If in case you have an Android cellphone, a Samsung Galaxy Watch is a positive selection for a wearable, and in recent times Samsung has labored very intently with Google to make sure its smartwatches are on the entrance of the queue for brand new software program perks.
That’s more true than ever in 2026, and at Google’s I/O convention this month Google introduced Put on OS 7, the latest flavour of software program for Android smartwatches. This implies homeowners of the Google Pixel Watch household and in addition current Samsung Galaxy Watch fashions might be quickly seeing new options in software program updates.
Some of the annoying issues about smartwatches is their battery life. Even the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely can barely final two days on a single cost, such is the necessity for battery capability to energy all its capabilities and the brilliant OLED display screen.
However T3 reviews that Google says the Put on OS 7 replace might give current smartwatches as much as ten p.c higher battery life.
If this involves cross it’d be superb, however I’m sceptical. In a decade of reviewing telephones, tablets and wearables, I’ve barely ever seen a software program replace massively enhance a tool’s battery life. However I’ll be holding a eager eye out for what Put on OS 7 is attempting to attain right here.
In the meantime, Google stated that “choose smartwatches” are getting Gemini Intelligence, which is a brand new model of Google’s ever-growing Gemini AI product. IN a briefing, Google stated Intelligence would solely be coming to its most premium, excessive finish gadgets, so it stays to be seen which Galaxy Watch fashions will get it, however my cash is on the aforementioned Extremely and the Watch 8 and Watch 7 collection on the very least.
Samsung normally releases its new Galaxy Watch mannequin in July annually alongside its newest Z Flip and Z Fold telephones. What is probably going going to be referred to as the Galaxy Watch 9 will certainly be marketed on the presence of Gemini Intelligence, although it’s similar to imagine older watches will get the replace.
Elsewhere, Put on OS 7 is getting Stay Updates to indicate real-time data, like you’ll have seen in your cellphone’s lock display screen. That is normally for issues resembling an incoming meals supply order.
The replace can even carry an entirely new function referred to as Put on Widgets. Google says this fashion of displaying key data on Put on OS 7 is ready to exchange the outdated tiles. That is with a view to serving to app builders obtain “better expressiveness and consistency” with how apps look on smartwatches, and due to this fact giving your wearable a extra unified look, irrespective of which apps you’re utilizing or looking for data in.
“Put on widgets help two card sorts—small and enormous—that align completely with the 2×1 and 2×2 codecs on cell, making certain your designs really feel cohesive throughout gadgets,” Google stated.
Google will doubtless push out Put on OS 7 to its Pixel Watch fashions later this yr, and Samsung will most likely do the identical come its July launch. It’s a protected wager that your current Galaxy Watch will get the replace earlier than the tip of the yr, if it’s new sufficient to get the newest upgrades.
