Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review: The Best Android Smartwatch Right Now?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is Samsung's latest bid to dominate the Android smartwatch market. With Wear OS 6, a revamped health sensor suite, and a familiar round design, Samsung targets both fitness enthusiasts and everyday users. After three weeks of intensive testing — from running to sleeping, from meetings to weekend shifts — we give the Galaxy Watch 8 a final score of 4.3 out of 5. A solid watch, but not without compromises.

Design and build quality

Samsung sticks with the round watch design that characterises the Galaxy Watch series. The 40mm variant we compared is compact and stylish, with an aluminium housing and Sapphire Crystal glass. It feels sturdy without being bulky on the wrist.

The 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 432 x 432 pixels is bright and sharp. The always-on mode is easily readable, even in direct sunlight. The touch controls are responsive and the physical button on the side works well for quick navigation.

The Galaxy Watch 8 features 5ATM water resistance and IP68 certification, so you can swim with it worry-free. The included silicone band is comfortable but feels cheap — replacing it with a premium band is recommended.

Pros:

• Compact and stylish round design
• Bright Super AMOLED display
• Sapphire Crystal glass for scratch resistance
• 5ATM water resistant — suitable for swimming

Cons:

• Included silicone band feels cheap
• The 40mm variant may be too small for larger wrists

Performance and speed

The Exynos W1000 chipset ensures smooth navigation through Wear OS 6. Apps open quickly, notifications appear without delay, and switching between watch faces is seamless. Samsung's One UI Watch 6 layer on top of Wear OS provides a familiar and intuitive interface.

The 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage are more than enough for apps, music storage, and watch faces. The Google Play Store offers a growing selection of Wear OS apps, although the range is still more limited than the Apple Watch. Google Maps navigation on the wrist, Google Wallet for contactless payments, and the Samsung Health app all work well.

The 4G LTE variant we compared makes it possible to make calls, receive messages, and stream music without your phone. The connection is stable in urban areas, although the sound quality of the built-in speaker is mediocre.

Pros:

• Smooth Exynos W1000 chip with Wear OS 6
• 4G LTE for standalone use
• Google Wallet and Maps on the wrist
• 32 GB storage for music and apps

Cons:

• Speaker for calls is mediocre
• App selection more limited than Apple Watch

Health features

Samsung has invested heavily in health sensors. The BioActive Sensor measures heart rate, blood oxygen (SpO2), and performs an ECG. New is the improved sleep analysis with sleep apnoea detection, which is available in the US after FDA approval and is still awaiting approval in Europe.

The body composition measurement via bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a nice addition, although accuracy is not on par with professional equipment. The stress monitor and temperature sensor for tracking the menstrual cycle complete the package.

As a sports watch, the Galaxy Watch 8 performs reasonably well. GPS tracking is accurate and heart rate measurement during running is reliable. Over 100 workouts are supported. However, serious athletes will miss advanced metrics such as training load, recovery time, and VO2max trends that come standard with Garmin watches.

Pros:

• Comprehensive health sensor suite (heart rate, SpO2, ECG)
• Sleep analysis with sleep apnoea detection
• Accurate GPS tracking
• Body composition measurement

Cons:

• Advanced sports metrics are missing
• BIA measurement is not medically accurate
• Some health features are region-locked

Battery life

This is the biggest pain point of the Galaxy Watch 8. The 310 mAh battery in the 40mm variant lasts about one and a half to two days with normal use — notifications, health tracking, and the occasional workout. Turn on the always-on display, 4G LTE, and frequent GPS tracking, and a daily charge becomes necessary.

Charging is done wirelessly via the included magnetic charger and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from empty to full. That's acceptable but not fast. A fast-charging mode is unfortunately absent.

Pros:

• One and a half to two days with light use
• Wireless magnetic charging

Cons:

• Only one day with intensive use
• No fast-charging mode
• Always-on display drains the battery

Who is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for?

The Galaxy Watch 8 is the best choice for Android users who want a stylish, versatile smartwatch. The health features are comprehensive enough for the average user, and the Wear OS integration with Google services is a plus. Serious athletes are better served by a Garmin, and those who want the ultimate ecosystem should go for an Apple Watch (but then you also need an iPhone).

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a solid smartwatch that does a lot right. The design is attractive, the health features are comprehensive, and Wear OS 6 runs smoothly. However, the battery life and the lack of advanced sports features bring the score down. For the average Android user who wants a reliable companion on their wrist, it's an excellent choice.

Category	Score
Design and build quality	8.5 / 10
Performance	8.5 / 10
Health features	8.5 / 10
Battery life	7.0 / 10
Software	8.5 / 10
Value for money	8.0 / 10
Overall score	4.3 / 5

Alternatives

Still undecided? These alternatives are worth considering:

• Apple Watch SE 3 — Apple's affordable entry-level option with the same chipset as the more expensive models. Excellent ecosystem, but requires an iPhone.
• Garmin Venu 3 — The best choice for serious athletes who also want smartwatch features. Superior battery life and advanced training analysis, but a less polished design.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 work with an iPhone?

No, the Galaxy Watch 8 is only compatible with Android smartphones running Android 11 or higher. For iPhone users, the Apple Watch is the recommended choice.

Can I make contactless payments with the Galaxy Watch 8?

Yes, via Samsung Pay and Google Wallet you can make contactless payments with the Galaxy Watch 8. You link your payment card via the Samsung Wallet app on your phone.

Is the Galaxy Watch 8 suitable as a sports watch?

For recreational athletes and fitness enthusiasts, the Galaxy Watch 8 is perfectly suitable. It offers GPS, heart rate monitoring, and over 100 workout modes. Serious athletes who need training load, recovery time, and advanced VO2max tracking are better served by a Garmin.