Latest news with #DynamicLug
Android Authority
10-07-2025
- Android Authority
I wanted to hate Samsung's proprietary Galaxy Watch 8 bands, but I can't
I didn't expect to care this much about a watch band system, but here we are. With the launch of its newest smartwatches, Samsung has officially streamlined its wearable portfolio, bringing its questionable squircle shape to every model. This also means that all the Galaxy Watch 8 models now feature the brand's Dynamic Lug system. This particular facet of the redesign might seem minor at first glance, and for anyone who's ever struggled to swap a watch strap, it's a meaningful improvement that's worth all the backward incompatibility it's creating. Easy does it Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority If, like me, you keep your nails short and consequently can never get the pins to cooperate, the Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic will be a welcome change. I've always liked customizing my watch depending on the day or activity. While I'm most often sporting a workout-friendly band, I also love leather and metal options for more formal occasions. I prefer woven options for sleep tracking, but when I inevitably get my wrists wet while wearing nylon, I immediately have to swap bands. The new system is significantly easier to use with a button and click-to-lock design. The new lugs, first seen on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, ditch the traditional spring-pin mechanism in favor of a slide-in, click-to-lock system. It's intuitive, secure, and most importantly, it takes seconds to change bands, no nails needed. Samsung says the new fit also improves health-tracking accuracy by keeping sensors more stable on users' wrists. I haven't gotten my hands on a device yet to test this claim, but it's a nice bonus when I was sold on the usability upgrade alone. With that said, the change doesn't come without compromise. Because of the new lug shape, neither the Galaxy Watch 8 nor the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is compatible with generic 20mm watch bands. If you've spent the last few years collecting straps, including official ones, third-party picks from Amazon, or niche designs from small makers, those are now effectively obsolete — unless you go the ugly adapter route. C. Scott Brown / Android Authority The only bands that should work out of the box with the new devices are Galaxy Watch Ultra bands, but they're also a little wider, as Samsung has confirmed to us. So even if you've bought extra straps for your Ultra, you'll need to buy new, narrower Dynamic Lug-compatible bands for the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic. Unfortunately, existing Galaxy Watch bands and third-party, 20mm pin-style watch bands will not be compatible. It's a frustrating bit of forced redundancy, especially considering the relatively high cost of Samsung's new compatible straps. At launch, the selection of bands is also a bit thin. The official options look great, but the variety isn't there yet. Fortunately, there are already plenty of third-party options available and even adapters if you are intent on making your old collection work. If I'm honest, I hate when brands create waste or walk away from universal compatibility. (I've been screaming into the void about proprietary watch chargers for years.) In this case, I'm just choosing to focus on the positive side of the change: the new attachment system is absolutely easier to use. So while I understand why some longtime users are frustrated, for me, this is one of those times where the practical benefits outweigh the annoyance. I am significantly more disappointed in the squircle shape than the idea of replacing my bands for a more effortless system.
GSM Arena
10-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series hands-on
Michail, 09 July 2025 The Galaxy Watch series just got its newest members – say hello to the Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic. We got to spend some time with the newest Samsung wearables and these are our first impressions. From left to right: Watch8 (40mm), Watch8 44mm, Watch8 Classic (white and black), Watch Ultra (Titanium Blue) The Watch8 series gets Samsung's "cushion design," which premiered on last year's Galaxy Watch Ultra. This means a squircle-shaped casing and a round display on top. Watch8 (left) and Watch8 Classic (right) Samsung's Dynamic Lug system ensures less space between the watch casing and your wrist which should result in more accurate health and activity readings. The only downside is that the Watch8 series uses proprietary straps, so you can't just pop on any standard 22mm band like on the Watch7 series. Samsung does provide a wide variety of strap options to choose from, as you can see. Watch8 series straps Watch8 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes and two colors - Graphite and Silver. The smaller version boasts a 1.34-inch display while the larger gets a slightly larger 1.47-inch panel. Watch8 Classic is available in a single 46mm size with Black and White color options. It brings back the fan-favorite rotating bezel, which Samsung oddly chose to omit from its Watch7 series. For some weird reason, Watch8 Classic gets the same 1.34-inch diagonal as the smaller 40mm Watch8. Regardless of which Watch8 series you go for, you're getting a bright and responsive AMOLED display with Sapphire Crystal protection and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The casing on the Watch8 is made from aluminum, while the Classic gets stainless steel. Both feel premium enough, though the Classic is noticeably heavier, which is to be expected given its larger size and rotating bezel. At 8.6mm thick, Watch8 is thinner and lighter than any previous Galaxy Watch, and it's refreshingly light on the wrist. Samsung's new watches boot One UI 8 Watch based on Google's Wear OS 6. This update brings a few new features, including grouped notifications, multi-info tiles and Samsung's Now Bar. You're also getting Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index and a new Running Coach Samsung's BioActive Sensor claims more accurate health and activity readings, which we'll make sure to test in our review. Both Watch8 members get the Exynos W1000 chip paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage on the Watch8 and 64GB on the Classic. As for battery life, the smallest 40mm Watch8 gets a 325mAh battery while the 44mm model features a 435mAh cell. Watch8 Classic is outfitted with a 445mAh cell. Samsung claims 40 hours of usage without Always-on Display (AoD) mode, and 30 hours with AoD on for both models. Samsung Galaxy Watch8 32GB 2GB RAM £ 1,022.30 Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic 64GB 2GB RAM € 529.00
Android Authority
09-07-2025
- Android Authority
Upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 8? I hope you're not too attached to your old Galaxy watch bands...
TL;DR Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic with a brand-new Dynamic Lug System for watch bands. While the new system promises better comfort and 11% more accurate heart rate tracking, older Galaxy Watch bands and other standard third-party 20mm bands are no longer compatible with the new smartwatches. Users with a collection of older straps will need to invest in new ones designed for the Galaxy Watch 8 series. Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. While there are welcome upgrades all around, the watches also introduce a new design element that might not sit well with longtime Galaxy Watch users. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic have a new Dynamic Lug System that replaces the long-standing 20mm standard band compatibility seen across previous Galaxy Watch generations. Until now, Samsung smartwatches, including the Galaxy Watch 7 and even the original Galaxy Watch, supported interchangeable 20mm straps, allowing users to reuse old bands and explore a wide variety of third-party options. With the Galaxy Watch 8 series, that era has come to an end. C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Samsung says the new Dynamic Lug System is designed to improve the strap angle for a more ergonomic fit, leading to an 11% improvement in heart rate tracking accuracy over the Galaxy Watch 7 series. The company claims the new system also makes it easier to swap out bands, but sadly, your old bands won't fit anymore. This is quite a big change and could disappoint many longtime Galaxy Watch owners who have invested in multiple bands over the years. While the improved heart rate tracking and easier band-swapping are appealing, those upgrading from older models will need to start fresh with a new set of compatible straps. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic will be available with a wide selection of official bands, including Athleisure, Fabric, and Sport options. The Watch 8 Classic also gets an exclusive Hybrid band range.
