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WearOS Physical Design and Button Layouts Guide

Each WearOS manufacturer designs unique button layouts and physical controls. Understanding your watch's hardware helps you navigate faster and access features without hunting through menus.

Samsung Galaxy Watch​

Samsung offers the most variety in physical controls across their lineup.

  • Standard Models (Galaxy Watch 7/8): Two side buttons control navigation. The upper button serves as back/home, while the lower button opens recent apps or can be customized to launch any app or feature.

  • Classic Models (Galaxy Watch 6 Classic): Feature a physical rotating bezel for scrolling through menus, lists, and notifications. The tactile feedback makes one-handed navigation intuitive. Same two-button layout as standard models.

  • Ultra Model (Galaxy Watch Ultra): Adds a third Quick Button for instant access to customizable shortcuts. The programmable button works great for starting workouts or opening frequently used apps.

Google Pixel Watch​

Pixel Watch uses a digital crown as the primary navigation tool.

  • Digital Crown: The rotating crown scrolls through lists, menus, and notifications with haptic feedback that creates tactile clicks. Pressing the crown returns home or wakes the display.

  • Side Button: Located above the crown, this button opens the app launcher with a single press and goes back with a double press. Long-press activates Google Assistant.

  • Crown Feel: The crown provides smooth rotation with subtle haptic pulses that help you sense scroll position without looking at the screen.

OnePlus Watch​

OnePlus has evolved their physical controls across generations.

  • OnePlus Watch 3: Features a functional rotating digital crown similar to Pixel Watch, providing scroll navigation with haptic feedback. The side button handles power and menu access.

  • OnePlus Watch 2/2R: The crown is decorative only and doesn't rotate functionally. Navigation relies on touch and the side button for power and menu access.

  • Button Functions: All models use the side button for power (long press), going home (single press), and accessing recent apps (double press).

TicWatch​

TicWatch Pro series includes rotating crowns while budget models use buttons only.

  • TicWatch Pro 5: Upper button handles power and home functions. Lower button is customizable for launching any app or feature. The rotating crown provides scroll navigation.

  • Budget Models: Simpler two-button layouts without rotating crowns. Navigation relies more heavily on touch interaction.

Fossil Gen Series​

Fossil watches feature three-button layouts with customization options.

  • Three-Button Layout: Top button is a customizable shortcut, middle button handles power and home, bottom button defaults to Google Pay but can be reassigned.

  • Design Focus: Fossil prioritizes traditional watch aesthetics, so buttons are designed to look like traditional pushers rather than obvious smartwatch controls.

See Also: WearOS Interface Navigation Guide|WearOS Customization Guide|WearOS Cross-Manufacturer Compatibility

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