Latest news with #GalaxyWatch8
GSM Arena
a day ago
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 in for review
A Galaxy of new Samsung devices made their way to the office, and we keep unpacking them. The Galaxy Watch8 is the new entry-point in Samsung's smartwatch portfolio and we have the 40mm Silver version with us. But first – a quick unboxing. Watch8 comes in a simple white cardboard box, which contains the watch and the same proprietary 10W wireless charging puck that ends with a USB-C cable. The inside compartment also holds the new proprietary TPU strap. You'll immediately notice the new cushion design, which takes inspiration from the Galaxy Watch Ultra. In short, the casing is made from two parts – a brushed aluminum squircle piece and a round AMOLED display on top. The new design allowed Samsung to make the Watch8 thinner as it now measures just 8.6 mm. It feels pretty light on the wrist too at just 30 grams. Our 40mm version gets a 1.34-inch diagonal, but Samsung is also offering a larger 44mm size, which bumps up to 1.47 inches. Regardless of the casing size, you get Sapphire Crystal protection and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits – a big upgrade over the 2,000 nits peak on the Watch7 series. The updated design also brings Samsung's Dynamic Lug system, which is advertised to bring improvement in health and activity readings. There's a bunch of new health and activity tracking features inside One UI 8 Watch, and we're eager to see how the new Antioxidant Index fares in the real world. Watch8 brings two side buttons on the right-hand side, while the opposite houses the speakers. There's no physical rotating bezel like on the Classic version. Instead, the edges of the panel give off vibrations to simulate a 'digital bezel'. The 325mAh battery inside the Watch8 claims up to 40 hours with Always-on Display (AoD) off and 30 hours with AoD on. As usual, we'll make sure to test this and all of the other key features in our detailed review. In the meantime, feel free to check out our Galaxy Watch8 series hands-on. Samsung Galaxy Watch8
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
Samsung Brought Back My Favorite Feature for Its Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic
While competitors release predictable updates to their smartwatches, Samsung isn't afraid to surprise us (for better or worse) with design and feature changes each year. And with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in particular, announced at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, my favorite feature has made a welcome reappearance: the physical rotating bezel, a touch of romantic elegance that made me fall in love with Galaxy Watches in the first place. The Galaxy Watch 8 also has a new look and thinner frame, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra keeps the same functional, squared-off frame as before with a new Titanium blue color that will appeal to people who want a more rugged timepiece. But it's not just aesthetics that have changed in this year's revisions. The company is also stepping things up when it comes to health tools, including several features I've never seen on a smartwatch, like noninvasive skin analysis and AI-powered coaching for sleep and running. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic also have a smarter voice assistant and are the first smartwatches with Google's Gemini AI baked right inside, ready to handle complex tasks. Watch this: The Rotating Bezel is Back! A Look at Samsung's New Galaxy Watch 8 and Classic 04:31 Pricing and availability The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $350 for the 40mm model and $380 for the 44mm one. The LTE versions are $50 more: $400 for the 40mm model and $430 for the 44mm watch. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, with its rotating bezel and physical crown, comes in a single 46mm size and costs $500, or $550 for the LTE model. The Titanium Blue version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is $650, the same price as the original 2024 model. This version gets the same internal upgrades as the Watch 8 lineup, including a 64GB storage bump. All models are available for preorder now with shipping starting July 25. If you reserve early from Samsung you can get $50 in Samsung credit; your wireless carrier may also have deals on the watches and Samsung's just-announced phones. The 40mm version of the Galaxy Watch 8 has a new design with a circular screen and squircle frame. Joseph Maldonado/CNET Health and fitness features Samsung continues to expand the Galaxy Watch's role as a health and wellness tool, building on existing features like ECG, SpO₂ (shorthand for peripheral capillary oxygen saturation), sleep tracking and its AGEs Index, which reflects your metabolic aging process. The headliner is a new Antioxidant Index, which measures carotene (one type of antioxidant) levels in your skin with a simple five-second press of your thumb on the sensor (no needle needed). Since antioxidants help clear toxins from the body, knowing your levels can offer actionable steps for improving your health. The watch will rate your levels on a scale from low to high and then offer generic recommendations on the Samsung Health app on how you can improve your levels if they're on the lower side. It's important to note that this metric isn't clinically verified and isn't meant to replace a medical-grade test. It's designed to offer a baseline reading that may help you make real-time lifestyle adjustments, but it won't provide the detailed or precise results you'd get from a traditional blood test. The Antioxidant Index on the new Galaxy Watches. Joseph Maldonado/CNET There's also a new metric called Vascular Load, which measures strain on your heart during sleep. These readings are translated into a low-to-high scale to help you understand how behaviors (like sodium or alcohol intake) may be contributing to long-term heart disease risk. Sleep tracking gets a serious upgrade, too. A new Bedtime Guidance tool uses a three-day analysis of your circadian rhythm and sleep pressure (aka sleep debt) to recommend an ideal bedtime window. It factors in heart rate, HRV, skin temperature, and even environmental cues like room temperature or brightness (if you've got connected SmartThings devices). The goal: Improve your sleep quality, recovery and energy throughout the day. The new Running Coach gives you a personalized training plan to help meet your goals. Samsung The coaching isn't just for sleep; the new Galaxy Watches are also debuting a Running Coach feature. It starts with a 12-minute running assessment that scores your fitness from level 0 (beginner) to level 10 (marathon-ready). From there, it builds a personalized four-to-six-week training plan tailored to your distance or performance goals. Similar to Apple's new Workout Buddy, Samsung's Running Coach offers real-time, contextual feedback while you're running, like pointing out a major milestone. But unlike Apple's version, Samsung's tool goes a step further by actually adapting your future training plans based on your progress. Design The two new Galaxy Watches take a page out of the Galaxy Watch Ultra's playbook ditching the traditional circular watch face for a "cushion" design that has a round screen set inside a "squircle" frame (square with rounded edges). As someone who thought the Ultra looked too big and masculine for my wrist, I'm still not totally sold on the design shift. But I'm a sucker for that rotating bezel on the Classic (the Ultra's is static), so I can't help but love the look, even if it doesn't feel like it was made for me. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic brings back the rotating bezel in two color options: white or black. Joseph Maldonado/CNET The Classic also adopts the customizable quick-action button of the Ultra that also doubles as a crown wedges between the two navigation buttons. Despite my preference for the sleeker, edgeless circular design of past Galaxy Watches, there may be some benefits to the new design, including a slimmer form factor. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Watch 8 is 11% slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. When trying it on, I was blown away by how light it felt on my wrist without the usual belly bump bulge of the body. Pair that with a new band system, which reduces the gap between the watch and your wrist and you have a noticeably more comfortable fit. Thanks to the tighter sensor-to-skin contact, it's also more accurate at capturing heart rate data. This is still subject to testing, but if it holds up, it may be a justified design trade-off. Width comparison between the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra. Both the Ultra and the Classic have the crown that doubles as an action button. Joseph Maldonado/CNET The Galaxy Watch 8 comes in silver and graphite with an aluminum frame, while the Classic opts for a stainless steel finish in just silver. Size-wise, the regular Watch 8 comes in 40mm and 44mm options, while the Classic is only available in 46mm, which looks pretty large on my 6-inch (15cm) wrist and definitely leans more masculine. I can't help but miss the days when Samsung offered more feminine options like rose gold or even just plain gold, though it's been a while since those were part of the lineup. The new Galaxy Watches are the first smartwatches to debut Google's Gemini AI assistant out of the box. Joseph Maldonado/CNET Gemini on the watch The new One UI 8 software brings a refreshed user experience that is easier to navigate. Notifications are separated by app and instant access to your six most-used apps. The Watches also takes a page from the Galaxy phone with a new "Now bar" at the bottom of the screen for quick access to active apps like timers or media controls. But the most important software update is the addition of Gemini AI. The new Galaxy Watches are the first with Google's AI assistant built-in, bringing more complex commands and contextual understanding to your wrist. You can ask it to check your most recent running pace, start a five-mile run and launch your workout playlist simultaneously, set a timer to boil pasta based on a recipe in your notes, adjust the font size on the watch, or have it draft a text letting a friend know you're running late. Since Gemini requires an internet connection to work, you'll need to have your phone paired nearby or use an LTE version of the watch. Battery and storage Let's set expectations: Just because the Galaxy Watch 8 looks like the Ultra doesn't mean it matches the Ultra's three-day battery life. But there's still good news to share. Samsung says the Watch 8 has an 8% larger battery than the Watch 7: 325 mAh vs. 300 mAh (for the 40mm), and 435 mAh vs. 425 mAh (for the 44mm). The Classic tops out at 445 mAh, which is still well below the Ultra's 590 mAh battery. How much that translates into real-world use remains to be seen, but any boost is welcome, especially paired with the efficiency gains from the new Wear OS 6 update. Storage also doubles across the board, with 64GB now standard (up from 32GB), including a new Titanium Blue version of the Ultra. This is just a first look based on hands-on time. We'll find out if these features live up to the hype when put to the test in our full review, coming soon.
Geek Culture
2 days ago
- Health
- Geek Culture
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Series Deliver On Slim Comfort & Greater Wellness Tracking
Alongside the unveiling of Samsung's latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic were also unveiled. Touted as the thinnest and most comfortable Galaxy Watch to date and perfectly suited for continuous health monitoring throughout the day, and night. To achieve its thinnest design yet, at 11% thinner, the internal structure of the Galaxy Watch 8 Series was completely reengineered. This means that the watches now fit more snugly to the wrist, for greater comfort and stability, and more importantly, greater health-tracking accuracy. The display is now 50% brighter with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for greater visibility under direct sunlight. With the Galaxy Watch 8 Series, Samsung is delivering on deeper and more accurate health insights to help provide a holistic view of users' health. Sleep coaching on the watch can now help users detect moderate to sever signs of sleep apnea, from just three nights of sleep onwards. Bedtime Guidance will also help measure users' circadian rhythm to suggest the optimal time to go to bed for a restful night and Vascular Load helps monitor the stress levels on the users' vascular system during sleep. Both features work in tandem to help provide the insights necessary to help users better manage their health. The Galaxy Watch 8 Series is alspo the first smartwatch to ever have an Antioxidant Index, for users to measure carotenoid levels, which helps them make informed lifestyle choices for healthy aging. For users who enjoy running or need to be motivated to get started with running, the Running Coach now calculates the users' fitness level from 1 to 10 and develops a tailored training plan with real-time guidance and motivational insights. The updated Together feature now supports running too, so users can gamify their fitness journey by challenging friends and family. If elevated stress levels continue, the High Stress Alert feature instantly prompts users to take a break, supporting real-time stress management. The built-in Mindfulness Tracker allows users to log their mood and access guided breathing exercises. Additionally, the AI-powered Energy Score provides an at-a-glance view of physical and mental readiness, helping users better understand and balance their daily well-being. Developed in close partnership with Google, the Galaxy Watch 8 Series is also the first smartwatch to launch with Gemini, alongside the new Wear OS 6. With intuitive voice commands, users can manage their day completely hands-free using Galaxy Watch apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock. Enabling users to ask Gemini to locate a nearby cafe and message a friend to meet you there, or simply saying 'Start a 30-minute run' to kick off a workout. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic will be available in Singapore for purchase from 1 August 2025 at local telco operators (Singtel, StarHub, M1), Samsung Online Store, Samsung Shop App, Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung Official Stores at Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, KrisShop, iShopChangi, as well as major consumer electronics & IT stores. The Galaxy Watch 8 (Graphite or Silver) at 40mm retails for S$498 (Bluetooth) and S$598 (LTE), while the 44mm retails for S$548 (Bluetooth) and S$648 (LTE). The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (Black or White) at 46mm retails for S$698 (Bluetooth) and S$798 (LTE). Yonk is a geek who is fortunate enough to have an equally geeky Star Wars fan for a wife, who owns a LEGO Millennium Falcon encased in a glass coffee table as their home's centre-piece. Galaxy Watch 8 Samsung samsung unpacked Smartwatch
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Foldables, flippables, but no tri-fold smartphone
Samsung went all out during its summer Galaxy Unpacked event in New York City. The theme was 'Foldables', with several hotly anticipated devices (the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE), a brand-new UI explicitly designed for foldable devices, an all-new Galaxy Watch 8 series (with a minor upgrade to the Galaxy Watch Ultra) lineup, and some new artificial intelligence (AI) updates. Unfortunately, Project Moohan and the heavily rumoured tri-fold smartphone (Galaxy G Fold as it might be called) were absent. There is an exciting update about the latter, though. Here's the lowdown on the Samsung Unpacked event that took place on a relatively hot day in New York City. I'll always take a mobile UI designed explicitly for folding smartphones. To that extent, Samsung is calling their latest One UI 8 update a 'next-generation interface designed specifically for foldables, optimized for AI and built on the principles of multimodal understanding and deep personalization'. There's a new AI-enhanced interface that allows you to move and resize pop-up windows wherever suits you best. Dragging and dropping is now child's play. For the 'flippers' out there, you can now get more done on the cover screen (a new intuitive interface to help you stay on top of your day) with an expanded display. Thinner and lighter, and playing catch-up to all the folding smartphones from Chinese manufacturers. That's the best way to sum up the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which now ships without an S Pen. The Z Fold 7 comes in at 4.2mm thick (when unfolded) and 8.9mm thick (when folded). The outer screen is larger, with a 6.5-inch display. On the inside, there is an 8-inch display. These are much larger than the ones on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Additionally, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The primary camera also receives a significant upgrade, now featuring a 200MP wide-angle sensor. There's also a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 10MP telephoto camera. It's also got a 4,400mAh battery and supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will retail for a starting price of ₹ 1,74,999 and comes in three colours—Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jet Black. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 gets a larger 4.1-inch cover screen. The display extends beyond the two cameras, which is something Motorola has been doing for a while now. The inner display also receives an upgrade from 6.7 inches on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 to 6.9 inches on the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has also slimmed down. It now measures just 6.5mm thick when unfolded. The Samsung Exynos 2500 processor powers the smartphone, paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Surprisingly, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a larger 4,300mAh battery. There's a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 10MP front-facing camera, all of which are the same as on their predecessor. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a starting price of ₹ 1,09,999 and is available in Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Coral Red colourways. If the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a little bit out of your budget, then fret not, as Samsung has your back. The 'Fan Edition', a slightly pared-down variant, has been released. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE features a design similar to that of the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It features a 3.4-inch cover display that borders the camera, but does not extend beyond it. On the inside is a 6.7-inch inner display. There's 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage along with a 4,000mAh battery. The rear cameras are a 50MP wide-angle camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens, respectively. Even for the Watch 8 series, thin is in. These new smartwatches are smart, stylish, and undergo a complete makeover. The circle-square-case design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra has now been adopted by the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. The Galaxy Watch 8 is 11 percent thinner than the Galaxy Watch 7. The Galaxy Watch 8 is available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, and features a slightly larger battery. The smartwatches now sit flatter on your wrist for a more comfortable experience. Consumers and fans of Samsung were worried that there wouldn't be another Classic model of the smartwatch, but it's back! The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, along with the rotating bezel, is back with a bang. The clicks are oh so satisfying. The smartwatches now feature a new lug system used for swapping straps. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic comes with a Quick Button for programming shortcuts. The hardware updates, though, are very minor. The significant updates to these smartwatches, for what it's worth, are software-based. There's now a Running Coach, a new Bedtime Guidance feature, Vascular Load (for measuring stress levels), Google Gemini and Antioxidant Index. The latter features LED sensors upon which you stick your thumb. The algorithm then tells you whether you're eating enough fruits and veggies! The Galaxy Watch Ultra receives a second-generation successor, but the updates are minor. It has most of the same features as its predecessor, with only one significant change. The storage is now 64GB instead of 32GB. Besides that, you get a 47mm display with a titanium casing and a 590mAh battery (good for up to 100 hours of use in power-saving mode). Oh, and there is a new Titanium Blue colour option this year. We've all come to love Circle to Search ever since it debuted last year. Now, it's getting even more powerful with AI Mode. It's Google's most advanced AI search experience yet. You can circle something, get an AI-powered response and then ask follow-up questions, no matter how tough. On the Galaxy Z Fold 7, you can simply long-press the power button and your screen will be shared with Gemini. Then you can utilise Gemini's help for anything and everything you need. On the Galaxy Z Flip 7, camera sharing with Gemini Live is now available. It's coming to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FlexWindow. 'Starting with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, Gemini will also connect directly with your favourite Samsung apps like Samsung Calendar, Reminder and Notes,' Samsung announced at the Galaxy Unpacked event. This is in addition to Gemini Live support for Google apps. Since the brand-new Galaxy Watch 8 comes with Wear OS 6, it is the first smartwatch to feature Gemini. Project Moohan is more than just a secret. Samsung has been teasing and slowly releasing information about its very own Android XR headset, Project Moohan, and we were all anticipating some concrete news about it at Galaxy Unpacked. Alas, we haven't learnt any bit more than we did when the teaser was released at the last Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in January. There was also little information available about the heavily rumoured tri-fold smartphone. The Galaxy Fold was an afterthought; it seemed that way. It was only during press interviews that we learned from TM Roh, Samsung's acting head of the device experience division, that the company "(is expected to) launch the tri-fold phone within this year'. Roh further iterated that Samsung hasn't settled on a name yet for its first-ever tri-fold smartphone. Note: All devices will be available on and all leading retail outlets across the country.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Health
- Mid East Info
Ultra comfort, from sleep to workout: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Series now available for UAE pre-orders
Samsung Gulf Electronics has introduced Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic[1], establishing an iconic design identity across the entire Galaxy Watch lineup. Building upon the foundation of the Galaxy Watch Ultra's cushion design, this series boasts the thinnest, most comfortable Galaxy Watch ever[2] for continuous health tracking. The Galaxy Watch8 Series suits diverse lifestyles and provides advanced capabilities, setting a new standard for style and personalized health experiences. Fadi Abu Shamat, Vice President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: 'Our mission centers on enabling healthier lifestyles for billions through cutting-edge technology. The Galaxy Watch8 Series represents the convergence of thoughtful design, advanced sensors, and an intuitive AI-powered experience. It's an accessible gateway that will help users make impactful progress toward their health and wellness goals.' Redesigned Inside and Out for Ultimate Wellness By reimagining both form and function, the Galaxy Watch8 series delivers unmatched comfort alongside industry-leading performance, making it the ultimate companion for everyday wellness. The distinctive cushion design, which debuted with Galaxy Watch Ultra, now defines the entire Galaxy Watch lineup. Galaxy Watch8's sleek profile is complemented by its exceptional performance. Even when you are outdoors under bright sunlight, the display is 50% brighter2 with a peak brightness of 3,000nits for easy visibility, and the enhanced battery2 ensures the watch can keep up with an active lifestyle. Samsung is continuously advancing the sleep experience, offering tailored sleep coaching, helping to create an optimal sleep environment, and even detecting moderate to severe signs of sleep apnea. On top of that, the Galaxy Watch8 series comes with new unique health features on the Samsung Health app[3] that help you build healthier habits through instant, motivational insights – from sleep to nutrition and workout. Availability & Offers Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and the new Galaxy Watch Ultra are available for pre-order in the UAE from July XX, with general availability starting July XX. Sleek and minimalist, Galaxy Watch8 is designed for everyday wellness. Available in 44mm or 40mm sizes and in Graphite or Silver, it provides comfort and style for daily activities. Meanwhile, Galaxy Watch8 Classic brings timeless sophistication to the wrist with modern features such as a rotating bezel and a quick button for added convenience. The Classic model measures 46mm and comes in Black and White. Plus, both models can be matched with a range of stylish bands[4] designed to suit diverse lifestyles. For those who love outdoor adventures, Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most advanced and durable Galaxy Watch model yet. Available in four titanium finishes including the new Titanium Blue, it offers the longest battery life and the most robust performance in the lineup. To learn more about Galaxy Watch8 Series, please visit: [1] Availability may vary depending on market, model and the smartphone paired. All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice. [2] Compared to the previous Galaxy Watches. [3] Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or management of any medical condition or disease. Any health-related information accessed through the device and/or application should not be treated as medical advice. Users should seek any medical advice from a physician. Certain features may vary by market, carrier, or the device paired. [4] Sold separately. Availability of watch bands may vary by market or carrier.
