The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series is here, bringing two exciting new models: the Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic. 
After spending some hands-on time with these wearables, here are our first impressions.
Both models feature Samsung’s ‘cushion design,’ which made its debut with the Galaxy Watch Ultra last year. This design gives the watches a squircle-shaped casing, with a rounded display sitting on top. The Watch8 series also introduces Samsung’s Dynamic Lug system, reducing the gap between the watch case and your wrist. This is intended to offer more precise health and activity tracking, though it comes with a minor trade-off: the Watch8 series uses proprietary straps, meaning you can’t swap in any standard 22mm bands as you could with the Watch7.
The Watch8 comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, and two colors – Graphite and Silver. The 40mm version has a 1.34-inch display, while the 44mm model offers a slightly larger 1.47-inch screen. On the other hand, the Watch8 Classic is only available in a 46mm size, with Black and White options. It brings back the rotating bezel, a feature Samsung controversially removed in the Watch7 series. However, it’s curious that the Classic still sports the same 1.34-inch display as the smaller 40mm Watch8.
Both models boast a bright and responsive AMOLED display with Sapphire Crystal protection, offering a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The Watch8’s casing is crafted from titanium, while the Classic is made from stainless steel, giving it a more substantial feel. The Classic, being larger and featuring the rotating bezel, is noticeably heavier, but still feels premium. The Watch8, at 8.6mm thick, is slimmer and lighter than any previous Galaxy Watch, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Samsung has also updated the software experience with One UI 8 Watch, based on Google’s Wear OS 6. The update brings grouped notifications, multi-info tiles, and Samsung’s Now Bar. New health features include Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, and an enhanced Running Coach. The BioActive Sensor promises more accurate health and activity readings, which we’ll test in our full review.
Both models are powered by the Exynos W1000 chip, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage on the regular Watch8, and 64GB on the Classic. Battery life is also improved, with the 40mm Watch8 packing a 325mAh battery, the 44mm version a 435mAh cell, and the Classic a 445mAh battery. Samsung claims the Watch8 can last up to 40 hours without the Always-on Display (AoD) mode, and up to 30 hours with AoD enabled.
In summary, the Galaxy Watch8 series continues Samsung’s legacy of premium wearables, offering a blend of cutting-edge health features, sleek designs, and solid performance. Whether you prefer the compact, lightweight Watch8 or the classic, feature-rich Watch8 Classic, there’s a model to suit various tastes and needs.
1 comment
Is the case on the Watch8 really made of titanium or is it aluminum? Can anyone clarify this?