With the launch of the Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung has taken a bold design leap—one that might surprise longtime fans and skeptics alike. The new “squircle” design, a fusion of square and circle aesthetics, marks a notable departure from the fully round watch faces that have defined the Galaxy Watch lineup for years.
Initial reactions were mixed. Die-hard traditionalists feared the squircle might dilute the classic, premium look Samsung had cultivated. Others were curious: Could this new form factor strike the perfect balance between form and function?
After several weeks of real-world use, testing everything from fitness tracking and battery life to Wear OS functionality and daily wearability, one thing becomes clear: The squircle works. More than that—it actually enhances the user experience in subtle but meaningful ways.
This is a comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, evaluating not only its hardware, performance, and software improvements but also diving deep into what the new design means for usability, comfort, and long-term appeal.
Design and Build Quality
The most immediate and striking change in the Galaxy Watch 8 is its squircle-shaped frame. Unlike the purely circular designs of its predecessors, this hybrid shape blends the elegant curve of a round watch with the functional screen real estate of a square one.
Key Design Highlights:
- Case sizes: Available in 41mm and 45mm variants
- Materials: Armor aluminum or stainless steel options
- Finish: Matte with polished edges for a modern yet classic aesthetic
- Weight: Light enough for all-day wear, including during workouts or sleep tracking
Surprisingly, the squircle doesn’t feel jarring or awkward. On the contrary, it looks and feels modern, refined, and—most importantly—comfortable. The subtly squared edges create a broader surface area without adding bulk, making it easier to view notifications, maps, and health data without squinting.
Display and Squircle Advantages
Display Specifications:
- Type: Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 480 x 480 (45mm); 432 x 432 (41mm)
- Brightness: Up to 2,000 nits
- Refresh rate: Smooth 60Hz
The display is gorgeous. It’s bright enough for direct sunlight, vivid in color, and razor-sharp. But it’s the squircle form factor that subtly changes how you interact with it.
More screen real estate in the corners means:
- Easier text reading
- Better button placement in apps
- Enhanced swipe gestures
- Improved layout for tiles and widgets
Apps designed for Wear OS take advantage of this shape, especially those displaying charts, metrics, or notifications. The result is a watch that feels more like a mini smartphone than a traditional timepiece—without losing its sleekness.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 8 packs more than just a pretty face.
Hardware Overview:
- Processor: Exynos W1000 (5nm, more efficient)
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 32GB internal
- Sensors: Accelerometer, barometer, compass, ECG, skin temperature, heart rate (optical & electrical), SpO2
Samsung has finally answered criticism around sluggish performance in past models. The Watch 8 is snappy, responsive, and fluid—whether you’re launching apps, switching tiles, or navigating settings.
Multitasking feels effortless, and background processes (like continuous heart rate tracking or GPS) don’t bog the system down.
Battery Life
Battery life has long been a weak spot for Wear OS watches, but the Galaxy Watch 8 improves on its predecessors.
Estimated Battery Life:
- 41mm version: 1.5 days (moderate use)
- 45mm version: Up to 2.5 days (light use)
- With Always-On Display: ~1 day
Charging is faster this year. Samsung claims a 30-minute top-up delivers around 45%, and a full charge takes just over an hour.
While it won’t rival Garmin or Fitbit’s week-long stamina, the Watch 8 lasts long enough to support sleep tracking + full-day usage, especially if you tweak brightness and disable Always-On Display.
Health and Fitness Features
Samsung continues to lean heavily into health-first smartwatches, and the Galaxy Watch 8 delivers the most robust fitness tracking yet.
Key Features:
- Automatic workout detection for walking, running, cycling, and more
- Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring with improved accuracy
- Skin temperature tracking (useful for women’s health and sleep insights)
- Body composition analysis
- Advanced sleep tracking with personalized sleep coaching
- Fall detection and SOS alerts
The new dual-frequency GPS improves outdoor workout accuracy, making the Watch 8 a legitimate companion for runners and cyclists. Health reports sync seamlessly with Samsung Health and can be exported to Google Fit or third-party apps.
Software and Wear OS Experience
The Galaxy Watch 8 ships with Wear OS 5, layered with Samsung’s One UI Watch 6.0 skin.
Notable Features:
- Improved app drawer with grid-style layout
- More customizable tiles
- Tighter integration with Galaxy smartphones
- Google Assistant and Samsung Bixby support
- Access to Google Play apps
The new software feels polished and intuitive. Voice replies are faster, tiles are more glanceable, and the rotating bezel (still present in the 45mm Classic model) makes navigation satisfying.
One major win: You now get full support for third-party apps like Spotify, Strava, WhatsApp, and even Gmail—without compromises.
Connectivity and Smart Features
Connectivity:
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi
- LTE (optional)
- NFC for Samsung Pay/Google Wallet
- UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support for ecosystem features
Smart features like:
- Call handling
- Quick replies
- Smart home controls
- Music playback
- Find My Phone
…all work smoothly and integrate tightly with both Samsung and Android ecosystems. Galaxy Buds and SmartThings integration are especially seamless.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Stylish and functional squircle design
- Bright and responsive AMOLED display
- Fast performance with better multitasking
- Improved battery life over previous generation
- Excellent health tracking features
- Refined Wear OS experience
- Seamless Android/Galaxy ecosystem integration
Cons:
- Still only 1–2 days of battery life
- Full feature set requires Samsung phone for best experience
- iOS users get limited support
- Some third-party apps still lack full watch optimization
- No mechanical bezel on standard model (only on Classic)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the squircle design on the Galaxy Watch 8?
The squircle design blends square and circular elements, giving the watch a unique look and more usable screen area without sacrificing the classic wristwatch appeal.
Is the Galaxy Watch 8 compatible with iPhones?
Technically yes, but many features—including ECG, body composition, and tighter app integration—are exclusive to Samsung or Android phones.
How long does the Galaxy Watch 8 battery last?
Depending on use, it lasts between 1.5 to 2.5 days. With Always-On Display and GPS, expect closer to a single full day of usage.
Can I use Google apps like Gmail and Maps on the Galaxy Watch 8?
Yes. With Wear OS, the Galaxy Watch 8 fully supports Google apps including Gmail, Maps, YouTube Music, and Assistant.
Does the Galaxy Watch 8 track sleep and body metrics?
Yes. It includes advanced sleep tracking, skin temperature monitoring, SpO2, body composition analysis, and heart rate sensors.
Is the rotating bezel gone?
No. The rotating bezel is still available—but only on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic model. The standard Galaxy Watch 8 uses a digital touch bezel.
Is the Galaxy Watch 8 worth upgrading from Watch 6 or 7?
If you value better performance, improved sensors, and the new design, it’s worth upgrading—especially from the Watch 5 or earlier. From the Watch 6, it’s a more modest update.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Watch 8 is proof that thoughtful design changes—like the squircle—can actually enhance usability, not just aesthetics. Samsung has refined nearly every aspect of the smartwatch experience here: faster performance, a more intuitive UI, improved fitness tracking, and smoother app integration.