8.6 Score
Site: It’s been a little over a month since we started using the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for review purposes, and while it hasn’t changed significantly from its predecessor, the subtle improvements do have a positive impact on the user experience. So, we are going to discuss the changes, what remained the same, and what I wish to see in this Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review
Initially, I really wanted the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic because, as someone who loves a prim and proper watch look, and that rotatable dial, I really needed it. Alas, we settled for the sporty-looking Galaxy Watch 8 instead.
The New Squircle Design Grew on Me, and it’s Practical.
During my hands-on session, the Squircle design didn’t quite fit my taste because it was not a design that I wanted in my smartwatch. But after receiving the Grey/Graphite colour, I realised that the Squircle design works best on this colour than their lighter colour, which doesn’t blend quite well. And the case isn’t just all about aesthetics. In fact, the design of it now helps with the watch sitting a lot flatter on the wrist, which I don’t think was the case with the Watch 7.
Then again, this design is going to be an acquired taste for many, just like how it is for me. The watch is a bit thinner at 8.6mm vs 9.7mm, and you can’t tell the difference until you wear it side by side in stores. The other thing worth noting is the new Dynamic Lug Strap system, which gives you quick change to straps, but you are limited to Official straps at the moment, which could set you back some pretty pennies.
The Display is the Best
Samsung knows how to make a great display – it’s the reason why we have great displays on mobile devices. Their watches shine bright as well. You are looking at a 3000 nits peak brightness display at 1.5”, and compared to the Watch 7, which used a 2000 nits peak brightness.
Same BioActive Sensor, Same Phantom Steps
I am not going to dive deep into this BioActive Sensor because Samsung is using the exact same sensor from the last few generations of the Galaxy Watch series. I believe it started with the Watch 4. Now this is the same sensor that can do ECG, Blood Pressure, and all of those tracking. But again, if you are using a different Android phone, you are locked out of using these features. Genuinely hoping for the day that this is no longer the case.
Now the sensor so far has a decent reading output and has given almost accurate data – well better than its predecessor. Though my issue is, it’s with the pedometer. When you go to sleep and wake up, the watch tends to track 10-15 steps, which makes no sense. And at times, I have noticed some anomalies in the pedometer. This is a long overdue fix that needs to happen, like few generations ago. Apart from that, there are health tracking which we will talk later.
8% Percent Battery Increase doesn’t matter if you Work Out
There’s an 8% battery increase in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and I have the 44mm version. Normally, I disable most of my social media notifications because I don’t like to have my wrist buzzing all the time, giving me anxiety.
And I used it as a fitness wearable with some important notifications patched through to my watch. Even then, the watch battery lasted me slightly over two days if I am not working out, and a day and a half if I am working out. This is with AOD turned off. When it’s turned on, even Samsung admits it can only last up to 30 hours, and that’s one day and six hours of battery life.
Because it gets more features like Gemini natively, that Dual-GPS especially, which eats up like 15-20% during my one-hour run, and other fancy-schmancy stuff – it also nukes the battery too. I recently spoke to a few friends of mine, and I feel like smartwatches should be highly customizable based on your use case. I mean, you can do it, but the ability to perhaps choose profiles would be cool.
Samsung did add two options for you to save battery, but those two only work when the watch battery hits 20% or less. Charging this watch is painfully slow because it takes close to two hours to charge from 10% to 100%.
Dual-GPS Tracking is Pretty Accurate
The Galaxy Watch 8 comes with Dual-GPS (Same as the Watch7), and I have left my phone at my home just to walk around my block. To my surprise, the GPS tracking on the wearable is pretty decent. You cannot say it’s as accurate as some of the coveted precision wearables in the market, but it does get the fundamental information right.
I went on a 5KM run and used the Watch 8 to track the entire route – and not only did it track the route, but also gave all the information, more than I needed. So, for those fitness buffs out there who would like a decent set of data to back their workout, this has those data offerings. I don’t think I have complaints about this one. It is pretty nice. The lack of a phone to track is what made me wear this Watch 8 more than my older, trusty Fitbit.
This time it’s the Software taking the Spotlight.
The major improvements and additions are in the software department – Wear OS 6 is pretty good, and One UI 8 is present at places where it should be. From a lifestyle perspective, it has all the offerings you need from this wearable, such as access to the Play Store to download your preferred apps, and such – that’s a nice thing to have. It can behave independently even when your phone is not around.
Now, from the health stance, this is where they have added three specific features this year to make it a better wearable: Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, and Sleep Analysis.
Vascular Load looks at three key pieces of information: Exercise, Lifestyle, and Diet. So, if you have like a decent 7-8 hours of sleep time, a good active time in a day, managing your stress, exercising, and eating good meals, the watch tracks and puts you in this scale if you are on the lower, adequate, or higher side. This is a good base to kind of improve the overall health and take that holistic approach in making your life better.
Then you have the Running Coach, where it tells you to do a 12-minute run to push yourself self and the watch will find out information on how far you can push it and so on. This is pretty genius and a feature I appreciate A LOT. Because the data you get helps you towards your training in perhaps partaking in a marathon or a run, for instance. But take note, this feature is still in beta mode – so don’t take this data too seriously just yet. I’ll save this for another content.
Sleep Analysis is the same as the previous watches, and the data you get here again is amazing – you have access to: Sleep stage, Sleep Score, Heart Rate, Respiratory rate, and Sleep Consistency. What I found to be very accurate is this Sleep data, because moments where I have lost sleep by getting up at night over the rain or some random sound from my neighbours (which explains why I am a penguin) – it has picked those up under the “Awake” sleep stages.
The one I found the least useful is the Antioxidant Index – because to measure, you need to press your thumb onto the BioActive Sensor – a little counterintuitively designed. Again, another beta feature that’s okay and nothing groundbreaking to talk about. It does say that this feature is only available for Watch 8 and older watch users; it’s not worth upgrading just for this, yeah.
Overall, it’s the software and health-centric features that make the Galaxy Watch 8 better. If you use the Blood Pressure Monitor, calibrate it with a real device. Remember, these smartwatches are not medical devices; consult a medical professional for diagnostics.
What could have been better?
Using the BioActive 2 from the Ultra over Here
Not using the more improved BioActive 2 Sensor from the Watch Ultra over here is a big oversight because that sensor brings a lot of good improvements in accuracy, which leads to better data. Not sure why they are keeping it exclusively on the Ultra. Maybe when the Watch Ultra 2 comes out, we will see the BioActive 2 on others? Just a guess, but still, a missed opportunity.
Apart from the design and Minor Changes…
You’re looking at almost the same wearable as last year. Minor changes don’t make it significantly better overall, though the 2GB RAM and 32GB storage do make it noticeably snappier.
I’d say this watch is a better upgrade for those who are on the older Watch 4 and 5, in fact, even older than that, or users who want to try a Samsung Watch with the awareness that the ECG and BP are exclusive to Samsung devices, and they will have to switch to the Galaxy Ecosystem. Let us show you some quick specifications differences between the Watch Ultra, Watch 8, and Watch 7 below.
After seeing this, you’ll realise that there’s no reason to get the Ultra either – trust us, the battery life on that is abysmal for what it’s advertised.
Conclusion
Overall, the Galaxy Watch 8 is a solid wearable. Its main drawback is that, compared to the last generation, the updates are minor rather than groundbreaking. However, users coming from much older devices should notice a significant improvement.
Here in Malaysia, the Watch 8 goes for RM 1,399 for the 44mm and RM 1,299 for the 40mm Bluetooth. Forget about the Cellular Version because I don’t think it’s worth it. But Keeping the Watch 8 in the same, if not similar price point, is totally worth it, and you get two sizes only with this watch, so something to take note of. Samsung users will reap the benefits more than other users, so other Android device users – I still believe it’s a great wearable because I used the watch with my Xiaomi Mix Flip and was happy.
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