According to SamMobile, the Galaxy Watch FE is finally starting to receive the One UI 8 Watch update, over four months after Samsung first released the stable version. This major update initially launched only for the Galaxy Watch Ultra in late 2024 before rolling out to the Galaxy Watch 7, 6, and 5. Now, the Galaxy Watch FE, which launched in mid-2024 with One UI 5 Watch, is getting its second major update. However, the rollout is currently limited to South Korea, with no immediate timeline for a global release. This update is significant as it follows the One UI 6 Watch update the device received late last year.
The slow rollout reality
Here’s the thing about Samsung’s watch updates: they’re almost always a staggered, regional affair. It’s frustrating, but it’s their standard playbook. The Galaxy Watch Ultra got this update back in… what, October or November? And we’re only now seeing it trickle to the more budget-friendly FE model in one country. This creates a weird two-tier experience for users who all bought into the same ecosystem. You have to wonder if this slow-drip approach is about managing server load, catching bugs in smaller markets first, or just an artifact of how they handle certification with carriers. Probably a mix of all three.
What this means for the Galaxy Watch 4
The most interesting angle here isn’t really about the FE. It’s about the promise it implies for the Galaxy Watch 4. As the report notes, the Watch FE is essentially a rebranded Galaxy Watch 4. So, if the FE is getting One UI 8, the logic follows that the Watch 4 itself should be next in line. Samsung has promised this update for the Watch 4, and it’s supposed to be its last major OS upgrade. That’s a big deal. It means owners of that 2021 watch are waiting to see if Samsung honors its support pledge. If the FE is getting it now in Korea, a global Watch 4 rollout in the “coming weeks,” as mentioned, seems plausible. But I wouldn’t hold my breath for a specific date.
The bigger picture for Wear OS
This whole saga highlights the persistent software update problem in the Android and Wear OS space, even with a giant like Samsung steering the ship. Compare this to Apple’s watchOS updates, which drop for all supported models on the same day. The fragmentation and delay just feel… archaic. It’s better than it was when each manufacturer had their own totally forked OS, sure. But it’s not good enough. For a device as personal and health-focused as a smartwatch, consistent and timely software is crucial. When one model gets a new health feature or battery optimization months before another, it undermines the whole platform promise. Basically, they’ve made progress, but there’s still a long way to go.
