Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch 8 series as part of its 2025 product lineup, introducing a thinner design, upgraded battery life, and advanced health tracking features. The smartwatches will be available from July 25, with pre-orders open starting today.
Lighter Design, Brighter Screen
The Galaxy Watch 8 features a new squircle shape—a mix between a square and circle—similar to last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra. The watch is now 11% thinner than the previous model, making it more comfortable to wear. It comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with larger batteries: 325mAh and 435mAh respectively.
One of the most notable upgrades is the AMOLED display, which now reaches 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it easier to read in direct sunlight. The watch also includes improved water and dust resistance, rated 5ATM and IP68.
New Software and Health Tools
The Galaxy Watch 8 is the first Samsung wearable to run on Wear OS 6, Google’s latest smartwatch operating system. It includes the Gemini AI assistant, which offers more natural conversations and smarter responses.
A standout new feature is the ability to measure antioxidant levels in the blood. To use this, users must remove the watch and place the heart rate sensor against their thumb.
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and Ultra Update
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which brings back the rotating bezel—a fan-favorite feature—and comes in a single 46mm size. It includes all the improvements of the base model and a 445mAh battery.
Meanwhile, instead of launching a new Watch Ultra, Samsung is offering a new version with 64GB of internal storage and the same lug system for easy strap changes found in other models.
Pricing and Availability
- Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $350
- Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is priced at $500 (Wi-Fi) and $550 (Cellular)
- All models are available for pre-order now, with full availability beginning July 25, 2025
