Wear OS 7 released with new design and features, makes way for One UI 9 Watch

Alongside Android 17, Google also released the stable version of Wear OS 7 today. It is currently available for select Pixel Watch models and is expected to arrive on compatible Galaxy Watches in the form of One UI 9 Watch. This new version of the operating system brings several new features, a refreshed UI design, a smarter version of Gemini, and integration with Android XR devices such as XR headsets and smart glasses.

Let’s take a look at the most important features in Wear OS 7.

Google introduced Live Updates with Android 16, and the feature is now coming to Wear OS 7. It allows you to track ongoing events in real time, such as your ride-hailing service’s arrival time, a food delivery order, or the score of a live sporting event.

It remains to be seen how many third-party apps will support the feature. On Galaxy Watches, it will likely be integrated with Samsung’s Now Bar feature in One UI 9 Watch.

With Wear OS 7, you can control compatible devices more easily. For example, you can manage media playback on wireless earbuds, speakers, and TVs. You can also switch audio from one device to another using the Media Output Switcher.

Smartwatches running Wear OS 7 can display images captured using Android XR-powered smart glasses. Google and Samsung have already announced their first smart glasses partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, and those devices are expected to take advantage of Wear OS 7’s cross-device features.

Smartwatches running Wear OS 7 can display images captured using Android XR-powered smart glasses. Google and Samsung have already announced their first smart glasses partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, and those devices are expected to take advantage of Wear OS 7’s cross-device features.

With multi-step automation, Gemini can navigate software interfaces to complete tasks on your behalf, such as ordering food from your favorite restaurant or booking movie tickets.

Wear OS 7 also introduces Create Your Widget, a Gemini-powered feature that allows users to generate custom widgets simply by describing their needs in natural language.

Google claims that smartwatches running Wear OS 7 can deliver up to 10% longer battery life on a single charge compared to Wear OS 6. So, Galaxy Watches could see modest battery life improvements when they receive the One UI 9 Watch update.

Samsung is expected to debut One UI 9 Watch alongside the Galaxy Watch 9 series and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in July 2026. The update will likely launch alongside One UI 9 on the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. One UI 9 Watch could then expand to other compatible Galaxy Watches during the third or fourth quarter of the year.