The cushion case design is nicely implemented <\/li>\n
Google Gemini is a huge upgrade <\/li>\n
Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 work well together <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
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New health and fitness features are a mixed bag <\/li>\n
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Barely a battery improvement on the Watch 7 <\/li>\n
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Key health features remain exclusive to Samsung phone users <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When Samsung decided to give Google\u2019s Wear OS platform another try back in 2021, I\u2019d say there were high hopes among Android users that the result would eventually be a smartwatch<\/a> that truly mirrored what iOS users had with the Apple Watch.<\/p>\n
Yet, while there hasn\u2019t been anything necessarily wrong with the efforts since the two Android giants teamed up again, they also haven\u2019t excited us as much as we hoped. We\u2019ve seen Samsung introduce major health features before Apple, debut bold new Galaxy Watch designs, and also get first access to Google\u2019s latest software updates\u2014even before the watches made by Google itself.<\/p>\n
But you always have to consider the whole package, and Samsung\u2019s smartwatches have still struggled for performance in a few key areas over the last few generations. In contrast, Apple has remained remarkably consistent, maintaining its high bar across the board.<\/p>\n
But things might be changing, starting with the Galaxy Watch 8. After extensive testing, we think this is Samsung\u2019s most memorable, enjoyable mid-range smartwatch in years. And with all-new AI features being bandied about in all areas of the new watch series, there\u2019s plenty of encouragement for those hunting for a new Android smartwatch<\/a>. Some characteristic flaws remain, but Samsung has taken a forward step towards offering a more consistent, complete smartwatch experience.<\/p>\n
Design and display<\/p>\n
![\"samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_5-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n\n Advertisement <\/p>\n
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 has a look that\u2019s both familiar and refreshed. Unlike the Galaxy Watch Ultra<\/a> and the reinstated Galaxy Watch 8 Classic<\/a>, this year\u2019s standard version sports a cleaner, less cluttered design. With it, Samsung has also introduced more consistency across its smartwatch lineup, universally installing the same kind of \u2018cushion\u2019 case design that debuted on last year\u2019s Ultra model.<\/p>\n
It supposedly makes the Watch sit more comfortably on your wrist, and, while we\u2019re unsure if comfort changes from wearing the Galaxy Watch 7<\/a>, we believe it offers a nice upgrade in appearance. Some will inevitably dislike that Samsung has changed it, but we think it\u2019s just about right. This remains the Samsung smartwatch with the most minimalist design, and changing the case design doesn\u2019t undermine that clean, clutter-free look.<\/p>\n
![\"galaxy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_09-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nApart from the new cushion case design, there isn\u2019t much else to report on the design front, aside from Samsung changing the lug connectors that attach the watch strap to the case. There are also official straps that can be easily clipped on, and replacing them is straightforward.<\/p>\n
![\"smartwatch](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_1straps-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nSamsung\u2019s watch displays are usually excellent, and the same is true again for the Galaxy Watch 8. With increased resolution and brightness\u2014up to 3,000 nits\u2014the 1.3-inch Super AMOLED screen on the 40mm edition we tested is notably vivid and enjoyable to view and use.<\/p>\n
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There\u2019s been no change in waterproofing; this is a 5 ATM rated smartwatch, which means you can wear it in the shower and swimming. As long as you\u2019re not diving deeper than 50 metres with it, you\u2019re good to go\u2014and recreational diving is also off limits.<\/p>\n
Smartwatch features<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_gems-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nIn recent generations of the Watch 8, it has been difficult to identify a truly standout smartwatch-related feature. Samsung\u2019s focus has primarily been on maintaining the existing standards, providing users with a fairly comprehensive experience (such as including the option of LTE) while also integrating Google more deeply through software and apps.<\/p>\n
This time, there\u2019s more to discuss on this front. The first noticeable change is that the user interface is much more organized. Health features are now on a single screen, eliminating the need to scroll through multiple screens to find what you need. Additionally, you can add relevant Tiles (widgets) to the feature stream.<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_gemini2-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nSometimes, the simplest things make a big difference day-to-day, and this is one of those things. The same goes for the new \u2018Now\u2019 bar, which now allows you to open running apps directly from the main watch face. An easy addition that creates smoother daily interactions.<\/p>\n
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A much smarter smartwatch<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s the introduction of Google Gemini, the smartwatch assistant that Wear OS and Samsung smartwatches have been crying out for. Unlike Samsung\u2019s Bixby or Google Assistant, which haven\u2019t fully met expectations over the last few years, Gemini feels different. If you ask it a question, it actually provides a helpful response.<\/p>\n
When asked for a recipe idea with the few ingredients in our fridge, it provided the response shown above. Next, when I wanted general ideas for how to spend my day, the suggestions were, again, detailed and interesting. If we were to ask Assistant or Bixby similar questions, as we\u2019ve tried countless times in testing over the years, we\u2019re sure the outcome would have been far less helpful. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s exactly the kind of utility we envisioned from smartwatches years ago\u2014a genuinely useful companion, and something both different from what a smartphone or sports watch can provide. With this inclusion, it feels like we\u2019re finally making progress toward that goal.<\/p>\n
Health tracking<\/p>\n
![\"ecg](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_ecg-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nSamsung\u2019s ecosystem is notably strong in health tracking, offering features like ECG measurements, blood pressure monitoring, and sleep apnea detection. While some other smartwatches include these features, Samsung\u2019s implementation of its health capabilities generally gives it an edge over many competitors.<\/p>\n
The ECG readings are dependable, and the blood pressure monitoring can mimic the instant results of a cuff-based device. However, you still need to be willing to calibrate it initially with a traditional monitor and repeat this process every few weeks to maintain accuracy.<\/p>\n
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![\"samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_health_features-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nThese features (including the new sleep apnea detection mode) also remain within the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is separate from the Samsung Health app. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s still exclusive to Samsung smartphone users, and, while we\u2019re skeptical it\u2019ll ever happen, we live in hope the company will consider making it available more widely at some point in the future. Until that happens, it\u2019s unfortunately a big reason to avoid Samsung smartwatches if you have an Android from another brand.<\/p>\n
Encouraging signs for \u2018Vascular load\u2019<\/p>\n
When you swipe to the Samsung Health features on the Galaxy Watch 8, you\u2019ll find many other health data points and tools. There are Energy Scores to estimate your energy reserves for the day (out of 100), based on factors like sleep. You can also view your current heart rate, perform a body composition analysis, do breathing exercises when you\u2019re feeling stressed, and enjoy the new vascular load insight.<\/p>\n
![\"samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Vascular_load-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nVascular load is all to do with assessing the stress on the vascular system during sleep. First, a baseline must be established from two nights of sleep, with the watch using the optical heart rate sensor on the case\u2019s rear to generate this metric.<\/p>\n
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Once finished, the Health app shows your baseline and uses a color-coded bar to illustrate how much you stay within or deviate from it. It also displays how sleep, stress, and active time influence your vascular load reading. <\/p>\n
The watch presentation clearly shows stress levels, making it the most effective and well-designed new health feature.<\/p>\n
![\"tracking](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_thumb-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nWork still to be done on the new \u2018Antioxidant index\u2019<\/p>\n
Another new feature is the \u2018Antioxidant index,\u2019 which aims to assess if you\u2019re consuming enough fruits and vegetables to boost antioxidant levels. This can help decrease the risk of chronic diseases and may even enhance memory.<\/p>\n
Samsung assesses this by using the optical sensor to measure carotenoids, antioxidants present in supplements and fruits. However, it\u2019s not necessarily a passive measurement\u201a with this tracked by placing your thumb onto the device\u2019s optical sensor. While you\u2019ll need to remove the watch to do it, the measurement is at least completed in seconds.<\/p>\n
My readings always stayed within the low or very low range. I don\u2019t believe my diet lacks fruits and vegetables, so these consistently low readings seemed off. <\/p>\n
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If low, the app recommends eating more fruits and vegetables or even suggests specific types of fruit. I like this feature\u2019s concept, but, based on testing, it\u2019s rightly labeled as a \u2018Labs\u2019 feature\u2014Samsung will have to refine this one to make it genuinely useful.<\/p>\n
Sleep tracking<\/p>\n
![\"BioActive](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_1-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nTracking sleep with Samsung\u2019s smartwatches typically provides a solid experience both on and off the device. The Watch 8 can monitor sleep duration, produce sleep scores, analyze sleep stages, and also track blood oxygen, skin temperature, and heart rate.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been wearing it alongside an Oura Ring 4<\/a>, Ultrahuman Ring Air<\/a>, and another fitness watch I can\u2019t actually talk about just yet. The data on sleep duration, including my sleep onset and wake time, as well as metrics like heart rate and temperature, were similar across devices. <\/p>\n
The discrepancies mainly appeared during very short periods in REM sleep and drops in blood oxygen readings caused by fit.<\/p>\n
![\"sleep](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_sleep-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n\n Advertisement <\/p>\n
In addition to core sleep tracking, there\u2019s a notable feature of bedtime guidance. Based on recent sleep history, it will notify you of a suggested bedtime. If you need to catch up on sleep from previous nights, the watch will recommend that you go to bed earlier to aid rest and recovery. This is Samsung catching up to the dynamic bedtime features we\u2019ve seen released by the likes of Whoop in recent years.<\/p>\n
The sleep apnea mode, found in the Health Monitor app, reminds users that Samsung spreads features across multiple apps. You need to enable the sleep apnea tracking, which monitors changes in blood oxygen levels and could indicate moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.<\/p>\n
It takes two nights of sleep, after which the watch will turn off the feature. The Health Monitor app will simply say whether it\u2019s detected signs or not, and also remind you of what it isn\u2019t able to detect during that time.<\/p>\n
Fitness and sports tracking\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"running](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_outside-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\nWhether you want to use the Watch 8 as a fitness tracker or a sports watch, it performs adequately enough for a smartwatch. However, when it comes to providing the best fitness or sports tracking features, there\u2019s still room for improvement.<\/p>\n
In its sports tracking app, you have plentiful modes to pick from, and that covers everything from jumping on an elliptical trainer to going from an open water swim. If you\u2019re heading outdoors, there\u2019s dual-frequency GPS, which means the Galaxy Watch 8 offers the industry\u2019s gold standard (or, at least, its interpretation of that standard) in dealing with problematic areas for accurate location tracking, such as skyscraper villages, dense woodland, or mountain ranges.<\/p>\n
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![\"samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GPS_Samsung-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n
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(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n![\"running](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_Running_test-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n![\"battery](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_1355-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n![\"power](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review_1355dddf-820x461.jpg\")
(Image credit: Wareable)<\/p>\n