Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review: Gemini Edition Makes its Debut on Wrist, Potentially Revolutionizing Wearable Tech
**Galaxy Watch 8 Series Unveiled with Enhanced AI and Health Features**
Samsung has announced the release of the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, two smartwatches that boast several new and improved features, particularly for Google’s Gemini AI assistant.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series is the first smartwatch to feature Gemini AI integrated directly at the operating system level, powered by Wear OS 6. Users can activate Gemini by voice ("Hey Google") or by long-pressing the side button after setting the feature in the watch’s settings. With this integration, Gemini remains accessible via Wi-Fi or LTE, allowing users to use voice commands or get answers without their smartphone nearby.
Gemini brings several enhancements to productivity and smart features. It enables cross-app tasks such as playing music for a specific pace run, summarizing emails, messaging friends, and setting reminders—all via voice. The Now Bar shows contextual information like upcoming travel plans, similar to Apple’s Live Activities. One UI 8 (based on Wear OS 6) also brings better multitasking (support for up to six apps in the launcher) and improved notifications.
Gemini seamlessly works with Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock, enabling voice commands for tasks like starting workouts, setting reminders, and checking your schedule. The assistant is designed to assist throughout your day, helping track workouts, remember thoughts, find restaurants, and share details with friends, all through natural voice interaction.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series also boasts unique health and hardware highlights. The Watch 8 is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest Galaxy Watch to date, with a brighter screen, bigger batteries, and a new dynamic lug system for bands. Both the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic feature a new antioxidant index test, using optical sensors to estimate antioxidant levels in your body.
The Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic offer more detailed sleep tracking with sleep coaching and bedtime guidance. They also feature a Running Coach that creates personalized training plans with real-time guidance and motivational insights. The batteries for the 40mm and 44mm models are 325mAh and 435mAh, respectively.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is getting a new "Titanium Blue" colorway and a software update to include Gemini and some of the new health and fitness-tracking features, but it's not getting a hardware refresh. The Watch Ultra will start at the same $650.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is available in silver or graphite colors. The Watch 8 Classic comes in one 46mm size with a 1.34-inch display. The Watch 8 has a 1.34-inch round screen and comes in two sizes (40mm or 44mm). The Watch 8 Classic is more expensive than the Watch 8, with prices yet to be announced.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series with Gemini AI brings a new level of voice-activated, cross-app productivity and health monitoring to your wrist, making it a standout in the current smartwatch market. Pre-orders for the watches began today, and they will be available starting on July 25.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series, powered by Wear OS 6, is the first to directly integrate Google's Gemini AI at the operating system level, allowing users to control smart gadgets like smartphones and gizmodo devices using voice commands. With this integration, the future of smartwatch technology is marked by enhanced AI capabilities, making everyday tasks more seamless and efficient. The Galaxy Watch 8 series not only offers improved health features, but also a smarter approach to productivity with Gemini's voice-activated cross-app tasks, making it a desirable gadget for tech enthusiasts.
