I’ve always believed a good smartwatch should do more than count steps—and Samsung just proved that with the Galaxy Watch8 Series. During their media preview, I got up close with the new Galaxy Watch8, Watch8 Classic, and the rugged Watch Ultra—and wow, these wearables are seriously impressive.
Whether you’re aiming for better sleep, more mindful days, or a sleek wrist companion, this new lineup checks all the boxes.
Smarter Sleep, Deeper Wellness
The sleep features are where this watch truly shines. Samsung’s focus on wellness really shows with additions like Sleep Apnea detection, Bedtime Guidance, and even Vascular Load—which monitors how your body handles stress while you sleep.
There’s also a new Antioxidant Index, which uses a built-in sensor to measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds. Yep, your watch can now tell you how you’re aging—helpful and slightly humbling!
Fitness, Gamified
During the presentation, the Running Coach was introduced by the speaker, and it felt like a coach. It gauges your fitness level and builds a personalized plan. You get real-time insights and motivation as you go. And if you’re competitive, the updated Together feature lets you challenge friends—even in running mode!
Add in High Stress Alerts and a Mindfulness Tracker, and you have a watch that’s tuned in to both your pace and your peace of mind.
Design and Comfort, Upgraded
Samsung also has reworked the internals so it’s 11% thinner and fits more naturally on the wrist. The new Dynamic Lug system makes it feel stable during workouts, while the brighter 3,000-nit display is a lifesaver when outdoors.
Gemini Comes to Your Wrist
One of the biggest upgrades is that the Galaxy Watch8 is the first to ship with Google’s Gemini AI assistant built-in. You can ask it for directions, send messages, or launch workouts—all hands-free. It felt surprisingly natural to just say, “Start a 30-minute run,” and see it happen instantly.
Add to that Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch, and the interface feels super clean, smooth, and snappy.
Choose Your Style
Whether you prefer minimalist or classic, there’s something for everyone:
- Galaxy Watch8: Sleek, stylish, daily wear
- Galaxy Watch8 Classic: Sophisticated with a rotating bezel
- Galaxy Watch Ultra: Rugged and adventure-ready with longer battery life
And yes, there are lots of band options to mix and match your vibe.
The Galaxy Watch8 Series isn’t just a smartwatch—it’s a full-on health companion. Whether you’re focused on fitness, sleep, mindfulness, or just want a smartwatch that gets you, this lineup is worth a serious look.
Want a smarter phone to pair it with? Check out the Galaxy Z Fold7
Or go ultra-compact with the Galaxy Z Flip7
