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Samsung announced a new Galaxy Watch 8 at their Galaxy Unpacked event this week. (We have more here on that, including two new phones that were also announced.) The Galaxy Watch 8 brings back the rotating bezel in a Classic version, and has some intriguing new health metrics that I haven’t seen in any other smartwatches: Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index. There will also be run coaching and sleep coaching.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is available for pre-order on Samsung’s site, and will start shipping July 25. The models and prices go something like this:
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Watch 8, 40 mm: $349 for Bluetooth/wifi, $399 for LTE
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Watch 8, 44 mm: $379 for Bluetooth/wifi, $429 for LTE
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Watch 8 Classic, 46 mm: $499 for Bluetooth/wifi, $549 for LTE
The “Classic” model has the rotating bezel around the watch face. That and the larger size are what you’re paying for if you opt for that version; otherwise, all of the Watch 8 models have the same features. They also all have a squarish shape with a round watch face in the middle, just like the $649.99 Galaxy Watch Ultra (and speaking of the Ultra, it didn’t get any major updates this round, but you can now get it in blue).
What’s new in the Galaxy Watch 8
Physically, the shape and the rotating bezel (on the Classic) are the most obvious new features. The 8 is also a bit thinner than the Galaxy Watch 7, and there’s a redesigned lug (strap attachment) to help the watch sit more closely to your wrist. Samsung says this improves accuracy, which sounds plausible to me—I’ve noticed with other watches that a better fit means better heart rate tracking.
Software-wise, Samsung announced a few new features:
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A running coach that rates your fitness on a scale of one to 10, and gives you a training plan to improve. To get your initial rating, you’ll need to answer some questions about your previous running experience, and then do a 12-minute run—also known as a Cooper test, this is a time-tested (if not perfectly accurate) method of estimating your VO2max. Samsung has a video with a demonstration of the test and examples of the workouts here.
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Bedtime guidance, which will recommend a bedtime window for you. It uses your previous sleep schedule to know when you tend to sleep, and your recent nights of sleep to know whether you may need more sleep that usual on a particular day. (I’ve used this feature on other wearables, like Oura, and found it helpful.)
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Vascular load, which Samsung doesn’t really explain except to say that you’ll score better if you stay active, experience lower stress, and eat a healthy diet. Samsung previously told CNET that it has to do with arterial stiffness. There is research linking arterial stiffness to vascular load in a medical sense, and several wearables are now estimating arterial stiffness based on sensor readings. I’m looking forward to seeing more information from Samsung on how it’s calculating and validating this metric.
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Antioxidant index, which you measure by taking off the watch and putting your thumb on the sensor on the back of the watch. The watch apparently seems to be using the LEDs and sensors to gauge the color of your skin, in the sense of how orange-y it is. (If you’ve ever had a toddler who ate tons of carrots or sweet potatoes and got an orange glow to their skin, it’s the same idea—although in adults eating a more normal diet, the effect is a lot more subtle.) If your antioxidant index is low, you’ll be nudged to eat more fruits and vegetables.
The run and sleep coaching are great new features to have in a smartwatch, but I’m a bit skeptical about how useful the vascular load and antioxidant index will be in real-life use. The Galaxy Watch 8 is available for pre-order now, and the Galaxy Watch 7 is currently on sale for almost 50% off.