ZDNET’s primary conclusions emphasize that Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8, currently discounted to approximately $250 for Cyber Week, represents one of the most well-rounded and refined smartwatches available within the Android ecosystem. It combines a full suite of expected health-tracking functions—such as heart rate, sleep, and activity monitoring—with several unique innovations like Samsung’s intelligent Running Coach, personalized bedtime guidance, and recovery insights. While the device demonstrates strong reliability in its core functions, some newly introduced features, including the Antioxidant Index and BMI measurements, feel more exploratory than rigorously scientific, as they occasionally fail to deliver consistent results.
The latest lineup of Samsung’s wearables includes both the Galaxy Watch 8 and its sibling, the Watch 8 Classic. The latter retains the brand’s iconic rotating bezel—a hallmark appreciated by long-time users for its tactile navigation. Both models are readily available for purchase and incorporate an extensive array of health-tracking tools that cater to everyday fitness monitoring as well as more data-driven performance optimization. After extensive hands-on testing—during which the reviewer ran, slept, and lived with the device—it became evident that the Watch 8 currently stands as one of the most capable and intelligently designed Android smartwatches on the market. Whether one’s goal is preparing for a marathon or simply maintaining better wellness with the help of subtle AI assistance, the Watch 8 offers practical functionality and intuitive design.
Before diving into the software innovations that set this model apart, it is worthwhile to assess its physical construction and design characteristics. The Galaxy Watch 8 presents an especially sleek profile, measuring about 11% thinner than the preceding Watch 7 model. This reduction in thickness translates into a more comfortable wearing experience, particularly during sleep or extended workouts. Although it is not the slimmest smartwatch around—the Apple Watch Series 10 still claims that distinction—it surpasses many of its peers, including Google’s Pixel Watch 3, in achieving a refined balance between form and function.
Display quality is another area where Samsung’s engineering clearly excels. The Watch 8 reaches a remarkable brightness level of 3,000 nits, giving it one of the most luminous displays currently available among smartwatches. This surpasses both the Pixel Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 10, which top out around 2,000 nits. In practical terms, this means the screen remains highly legible even under intense sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor runners or cyclists who frequently check their metrics mid-activity.
Battery performance, while variable depending on device size and usage, remains respectable. Testing with the 40mm model revealed an average runtime of roughly a day and a half under continuous use with the Always-On Display enabled. Users seeking extended endurance can easily gain several additional hours by disabling that feature, and those opting for larger model sizes may experience slightly better longevity overall. This measured balance between functionality and power efficiency ensures that users rarely find themselves without charge during a normal day’s activities.
A subtle yet meaningful design enhancement can be seen in the new Multi-Info tiles. These tiles give users rapid access to frequently used functions without the need to navigate multiple menus. A simple swipe enables instant access to critical tools like workout tracking, weather updates, or sleep statistics. This streamlined interaction reflects Samsung’s consistent emphasis on improving the user interface in small, thoughtful ways that reduce friction during daily use.
Long before its official launch, Samsung teased several of the health-oriented innovations expected to accompany the Watch 8’s release under the updated One UI 8 software. These features collectively aim to deliver a more comprehensive picture of a wearer’s wellbeing, encompassing both active performance metrics and restorative phases such as sleep. Among these, Running Coach, Antioxidant Index, and Bedtime Guidance stand out as flagship additions designed to personalize health data and translate it into actionable insights.
Of these, the Running Coach feature arguably deserves the most recognition. It exemplifies the integration of AI-driven personalization within wearable technology, as it evaluates a user’s current running endurance through a short assessment—typically around twelve minutes—and then produces an individualized performance score rated on a ten-point scale. Even for seasoned runners, the process can be revealing: the reviewer, for instance, received a mere three out of ten, a humbling outcome that nonetheless inspired renewed motivation. Following this evaluation, the watch offers tailored training plans calibrated to one’s present ability, recovery needs, and race goals. Through reminders, customized runs, and pace objectives, the watch effectively transforms into a digital coach, guiding users toward measurable improvement and rekindling enthusiasm for the sport.
The Antioxidant Index, though intriguing, remains in a more experimental stage. The feature purports to estimate antioxidant levels by measuring readings from the wearer’s thumb through the BioActive Sensor on the watch’s underside. Although the process is quick—providing results in under ten seconds—it can return unexpectedly low values even for individuals with nutrient-rich diets abundant in vegetables, berries, and other whole foods. According to Samsung, such results may vary due to factors like skin texture or the time required for dietary improvements to register biologically. Despite its potential, this and similar metrics currently feel underdeveloped; they hint at a promising future where wearable sensors could assess deeper biomarkers, yet for now they serve more as curiosities than as clinically reliable indicators.
In contrast, features such as Bedtime Guidance and Cardio Load deliver more immediately practical value. They use longitudinal data gathered from daily activity and sleep to recommend optimal rest schedules, suggesting ideal bedtimes and wake times while tracking cardiovascular exertion levels. These insights can help users strike a balance between exertion and recovery—critical for maintaining both performance and overall wellness. Such functions exemplify Samsung’s growing emphasis on holistic health tracking, blending lifestyle monitoring with subtle coaching mechanisms.
This emphasis aligns perfectly with Samsung’s broader strategic direction. The company’s recent acquisition of digital health platform Xealth underscores its commitment to integrating healthcare data and consumer technology more deeply. The Galaxy Watch 8, therefore, feels like both a fitness companion and an early step toward more data-rich, personalized wellness ecosystems.
In conclusion, ZDNET’s analysis reinforces that the Galaxy Watch 8’s defining strength lies in its AI-powered Running Coach—a feature that transforms it from a mere tracker into a genuine performance partner. For anyone who runs, whether occasionally or competitively, the combination of detailed analytics, automated guidance, and motivational structure makes this watch a standout. If you’re preparing for your first marathon, returning to regular training after a break, or simply looking to leverage smart data for self-improvement, the Galaxy Watch 8 emerges as one of the most capable and inspiring wearable options for Android users today.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/samsungs-newest-galaxy-watch-8-got-me-off-my-couch-and-running-again-and-its-on-sale/
