According to GSM Arena, Samsung has expanded the rollout of its One UI 8 Watch update for the Galaxy Watch4 to two more countries: India and the United States. This follows the initial release about two weeks ago, which was limited solely to South Korea. The update, carrying firmware version R860XXU1JYK4, is currently only available for the non-cellular versions of the watch. It also includes the October 2025 security patch. Users in these new regions can manually check for the update via the Settings and then Software update menu within the Galaxy Wearable app on their paired phone.
Update Strategy: Why So Slow?
Here’s the thing about Samsung‘s staged rollout strategy: it’s cautious, maybe to a fault. Releasing a major software update in just one country (South Korea) for two weeks feels incredibly conservative in 2025. Is it about managing server load? Or is it a deeper quality assurance play, using a small, controlled market as a final live-fire test before a wider release? Probably a bit of both. But for a device that’s now a few generations old, like the Watch4, it sends a mixed message. It’s good they’re still supporting it, but the slow drip-feed makes you wonder about resource allocation. They’re clearly prioritizing stability over speed, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it tests user patience.
The Business of Legacy Support
This update is a pure play for ecosystem loyalty and retention. The Galaxy Watch4 isn’t the newest or shiniest model anymore. So, why spend the engineering resources? Simple. It keeps users locked into the Samsung wearable ecosystem. If you get a meaningful software update on your older watch, you’re more likely to buy another Samsung watch—or phone—next time. It’s a long-term investment in customer goodwill. The fact that it’s hitting the non-cellular models first also makes logistical sense. That’s likely the highest-volume SKU, so nailing the rollout there impacts the most users. It’s a smart, if unglamorous, business move. They’re playing the long game, ensuring that even their older hardware doesn’t feel abandoned.
