Samsung deserves credit for how efficiently it rolled out One UI 8 for its smartphones and tablets. The update went out in record time, reaching even mid-range and budget Galaxy devices faster than any previous major new version of One UI.
However, the same cannot be said for the One UI 8 Watch update. While Galaxy phones received their new software quickly, the rollout for Galaxy smartwatches has been moving very slowly.
One UI 8 Watch first appeared on the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic. But months later, it is taking an extremely long time to reach older models. For example, the Galaxy Watch 7, which is barely a year old and shares many components with the Watch Ultra, had to wait a long time for its update. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which launched alongside the Watch 7, received the update immediately.
This discrepancy is hard to miss. Since both watches have almost the same hardware, the delay doesn’t appear to be a technical issue. Instead, it seems like a deliberate choice to prioritize the most expensive smartwatch first. Perhaps Samsung aims to make the premium price of the Ultra feel more justified and exclusive.
This approach is disappointing. Samsung’s phones have proven that the company can deliver updates quickly and consistently across device tiers. The Galaxy Watch lineup deserves the same treatment—especially when the hardware differences between models are minimal.
The One UI 8 and One UI 8 Watch rollouts reveal two very different strategies. For phones, the process is efficient, clear, and inclusive. For watches, it’s unusually slow this year, and generally more selective.
A good example of this selectiveness is the beta versions of the One UI Watch updates, which have always been limited to only two countries: the U.S. and South Korea. In comparison, Samsung’s phone beta programs are offered in at least seven countries for top-tier models.
At this point, it’s too late for the rollout speed to change because, even if Samsung releases the update for all eligible watches tomorrow, the delay has already caused disappointment among users.
Still, here’s hoping this isn’t a pattern Samsung repeats next year or with any future One UI Watch updates. Galaxy Watch users deserve timely and consistent software support just as much as Galaxy phone owners.
https://www.sammobile.com/opinion/one-ui-8-watch-galaxy-smartwatch-feels-like-disaster/