Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 India Launch: Price, Specs, Battery Life and Key Features
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 debuts in India starting Rs 32,999, offering new squircle design, One UI 8 Watch, Google Gemini AI, and upgraded health tracking for fitness users.
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Samsung has released the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in India, introducing a redesigned shape and upgraded software to its wearable lineup. The Galaxy Watch 8 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, both featuring a new squircle case.
The smartwatch runs on Samsung’s Exynos W1000 processor with One UI 8 Watch, based on Google’s Wear OS 6. Prices for the Bluetooth variants start at Rs 32,999 for the 40mm model and Rs 35,999 for the 44mm model. LTE versions are listed at Rs 36,999 and Rs 39,999 respectively.
Testing over two weeks included daily wear, fitness sessions, sleep tracking, and swimming. With the Always-On Display enabled, the device ran for about 41 hours, including one night of sleep monitoring. Disabling Always-On extended use to nearly two days. Charging from zero to full took just over an hour, reaching about 49 percent in 30 minutes.
Key updates include improved notification scrolling, Google Gemini AI integration for voice queries, hands-free reminders, and navigation initiation in Google Maps. Users can chain up to three app commands in a single voice request.
Health tracking tools have expanded with the Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load measurement, ECG recording, AGE Index, and an Energy Score that combines sleep, activity, and heart rate data to offer daily readiness insights.
The cushion case design, introduced on last year’s Ultra model, is paired with a softer silicone strap that sits closer to the wrist. The back sensor module is flatter compared with earlier versions, and the watch is thinner than the Galaxy Watch 7.
The shift from a round dial to a squircle design may not appeal to all users, and many software features will also be available on previous models through updates. Hardware improvements over the Galaxy Watch 7 are modest.
The Galaxy Watch 8 targets buyers seeking a combination of compact design, upgraded software tools, and enhanced battery life for its size. Owners of older Samsung watches may find the new health metrics and Gemini integration compelling, while Galaxy Watch 7 users may not see a significant reason to upgrade.
