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Samsung began rolling out a December 2023 software update for eligible Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 models. It was primarily a security and stability patch that followed the major Wear OS 4-based One UI 5 Watch upgrade—not a second major One UI 5 Watch feature release.
The clearest reported visible changes were minor app-label updates, including “Samsung Health” becoming “Health” and “Samsung Pay” becoming “Pay.” Availability and firmware numbers varied by country, watch size, Bluetooth or LTE connectivity, carrier, and model.
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The short answer
Yes, Samsung released a December 2023 patch for parts of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 families. Owners should install it when it appears for their exact watch, but should not expect the update to deliver another large collection of One UI 5 Watch features.
The substantial upgrade was the earlier Wear OS 4-based One UI 5 Watch rollout, which began with the Watch 5 series before reaching the Watch 4 series in 2023. The December package was a subsequent maintenance release on that software foundation.
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- ADVANCED SLEEP COACHING: Manage your overall sleep quality with an advanced sleep tracker that detects and analyzes sleep stages while you rest; Plus, Advanced Sleep Coaching helps you develop better sleep habits by analyzing your sleep patterns.Supported Application:Fitness Tracker,Blood Pressure Monitor,Multisport Tracker,Time Display,GPS. Connectivity technology:Bluetooth. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth,802_11_AGNAC
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS (BIA): Galaxy Watch5 provides body composition data right on your wrist; On your own schedule, you can now get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, basal metabolic rate and Body Mass Index (BMI)
- IMPROVED SENSOR ACCURACY: Stay up to date on your wellness; Get an accurate heart rate thanks to an improved, curved Samsung BioActive Sensor that gets closer to your skin
- AUTO WORKOUT TRACKING: Make the most of every adventure with Auto Workout Tracking - from running to rowing to swimming - automatically in just minutes, and manually tracking more than 90 exercises, including complex activities like HIIT
- IMPROVED BATTERY & GALAXY CONNECTED EXPERIENCE: Meet the watch that goes as long as you do; Galaxy Watch5’s improved battery keeps up with your busiest day Do more with synced Galaxy devices that work in perfect harmony
Which watches received the December patch?
The rollout covered eligible versions of:
- Galaxy Watch 4
- Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
- Galaxy Watch 5
- Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Reported U.S. firmware builds included the following:
| Watch | Reported U.S. build |
|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 4 | R865USQU1HWL1 |
| Galaxy Watch 4 Classic | R885USQU1HWL1 |
| Galaxy Watch 5 | R905USQU1BWL1 |
| Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | R925USQU1BWL1 |
These are examples, not universal version numbers. Different watch sizes, LTE and Bluetooth variants, carriers, unlocked models, countries, and regional CSCs can use different firmware identifiers. Check the complete software string on your watch rather than comparing only the final letters.
The reported builds and rollout details are documented by Droid Life. The Watch 4 Classic, in particular, was not necessarily updated at exactly the same time in every rollout window.
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Was this the One UI 5 Watch update?
Not in the strict sense. One UI 5 Watch was Samsung’s larger 2023 upgrade based on Wear OS 4. It brought changes such as:
- New watch faces and Tiles
- Easier watch-face and Tile management
- Folders in the app drawer
- Improved sleep tracking and sleep coaching
- Personalized heart-rate zones
- Updates to Samsung Health and device-care features
The December 2023 release followed that major upgrade. It should be understood as a security, stability, and maintenance patch that continued the newer software base, rather than as a new One UI 5 Watch feature package. See the earlier One UI 5 Watch feature coverage for the distinction.
What changed in the December update?
Contemporary reporting described the Watch 4 update mainly with generic stability-improvement language. The available reports did not provide a complete vulnerability-by-vulnerability changelog or establish a specific Android Security Bulletin patch level for every region.
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- ADVANCED SLEEP COACHING: Manage your overall sleep quality with an advanced sleep tracker that detects and analyzes sleep stages while you rest; Plus, Advanced Sleep Coaching helps you develop better sleep habits by analyzing your sleep patterns.Supported Application:Fitness Tracker,Blood Pressure Monitor,Multisport Tracker,Time Display,GPS. Connectivity technology:Bluetooth. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth,802_11_AGNAC
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS (BIA): Galaxy Watch5 provides body composition data right on your wrist; On your own schedule, you can now get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, basal metabolic rate and Body Mass Index (BMI)
- IMPROVED SENSOR ACCURACY: Stay up to date on your wellness; Get an accurate heart rate thanks to an improved, curved Samsung BioActive Sensor that gets closer to your skin
- AUTO WORKOUT TRACKING: Make the most of every adventure with Auto Workout Tracking - from running to rowing to swimming - automatically in just minutes, and manually tracking more than 90 exercises, including complex activities like HIIT
- IMPROVED BATTERY & GALAXY CONNECTED EXPERIENCE: Meet the watch that goes as long as you do; Galaxy Watch5’s improved battery keeps up with your busiest day Do more with synced Galaxy devices that work in perfect harmony
The clearest reported visual change was simplified app text:
- “Samsung Health” became “Health”
- “Samsung Pay” became “Pay”
That wording change does not by itself indicate a redesign of the underlying apps or payment services. Samsung also did not establish a universal battery-life improvement, overheating fix, pairing fix, or sensor-performance improvement for this release.
For that reason, it is more accurate to call this a December security and stability update than to claim a major feature upgrade. 9to5Google’s coverage also noted the limited stability-focused description.
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- PUSH PAST YESTERDAY: Looking for a great way to bring out your personal best every day? Challenge yourself to excel on your next run or bike ride using tracking with Galaxy AI¹ that lets you compare your current performance to your last one²
- START YOUR DAY WITH YOUR ENERGY SCORE: Know how ready you are to take on the day using your personalized Energy Score with Galaxy AI¹; It calculates today’s physical readiness based on what you did yesterday
- KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOUR HEART HEALTH: Get the most out of your fitness workouts using improved Heart Rate Tracking³ with Galaxy AI¹ that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading
- GET A BOOST TOWARD YOUR GOALS: Stay on track toward your goals using personalized suggestions from Wellness Tips⁴; Your Watch collects the insights and then they’re analyzed on your phone
- BETTER SLEEP. A HEALTHIER YOU: Learn better habits for more restful nights using sleep tracking⁵ with Galaxy AI¹ — it also helps detect moderate to severe sleep apnea⁶; Get helpful insights collected by your Watch and analyzed by your phone
How to install the update
Using an Android phone
- Charge the watch. Samsung says an update may require at least 30% battery.
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app.
- Tap Watch settings.
- Tap Watch software update.
- Tap Download and install.
- Keep the watch connected while it reboots and completes installation.
Directly on the watch
- Open Settings on the watch.
- Tap Software update.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Menu names can vary by model and software version. Samsung’s official instructions are available at Samsung Support.
What to check before updating
- Charge the watch above Samsung’s stated 30% minimum; a higher charge is preferable.
- Keep the watch and phone connected throughout the download and restart.
- Use a stable Wi-Fi connection where possible.
- Make sure the watch has enough free storage.
- Back up important data through the Galaxy Wearable setup before attempting major recovery steps.
Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 5 models require a compatible Android phone for setup and are not compatible with iPhone. Compatibility can still vary by market and carrier, so check Samsung’s official compatibility guidance.
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Why the update may not appear
Samsung distributes watch firmware in stages. Not seeing the December patch immediately does not necessarily indicate a problem. Availability can depend on:
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- ADVANCED SLEEP COACHING: Manage your overall sleep quality with an advanced sleep tracker that detects and analyzes sleep stages while you rest; Plus, Advanced Sleep Coaching helps you develop better sleep habits by analyzing your sleep patterns
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS (BIA) : Galaxy Watch5 provides body composition data right on your wrist; On your own schedule, you can now get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, basal metabolic rate and Body Mass Index (BMI)
- IMPROVED SENSOR ACCURACY: Stay up to date on your wellness; Get an accurate heart rate thanks to an improved, curved Samsung BioActive Sensor that gets closer to your skin
- AUTO WORKOUT TRACKING: Make the most of every adventure with Auto Workout Tracking — from running to rowing to swimming — automatically in just minutes, and manually tracking more than 90 exercises, including complex activities like HIIT
- IMPROVED BATTERY & GALAXY CONNECTED EXPERIENCE: Meet the watch that goes as long as you do; Galaxy Watch5’s improved battery keeps up with your busiest day Do more with synced Galaxy devices that work in perfect harmony
- Country or region
- Watch size and model identifier
- Bluetooth versus LTE connectivity
- Carrier approval for LTE watches
- Unlocked or carrier-branded hardware
- The current software version
Check the update screen again later. Do not manually flash a firmware package merely because another owner has a different build number; that build may be intended for different hardware or a different market.
How to identify the correct firmware
When comparing your watch with reported December builds, record:
- The full model name and size
- Bluetooth or LTE status
- Carrier or unlocked status
- Country or CSC information
- Current software version
- Security patch level shown on the device
A smaller Bluetooth Watch 4, an LTE Watch 4 Classic, and a Watch 5 Pro can all receive related releases with different prefixes or suffixes. The full firmware string is more useful than a partial match.
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If the installation fails or freezes
Use this recovery order before considering anything destructive:
- Leave the watch on its charger.
- Restart both the watch and the connected phone.
- Reopen Galaxy Wearable and check for the update again.
- Confirm that Galaxy Wearable is current.
- Check the watch’s available storage.
- Retry the download over a stable connection.
- Contact Samsung Support or use Samsung Members if the problem continues.
Samsung lists uninstalling apps and performing a factory reset among possible recovery measures for serious update problems. A factory reset should be the last resort because it erases user data. Back up first and use Samsung Support before resetting, especially if the watch is stuck in a boot loop.
Verdict
The December 2023 Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 5 update was a worthwhile maintenance patch, not a second major One UI 5 Watch release. Install it when Samsung offers it for your exact model, but expect mainly security and stability maintenance plus small interface-text changes—not a new feature overhaul or guaranteed battery-life improvement.
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