Wear OS 4-based One UI Watch 5 update is powered by Android 13

One UI Watch 5 is based on Android 13 (Wear OS 4)

Although Google has released the beta version of Android 14 for phones and tablets, Wear OS 3.5 was based on Android 11. With Wear OS 4, it was expected that Google would use Android 12 as its base. However, it has now been revealed that Wear OS 4 has skipped Android 12 and is going straight to Android 13. It will still be one version behind phones, tablets, and TVs.

However, it also needs to be understood that Wear OS doesn't need to be based on the latest version of Android to get the latest features. Google can add the latest features to Wear OS independently. Wear OS, which is different from Android Wear that launched in 2014, debuted with Android 8.0 as its base. Wear OS 2.2 was based on Android 9, while Wear OS 3, which Google co-developed with Samsung, was based on Android 11.

Wear OS 4 features

Wear OS 4 brings Material You design, smooth animations and transitions for Tiles, a new watch face format based on Samsung's implementation, longer battery life, a native backup feature, app permission syncing with a connected phone, improved permissions for health data, and native golf tracking.

One UI Watch 5 features

One UI Watch 5, which is based on Wear OS 4, brings enhanced customizability to watch faces and an easier way to add watch faces via a vertical interface. You can set multiple images as the same watch face's background. Up to 20 simultaneous timers can be set. The new software also keeps your health data safe by periodically backing it up to the phone.

The update also supports automatic workout detection for cycling. It also brings a Galaxy Buds controller Tile. During runs, it offers personalized heart rate guidance. One UI Watch 5 also brings more call controls, including mute, volume control, and keypad shortcut. It also surfaces medical data when it detects a hard fall. It also lets you arrange apps in folders and brings easier device care features.