Samsung is one of the few smartphone manufacturers in India that regularly launches new generation smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch series has always been synonymous with premium design paired with a host of features. This year, the company has outdone itself with the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series. Although the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is more premium, the Galaxy Watch 8 is a no-nonsense sibling built for everyday wear. The brand’s latest wearable device brings a bolder design, thoughtful health features and a smooth user interface.
Additionally, the smartwatch is one of the first to offer native support for Google Gemini. Hence, the price starts at Rs. 32999, does it really make sense to buy this smartwatch in 2025? I’ve spent a lot of time with this device and here’s what I think.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 design: premium comfort
- Case size – 44mm
- Color- graphite, silver
- Dimensions and weight – 43.7x 46 x 8.6mm; 34g
The first thing you notice when you take the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 out of the box is the new design language. Gone are the days when the Galaxy Watch looked more like a pebble on your wrist. This time, the company decided to go with a new bumper box, which first appeared in the Ultra model. I’m surprised by the new look and think it’s terrible! But frankly, once I got used to the latest design, it really felt like, “Wow, where were you?”
Galaxy Watch 8 comes in two styles: 40mm and 44mm.
The new design could be polarizing. For some core Galaxy Watch users, it may be a departure from their preferred form factor, but for others, it offers a sleek and modern look. However, the most important thing here is that the company has adopted a similar design language across its entire product line, which is a good move.
What’s more, the new Galaxy Watch 8 is now thinner and lighter than the previous generation. The 40mm model weighs just 30 grams, while the 44mm model weighs just 34 grams. This will definitely make it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 comes with a comfortable silicone strap and Samsung’s new lug system.
I have to admit, it’s one of the most comfortable smartwatches I’ve worn in a long time. The soft rubber sport strap deserves praise because it’s comfortable enough that you’ll almost forget you’re wearing a smartwatch. Speaking of straps, the company has also introduced a new lug system that is so flexible that changing straps is now less of a hassle. This also means that your previously collected bands will now be nothing but dust.
My only concern with the new square circle design is its durability. The display protrudes about 2mm above the case, making it more susceptible to scratches and cracks. While the brand adds sapphire crystal protection, I still recommend using a screen protector for added peace of mind.
This smartwatch features a premium design, is lightweight, and is comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The smartwatch also has an IP68 rating, which means it can be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Additionally, the smartwatch comes with 5ATM and MIL-STD-810H certifications, which increases confidence in its durability.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 display: brighter, clearer
- Display size – 1.47 inches
- Display type – Super AMOLED
- Peak brightness – 3,000nits
In terms of display, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is equipped with a 1.47-inch Super AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of now up to 3,000 nits, while the Galaxy Watch 7 has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The display is bright enough to withstand harsh sunlight and I could more easily read notifications, messages, etc.
The smartwatch features a large 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits.
The screen is colorful and the text is clear, further enhancing the overall user experience of the smartwatch. I loved the display throughout as it provided smooth animations. What’s more, this smartwatch also comes with an always-on display that works well with the watch faces in the store.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Software and Companion Apps: Ease of Use
- Companion application platform – Android
- Application Name- Samsung Wear and Samsung Health
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the first smartwatch to run on Wear OS 6 and Samsung OnUI for Watch. The new UI is undoubtedly one of the most classy smartwatch interfaces on the market. What sets it apart from other competitors is the integration of Google Gemini. By long-pressing the top button, you can access Gemini to set timers, send messages, get restaurant recommendations, and more.
The entire experience is spot-on, and Gemini delivers nearly spot-on results. The watch displays responses as text while reading them out loud, which, in my opinion, works well. However, there are some cases where I feel the integration could be better. For example, when asking for restaurant recommendations, Gemini only shows the location, but you need to turn on your phone to get directions. The company is supposed to bring a new update that will allow users to navigate directly from their smartwatches.
This smartwatch offers a host of smart features for accurate health tracking.
One UI 8 for Watch brings several improvements to the interface. There is an “Now Bar” that gives you quick access to ongoing activities. Notifications now have stackable titles to help improve visibility. A new tile system divides information into Health, Fitness, and Basic sections, making it easier to find relevant data quickly.
The watch user interface is easy to use and easy to navigate. Just swipe left to open the X screen, which offers summaries, reminders, daily activity insights, app shortcuts, suggestions, and more. You can also use My Fitness, which provides steps, calories, and a sleep schedule. In addition to this, you can access a variety of information with a simple swipe, including various sports modes, music, weather, camera, sleep data, and more.
You need Samsung Wear and Samsung Health to unlock the full potential of your smartwatch. Wear apps help you customize your smartwatch, check for updates, and more. Samsung Health, on the other hand, offers comprehensive health tracking with new AI insights. The data is presented neatly, which makes health data feel more meaningful.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 performance and battery life: Great performance, average battery life
- Chipset – Exynos W1000
- Memory and Storage – 2GB RAM + 32GB
- Sensors – Samsung BioActive sensors, accelerometers, compasses, light sensors, gyroscopes, barometers, temperature sensors, and more
- GPS – Yes
- Battery – 435mAh
- Operating system – WearOS 6
The Galaxy Watch 8 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos W1000 processor, which is expected to improve performance and energy efficiency compared to previous generations. This shows in day-to-day use, whether using workout mode, playing music, replying to messages, or other actions, the smartwatch feels responsive and smooth.
The wearable is equipped with an Exynos chipset that delivers flagship-level performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 also comes with a range of AI-driven features and workout modes. You’ll receive a running coach with a workout plan to help prepare you for the marathon. Then there’s vascular load and sleep tracking, which require you to wear the smartwatch throughout the night to collect data. Vascular load provides information about your circulatory system while you sleep.
It requires three nights of data to set a baseline. Then, there’s the antioxidant index, which helps motivate you to eat more vegetables and fruits. We discuss all of these features in more depth, which are also present in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. Be sure to check out the reviews to learn more about these features.
Speaking of battery life, this is where the smartwatch disappoints. During the testing phase, the smartwatch can only last 24 hours with all functions (including AoD, heart rate tracking, etc.) turned on. Sometimes, smartwatches even have less than a day of battery backup, which is a bit disappointing. Also, the charging speed is not that fast. The wearable takes nearly two hours to fully charge. It just means you need to adjust your schedule to accommodate charging times.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Verdict
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 brings a lot of improvements over its predecessor. The new saddle design may be polarizing, but it offers a premium experience. The new lug system also makes the smartwatch more comfortable to wear and places the sensors in one place. What’s more, its comfort is excellent and you won’t have any issues wearing it for long periods of time.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is one of the best smartwatches of 2025.
The display was undoubtedly the star of the show, with vibrant colors and crisp text. Performance is fast, and health tracking is comprehensive and accurate. The integration of Google Gemini will definitely make it stand out from the competition. However, battery life remains its weak point, and charging it every day may be a hassle for some. That said, priced at Rs 32,999 for the 40mm model and Rs 35,999 for the 44mm model, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a perfect choice, especially for those who want to be a part of the Galaxy ecosystem. For everyone else, it’s still one of the most feature-rich Android smartwatches on the market.
