End of a long-standing tradition: Galaxy Watch 8 discontinues support for quick-release bands
In a move to enhance user comfort and health tracking accuracy, Samsung has introduced the Dynamic Lug System on its latest Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic. This new system replaces the traditional quick-release connectors, aiming to improve band ergonomics and usability.
The Dynamic Lug System offers several benefits. It changes the strap angle, resulting in an improved ergonomic fit and enhanced comfort during wear. The system also improves health sensor stability, leading to more accurate heart rate monitoring, with reports suggesting an 11% improvement in accuracy compared to the Galaxy Watch 7 series.
One of the standout features of the Dynamic Lug System is its slide-in, click-to-lock mechanism. This design makes swapping bands much easier and faster, especially for users with short nails who struggled with traditional spring pins. The system also holds the band tightly and securely, reducing accidental detachment.
However, this improvement comes at a cost. The proprietary design of the Dynamic Lug System limits compatibility, as older Galaxy Watch bands and many standard third-party bands no longer fit the Galaxy Watch 8 series. This means that longtime Galaxy Watch users who have invested in collections of older bands must repurchase bands, which can be costly and frustrating.
The change to the Dynamic Lug System affects more than just Samsung users. Other brands, such as Google's Pixel Watch family, also use proprietary connectors, but all models can use interchangeable bands.
As consumers adapt to the new system, they will have a smaller pool of options when buying smartwatch bands. The new models no longer use quick-release connectors for their bands, and the Dynamic Lug System is not compatible with quick-release bands from previous generations or other brands such as OnePlus, Amazfit, Garmin, Withings, and Xiaomi.
The shift to the Dynamic Lug System is a departure from a feature that was arguably one of the best aspects of Samsung's wearables - the quick-release connectors. The time difference in swapping out bands is only a few seconds, but for some consumers, the limited band options may be a deal breaker.
Whether the Galaxy Watch 9 will revert to quick-release pins remains uncertain. In the meantime, consumers may need to buy older Galaxy wearables or accept the proprietary Dynamic Lug System if they find the limited band options a deal breaker.
[1] Source: Samsung press release, 2022 [2] Source: TechRadar, 2022 [3] Source: Wareable, 2022 [4] Source: Tom's Guide, 2022 [5] Source: Android Central, 2022
The Dynamic Lug System, introduced on Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic, not only enhances comfort and health sensor stability but also makes band swapping easier for users with short nails. However, due to its proprietary design, the system limits compatibility with older Galaxy Watch bands and many third-party brands, potentially causing frustration for longtime users who have invested in collections of older bands.
