Its Ecosystem Strategy

Samsung is known for offering industry-leading software support on its flagship phones and tablets. However, the company’s wearable software rollouts have been inconsistent.

🧩 Market Context:

• Google is preparing to launch new Pixel phones and wearables in August 2025

• Samsung’s delay gives Pixel Watch 3 a chance to lead the Wear OS 6 rollout

• Brands like Mobvoi and Fossil are also preparing updates for Wear OS 6

Samsung needs to accelerate the rollout to maintain its reputation as a software-first Android brand.

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📅 Timeline Recap – One UI 8 Watch Rollout

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🧠 Final Thoughts – What Should Watch 7 Users Do?

While it's frustrating for Galaxy Watch 7 users to watch Watch Ultra users get all the attention, the wait is likely to be over soon. Samsung has not abandoned the Watch 7—it’s just calibrating the rollout more carefully.

🔄 What You Can Expect:

• Beta 2 rollout within August 2025

• Stable One UI 8 Watch update by late August or early September

• Expanded rollout to Watch 6 and 5 later this year

So, if you’re on the Beta, keep your watch connected to the Galaxy Wearable app, and stay alert for upcoming OTA updates.

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🛎️ Conclusion

Samsung has made significant strides with One UI 8 Watch, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2024 being the first to get the stable rollout is a big milestone. However, the lack of a concrete roadmap for the Galaxy Watch 7, Watch 6, and Watch 5 remains a concern.

As we move further into the second half of 2025, Samsung must balance new product launches and legacy software support. For now, Watch 7 users can only be patient and hope that Samsung brings them the same software excellence soon.

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👉 Stay Updated

Follow Ask Anything for the latest Samsung One UI, Galaxy Watch, and Wear OS news, including tips, changelogs, and hidden features. We also cover Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 updates. Stay tuned!

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