During Samsung’s annual Unpacked event in New York Wednesday, everyone I know rushed to check out the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the company’s highest-end foldable phone priced at $2,000, as it wrapped up. However, I was more excited about the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, Samsung’s newest smartwatch.
Although I am not usually a smartwatch person, I have been making a conscious effort to get healthier over the past few days. It’s a lifestyle choice I have made as someone in their 30s. I do have an Apple Watch, but the model I own is getting older, and it doesn’t support the latest health features I am looking for. So, it was time for a change.
Seeing what Samsung is bringing, especially on the health and software side, along with the classic design, has piqued my interest. From the little time I spent with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, it certainly didn’t feel boring. And for a change, it doesn’t look like every other smartwatch on the market.
A close-up of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, showcasing its premium build, rotating bezel, and analog-inspired design. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
However, it’s health that made me reconsider smartwatches as a whole, and I am glad I chose health above everything else.
Looks like a traditional watch
The Watch 8 Classic has the feel of a traditional analogue watch, even though it’s a digital smartwatch. This is largely thanks to the rotating bezel, which makes the Classic stand out and feel unique. I also noticed that the new Watch 8 Classic borrows some elements from Samsung’s high-end Watch Ultra, such as a customisable quick button that doubles as a crown, positioned between the two navigation buttons.
The smartwatch departs from the traditional circular watch face, opting instead for a “cushion” design, featuring a round screen set inside a “squircle” frame (a square with rounded edges). When I wore the watch, I found the design to be polarising; some people may love it, while others may not. But that’s a good thing, considering how similar most smartwatches tend to look and feel these days.
The Watch 8 Classic features automatic workout detection and a new Running Coach for personalised fitness guidance. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
The watch felt comfortable on my wrist, and was noticeably lighter. Another notable change is the new lug system for swapping straps. Samsung said this new mechanism reduces the gap between the watch and your wrist, improving the overall fit.
Story continues below this ad
The Watch 8 Classic sits snug on the wrist, with a slimmer fit thanks to Samsung’s redesigned strap system. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Size-wise, the Classic is only available in a 46 mm version, which does feel quite large and gives it a more masculine appearance. That being said, Samsung also offers the baseline Watch 8, which features a unisex design that appeals to a wider audience.
There are no new sensors in the Galaxy Watch 8 Series. The processor is exactly the same, and the materials remain unchanged compared to the previous-generation watches. However, the Watch 8 Classic’s 50 per cent brighter screen and larger battery put it in a sweet spot between the baseline Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Thoughtful health features
What piqued my interest in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Series is the new set of health features I mentioned earlier. This time, I have a very different perspective on what I want from a smartwatch. Health and well-being take precedence over everything else.
The regular health features, such as ECG, SpO₂ or short for peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking, among others, are already present on the Galaxy Watch 8 Series. However, Samsung is taking health tracking even further.
Story continues below this ad
For example, there’s the new Antioxidant Index, which measures carotene (a type of antioxidant) levels in your skin with a simple five-second press of your thumb on the sensor—no needle required. Antioxidants help clear toxins from the body, which is what I learned during a demo of how the sensor works, and if you know the levels, the insights do help improve your health.
The Galaxy Watch 8 pairs with the Samsung Health app to display your Antioxidant Index, mine was low during the demo. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Essentially, the watch rates your antioxidant levels on a scale from low to high and then offers recommendations via the Samsung Health app on how to improve them if they are on the lower side. I got to try the feature, and my Antioxidant Index was on the lower end. I was told it could take at least two weeks to see any changes in the Index.
A sign at Samsung’s Unpacked event explains how the Galaxy Watch 8 measures your Antioxidant Index in just five seconds.(Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Keep in mind, this metric isn’t clinically verified and therefore doesn’t replace a medical-grade test. That said, even if the feature is only half as useful as Samsung claims, it still encourages you to make positive lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
Samsung is also introducing a new feature called Vascular Load, a metric that measures the strain on your heart during sleep. These readings are translated into a low-to-high scale to help you understand how certain behaviours, such as sodium or alcohol intake, may be contributing to your long-term risk of heart disease. I couldn’t try the feature myself.
Story continues below this ad
The new Galaxy Watch 8 Series also comes with Running Coach, which assesses your ability based on a 12-minute running test and then generates a personalised training plan. It’s aimed at beginners and intermediate-level runners. There’s also a new Bedtime Guidance feature that estimates your circadian rhythm to suggest an optimal bedtime.
At Samsung Unpacked, the company introduced its new Running Coach feature, aimed at helping users train smarter. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Gemini on the watch opens new possibilities
Brand new to the Galaxy Watch 8 Series is a refreshed user interface in the form of One UI 8, which makes everything easier to navigate. Some features stand out, for example, notifications are now separated by app, and you get instant access to your six most frequently used apps. The watches also introduce a new “Now Bar” at the bottom of the screen, which allows quick access to active apps, such as timers or media controls. This feature was first introduced on the Galaxy S25 Series earlier this year.
Perhaps, the most significant software update is the launch of Google Gemini AI on both the Watch 8 Classic, and the Watch 8. And I have to say – it’s actually useful, bringing contextual understanding and the ability to handle more complex commands right on your wrist. In fact, you can do quite a lot with Gemini on the Watch 8 Series, like starting a playlist at the same time you initiate a certain distance run, or setting a timer while preparing a healthy dish based on a recipe saved in your notes.
Early impressions
Story continues below this ad
I need to spend more time with the Watch 8 Classic before I can give my verdict on the new health and fitness features, and whether Gemini on the watch is as useful as advertised. However, I must say that the Watch 8 Classic already feels like a much better smartwatch than I had expected. The Watch 8 Classic has a starting price of $499.99, and will be available to buy on July 25 in the US and select countries.
