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I love a good wearable, especially in the form of a smartwatch, as it works in so many ways for me. I can use it to stay on track of my sleep schedule, track my calories, and even do general watch things — like check the time.
As someone who considers herself a tech nerd, I have tested a large number of wearables — and yes, I upgrade almost every year. The latest wearable that’s on my wrist is the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, and it’s the AI powerhouse I didn’t know I needed.
I tested it for close to two weeks to fully integrate this watch into my life, including testing the new antioxidant level feature and AI fitness tracking.
Rating: 4.5/5
Specs: Bluetooth v5.3, Super AMOLED display, 32 GB storage, up to 40 hours battery life, IP68 water and dust resistance, 30 grams (weight)
Pros: Lightweight, Samsung AI running coach is amazing, new health stats like antioxidant levels are surprisingly useful
Cons: Design feels a little bulky on smaller wrists
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Samsung Galaxy Watch8 review
The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is extremely lightweight and easy to sleep with on, even though its initial design felt bulky on my wrist. In fact, it’s 11 percent thinner than the last gen and feels considerably lighter.
The design itself is sleek and simple, with a round cushioned frame and easy-to-attach silicone bands. The glass display is punchy and durable — it withstood regular wear and tear and the occasional bump as I was moving around the gym and my home. Overall, it’s a classic design, with a circular glass display that’s both minimalistic and durable.
The real power, though, lies inside the watch. Samsung has always been on the forefront of AI, and this watch truly achieves that. The watch has Gemini Assistant integrated (yes, Google’s proprietary voice assistant), so you can easily ask your AI companion any pressing questions or even check on your calendar. I also used it to ask questions like “What are the best Mexican restaurants near me?” or “Which workout classes can I take in my neighborhood?”
Stay on track of your health goals with the Samsung Galaxy Watch8
There’s also another exciting feature for runners: built-in AI coaching for marathon trainers and beginner runners. It’s meant to coach you and is customized to your athletic level. You’ll start by doing a 12-minute run assessment; from there, your watch will gauge your level. You’ll then get a plan geared to improve your endurance and train you for your next marathon. It’s a fun one, especially if you like to run — I unfortunately hate running and prefer cycling as my cardio.
I did, of course, try the running coach, though, and truth be told it was tough to keep up with! It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and the added pacing updates let me know how slow or fast I was going. All in all, it was very fun to test, and I like to think it improved my pace as a whole. Running does not scare me as much as it used to, and I do seem to enjoy it just a little bit more than before! That’s a win for me. It’s also great that this is not a paid feature — unlike its competitors — which makes this accessible to everyone who purchases the watch.
There are two more new features that make this a well-rounded watch for me — the vascular load feature and the antioxidant test feature.
For vascular load, you’ll need to wear the watch to bed for at least three nights. This will then essentially test your circulatory system’s health. Mine stayed steady consistently, which felt good. You can also get additional insights through the health app, like what to do to keep your vascular load low — which is what you want.
Clearly, my candy-only diet is not doing my health any favors — the watch agrees
Apart from vascular load, wearing the watch at bedtime will also get you other metrics like your daily energy score, sleep stage analysis, and bedtime guidance (which is honestly not something I used, as my bedtime changes daily).
The other new feature that was super fun to test is the antioxidant feature. You do need the Samsung Health Monitor app on your mobile to get this to work, but once you have it all downloaded, all you need to do is press your thumb down to the back of your watch and it will measure your current antioxidant levels. Mine kept saying “very low” and asking me to eat more fruits and veggies — instead, I ate a bag of Skittles.
If you’re a health junkie, the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the right wearable for you. From antioxidant measures to sleep scores and more, this watch keeps you on track for a healthier you — if you follow the measurements and actually act on them (instead of continuing to devour candy like me).
And yes, if you log in seven days of sleep data with your smartwatch, you can get your personal sleep animal — I apparently sleep like a walrus.
Apart from health stats and a comfy fit, Samsung also upgraded the battery life on the latest gen. It easily lasts a full day without the need for a charge — Samsung says it should last 30 hours before it needs to juice up again.
Hey, at least my heart rate health is always on point! Here’s me testing my ECG
The watch itself is snappy, responsive, and easy to use. You can play with the tiles on your watch, edit them or rearrange as you see fit, and the large, clear screen is easy to read both outside and indoors.
It’s just as customizable as you need a smartwatch to be, and feels tactile enough without taking up too much real estate.
Our Verdict
I absolutely adore the Samsung Galaxy Watch8. It’s quick to set up, offers massive health functionality, and still manages to be extremely lightweight and unintrusive. This is the watch for those who have put wearables off for the longest. It’s smart and intuitive, and offers the kind of snappy performance that actually makes your life easier. I was a skeptic when it came to Android watches, but this gen’s Watch8 might’ve just won me over for good.
How We Test
I wore the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 consistently for a period of two weeks. I used it during workouts, sleep time, and integrated it into my daily routine. I tested its effectiveness when it came to checking my health, as well as how comfortable it was for my day-to-day routine.
I also played around with the health features (including antioxidant level stats) on a daily basis to see how they compared over time.
Why Trust Us
Nishka Dhawan has been testing products and writing reviews for seven years. Nishka got her start with tech reviews and has since tested everything from earbuds to speakers to wearables. Her reviews are honest and realistic to ensure you have all the information you need to make the right purchase decision.
I love the round bezel and simple design of this smartwatch — it’s not too loud and does the trick
FAQ
Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 waterproof?
The watch has an IP68 water- and dust-resistant rating, which means you can submerge it in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. It can also handle water pressure equivalent to 50 meters (about 164 feet) deep in fresh water for up to 10 minutes.
How is it different from the Samsung Galaxy Watch Classic and Ultra?
If you want a watch that looks more like a traditional timepiece but still packs all the health features you need, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic is a slightly heavier and more premium option (priced at $549.99). It’s a great pick for those who want a more refined design without compromising on features.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra, on the other hand, is perfect for outdoor lovers. It’s heftier and packs more power. It has a much larger battery life and can be worn in water for longer periods. I only recommend the Ultra if you’re someone who lives on the go and wants to track health stats no matter where you are — otherwise, this pick is a little too bulky for daily use in my opinion.
