I’ll Pass On the New Samsung Smartwatch

The Galaxy Watch 8 is right here, and just like the Fold 7 and Flip 7 revealed at Samsung’s Unpacked occasion, it additionally will get a noticeably slimmer chassis. However does it supply sufficient upgrades over the Galaxy Watch 7? Must you improve? Let’s discover out the solutions to all of the questions.

Worth & Availability

The Galaxy Watch 8 is now obtainable for pre-order on the official web site and is ready to hit shops on July 25, 2025. The 40mm Wi-Fi and LTE variants are priced at $349.99 and $399.99, respectively. The 44mm Wi-Fi and LTE variants have value tags of $379.99 and $429.99, respectively.

Alternatively, the Galaxy Watch 7 40mm Wi-Fi and LTE variants are presently obtainable for $209.99 and $259.99, respectively. The 44mm Wi-Fi and LTE variants will price $239.99 and $289.99, respectively.

Galaxy Watch 8 Adapts the Squircle Design

At first, the Galaxy Watch 8 adopts a squircle design (impressed by Samsung’s Watch Ultra). Its outer chassis is within the form of a sq. (with rounded edges), however the display screen stays round. It is a diversion from the clear, seamless look of the Galaxy Watch 7, which options symmetrical bezels on all sides of its round display screen. Each watches have one button on the fitting facet.

Much like the Galaxy Watch 7, the Galaxy Watch 8 is available in two sizes: 40mm (30g vs. 28.9g) and 44mm (34g vs. 33.8g). Whereas the newer model weighs barely increased on paper (a negligible distinction on the wrist), it’s considerably thinner than its predecessor.

Regardless of that includes bigger batteries (which we’ll focus on later), each Watch 8 fashions have a facet profile of 8.6mm, making them roughly 11% slimmer. This also needs to mirror within the smartwatch’s precise thickness on the wrist (which is 13mm for the Watch 7).

Each the smartwatches boast an aluminum body and sapphire crystal glass; no adjustments there. Their IP68 rating, 5ATM water resistance, and MIL-STD-810H compliance are comparable, indicating that the Galaxy Watch 8 is as sturdy because the Galaxy Watch 7.

Whereas the Watch 8 is offered in graphite and silver colorways, the Watch 7 is offered in cream, silver, and inexperienced colours. To summarize, the Galaxy Watch 8 is Samsung’s slimmest smartwatch ever, but it surely would not compromise on sturdiness. Nevertheless, in the event you ask me personally, I like the superbly round chassis on the Watch 7 higher.

Samsung Galaxy Watch: Which Model Is Best For You?

There are such a lot of Galaxy Watches. Be sure you purchase the fitting one

Comparable Display Measurement, Brighter on the Eyes

The Galaxy Watch 8 is offered in two display screen sizes: the 40mm model has a 1.34-inch display screen (438 x 438 pixels), whereas the 44mm variant has a 1.47-inch display screen (480 x 480 pixels). Each of them characteristic a Super AMOLED panel with a peak brightness of three,000 nits and a decision of 327 ppi.

From what it seems, the underlying panel, display screen measurement, and backbone of the Watch 8 stay unchanged when in comparison with its predecessor. Nevertheless, the peak brightness has increased by 50% (from 2,000 nits to three,000 nits), which is thrilling contemplating the development in visibility beneath direct daylight.

The Watch 8, like its older model, retains the touch-based bezel performance.

Each Smartwatches Characteristic the Exynos W1000 Chip

Final 12 months, Samsung unveiled the W1000 (3nm) wearable chip a couple of days earlier than the Galaxy Unpacked July event on July 10, 2024. As that did not occur this 12 months, I had already made peace with the truth that the Galaxy Watch 8 may characteristic the identical chip, and that is precisely what occurred.

So, the Watch 8 shares its chipset with the Watch 7, together with the obtainable reminiscence (2GB) and onboard storage (32GB). Now, what’s new? You may ask.

One UI Watch 8 Introduces New Well being-Monitoring Options

Effectively, Samsung has launched new health-tracking options with One UI Watch 8 (primarily based on Put on OS 6); they make the most of the prevailing set of sensors (together with PPG, ECG, and BIA).

Nevertheless, earlier than that, One UI Watch 8 provides some new options, together with the Now Bar (first introduced with the Galaxy S25 series) and new multi-info tiles, which allow easy accessibility to essential data from chosen apps. The Watch 8 can be the primary smartwatch to get the Gemini AI voice assistant, which understands pure voice instructions.

The Watch 8 can now assist you to construct good sleeping habits with Bedtime Steering. The characteristic analyzes three days of sleep data and generates a personalised sleep schedule that features your optimum bedtime (along with the insights already provided by the Watch 7).

Then there is a new Working Coach characteristic that identifies your working proficiency (on a scale of 1 to 10) primarily based on a 12-minute run evaluation and creates a three- to five-week coaching program that will help you enhance upon it.

One other vital addition is the Vascular Load measurement, which tracks your sleep for over three nights to determine the baseline stress on your vascular system after which screens the relative measurements over time, and gives useful steering when wanted. There is a Excessive Stress Alert that helps you handle stress ranges.

Final however not least, the Galaxy Watch 8 additionally estimates your antioxidant degree by measuring the carotenoid ranges within the pores and skin (utilizing the BioActive Sensor). Then, the smartwatch reveals the readings within the type of an index, suggesting how wholesome (or unhealthy) your present food regimen and life-style are.

All these options are along with the blood oxygen sensor, sleep apnea detection (introduced with the Watch 7), superior glycation finish merchandise (AGEs) index, Vitality Rating, and Wellness Ideas, together with normal exercise monitoring. Each smartwatches additionally characteristic built-in GPS, crash detection, and emergency calling capabilities.

Samsung Quietly Ditched One of the Galaxy Watch’s Best Features

Finish of an period.

Galaxy Watch 8 Options Bigger Batteries

The 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 contains a 325 mAh battery, whereas the 44mm variant contains a 435 mAh battery. The rated capacities are a minor enchancment over the 40mm (300 mAh) and 44mm (425 mAh) Watch 7 variants.

Whereas the Watch 7 was rated to final for as much as 30 hours with always-on show and 40 hours with out the characteristic, the Watch 8 should last longer between charges (at the least in principle).

Nevertheless, I believe that the upper peak brightness will equalize the tiny bump within the battery capability and supply the same battery life because the Watch 7.

Which Is the Proper Smartwatch for You?

The Galaxy Watch 8 options a number of enhancements, together with a slimmer design, a brighter show, and new health-tracking capabilities.

The Watch 7, alternatively, stands its floor as a superbly round smartwatch (for many who choose it), with the identical chipset, and can more than likely obtain the brand new health-tracking options with the One UI Watch 8 replace.

Therefore, if you have already got the Watch 7, I do not advocate upgrading to the Watch 8. In case you’re confused about which smartwatch to decide on, go for the one that matches your finances. With some effort, you’ll find the Watch 7 at a superb low cost, making it a no brainer.

• 

  Model

  Samsung

  Working System

  Put on OS

  CPU

  Exynos W1000 (5 Core , 3nm)

  RAM

  2GB

  Storage

  32GB

  Dimensions

  43.7 x 46.0 x 8.6t

  Now thinner and extra snug, the Galaxy Watch 8 provides new health-tracking options like sleep apnea detection and antioxidant readings.

  
  

• 

  Coronary heart Charge Monitor

  Sure

  Working System

  One UI 6 Watch, Put on OS 5

  Onboard GPS

  Sure

  Show Measurement

  1.3/1.5 inches

  Case Materials

  Aluminum

  Show

  Tremendous AMOLED, Sapphire crystal

  The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is Samsung’s entry-level smartwatch for 2024. It resembles the Galaxy Watch 6 however options an enhanced Exynos W1000 chipset, promising considerably improved battery life and efficiency.