Why Can't Modes Update Without the Phone?

[userlQcCM1wRc8]

I have posed this question to the forums and sent to Samsung. The watch updates are so infrequent, I wanted to see if anyone has found a solution?

Here's the issue. 

Watch Ultra 

Long press orange button

Select exercise. 

Mode changes to exercise only if the watch is connected to the phone via Bluetooth

The expected behavior is the watch can change modes independently and then sync with the phone when connected again. 

Appreciate any input!