[Review] Gemini Arrives on Your Wrist: Galaxy Watch 8

Between Fashion and Fitness, Clinic and Assistant
The 63.5g Classic Feels Substantial,
While the Standard Weighs Half as Much...
Standard Model Is Ideal for Exercise

When I turned on Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, the first thing that caught my eye was the "Gemini" logo. The fact that this is the first Samsung smartwatch to come pre-installed with Google's generative artificial intelligence (AI) made me feel that a new generation had truly begun. Going beyond simply recognizing voice commands, when I said, "Wake me up in 10 minutes," Gemini directly connected to the watch application and set an alarm. If you ask about the weather, it not only responds with a voice answer but also displays detailed information on the screen. Until now, Galaxy Watch has primarily focused on health management, but this time, it has taken on the role of an AI assistant that supports all aspects of daily life.

I wore Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Watch 8 Classic model on my wrist. Weighing in the 60g range, it feels substantial. Photo by Park Yujin

It took just over 10 minutes from opening the box, putting on the watch, and completing various setup processes. After choosing which wrist to wear it on and going through all the consent procedures, my first impression was that it felt substantial. The model I wore is the 46mm Classic version, featuring a stainless steel body and a physical bezel ring. The official weight is 63.5g. For adult male users, this might feel stable, but for women with slimmer wrists, the weight could be somewhat burdensome. Its thickness and strong presence make it a stylish fashion item, but the weight can be a drawback when running or exercising. In contrast, the aluminum standard model weighs only 30g for the 40mm version and 34g for the 44mm version-about half the weight of the Classic. This makes the standard model much less burdensome for workouts or running.

The default strap appears to be luxurious leather on the outside, but the part that touches your skin is actually silicone. It does not easily absorb sweat and is easy to maintain. What stands out is that this hybrid material pairs naturally with formal wear while offering sweat resistance and functionality during exercise.

The health management features offered by the watch have become even more sophisticated. The vascular stress measurement function collects sleep records to analyze your physical condition, and sleep tracking doesn't just measure time-it provides quantified data in the form of a score. When I received the result, "Today's sleep score: 92, excellent," it felt oddly rewarding. Features that previously felt somewhat fragmented now provide a "body report" through visualization and analysis.

I placed my finger on the home button of Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Watch 8 and waited for about 30 seconds, then the result appeared on the connected phone screen. The result was displayed as 'Sinus Rhythm (Normal)', and the average heart rate was 63 beats per minute. Photo by Park Yujin

The electrocardiogram (ECG) test function is the highlight of the Galaxy Watch 8. While this feature existed in previous versions, it has been enhanced to detect "ectopic beats," which are irregular heartbeats that are difficult to catch during routine checkups. By placing your finger on the home button and staying still for about 30 seconds, your heart rhythm is displayed directly on the screen. The result was shown as "Sinus Rhythm (Normal)," and the average heart rate was 63 beats per minute. After measurement, you can immediately save and share the results as a PDF file. This goes beyond simple record-keeping and offers great practicality by allowing you to link the data with medical consultations. Of course, as the guidance message emphasizes, this result cannot replace a medical diagnosis, but the experience of instantly obtaining an indicator of whether there is something wrong with your body felt refreshing.

Smartwatches are no longer just simple wearables. They have become "mini personal clinics and assistants" that read your heartbeat, analyze your sleep patterns, and support all aspects of daily life with an AI assistant-right on your wrist.