Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch8 lineup has landed, bringing new changes to the way we wear and use smartwatches every day. We spent some hands-on time with the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra to get a closer look at the upgrades, and there’s a lot to unpack—from design tweaks to new health features, and AI tools that aim to make your day a bit easier.
This year’s approach puts comfort and functionality at the center. While the hardware changes might not be instantly obvious at first glance, they matter once you wear the watch for more than a few minutes. It’s slimmer, lighter, and designed to feel more natural on the wrist. Pair that with more accurate health tracking and new tools like Antioxidant Index, and you get a smartwatch that wants to be more than just a fitness tracker or notification center.
A Refined Look and Feel
Let’s start with the fit. The Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic are now 11% thinner than the last generation. Samsung made internal adjustments to reduce space and shift how components are laid out, and the result is a flatter, better-balanced watch. There’s also a new Dynamic Lug system that adjusts to your wrist movement. It’s a small change, but when walking, typing, or working out, the watch stays snug without digging into your skin or sliding around.
The Galaxy Watch8 keeps things simple and modern, while the Watch8 Classic retains its signature rotating bezel. That familiar hardware dial feels solid and responsive, making navigation more tactile, which some people still prefer over swiping. Meanwhile, the Watch Ultra goes in a different direction—larger, chunkier, and clearly built for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. It comes in a titanium build and feels durable but not overly heavy for its size.
Display-wise, all three watches use Super AMOLED panels protected by Sapphire Crystal. The Watch8 (44mm) has a 1.47-inch display, while the smaller 40mm version has a 1.34-inch screen. The Watch8 Classic (46mm) also uses a 1.34-inch display. One noticeable improvement: brightness. All three watches now go up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, which made it easier to view workout stats and notifications even under direct sunlight.
AI, Wear OS, and Gemini
This is the first time Samsung is shipping its smartwatches with Google’s Gemini AI built-in. It’s designed to respond to natural voice commands. You can ask it to start a workout, find a nearby cafe, or even message someone without touching the watch. In our quick test, it was able to follow multi-step commands reliably. You could say, “Start a 30-minute run and remind me to drink water after,” and it would carry both actions out using the Samsung Health and Reminder apps.
The watches run Wear OS 6, paired with One UI 8 Watch. This combo brings a cleaner UI that’s easier to navigate. Samsung added new Multi-Info Tiles—customizable widgets that can show your heart rate, weather, calendar, and more all on one screen. There’s also a new Now Bar and better notification handling that makes updates easier to manage at a glance.
Focused on Everyday Health
Samsung has expanded its health tracking with more features built into the Samsung Health app. One of the biggest additions is the Antioxidant Index, which uses a sensor on the back of the watch to measure carotenoid levels on your skin. The scan only takes five seconds. While it’s not a medical-grade reading, it gives a general idea of your antioxidant status, which can be useful for those looking into healthy aging or dietary changes.
Sleep tracking is also more detailed. The new Bedtime Guidance uses your circadian rhythm to suggest when you should go to bed to feel more refreshed. A new metric called Vascular Load checks your cardiovascular stress levels while you sleep, giving a fuller picture of recovery and rest quality.
The Galaxy Watch8 Series also introduces a new AI-based Energy Score. It combines data from your sleep, activity, and heart rate to estimate your overall energy level each day. This can be useful when deciding whether to push for a workout or take it easy.
For those tracking workouts, there’s Running Coach, a built-in program that scores your fitness level from 1 to 10 and builds a plan to help improve it. The plan adjusts based on your performance and comes with real-time voice feedback during your runs. The Together feature now supports running too, so you can compete with friends or family in virtual step or distance challenges.
Samsung also added stress management tools like High Stress Alerts, which notifies you when your stress levels are elevated, and Mindfulness Tracker, where you can log your mood and get breathing tips—all on your wrist.
GPS accuracy has also improved with dual-frequency L1+L5 support. During our brief outdoor run with the Watch8 Classic, it mapped our route faster and more precisely compared to older Galaxy Watches.
Battery Life and Charging
All three models now support fast wireless charging. The Watch8 (44mm) has a 435mAh battery, the 40mm model has 325mAh, while the Watch8 Classic has a slightly larger 445mAh cell. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has the biggest battery in the group, optimized for long hours outside.
We didn’t get enough time to test full battery life, but Samsung claims the Ultra model lasts the longest in the series, which could be helpful for hikers and travelers. Based on previous Galaxy Watches, we expect the Watch8 and Classic to comfortably last a day and a half with typical use.
Price and Availability in the Philippines
- Galaxy Watch8 (Bluetooth, 40 mm) – PHP 20,990
- Galaxy Watch8 (Bluetooth, 44 mm) – PHP 22,990
- Galaxy Watch8 (LTE, 40 mm) – PHP 23,990
- Galaxy Watch8 Classic (Bluetooth, 46 mm) – PHP 29,990
- Galaxy Watch8 Classic (LTE, 46 mm) – PHP 32,990
- Galaxy Watch Ultra (LTE, 47 mm) – PHP 40,990
The Galaxy Watch8 Series is now available for pre-order in the Philippines until July 31. General availability starts August 1. You can order directly through Samsung’s website, offline stores, and authorized dealers nationwide.
Initial Thoughts
The Galaxy Watch8 Series focuses more on refining the smartwatch experience than reinventing it. The thinner design, improved comfort, and smarter health tracking add up to a more useful daily companion. Whether you’re new to wearables or upgrading from an older model, these watches offer practical tools to help you manage your health, fitness, and daily tasks more easily.
Will the new design and deeper health features convince you to upgrade?
