Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review (2026): thinner, smarter and considerably cheaper

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review (2026): thinner, smarter and considerably cheaper

Our verdict: 8.5/10. In 2026, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the best all-round smartwatch for anyone with an Android phone — and certainly for Samsung owners. The watch is noticeably thinner than the Watch 7, the screen is considerably brighter, and with Wear OS 6, Google Gemini runs directly on your wrist. When buying, it comes down to three choices: the size (40 or 44 mm), LTE or not (calling without your phone) and the Classic variant with a rotating bezel. Its biggest trump card right now is the price: at launch in 2025 the base model cost around €379, while in our catalogue the Watch 8 now starts at around €194.

Our verdict in brief

Strengths: thin, light cushion-shaped design, very bright screen (up to 3,000 nits peak), rotating bezel on the Classic, comprehensive health tracking (heart rate, sleep, ECG) and Gemini voice control via Wear OS 6.

Weaknesses: doesn't work with an iPhone, ECG and blood pressure measurement require a Samsung phone, and the new strap system means older Galaxy Watch straps no longer fit.

If you're after the lowest price and can do without the latest features, the Galaxy Watch 7 (from around €149) is still a fine alternative — more on that further down.

Our 7 favourites

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Zilver 44mm

The sharpest deal of the moment: oddly enough, the larger 44mm model is cheaper in the catalogue than the 40mm version. Bigger screen, bigger battery, lowest price — the logical choice for most buyers. Around €194: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Zilver 44mm.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Donkergrijs 40mm

The compact version for slimmer wrists, in a neutral dark grey colour. Same chip, same features as the 44mm model — only the screen and battery are slightly smaller. Around €197: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Donkergrijs 40mm.

Samsung Galaxy Watch8 40mm LTE Silver

With LTE and an eSIM you can call, message and stream without your phone nearby — handy for runners who leave their phone at home. The premium over the Bluetooth model is about €50. Around €249: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 40mm LTE Silver.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 4G Zilver 44mm

The combination of the large size and 4G/LTE: maximum screen size and battery life, plus complete independence from your phone. Around €259: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 4G Zilver 44mm.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Wit 46mm

The Classic is the variant with the physical rotating bezel — still the most pleasant way to navigate Wear OS. The 46mm model looks like a classic watch and has more storage than the base model. Around €259: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Wit 46mm.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 4G Wit 46mm

The fully equipped top version: rotating bezel and 4G. The price difference with the Bluetooth Classic is currently small, making this the most interesting Classic buy. Around €270: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 4G Wit 46mm.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 44mm Groen

The budget alternative: the Watch 7 has the same processor and largely the same health sensors, but misses out on the thinner design, the extra-bright screen and the latest software extras. Around €169: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 44mm Groen.

Design and screen

The Watch 8 breaks with the fully round design of its predecessors: the round case now sits in a gently rounded, cushion-shaped housing — the same "squircle" idea as on the Watch Ultra. As a result, the watch sits flatter and more stable on the wrist, and Samsung has made it around 11 per cent thinner than the Watch 7. The AMOLED screen reaches a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits (versus 2,000 on the Watch 7), which makes a clear difference in bright sunlight. The watch is water-resistant to 5ATM and IP68, so swimming is no problem.

Do watch out for the new strap system, though: the Watch 8 uses Samsung's Dynamic Lug attachment, which means straps from older Galaxy Watches no longer fit.

Health and software

Inside sits the same Exynos W1000 chip as in the Watch 7, now combined with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch. What's new is that Google Gemini runs on the watch as standard: you can ask questions or trigger actions with your voice, without reaching for your phone. Samsung has also added features of its own, such as the Antioxidant Index (a measurement via the sensor on the underside), sleep guidance with bedtime advice, and a running coach.

The familiar health functions are all on board: continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, ECG and blood pressure measurement. One caveat: ECG and blood pressure require the Samsung Health Monitor app, and that only works with a Samsung Galaxy phone. With other Android phones the rest of the watch works just fine; with an iPhone the Watch 8 doesn't work at all.

Price comparison: base vs LTE vs Classic

Current starting prices from our catalogue (July 2026):

Variant	Starting price
Watch 8 44mm (Bluetooth)	around €194
Watch 8 40mm (Bluetooth)	around €197
Watch 8 40mm LTE	around €248
Watch 8 44mm 4G/LTE	around €259
Watch 8 Classic 46mm	around €253
Watch 8 Classic 46mm 4G/LTE	around €270
Watch 8 Special Edition (steel strap)	around €386
Watch 7 (for comparison)	around €149–169

Notably, the 44mm base model is currently cheaper than the 40mm version, and the price gap between the Classic with and without 4G is small. If you want a steel link strap, there's the Special Edition with steel strap at around €386. Compare all current prices and retailers in our overview of all smartwatches.

Galaxy Watch 8 vs Watch 7: worth the upgrade?

If you already own a Watch 7, there's no need to upgrade: the chip is identical and the core features largely overlap. The gains lie in the thinner design, the brighter screen and the new software features around Gemini and sleep. Coming from a Watch 5 or older, however, the leap is a big one — a faster chip, a much better screen and years more software support. If price is your only hesitation: the gap between the Watch 7 (from around €149) and the Watch 8 (from around €194) is now so small that the Watch 8 is the wiser purchase for most buyers.

Buy it if / skip it if

Buy the Galaxy Watch 8 if:

• you have an Android phone (and especially a Samsung) and want the most complete smartwatch of the moment;
• you're looking for a thin, light watch with a screen that stays readable even in bright sunlight;
• you're serious about sleep, heart rate and sport, and want to track it all in one app;
• you want the Classic: the rotating bezel is back, and the premium is currently modest.

Skip it if:

• you have an iPhone — the Watch 8 won't work with it; look at an Apple Watch instead;
• you mainly want ECG and blood pressure measurement but don't have a Samsung phone;
• you're already wearing a Watch 7: the differences are too small to switch now;
• you have a drawer full of old Galaxy Watch straps you'd like to keep using.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 work with an iPhone?

No. The Galaxy Watch 8 only works with Android phones. ECG and blood pressure measurement additionally require a Samsung Galaxy phone, as those features run through the Samsung Health Monitor app.

What's the difference between the Watch 8 and the Watch 8 Classic?

The Classic is larger (46 mm), has a physical rotating bezel for navigating menus, an extra button and more storage. The technology underneath — chip, screen technology, sensors and software — is the same. In the catalogue, the Classic costs around €60 more than the cheapest base model.

Do I need the LTE version?

Only if you want to call, message or stream without your phone, for instance while out running. You will need an eSIM plan or add-on from your provider. If your phone is always nearby anyway, the Bluetooth version is enough and you save around €50.

How long does the battery last?

In practice, count on one to two days, depending on settings such as the always-on display and GPS use. The 44mm model and the Classic have a larger battery than the 40mm model, so they last a little longer.

Will my old Galaxy Watch straps fit the Watch 8?

No. The Watch 8 series uses Samsung's new Dynamic Lug attachment system. Straps from the Watch 7 and older therefore no longer fit; you need straps made specifically for the Watch 8.