Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review: Features, Health Tracking
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series, unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, 2025, marks a bold evolution in Samsung’s wearable lineup.
With a fresh design, enhanced AI capabilities, and robust health tracking, the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic aim to compete with top smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Garmin Forerunner 570.
Available in multiple sizes and versions, these watches blend style, functionality, and cutting-edge technology. This comprehensive review dives into the release date, new features, improvements over the Galaxy Watch 7, sport and health tracking, display, case materials, straps, dimensions, weight, and battery life, offering insights for fitness enthusiasts and tech lovers alike.
Release Date and Availability
Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 8 series on July 9, 2025, with pre-orders starting the same day and general availability on July 25, 2025.
The series includes the standard Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm and 44mm) and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm), catering to diverse style and functionality preferences.
Prices start at $349.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth-only Watch 8, with LTE versions and the Classic model commanding higher price points up to $549.99.
New Features and Improvements Over Galaxy Watch 7
The Galaxy Watch 8 series builds on the Galaxy Watch 7 with significant upgrades in design, software, and health tracking. Here’s what’s new:
Design and Build Enhancements
- Squircle Cushion Design: Inspired by the Galaxy Watch Ultra, the Watch 8 series adopts a rounded-square “cushion” case, making it 11% thinner than the Watch 7 (8.6mm vs. 9.7mm for the standard model; 10.6mm vs. 10.9mm for the Classic).
- Dynamic Lug System: A new band attachment mechanism improves fit and sensor accuracy by up to 11%, though it’s incompatible with older Galaxy Watch bands.
- Rotating Bezel (Classic): The Watch 8 Classic reintroduces the fan-favorite physical rotating bezel, paired with a Quick Button for quick access to features like workouts or flashlight.
Software and AI Advancements
- Wear OS 6 with One UI 8 Watch: The Watch 8 series is the first to launch with Wear OS 6, featuring a revamped UI with Multi-Info Tiles, Now Bar, and streamlined notifications for quick access to health metrics, weather, and events.
- Google Gemini Integration: The on-wrist Gemini AI assistant handles tasks like sending texts, finding gyms, or creating workout playlists without a phone, a first for smartwatches.
- Doubled Storage: Both models offer 64GB of storage (up from 32GB on the Watch 7), paired with 2GB of RAM and the Exynos W1000 3nm chip for smoother performance.
Health and Fitness Tracking
- Antioxidant Index: A unique feature that measures carotenoid levels via a 5-second thumb press on the BioActive sensor, offering dietary recommendations to boost antioxidant levels.
- Bedtime Guidance: Uses three days of sleep data (heart rate, HRV, and environmental cues) to suggest personalized bedtime and wake-up times.
- Vascular Load Monitoring: Tracks cardiovascular stress during sleep, providing alerts for excessive activity.
- Running Coach: A 12-minute running test assesses fitness levels (1–10 scale) and generates personalized training plans for goals like marathons.
Other Improvements
- Brighter Display: The Super AMOLED display now reaches 3,000 nits (up from 2,000 nits on the Watch 7), ensuring visibility in bright sunlight.
- Battery Capacity: An 8% increase in battery size (325mAh for 40mm, 435mAh for 44mm, 445mAh for Classic) compared to the Watch 7’s 300mAh and 425mAh.
- Improved GPS: Enhanced dual-band GPS improves accuracy for outdoor activities like running and cycling.
Sport Features
The Galaxy Watch 8 series excels as a fitness companion, offering robust sport tracking capabilities:
- Workout Modes: Supports over 100 activities, including running, cycling, swimming, hiking, archery, and baseball, with specific modes for circuit training.
- Running Coach: Delivers real-time feedback and personalized plans based on a 12-minute running assessment, dynamically adjusting to progress.
- Swimming Support: With 5 ATM and IP68 ratings, the Watch 8 is ideal for swimming, tracking laps and strokes accurately.
- Improved Sensor Accuracy: The redesigned BioActive sensor with additional HR LEDs and a pronounced glass dome enhances heart rate and SpO2 tracking by up to 11%.
Health Tracking Features
Health monitoring remains a cornerstone of the Galaxy Watch 8 series, building on the Watch 7’s capabilities:
- Antioxidant Index: Measures carotenoid levels to assess dietary health, offering actionable tips via the Samsung Health app.
- Sleep Tracking: Includes FDA-approved sleep apnea detection, sleep cycle analysis, snore detection, and Energy Score for holistic health insights.
- Vascular Load: Monitors cardiovascular stress overnight, alerting users to potential overexertion.
- Bedtime Guidance: Recommends optimal sleep schedules based on circadian rhythm analysis.
- Standard Metrics: Tracks heart rate, SpO2, stress, body composition, ECG, and AGEs Index for metabolic health.
Display, Case Material, Straps, Dimensions, and Weight
Display
- Type: Super AMOLED, always-on display (AOD).
- Brightness: Up to 3,000 nits for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Sizes:
- Watch 8: 1.34” (40mm), 1.47” (44mm).
- Watch 8 Classic: 1.5” (46mm).
- Protection: Sapphire Crystal for durability.
Case Material
- Watch 8: Aluminum, offering a lightweight, modern look in Graphite and Silver.
- Watch 8 Classic: Stainless steel for a premium, traditional watch aesthetic in Black and White.
Straps
- Watch 8: Comes with Athleisure, Fabric, or Sport bands; Dynamic Lug System ensures a snug fit but isn’t backward compatible.
- Watch 8 Classic: Includes a vegan leather Hybrid band, with options for Athleisure, Fabric, and Sport bands. The rotating bezel enhances navigation.
- Note: The new Dynamic Lug System requires new bands, rendering older Galaxy Watch bands incompatible.
Dimensions and Weight
| Model | Size | Dimensions (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 8 | 40mm | 40.4 x 40.4 x 8.6 | 30 |
| Galaxy Watch 8 | 44mm | 44.4 x 44.4 x 8.6 | 34 |
| Galaxy Watch 8 Classic | 46mm | 46.6 x 46.6 x 10.6 | 64 |
Battery Life
- Capacity:
- Watch 8 (40mm): 325mAh.
- Watch 8 (44mm): 435mAh.
- Watch 8 Classic (46mm): 445mAh.
- Duration: Up to 40 hours without AOD, 30 hours with AOD enabled. Real-world tests show about 24 hours with heavy use (workouts, Gemini requests, AOD).
- Charging: 10W wireless charging via a USB-C magnetic pad (no charger brick included). Full charge takes ~2 hours.
- Note: While improved, battery life lags behind competitors like the OnePlus Watch 3 (98 hours) or Garmin’s Forerunner 570.
Comparison with Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
The Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic share most features but differ in design and target audience:
Key Similarities
- Run Wear OS 6 with One UI 8 Watch.
- Feature the same Exynos W1000 chip, 2GB RAM, and 64GB storage.
- Offer identical health tracking (Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load, Running Coach, etc.).
- Support 10W wireless charging and dual-band GPS.
Key Differences
| Feature | Galaxy Watch 8 | Galaxy Watch 8 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 40mm, 44mm | 46mm only |
| Case Material | Aluminum | Stainless Steel |
| Rotating Bezel | No | Yes, with Quick Button |
| Weight | 30g (40mm), 34g (44mm) | 64g |
| Price | $349.99–$429.99 | $499.99–$549.99 |
| Target Audience | Fitness-focused, casual users | Premium, traditional watch lovers |
Prices are from Samsung official website.
The Classic’s heavier build and rotating bezel cater to those who prefer a luxury watch feel, while the standard Watch 8 is lighter and ideal for workouts.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Sleek, thinner design with a bright 3,000-nit display.
- Innovative health features like Antioxidant Index and Bedtime Guidance.
- Robust sport tracking with personalized Running Coach.
- First smartwatch with on-wrist Gemini AI.
- Doubled storage (64GB) and improved GPS accuracy.
Cons
- Battery life (30–40 hours) trails competitors like Garmin and OnePlus.
- Dynamic Lug System renders older bands incompatible.
- $50 price hike over Watch 7 may deter some upgraders.
- Some AI features are exclusive to Samsung phones.
Our Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is a compelling upgrade, blending a stylish redesign, advanced AI, and enhanced health tracking.
The standard Watch 8 (40mm and 44mm) is perfect for fitness enthusiasts, while the Watch 8 Classic (46mm) appeals to those seeking a premium, traditional watch experience.
With a brighter display, innovative features like the Antioxidant Index, and the return of the rotating bezel, the series stands out in the Wear OS ecosystem.
However, its battery life remains a weak point compared to rivals like the Garmin Forerunner 570. Whether you’re a Samsung loyalist or a smartwatch enthusiast, the Galaxy Watch 8 series offers a feature-packed experience worth considering.
