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Android Watch Mega thread 2025

Is anyone else not a fan of the current watch update Watch One UI 8? I was Samsung had given us options in terms of when the watch is charging can the screen go off instead of being all bright with the charging symbol. Also, the way they are doing widgets and notifications is a little screwy. It doesn't make me want to get rid of the watch, but I don't think I'm a fan of this update.
 
sjsharksfan12 said:
Is anyone else not a fan of the current watch update Watch One UI 8?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I enjoyed using One UI 8 during the time I had the Galaxy Watch Ultra... their new tiles feature was nice to have, made some slight changes to the notification center. However... wasn't really a big update, but the new tiles feature I really liked having (with the ability to fully customize it).

I was Samsung had given us options in terms of when the watch is charging can the screen go off instead of being all bright with the charging symbol.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I wasn't fan of that. Pixel Watch has the screen off when charging.

Also, the way they are doing widgets and notifications is a little screwy. It doesn't make me want to get rid of the watch, but I don't think I'm a fan of this update.
Click to expand...
There's no widgets on the watch... maybe you are referring to the tiles? But yeah... I don't really care for the notifications on the Galaxy Watches, one of the reasons I went with the Pixel Watch.
 
Ludatyk said:
Yeah, I enjoyed using One UI 8 during the time I had the Galaxy Watch Ultra... their new tiles feature was nice to have, made some slight changes to the notification center. However... wasn't really a big update, but the new tiles feature I really liked having (with the ability to fully customize it).


Yeah, I wasn't fan of that. Pixel Watch has the screen off when charging.


There's no widgets on the watch... maybe you are referring to the tiles? But yeah... I don't really care for the notifications on the Galaxy Watches, one of the reasons I went with the Pixel Watch.
Click to expand...
Tiles. For example, I have the activity tile and you can put something like the weather tile below it. Well, what if I just wanted the activity tile and just have it bigger. There's no way to have it bigger so it's half the screen and it's pretty small. Of course if there was a way to resize it, that's great.
 
sjsharksfan12 said:
Is anyone else not a fan of the current watch update Watch One UI 8? I was Samsung had given us options in terms of when the watch is charging can the screen go off instead of being all bright with the charging symbol. Also, the way they are doing widgets and notifications is a little screwy. It doesn't make me want to get rid of the watch, but I don't think I'm a fan of this update.
Click to expand...
Go to watch settings, display and turn off show charging info. Now the screen will be off when charging.
 
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Wanted to share my new favorite watch face... very easy setup process, like this particular wallpaper in how the black blends in with the bezels.

20251208_131859.jpg
 
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I finally hit my breaking point and ditched the two watch lifestyle…

And returned to the Apple Watch as my primary watch. It’s still just so much more performative vs. Wear OS and its ecosystem for my needs. The shortcomings have just added up to a level of frustration I don’t want to deal with on a daily basis.

The Pixel Watch 4 is very good hardware—haven’t decided yet if I’ll hold onto it to see how future updates affect it or just sell it.
 
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tbayrgs said:
I finally hit my breaking point and ditched the two watch lifestyle…

And returned to the Apple Watch as my primary watch. It’s still just so much more performative vs. Wear OS and its ecosystem for my needs. The shortcomings have just added up to a level of frustration I don’t want to deal with on a daily basis.

The Pixel Watch 4 is very good hardware—haven’t decided yet if I’ll hold onto it to see how future updates affect it or just sell it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I figured eventually you’ll make the move… no point in holding onto it when you don’t plan on using it. And I have no issues with mine OS wise.. like the notification alerts/center, does well when it comes to using it as a remote for audio playback.

Sleep tracking and activity monitoring works well… just need to find more bands. And I don’t really rely on on-device apps.. maybe that’s why the need to have an Apple Watch doesn’t affect me as much as you.
 
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Ludatyk said:
Yeah, I figured eventually you’ll make the move… no point in holding onto it when you don’t plan on using it. And I have no issues with mine OS wise.. like the notification alerts/center, does well when it comes to using it as a remote for audio playback.

Sleep tracking and activity monitoring works well… just need to find more bands. And I don’t really rely on on-device apps.. maybe that’s why the need to have an Apple Watch doesn’t affect me as much as you.
Click to expand...
It is a really nice smart watch, the best wear OS option in my opinion. It just falls short after coming from using an Apple Watch and all of its capabilities for so many years. The differences also become more obvious when you’re wearing both of them side-by-side.

Glad you’re enjoying your time with it. I might be able to help you with your band issue. ;)
 
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tbayrgs said:
It is a really nice smart watch, the best wear OS option in my opinion. It just falls short after coming from using an Apple Watch and all of its capabilities for so many years. The differences also become more obvious when you’re wearing both of them side-by-side.
Click to expand...
Trust me... I know the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch on the market, but my preferences are toward an Android phone. And if Apple were to open support for Android platform, then I'll certainly wear one. I've thought about getting an iPhone to keep in the drawer while using an Apple Watch... but decided against that since it involves having multiple lines.

And I already have an iPad used on a cellular plan... so, my setup of a Android phone and watch along with the iPad on-the-go is the prefect solution for me.

Glad you’re enjoying your time with it. I might be able to help you with your band issue. ;)
Click to expand...
What watch bands do you currently have?
 
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Ludatyk said:
Trust me... I know the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch on the market, but my preferences are toward an Android phone. And if Apple were to open support for Android platform, then I'll certainly wear one. I've thought about getting an iPhone to keep in the drawer while using an Apple Watch... but decided against that since it involves having multiple lines.

And I already have an iPad used on a cellular plan... so, my setup of a Android phone and watch along with the iPad on-the-go is the prefect solution for me.


What watch bands do you currently have?
Click to expand...
I’ve got a busy few days (daughter graduating from college and family visiting), but I’ll do my best to grab a few minutes to pull out what I have and send you some pics.
 
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My new 2025 Galaxy Watch Ultra; just fitted it with a genuine Samsung trail band strap; fits very nice indeed and feels very well made too...

I do love the Apple Watch Ultra 2 watch; but the Samsung Watch Ultra is my favourite I think; the overall style for me is what wins it... Plus its half the price (well this one was via eBay UK brand new, £320 delivered) ;)

watch1.jpg
watch2.jpg
watch3.jpg
 
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