Galaxy Watch 8 Review “The sleek hardware redesign, seamless Gemini integration, and upgraded health features have already left a strong first impression.”
Galaxy Watch 8 First Impressions: Sleeker, Smarter, and Surprisingly Addictive
Galaxy Watch 8 Review samsung dropped its latest lineup at Galaxy Unpacked on July 9 — yes, right in the middle of Amazon Prime Day. Coincidence? Chaos? A tech power move? Who knows. What I do know is that juggling both announcements gave me zero time to breathe. Once I wrapped up the Prime Day madness, I finally strapped on the new Galaxy Watch 8 — and I’ve been rocking it for four days straight.
Now, four days isn’t enough for a deep-dive review or to slap on a final score. But it’s definitely enough to say this: Samsung did something right here.
From a sleek new hardware redesign to tighter integration with Google’s Gemini AI and smart health upgrades, the Galaxy Watch 8 already feels like a massive leap forward — not just an iterative update. It’s lighter on the wrist, smarter on the inside, and straight-up fun to use.
And while there’s plenty to explore (and I will in the full review), one feature in particular grabbed my attention — and I’ve been testing it hard. Spoiler: it’s a game-changer.
Stay tuned for my full verdict in the coming weeks, but if you’re wondering whether the Watch 8 is worth the hype… let’s just say, it’s off to a seriously strong start.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 Is Here — And It’s Already Turning Heads
Samsung dropped its newest lineup during the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9 — right in the middle of Amazon Prime Day. Did the tech giants not coordinate? Or are they just trolling us tech journalists for fun? Honestly, I didn’t have time to overthink it. I barely wrapped up Amazon coverage before diving into Samsung’s latest wearable: the Galaxy Watch 8.
I’ve been living with the watch for four full days now — not long enough for a full review, but definitely enough to form some solid first impressions. And spoiler: most of them are seriously good.
The Galaxy Watch 8 brings a meaningful mix of hardware upgrades and smart software improvements. It’s not just a subtle refresh — this feels like a bold step forward. And while I’ve been testing every aspect, there’s one feature in particular I focused on. It stood out from the start — and might just be the Watch 8’s biggest win.
More on that in a bit. But for now, let’s break down why the Watch 8 already feels like Samsung’s best smartwatch yet.
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Testing Antioxidants… and Getting Called Out for Not Eating Enough Fruit
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
The Galaxy Watch 8 might rock the same processor and sensors as last year’s model, but Samsung’s giving them a new job: measuring your antioxidant levels. Yeah, seriously.
Here’s how it works: you take off the watch, press your thumb on the sensor for five seconds, and boom — you get a reading. But to actually understand what those numbers mean, you’ll have to check the Health app on your phone. My first score? A solid 60 — which, according to Samsung, lands in the “low” zone. Not ideal, but hey, at least I didn’t hit “very low.” The only higher tier is “adequate,” so if you’re hoping to flex with an “elite antioxidant god” badge, you’re out of luck.
Then the app gave me lifestyle advice I didn’t expect:
“Try eating one (100g) persimmon today.”
Wait, what? Persimmons?
The last time I heard that word was when my grandma baked persimmon cookies for Christmas — and that was a decade ago. Apparently, South Korea is a major producer of persimmons, so maybe that’s why Samsung is pushing them. I asked the guy at my local grocery store if they had any, and he looked at me like I asked for dragonfruit dipped in moon dust. “We only stock them around the holidays,” he said. Makes sense — that’s when the grandmas of the world unite in seasonal baking rituals.
Long story short: I’m low on antioxidants, possibly due to a tragic lack of persimmons in my diet. But hey, at least now my watch knows it.
I Went Full Antioxidant Mode… and Got Worse Results
Turns out persimmons are loaded with antioxidants like Vitamin C and beta-carotene (aka Vitamin A). But since my local grocery store is fresh out of grandma-approved persimmons, I went with the next best thing: cantaloupe. It’s orange, full of similar nutrients, and doesn’t require a holiday to be in stock.
And then… I went all in.
I chugged green tea (plain, not my usual fancy oat matcha latte).
I skipped my husband’s delicious-smelling breakfast hash in favor of half a cantaloupe.
I ate cherries, a square of dark chocolate, did yoga, hit my monthly medical massage (because stress = oxidative damage, right?).
I even slept eight full hours and practically drowned myself in water.
I was feeling like a wellness god.
Then I took the test again — expecting a small antioxidant miracle — and guess what?
My score dropped by two points.
Yep. After all that effort, I somehow got worse. Was I expecting a total cellular transformation overnight? No. But come on, something would’ve been nice. Next time, I’m skipping the melon and eating the hash.
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Finally, a Fresh New Look That Actually Feels New
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
Let’s be honest — since the Galaxy Watch 4, Samsung’s smartwatch design hasn’t exactly turned heads. It’s been the same familiar setup: round glass face, round metal case, and chunky lugs jutting out to hold the band. Solid? Sure. Exciting? Not so much.
But with the Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung finally gave its wearable a much-needed glow-up. The new design doesn’t just look sleeker — it gives this year’s update some real purpose. For once, it doesn’t feel like just another annual release to keep shareholders happy. It actually feels like progress.
New “Cushion” Design: Sleek, Stylish… and Slightly Scary
The Galaxy Watch 8 finally shakes things up with a bold new look, borrowing the shape of last year’s Ultra model. Samsung calls it a “cushion design” — basically a circular glass display sitting atop a slightly rounded square aluminum case (or a squircle, as our editor Cherlynn Low would say).
The Sport band curves seamlessly into the body, creating a clean, minimalist arch that feels way more elegant than the old-school pronged setup. Honestly, it looks sharp — dare I say classier than the Apple Watch, which still resembles a shrunken iPhone 11 duct-taped to a silicone strap.
But here’s the catch: that floating-glass aesthetic? It comes with a cost. The screen rises about 2mm above the case, and my immediate thought was, “Welp, I’m gonna scratch this thing to death.” I didn’t wait — I slapped on a screen protector before syncing the watch. And yep, within a few days, I’d already cracked it. Maybe it’s my fault for going with the cheap Amazon pack, or maybe the cushion design is just a magnet for unfortunate bumps.
Bottom line: the design is stunning, but protect that glass like it’s your phone’s face.
Smarter Design = Better Scrolling (and Sleeping)
One unexpected win with the new raised-glass design? It actually fixes one of my biggest annoyances with the Galaxy Watch 7. See, one way to scroll through content is by gliding your finger around the outer edge of the screen — and Samsung even prompts you to do this when there’s more stuff to read. But on the Watch 7, my finger kept blocking the text I was trying to see. Super annoying.
Now, thanks to the slightly elevated display, there’s extra space for your finger to slide around the edge without getting in the way. Small change, big difference.
But the real MVP hardware upgrade? Comfort. The Watch 7 had a bulky sensor bump underneath that took me almost a week to get used to — and even then, I hated wearing it to bed. The Galaxy Watch 8? Instant comfort. From the very first wear, it felt smooth, balanced, and barely noticeable — even during sleep tracking. That’s a win in my book.
Gemini on Your Wrist: Wear OS 6 Just Got Smarter
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
The Galaxy Watch 8 is the first smartwatch to ship with Google’s brand-new Wear OS 6 — but with Samsung’s signature One UI twist layered on top. The big headline? Full-on Gemini integration, right on your wrist.
That means most of the smart things you’d normally do with the Gemini app on your phone — like asking questions, generating responses, or handling tasks — can now be done directly from your watch. Yep, AI is officially wearable.
There’s just one catch: your Gemini-compatible phone needs to be close by. No phone, no Gemini magic. Still, this is a huge step toward making smartwatches feel… well, actually smart.
Perguntar ao ChatGPT
Gemini AI on the Galaxy Watch 8: Surprisingly Smart (Most of the Time)
Google’s Gemini AI on the Galaxy Watch 8 handles basic stuff like setting reminders or timers with impressive speed. Even slightly more complex requests — like finding the best lunch spots nearby or local record stores — only took a second longer, especially when I was on Wi-Fi instead of relying on cell service.
And get this: Gemini actually recommended a record shop I’d never heard of (which turned out to be a couple of dusty LP bins in a bookstore, but hey — still cool). I even asked why my eight-year-old keeps going on about “lava chicken,” and Gemini nailed it with a Jack Black + Minecraft Movie reference. Spot on.
Responses show up as text on the watch screen, but Gemini also reads them out loud — word for word. That can feel like overkill, especially in public, but a quick tap on the screen shuts Gemini up if you’d rather read than listen.
You can ask follow-up questions, which is great, but there’s a catch: Gemini doesn’t stay in listening mode after each answer. So unless it specifically asks you something (like confirming a text), you’ll have to tap the mic again or say “OK Google” to keep the conversation going. I pinged Samsung to see if there’s a setting to keep Gemini listening — no dice, at least for now.
Still, Gemini handled some pretty specific multi-step tasks without breaking a sweat. I asked it to text a restaurant address to my husband, and it walked me through verifying the correct location before sending the message. I even asked when the Albuquerque Isotopes were playing the Sacramento River Cats, and it gave me the dates. Followed that up with “add that to my calendar” — boom, done.
Of course, not everything was flawless.
When I asked, “Is it going to rain today?”, Gemini read me a generic weather forecast instead of answering directly. C’mon, even Alexa and Siri can handle that. (To be fair, that’s a Gemini issue, not the watch’s fault.)
Another letdown? Navigation. During a walk, I asked for directions to the nearest grocery store. Gemini gave me the address and distance… then told me to “check my phone” for the actual route. Meanwhile, Siri on my Apple Watch just showed the directions right on the screen — no phone required. (Yes, I was rocking two smartwatches like a tech spy. No, it wasn’t as cool as it sounds.)
Wear OS 6 Tiles Make the Galaxy Watch 8 Feel Smarter Out of the Box
Beyond Gemini, one of the most noticeable upgrades in Wear OS 6 is the new tile system — and it’s actually useful.
The tiles are now bigger, better organized, and way easier to navigate. By default, they’re grouped into categories like Health, Fitness, and Basics (think: weather, calendar, media controls). Each tile gives you a quick snapshot — steps walked, current temp, your next appointment, etc. And if you need more details? Just tap to dive straight into the full app.
You can fully customize the setup in the Wear OS app on your phone: rearrange tiles, swap them out, or even add extra pages of them if you’re feeling ambitious. I didn’t get around to perfecting my layout, but even the default setup already feels like a smarter way to use a smartwatch.
Instead of endlessly swiping through apps or menus, you just flip through your tiles to get real-time insights from the apps you actually care about. It’s fast, intuitive, and finally makes the Galaxy Watch feel like the productivity tool it was meant to be.
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The AI Running Coach That Actually Believes in You
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
One of the coolest new features on the Galaxy Watch 8? A built-in, AI-powered running coach — no subscription needed. Think of it like your always-optimistic workout buddy who somehow believes you’re one week away from running a marathon.
It kicks off with a simple test: run as fast as you can for 12 minutes. Based on your pace, the watch ranks you on a 1–10 performance scale and creates a custom four-week training plan tailored to your level. Whether you’re dreaming of finishing your first 5K or eyeing a full marathon, the Watch 8 maps out your workouts with four sessions per week.
For example, my 12-minute pace landed me at a humble Level 3, which unlocked a 5K prep plan. And honestly? It didn’t feel like punishment — more like a friendly nudge that says, “Hey, we got this.”
Samsung isn’t alone here: Apple’s watchOS 11 will include a “Workout Buddy,” and Google/Fitbit already offer similar coaching — but usually behind a paywall. Garmin has a version too. So while this isn’t brand new territory, Samsung is making it easier (and cheaper) for casual runners to get personalized coaching without having to upgrade to Pro anything.
Long story short: it’s like having a coach in your corner… without the yelling.
My First AI-Coached Run (And Maybe, Just Maybe, I’m a Runner Now?)
The first workout Samsung’s AI coach threw at me was a chill intro to interval running: four bursts of fast-paced jogging broken up by slower recovery walks. Pretty manageable. What stood out, though, was how the coach kept things smooth and supportive the whole way. It gave me heads-up prompts like “run hard for 2 minutes” or “next up: cool down,” plus little motivational nudges when I started dragging. It even reminded me of my goals mid-run — without sounding like a bootcamp sergeant.
The audio cues came straight from the watch speaker, and while it worked fine on quiet streets, I’d definitely recommend using earbuds in noisier areas to catch every prompt clearly.
Honestly? I ran harder than I normally would. Something about having a coach — even an AI one — made me push a little more. And for someone who my ultra-fit sister has lovingly called “not an athlete,” I’m starting to think… maybe I could run a 5K.
My next session? A full 30-minute jog. Continuous. No walking. I’ve never run for that long without stopping in my life. But I’m kinda looking forward to trying — and if that’s not a win for this virtual running coach, I don’t know what is.
Vascular Load, Bedtime Guidance and That Eternal Battery Question
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
Because of this article’s quick turnaround, I didn’t get to dive deep into every new feature — but here’s what I found so far.
Let’s start with vascular load, a new health metric that uses your sleep data to assess the strain on your circulatory system. Sounds impressive, right? After three nights of sleep tracking, the watch is supposed to establish your baseline and let you know when your vascular load is higher or lower than usual, along with some tips. But after my third night, it politely asked for one more. Either I sleep weird, or the algorithm is still getting to know me.
Bedtime Guidance also requires three nights of data before kicking in, but I never got the notification that it had started. Turns out, you have to manually turn it on in the Health app (Health > Sleep > three-dot menu > Bedtime Guidance). It’s one of those features that sounds useful but hides behind too many taps. I’ll give it a proper shot this week and report back.
Now let’s talk battery life — because this has been a sticking point for Galaxy Watches in the past.
The Watch 8 comes with a slightly beefier 325mAh battery (up from 300mAh in the Watch 7). That’s not a huge bump, but I’ll take every milliamp hour I can get. The big question: does it last longer?
Honestly, I couldn’t do a precise battery test yet because I was throwing everything at the watch — sleep tracking, running, workouts, antioxidant scans, Gemini requests, plus toggling the always-on display on and off. I basically lived in this watch and had to top it off in between tasks just to keep up.
That said, I did clock one promising data point: I started testing at 4PM with a full charge. After 24 hours of intense use — including navigation, three workouts, Gemini chatting, watch face swaps, and a full night of sleep — I still had 17% left by the next day at 4PM. That’s already better than what I used to get on the Watch 7 under similar pressure.
So, while it’s too early to give a final verdict, battery life does seem to be improving. And if I can squeeze out a full day with heavy use, lighter users may easily go a day and a half or more.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Is Dripping With Style
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
I didn’t get to spend a ton of time with the Classic model, but even a quick glance makes one thing clear: this is Samsung’s pitch to the luxury-watch crowd.
From the knurled rotating bezel to the faux diving-scale inset and classic chronograph face, the Watch 8 Classic channels some serious Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster energy. The stainless steel case has the weight and presence of a traditional mechanical timepiece, and the stitched leather-style strap completes the upscale look.
The always-on display and bold buttons add to the aesthetic — making this feel more like a proper luxury accessory than a high-tech gadget. It’s flashy, refined, and clearly designed to impress watch lovers who want substance and style.
What Makes the Classic Worth It
For me, the biggest win the Classic has over the standard Galaxy Watch 8 is the extra protection that spinning bezel gives the display. That raised glass? Now it’s shielded — the bezel creates a buffer around the edges and even sits slightly above the screen to help fend off scratches. It’s a small design detail that makes a big difference.
Yes, it’s a bit chunky for my taste, but surprisingly comfy for its size — and let’s be honest, it looks fantastic. This is the kind of smartwatch you could wear with a blazer or at a dinner party without looking like you’re halfway through a workout. It’s made for people who want smart features, but don’t want to scream, “I’m wearing a gadget!”
Pricing and the Competition
Samsung bumped the price on the 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 by $50 this year, bringing it to $350. The larger 44mm version now sits at $380, and the Classic model — only available in a 46mm size — comes in at $500. For context, there was no Galaxy Watch 7 Classic, and last year’s Watch 6 Classic started at $400 for the 43mm and $430 for the 47mm.
At $350, the base Galaxy Watch 8 is now neck-and-neck with the Google Pixel Watch 3 — though with the Pixel Watch 4 likely just around the corner, expect a price shift soon. The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399, but dropped as low as $279 during Prime Day. And with Apple’s next-gen watch expected this September — possibly with a price hike — Samsung’s latest could quietly become the most affordable flagship smartwatch of 2025.
If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem, it’s not even a contest: the Galaxy Watch 8 is still your best option.
Everything Else — and a Score (Eventually)
Galaxy Watch 8 Review
At its core, the Galaxy Watch 8 doesn’t reinvent the wheel — and that’s not a bad thing. The core fitness and health tracking features remain solid, just as we saw in our in-depth reviews of the Galaxy Watch 6, Watch 7, and Watch 5. Workout tracking is still quick and accurate — in fact, it detects walks faster than my Apple Watch. The Samsung Health app continues to be a standout: intuitive, visually appealing, and packed with thoughtful, actionable insights. I especially appreciate the Daily Energy Score, which gives a simple but effective read on how well I’m balancing rest and activity.
The Galaxy Watch 8 still nails the essentials, functioning as a reliable and productive sidekick to your Galaxy smartphone. I do wish notifications were more noticeable — they’re a bit too easy to miss. But I’m a big fan of the double tap gesture, which lets you trigger or dismiss actions with a quick finger pinch, no screen-tapping required. It works remarkably well, and I find myself using it constantly.
Customization is another strong point: the watch faces are highly versatile, letting you tailor the aesthetic and functionality to your style or needs. Combine that with the sleek new design, smart Gemini integration, a few meaningful health upgrades, and a more intuitive interface, and the Galaxy Watch 8 shapes up to be one of the most well-rounded smartwatches on the market.
I still want to spend a bit more time living with it — preferably with a more durable screen protector — before locking in a final score. But so far? Color me impressed.
