The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 launched at a time when wearables risk becoming repetitive. You now get slight updates and a few app changes thanks to the predictable cycles of many major models. This generation stands out. The Watch 8 represents a significant change in design, sensor features and software.
You also get the first on-wrist version of Google Gemini. After using the watch for a good amount of time, it appears to be one of Samsung’s most ambitious attempts to rethink daily interactions, nutrition tracking and fitness coaching.
Read also – Galaxy Watch8 Redefines Recovery And Proactive Health
A Slim Build With Clearer Identity
The Watch comes redesigned and features a slimmer cushion design. You get a round display with a simple, modern shape that is easy to recognise at a glance. If you wear the watch during the day and at night, then you’ll come to appreciate its thinner profile. You can still use the watch outdoors in your out-and-about errands, thanks to the screen’s 3000 nits brightness, and the large battery supports this brighter display.
The Watch 8 ships with a better fit now, thanks to the Dynamic Lug system that was first introduced in the Galaxy Ultra. You get a secure strap that minimises sideways movement when you’re active, such as running.
If you have short nails, you’ll need some practice to remove the strap, but overall, it feels pretty snug.
The new interface reflects the hardware updates. You have a Now bar that sits at the top of the watch face each time a task is running in the background. It’s like a status panel that expands with a tap. The transitions are smoother and the -at-a-glance panels are easier to read. Overall, the updates change how the Galaxy Watch 8 manages daily tasks in a way that is helpful but subtle.
Gemini on the Wrist and What It Adds
With the Galaxy Watch 8, you get Google Gemini right out of the box, and this is the first Samsung model to include this assistant that not only handles routine tasks quickly but also becomes valuable when you give it detailed instructions.
You can give it commands like finding a nearby gym or preparing a message for a friend, which demonstrates how the watch can coordinate tasks in order. During my time with the Watch, requests were simple, including quick navigation on Google Maps and hands-free workout starts.
You can opt for large screens for complex interactions.
The Watch 8, having Gemin on the wrist, gives the wearable a new capability that other Wear OS devices are just beginning to adopt.
A Broader Set of Health and Fitness Tools
For its health kit this year, Samsung significantly expanded it to include new features such as the new Running Coach. After a 12-minute test run and a few initial inputs, the watch assigns the user one of 160 performance plans. If you frequently exceed the expected pace or struggle to meet your goals, the system will adjust the plan.
In my time with the watch, the guidance felt practical and structured.
Post-run suggestions enhanced the experience beyond raw data and included drills aimed at specific weaknesses.
The Watch 8’s thinner profile makes sleep tracking reliable, and one time, the watch accurately identified a nighttime interruption and reflected it in the sleep chart. You get a personality-based view of your sleep profile over time through Samsung’s Sleep Animal system. And while it’s more educational than scientific, it fits well within the rest of Samsung Health.
Like other top wearables, the Watch 8 gets features like sleep apnea detection, which analyses respiratory data throughout the night.
The Antioxidant Index and What It Means for Daily Diet
A new feature Samsung introduces in the Watch 8 series is the Antioxidant Index which uses a five-second thumb measurement to estimate carotenoid levels in the skin. This reading gives you a constraint nutrition signal, which shows vegetable and fruit intake over time. This index relies on additional wavelengths in the BioActive Sensor, including violet, yellow and blue bands. These help detect carotenoid concentration thanks to a focus of research for years in controlled studies. Samsung adopted the method for everyday use and included it in the Watch 8 series.
It’s worth noting that the reading is not a diagnostic tool but a general indicator, as factors like body composition can affect results. It, however, offers new insights into diet as a long-term trend line without requiring manual food logs, and this is where Samsung leads its rivals.
Broader Performance and Daily Use
The Watch 8’s hardware feels reliable and fast. App loading times are faster than its predecessors.
Wear OS in tandem with One UI Watch 6 operates smoothly as they are both more stable in comparison to last year’s models. Workout accuracy holds up really well, heart rate tracking was steady, and GPS performance remained reliable during outdoor sessions.
When it came to battery life, the watch lasted a full day with mixed use, and this matches the company’s stated runtime, but its two-hour charging time will be a downside if you prefer a shorter charging session. Battery life will take the hit with high brightness or heavy GPS use.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Watch 8 is available in the country in the 40mm and 44mm size versions for KSh 36,000/- and KSh 38,800/-respectively, at Samsung’s official retail stores, online and partner ecommerce sites.
The price increase is modest in comparison to last year’s Watch 7, but the Gemini integration, added sensors, and software updates give the Watch 8 more value than a typical yearly upgrade
How the Watch Fits Into Samsung’s Long-Term Direction
Samsung is moving wearables toward a more sensory model, which examines the body in layers. With the WAATCH 8 and the 8 series generally, you see trends in nutrition, in-depth running analytics, respiratory signals, sleep quality, and most importantly, the first wave of on-device AI all suggest a platform designed to interpret diverse types of data. This direction reflects the company’s broader goals in health technology.
This shift suggests that future wearables may investigate hydration or metabolic signals as optical techniques to build on.
Verdict: A Well-Rounded Watch With Genuine Progress
The Watch 8 represents one of the most significant advancements in the 8 series as it combines its first built-in assistant, a cleaner design, extended running analysis, a sharper display, and richer health metrics. The new Antioxidant Index adds a new dimension. Test results were reliable, the watch handled workouts confidently, and comfort was high.
The watch has typical drawbacks, including average battery life and longer charging times, but all in all, the overall package signifies real progress and not just a minor adjustment.
If you are in the market for a capable, slim smartwatch with thoughtful wellness tools, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 stands out as one of the strongest offerings to date.
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