I have a complicated relationship with smartwatches. I always wanted one on my wrist as a kid, and I promise you I was the only 14-year-old with a Seiko MessageWatch on his wrist in 1998.
The early information watches served a different purpose. You weren’t connected to the internet 24 hours a day, so you appreciated the small bits of information that came through.
I got stock quotes and sports scores, but none of them felt intrusive.
Modern smartwatches are different. I’m constantly bombarded by information and notifications, and I’ve never felt at home with the software on any of them.
If I’m going to give up my beloved analog watches, I need to see the benefits of a smartwatch beyond just being pinged every time a friend sends me a WhatsApp message.
Thankfully, Samsung has started to do that with One UI 8 on my Galaxy Watch Ultra.
If you haven’t considered a smartwatch in a while, here’s why the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra feels renewed on One UI 8.
One UI 8 offers a smoother experience
Better battery life, too
I didn’t have a problem with performance on my Galaxy Watch Ultra, and I certainly wouldn’t expect to, given the price I paid.
Still, I’ve noticed that One UI 8 is more responsive overall. It’s snappier since I updated, and I love how quickly I can glide through my tiles.
I can’t speak personally about how it will feel on older watches, but I’m assuming the performance optimizations will trickle down.
Samsung did an excellent job of bringing Wear OS 6 to the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
I appreciate the visual overhaul and customization options that come with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8, but I’m more excited about the better use of space on the watch face.
I’ve also noticed an improvement in battery life after the upgrade. Battery life figures are so personalized that it’s challenging to compare one person’s experience with another’s.
However, I can comfortably get two days of use on a single charge, and that’s using the device for sleep tracking.
If you’re working out constantly and really taxing the sensors, expect different results.
Still, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s battery does the job, and I’ve enjoyed the improved performance since upgrading to One UI 8.
More comprehensive health tracking on One UI 8
Some useful, some not
I don’t know about you, but I don’t need my Galaxy Watch Ultra to tell me I don’t eat enough vegetables — I have a mirror for that.
I’m sure the antioxidant monitoring feature on the Galaxy Watch Ultra will be useful to some, but it’s not something I’m rushing to address with my doctor.
Still, it’s part of a revamped set of Samsung Health features. I’ve never put much stock in various energy scores on any smartwatch, but I do like that Samsung has beefed up sleep tracking.
It may seem like a small item, but I appreciate Samsung’s addition of snore detection. Constant snoring can lead to poor sleep and may be a sign of a more serious health issue.
Yes, you can’t detect snoring with just your watch; you’ll need it to work in tandem with your Galaxy phone, but it’s worth it once set up.
If you’re like me with poor sleep hygiene, One UI 8 is an excellent way to improve the rest you get at night.
Apparently, workout tracking is also improved, but there’s no threat of that when the watch is on my wrist, so I’ll take Samsung’s word for it.
I don’t reap many of the fitness benefits of a smartwatch, as that’s just not part of my daily routine.
However, I do appreciate it when other features are included that can help improve my overall health, even if I’m not training for a marathon.
One UI 8 makes better use of space
Tiles needed an overhaul
I appreciate the visual overhaul and customization options that come with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8, but I’m more excited about the better use of space on the watch face.
I can now view multiple tiles simultaneously, providing me with more information at a glance. I can stack tiles and rearrange as needed, and the new user experience feels more tailored to a device with a round display.
Out of all the new features that debuted on the Galaxy S25 series, the one that grew on me the most is the Now Bar. It’s also a solid addition to my Galaxy Watch Ultra, and I find it useful for media controls or if I have a timer active.
If you have multiple apps open, the Now Bar keeps you up to date without leaving your watch face.
Update to One UI 8 if you haven’t already
I never pay much attention to smartwatch software updates. I always just hold my breath and hope that the update doesn’t tank my battery life or cause slowdowns that weren’t there before.
Samsung has done an excellent job of locking in its smartphone software over the last several years, and I’m glad to see that this extends to smartwatch software with One UI 8 on my Galaxy Watch Ultra.
8/10
- Case Material
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Titanium
- Case size
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47mm
- Colors
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Titanium Silver; Titanium Gray; Titanium White
- Display
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1.5″ AMOLED
At a starting price of $650, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s most premium wearable to date. It’s made for outdoor athletes, offering a huge battery, durable materials, and quick access to exercise tracking.
