Samsung Galaxy Watch8: A Refined Leap Forward in Wearable Technology
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series marks a significant evolution in the company’s smartwatch lineup, blending ergonomic design, cutting-edge technology, and an expanded suite of health and wellness features. With a brighter display, a powerful new processor, and deep integration of Google’s Gemini AI, the Watch8 is a compelling option for Galaxy (Android) phone owners seeking a premium wearable experience.
Below, we explore the key advancements that define Samsung’s latest major smartwatch.
Design and Display: A Distinctive Aesthetic
The Galaxy Watch 8 introduces a bold “squircle” design, first seen in last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, which sets it apart from the circular designs of competitors like Apple and various Chinese manufacturers. Available in Graphite and Silver, the watch exudes a premium feel, enhanced by a 3,000-nit AMOLED display that ensures visibility even in bright sunlight. A sapphire crystal lens adds durability, safeguarding the screen against scratches and impacts.
Samsung has prioritised comfort with a slimmer, lighter case—available in 40 and 44mm sizes. The larger model weighs just 34g, making it noticeably lighter than the Watch 8 Classic or Ultra, ideal for all-day wear, particularly for those with slimmer wrists.
Performance and Hardware: Power Meets Efficiency
At the heart of the Galaxy Watch 8 lies the Exynos W1000, Samsung’s most advanced 3nm processor. This chip delivers faster performance and improved power efficiency, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The result is a responsive user experience, whether navigating apps or tracking activities. The watch boasts a 30-hour battery life, an 8% improvement over its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 7, and supports fast wireless charging for quick top-ups.
The device is equipped with a comprehensive array of sensors, including optical bio-signal sensing, heart rate and HRV monitoring, bioelectrical impedance, a temperature sensor, accelerometer, barometer, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, and light sensor. Connectivity options are equally robust, with Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), NFC, and dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) for precise location tracking. Optional LTE/4G connectivity ensures standalone functionality. Built for durability, the Watch 8 carries 5ATM water resistance, IP68 dust and water resistance, and MIL-STD-810H certification.
Software and AI: Smarts Powered by Gemini
The Galaxy Watch 8 is the first smartwatch to integrate Google’s Gemini AI by default, running on Wear OS 6 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 8 overlay. This combination enables seamless, hands-free voice commands, allowing users to perform tasks like finding nearby cafés, sending texts, or starting workouts via Samsung Health, Calendar, or Reminder apps. The interface is optimised with the new “Now Bar,” a streamlined feature inspired by the Galaxy S25, simplifying background activity tracking. Multi-Info Tiles provide a feed-like interface for quick access to key information, enhancing usability on the watch’s compact display.
Health and Wellness: A Comprehensive Suite
Samsung has significantly expanded the Galaxy Watch 8’s health and fitness capabilities, catering to users more focused on wellness than sport. Key features include:
- Running Coach: Assesses fitness levels (on a 1-10 scale) and creates tailored training plans with real-time guidance. Enhanced dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking of location, speed, and routes, while the “Together” feature fosters competitive motivation by connecting runners.
- Sleep Suite Enhancements: New tools include Bedtime Guidance, which leverages circadian rhythm data to recommend optimal sleep schedules, and Vascular Load monitoring to assess stress on the vascular system during sleep. The Antioxidant Index, a first-of-its-kind feature, measures carotenoid levels in five seconds using the BioActive sensor, offering insights into healthy ageing. The AI-powered Energy Score combines physical and mental metrics for a holistic view of vitality, while detailed sleep tracking analyses stages, consistency, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels, all supported by 3-4 week coaching programs.
- Sleep Apnea Detection: FDA-authorised and now available in the UK and Europe, this feature monitors oxygen saturation dips to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
- Stress Management: High Stress Alerts and a Mindfulness Tracker allow users to log moods and access guided breathing exercises.
- Additional Health Tools: Blood pressure and ECG monitoring detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), while Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) tracks pulse irregularities. The AGEs Index monitors metabolic health, and body composition analysis measures weight, muscle, and fat mass. Medication reminders and cycle tracking (using skin temperature) complete the wellness picture.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 specification and comparison to Galaxy Watch7 (Base Models)
| Feature | Galaxy Watch 8 | Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | July 9, 2025 | 2024 |
| Starting Price | $349 (for 40mm Bluetooth-only) | Starts at $239.99 |
| Design | The “Cushion” design blends square and circle. 11% slimmer than previous versions. Features: Dynamic Lug system. | Conventional circular shape. Thicker than Watch 8. |
| Material | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
| Dimensions (HxWxD, mm) | 44mm: 43.7mm x 46mm x 8.6t 40mm: 40.4mm x 42.7mm x 8.6t | 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 |
| Weight (g) | 44mm: 34.0g 40mm: 30.0g | 28.8g |
| Sizes Available | 40mm, 44mm | 1.3″ display size indicated (likely 40mm equivalent) |
| Colorways | Graphite, Silver | – |
| Display Type | Sapphire Crystal Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display | Super AMOLED |
| Display Size & Resolution | 44mm: 1.47-inch (480×480) 40mm: 1.34-inch (438×438) | 1.3-inch (432×432) |
| Peak Brightness | 3,000 nits | – |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 (5 Core, 3nm) | 3 nm Processor, 5 Core (1.6GHz, 1.5GHz) |
| Memory (RAM) | 2GB | 2GB |
| Internal Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Battery Capacity | 44mm: 435mAh 40mm: 325mAh | 300mAh |
| Usage Time (AOD On) | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Charging | Fast Charging (WPC-based wireless charging) comes with a Wireless Charger | Standard WPC-based wireless charging |
| Operating System | Wear OS Powered by Samsung (Wear OS 6) | Wear OS Powered by Samsung |
| User Interface | One UI 8 Watch | One UI Watch 7 |
| AI Assistant | Google Gemini by default | Google Assistant |
| Sensors | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal Sensor + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor | Accelerometer, Barometer, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Sensor, Electrical Heart Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Infrared Temperature Sensor, Light Sensor, Optical Heart Rate Sensor |
| Connectivity | LTE (on LTE models), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz, NFC, Dual-Frequency GPS (L1+L5) | NFC, Bluetooth v5.3, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4GHz+5GHz, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo |
| Durability | 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H | 5 ATM |
| Compatibility | Android 12.0 or higher with more than 1.5GB of memory | Android 11 and above (for some features like Bedtime Guidance) |
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349 in the US, with UK pricing beginning at £319 for the 40mm Bluetooth model and reaching £399 for the 44mm LTE version. Pre-order incentives include modest credits via select partners, trade-in offers (up to $1,000 off for Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Flip 7), and a free storage upgrade.
Compatibility
The Watch 8 requires an Android smartphone running version 12.0 or higher with at least 1.5GB of RAM. Activation depends on a device supporting Google Mobile Services. The Galaxy Wearable app does not support iOS, and the Samsung Health Monitor app is exclusive to Galaxy smartphones.
Realistically this is a watch for Galaxy phone owners.
Samsing Galaxy Watch8 – thoughts & reflections
The watch looks good, although it’s not quite my thing. It’s probably marketing to the correct targets first, focusing on wellness, then activity. The completeness of the sensing suite and novelty of the new measurement are impressive for the former, and the boost to sporty features is a positive boon for anyone brave enough to venture from the sofa to the pavement in their running shoes.
My concern is the GPS battery life. Samsung does not state that, but it’s likely to be in the 10-12 hour range, which is just about OK and on par with what Apple Watch Ultra delivers. Hardly earth-shattering. Then again, if this is a wellness-focused watch, the GPS battery time doesn’t matter; it’s the headline 30 hours that’s important.
Another concern is this new metric, “Antioxidant Index.” I’ve done some preliminary research (eg here). It sounds great on paper, will a skin measurement tell me to pop some more multi-vitamins? I’m sure there will be science, but…
Then there are Vascular Load, Age Index and energy Score. These are all reformulated algorithms similar to those from the competition. All are dubious to varying degrees, but interesting to most people. The bottom line is that if these made-up metrics make you focus more on making positive health and lifestyle choices, then that is a great achievement.
In a world of stalling copycat innovation, tech blandness and me-too designs, whatever you think about Samsung’s Watch8, it smashes all those negative criteria shared by so many of its competitors.
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