Samsung is rolling out its most significant smartwatch update of the year, and the first device to receive it is none other than the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The update brings One UI 8 Watch, built on Google’s Wear OS 6, to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung’s most powerful wearable to date. The update introduces an upgraded interface, fresh fitness tracking tools, and new smart features that bring the experience closer to Samsung’s smartphone ecosystem. It also marks the first time that the Now Bar, a UI feature previously exclusive to Samsung phones, has made its way to a wearable device.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra, which launched in 2024, is receiving the update ahead of other Samsung models including the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 7 series. Meanwhile, the brand-new Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic will come preloaded with One UI 8 Watch, continuing Samsung’s push toward tighter software integration across devices. With this move, the company is signaling how important software fluidity and AI-powered health tracking have become in the wearables race.
Among the standout features in One UI 8 Watch is the arrival of the Now Bar, a smart information strip that helps users access key actions or info with a single tap. First seen on Samsung’s phones with One UI 7, it has now been adapted for the smaller screen of a smartwatch without losing its utility. Combined with newly designed Multi-Info Tiles, the Watch Ultra now lets users manage notifications, tasks, and health insights more intuitively.
The update also brings a suite of advanced health tools. These include Antioxidant Index, Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, and a new Running Coach feature. The Antioxidant Index gives users a better sense of their internal stress levels, while Bedtime Guidance offers a more personalized look at nightly habits. Vascular Load is a fresh metric that helps evaluate how your blood vessels are handling pressure during activity, and the Running Coach aims to give feedback and structure to your outdoor runs.
According to Reddit users, the update is live in multiple regions including the US and India. Screenshots of the rollout show that the download size is close to 2GB and includes the May 2025 security patch. That means Samsung is not only focusing on fitness and functionality but also on keeping users protected with up-to-date software.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s new software breathes fresh life into a device that already had premium hardware. With this update, Samsung is doubling down on making its wearables more independent, smarter, and more connected to user needs. As for those using older models like the Galaxy Watch 6 or 7, they will need to wait a little longer to get their hands on One UI 8 Watch, though Samsung has confirmed that the rollout is planned for those models later this year.
This update reinforces the Galaxy Watch Ultra as a top-tier choice for those looking for more than just step counts and heart rate data. With the combination of Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch, Samsung is setting the tone for what a next-generation smartwatch should look and feel like.
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