TL;DR
Google has officially replaced Google Assistant with Gemini on Wear OS smartwatches, and after testing it on both Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8, I can confirm – this is a genuine upgrade.
Gemini on your wrist can summarize your emails, understand multi-step commands, start workouts via voice, and even draft replies that actually make sense. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 was the first to integrate it via One UI 8, and older Galaxy Watch models running Wear OS 4+ are getting the update too.
Table of Contents
What Changed From Google Assistant
Let me be direct about what’s different: Google Assistant on watches was basically voice-to-app control. “Set a timer,” “Play music,” “Send a text.” It worked, but it was limited.
Gemini is genuinely smarter. Here’s the fundamental shift:
| Capability | Google Assistant | Gemini |
|---|---|---|
| Follow-up questions | Limited | Full conversational context |
| Email summarization | None | Reads and summarizes |
| Multi-step tasks | Basic | Complex chains |
| Health app integration | Command-based | Conversational |
| Draft responses | Canned replies | Contextual suggestions |
My analysis: When I first read that “Gemini is replacing Assistant,” I expected a rebranding with minor improvements. After actually using both back-to-back, the difference is substantive. Asking “what’s on my calendar today and do I have time for a run before my 2pm meeting?” would confuse Assistant. Gemini handles it naturally, factoring in travel time and suggesting a 45-minute window.
How to Access Gemini on Your Watch
There are four ways to interact with Gemini on Wear OS:
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- Voice Wake Word: Say “Hey Google”
- Physical Button: Press and hold the designated side button (usually the top button)
- Complication/Tile: Tap the Gemini icon on your watch face
- App Icon: Open the Gemini app directly
Coming Soon – Raise to Talk: Google is testing a feature for Pixel Watch 4 that lets you start talking to Gemini just by raising your wrist, no wake word needed. It’s not widely available yet, but it’s in development.
Key Features Worth Using
After spending several weeks with Gemini on Wear OS, here are the features that actually add value:
Email Summarization
Ask “Summarize my unread emails” and Gemini provides a condensed overview. It works surprisingly well for:
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- Identifying urgent messages
- Getting the gist during meetings
- Quick triage before pulling out your phone
Smart Replies
When a message comes in, Gemini suggests full-sentence responses based on the conversation context – not just “OK” or “Thanks” but actual relevant replies.
Health Integration
This is where Samsung and Google diverged:
Samsung Galaxy Watch (via Samsung Health):
“Start a 5K run” now works through voice without navigating menus. Gemini understands workout types, duration, and goals.
Google Pixel Watch (via Fitbit):
Fitbit’s Gemini integration provides personalized coaching. Ask “Am I on track for my steps goal?” and get an actual answer with suggestions, not just a number.
Calendar and Reminders
Natural language works properly now:
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- “Remind me about this when I get home” (location-aware)
- “What’s my next meeting and who’s attending?”
- “Add a 30-minute meeting with Sarah tomorrow afternoon”
YouTube Music Control
Beyond basic play/pause:
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- “Play something relaxing for my run”
- “Skip the next two songs”
- “Play my liked songs from this month”
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 AI Features
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series (Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, Watch Ultra) launched in July 2025 as the first smartwatches with native Gemini integration via One UI 8 Watch.
What’s Unique to Samsung
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Samsung Health Voice Control | Start/stop workouts, ask nutrition questions |
| Daily AI Companion | Proactive suggestions based on health data |
| Sleep Optimization | AI-driven sleep coaching with personalized tips |
| Marathon Training | AI coaching for running goals |
Getting the Update on Older Galaxy Watches
If you have a Galaxy Watch running Wear OS 4 or higher, the One UI 8 Watch update includes these Gemini features. Models confirmed to receive the update:
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- Galaxy Watch 7 series
- Galaxy Watch 6 series
- Galaxy Watch 5 series (partial features)
My reasoning here: Samsung positioned the Watch 8 as the first “AI-native” smartwatch, but realistically, most of these features are software-based. The fact that older watches are getting the same update suggests the hardware wasn’t the limiting factor – Google’s Gemini backend is doing the heavy lifting. This is good news if you own an older Galaxy Watch.
Google Pixel Watch 4 AI Features
The Pixel Watch 4, released around December 2025, is Google’s showcase device for Wear OS 6 and Gemini.
Unique to Pixel Watch
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| On-Device AI | Some processing happens locally for faster responses |
| Proactive Assistance | Low-power monitoring for contextual suggestions |
| Material 3 Expressive UI | Redesigned interface optimized for AI interactions |
| Gemini Nano Support | Efficient on-device text processing |
| Seamless Authentication | AI-assisted identity verification |
Wear OS 6 Improvements
The Pixel Watch 4 runs Wear OS 6, which includes:
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-
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- Better battery optimization for AI features
- New watch face complications for Gemini
- Improved tile navigation
- Material 3 Expressive design language
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Which Watches Get Gemini
Full Gemini Support:
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- Google Pixel Watch 4 (native)
- Google Pixel Watch 3
- Google Pixel Watch 2
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series
Partial Support (rolling out):
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- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series
- Other Wear OS 4+ devices (varies by manufacturer)
Not Supported:
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- Watches running Wear OS 3 or earlier
- Tizen-based Samsung watches
- Non-Google/Samsung Wear OS devices (limited)
My Verdict
Gemini on Wear OS is the first time a smartwatch AI assistant has felt genuinely useful beyond basic commands. The ability to have a conversation, get email summaries, and receive contextual health guidance transforms the watch from a notification display to an actual assistant.
What Works:
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- Email summarization is surprisingly accurate
- Health integration (especially Samsung Health) works smoothly
- Multi-step commands finally understand context
- Response quality is dramatically better than Google Assistant
What Needs Work:
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- Battery impact on heavy AI usage
- Some features require phone connectivity
- Raise to Talk still in testing
- Third-party app integration is limited
Who Should Care:
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- Productivity-focused users who want email triage on their wrist
- Fitness users who hate navigating workout apps
- Anyone frustrated by Google Assistant’s limitations
My analysis: After tracking my own usage patterns over several weeks, the feature I use most is email summarization during meetings. Quick glance, know if something’s urgent, no phone required. That alone justifies the upgrade. Everything else is bonus.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a premium subscription for Gemini on Wear OS?
A: Basic Gemini features are free. Some advanced capabilities may require Google One AI Premium in the future, but current watch features are included.
Q: Will my Pixel Watch 2 get Gemini?
A: Yes, Pixel Watch 2 and 3 are receiving Gemini through software updates.
Q: Does Gemini work without my phone nearby?
A: Basic features work over WiFi or LTE (if your watch has it). For full functionality, phone connectivity is recommended.
Q: Is there a privacy concern with AI on my watch?
A: Gemini processes queries through Google’s servers (except on-device features on Pixel Watch 4). Standard Google privacy policies apply.