.png)
2 hours ago
1
Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of my favorite smartwatches thanks to its long battery life, unique design, and WearOS functionality. And with Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 8 series, the company has incorporated that same core design with a curved square back and round watch face, which Samsung calls a cushion design, across all of its products.
Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, Watch 8 Series, more
The Galaxy Watch 8 is available in two sizes, 40 and 44mm, while the Watch 8 Classic is available in one 46mm size with the iconic physical rotating bezel last seen on the Watch 6 Classic. In addition to these two watches, Samsung revealed an updated Galaxy Watch Ultra with twice the storage and in a silver, blue, and orange color scheme.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is 11% thinner than the Watch 7 and that was achieved through intensive engineering effort that also results in the same battery life. The display is 50% brighter so you will not have any issues viewing it in full direct sunlight. It is available in Graphite or Silver with the Bluetooth model priced at $349.99 and the LTE model at $399.99.
The Watch 8 Classic comes in Black or White for $499.99 for the Bluetooth model and $549.99 for the LTE model. I haven't owned a Galaxy Watch with that rotating bezel since the Watch 3 and the smoothness of the rotation has been greatly improved.
I couldn't believe how seamlessly the bezel rotated and found myself rotating it right and left as a fidget spinner. The cushion design and notches in the bezel also make the rotating bezel stand out a bit from the frame so it felt easier to access than with past watches, where the rotation wasn't always consistent.
Also: Best Android smartwatches: I tested every popular watch so you can find the perfect fit
These new Watch 8 models launch with WearOS 6 and OneUI 8 Watch that includes quick launch capability for Google Gemini. In addition, these new watches support advanced health-tracking features that include vascular load, bedtime guidance, antioxidant index, and Running Coach. Interestingly, you take off the watch and put your thumb on the heart rate monitor to test your antioxidant index in five seconds.
I tested my levels at Samsung Unpacked and was informed I need to eat more fruits and vegetables, which is always the case when I travel. The Samsung representative said that when you set up your own watch with your body particulars, Samsung Health will provide specific ways to improve your antioxidant level if needed.
For example, Samsung Health may instruct you to eat 10 blueberries to improve your level and I look forward to testing this in the near future.
One new software feature that I am very excited about is Running Coach. Unlike some other wearables, this is a completely free capability. You simply walk through a few steps to customize the utility for your specific profile and running experience, run as far as you can in 12 minutes, and then Samsung Health fills out a running plan for the next several weeks.
Then as you run or take days off, Samsung uses this data and the data from your sleep and other activities to adjust the plan and help you reach your goals.
Also: I tested the best smartwatches: Here are the latest from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more
I viewed the four weeks shown for the representative, and the plan included hill training, intervals, and more. Running Coach can also be set to guide you as you run, so if you need to speed up or slow down to match the plan, that information will be provided to you in real time.
When you complete your run, a score out of 100 will indicate how well you matched the coaching plan provided. Stay tuned for more as I hit the road over the next week and put this Running Coach to the test.
Larger wrists like mine appreciate the Galaxy Watch Ultra and I've been very pleased with it over the past year. I wasn't even thinking of an upgrade to the 2025 Watch Ultra since the only specification difference is the increase in storage from 32GB to 64GB. However, the new model is available in Titanium Blue with orange highlights.
Orange and blue are colors from the USCG Academy, and I recently bought a used Ford Tremor that is blue with orange highlights. So it is pretty clear that this new model was made for me. I'll be checking in on Samsung trade-in values later today.
English (US) ·