Hands-on Review: First impressions of Samsung's Watch 8 revealed

After just three days on my wrist, it's clear that Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 is a thoughtfully evolved piece of technology - with a combination of elegance and capability. 

With the Watch 8, it's not just about new specs or fresh straps; it's about identity too. And in this generation, Samsung has found one.

With a striking new silhouette, smarter software and features that edge into true innovation, the Galaxy Watch 8 signals a confident new chapter for the series.

Design that boldly stands out
The most noticeable change is the new design language. Samsung has abandoned the familiar circular casing for a cushion-shaped chassis that echoes the Watch Ultra's robust frame - but with more finesse. The result is a design that feels purposeful and distinct, especially in person.

After three days of use, I've grown fond of the new shape.

It hugs the wrist securely, feels feather-light during workouts, and looks decidedly modern.

The fact that it's 11% slimmer than last year's model is more than a stat - it's something you feel every time you slip on a jacket or flex your wrist during a run.

The screen is dazzling, too. At 3,000 nits of peak brightness, it's readable in full sun and sharp as ever. I've worn it while out on early morning runs and mid-day errands, and it's never once left me squinting.

Samsung's new Dynamic Lug strap system deserves praise for its snug fit, although changing straps with short fingernails remains a bit fiddly. Still, the Watch 8 has rarely shifted out of place - whether you are typing, exercising or sleeping, it stays put.

Subtle software tweaks that matter 
Samsung's One UI Watch 6 introduces a suite of quiet but powerful changes.

Chief among them is the Now Bar - a slim, persistent widget that displays background activity like a running timer or active workout. It's the sort of feature that quickly becomes second nature.

Navigating the watch feels faster and cleaner.

Glanceable notifications are better laid out, and app clusters feel more curated. It's not revolutionary, but it's polished - three days in, it already feels like the interface Samsung watches should have had years ago.

Hey Gemini, find me a flat white!
Here's where things get exciting.

The Galaxy Watch 8 is the first to ship with Google's Gemini assistant baked in. And so far, it's been genuinely useful.

Launching workouts, checking the weather, and pulling directions all work smoothly through voice. I also tested a more contextual prompt - asking Gemini to suggest nearby coffee spots and add one to my calendar for a mid-morning break. It handled it swiftly, with no need to fumble through menus.

What remains to be seen is how well Gemini performs when deeper app integration is involved - say, queueing up music or sending messages through third-party services, particularly on Bluetooth-only models. But early signs are promising: this could redefine how we interact with smartwatches.

Running coaching that adapts to you
Samsung is doubling down on wellness, and it shows.

One of the more curious additions is the Antioxidant Index, which uses your thumb to gauge carotenoid levels - a possible sign of how well you're eating. It's a clever, novel use of sensors, even if its accuracy is still a question mark.

The new Running Coach also feels like a welcome leap forward. After a short calibration run - around ten minutes at a steady pace - the watch analysed my stride, effort and cadence to assign me a personalised training programme.

It's not static either; as your performance shifts, it adapts to match your goals and current ability.

And of course, all the essentials remain: sleep scores, heart rate tracking, SpO₂ monitoring, body composition analysis, third-party apps, and full Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation. It's a full toolkit that feels cohesive, not cluttered.

Could this be Samsung's best yet?
After just three days, the Galaxy Watch 8 stands out as the most meaningful upgrade in the line for several years.

It's not just the slimmer profile or the glossier screen - it's the synergy of hardware and software, style and substance.

Sure, there are niggles - the Dynamic Lug system could be more user-friendly, and battery life hasn't taken the leap I'd hoped - but overall, this feels like Samsung truly stepping into its own in the wearables space.

Stay tuned for TechDay's full review after more extended use, but already, the Galaxy Watch 8 is looking like one of 2025's best smartwatches.