Right now, forming coherent thoughts feels like scaling Everest. Last week, fueled by caffeine and premature excitement, I offered a glimpse into the Galaxy Watch 8. That was before I truly wrestled with its AI running coach, a digital drill sergeant I reluctantly obeyed.
My legs scream mutiny. This past week, I’ve logged more miles than some seasoned marathoners more miles than in my entirelife. But deadlines loom, and editors demand data. So, fueled by enough caffeine to jumpstart a small engine, I’m diving into this assessment, one shaky keystroke at a time.
Still smitten. Days in, the initial charm hasn’t faded. More than just a pretty face (though the revamped designisstunning), this watch packs some serious health and fitness upgrades. And the Gemini integration? Honestly, it feels less like AI and more like magic. I’m genuinely shocked – in the best way – by how smoothly it all works.
Two birds, one stone: Samsung seemingly read my mind (and, I suspect, many others’) with the Galaxy Watch 7. My biggest gripes? Comfort and battery life. Gone. It’s like they crafted this update just for me, though I’m betting I wasn’t the only one yearning for these very improvements. Early reviews echo my delight – the Watch 7 finally delivers on its potential.
Forget the Gemini deep dive for a moment. Ditch the design chatter, and ignore the fact my smartwatch practically begged for mercy after my recent workouts. I need to talk antioxidants. My Galaxy Watch just unlocked a fascinating new health metric, and despite pushing my body to the absolute limit, my score? Abysmal. We’re diving into why.
Samsung/Engadget
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm)
Forget everything you thought you knew about smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 8 isn’t just redesigned; it’s reborn. Finally, a comfortable fit you can actually live with, paired with a battery that lasts longer than your weekend. But the real magic? Gemini integration that’s genuinely helpful, not just another gimmick. Prepare for health insights that actually mean something and fitness guidance tailored toyou, not some generic workout plan. The Galaxy Watch 8 isn’t just on your wrist; it’s anticipating your needs.
Pros
- Remarkably comfortable fit
- Tiles interface is snappy
- New antioxidant level and vascular load health metrics may help users keep an eye on their health
- The running coach can be inspiring for beginners
- Good Gemini integration
- Improved battery makes the AOD more viable
Cons
- The raised glass screen can be easily damaged
- AI-running coach could be more personalized
- Notifications are easy to miss
$350 at Amazon
Antioxidant tests and my persimmon intake
The Galaxy Watch 8 boasts the same internal engine as its predecessor, but it’s learned a new trick: measuring your antioxidant levels. Forget heart rate, we’re diving deep into cellular health. The catch? It’s not as simple as a wrist glance. You’ll need to ditch the watch, press your thumb against the sensor for a five-count, and then head to the Health app for the verdict. My first attempt yielded a score of 60 – landing me squarely in the “low” zone. With only “very low” and “adequate” above me, it seems the Galaxy Watch 8 is less about celebrating victories and more about highlighting room for improvement. Guess I need more kale.
My phone just told me to eat a persimmon. A 100-gram persimmon, to be exact. Funny, the last time I eventhoughtabout a persimmon was at my grandmother’s Christmas table, her famous persimmon cookies warm from the oven. That was her last batch, her last Christmas. Now, years later, my Samsung device, probably knowing South Korea’s love affair with the fruit, is nudging me. I asked the guy at the grocery store about them, and he said they only stock them around the holidays. Grandma season, I guess. When they’re ripe and ready for cookie magic.
Persimmons flaunt their antioxidant clout, brimming with Vitamin C and beta-carotene, just like their orange cousin, the cantaloupe, which I promptly snagged. I went full antioxidant warrior. Cherries vanished. Dark chocolate dwindled. My husband’s breakfast hash, though divinely scented, was shunned for half a cantaloupe. My oat matcha latte was replaced with austere green tea. I flowed through yoga poses, surrendered to my monthly medical massage to banish stress-induced oxidants, and clocked a solid eight hours of sleep, hydrated like a desert bloom after rain. Bring on the score.
Another antioxidant test, another minor setback. My score dipped. Just two points, but enough to deflate my already fragile optimism. I wasn’t chasing miracles, just a glimmer of upward movement. Next time, I’m ditching the salads and going straight for the breakfast hash. Subsequent tests, conducted on autopilot days, confirmed my fears: a stubborn plateau, even a slide. Scores hovered around the low 60s, even dipping to 56. Boosting these levels, it seems, will be a marathon, not a sprint.
Finally, a new design!
For generations, the Galaxy Watch has echoed itself: a polished disc of glass nestled in a metallic frame, punctuated by prominent lugs anchoring the band. This unwavering aesthetic, while undeniably functional, borders on predictable. A design refresh isn’t just about aesthetics; it breathes life into the annual update, transforming it from a corporate obligation into a genuine evolution.
With 3,000 nits of peak brightness, the watch is easy to read even in the bright Albuquerque sun.
(Amy Skorheim for Engadget)
Forget what you know about Galaxy Watches. The Watch 8 throws out the playbook with a bold new design, clearly inspired by last year’s Ultra – and a touch of luxury watchmaking. Samsung dubs it a “cushion design,” and it’s a head-turner: a perfectly round display nestled in what can only be described as a sophisticated “squircle” aluminum case (Cherlynn Low nailed that one). The Sport band seamlessly flows into the case, a graceful curve that puts the Apple Watch’s utilitarian strap to shame. This isn’t just a smartwatch; it’s a statement piece, leagues ahead of Apple’s tech-on-a-strap aesthetic.
The cushion design? A double-edged sword. That raised glass display, jutting out like a daredevil two millimeters beyond its casing, screamed one thing to me: impending doom. My first act after unboxing was a frantic screen protector order. Confirmed: one casualty during this review. Chalk it up to bargain-bin shields, or maybe that alluringly exposed glass is simply a magnet for disaster. Either way, my anxiety hasn’t lessened.
The Galaxy Watch 7’s raised glass isn’t just a design tweak; it’s a usability revolution. Remember awkwardly swiping the screen’s edge, your finger eclipsing the very words you were trying to read? The Watch 7’s subtle lift provides much-needed breathing room. Now, your finger glides along the bezel’s edge, staying clear of the text and making scrolling a smooth, unobstructed experience. On-screen prompts encourage this intuitive gesture, finally free from frustrating finger-fatigue.
Beyond the dazzling display, the real game-changer is the redesigned comfort. The Watch 7’s sensor node felt like a persistent pebble, a week-long annoyance that nearly ended in a midnight wrist-wrestling match on its debut night. The Watch 8? Pure bliss from the get-go. It’s the most comfortable wearable I’ve ever encountered, a phantom weight I genuinely forget I’m wearing, even to bed. I put it to the ultimate test: one wrist sporting the Watch 8, the other, an Apple Watch Series 9, both vying for sleep-tracking supremacy. Mid-slumber, the Apple Watch was unceremoniously ejected. The Watch 8? It stayed put, a silent, comfortable guardian of my REM cycles.
Gemini on your wrist and Wear OS 6
Forget everything you know about smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 8 just dropped, and it’s packing Google’s Wear OS 6 – with a Samsung twist, thanks to their One UI overlay. Think of it as a sneak peek; the real Wear OS 6 unveiling happens with Google’s Pixel Watch 4. The game-changer? Gemini integration. Imagine summoning the power of Gemini on your wrist. Need to look something up? Translate on the fly? It’s all there. Just remember, your Gemini-powered phone is the brains of the operation – keep it close by.
Amy Skorheim for Engadget
Google’s AI zipped through simple commands like a seasoned concierge – reminders snapped into place, timers ticking with precision. More complex requests? Barely a pause, especially when basking in the glow of my home Wi-Fi (cellular signals, take note!). I tossed it a curveball: “Best record stores in town?” and “A killer lunch spot?” Color me impressed. It unearthed hidden gems, a vinyl oasis nestled within a bookstore I’d somehow missed. Quirky, yes, but new. Then, the ultimate test: “Why is my eight-year-old obsessed with lava chicken?” The AI didn’t miss a beat, name-dropping Jack Black andA Minecraft Moviewith the knowing wink of a pop-culture guru.
Gemini on your wrist talks as much as it helps, delivering answers audibly and visually. Need it to pipe down? A simple tap silences the voice, letting you read in peace. While Gemini tackles follow-up questions and tasks with ease, remember: it’s not always listening. After each response, tap the mic to keep the conversation flowing.
Frustrated that Gemini cuts you off mid-conversation? I hit up Samsung to see if we could tweak a setting to keep those ears open, but alas, no dice. For now, summoning the digital genie requires a fresh “OK Google” or a tap for each follow-up – think adding to Google Keep or setting reminders. The good news? If Gemini needs confirmation, like verifying a text message, it sticks around for your reply. Plus, you can string commands together right from the start – “Find the nearest pizza place and text the address to Mark” – to get more done in one go.
I threw a few curveballs at it, requests so specific I expected a fumble. Nope. Nailed it. “Text the address of The Frontier to Mark,” I commanded. Boom. Instant confirmation, then the satisfyingwhooshof the message sent. Next, a pop quiz: “When do the Isotopes crush the River Cats?” Dates and times materialized instantly. Mic tap. “Calendar that, genius.” Done. Like magic.
It stumbled only twice. I pressed it: “Rain today?” Instead of a simple “yes” or “no,” I got a bland weather report. My other digital helpers, Alexa and Siri, nail those queries. Though, truth be told, that particular blunder probably falls on Gemini, not the watch itself.
The real letdown came during a simple walk. Picture this: I’m strolling along, seeking a nearby grocery store. I query Gemini, and it spits out an address and distance, then promptly punts the actual navigation to my phone. Seriously? Meanwhile, Siri, bless her digital heart, instantly beams turn-by-turn directions onto my Apple Watch with the same request. I felt like a ridiculous spy, lugging two phones and sporting dual wrist-wear, all for this stark contrast in seamless integration. Double agent, indeed – double the gadgets, half the convenience.
Tiles on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
(Amy Skorheim for Engadget)
Wear OS 6 isn’t just getting Gemini; it’s overhauling how you interact with your watch. Think smarter, not harder, thanks to the updated, expanded tiles. Imagine glancing at your wrist and instantly seeing exactly what you need: your heart rate, the looming storm clouds, or your next calendar appointment, all neatly organized.
These aren’t just static widgets. Wear OS 6 intelligently categorizes them – Health, Fitness, and Basic essentials like weather and media controls – offering a digestible snapshot. Need more detail? A tap springs you directly into the full app.
The beauty lies in customization. Ditch the defaults and curate your own personal dashboard within the Wear app on your phone. Reorder, add pages, and swap tiles until it’syourperfect information hub. I dove in, tweaking the layout, and the difference is palpable. Instead of aimlessly scrolling, I’m proactively informed. It’s a wrist-worn revolution.
The running coach made me mad, but it earned my respect
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is throwing its hat into the AI running coach ring, and the timing couldn’t be better. Apple’s about to drop their Workout Buddy with watchOS 26, promising similar personalized guidance. A showdown is inevitable. While Google Pixel and Fitbit lock their AI coaches behind premium subscriptions, and Garmin’s Run Coach leads the pack, the Galaxy Watch 8 has the potential to shake up the fitness tracking world, but only time (and a head-to-head test) will tell if it’s a true contender or just another pretender.
Forget mile markers and finish lines for a moment. Samsung’s running coach throws you into the deep end: a twelve-minute sprint to discover your true potential. The burn in your lungs and the pounding in your ears translate into a performance level, a number between one and ten that unlocks a personalized four-week training odyssey. Four workouts a week, meticulously designed to catapult you towards conquering a 5K, 10K, half, or even a full marathon. My own twelve-minute trial, a breathless battle at a 22-second per-mile crawl, landed me squarely at level three. The prize? A plan forged to transform me into a sub-35-minute 5K runner in just four weeks. The gauntlet has been thrown.
Samsung/Engadget
My inaugural workout: a gentle dance of high-intensity bursts and restorative walks. Four segments of pushing my limits, cushioned by cool-down strolls – surprisingly easy, undeniably achievable. Then, two days later, the real test: a thirty-minute date with my “slow jog,” a pace that was supposedly easy to maintain.
Thirty minutes. Hills. My legs grudgingly accepted the compromise of walking during the ascents. Done. Then, the screen glared back at me: 3.1 miles. Sub-12 minute pace. Workoutfour. The audacity! A 5K faster than my initial assessment, already? Unfair didn’t even begin to cover it. Manic? Deranged? Maybe. But proper gadget testing demanded sacrifice. So, I laced up my shoes, and braced myself for the digital tormentor’s next challenge.
Each run transforms into a dynamic conversation with your AI coach, a constant companion whispering real-time insights. Every minute, a pulse of information – are you surging ahead, lagging behind, or locked onto your target pace? Milestones explode with encouragement: a cheer at 30%, a victorious call at the halfway mark, and a powerful push at 80%. Beyond the numbers, the coach delivers strategic bursts of wisdom. Picture this: a gentle nudge to maintain a steady rhythm, resisting the urge to sprint, or a reminder of the cardiovascular engine you’re building with each stride. The importance of a post-workout cool-down is underscored, a shield against potential injury. Amidst the data and guidance, motivational sparks ignite: “You’re doing great!” a surge of energy propelling you forward, or “Almost there, finish strong!” a call to unleash your final reserves.
The relentless pace checker was my personal tormentor in the early kilometers. Each buzz from my watch felt like a tiny electric shock of failure, the robotic voice echoing, “Slower than target. Speed up.” Each time, I wanted to hurl the device into the nearest ditch, punctuating the act with colorful language. But something shifted around the halfway mark. Exhaustion threatened to swallow me whole, every muscle screamed for respite, yet I found myself anticipating the next digital nag. It wasn’t the “speed up” part, oh no. It was the quiet reassurance that, against all odds, I was still running. One more minute conquered. One more minute I hadn’t given up.
Before this AI coach, the idea of a 5K was laughable – pure, unadulterated insanity. Now? I’m not just contemplating it; I’m crushing distances I never thought possible. Maybe I’m an easy mark for Samsung’s algorithm, a blank slate of optimism ripe for digital encouragement. When somethingtellsme it believes in me, and then dares me to push past my perceived limits? Yeah, results happen. They call it AI-powered – pace, distance, heart rate all crunched and leveraged for optimized motivation. True, the pep talks weren’t exactly bespoke poetry crafted for my soul, but hey, three weeks remain. The real race is just beginning.
Vascular load and bedtime reminders
Unlocking deeper insights into your health just got easier – while you sleep. Introducing two new features designed to gather data overnight, starting with Vascular Load. Imagine waking up to a clearer picture of your circulatory system’s health. Vascular Load subtly monitors your cardiovascular performance throughout the night, identifying fluctuations in your load. After establishing your personal baseline over three nights, you’ll receive personalized insights, pinpointing when your vascular load is higher or lower than usual, accompanied by tailored recommendations to help you optimize your circulatory well-being. Discover the power of sleep to unlock a healthier you.
My range has been stubbornly flat lately, and frankly, I stumbled down a rabbit hole of internet doom. Apparently, a high vascular load is like playing Russian roulette with your heart, potentially leading to hypertension and even heart attacks. Interestingly, my Health app chimed in with the usual suspects for improvement: sleep, exercise, stress management, and weight control. While I’m not personally losing sleep over it, the grim reality of heart disease makes me think it’s a metric we should all glance at occasionally. It’s like a quiet early warning system we can’t afford to ignore.
The sleep tracking kicked in after three nights, supposedly unlocking “Bedtime Guidance.” But where was the guidance? Invisible. A dive into the Samsung Health app revealed the setting was buried deeper than my REM cycle (Health > Sleep > three dots > Bedtime guidance). Enabled! Still nada. The culprit? Turns out my eagerness for slumber was the issue. My official bedtime is 10 PM, but Sleep Mode gets activated closer to 9 PM. What can I say? I’m a champion sleeper-in-training.
A bigger battery makes the AOD A-OK
Battery life plagued the previous model. The always-on display, a beautiful but power-hungry feature, forced me to disable it, a frustrating compromise. Thankfully, the Galaxy Watch 8 addresses this with a larger 325mAh battery, a slight increase from the Watch 7’s 300mAh. Twenty-five milliamp hours might seem insignificant, but in the world of wearable tech, every milliamp counts. And in this case, it truly does.
From a full charge at 12:30 PM, my Samsung watch faced a gauntlet: two bike rides it instinctively tracked, a brisk walk, a flurry of Gemini queries, a deluge of notifications, and a constant stream of timers. By 8:45 PM, it stubbornly clung to 75%. I surrendered it to sleep mode, only to unleash it again at 6:15 AM for an AI-fueled three-mile run. Even then, at 9:00 AM, it pulsed with 27% life. Finally, at 2:30 PM, blinking a desperate 7%, it begged for the charger. Samsung boasts a 30-hour AOD lifespan. While I squeezed out a bit less, considering the day’s relentless activity, I’d call it a win.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is super swank
This new watch isn’t shy; it’s gunning for the horological hall of fame. The rotating, coin-edged bezel screams high-end, while the recessed dive-timer insert and stock chronograph face practically shout “Daytona” or “Speedmaster.” It’s a bold play. The stitched, faux-leather strap and substantial steel case further the illusion of a premium, self-winding masterpiece. The always-on display and prominent pushers cement its assertive presence. This watch doesn’t just tell time, it makes a statement.
Amy Skorheim for Engadget
Forget screen protectors – the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic’s rotating bezel is the unsung hero. That raised display, nestled securely within its protective ring, is practically begging for a scratch-free life. Initially, I feared the bulk, but it melts onto your wrist, a surprisingly comfortable behemoth. Honestly? It’s stunning. While I put the regular Watch 8 through its paces (because, let’s face it, that’s what most people will buy), ifIwere spending my own cash? The Classic’s sheer, undeniable beauty would win me over, hands down.
Pricing and the competition
Prepare your wallets: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 just got pricier. The 40mm model jumps to $350, a $50 hike. Want the larger 44mm? That’ll be $380, up from last year’s $330. And the Classic? Buckle up. The 46mm Galaxy Watch 8 Classic commands a hefty $500. Remember, there was no Watch 7 Classic. For comparison, the Watch 6 Classic debuted at $400 (43mm) and $430 (47mm).
The smartwatch wars are heating up! Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8, launching at $350, enters the arena at the same price point as Google’s Pixel Watch 3. But hold on – with the Pixel Watch 4 looming and potentially pricier, the landscape could shift. Apple’s Series 10 starts higher at $399, though bargain hunters snagged it for $279 on Prime Day. And let’s not forget the inevitable new Apple wearable dropping this September, possibly with a price increase. What does this all mean? The Galaxy Watch 8 might just become the budget-friendly champion among the big players by 2025. Plus, if you bleed Samsung blue, it’s a no-brainer upgrade.
All the small things
The Galaxy Watch 8 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines it. Remember those deep dives into fitness tracking on the Watch 6? Or the love we showered on Samsung’s wearable in our Watch 7 and 5 reviews? Good, because the fundamentals are still fantastic. Workout tracking remains pinpoint accurate – embarrassingly, it figures out I’m power-walking to the coffee shop faster than my Apple Watch ever could. But the real magic lies in the Samsung Health app. It’s not just a data dump; it’s a genuinely helpful companion, offering intuitive suggestions and delightful animations that make understanding your health less of a chore. And the daily Energy Score? Consider it your personal vitality meter, a quick and easy way to gauge whether you’re nailing those sleep and movement goals, or need to, say, skip the extra espresso.
Amy Skorheim for Engadget
The Galaxy Watch 8 isn’t just an accessory; it’s a tireless extension of your Galaxy phone. My one wish? Notifications that grab my attention like a digital drill sergeant. They’re a tad too polite for my easily distracted brain. However, the double-tap feature is pure magic – a simple pinch that banishes notifications or launches actions with effortless grace. I’m addicted. And the watch rarely misses a beat. The screen? Buttery smooth and lightning-fast. Navigation is a breeze. Oh, and the watch faces? A canvas for self-expression. I’m lost in a sea of customization.
Wrap-up: The best smartwatch Samsung has made in years
Forget what you thought you knew about the Galaxy Watch. Samsung isn’t just tweaking; they’re transforming. The redesigned interface is your first clue. But the real magic? Gemini. Blazing fast, impressively accurate – it makes interacting with your watch feel genuinely intuitive. Navigating is now a breeze thanks to cleverly designed tiles. And for the health-conscious, prepare to be wowed. Antioxidant levels and vascular load monitoring offer insights you won’t find anywhere else. But let’s be honest, the showstopper is the Classic. Finally, a smartwatch that looks and feels like a luxury timepiece. Samsung has delivered a grown-up smartwatch, and it’s gorgeous.
This AI running coach pushed me harder than I believed possible, ensuring I’m long asleep before any bedtime reminders chime. But the real triumphs? A vastly improved battery life and supreme comfort. These were the very improvements that held the already-decent Galaxy Watch 7 back from true smartwatch greatness. Of course, Galaxy Watches are exclusively for Samsung phone owners (and if you’re not one, you likely scrolled on long ago). But for loyal Galaxy users, this watch is a pure joy – a seamless extension that unlocks your phone’s full potential.
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