TL;DR
Samsung pushed a One UI 8 upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 4 that adds new faces, fitness features, smoother animations and a Now Bar, but users have reported battery, sensor and always‑on display issues after installing it. Samsung has paused the rollout while it investigates, and reports say the problems are not universal.
What happened
The Galaxy Watch 4, introduced in 2021, received a late-stage One UI 8 upgrade that included new watch faces, enhanced health and fitness tracking, smoother animations and a Now Bar. Shortly after the update began reaching users, reports surfaced online — picked up by outlets such as 9to5Google and summarized in this report — describing degraded battery life, some watches lasting under 15 hours, and claims that sensors stopped working, disabling health and activity tracking for affected owners. A smaller set of users also reported issues getting the always-on display to function correctly. Because the update appears to have caused a range of problems for a portion of devices, Samsung halted the rollout temporarily to investigate. The Galaxy Watch 4 has experienced problematic updates before; a 2022 software release reportedly broke custom watch faces and rendered some watches inoperable. Owners who have not installed One UI 8 remain on the previous firmware for now.
Why it matters
- This is billed as the Galaxy Watch 4’s final major software update, so any issues shape the device’s late‑life experience.
- Battery and sensor failures directly affect core smartwatch functions like health and fitness tracking.
- Pausing a wide rollout highlights the risks of installing major firmware updates immediately after release.
- Existing reliability concerns are reinforced by earlier update problems in the device’s history.
Key facts
- Galaxy Watch 4 launched in 2021.
- One UI 8 for the watch adds new watch faces, improved health/fitness tracking, smoother animations and a Now Bar.
- After installing the update, some users reported battery life dropping to under 15 hours.
- There are user reports alleging sensors stopped working, which would prevent health and activity tracking.
- Some users reported the always‑on display not working after the update.
- Reports about the problems were collated by outlets including 9to5Google.
- Samsung has paused the One UI 8 rollout for the Galaxy Watch 4 while it investigates.
- Not all owners appear to be affected — the issues do not seem to be universal.
- A previous 2022 update reportedly broke custom watch faces and bricked some devices.
What to watch next
- Whether Samsung issues a patch or restarts the One UI 8 rollout — not confirmed in the source.
- Any official statement from Samsung clarifying causes, affected models and recovery options — not confirmed in the source.
- Broader user reports or tests that establish how widespread the battery and sensor problems are — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- One UI: Samsung’s software interface that runs on its phones and wearables; versions correspond to major feature and visual changes.
- Always‑on display (AOD): A screen mode that keeps a simplified clock or other info visible while the device is idle, typically at reduced brightness to save power.
- Firmware update: Software released by a device maker that modifies the device’s system software, adding features or fixing bugs.
- Wearable sensors: Hardware used in smartwatches to measure biometric data such as heart rate, blood oxygen and motion for tracking activity and health.
Reader FAQ
Is the One UI 8 update causing problems on all Galaxy Watch 4 units?
No — reports indicate some users are affected, but the issues do not appear to be universal.
Has Samsung stopped the update rollout?
Yes. Samsung paused the One UI 8 rollout for the Galaxy Watch 4 while it investigates the reports.
If I haven't installed the update, is my watch safe?
If you haven’t downloaded One UI 8, your watch remains on the prior firmware; the source recommends waiting for a fix.
Will Samsung fix the issues and when?
Not confirmed in the source.
Even in its final moment, the Galaxy Watch 4 can't catch a break By Timi Cantisano Published 31 minutes ago Timi is a news and deals writer who's been reporting…
Sources
- Even in its final moment, the Galaxy Watch 4 can't catch a break
- Galaxy Watch 4 Classic One UI 8 Watch update may be …
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic update that was …
- Samsung refreshes its Clock app on One UI 8.5 Galaxy …
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