Samsung has officially kicked off the beta program for One UI 6 Watch, the next major version of its smartwatch operating system based on Google's Wear OS 5. The update includes the much-anticipated Galaxy AI integration for advanced health tracking, plus new gesture controls and enhanced customization options.
The ‘Smarter’ Health Analyzer
Indeed folks, Galaxy AI has made its way to the One UI 6 Watch beta, thanks to an official community announcement. For the most part, it functions as a basic data analyzer, mainly using the so-called “energy score”, which seems to be a new buzzword in the Samsung Health app. It integrates all tracked health data, including sleep, physical activity, and waking schedule, providing a sort of personalized insight into the user’s physical and mental readiness.
Of course, now with a more advanced analyzing tool, the update also includes added ways to track granular data for users. Support for custom routines, for example, and other functions that combine different exercises depending on the adjusted target for sets, reps, duration, and other related variables.
Navigation Improvements
On the functions front, the One UI 6 Watch beta program teases a host of new gesture controls. A double pinch of the thumb and index finger can be used for quick actions. You can answer calls, dismiss alarms, control music playback, and take photos with the same gesture.
Improved horizontal scrolling also allows users to quickly navigate through notifications and tiles with a flick of the screen. The update even opens a new “Universal Gestures” feature, that automatically focuses on the appropriate controls for time-sensitive actions like answering calls or stopping alarms.
Most importantly perhaps, is that the update finally allows users to go back to the previous screen with a simple back-and-forth movement of the wrist.
A Minor, But Welcome Notifications Bump
While on a lesser scale, notifications are also shown to be somewhat enhanced in the beta program. For example, you can now choose which apps can send alerts directly to the watch. The Modes feature can now control more watch settings based on the user's activity or location, including options like Do Not Disturb, Always On Display, and other wake gestures.
For messaging, One UI 6 Watch beta allows users to set their favorite emojis for quick access, plus the ability to save images from message attachments (the files can then be viewed, shared, or used in the Gallery app).
Other enhancements in the beta include a stylish new default font, power-saving options that limit other features for extended battery life, and automatic connection to Bluetooth audio devices when starting music playback on the watch.
Rollout Schedule
The One UI 6 Watch beta program is currently available in the United States and South Korea for Bluetooth versions of the Galaxy Watch 6 (and Watch 6 Classic), with support for LTE models to be added later. The announcement also clarified that older Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 5 models will be included in the update following the initial rollout.
On a related note, the same Galaxy AI updates will be available by default for the Galaxy Watch 7 (Galaxy Watch X?) series, which is rumored to launch at Samsung's Unpacked event in July.
