Summary of One UI 9 Watch beta: Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra get the update, Watch 8 gets a fix
- Samsung's One UI 9 Watch beta is now rolling out to the Galaxy Watch 7 and original Galaxy Watch Ultra in South Korea, with a US launch expected soon.
- The update is about 1.9GB, includes the September 2026 security patch, and adds improved sleep insights and Vascular Load (replaced by Blood Pressure Trend in the US).
- Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic are getting a second beta that fixes an Always On Display bug where the watch showed the wrong time.
- If you want the stable version of One UI 9 Watch, it is only available out of the box on the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
- To join the beta, open the Samsung Members app and look for the beta banner.
One UI 9 Watch beta expands to Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra
Samsung is pushing its latest smartwatch software to more wrists. The One UI 9 Watch beta, which is based on Wear OS 7, is now available for the Galaxy Watch 7 and the first-generation Galaxy Watch Ultra. At the same time, the company is rolling out a second beta for the Galaxy Watch 8 series that fixes a troubling bug where the Always On Display could show the wrong time.
If you own one of these watches, here is what the updates mean for you and how you can get them.
What is new in the beta for older watches
What this means for One UI 9 Watch beta
Samsung started the One UI 9 Watch beta program with the Galaxy Watch 8 series last month. Now it is the turn of two popular 2024 models: the Galaxy Watch 7 and the original Galaxy Watch Ultra.
The beta update is rolling out in South Korea first. It arrives as firmware version L310XXU2ZZI1/L310OXM2ZZI1 and weighs about 1.9GB. It also includes the September 2026 security patch.
Users in South Korea who have enrolled in the beta program can download and install the update through the banner in the Samsung Members app. Samsung is expected to bring the beta to the United States in the coming days, based on how quickly it expanded the beta for the Galaxy Watch 8 series.
Galaxy Watch 8 gets a second beta with critical fixes
The One UI 9 Watch beta for the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra brings several improvements:
- Upgraded Samsung Health app with improved sleep insights.
- Improved UI elements and other additions.
- Vascular Load measurement is added in this beta. However, Samsung has replaced this feature with Blood Pressure Trend in the United States, so US users will not see Vascular Load when the beta arrives.
This is the same Wear OS 7-based software that already ships on the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. If you want the final version without the beta tag, those two watches are your only options right now.
How to join the beta
Samsung is also rolling out One UI 9 Watch Beta 2 for the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in South Korea. This update brings firmware version ZZI1 and the September 2026 security patch.
The changelog focuses on four areas:
- Stabilization code to improve overall device performance.
- Fixes for Samsung Health app errors.
- Watch face issues that could occur when using or switching between different watch faces.
- Always On Display (AOD) bug fix: the AOD could show an incorrect time. This fix is especially important because users rely on the AOD for quick glances.
Beta 2 does not add major new features. Instead, Samsung is smoothing out problems found in the first beta, which is typical as the company prepares for a wider release.
What this means for your watch
If you own a Galaxy Watch 7 or Galaxy Watch Ultra and live in South Korea, open the Samsung Members app and look for the One UI 9 Watch beta banner. Tap it to enroll and then download the update over Wi-Fi.
For Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic owners already in the beta program, Beta 2 should appear as an over-the-air update in the Samsung Members app.
US users may need to wait a few days. Samsung has not announced an exact date, but based on the Galaxy Watch 8 rollout, the beta for the Watch 7 and Watch Ultra could land in the US soon.
Should you install the beta now?
If you are still using the original Galaxy Watch Ultra or the Galaxy Watch 7, this beta is a chance to try Samsung's latest software before it reaches everyone. The improvements to sleep tracking, the new health metrics, and the refreshed interface make these older watches feel more modern.
For Galaxy Watch 8 owners, Beta 2 brings welcome stability. The AOD bug that showed the wrong time was a serious issue for a device meant to be glanced at quickly. Fixing that alone makes the update worthwhile.
Samsung is clearly working toward a polished final release of One UI 9 Watch for a wider range of devices. If you prefer to wait for the stable version, keep an eye on the mobile news section for the official rollout announcement.
In the meantime, if you are curious about how Samsung's smartwatches compare to other options, check out our best phones guide, which also covers top wearables. For help choosing your next watch, use our phone finder tool. And if you want to compare specs side by side, our phone comparison tool can help.