Samsung releases One UI 8 Watch Beta 5 for Galaxy Watch 7 with important improvements

Samsung has rolled out the fifth beta version of One UI 8 Watch for the Galaxy Watch 7, marking another step in refining the smartwatch experience ahead of the stable release.

This new build is based on Wear OS 6 and continues Samsung’s steady pace of updates since the beta program began earlier this summer.

The One UI 8 Watch Beta 5 update, carrying firmware version ZYI4, is currently limited to users in South Korea, where Samsung typically runs its earliest software trials. Although availability is geographically restricted for now, the improvements are significant enough to give us a clearer picture of what Galaxy Watch 7 users worldwide can expect in the final release.

According to the official changelog (translated from Korean), the update tackles six specific issues that were frustrating users. These include a fix for workouts that stopped abruptly whenever a medication reminder popped up, health tiles that appeared blank, and performance hiccups such as stuttering when navigating menus. Samsung has also resolved issues with the Always On Display feature, where wrist-raising or exiting sleep mode occasionally disabled the function unintentionally. Another fix ensures the correct time is shown when the display wakes up during Always On Display operation, and the final patch addresses a bug that prevented the timer app from running properly.

Taken together, these adjustments may seem small, but they directly impact day-to-day usability. For instance, runners depending on accurate tracking won’t have their sessions interrupted by unrelated notifications, and fitness-focused users can now rely on health tiles to provide consistent data. Similarly, smoother animations and more reliable Always On Display behavior make the Galaxy Watch 7 feel more polished and dependable, even at this early beta stage.

For those enrolled in the beta program, installing the new build is straightforward: simply open the Galaxy Wearable app on your smartphone, head to Watch settings » Watch software update, and select Download and install. As with any beta, Samsung encourages users to provide feedback, which helps fine-tune the software before the global rollout.

The company’s frequent beta iterations show its commitment to balancing advanced health features, seamless notifications, and overall smartwatch stability. While it may take a few more betas before One UI 8 Watch is finalized, Beta 5 demonstrates that Samsung is steadily ironing out the smaller – but very noticeable – problems that define a smooth wearable experience.