Samsung Preps One UI 8 Watch Beta

Those with a Samsung Galaxy Watch5 or newer smartwatch will soon be able to install One UI 8 Watch Beta for a preview of new health-related features coming soon to the wearable platform.

“When it comes to your health, small changes can make a big difference,” the Samsung announcement explains. “Every incremental improvement to your daily habits adds up to a healthier whole, and the upcoming Galaxy Watch will help build these habits even more effectively with a slate of new features to improve sleep, heart health, fitness, and nutrition.”

Just as One UI 8 for smartphones is based on Android 16, One UI 8 Watch is based on Wear OS 6, the upcoming new version of that platform software. Wear OS 6 was announced during Google’s Android Show I/O Edition in May, and it’s available now as a developer preview, but not on any physical devices yet. Samsung says that One UI 8 Watch beta will be available to those with compatible Galaxy Wear wearables “later this month,” so it’s not clear if the new releases are tied to each other.

According to Samsung, One UI 8 Watch will deliver the following features:

Bedtime Guidance. One UI 8 Watch will suggest an optimal bedtime that maximizes alertness the next day, based on your lifestyle and sleep patterns over the previous three days.

“Sleep remains a cornerstone of our approach to health, as it influences physical and mental well-being, social relationships, and even work performance,” Samsung senior vice president Dr. Hon Pak says. “Now, we envision our Galaxy Watch delivering holistic insights centered around sleep, insights that lead to meaningful changes in daily life. We believe this aligns with our vision of empowering you to lead healthier lives through proactive care and holistic health management.”

Vascular Load. While you sleep, One UI 8 Watch will monitor your vascular load, a measure of the stress placed on your vascular system and a key indicator of cardiovascular health. It will also provide insights into related factors like sleep, exercise, and stress, and help you develop healthier habits.

Running Coach. This new feature will deliver motivation and real-time guidance as you run, starting after 12 minutes. It will analyze your performance, rate your level on a scale from 1 to 10, and develop a training plan so you can complete a 5K, 10K, or half or full marathon race.

Antioxidant Index. Newer Galaxy Watches can measure carotenoids, antioxidants found in green and orange vegetables and fruits that are stored in your skin and can help prevent chronic illnesses and promote healthy aging. This will help users see the results of positive and healthy life changes.