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Your Samsung Galaxy Watch is getting a big upgrade for free - 4 features I can't wait to try

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Kerry Wan/ZDNET

It won't be long before Samsung unveils its new lineup of Galaxy Watches at its July Unpacked event. Until then, the Korean tech giant is giving us some hints at what's to come on these new smartwatches with its One UI 8 Watch updates. These Watch features have arrived on several users' devices, according to a recent Reddit post in r/GalaxyWatch.

From a running coach feature that appears to take notes from Apple Watch's "Workout Buddy" to a bedtime suggestion feature that calibrates your optimized sleep time based on activity and historical rest, here are some of the features Samsung will roll out on its next smartwatch.

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For those interested in trying out these new features ahead of Samsung's new Galaxy Watch later this summer, Samsung says they can access them through Samsung's beta program, which is available to users with the Galaxy Watch5 series or later. However, users who have received this update on their devices report that the features will only apply to Galaxy Watches 8 or higher.

Running Coach

AI-powered health coaches are trending across wearables, from Whoop and Oura to Apple Watch's new Workout Buddy. Samsung is jumping on the trend with its AI-powered Running Coach, designed to help runners optimize their training program.

Made for beginners, Running Coach fine-tunes its suggested intensity, providing motivation, guidance, and personalized training programs that incorporate a user's fitness data to help them reach their exercise goals. Whether they're training for a 5K or a full marathon, the feature provides a unique plan to get them across the finish line.

Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a big upgrade

Users can activate Running Coach by wearing their Galaxy Watch on a 12-minute or longer run outside. Running Coach will analyze their pace and performance to deliver a score from one to ten. Then, they'll receive a personalized training plan geared toward their goal of completing a 5K, 10K, half, or full marathon.

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