The newest Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ushers in an updated "cushion case" design, better battery, some additional health tools, and the return of the clicky bezel on the "Classic" model. It's also a little longer-lasting than the Galaxy Watch 7.
Pros
- Return of the rotating bezel on the Classic
- Classic edition exceeds battery life rating, lasting 40 hours per charge
- Impressive sleep insights and useful wellness tracking tools
- Accurate fitness and heart rate tracking
- New Vascular Load tracking feature
Cons
- Higher starter price
- New proprietary watch strap system
- New cushion case feels like wasted space on standard models
The Galaxy Watch 7 offers a more subtle circular case design versus the newer model, a less bright display, and slightly less battery life. However, you get the same class-leading sleep insights, reliable fitness tracking, and responsive UI.
Pros
- Frequently on sale
- Same sleep insights as Galaxy Watch 8
- Reliable health and fitness tracking data
- Comfortable case design
- Slated to get Gemini AI assistant via firmware
Cons
- One day of battery life
- Doesn't support the new Vascular Load monitoring tool
- Screen could be brighter
- No "Classic" model
Are you trying to decide between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 7? The two devices share a lot of the same tech and features, but there are several key subtleties that may swing you hard in one direction or the other.
I reviewed both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, released in summer 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, launched this summer. While I’d confidently recommend either model — these are two of the best watches for Android, right up there with the Google Pixel Watch 3 — the newer model may be worth the added cost if you appreciate, say, a clicky bezel on the case.
On the flip side, the Galaxy Watch 7 may be better for you if you appreciate a subtle case design.
That’s just scratching the surface, though. To help you better understand the key differences between the Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7, I’ve broken the two down across eight categories: Value, Design, Display, Smart Features, Health Features, Fitness Features, Sleep Tracking, and Battery Life. For each of these categories, I’ve declared a winner.
In a hurry? Jump to the “Which is right for you?” section at the bottom of the page for the TLDR on the Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7.
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Value
Samsung increased pricing across the board with the release of the Galaxy Watch 8, which now starts at $349, the same starting price as the Pixel Watch 3. The Galaxy Watch 7, meanwhile, launched at $299. However, we’ve seen it go on sale for as much as half off and suspect it will again come the holiday season.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | $349 | $299 |
Sizes | 40mm, 44mm, 46mm (Classic) | 40mm, 44mm |
Display size | 1.3 inches (40mm, Classic), 1.5 inches (44mm) | 1.3 inches, 1.5 inches |
Display type and max brightness | AMOLED, 3,000 nits | AMOLED, 2,000 nits |
Weight | 30 g (40mm), 34 g (44mm), 63.5 g (Classic) | 29 g (40mm), 34 g (44mm) |
Battery life (tested) | Up to 30 hours (40mm, 44mm); Up to 42 hours (Classic) | Up to 24 hours |
Water resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters |
Processors | Exynos W1000 | Exynos W1000 |
Storage | 32GB (40mm, 44mm), 64GB (Classic) | 32GB |
Health and fitness sensors | SpO2, ECG, heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope, skin temperature, bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), barometer, GPS | SpO2, ECG, heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope, skin temperature, bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), barometer, GPS |
Connectivity | 4G LTE (optional), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+ 5 GHz, NFC | 4G LTE (optional), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+ 5 GHz, NFC |
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Design
The newer model is technically a little thinner than the older one, but you’d be somewhat hard put to notice it. In fact, I find the Galaxy Watch 7, with its simple, circular case design, to be more comfortable on my 6.5-inch wrist than the clunkier-looking, “cushion case” Galaxy Watch 8.
Weight-wise, the two devices are about the same, but the Watch 8 is a good bit wider than the Galaxy Watch 7. Both generations are available in a 40mm and 44mm option; however, only the Galaxy Watch 8 comes in a 46mm, bezel-sporting “Classic” edition.
Despite its heft, the Classic is ultimately my favorite version of the latest release, and if you enjoy fidgeting or just appreciate using a clicky bezel for navigation, then it might be the best option for you. You also get an extra, customizable button on the Classic compared to the standard models.
Water resistance is 50 meters across the board, and from my testing, overall durability is about the same. Ultimately, when comparing the design of the Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7, it really comes down to your preference in case design. Want something a little less noticeable? Go for the Galaxy Watch 7. But if you appreciate the cushion case (I won’t judge you) or like a bezel, the Galaxy Watch 8 is the better option.
Winner: Draw
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Display
Despite the bigger-looking case, the Galaxy Watch 8 series offers the same screen dimensions across the board as the Galaxy Watch 7 line. However, the displays on the newer models get noticeably brighter, maxing out at 3,000 nits compared to 2,000 nits for the Galaxy Watch 7.
That difference aside, the colors look great on either model, both touchscreens are responsive, on-screen details look crisp and legible, and screen animations look fluid. Ultimately, the newer model is just a little easier to read in direct sunlight.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Smart features
While the Galaxy Watch 8 is the first smartwatch in the universe to ship with Google’s Gemini AI voice assistant built in, the feature is slated to come to the Galaxy Watch 7 via software. In fact, by the time you read this, the Galaxy Watch 7 may already have it preloaded by default.
So what, if any, smart features does the Galaxy Watch 8 exclusively have? None. The newer models’ exclusive features are all health-related.
Winner: Draw
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Health Features
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 sport the same health sensor array — those weird flashing lights on the underside of the watch — but the latest release has some wellness tricks up its sleeve that are not currently available for the Galaxy Watch 7 (nor has Samsung confirmed that they are coming).
The two most notable are Antioxidant Index tracking and Vascular Load monitoring. In testing, I found the former, which is supposed to let you know if you’re getting enough fruits and veggies in your diet via a quick finger-press test on the rear sensors, much less useful than the latter.
In my testing, both on myself and arguably healthier individuals (like my girlfriend), the Antioxidant Tool almost always generated a rating of “Very Low” score alongside the oh-so-useful tip to “eat more carrots.” My colleagues from other publications had similar results.
Vascular Load tracking, which monitors how your lifestyle may be impacting your cardio health, proved more valuable. You’ve got to wear the Galaxy Watch 8 for three nights in a row to first establish a baseline. Then, each morning, the watch lets you know whether your cardiovascular load has increased (bad) or decreased (good) and by how much. These measurements are accompanied by a written explanation with suggestions to either maintain your healthy lifestyle or improve it.
Ultimately, Vascular Load is another useful tool, alongside Samsung’s Energy Score and Sleep Score (both of which are available on the Galaxy Watch 7), to help you stay on top of your health.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Fitness Features
The current and previous Samsung Galaxy Watch models are well-suited for keeping tabs on workouts, team sports, and other physical activities. Both generations provide a wide array of tracking modes, automatically detect common workout types, and offer useful post-exercise reports with reliably accurate stats and even recovery recommendations.
The Galaxy Watch 8 supports Samsung’s new Running Coach tool, a personalized, digital “trainer” that can help you go from "doom scroller" to marathoner via custom-tailored training plans. All you need to do is complete a 12-minute running trial for the Running Coach to get a sense of your abilities and make recommendations.
I don’t fancy myself much of a runner, but I gave the trial a go and found the feature remarkably encouraging and, dare I say it, kind of fun! The Galaxy Watch 7 doesn’t support Running Coach as of writing, but is slated to get the tool sometime in the future via firmware.
Winner: Draw
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Sleep Tracking
I love Samsung’s daily sleep reports because they’re highly detailed yet easily digestible, with explanations to give context to everything. Regardless of which model you choose, both the Galaxy Watch 7 and 8 offer insights into your sleep cycles, snore detection, FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection, body temp monitoring, heart rate variability tracking, and more.
You also get a daily Sleep Score out of 100. So, if sleep tracking is your primary reason for picking up a Galaxy Watch, I’d recommend saving some coin and getting the Galaxy Watch 7, as it has all the same bedtime goodies as the Galaxy Watch 8.
Winner: Draw
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Battery life
The standard Galaxy Watch 8 models lasted a little longer per charge in my testing than the Galaxy Watch 7. For example, with the always-on display and default settings, I averaged about 30 hours per charge with the Galaxy Watch 8 compared to 24 hours per charge with the Galaxy Watch 7.
Switch either generation of device into low-power mode, and you can come close to doubling the figures above. Want the longest-lasting Galaxy Watch model? That’d be the gigantic and pricey Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. However, the next best thing is the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which, unlike the standard models, cruised for roughly 42 hours per charge in my testing.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 7 — which is right for you?
Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (Classic)
Claiming victory in three categories, compared to just one, the Galaxy Watch 8 is the overall winner of this comparison, something that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that it’s Samsung’s latest and greatest model. But you’ll pay a premium price tag for that greatness.
Which Galaxy Watch 8 model is best? If you don’t mind a big-ish chunk of smartwatch on your wrist, I definitely recommend the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic over the standard models. Not only does it have a longer-lasting battery, but you also get an extra button and that wonderfully addictive clicky bezel.
Even though the Galaxy Watch 7 didn’t “win” this comparison, with its lower starting cost and tendency to go on sale often, it represents tremendous value and is still worthy of your consideration. In fact, the Galaxy Watch 7 remains my number-one choice for the best smartwatch for sleep tracking in 2025, despite the debut of the Galaxy Watch 8.
With the Galaxy Watch 7, you’re getting most of the same health and fitness tracking tools, smart features, and overall functionality of the newer model. The trade-off is a less bright screen, slightly shorter battery life, and a different case design (which I actually prefer). If you can live with that, your piggy bank will be all the happier.
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