The new Galaxy Watch Ultra-inspired design <\/li>\n
An actually useful smart assistant <\/li>\n
Welcome user interface changes <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The promised battery life improvement is disappointing <\/li>\n
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Some health features still tied to Samsung smartphones <\/li>\n
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Some might not be sold on new design <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Squirrel Widget<\/p>\n
SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207785<\/p>\n
Key Features<\/p>\n
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![\"Trusted](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tr_default_400x400.png\")
<\/p>\nReview Price: \u00a3319 <\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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New look <\/p>\n
The Watch 8 offers the same squircle shape as the Watch 8 Classic and Watch Ultra, bringing synchronicity to the line-up.\n <\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Antioxidant level tracking <\/p>\n
The BioActive sensor is now capable of tracking antioxidants by putting your thumb on the sensor for five seconds.\n <\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Wear OS 6 and OneUI 8 <\/p>\n
The combination of Wear OS 6 and OneUI 8 brings a bevvy of handy new features to the software experience.\n <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Introduction<\/p>\n
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is Samsung\u2019s flagship smartwatch that comes in at a lower price than the <\/strong>Galaxy Watch 8 Classic<\/strong><\/a> and more rugged <\/strong>Galaxy Watch Ultra<\/strong><\/a>, yet still gets you many of the features packed onto those pricier <\/strong>Samsung smartwatches<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
That includes running on the latest version of Google\u2019s Wear OS operating system, the latest sensors for both health and fitness tracking, and it now even shares a similar design to other Samsung smartwatches to make things feel more like a family.<\/p>\n
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AI is also a big play as the new Galaxy Watch 8 becomes one of the first smartwatches to feature Google Gemini, while it also turns to artificial intelligence to help you sleep better and make better decisions about your day.<\/p>\n
Android users aren\u2019t exactly short of smartwatch options, and while the last few Galaxy Watches haven\u2019t been all that different, that\u2019s changed for the latest instalment.<\/p>\n
Design and screen<\/p>\n
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- Same 40mm and 44mm sizes as Watch 7<\/li>\n
- New cushion case design<\/li>\n
- New lug system for changing watch straps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While the last few Galaxy Watches have looked largely the same, Samsung has decided to change things up for the Watch 8 with some very welcome changes.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_2ss-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n\n Advertisement <\/p>\n
You still have the option of 40mm and 44mm case sizes like the Galaxy Watch 7, but that case has moved from a round case to more of a squircle one, or a cushion, as Samsung likes to call it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I liked that new cushion case on the Watch Ultra, and rather than shoehorning it in, it\u2019s introduced in a way that ensures it\u2019s still in keeping with the more minimalist look of the entry-level Galaxy Watches.<\/p>\n
Unlike the Watch 8 Classic, there\u2019s no physical bezel to twist, but you do still get a digital one that lets you slide a finger around the screen to skip through watch screens. Whether you\u2019ll use it as much as a physical one, however, I\u2019m not so sure. It\u2019s easy to forget you even have the capability to do it.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4779-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nThe strap that\u2019s attached to the aluminium case is a pretty simple, silicone one that now uses a different lug connector to make it easier than ever to clip in and clip away straps. It feels similar to the Watch 7\u2019s setup, albeit less fiddly to reposition the strap once you\u2019ve decided which one to clip in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It also doesn\u2019t have to be a silicone band, as Samsung offers a good range of straps made from other materials to create a more formal-friendly or more relaxed look.<\/p>\n
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The screen on the 40mm Watch 8 I tested is a 1.3-inch, 438 x 438 resolution Super AMOLED panel. The comparative 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 sports the same-sized 1.3-inch screen, albeit with a slightly lower 432 x 432 resolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4762-2-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nAs such, you shouldn\u2019t expect a major leap in quality here, but it remains a very good AMOLED, and whether it\u2019s viewing angles, overall brightness or crisp visuals, it ticks the key boxes.<\/p>\n
Samsung sticks to the same level of waterproofing as the Watch 7 at 5ATM, which makes it safe to be submerged in water up to 50 metres deep. That was perfectly fine for swims in my local pool.<\/p>\n
Performance and software<\/p>\n
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- Runs on Wear OS 6.0 and One UI 8<\/li>\n
- New 3nm processor for improved power efficiency<\/li>\n
- Google\u2019s upgraded Gemini AI assistant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All of the new Watch 8 models come running Google\u2019s Wear OS 6.0, giving you the latest that Google has to offer in smartwatch operating system smarts with Samsung\u2019s One UI on top.<\/p>\n
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![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4786-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nThat\u2019s all powered by a new 3nm processor to keep things running smoothly, and I\u2019d certainly say that\u2019s been my experience. This isn\u2019t a software or OS that stutters in any concerning way.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been hard to get excited about this software combination in the past, but things feel different on the Watch 8. From a user interface perspective, the move to contain widgets for aspects like health or fitness onto one screen makes finding features easier than on previous watches. It streamlines things in the best possible way.<\/p>\n
The added depthless notifications and now bar to show live notifications or running apps from the main screen are valuable additions and, on the whole, make using the Watch 8 so much more intuitive and far less busy.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4769-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nAs a smartwatch, you get everything we saw on the Watch 7, including rich notification support, the ability to control your Samsung buds or smartphone camera from your Watch, access Google apps like Google Maps and the Play Store, along with contactless payment support via Samsung Pay.<\/p>\n
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The big smartwatch addition this year is Google Gemini. Samsung\u2019s Bixby is still knocking around in the app tray, but you\u2019ll be ignoring it when you find out how much more useful Gemini is.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve tested smartwatches for a very long time, and Gemini is the smartwatch assistant I\u2019ve genuinely found the most useful. I threw a range of questions and queries at it, and it managed to fire something back useful on all occasions. Is it the perfect smartwatch assistant? No, but I can see this is going to be a feature more will tap into than previous assistants.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4770-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nHealth and exercise tracking<\/p>\n
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- Richer sleep features<\/li>\n
- Added health and wellness features<\/li>\n
- New personalised running coach mode<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Samsung doesn\u2019t disappoint in terms of offering plenty on the sports, fitness, health and general wellbeing tracking fronts. It\u2019s the execution and the performance of those features that are often lacking. I\u2019d say it\u2019s a similar story on the Watch 8, where some parts are great and others not so.<\/p>\n
The health features are led by the ability to take ECG measurements and monitor blood pressure, once you\u2019ve calibrated the Watch with a cuff-style monitor first and continue to do so. These features, along with Samsung\u2019s new sleep apnea feature, is available only through Samsung\u2019s Health Monitor app, which remains accessible via Samsung smartphones. It\u2019s a shame this still hasn\u2019t opened up to other Android phones.<\/p>\n
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![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4764-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nThe sleep apnea tracking is an FDA-authorised feature to detect signs of moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that could indicate a serious underlying health condition. You have to wear your watch to bed for at least 2 nights before it\u2019ll report back, and thankfully, it didn\u2019t detect any signs of it.<\/p>\n
Sleep tracking does gain some new smarts, mainly led by a new bedtime guidance mode, that will notify you both on the watch and the Samsung Health app when you should go to bed, based on recent sleep to form a better sleep routine. It\u2019s not entirely a new sleep feature for smartwatches, but is a nice addition here to an overall strong sleep tracking performance.<\/p>\n
For heart health and those interested in what they eat, Samsung has added new vascular load and Antioxidant index insights. The vascular load is tied to sleep and assessing the stress on your vascular system. If it\u2019s high, that\u2019s not good; if it\u2019s low or consistent with your baseline, then that\u2019s what you want to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4789-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nThe antioxidant index is designed to tell you whether you\u2019re getting enough antioxidants in the body and, essentially, eating enough fruit and vegetables. That\u2019s done through a measurement from your thumb when placed on the rear watch sensor. It\u2019s quick and then tells you whether your index is very low or adequate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Mine never budged from low, but I do question just how useful and accurate this feature actually is and it reminds me a lot of my feelings when Samsung added its body composition analysis feature.<\/p>\n
Samsung\u2019s sport tracking prowess is boosted by a new personalised running coach that, after completing a 12-minute fitness test and filling in a short questionnaire, will create a training plan based on a target running distance you\u2019d like to tackle based on your performance in that test.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4766-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nThis test isn\u2019t too dissimilar from a fitness test that some sports watches offer and leads to what I\u2019d say are plans that make some significant assumptions about running performance off a single run.<\/p>\n
Battery life<\/p>\n
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- Up to 40 hours battery life (always-on display)<\/li>\n
- Lasts a day with always-on display mode<\/li>\n
- Fast charging supported<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The battery life you\u2019ll enjoy on the Watch 8 will depend on the size you go for. What I can say about my time with the 40mm one is that battery life isn\u2019t significantly better than the Galaxy Watch 7.<\/p>\n
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There\u2019s a 325mAh capacity battery on the 40mm Watch 8 that Samsung says will get you up to 40 hours (shy of two days) when you use the raise to wake display mode. There isn\u2019t a number quoted when the screen is on at all times, but based on my testing, I found that the battery typically lasted a day before being prompted to use the battery saver mode.<\/p>\n
![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4785-820x461.jpg\")
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\nWith the always-on display mode off, I found it lasted roughly just over a day. It\u2019s not great, and it should be so much better. Especially when other Wear OS smartwatches like the OnePlus Watch 3<\/a> have shown you can push Wear to last for longer.<\/p>\n
Squirrel Widget<\/p>\n
SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207785<\/p>\n
Should you buy it?<\/p>\n
\n You want the best Wear OS smartwatch\n <\/p>\n
While not impeccable in all departments, the Galaxy Watch 8 is good in most and offers a well-rounded smartwatch experience for Android phone owners.<\/p>\n
\n You want the best Android smartwatch for battery life\n <\/p>\n
It\u2019s disappointing that Samsung hasn\u2019t managed to get the Watch 8 battery life up to a more likeable number, which is a shame when there are so many other good things going for it.<\/p>\n
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Final Thoughts<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve liked my time with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and it\u2019s probably the nicest Samsung smartwatch I\u2019ve used in a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the new design might divide, I think it was the right move to alter it and bring some consistency across the Samsung smartwatch clan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The changes to Wear OS are genuinely ones that make a positive difference, and in adding Google Gemini, Samsung has a great feature, if not unique, as it rolls out to Wear OS watches.<\/p>\n
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