Google showed Wear OS 6: new design, Gemini support and improved battery life

Google has introduced Wear OS 6 with an updated Material 3 Expressive interface and support for the Gemini AI assistant. The system is based on Android 16 and will receive deep integration with dynamic colors adapted to round displays.

The Wear OS 6 interface is optimized for small screens, with new animations, deeper notification lists, a redesigned PIN keypad, and updated Tiles that hold more information.

There's a big focus on animation. When in use, animations "follow the curvature of the display," and "lists animate to create a sense of depth that makes information more accessible." This is especially noticeable in the notification shade.

Gemini will also be available on Wear OS 6 in the coming months. Unlike Google Assistant, it supports more natural queries and has access to apps and Workspace — for example, you can find out the address of a restaurant from your email or create a reminder right from your watch.

Additionally, the upgrade to Wear OS 6 will provide up to 10% longer battery life. It will be released later this year, starting with the Pixel Watch.