The latest Samsung wearables are a little different, as the Galaxy Watch maker refines what it offered in the Ultra for more wearers.
Square meet Circle. It sounds like the plot of Shape Island, but it’s also one of the things Samsung is doing to differentiate its wearables this year.
That’s the other big news from Galaxy Unpacked in the middle of the year, the big shindig where Samsung unveiled three phones, including the slimpossibly thin Galaxy Z Fold 7 (we’re using that made-up word for this foldable; apologies).
Samsung’s new wearables don’t quite hit the same benchmark of a super slim design, but they are designed to be a little thinner and also built to feel better, and the combination of shapes could be why.
This year’s Galaxy Watch duo, the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic, aren’t just circular watches, but rather circular watches on a softened square design. As a result, the internal structure has been rebuilt, and the way the watch strap connects to a new “Dynamic Lug” watch strap system means comfort has improved while the design manages to get 11 percent thinner.
That’s the case for both models, the Watch8 and Watch8 Classic, with the main difference being the sizes offered and the look.
Look and feel
In the Watch 8 standard, Samsung is offering a full touchscreen device with a circular display. It’s the evolution of the Galaxy Watch Active, because that name has since been retired for Samsung watch models.
The Watch 8 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, and measures 8.6mm thick, not far from the Galaxy Fold 7’s 8.9mm thickness. By comparison, the Apple Watch Series 10 is 9.7mm thick, so Samsung is a little slimmer, though you’d probably never notice it.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic is thicker again, measuring 10.6mm and arriving in a 46mm size only. What makes it different is the look and control, supporting both the touchscreen and control ring from the old Galaxy Watch days, back when Samsung also made Gear watches. That is to say you’ll get both touch and a more physical analogue way of dialling in settings.
From the brief hands-on we’ve had with the Galaxy Watch8 models, both feel nice, and the combination of square and circle does give the series more of a sense of individuality.
They’re not just a squircle like the Apple Watch, or just a circular watch like standard watches. While no one has gone down the route of Hamilton’s triangular Ventura watches, Samsung’s blend of shapes looks a little more refined in this generation, compared with last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, which introduced the idea, but felt a little thick due to it being a more action-focused watch.
Specs and skills
Both are pretty much identical under the hood, with Super AMOLED screens, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, a Samsung-made Exynos W1000 chip, and an update BioActive sensor including heart rate, ECG, temperature, and a bunch of other things, including that recent support for sleep apnoea Australians are about to get.
And they will all get One UI 8, just like on the Android 16 Galaxy foldables, meaning Gemini is built in for some AI functionality, as well. Artificial intelligence will also be here for Samsung’s “Energy Score”, which will look at all your health metrics for a daily snapshot.
Beyond the AI, Samsung is also upgrading health features, so now you’ll get guidance for sleep with “Bedroom Guidance”, while folks who like to get up and have a run have more insights alongside motivation with “Running Coach”.
One of the most interesting features Samsung is including is one we’re actively trying to get more information on: an “Antioxidant Index”, which is basically a tracker for how many antioxidants you’re getting in.
A unique feature, Samsung’s antioxidant tracker appears to work on carotenoid levels and pigmentation you get when eating carrots and pumpkins and salmon and shrimp (prawns).
However, it’s a feature that won’t be based on you simply eating a carrot in the day since using your watch, and instead measures your skin over a space of roughly two weeks prior.
Carotenoid levels apparently need that amount of time to track, and so checking your levels today is basically a look at how you were eating two weeks ago, and a nudge in the right direction and monitoring accordingly.
To measure your antioxidants with the Galaxy Watch 8 models, you’ll hold your fingertip to the sensor on the back of watch for five seconds when running the Antioxidant Index mode, with the information tracked and sent to your phone, like any other Galaxy Watch feature.
That’s certainly one of the more interesting and individual features we’ve seen on a wearable, and could give Samsung something rather specific to take to folks looking for a health-focused wearable with actionable insights.
Simply put, if your antioxidants are down, eat more carrots and corn and other foods loaded with them (or conversely, talk to your doctor about ways to improve it, and if it’s important).
“Suited to a range of diverse lifestyles, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic blends timeless design with enhanced functionality, while the Galaxy Watch8 delivers our most advanced hardware yet in a sleek, minimalist form,” said Kylie Mason, Head of Wearables for Samsung in Australia.
Pricing and availability
You won’t have long to wait to find out whether these are the sort of wearables that grab you, either.
Australians will find the Watch8 from $649 in a 40mm Bluetooth-only and $699 for a 44mm Bluetooth only, but $100 more on each will get the 4G LTE model ($749/$799).
If you want the slightly fancier Watch8 Classic, you’ll find it in a 46mm model only, priced at $899 for Bluetooth-only and $999 with 4G LTE.
And last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra sticks around for another year, something that apparently supports the same sensor (it was upgraded last year), arriving in the 47mm 4G and Bluetooth capable Galaxy Watch Ultra for $1299 locally.
Like the new foldables, you can expect the new wearables to land on August 1, with preorders kicking in now.
