Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 starts getting One UI 8 Watch update
A major software update is now rolling out to Galaxy Watch 7 users. One UI 8 Watch is arriving in the US first, and it brings some of the same new features recently announced for the Galaxy Watch 8 series.
A gradual rollout but full update
Samsung initially tested One UI 8 Watch with beta users on the Galaxy Watch 7. Those early builds were smaller and focused on ironing out bugs. What’s happening now is the broader release to users on the stable track. It’s a full OTA update, close to 2GB in size, and includes the complete feature set.
As expected, the update includes the new Multi-Info Tiles, the Now Bar, along with a refreshed look for many system apps. There’s also tighter integration with Google’s services, including expanded voice functionality via Gemini. While some of these features have already been covered in the Watch 8 launch, they now come to the Watch 7 as well.
This build also carries the September 2025 security patch and is based on Wear OS 6. Several users have noted better system responsiveness, faster swipe animations and improved LTE performance. Early feedback suggests battery life may also be improved, but that will need a few days of testing to confirm.
Some health tools remain exclusive
Despite the size of the update, not everything makes the jump to Watch 7. Key features like Samsung’s new Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index remain exclusive to the Watch 8 series. Even after installing One UI 8 Watch, those sections in the Samsung Health app prompt users to upgrade to Watch 8 hardware.
This is similar to what we’ve seen before with hardware-locked features such as temperature-based cycle tracking. The underlying sensors required for Vascular Load and antioxidant scanning likely don’t exist on Watch 7, so software updates alone won’t unlock them.
Early feedback from the community
Reports on Reddit and elsewhere suggest that the update process is mostly smooth, though a few users had to disconnect Bluetooth and complete the installation over Wi-Fi. Samsung seems to have ironed out some of the issues that affected earlier firmware upgrades.
One sticking point is the UI design. A few users commented on the pill-shaped widgets and visual tweaks, calling them a step backward. Others felt the layout is more informative and fits better with the round display. These sorts of reactions are typical after major design overhauls.
A user in Mauritius also confirmed the update, suggesting a broader international release may be underway. However, many in Europe are still waiting for it to appear.
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