When you’re seeking to improve an older Android smartwatch, or need to give wearables a attempt for the primary time, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is a compelling selection. It has a brand new design, helps you to entry Google’s Gemini AI out of your wrist, and has a handful of latest well being and wellness options. It launched on July twenty fifth, however you’ll be able to already get the 40mm mannequin on sale for $299.99 ($50 off) from Samsung. Amazon has the look ahead to full value, however is providing a $50 promotional credit score towards a future buy in case you use the code APSUE5MBXB6Y at checkout.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is squircle formed, which can be divisive, however permits it to put flatter and Verge reporter Victoria Tune discovered it match extra extra comfortably on her wrist in her overview. The change additionally let Samsung make the watch thinner than the Galaxy Watch 7, and but we nonetheless discovered it might probably nonetheless final greater than a day on a cost. Whereas it’s not an enormous departure from its predecessor, it might be a great improve for anybody with a Galaxy Watch 5 or beneath, and Samsung’s new low cost counteracts the $50 value improve means you’re not paying any greater than the Galaxy Watch 7 value at launch.
When you’ve gotten used to Google Gemini in your smartphone or pc, the Galaxy Watch 8 will allow you to entry it out of your wrist – we created playlists, checked the climate, and have beforehand requested Gemini whether or not it’s needed to clean a candy potato earlier than peeling it.
On the well being and wellness aspect, the Galaxy Watch 8 can monitor steps, your coronary heart charge, blood oxygen degree, steps, and exercise. When you have a Samsung Galaxy cellphone, you employ the smartwatch to take an EKG or detect sleep apnea. A brand new function referred to as Operating Coach will put you thru a 12-minute run take a look at, provide you with a grade from one via 10, and create a exercise program based mostly in your efficiency. It additionally consists of sensors designed to detect whether or not you’re consuming sufficient fruit and veggies, however we discovered it may be fooled by colourful objects, together with a Cheeze-It.
The Galaxy Watch 8 can also be out there in a 44mm measurement, and that mannequin can also be on sale for $379.99 ($50 off) from Samsung.