Smartwatches possess a distinct edge over other gadgets: perpetual connectivity. They rest on your wrist, requiring only short pauses for charging, making them ideal for health monitoring. With the introduction of the Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung places a significant emphasis on health indicators. It monitors everything from physical activity to sleep, stress levels, and body composition, providing a thorough insight into your health status.
Data holds value only when it is clearly presented and actionable. Samsung shines in this regard. After testing a 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for 10 days, here are my thoughts.
### Galaxy Watch 8 Design: Streamlined Hardware and the Comeback of the ‘Squircle’
The Watch 8 is more slender and rests flatter on the wrist compared to earlier versions, being 11% slimmer with a more streamlined sensor pack. The strap mechanism has been revamped, akin to the 2024 Galaxy Watch Ultra, although the straps are not interchangeable. The lugs extend directly from the watch, ensuring a more comfortable fit across different wrist sizes. Nevertheless, I am not fond of proprietary lug systems for third-party bands.
Samsung’s “cushion” design makes a return with a “squircle” aesthetic—a circular face on a rounded square base. The black face set against a silver backdrop exudes sophistication. Initially, I used the white silicone band but later opted for a metal link bracelet, which surprisingly matched the Watch 8 quite well.
The Watch 8 does not feature the rotating bezel of the Watch 8 Classic, but it has a touch-sensitive edge that functions as a “pretend” bezel, which can be cumbersome when swiping. The two side buttons are infrequently utilized, as swipe navigation is favored. The buttons primarily activate Google Gemini AI, providing greater AI capabilities than the Apple Watch.
### Galaxy Watch 8 Software Updates
This is the pioneering smartwatch to operate Gemini on the watch face, marking a significant advancement for Samsung. Gemini and Google Assistant share similarities, but if Google Assistant is ever phased out, this is progress. OneUI 8 brings improvements like the “pill,” Samsung’s take on Apple’s Dynamic Island, displaying information at a glance. The widget panels adjacent to the watch face allow for personalization, resembling the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s cover interface.
### With the Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung Strives to Promote Your Health
Samsung Health, utilized on the watch and Android devices, serves as the hub for biometric data, including a novel antioxidant level metric. Assessing antioxidants requires removing the watch and using the sensor on the back. Its practicality is questionable, as the scale’s high end is marked “adequate,” and most reviewers rate it as “poor.”
Samsung’s health app features energy scores, sleep tracking, AGEs index, BMI, and more. The data is well-structured and easy to grasp, with functions like sleep coaching assigning a sleep animal according to your sleep habits. However, the ability to easily dismiss coaching suggestions is a drawback, as increased engagement could enhance effectiveness.
### Battery Life is… Acceptable
During a two-week period, including travel, the watch sustained a full day on a charge but not two. It averaged 33 to 35 hours per charge, needing over an hour for a complete recharge. While not as remarkable as devices with dual-chip architecture, 35 hours is sufficient.
### Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 a Good Investment?
Absolutely, despite the battery life. The elegant design, cohesive software, and Google Gemini integration are standout features. However, unless you desire the Gemini app or antioxidant functionality, there is little motivation to upgrade from the Galaxy Watch 7. Third-party bands are available, but if you own a variety of straps, a converter will be necessary. For individuals with older smartwatches, the Watch 8 represents a worthwhile upgrade, providing a wealth of data and health metrics that can enhance your life while looking sophisticated.