Summary
It’s already the second half of the year, which means we’re getting our typical dose of summer Samsung hardware. Not only do we have new foldables today, but also a nice pair of smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 8 series is here, and it’s looking really nice.
Samsung has just launched its latest pair of smartwatches, theGalaxy Watch 8and theGalaxy Watch 8 Classic. Thankfully, we actually have hardware changes that you can actually notice, rather than just recycling last year’s frame. According to Samsung, the company has re-engineered the internal components to achieve an 11% thinner design compared to previous models.
The entire Watch 8 series adopts the “cushion design” first introduced with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The display on the Watch 8 series is now up to 50% brighter, reaching a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for improved outdoor visibility. Furthermore, the devices are powered by a new 3nm processor, the Exynos W1000, which Samsung says provides faster performance and better power efficiency.
It wouldn’t be a Samsung watch launch without new fitness and wellness features. A new feature, the Antioxidant Index, allows you to measure your carotenoid levels in five seconds. During sleep, a “Vascular Load” feature will monitor the stress on your vascular system. For fitness enthusiasts, a “Running Coach” function calculates your fitness level on a scale from 1 to 10 and generates a customized training plan with real-time guidance. Other new wellness tools include Bedtime Guidance, which suggests an optimal time to go to bed based on circadian rhythm and sleep latency, a High Stress Alert that signals when you should take a break, and a Mindfulness Tracker to log moods and receive breathing exercise guidance. There is also an AI-powered Energy Score that combines physical and mental metrics to provide a daily overview of your energy levels.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series will be the first to come pre-loaded with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch, and it’s also probably the first smartwatch we’ve seen yet with Gemini out of the box, allowing for natural voice commands to control watch apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, and Clock. One UI 8 Watch has been updated with Multi-Info Tiles for quicker access to metrics and a “Now Bar” to keep key activities visible.
As cool as these are, they are also probably the most expensive Samsung watches we’ve seen yet. Pricing starts at $349.99 for theGalaxy Watch 8with Bluetooth model and $399.99 for the LTE version, coming with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage and shipping in 40mm and 44mm configurations. The 46mmGalaxy Watch 8 Classicis even worse—$499.99 for the Bluetooth model and $549.99 for LTE.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options to take that price down a notch. You can get a $50 discount by pre-ordering yours, and you can also take advantage of enhanced trade-in offers—up to $200 off a Galaxy Watch 8 or up to $250 off a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8
Now thinner and more comfortable, the Galaxy Watch 8 adds new health-tracking features like sleep apnea detection and antioxidant readings.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic
The rotating bezel is back, offering satisfying control in a redesigned body. It’s a blend of old and new, though not everyone will love the Ultra-inspired look.
