One UI 8 Watch: Samsung announces new functions for its Galaxy smartwatches

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Following One UI 8 for Galaxy smartphones, the manufacturer has now also announced a counterpart for its smartwatches. Among other things, One UI 8 Watch is designed to help users “develop healthier habits”, according to the manufacturer.

One UI 8 Watch aims to get users to bed on time

The new One UI version for Samsung watches includes “Bedtime Guidance”, an advanced sleep detection feature. It is designed to suggest “an optimal bedtime based on lifestyle and sleeping habits” and send reminders to the user to make sure they stick to it.

Samsung explains that the feature analyzes sleep patterns over the past few days to “calculate a bedtime that maximizes wakefulness the next day”.

During the sleep phase, the Galaxy watches are also said to record the “stress on the vascular system”. The function looks for “excessive stress fluctuations”, as these values should fall during sleep. This function is only available for the Galaxy Watch Ultra and newer models.

Galaxy Watch as a running trainer

The running coach is designed to improve fitness: according to the manufacturer, the feature offers “coordinated intensity training and injury-preventing exercises” and is aimed at beginners, among others.

The running coach can also motivate and give instructions in real time – which sounds a bit like the “Workout Buddy” from watchOS 26. Furthermore, the software creates a personal training program “based on the individual fitness level and helps to achieve personal goals”, according to Samsung.

To use the running coach, users must first complete a running performance test and receive a level, the manufacturer explains further. Furthermore, the coach can only be used on the Galaxy Watch 7 series and newer models.

Another new feature is the “Antioxidant Index”, which uses the Galaxy Watch's sensors to measure carotenoids from green and orange vegetables and fruit in the skin. According to Samsung, this measurement only takes five seconds.

Samsung explains that antioxidants are found in many healthy foods, which serve to neutralize free radicals and can thus prevent chronic diseases and promote healthy aging.

Antioxidant measurement is also not available for all watches: it is only available for the Galaxy Watch Ultra or a “subsequent Galaxy Watch series”. In addition, the watch must be removed for the measurement, as the measurement is carried out using the thumb, which must be placed on the back sensor of the watch.

Possibly, no update for the Galaxy Watch 4

Samsung is offering a beta program for the new watch software in the USA and South Korea. However, not all models are included, as the manufacturer writes in a Footnote of the US report: Only on the Galaxy Watch 5 series and newer can the beta update be installed. This suggests that Samsung could no longer supply the Watch 4 series, which was launched in 2021, with the new One UI version. It would not be surprising, as Samsung – and Google – offer a rather short update warranty of three years for smartwatches compared to the seven-year update promise for many smartphones.

heise online asked Samsung what the situation is with the Watch 4 series. What is certain, however, is that Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 series, which will be released in July, is equipped with the new software version ex works. The manufacturer has confirmed this in its press release.

(afl)