Samsung’s latest smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 8, has taken the wearable world by storm — blending advanced AI features, improved design, and better health tracking. Unveiled alongside the new Galaxy Fold and Flip series, the Watch 8 promises not just a fitness companion but a true digital health assistant on your wrist.
So, how much of this hype holds true? Let’s dive into the full review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, its features, specifications, pros, cons, and whether it’s worth upgrading in 2025.
🌟 Design & Display: Slimmer, Brighter, and Better
The first thing you’ll notice about the Galaxy Watch 8 is how sleek and refined it looks. Samsung has reduced the thickness by 11%, giving it a much more comfortable fit — perfect for long wear, especially overnight during sleep tracking.
The Super AMOLED display now boasts a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, which makes it incredibly easy to read even under bright Indian sunlight. Protected by sapphire crystal glass, it’s resistant to scratches, ensuring durability even with daily use.
The new “Cushion Design” also improves ergonomics, and Samsung has introduced fresh color variants that add a dash of premium elegance.
⚙️ Performance & Software: AI Meets Efficiency
Under the hood, the Watch 8 runs on Samsung’s Exynos W1000 chipset (3nm), offering faster performance with improved power efficiency. It ships with Wear OS 6 combined with One UI Watch 8, and — for the first time — integrates Google Gemini AI for intelligent assistance.
From voice-based coaching to AI-generated fitness summaries, this smartwatch isn’t just reactive; it’s proactive. The AI learns your behavior patterns, helps manage your sleep schedule, and even assists with contextual reminders throughout the day.
Whether you’re tracking your morning jog or responding to notifications, the Watch 8 feels noticeably smoother and smarter than its predecessor.
💓 Health & Fitness: Smarter Insights, Deeper Tracking
Samsung continues its focus on wellness, and the Galaxy Watch 8 introduces a new Antioxidant Index — a world-first feature that measures carotenoid levels in your skin to estimate your antioxidant status.
Other new additions include Vascular Load monitoring for cardiovascular health, circadian rhythm-based sleep coaching, and dual-frequency GPS for better location accuracy. Combined with classic Samsung features like ECG, SpO₂, body composition, and stress tracking, the Watch 8 becomes an all-round health tracker for modern lifestyles.
It also syncs seamlessly with Samsung Health, making it easy to review progress, set goals, and receive personalized wellness advice.
🔋 Battery Life & Charging
Despite its improved efficiency, battery life is an area where Samsung still plays it safe. The 40mm model houses a 325mAh battery, while the 44mm version gets a 435mAh cell. You can expect up to 40 hours of battery life without Always-On Display (AOD), or roughly 30 hours with it turned on.
Fast wireless charging helps, but frequent travelers might find themselves charging it daily — especially if you use GPS or health sensors extensively.
💧 Durability & Connectivity
Built to endure daily wear and tear, the Galaxy Watch 8 comes with IP68 + 5ATM water resistance and MIL-STD-810H certification. That means it can handle dust, splashes, rain, and even short swims with ease.
It supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and optional LTE variants, giving you flexibility to stay connected even without your phone.
💰 Price and Availability in India
In India, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 starts at around ₹32,999 for the 40mm Bluetooth variant. The larger 44mm and LTE versions are priced higher, while the premium Watch 8 Classic starts above ₹42,000.
You can buy it from Samsung’s official online store, major e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart, and select Samsung Experience Stores across India.
📊 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 – Specifications Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Super AMOLED, 3,000 nits brightness, Sapphire glass |
| Sizes | 40mm & 44mm |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 (3nm) |
| RAM / Storage | 2GB / 32GB |
| Operating System | Wear OS 6 + One UI Watch 8 |
| AI Assistant | Google Gemini integration |
| Battery | 325mAh (40mm), 435mAh (44mm) |
| Water Resistance | IP68 + 5ATM |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H Certified |
| Sensors | Heart rate, ECG, SpO₂, Bioelectrical Impedance, Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, LTE (optional) |
| Price in India | ₹32,999 onwards |
👍 Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Super-bright 3,000-nit AMOLED display | Battery life could be better |
| Sleeker, lighter, and more comfortable design | Older watch bands may not fit |
| Advanced AI coaching and Google Gemini support | Minor upgrade if you already own Watch 7 |
| World’s first Antioxidant Index sensor | LTE variant is expensive |
| Fast, smooth performance on new 3nm chipset | Not as rugged as Garmin-style outdoor watches |
🧠 Should You Buy the Galaxy Watch 8?
If you’re using a Galaxy Watch 5 or older, the Watch 8 is a fantastic upgrade — it’s faster, more accurate, and feels premium on the wrist.
However, if you already own the Galaxy Watch 7, the differences are more evolutionary than revolutionary. The biggest changes lie in the design comfort, AI integration, and a brighter display — not in core functionality.
For Android and Samsung ecosystem users, this is arguably one of the best smartwatches of 2025, delivering the right balance of smarts, fitness, and style.
⭐ Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 refines almost every detail of its predecessor while introducing AI-driven health and productivity features that feel genuinely useful.
It’s not just another smartwatch — it’s your intelligent wellness companion, ready to guide you through workouts, manage stress, and even track your antioxidant levels.
If you value design, intelligence, and ecosystem integration, the Galaxy Watch 8 is easily one of the top smartwatch choices in 2025.
📝 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
1. What is new in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 introduces several upgrades, including a brighter 3,000-nit AMOLED display, a thinner and lighter design, the new Exynos W1000 (3nm) processor, and AI integration via Google Gemini. It also debuts unique health features such as the Antioxidant Index and Vascular Load monitoring.
2. How is the Galaxy Watch 8 different from the Galaxy Watch 7?
Compared to the Watch 7, the Watch 8 offers a more refined design, significantly brighter screen, better power efficiency, and new AI-driven features. However, the core fitness experience and sensors are similar, so the upgrade is more about comfort, speed, and smarter software.
3. What is the price of Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 in India?
The Galaxy Watch 8 (Bluetooth) version starts at ₹32,999 in India for the 40mm model, while the 44mm and LTE variants are priced higher. The Watch 8 Classic, which comes with a rotating bezel and premium build, starts above ₹42,000.
4. How long does the Galaxy Watch 8 battery last?
The battery lasts up to 40 hours without the Always-On Display (AOD) and around 30 hours with AOD enabled. While the efficiency has improved due to the 3nm chip, you may still need to charge it once every 1–1.5 days, depending on usage.
5. Can I use the Galaxy Watch 8 with an iPhone?
No. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 runs on Wear OS with One UI Watch 8, and it’s optimized for Android phones, particularly Samsung Galaxy devices. iPhone users cannot pair it directly or access full functionality.
6. Does the Galaxy Watch 8 support Google Assistant or Bixby?
Yes. It supports both Bixby and Google Gemini AI (which replaces traditional Google Assistant integration). Gemini offers enhanced contextual help, voice responses, and proactive suggestions for workouts, reminders, and daily activities.
7. Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 waterproof?
Yes. The Watch 8 is IP68 and 5ATM water-resistant, meaning it can handle splashes, rain, showers, and shallow swimming. It’s also MIL-STD-810H certified, providing good durability for outdoor and fitness activities.
8. Can I make calls using the Galaxy Watch 8?
Yes. You can make and receive calls directly on the LTE version of the Galaxy Watch 8 without your phone. The Bluetooth version allows calls when paired with a connected smartphone.
9. How accurate is the new Antioxidant Index on the Watch 8?
The Antioxidant Index is a first-of-its-kind feature that uses optical sensors to estimate carotenoid levels in your skin. While it provides useful health insights, it’s designed for wellness tracking — not as a medical diagnostic tool.
10. Should I upgrade to Galaxy Watch 8 if I already have Galaxy Watch 7?
If you’re satisfied with your Watch 7, the upgrade may not feel essential since the improvements are incremental. However, if you value AI assistance, better brightness, and a slimmer build, the Watch 8 offers a more polished and futuristic experience.