Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review: Price, Features & Antioxidant Health Tracking
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 series launched July 9, 2025, bringing significant design changes and groundbreaking health monitoring features that position it as more than just a fitness tracker.
The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth model, representing a $50 price increase from the Galaxy Watch 7. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic starts at $499, a significant boost over the Watch 6 Classic ($400/$430), with the same $50 surcharge for LTE. All models are available for pre-order now and ship July 25, 2025.
Complete Pricing:
- Galaxy Watch 8 40mm: $349.99 (Bluetooth), $399.99 (LTE)
- Galaxy Watch 8 44mm: $379.99 (Bluetooth), $429.99 (LTE)
- Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 46mm: $499 (Bluetooth), $549 (LTE)
World-First Antioxidant Index Measurement
The Galaxy Watch 8 introduces the industry's first Antioxidant Index feature, assessing carotenoid levels in just five seconds via an advanced, light-activated BioActive Sensor. Users place their thumb on the sensor for five seconds to receive both a numerical score (1-100) and color-coded results representing their antioxidant status.
An Antioxidant Index of 75-100 is considered "Adequate," 50-74 is "Low," and below 50 is "Very Low". Skin carotenoid levels correlate with blood carotenoid concentrations and can serve as an alternative indicator for evaluating carotenoid levels in the body.
Vascular Load Sleep Monitoring
Vascular Load measures stress on the vascular system during sleep, requiring users to wear the Galaxy Watch for at least three days out of the most recent 14 days. This provides cardiovascular health baselines and tracks trends over time.
Enhanced Sleep and Fitness Coaching
Bedtime Guidance measures circadian rhythm to suggest optimal bedtime based on three days of sleep analysis. Running Coach analyzes performance data after a 12-minute run, categorizes running ability on a 10-level scale, and generates customized three- to five-week training programs.
The Galaxy Watch 8 features the thinnest design in the series to date, with an ultra-slim 8.6-millimeter profile. The new watch is 11 percent smaller than its predecessor and adopts the squircle form factor from the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Key Technical Specs:
- Processor: Exynos W1000 (3nm process, penta-core CPU)
- Battery: 325mAh (40mm), 435mAh (44mm)
- Storage: 32GB (Galaxy Watch 8), 64GB (Galaxy Watch 8 Classic)
- Display: 3,000 nits brightness with Sapphire glass protection
- Water resistance: 5ATM and IP68-certified
The Galaxy Watch8 series is the world's first smartwatch to come equipped with Google's Gemini. Voice control allows users to operate key functions - for example, saying "start a 300-calorie circuit training workout" prompts Gemini to launch Samsung Health.
One UI 8 Watch introduces redesigned tiles optimized for smaller displays, powered by Wear OS 6.
Health-conscious individuals will appreciate the new antioxidant index and Bedtime Guidance features. The significant design refresh and industry-first health monitoring capabilities make this Samsung's most advanced smartwatch yet.
However, those who already own a Galaxy Watch 7 or Galaxy Watch Ultra may not find the upgrades compelling enough given the substantial price increase.
The Galaxy Watch 8 represents a meaningful evolution in wearable health technology, offering scientifically-backed metrics that move beyond basic fitness tracking into preventive health monitoring.