We all love watches as they tell time and add style. But watches do so much more than just being a timepiece nowadays. They were worn for fashion first, but they have become a part of our lives just like smartphones. The concept of a smartwatch was introduced by Polar in 1988. He launched the S810 watch to measure the heart rate, but it was the beginning of something big that we are witnessing today. Every other brand is launching its smartwatches with improved design, sensors, and health tracking software. There is a constant race to see who wins, and Samsung has been a major player in this market for years.
The global wearable market shipped over 534 million units in 2024, and showed a steady growth of 5.4% year-over-year. Smartwatch shipments are also expected to grow by 0.9% as consumers begin to upgrade their older devices. Whereas the global smartwatch shipments grew 2.5% in 2025. It shows that the wearable market is not going to slow down even in the next decades. But the best thing is that smartwatches are ruling this wearable market. Although AirPods, smart rings, and many other wearable products are launching every other day, smartwatches hold the legacy that no one can. They offer fitness tracking, notifications, and even health monitoring all on our wrist.
But Samsung has also raised the bar for what smartwatches can do from the original Galaxy Gear in 2013 to the popular Galaxy Watch 5 series. The Galaxy Watch series has been a massive success, and they have sold millions of units worldwide. But we cannot deny the fact that the competition among Samsung, Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit is also getting intense. Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy Watch 8 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, 2025. They introduced new features like improved health tracking, AI-based insights, and enhanced battery life in these series.
But what stole the spotlight is its Gemini feature. People are loving these new features and sharing their reviews on social media. But many others are confused about whether these are actually worth it. Many Apple fans are crazy about Gemini because even the latest model (Apple Watch Series 11) does not have Gemini. Therefore, we will discuss the features, performance, and innovation of the Galaxy Watch 8 series in detail. We will compare it with the Galaxy series 7 to see if they are actually worth it or just hype. Who should buy the Galaxy Watch 8, or is it better than the Apple Watch Series 11?
Key Features of Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Series
Here are the features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series:
| Component | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (40mm) | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (44mm) |
| Price | From $349.99 / £319 / AU$649 | From $399.99 / £349 / AU$699 |
| Dimensions | 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm | 46.0 x 43.7 x 8.6mm |
| Weight | 30g | 34g |
| Case/Bezel | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
| Display | 1.3-in super AMOLED | 1.5-in super AMOLED |
| GPS | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours | Up to 40 hours |
| Connection | Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM | 5 ATM |
Cushion Design & Premium Materials
We want watches that don’t feel bulky and uncomfortable to wear. These sporty heavy watches disturb our flow during workouts and irritate us when sleeping. Although brands are already slimming down the dials, the Galaxy Watch 8 series has addressed this issue thoroughly. They have added a cushion-like design that enhances our comfort without compromising on style. Samsung says, “The new cushion shape adds a distinctive edge to any look”.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series is 11% thinner than the Galaxy Watch 7. The 40mm version measures 40.4mm by 42.7mm by 8.6mm (LWD), compared with the Watch 7’s dimensions of 40.4mm by 40.4mm by 9.7mm. The 44mm variants measure 43.7mm by 46mm by 8.6mm for the Watch 8, and 44.4mm by 44.4mm by 9.7mm for the Watch 7. This thinner frame makes the Galaxy Watch 8 more comfortable for all-day wear. Samsung says “our thinnest and lightest ever.”
One Reddit user shared:
The Watch 8 is thinner, which makes it significantly more comfortable. The new strap mechanism seems a bit better and more premium.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series is made up of Armor Aluminum2 and Sapphire Crystal. Armor Aluminum2 provides us with a lightweight but durable frame. Whereas Sapphire Crystal resists scratches, which means that our watches will stay longer in their original condition. But many people are not satisfied with the design.
A user shared in the same thread that he just wished the design had a point to it. There are no benefits for the square design. But there are people who think design is perfect.
ResNoctis responded,
I actually don’t really know why people hate the 8 standard, but I really like the new design and colorway, it’s like a better-looking and more elegant Apple Watch.
Apple Watch 11 series was launched way after the Samsung Galaxy 8 in September 2025. But they come with a ceramic coating instead of a cushion design.
Display Specifications
There is one common issue with smartphones and smartwatches, and that is reflection. Whenever we try to read anything in bright sunlight, it gets difficult until we have to place our hand on one side to see who is calling or texting. It’s actually frustrating when we are standing in a crowd or chaos. But the Galaxy Watch 8 series has solved this problem. Although the display of the 8 series matches the Watch 7 in size and resolution, the improvement came in brightness. Galaxy Watch 8 Series 40mm model has a 1.34-inch screen with 438×438 pixels (327 ppi), while the 44mm model has a 1.47-inch screen with 480×480 pixels (327 ppi).
But the best part is that it can reach a maximum of 3,000 nits, compared to 2,000 nits on the Watch 7. It means we can clearly see our notifications, fitness stats, and more without squinting even on sunny days. This update amazed many Apple Watch users because even the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a 1.41″ display with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. It’s bright, but it cannot match the Galaxy Watch 8’s performance in challenging lighting conditions. But a Reddit user commented on the Galaxy Watch 8’s display:
The main difference besides design is the brighter display on the 8. 2000 nits on the 7, and 3000 nits on the 8. It’s a great and positive change.
This feedback suggests that while both devices offer excellent display brightness, the difference may not be immediately noticeable to all users.
Water and Dust Resistance
We often hesitate to wear our smartwatches during workouts, swimming, or even in the rain due to concerns about water and dust damage. But the Galaxy Watch 8 series has solved these worries with its durability features. It has 5ATM water resistance, which means that our smartwatch can handle water pressure up to 50 meters.
Galaxy Watch 8 Series also has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. It means that we immerse it in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes without any damage. But the best part is that it has MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability certification. It shows that the watch is tested to withstand extreme temperatures and shocks, so we can wear it for outdoor adventures and workouts. Although Apple leads in water resistance with 50m, the Galaxy Watch 8 is better for dust protection and durability.
A Reddit user asked the community if he could shower with 8, and a user responded:
It’s fine to shower with just turning on the water lock so you don’t get accidental screen touches, and when you disable it, the feature expels any water that might have gotten in the speaker.
But many others have seriously shown concerns for irritation in the skin and loss of seals of the watch when they are exposed to water for a long time. Watches are water-resistant, but they are not waterproof. Water that contains chemicals and soap lowers the lifespan of the watch, so wear it wisely.
Processor, RAM & Storage
We want our smartwatches to run apps, track workouts, and store our favorite music smoothly. But many of them get stuck at some points and stop responding. The Galaxy Watch 8 series offered a permanent solution to that. It has a powerful Exynos W1000 processor built on a 3nm architecture with a 5-core CPU. It means our apps will open quickly, and they will never overlap or get stuck.
Apart from this Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series also has 2GB RAM, so we can switch between fitness tracking, notifications, and apps easily. Its 40mm model provides us with 32GB, and the 44mm model offers 64GB storage. We can store anything from playlists, apps, and data without any worries. It has more storage than the Apple Watch and even the Galaxy 7 series of 32 GB.
Matt Evans, senior fitness and wellness editor, said:
Samsung’s eighth iteration of its Galaxy Watch series is the most comprehensive change I’ve seen from the company in years, sporting plenty of genuinely useful improvements.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series has a powerful processor, RAM, and generous storage options with a slim design.
Battery Life and Charging
Nothing is more annoying than when our smartwatch dies in the middle of the day. Every brand is trying to improve the interface but battery issues still remain the same. We have been experiencing the short battery life after the launch of the Galaxy Watch 6 series and it is still going on. Although Samsung has made significant improvements in the battery of the 7 series, it still lasts only for one day.
The 40mm Watch 8 has a 325mAh battery compared with a 300mAh capacity of Watch 7. The larger variants have a capacity of 435mAh (this generation) and 425mAh (last generation). Samsung explained that the bigger battery isn’t meant to last longer but to handle the new features without reducing battery life compared to the previous model. The company says that both Watch 8 sizes should last 30 hours on a charge with the always-on display enabled and 40 hours when it’s disabled.
One Reddit user wrote:
I charged my Galaxy Watch 8 44mm last night to 99%. After a day, it hit 55%. That’s with AOD on, sleep tracking, and some use.
They also shared that the Watch 8 can reach about 50% in just 29 minutes, so we can enjoy it throughout the day. Andrew Gebhart reviewed the Watch 8 series and found that the 40mm lasted about 26 hours with the Always-On Display on and 39 hours with it off. It charged from 5% to full in around 64 minutes. This is slightly below Samsung’s claim, but it’s still better than the Galaxy Watch 7, which lasted 22 to 28 hours.
Gebhart said,
While Samsung has the best list of features of any Android watch, battery life has been a weak spot of the line since the Galaxy Watch 6.
He also noted that we need to charge it daily, but rivals like the Pixel Watch 3 and OnePlus Watch 3 offer much longer battery life.
Health Monitoring Capabilities
We all want to stay healthy and now watches act as a doctor. They keep a track of our records and share details. But the Galaxy Watch 8 comes with two major new health tools including vascular load and antioxidant level. These features measure how well our blood vessels work and how our body fights against oxidative stress. We just have to keep our thumb on the sensor at the back of the watch.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series combines light and electrical signals with body composition analysis (BIA) to give detailed information about our heart and fitness. But this is not the limit as it also has a temperature sensor, motion tracker, barometer, gyroscope, compass, and light sensor.
We can also measure our body composition, metabolic health, and heart rhythm with this watch. It provides us with alerts for medication, heart rate irregularities and tracks our food records. All of these features of body competition were not available in previous models.
A Reddit user shared in a thread:
Heart rate, sleep tracking. The data felt legit for the weekend. The vibration pattern is nice too.
These tools make the Galaxy Watch 8 not just a fitness tracker but a health companion that is more reliable than the Watch 7.
Activity Tracking
We all want to keep track of our fitness, whether it’s hitting daily step goals, improving sleep, or managing stress. The Galaxy Watch 8 is best for tracking activity with the dynamic lug system. It keeps the sensors closer to our wrist as we move and records everything. It has running coach features which keep track of our daily activities, heart rate zones and fitness.
Andrew tested the Watch 8 alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to see the differences. He found that both devices were close in heart rate tracking within just 5 beats per minute. The Watch 8 sometimes fluctuated slightly when the wrist was raised, but it used to match the Apple Watch’s readings quickly. It shows Samsung’s improved sensor precision.
But what really stands out is the AI Running Coach. Andrew noted how the watch offered him detailed and voice-guided instructions throughout workouts. It encouraged him to adjust his pace, and helped him stay consistent during runs. He also appreciated how the watch tracked advanced form metrics like cadence, asymmetry, and vertical movement. He shared that,
I’d call the Running Coach feature a win, even though its guidance can be monotonous.
Sleep Tracking
We all know how a good night’s sleep can make or break our day and Samsung clearly understands that too. Sleep tracking isn’t just about telling us how long we’ve slept with the Galaxy Watch 8, but it’s about helping us understand how well we’ve rested and what’s affecting it. This watch has sensors and provides us with personalized sleep coaching. It helps us adjust bedtime habits, breathing patterns, and daily activity for better rest.
Andrew, who is a tech reporter, has tried out the AI Sleep Coach to build bedtime routines around his schedule and body clock. This coach gave him a personalized sleep profile after collecting his data. It even called him a “penguin,” someone who sleeps enough but wakes up often. The coach then created a multi-week plan with simple goals like skipping caffeine before bed, cutting back on naps, and ending the day with breathing or meditation exercises for Andrew to correct his sleep cycle.
He said that,
I appreciate that it tracks work nights and off nights separately, as I often sleep during different hours on weekends. It asks that the midpoint of your sleep stay within a two-hour range.
Although Andrew admitted he hadn’t completed every task, but he appreciated how the Sleep Coach focuses on gradual improvement rather than drastic changes. A Reddit user shared in a thread that he always had a penguin. But this morning the penguin was gone and replaced by a green spinny blob. It shows that his sleep patterns were good, and the app automatically updated.
Google Gemini Integration
We often wish to have an AI assistant in our watches. Although there were brands that introduced them, they are not the ones we love to purchase from. But this wish has become a reality with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8. Gemini on the Galaxy Watch 8 allows us to summarize messages, create replies, handle voice commands, translate phrases, and provide health summaries.
But Apple Watch users are still facing limitations. They can install the Google Assistant app on their iPhones, but it is not available on the Apple Watch. They cannot even run Google Assistant commands through Siri shortcuts on the Apple Watch because they have been reported to be unreliable. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 offers a more advanced experience than the Apple Watch Series 11. But some users have reported limitations. One Reddit user noted that Gemini only works with Google Contacts. He shared:
I was using Google Messages and Samsung contacts. Didn’t work. Now I’m using Google Messages and Google Contacts. Working fine now.
But the integration of Gemini into the Galaxy Watch 8 is a big step despite these limitations. Samsung is going to introduce Gemini in the 6 series through a software update soon and it shows that they have already started working on it.
$50 More Than the Previous Version
Price is the factor that decides whether we are going to buy that product or not. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 costs around $349.99 for the 40mm model and $379.99 for the 44mm with LTE versions costing $50 more. This is slightly higher than the Galaxy Watch 7, which launched at $299.99. But it still competes with the Pixel Watch 3 ($349) and the Apple Watch Series 10 ($399).
The sizes of Series 8 came in silver or graphite colors and Samsung has offered multiple band options, including rubber sport straps or lightweight fabric bands. Samsung says it is their “most comfortable fit yet”. A Reddit User shared:
I bought the standard watch 8. Seeing it with different bands and on real people’s wrists, it grew on me. These bands look great with the watch.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a 46mm rotating bezel and costs $499, and $50 extra for LTE. It shares nearly all the same features as the base model except for the case size and physical bezel. So if you want to enjoy all the features of a classic watch within budget, choose the Galaxy Watch 8. It has all the advanced sensors, health tracking, and AI features to make our lives easy. This pricing strategy balances value and gives us access to premium features without breaking the bank like Beo Grace.
Who Should Buy Them?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is an excellent choice for Samsung phone users who want a lightweight smartwatch with premium features. Its slim design makes it more elegant than the bulkier Ultra or Classic models. It is the first watch to offer on-wrist Google Gemini with Wear OS 6.
But it is not ideal for everyone. Its battery lasts around 30 hours and takes about two hours to fully charge, which is inconvenient for heavy users. Apple Watch works better for iPhone users for better iOS integration. It’s only good for Android users who value advanced features and a sleek design.
Smartwatch Statistics by Age
| Age Group | Ownership % | Primary Usage | Gender Trends |
| 18–24 | 40% | Fitness tracking, health monitoring | Women more likely to own than men |
| 18–34 | 40% | General smartwatch adoption | Women more likely to own than men |
| 35–54 | 30% | Communication, productivity features | Men prefer advanced fitness & sports tracking |
| 55+ | 15% | Larger displays, easy-to-read interfaces, medical monitoring (heart rate, blood pressure) | Increasing interest in medical features |
| Under 18 | 10% | Growing adoption among children and teenagers | Not specified |
Most Downloaded Apps in Smartwatches
| App Category | Percentage of Users |
| Fitness & Health Tracking | 60%+ |
| Communication & Messaging | 45% |
| Social Media | 40% |
| Weather | 30%+ |
| Navigation & GPS | 25% |
| Music & Entertainment | 20% |
| Productivity & Reminder | 15% |
| E-commerce & Shopping | 10% |
| Banking & Finance | 8% |
| Games & Entertainment | 5% |
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is a great upgrade for anyone who wants a smart, stylish, and useful wearable. It has a comfortable design, a bright display, and advanced health and fitness features. It makes our lives easier with better battery life, sleep tracking, and Google Gemini integration. Even though it costs a bit more than the Watch 7, it still competes well with Apple and other smartwatches. Don’t choose it if you have an iPhone, but don’t let it go if you are a Samsung user.
FAQs
1. How long does the battery of the Galaxy Watch 8 last?
The 40mm model lasts up to 2 days, and the 44mm model can also run for around 2 days with normal use. Always-On Display may reduce this slightly.
2. Is the Galaxy Watch 8 compatible with iPhones?
The Galaxy Watch 8 works best with Android phones running Android 12 or later. iPhone compatibility is limited, and some features may not work.
3. What health features does the Galaxy Watch 8 offer?
It tracks heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, stress, skin temperature, sleep, and new metrics like Vascular Load and Antioxidant Level for overall wellness.
4. How much does the Galaxy Watch 8 cost?
The 40mm Bluetooth version starts at $349.99, and the 44mm version costs $379.99. LTE models add $50, and the Watch 8 Classic starts at $499.99.
