Explore our in-depth Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Review featuring its slim design, 3,000-nit OLED display, advanced health tracking, Wear OS 6 interface, and Exynos W1000 performance. Uncover all the pros, cons and key features of Galaxy Watch8 and see if it’s worth your money in 2025.
Table of Contents
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.5″ OLED, 3,000 nits brightness, Always-On |
| Processor | Exynos W1000, 3nm chip |
| Operating System | Wear OS 6 with One UI Watch |
| Health Monitoring | Heart Rate, Sleep, Blood Pressure, Antioxidant Index, Vascular Monitoring |
| Battery Life | Up to 36 hours (typical use), supports Power Saving Mode |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM + IP68 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE (optional), NFC |
| Compatibility | Android 10+ (Samsung features best with Samsung phones) |
| Price | $349.99 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Hands-On Review
Samsung’s Eighth-Gen Smartwatch Enters the Ring
In the ever-evolving landscape of wearable tech, the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 arrives with a mix of familiar finesse and future-forward upgrades. Following in the footsteps of the Galaxy Watch7, this eighth-gen wearable brings notable enhancements—like a slimmer build, a dazzling 3,000-nit OLED display, and refined health tracking—all wrapped in a polished, premium package.
Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, productivity junkie, or someone who just loves tech wrapped around their wrist, this smartwatch aims to tick every box.
But in a world where Apple, Garmin, and even OnePlus are turning up the heat, does the Galaxy Watch8 truly stand out? Or is it just another iterative update that looks good on paper but fails to excite in real-world use? Let’s dive into our detailed hands-on review to find out.
Who Is the Galaxy Watch8 Meant For?
This isn’t just a gadget for hardcore Samsung fans. The Galaxy Watch8 is clearly aimed at anyone wanting a balanced smartwatch—something that blends design, fitness features, and smart functions in one device. It’s designed for Android users who appreciate sleek aesthetics, robust fitness tracking, and deep app integration.
Whether you’re someone who tracks every heartbeat or simply wants a stylish timepiece that doubles as a smartphone companion, this watch tries to cater to all.
Design and Comfort
Slimmer, Sleeker Aesthetic
One of the most noticeable upgrades with the Galaxy Watch8 is its refined, minimalist design. Samsung has subtly slimmed down the watch’s profile, making it feel less bulky and more refined compared to its predecessors. It’s a move that gives the device a touch of class, while also improving wearability throughout the day—and even during sleep.
The circular display now sits on a base that feels like a hybrid between circular and square—what you might call a “squirkle.” It’s a subtle shift that gives the watch a distinctive silhouette without shouting for attention. There are no sharp edges, and the flush glass curves gently into the chassis, giving off major luxury vibes.
Size and Material Options
You get the option of 40mm or 44mm case sizes, both carved from durable stainless steel. The Galaxy Watch8 review unit we tested was the 40mm Graphite model, paired with a rubbery black strap that comes standard in the box. While some might prefer metal or leather bands for style, the included strap is surprisingly comfortable and easy to switch thanks to Samsung’s quick-release lug system.
And for those who like a splash of variety, Samsung offers two color options at launch—Graphite and Silver. Sure, it’s not the rainbow selection you might get from other brands, but both finishes look mature and clean.
Everyday Wearability and Durability
Let’s talk real-world usage. This Galaxy Watch8 wears like a dream. Whether you’re typing away at work, going for a jog, or doing the dishes, it stays snug and comfy. It’s also built to survive rough use. There’s no physical rotating bezel this time, but the glass is surprisingly tough. After several knocks against door frames, desks, and countertops, our unit still looked pristine.
Samsung also packed in 5ATM water resistance and IP68 dust resistance, so it’s totally fine in the shower, during sweaty workouts, or even while swimming. Just maybe don’t expect it to handle scuba diving.
Display Technology
OLED Brilliance and Crisp Resolution
Samsung continues to lead the pack with its display tech, and the Galaxy Watch8’s OLED screen doesn’t disappoint. You’re treated to vibrant, high-contrast visuals with deep blacks and punchy colors that make every glance at the watch a visual treat. Whether you’re browsing widgets, tracking a workout, or controlling your music, the crisp 480 x 480 resolution ensures that everything looks sharp and clear.
The circular panel is edge-to-edge with minimal bezels, which enhances that premium aesthetic. The visuals are complemented by smooth animations that make navigation a joy.
Brightness Performance in Real Life
Arguably one of the biggest upgrades is the screen’s brightness. Samsung has boosted the maximum brightness up to 3,000 nits, making it one of the brightest smartwatch displays in the market. What does that mean for you? Well, even under blazing sunlight, the Galaxy Watch8 remains perfectly legible.
Auto-brightness also works seamlessly. It lowers in dim environments—like movie theaters or when you’re reading in bed—and cranks up the moment you step into the sun. It’s one of those smart little touches that you don’t think about often, but you’d really miss if it wasn’t there.
Always-On Display and Customization
The always-on display (AOD) is still present and accounted for, and it’s as functional as ever. You can customize Galaxy Watch8 with various watch faces, most of which allow tweaks for font, color, complications (widgets like heart rate, weather, or calendar), and more.
And if the default faces aren’t your jam, the Galaxy Store and Google Play both offer thousands of downloadable options. You can even sync dynamic watch faces with your phone’s wallpaper if you’re all about that visual harmony.
Wear OS 6 and Navigation
Interface Layout and Widgets
The Galaxy Watch8 is one of the first smartwatches to ship with Wear OS 6, and it brings meaningful improvements without completely reinventing the wheel. Navigation is intuitive: swipe right for notifications, swipe left for tiles (aka widgets), swipe down for quick settings, and swipe up to access apps.
Samsung has neatly organized the widgets into clusters by function—like fitness, health, tools, and media—which makes them easier to browse and customize.
App Drawer and Quick Settings
The app drawer has received a subtle but smart update. You can now switch between list and grid views, and recently used apps automatically float to the top for easy access. It’s a minor tweak, but it makes day-to-day use feel faster and less cluttered.
Quick settings in Galaxy Watch8 are just a swipe away, and they include everything you need: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, do-not-disturb, airplane mode, and more. And if you’re using the LTE version, you’ll have easy access to your data toggle too.
Customizable Controls and Gestures
There are two physical buttons on the right side of the Galaxy Watch8. The top button acts as a home and app switcher, while the bottom serves as a back button or a shortcut to recent apps, depending on how you configure it.
You can assign custom shortcuts to long presses and double taps of these buttons. For example, double-tapping the top button can launch a workout, a favorite app, or even Google Assistant. Unfortunately, Samsung Pay is still hardwired into the long press of the bottom button, which feels limiting.
Performance and Connectivity
The Power of the Exynos W1000
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 runs on the brand-new Exynos W1000 chipset—a 3nm processor designed specifically for wearables. What does that mean in real terms? Well, it’s faster, more efficient, and better at multitasking than anything that came before it. The watch launches apps quickly, scrolls through menus smoothly, and handles multiple functions without stuttering.
This chip ensures a fluid experience whether you’re using Spotify, launching workouts, or checking notifications. Unlike some older Wear OS devices that tend to lag with time, the Galaxy Watch8 remains snappy even after prolonged use.
LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Reliability
The Galaxy Watch8 is available in both Bluetooth-only and LTE variants. The LTE model (which we tested) allows you to stay connected even when your phone isn’t nearby—great for jogs, workouts, or simply stepping out without your mobile. Pair it with a data plan, and you can receive calls, respond to texts, and stream music completely untethered.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections are rock-solid. Pairing the watch with a Galaxy Z Fold 7 was seamless, and reconnecting was instant every time we moved out of range and came back. Plus, if you’re not in the Samsung ecosystem, it still works well with other Android phones—though some features like ECG or blood pressure monitoring might be limited.
App Ecosystem and Compatibility
Thanks to Wear OS, you get full access to the Google Play Store, including essentials like Spotify, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Google Pay, YouTube Music, and even Google Assistant. Add to that Samsung’s suite of apps and tools, and you’re spoiled for choice.
Whether you’re using the Galaxy Watch8 for fitness tracking, smart home control via Google Home, or setting timers in the kitchen, the app support here is comprehensive and user-friendly. And yes, you can store and stream offline music—perfect for workouts without your phone.
Fitness and Health Features
Fitness Tracking Modes and Auto Detection
Samsung’s reputation for solid fitness tracking continues with the Galaxy Watch8. You get a wide array of workouts pre-loaded—from walking, running, and cycling to swimming, HIIT, rowing, and even yoga. If your activity isn’t listed, you can add custom ones.
Auto-tracking works impressively well. The watch accurately detects walking and running within minutes and automatically starts recording your session. It pauses intelligently when you stop—like waiting for a traffic light or grabbing a bottle of water—and resumes without prompting.
There’s even a built-in running coach for those pounding the pavement. It gives live feedback on your pace and goals—though this feature is more useful to beginners than experienced runners.
Samsung Health Integration
All your activity data is seamlessly synced to Samsung Health in Galaxy Watch8, which gives you a clean, detailed overview of your workouts, daily step count, heart rate trends, sleep, stress levels, and more. It’s arguably one of the best health dashboards available on any smartwatch platform today.
You can set daily goals, join challenges with friends, or even enroll in coaching programs. For the more data-hungry, you’ll love the heart rate zones, calorie breakdowns, and cadence information available after each session.
Blood Pressure and Antioxidant Monitoring
Samsung continues to push boundaries with advanced health sensors. The Watch8 includes blood pressure monitoring, though you’ll need a dedicated cuff for initial calibration. Once set up, it gives surprisingly accurate readings directly from your wrist.
New this year is antioxidant index tracking, which measures carotenoid levels in your skin using the bioactive sensor. While not a medical feature, it provides insights into your general health and lifestyle. It’s a neat gimmick, though its practical benefits remain questionable for most users.
Sleep Tracking and Recovery Metrics
Sleep Score and Snore Detection
The Galaxy Watch8 offers robust sleep tracking, analyzing your sleep stages (light, deep, REM), time spent awake, and overall sleep efficiency. You’re also assigned a Sleep Score every morning that summarizes how well you slept.
If you pair your phone and leave it near your bed, the watch can even record snoring—a feature that can be both hilarious and helpful if you’re trying to diagnose sleep issues.
Sleep Apnea and Vascular Monitoring
This generation introduces Sleep Apnea Detection, which can flag irregular breathing patterns during the night. This potentially life-saving feature monitors your oxygen saturation levels and breathing disruptions, helping detect conditions that often go unnoticed.
The Galaxy Watch8 also tracks your vascular health overnight, offering insights into your heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. Again, while not a substitute for medical equipment, this could provide early indicators of cardiovascular issues.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery Life Compared to Previous Models
Samsung claims the Watch8 has an 8% bigger battery than its predecessor, but don’t expect miracles. With always-on display and full tracking enabled, you’ll still get around 36 hours of use. That’s enough for a day and a half of mixed usage, which is decent but not class-leading.
Turning off AOD or enabling Power Saving Mode can stretch the battery to two full days, but you’ll lose some smartwatch functionality along the way.
Real-World Usage vs Specs
In real-life usage—including workouts, notifications, music streaming, and app usage—the Galaxy Watch8 comfortably lasted from morning of Day 1 through to the evening of Day 2. But if you’re expecting a weekend trip without your charger, you’ll likely be disappointed.
Competing devices from Huawei and OnePlus offer 3–4 days of battery life, so this remains a weak point for Samsung’s otherwise impressive watch.
Charging Speed and Experience
Charging isn’t exactly fast, either. From 0% to full takes around 1.5 to 2 hours using the magnetic charging puck. There’s no fast charging, and wireless charging is limited to Samsung-specific chargers, which is mildly frustrating.
Audio, Notifications, and Smart Features
Speaker Quality and Microphone Use
The built-in speaker of Galaxy Watch8 is serviceable—loud enough for calls in quiet spaces, but nearly useless on noisy streets. The microphone, however, is excellent. Voice dictation, search, and assistant commands are picked up clearly, even in moderately noisy environments.
Voice assistants like Google Assistant and Samsung’s Gemini AI are both supported, and each performs well for setting reminders, answering questions, and controlling smart home gadgets.
Notification Management
One of the Galaxy Watch8’s strengths is how it handles notifications. They’re rich, interactive, and customizable. You can archive emails, reply to messages, snooze calendar events, or use preset replies. Text entry via voice, handwriting, or keyboard is smooth and accurate.
Final Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Review
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stunning OLED display with 3,000-nit brightness
- Snappy performance with Exynos W1000
- Rich fitness and health tracking features
- Durable, waterproof design
- Wear OS with full app store support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stunning OLED display with ultra-high brightness | Battery life still lags behind some competitors |
| Comprehensive health and fitness tracking features | Slow charging speed |
| Snappy performance with new Exynos W1000 chip | No rotating bezel on the base model |
| Wear OS 6 with Google app support | Some features limited to Samsung phones |
| Stylish and durable design with IP68 rating | Samsung Pay hardwired; can’t use Google Pay shortcut |
Cons:
- Battery life still falls short of competitors
- Slow charging speeds
- Some Samsung-only limitations on non-Galaxy phones
- No rotating bezel on standard model
Should You Buy Galaxy Watch8?
If you’re an Android user looking for a stylish, feature-packed smartwatch with one of the best displays in the game and top-tier fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch8 is a worthy choice. It’s especially great for those already invested in the Samsung ecosystem. Just know that the battery life isn’t the best, and the full experience is better on Samsung phones.
FAQs: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Review
Is the Galaxy Watch8 Worth Upgrading To?
Yes, if you own anything older than the Galaxy Watch 6. The design, display, and health features are significantly improved.
How Accurate Are the Health Sensors in Galaxy Watch8?
Very accurate, especially for heart rate and sleep. Blood pressure is useful after calibration.
Can I Use Google Apps on Galaxy Watch8?
Absolutely. You get full access to Google Maps, Assistant, YouTube Music, and more.
Does Galaxy Watch8 Work with Non-Samsung Phones?
Yes, but a few features like ECG and BP monitoring are limited.
How Water-Resistant Is the Galaxy Watch8 Really?
It’s 5ATM and IP68 rated—fine for showers, rain, and swimming, but not scuba diving.
Please don’t forget to leave a review.
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