Galaxy Watch 8 sequence: In abstract
- Samsung’s 2025 flagship sequence of smartwatches
- Launched at Unpacked on 9 July and that can be purchased now
- Two fashions, together with the return of the Traditional
- Taken on ‘Squircle’ design from the Galaxy Watch Extremely
- The primary smartwatches to reach with Put on OS 6
Samsung has formally introduced its 2025 line-up of flagship smartwatches, unveiling the Galaxy Watch 8 sequence at Unpacked July.
The household of wearables consists of two units: the common Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional, seeing the return of the beloved rotating bezel Traditional mannequin after skipping the 7 era.
Each have adopted the ‘squircle’ design of the Galaxy Watch Extremely, and include options like a slimmer profile, larger battery and they’re additionally the primary smartwatches to ship with Put on OS 6 software program.
Right here’s all the pieces it’s essential to know concerning the Galaxy Watch 8 sequence smartwatches. Word that Samsung was additionally anticipated to announce the Galaxy Watch Extremely 2 (or 2025) however that didn’t occur.
Learn our Galaxy Watch 8 hands-on overview and Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional hands-on overview now.
When will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 be launched?
In abstract
- Formally introduced at Unpacked on 9 July
- That can be purchased now
- Launch date is 25 July
Now the Galaxy Watch 8 sequence has been revealed on stage at Unpacked in Brooklyn, New York, we are able to let you know the discharge date is 25 July.
They go on sale alongside the brand new vary of foldables, together with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7.
You should purchase each smartwatches now from Samsung and declare a free Duo Wi-fi Charger & a Camel Hybrid Band value £130 (till 2 September).
On the official US retailer, it can save you $200+ on trade-in credit score and rise up to 30% off Galaxy Buds.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How a lot does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 value?
In abstract
- Pricing elevated by £30/$50 on the Galaxy Watch 7
- Common mannequin begins at £319/$349
- Traditional mannequin begins at £449/$499
You may not be shocked to listen to that the Galaxy Watch 8 has seen a value improve in comparison with final yr’s Galaxy Watch 7.
Each sizes are £30/$50 extra for the beginning value and you’ll nonetheless add £50/$50 on high in order for you LTE connectivity.
We will type of deal with the Traditional as ‘new’ since this hasn’t been up to date because the Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional. You’ll, after all, must pay extra for this mannequin, which is available in only one measurement – 46mm.
Right here’s the total Galaxy Watch 8 sequence value listing:
- Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm) Bluetooth – £319/$349
- Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm) LTE – £369/$399
- Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) Bluetooth – £349/$379
- Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) LTE – £399/$429
- Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional Bluetooth – £449/$499
- Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional LTE – £499/$549
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What specs and options will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 have?
In abstract
- The Traditional mannequin will return for the primary time in two years
- Deign closely influenced by the Galaxy Watch Extremely, particularly the Traditional
- New well being options together with Antioxidant Index however Samsung might cost a subscription price
The Galaxy Watch 8 sequence not solely introduces a refreshed design but in addition loads of new options. Specs haven’t moved on all that a lot from the earlier era, however upgrades have been made in key areas just like the display screen.
They’re additionally the primary smartwatches to hit the market with Put on OS 6, primarily the most recent model of Android for wearables.
Design & Construct
There’s fairly a definite distinction between the 2 Galaxy Watch 8 smartwatches, despite the fact that each undertake the ‘squircle’ design of the Galaxy Watch Extremely to a to a lesser or better extent.
Samsung calls this a “cushion design” and we expect it may be fairly divisive, although the sequence was due a refresh on this space.
Luke Baker
The common Galaxy Watch 8 has a way more refined and clear design. Samsung dubs it ‘Minimalistic Necessities’, which really suits fairly properly.
It’s 11% slimmer than its predecessor at 8.6mm, which Samsung says improves consolation by 12% and stability by 8%. Total, leading to a smartwatch that’s simpler to put on 24/7 and gives extra correct monitoring.
At launch, it’s out there in two sizes (40- and 44mm like regular) and two colors: Graphite and Silver.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
In the meantime, the Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional seems far more just like the Extremely with a way more chunky 46mm case and the identical rotating bezel and the Fast Button which has a choice of supported apps.
It is available in simply black or white colourways and doesn’t undertake the Dynamic Lug system for shortly swapping straps just like the common Watch 8 does.
Each watches have 5ATM, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H sturdiness scores.
Display screen
You may anticipate the Watch 8 Traditional to have a bigger display screen than the common mannequin however it’s really the identical because the 40mm mannequin at 1.34-inch.
The common 44mm choice has the largest display screen of the trio at 1.47-inch. All three are Tremendous AMOLED, at all times on shows coated in Sapphire Glass.
Samsung says the display screen is 50% brighter and now peaks at a powerful 3000 nits serving to you to make use of the units open air or different difficult situations.
Core specs
Each Galaxy Watch 8 fashions are powered by the Exynos W1000. It’s the identical chip used within the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Extremely however continues to be a robust choice based mostly on a 3nm course of.
In case you go for the common mannequin, you get 32GB of storage, whereas the Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional doubles that to 64GB.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Both manner, you get 2GB of RAM however battery measurement varies between measurement and mannequin. The smaller 8 has a 325mAh battery, whereas the bigger bumps this to 435mAh and the Traditional goes to 445mAh.
Right here’s an inventory of different inner specs you get with both mannequin:
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Twin-band Wi-Fi
- NFC
- Twin-band GPS
- Samsung BioActive Sensor
- Temperature sensor
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Gyro Sensor
- Geomagnetic Sensor
- Gentle Sensor
Software program & Well being Monitoring
As talked about earlier, the Galaxy Watch 8 fashions are the primary to come back with Put on OS 6. That is forward of the upcoming Google Pixel Watch 4, although the software program seems completely different as Samsung provides One UI 8 Watch excessive.
Options for this yr embody glanceable tiles, a Now Bar, app options and fast entry to an AI Assistant by way of one of many bodily buttons. That assistant is Google Gemini as anticipated and may do varied issues for you, like discover the closest fitness center, begin a selected exercise, or create a playlist.
Samsung
Samsung introduced varied software program options forward of Unpacked and these embody a brand new Antioxidant Index to “encourage you to make more healthy decisions”. The watch can measure the extent of carotenoids saved in your pores and skin, so you already know, in easy phrases, when to eat fruit and greens.
Different options embody a Working Coach with varied evaluation and motivational parts, Vascular Load to trace the stress ranges of your coronary heart (with the goal of avoiding coronary heart illness), and Bedtime Steering.