WEARABLES · REVIEW ROUNDUP
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: what the reviews say
By S. Dahani and the RealDigitalTech editorial team
The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349.99 in the US with a thinner cushion design, Gemini and a Running Coach. Reviewers praise its comfort but still charge it every day.
© Samsung
Quick Take
Key figures
Launch details
Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 8 on 9 July 2025, and it went on general sale on 25 July 2025, according to Android Central. In the US it costs $349.99 for the 40 mm model and $379.99 for the 44 mm model, with LTE adding $50. It runs Wear OS 6 on an Exynos W1000 chip, and Samsung promises four years of software updates. It sits below the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which brings back the rotating bezel.
What reviewers agree on
- Comfort: at 30–34 g and 8.6 mm thick, all three outlets find it easy to wear all day and night.
- Screen: TechRadar highlights a bright display with a 3,000-nit peak.
- Coaching: TechRadar and Tom's Guide find the Running Coach motivating and useful, as a wellness tool rather than a medical one.
- Gemini: having Google's assistant on the wrist, without a phone, is a plus for TechRadar and Tom's Guide.
- Battery: reviewers got roughly 24 to 30 hours with the always-on display, so daily charging is needed.
Where opinions differ
| Topic | Favourable view | Reserved view |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | TechRadar calls it the best mainline Galaxy Watch in ages. | Tom's Guide says to skip the standard model and buy the Classic. |
| New health metrics | Android Central finds the health insights engaging. | Tom's Guide is "not sold" on the Antioxidant Index. |
| Strap system | TechRadar likes how the new lugs keep the fit comfortable. | TechRadar also finds them fidgety, and Tom's Guide dislikes the proprietary strap. |
| Charging | Android Central measured about 80 minutes to full. | TechRadar needed around two hours. |
Scores: 5/5 for design and features and 4/5 for value from TechRadar.
Verdict
The Galaxy Watch 8 is a strong choice for Samsung phone owners who value comfort, sleep tracking and running guidance. If battery life matters most, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic lasts longer according to Tom's Guide, and its successor is covered in our Galaxy Watch 9 analysis.
This article analyses reviews published by other outlets, in our own words. RealDigitalTech did not test the Galaxy Watch 8 itself.
Sources
How this article was made: our editorial team selected and read the reviews listed above, compared their results and wrote this synthesis, with AI tools assisting the research and drafting. Every figure was checked against the sources, and the article was approved by the publication director. Our AI Disclosure · Our methodology · Report an error: editorial@realdigitaltech.com