Samsung Watch Beta Program Begins in Two Countries

Samsung has officially disclosed the launch of its One UI 8 Watch beta programme, targeting a select group of Galaxy Watch users ahead of the wider rollout. The testing will begin later this month, limited to users in South Korea and the United States.

While a specific release date has not been confirmed, the company has detailed which devices qualify for early access. The beta programme is open only to Wear OS-supported Galaxy Watch models, specifically the Galaxy Watch 5 series and newer. Older devices are not expected to receive this preview version.

Participants in the eligible countries can join the beta by registering through the Samsung Members app on their connected smartphones once the programme goes live.

The One UI 8 Watch firmware brings new features aimed at health and wellness monitoring. Tools included in this update are:

* Bedtime Guidance

* Vascular Load Tracking

* Running Coach

* Antioxidant Index

These functions are designed to enhance the user’s ability to monitor sleep and cardiovascular metrics with greater precision and personalization.

Samsung’s beta testing will help refine the update based on real-world usage and user feedback. Although no end date has been provided for the beta phase, the full release is expected to align with the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 series, likely to debut at Samsung’s Unpacked event next month.

Leaks suggest the Galaxy Watch 8 lineup may include design changes such as a new squircle form factor for the standard model and refreshed styling for the Classic and Ultra variants. In anticipation of this launch, Samsung has planned promotional runs in New York City to engage consumers.

For now, users in the US and South Korea will be first in line to explore the upcoming features and improvements brought by One UI 8 Watch.