Samsung is pushing ahead with its software testing cycle, rolling out the second beta update of One UI 8 Watch, based on Wear OS 6, to the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. This follows the initial beta launch just a week ago, showing the company’s commitment to quickly refining the experience for early testers. 
For now, the Beta 2 release is limited to Samsung’s home market, South Korea, but it offers a glimpse at what global users can expect in the coming weeks.
The new firmware, identified as R960XXU1ZYI5, has a download size of approximately 158MB. While not a massive update in terms of size, it packs important fixes and optimizations. According to the official changelog, three major improvements headline this beta: performance optimizations across the system, a fix for the Always-On Display (AOD) malfunction that occurred with specific watch faces, and a resolution for the problem where customized smartwatch services failed to re-activate after the watch was paired with a new smartphone.
Performance tuning is particularly significant, as it addresses lag and responsiveness issues that can affect everything from app launches to health tracking functions. The AOD bug fix also matters for users who rely on continuous time visibility, especially with personalized watch faces. The third fix ensures that advanced features and services don’t vanish when switching to a new phone, a frustrating scenario for power users who often change devices.
Samsung’s One UI 8 Watch is designed not only to deliver smoother system operation but also to align with Google’s latest Wear OS 6 enhancements. That includes better integration with Android devices, extended support for health tracking features, and refined UI elements. Beta testers play a crucial role here, feeding back real-world usage data so Samsung can polish stability before a full public release.
For those enrolled in the beta program, updating is straightforward. On your Android phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app, head to Watch settings » Watch software update, and tap Download and install. The installation should take only a few minutes, after which you’ll be running Beta 2 with the latest fixes and optimizations.
This rapid update cycle reflects Samsung’s strategy of keeping its wearables at the forefront of the smartwatch market. With rivals like Google’s Pixel Watch pushing hard on the software front, Samsung is ensuring that Galaxy Watch 6 Classic owners continue to get a fast, reliable, and feature-rich experience. While the beta is still limited to Korea, international rollout could follow soon if stability continues to improve.
2 comments
hope battery life is better with this update
still waiting for global rollout… korea always first 😒