After four years of solid performance, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 series might be reaching its final software update. The upcoming One UI 8 Watch, set to launch alongside Wear OS 6, may mark the last upgrade for these pioneering smartwatches. Initially released in 2021, the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic were the first to embrace Samsung’s revamped Wear OS, co-developed with Google. 
At the time, Samsung promised to support these models for four years. This brings the Watch 4 on track to lose official software support by August 2025.
The One UI 8 Watch update, expected to roll out in July with the Galaxy Watch 8 series, could be the final hurrah for the Galaxy Watch 4-assuming it even receives the update. While Samsung has not officially confirmed which devices will receive One UI 8, the Galaxy Watch 4 is now at the end of the queue. Although Samsung is known for sticking to its promises regarding updates, it remains unclear whether the company will extend support just enough to bring Wear OS 6 to the Watch 4 or leave it behind entirely.
One UI 8 Watch, built on Google’s Wear OS 6, will bring various enhancements to the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8. Among the new features are Gemini, a voice assistant powered by Google’s AI tech, and a potential antioxidant index in Samsung Health, though specifics on this feature are still unclear. The update will also introduce the “Now Bar” UI element, a new addition that could appear on some watch faces. Overall, the One UI 8 Watch update is more about refining existing features and adding AI capabilities rather than major design overhauls.
For Galaxy Watch 4 owners, this update may be bittersweet. While there is a possibility the Watch 4 will get the One UI 8 update, it’s likely that this will be the last major firmware release before official support ends. The timing of the update, potentially arriving in late summer or early fall, suggests that the Watch 4 could miss out entirely. Samsung has not yet commented on whether the Galaxy Watch 4 will be included in the One UI 8 rollout, but its future depends on how quickly the company can push updates to older models.
In conclusion, the Galaxy Watch 4 has played a pivotal role in Samsung’s smartwatch comeback, but with the One UI 8 update potentially being its final act, owners should start considering their next steps. With the Galaxy Watch 8 and possibly a new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 coming soon, now might be the time to think about upgrading.