What Are Samsung’s New Galaxy Watch Features?

Galaxy Watch update to bring smarter tools and better battery management

Samsung is gearing up for a major update to its Galaxy Watch lineup, with new features surfacing ahead of the official release. The upcoming One UI 8 Watch update, expected to debut in July alongside the Galaxy Watch 8, promises smarter interactions, improved usability, and better battery protection.

Now Bar makes its way to Galaxy Watch

One of the standout additions is the Now Bar, a feature that originally debuted in One UI 7 for smartphones. According to details uncovered from leaked APKs by Android Authority, the Now Bar will be available as a complication on Galaxy Watch faces. It closely resembles Google’s At a Glance feature for Wear OS.

The Now Bar on Galaxy Watch is expected to support multiple functionalities including:

  • Contextual Suggestions
  • Maps access
  • Media Controls
  • Now Brief updates
  • Sports scores powered by Google

These contextual elements aim to deliver relevant, real-time information at a glance, enhancing the smartwatch’s utility throughout the day.

New Shortcuts app for quicker access

Another upcoming feature is a Shortcuts app or widget, designed to let users group frequently used apps and display them on Tiles. These tiles will be available in 2×1 or 2×2 sizes, offering flexibility in layout and functionality. Leaked icons suggest this feature aligns with earlier UI leaks and will help users navigate apps more efficiently.

Shuffle for watch faces keeps things fresh

Samsung also appears to be introducing a “shuffle” option for watch faces. The feature will randomly cycle through a user’s favorite watch faces, offering a dynamic visual experience that changes daily. This helps keep the watch interface feeling new and personalized.

Battery Protection adds smart charging control

Battery health is also in focus with the upcoming Battery Protection feature, which appears similar to Google’s rumored Adaptive Charging for Pixel Watch. The Galaxy Watch’s version will allow users to set a charging cap, pausing power intake once a certain battery level is reached and resuming when it drops below a set threshold. These parameters seem to be customizable, although exact controls have yet to be confirmed.