Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Will Get Some Interesting New Health Metrics

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Samsung announced the new Galaxy Watch 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event this week. ( More on that here , including two new phones that were also announced.) The Galaxy Watch 8 brings back the classic rotating bezel and offers some interesting new health metrics I haven’t seen in any other smartwatch: vascular load and antioxidant index. Running and sleep coaching features will also be available.

The Galaxy Watch 8 is available for pre-order on Samsung’s website , with shipments starting July 25. Models and prices are roughly as follows:

The Classic model has a rotating bezel around the watch face. That and the larger size are what you’re paying for with this version; otherwise, all Watch 8 models have the same specs. Plus, they’re all square with a round dial in the middle, just like the $649.99 Galaxy Watch Ultra (and speaking of the Ultra, it didn’t get a major update this year, but it’s now available in blue).

What’s New in the Galaxy Watch 8

Physically, the most obvious changes are the shape and the rotating bezel (on the Classic). The 8 is also slightly thinner than the Galaxy Watch 7, and there’s a redesigned strap mount that allows the watch to fit more snugly on your wrist. Samsung says this improves accuracy, and that sounds plausible — I’ve found with other watches that a tighter fit means more accurate heart rate tracking.

What do you think at the moment?

On the software front, Samsung announced several new features:

  • A running coach who rates your fitness on a scale of 1 to 10 and offers a training plan to improve. To get an initial assessment, you’ll answer a few questions about your previous running experience, then complete a 12-minute run – also known as the Cooper Test , this is a time-tested (though not perfectly accurate) method for estimating your maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). A video demonstrating the test and sample workouts can be found here .

  • The Bedtime Suggestion feature tells you the best time to sleep. It takes into account your previous sleep patterns to determine when you tend to fall asleep, and your sleep data from recent nights to determine whether you need more sleep than usual on a given day. (I’ve used this feature on other wearables, like Oura, and found it helpful.)

  • Vascular load , which Samsung doesn’t really explain, except to say that your results will be higher if you’re active, have less stress, and eat healthier. Samsung previously told CNET that it’s related to arterial stiffness. There are studies linking arterial stiffness to vascular load in a medical sense, and several wearables now estimate arterial stiffness based on sensor readings. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Samsung about how the company calculates and tests this metric.

  • The Antioxidant Index , which is measured by taking off the watch and placing your thumb on a sensor on the back. Apparently, the watch uses LEDs and sensors to assess your skin color, or how orange it is. (If you’ve ever had a toddler who ate a ton of carrots or sweet potatoes and their skin turned orange , it’s the same idea, though the effect is much less noticeable in adults who eat a more conventional diet.) If your antioxidant index is low, you’ll find it easier to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Running and sleep coaching are great new features for a smartwatch, but I’m a little skeptical about how useful the Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index metrics will be in real life. The Galaxy Watch 8 is available for pre-order now , and the Galaxy Watch 7 is currently on sale for almost 50% off .

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