Samsung announced its newest lineup of Samsung Galaxy smartwatches on Wednesday at its annual summer Unpacked event. The Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic are the brand’s thinnest and lightest smartwatches yet, and they feature a wide array of health features aimed at continuous wellness capture.
Right around the time of Samsung’s hardware announcements, Google stole some of Samsung’s thunder when it announced its Pixel Watches would also be getting Google’s Gemini in a latest software update.
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Alongside the Gemini integration, both smartwatches include an ECG for heart rate monitoring purposes, a cardiovascular load feature that takes into account your activity strain to optimize training, emergency health features like loss of pulse, and more.
The question remains: if both Android smartwatches will have the same AI integration and similar functionalities, which is the better buy? I break several aspects of both smartwatches down for you as you make the buying decision.
Specifications
Galaxy Watch8 | Pixel Watch 3 | |
Display | 3,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
2,Weight | 40mm watch: 30g; 44mm watch: 40g. | 41mm watch: 31g; 45mm watch: 37g |
Processor | Exynos Core 1000 | Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 |
| Storage | 2GB memory and 32GB storage | 2GB memory and 32GB storage |
| Battery | 30 hours with always-on, 40 hours without always-on | 24 hours with always-on, 36 hours without always-on |
| Sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Colorways | Graphite, Silver | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, and Matte Hazel |
| Price | Starting at $350 | Starting at $400 (but on sale) |
You should buy the Galaxy Watch8 if…
1. You want the brightest display
The Galaxy Watch8 boasts a 3,000-nit display. That’s an incredibly bright and vivid display, even in direct sunlight. The Galaxy Watch 8’s display not only trumps its seventh-generation predecessor but also both that on the Google Pixel Watch 3 and the Apple Watch Series 10’s 2000-nit brightness. The only major smartwatch to match the new Galaxy Watch 8’s brightness is the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
2. You prioritize long battery life
The Galaxy Watch8 lineup should last wearers around 30 hours with the always-on display enabled and 40 hours with always-on disabled, according to Samsung. This is a little bit longer than the Pixel Watch 3’s battery life, at up to 24 hours with always-on enabled and 36 hours with always-on disabled.
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3. You’re a runner
While the Pixel Watch includes several exercise features designed for runners, like timed warmups and interval training, the Galaxy Watch8 has one feature the Pixel Watch can’t beat: Running Coach.
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Running Coach on the Galaxy Watch8 takes your training to an even more personalized level by analyzing your pace and performance on a score from one to 10. Then, The user can then receive a personalized training plan geared toward their goal of completing a 5K, 10K, half, or full marathon.
Only Fitbit Premium recommends daily running routines, whereas Galaxy Watch8 offers them for no subscription.
4. You’re interested in the new Antioxidant Index feature
Samsung is debuting a completely novel feature with the Galaxy Watch8. The Antioxidant Index measures your carotenoids through a light-activated BioActive sensor on the watch. Within five seconds, Antioxidant Index tells you whether your antioxidant intake is very low, moderate, or adequate.
Also: 5 surprise products Samsung could unveil at Unpacked today – including smart glasses
This is the first feature of its kind I’ve seen in the health wearables market, and I can’t help but admit how excited I am to test it out – and see if it actually works or accurately represents my antioxidant intake.
5. You want sleep apnea detection in your smartwatch
Sleep apnea is an often undiagnosed condition that impacts all parts of health. Luckily, smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch have made spotting the condition much easier. The Galaxy Watch monitors breathing disturbances throughout your sleep and can make suggestions if it suspects you’re at risk. This isn’t a new feature on the latest Galaxy Watch lineup, but it is one feature Google Pixel Watches still don’t have.
You should buy the Pixel Watch 3 if…
1. You want deeper Google Gemini integrations
While both smartwatches are integrated with Gemini, the Google Pixel Watch gets the upper hand because its integrations with Google work beyond just the personal assistant functionalities. With the Galaxy Watch, users can use Gemini to write and send texts or multitask requests, like starting a workout playlist and the workout activity in the Health app at the same time.
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With Google’s Gemini integration, users can ask Gemini to create a 10-mile running playlist, and the assistant will do so using YouTube Music. Gemini can also respond to requests and queries by using several Google apps to complete said request or query.
For example, a Pixel Watch user can ask Gemini: “Where’s the coffee shop my friend emailed me about?” and Gemini will search Gmail, then use Google Maps to create a route there.
2. You want a cheaper smartwatch (and on sale now)
The Galaxy Watch8 will run you $350 for the base model or $500 for the classic model. Right now the Google Pixel Watch 3 is seeing a sale that takes the price down by $100, to $250. If you’re torn between the two Android devices, perhaps opt for the inexpensive one instead.
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3. You’re a devout Fitbit user
If you want to stay within the Fitbit ecosystem for recording exercise and wellness, I’d recommend the Pixel Watch 3 over the Galaxy Watch8. Samsung Galaxy Watches and Rings use the Samsung Health ecosystem for monitoring and storing health data.
Alternatives to consider
I went hands-on with Samsung’s Z Flip 7 FE, and it left me with more questions than answers
