Among the compelling options from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, I went with the Galaxy Watch 8 as my Wear OS smartwatch of choice. The price was a big reason, since the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $350, and discounts and trade-ins further lower the cost. Another factor was the watch’s design, which is much thinner and lower-profile than a Pixel Watch or OnePlus Watch. More than anything else, the Samsung Health suite won me over.
There are a handful of Samsung Health features that genuinely provide insight into your fitness and long-term health using the Galaxy Watch 8’s sensors. I can glance at my watch a few times daily and get instant snapshots of how I’m feeling using underlying sensor data. You can too, using these five Galaxy Watch 8 features. They’re also available on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
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Energy score
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
The best part of using the Galaxy Watch 8 regularly is getting an Energy score each day. It measures your readiness for the day ahead using the activity and sleep data from the day and night prior. It requires using the Samsung Health app with a Samsung account, but other than that, Energy scores are calculated automatically with no manual setup required. Samsung uses the following metrics to come up with your score, out of 100 possible points:
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- Sleep time average
- Sleep time consistency
- Sleep regularity
- Sleep timing
- Previous day activity
- Activity consistency
- Sleeping heart rate
- Sleeping heart rate variability
As you can see, sleep is an important part of your Energy score. If you don’t get good sleep, your score will be lower, and a midday nap may or may not help. That’s because Samsung accounts for the time of day of your nap, knowing that later naps disrupt your circadian rhythm and reduce energy. There are four Energy score tiers: Excellent (85-100), Good (75-84), Fair (60-74), Needs attention (0-59).
So, to get the most insight from the Energy score on your Galaxy Watch 8, be sure to wear it during sleep and throughout daily activities. Then, check into the Samsung Health app on your phone or the smartwatch tile to see your daily score.
Sleep score
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Since the Energy score takes so much of your sleep data into account, you might be wondering what the Sleep score does differently. Similar to the Energy score, the Sleep score is calculated automatically when your Galaxy Watch 8 is worn to bed. It also uses the same scale, but factors in different metrics to calculate it. Sleep score measures your actual sleep time, deep sleep, REM sleep, restfulness, and sleep latency to calculate the final score.
Samsung also compares your nightly Sleep score to the average scores for your age group. For example, one night I scored a 92, which was in the top 2% of my age group. The company adds that getting a sleep score of 85 or higher equals a healthy night’s sleep. You can also view your blood oxygen levels, sleep stages, snoring, skin temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate data in the Samsung Health app.
I never felt like my Apple Watch offered enough detailed sleep data to justify wearing it to bed, and my Garmin is too bulky to wear the entire night. Samsung offers the perfect mix with a data-rich Sleep score experience and slim Galaxy Watch 8 hardware.
Gemini
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Gemini is a worthy replacement for Google Assistant on your wrist, enabling quicker actions and time-saving automations. I use it on my Galaxy Watch 8 to set a handful of nightly alarms with a single command, avoiding the hassle of having to configure alarms on the small screen. You can also use it to get directions, start workouts, or suggest music. It’ll even read out your live health and fitness stats during a workout for a hands-free experience.
To use it, all you need to do is hold down the side button or say “Hey Gemini.” You can also enable Raise to Talk under Settings > Gestures > Raise To Talk to activate Gemini by lifting the Galaxy Watch 8 up to your mouth.
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Running coach
(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)
Samsung’s Running coach feature might not be replacing personal trainers anytime soon, but it’s a cool Galaxy Watch 8 tool for beginners. The feature works by having the wearer complete a 12-minute lactate threshold test, which tells Samsung Health a lot about the wearer’s running capabilities. Then, it’ll build a training plan to help you reach your goals. Complete a “level test” for each numbered level, and you’ll advance to the next one.
To try it for yourself, open the Samsung Health app on your watch and tap Exercise. Then, find Running coach in the list and tap it. You’ll now complete the aforementioned running test by following the on-screen prompts. After finishing the test, your watch will come up with a personalized training plan based on your needs.
Vascular load
(Image credit: Samsung)
A lot of Samsung’s best health features work in the background, and the same is true of Vascular load. It tries to track your cardiovascular wellness to prevent a picture of your overall health. To see it, swipe left to view the Tiles screen, and tap Add tiles. Find the Vitals tab, and select Vascular load. Next, press Show on phone.
How to use Vascular Load | Galaxy Watch8 Series | Samsung – YouTube
From there, you’ll be able to start tracking your Vascular load after establishing a baseline by wearing your watch to bed for three nights.
Software is only part of the story, and the Galaxy Watch 8’s thin profile seals the deal. It’s only 8.6mm thick (excluding the protruding sensors), and that means it’ll be comfortable enough to wear during tough workouts and nightly sleep. The more you wear a smartwatch, the better the data it provides. That’s why the Galaxy Watch 8’s design deserves credit for how useful these five fitness and health features are.
Best Wear OS fitness watch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 beats options from Google and OnePlus to earn the title of best Wear OS fitness watch in my book. It’s comfortable, accurate, and loaded with features. Use the five on this list to make the most of your Samsung smartwatch.