Samsung's Galaxy Watch in 'world first' - but all Android users get latest big free update

Samsung has just announced its summer slew of new phones and watches with the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE, and the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic on July 9. These impressive-looking devices update Samsung’s foldables and wearables for the next twelve months, and one thing in particular stood out when it came to the new Galaxy Watch line up.

As well as the new ‘squircle’ design for the Watch 8 and the return of the fan-favourite rotating bezel for the Watch 8 Classic, it was notable that Samsung claimed the devices were the world’s first smartwatches with Google Gemini built in.

Gemini is Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that has largely replaced the old Google Assistant product and branding. Gemini is available on Google Pixel phones and many other Android phones from other phone makers.

So, it was notable to see Google Gemini launching first on a Samsung smartwatch - though the same happened last year when Samsung was first to launch Google’s Circle to Search tool at its Galaxy S24 launch event.

Google is working very closely with Samsung these days, understanding that Samsung’s sales power across the world keeps Android in line with Apple. Google appears to be happy to let Samsung debut Google-made software features first, likely both because Samsung sells more phones and more people tune in to see what’s new from Samsung compared to Google hardware events.

Therefore, the Galaxy Watch 8 series was announced as the world’s first with Google Gemini. But on July 9, the very day Samsung had its Unpacked event, Google posted a blog entitled “We've got a surprise Pixel Drop for you.”, with the announcement that this latest free software update for Google Pixel is bringing Gemini to the Pixel Watch.

Pixel Drops are regular software updates Google pushes out that bring new features to Pixel phones and watches exclusively. As well as Pixel 9 Pro owners being offered Google’s AI Pro subscription for free for a year and new Circle to Search capabilities, the new Drop claims to bring Gemini to the Pixel.

Google also published another blog on July 9 announcing that “Starting today, Gemini, your personal AI assistant from Google, begins rolling out to Wear OS watches, including those from Pixel, Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus and Xiaomi.”

It looks as though Samsung is able to claim a ‘world first’ by saying its Watch 8 line up has Gemini “built-in” both because it announced it first, and because it’ll ship with it installed. But in reality, Gemini is now available on many different brands of Android smartwatch before the Watch 8 even ships to buyers on July 25.