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Stuff.tv
7 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
With one exception, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is everything I want from a smartwatch
Stuff Verdict Ultra-inspired looks and expanded fitness features take the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that bit further upmarket. This distinctive smartwatch isn't a longevity champ, but impresses almost everywhere else. Pros Rotating bezel great for offscreen interaction Comprehensive health and fitness features Snappy performance and clean UI Cons Squircle shape won't be to all tastes Not the longest-lasting Wear OS watch Introduction The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic feels like Samsung attempting to please everyone at once. The firm's latest smartwatch brings back one fan favourite feature, inherits the design from its flagship wearable, and doubles down on fitness features. It's also first out the door with on-wrist Gemini smarts. Anyone with a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – now two years old – will have their head turned by the return of the rotating bezel, while those wanting a more affordable take on the Galaxy Watch Ultra will appreciate the 'cushion' design being carried over for significantly less cash. Add in a bigger battery and it could be the new Wear OS watch to beat. There's only one size to choose from this year, though, and prices start from $499/£449 – cheaper than an Ultra, but a bigger investment than the $349/£319 Watch 8, and more than most Wear OS rivals to boot. Does the Watch 8 Classic do enough to earn a spot on your wrist? How we test wearables Every smartwatch and fitness tracker reviewed on Stuff is worn 24/7 throughout the testing process. We use our own years of experience to judge general performance, battery life, display, and health monitoring. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: squared away It's not quite the dominating presence that the Galaxy Watch Ultra was, but the Watch 8 Classic is still a sizeable bit of wristwear. It reimagines the bigger brother's styling, again setting a circular screen inside a square bezel, but slimming things down a bit at the sides. A coin-edge bezel then sits on top, rotating with a satisfying click as you bi-directionally scroll through onscreen menus. I'm convinced this dual approach is the best wearable input method, letting you tap and swipe the touchscreen while stationary but not having to hit tiny touch targets while exercising – or simply when you don't have both hands free. As for the squircle shape? Personally I'm a fan, because I like my watches to make a statement, and means there's more case between the screen and anything you might accidentally bash it on. Still, I can imagine there'll be some Watch 6 Classic owners that liked the more subtle approach. It also collects dust quite quickly; I had to clean it with a Q tip after just a few weeks' wear. I do appreciate the Ultra's three side buttons becoming the norm here. The central button can be customised to launch a specific sports mode or app, or just used as a shortcut to take you to the main exercise page if you like to mix and match your workouts. A protruding crown guard prevents accidental presses, while the two regular buttons assist with navigation. The polished stainless steel case looks the part, and means the watch feels substantial on your wrist. It's imperceptibly slimmer than the Watch 6 Classic, and I had no trouble sliding it out from underneath a cuffed shirt sleeve. The way the strap lugs clip into the casing is particularly fiddly, though, and means you can't snap any old 22mm band on like you could on the Galaxy Watch 7 series. On the plus side, it brings the casing closer to your wrist, which helps boost the accuracy of the heart rate sensor. If you're sticking with the default band – a polymer strap that mimics the look of leather – I think my black review unit is probably the version to go for. Samsung has a bunch of different strip styles to pick from, but most are lighter colours that I feel gel better with the white bezel model. Screen: smaller but shinier Unlike previous years, there's only one flavour of Watch 8 Classic. It comes in a 46mm case with a 1.34in screen, which is smaller than the 1.5in display you got on the equivalent Watch 6 Classic. Pixel density has dropped between generations, too, though the 437×437 resolution still looks clear enough at arms' length. Even watch faces with very small complications appear sharp and legible. You've also got to look hard to spot the inner bezel – there's barely any black bar visible around the circumference of the screen. It's an OLED, so of course colours look brilliantly vibrant and blacks are properly black. Pick the right watch face and that inner bezel disappears entirely. That's doubly true for the always-on display mode, if you don't mind the associated hit to battery life. Brightness has jumped up dramatically this year. A peak 3000 nits means this is a serious shiner, with zero visibility issues on even the brightest of days. It helps that viewing angles are excellent. The ambient light sensor is quick to react to changing environments, so you're not left waiting for it to boost brightness outdoors – or blinded by a bright screen when you step inside. Sapphire crystal glass should withstand most scrapes and scratches; my review unit still looked box-fresh after several weeks of wear. Interface: how about Now? Samsung's home-grown Exynos W1000 chipset is still running the show; the 3nm silicon hasn't changed at all from the Watch 7 series, and it's still paired with 2GB of RAM. Happily there's still more than enough grunt to keep Wear OS running smoothly, even with Samsung's extensive One UI customisations on top. There's a welcome consistency here with Samsung's latest smartphones, with familiar icons and pre-installed watch apps. The firm's in-house apps are the defaults for things like contactless payments, but with full access to the Play Store you can quickly swap to Google Wallet if you like. I'm more than happy with the 64GB of storage the Watch 8 Classic gets standard; there's enough room for loads of third-party apps, plus more workout playlists than I could possibly get through in a single session. Tiles are now grouped onto single screens now, saving you a few swipes or twists of the bezel. Notifications are also grouped into the firm's Now Bar, which also hosts media controls right on your watch face. I definitely found I was spending less time finding relevant information than on previous iterations, which sounds like a job well done by the software team. This is also the first Wear OS watch to put Google Gemini on your wrist. As well as controlling your smart home appliances with your voice, compatibility with Samsung's own ecosystem means you can ask Gemini to start a workout based on a metric like burning calories. It also understands multi-step actions, like recommendations on locations near you, paired with messaging invitations to you friends. It's slick, though I still can't bring myself to talk into my tech in public. Health & fitness: catch some Zs Samsung's watches have never been short on exercise tracking ability, and the Watch 8 Classic is no exception; it'll monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, step count and exertion levels for any workout, as you'd expect, and goes a lot more granular for certain exercises like running. The ECG monitor now highlights ectopic beats – minor irregular heartbeats that could be a precursor to bigger health issues – in its results. The new running assessment feature is neat for fitness beginners, tracking you over twelve minutes before serving up over 150 potential running plans. These coached sessions range from a first 5K to training for marathons, with difficulty that dynamically adjusts based on whether you're under- or over-performing. GPS accuracy is up there with the best smartwatches, and the biosensor produces figures that closely match more hardcore fitness devices like chest straps. It's health and wellbeing that've seen the most new additions this year, with the already comprehensive sleeping coach getting bedtime guidance that can suggest when hitting the hay will result in the best night's rest. So far it hasn't given me any dramatic insights, but maybe that's because I'm pretty good at turning in for the night before the early hours. Any bad morning moods are usually reflected in a low Energy Score. There's now an option to monitor your vascular load during sleep, and if you're in the UK or Europe, the Galaxy Watch 8 series also gains certified sleep apnea detection. Basically if you're losing Zs for any reason, this wearable will clue you in as to why. I'm less sold on the Antioxidant Index, which measures your carotenoid levels by sticking your thumb over the watch's rear optical sensor. If you're low, it'll suggest you munch some fruits or veggies rich in the stuff. Battery life: more of the same With a 445mAh cell stuffed inside, the Watch 8 Classic has a roughly 8% larger battery capacity than the Watch 7 series. With a slightly smaller screen as well, I was expecting it to last a fair bit longer between charges, but the reality was a closer match to the outgoing model. I typically got to the end of a second day of wear before the Watch needed a trip to its magnetic charging puck. That's roughly 30 hours, though admittedly that was with the always-on display mode switched on. With it off, you'll get closer to 40 – or into a third day, depending on when you first strapped it to your wrist. That means Samsung still lags behind the OnePlus Watch 3, which uses two chipsets to stretch comfortably into a fifth day. It's still more than the most recent Pixel Watch can manage, though. Samsung's charging puck is less fussy about placement than OnePlus' pogo pin cradle, too, so I never worried about it not charging because I hadn't lined it up perfectly. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic verdict With most of the feel of a Galaxy Watch Ultra, at a price that's (a little) kinder to your wallet, the Watch 8 Classic is another Samsung success story. By spacing its Classic-badged wearables, the firm has also sensibly left enough time for existing owners to think about upgrading. This is about as feature-rich as Android wearables get, and there's been no skimping on the health and fitness front either. While battery life isn't class-leading, and some will find the chunkier looks a turn-off, it has no real weak links anywhere else. It commands a premium over rival smartwatches, so you've got to decide if the rotating bezel and distinctive styling are worth paying extra for. If you're already entrenched in the Samsung ecosystem, I expect they will be. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 Ultra-inspired looks and expanded fitness features take the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that bit further upmarket. This distinctive-looking smartwatch isn't a longevity champ, but impresses almost everywhere else. Pros Rotating bezel great for offscreen interaction Comprehensive health and fitness features Snappy performance and clean UI Cons Squircle shape won't be to all tastes Not the longest-lasting Wear OS watch Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic technical specifications Screen 1.34in, 437×437 AMOLED CPU Samsung Exynos W1000 Memory 2GB Storage 64GB Operating system Wear OS 16 w/ One UI 8.0 Watch Battery 445mAh Durability IP68/5ATM/MIL-STD-810 Dimensions 46x46x10.6mm, 63.5g
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business Standard
Tech Wrap July 23: Sony Bravia 5, OnePlus Pad Lite, Realme Narzo 80 Lite
Sony Bravia 5 mini LED TV, OnePlus Pad Lite, and Realme Narzo 80 Lite 4G launched. One UI 8 update's rollout for Galaxy Ultra watch. Google rolls out Pixel Drop. Apple iOS 26 developer beta 4 released BS Tech New Delhi Sony launches 98-inch Bravia 5 mini LED TV in India at ₹6.49 lakh Sony has introduced a 98-inch model to its Bravia 5 mini LED TV series in India. This new variant joins the existing 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models, making it the fifth offering in the range. Equipped with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the large-screen TV is marketed as a high-end home theatre solution, enhanced with AI-powered sound and picture optimization. OnePlus has released the OnePlus Pad Lite in India, with a starting price of ₹15,999. The tablet runs on the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset and features an 11-inch screen. It is powered by a 9340mAh battery, which the company claims offers up to 80 hours of music or 11 hours of video playback. The device also supports up to 54 days of standby time. Realme has unveiled the Narzo 80 Lite 4G smartphone in India, with a base price of Rs 7,299. The phone features an octa-core processor and a 6,300mAh battery, which is claimed to provide up to two days of usage. With a slim 7.94mm body, it is among the thinnest in its category and sports Realme's signature Pulse Light design on the rear. Samsung has begun rolling out the One UI 8 Watch update for its Galaxy Watch Ultra. The update introduces an upgraded health tracking experience and a refreshed interface for improved readability. While the Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic launched with One UI 8 Watch, this update ensures that the Galaxy Watch Ultra—recently refreshed in Titanium Blue at the July 9 Galaxy Unpacked event—also benefits from the latest software. Google's latest Pixel Drop brings several new features to Pixel users. Highlights include AI-powered video generation through the Gemini app, a new Pixel VIPs widget for quick contact access, LE Audio support for hearing aids, and creative additions within Pixel Studio. The update aims to elevate creative potential and accessibility on compatible Pixel devices. Apple has rolled out the fourth developer beta of iOS 26, offering further clarity on what users can expect in the upcoming public beta, which is expected later this week. As reported by TechCrunch, the new beta doesn't bring major overhauls but enhances visual appeal, refines AI features, and smooths app interactions. Microsoft has shared details about its upcoming Windows 11 update, which brings a host of improvements for general users and those with Copilot+ PCs. The update enhances user interaction, accessibility, and core functions in Settings, Paint, Snipping Tool, and Photos. Additionally, it expands on-device AI support with features like Click to Do, Copilot Vision, and a new system settings agent. Four new Everdark Sovereigns arrive in Elden Ring Nightreign Japanese video game developer FormSoftware has introduced a fresh batch of enhanced boss fights for Elden Ring: Nightreign players. Earlier last month, Elden Ring: Nightreign introduced tougher fights with the 'Everdark Sovereigns,' which are more difficult versions of the game's Nightlord foes that they usually face to conclude a run. Now, building on that, a new batch of challenging fights has been introduced. Microsoft has launched a 5G-enabled variant of its Surface Laptop, aimed at business users. This version is equipped with Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 processors and includes a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) to support AI features and enhance the Copilot Plus experience. With its release still over a year away, GTA 6 continues to generate buzz—this time around possible performance specs. A new video has triggered speculation that Grand Theft Auto VI may support 60 frames-per-second gameplay, though this may be exclusive to select consoles like the Sony PS5 Pro. Apple's iCloud and Google Photos both offer media cloud storage but operate within distinct ecosystems. While iCloud syncs across Apple devices with 5GB of free storage, Google Photos offers 15GB spread across its services and integrates smart tools for organization and sharing. As these systems don't directly sync, transferring data between them requires a few additional steps. A recent report from UK research firm Public First highlights Android's economic impact in India. The Android ecosystem reportedly contributed around ₹4 trillion in revenue in 2024, supporting app developers and the broader digital economy. The findings, shared by news agency PTI, also note the creation of 3.5 million jobs linked to Android and the Play Store. Anthropic, a leading AI firm from Silicon Valley, has warned that the US is falling behind China in energy production, which could hinder its AI advancements. The company urged U.S. policymakers to streamline infrastructure development. Citing a February 2025 report from Climate Energy Finance, Anthropic noted that China added 400 gigawatts of new capacity last year, while the U.S. added only 'several dozen', roughly one-tenth of China's total. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has raised alarms about the growing risk of AI-driven voice fraud in the financial sector. Speaking at a Federal Reserve event in Washington, Altman noted that the ability of AI tools to mimic voices could bypass security measures. 'A thing that terrifies me is apparently there are still some financial institutions that will accept the voiceprint as authentication,' he said. 'That is a crazy thing to still be doing. AI has fully defeated that.'
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Apple fans rush for £299 Watch that's been cut to £99 in major price drop
The Apple Watch Series 5 still holds up today and it's only £99 Apple Watch fans have been clamouring for a new deal on Wowcher, which sees a previously expensive device drop to just £99 in a new deal. The Apple Watch Series 5 is one of the company's older watches in its lineup - but still holds up as a fitness smartwatch today, and now it's even cheaper on Wowcher. The Series 5 launched in 2019 and comes with a Retina Display that constantly shows shoppers exactly what time of day or night it is, as well as messages and calls. The device also features SOS, crash detection, and a compass. It comes with a charger, and for swimmers, it is swim-proof up to 50 meters - perfect for all your swimming goals and adventures. One thing to note is that it is a watch from 2019, so it could start showing its age. The watch does come with the older S5 chip, and despite it holding up, shoppers may not be able to get all the apps and features they would find on a newer Apple Watch. Nevertheless, this Apple Watch will work just fine for those wanting to track their fitness and keep an eye on their phone notifications. Meanwhile, those wanting some alternatives can find some great deals. Android fans can pick up the stellar Galaxy Watch Ultra for £399 on Argos thanks to a new deal. It's Samsung's best watch on the market, and it's one of the cheapest prices around. For Apple fans, BackMarket is offering the Apple Watch Ultra for £389 - cheaper than the Galaxy Watch Ultra, despite being refurbished - and it even comes with a 12-month warranty. Tech editor Dave Snelling said: "There's no question the Series 5 is the best Apple Watch that's ever been made. The new always-on display makes this feel like the device we've always desired, and the in-built compass is a nice added extra. "Like its predecessors, it packs a swathe of fitness and health tracking features, plus there's an option to have a fully connected cellular model, which means you can leave your phone at home without fear of missing a message or call. This is the most complete wearable on the market and Apple's rivals have a huge amount of catching up to do." However, he did have problems - specifically with the battery life. He added: "However, for all of its greatness, we do have some niggles with the Series 5. Not least the battery life and the fact that it doesn't look any different from the Series 4."
India Today
14 hours ago
- Health
- India Today
Samsung One UI 8 Watch update now live for Galaxy Watch Ultra with new health features
Samsung has begun rolling out the One UI 8 Watch update, based on Google's Wear OS 6 platform, for Galaxy Watch Ultra owners, introducing a range of health-focused features that were first unveiled alongside the new Galaxy Watch 8 series. Now, this is a proper upgrade, not just a cosmetic change. The update introduces meaningful additions like Running Coach, Vascular Load monitoring, and the Antioxidant Index — all designed to offer more in-depth insights into your health. For people already using the Galaxy Watch Ultra, it's a welcome boost without needing to upgrade to a newer model, like the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. The update also refines the interface, making it easier to view and interact with information on a small of the main highlights of the OneUI 8 Watch update is the new Running Coach, which creates a custom training programme based on your fitness level. It's more than just a glorified step tracker, as it is claimed to provide real-time guidance while you run, helping you improve your performance over time. Then there's Vascular Load tracking, a feature aimed at identifying how much strain your vascular system is under during sleep. It looks for irregular stress patterns and flags anything that doesn't seem normal, which can be useful in understanding how restful your sleep really interesting addition is the Antioxidant Index. This uses the Galaxy Watch's built-in sensors to measure carotenoid levels — a type of antioxidant found in the body. The measurement takes just five seconds and is meant to give users a quick glance at how their body is holding up against oxidative stress. It's the kind of feature you'd usually expect in high-end health-focused wearables, not mainstream smartwatches. The OneUI 8 Watch update also includes Multi-Info Tiles, which let you customise what kind of information is displayed on your home screens. Whether it's the weather, your heart rate, or calendar events, it's easier now to set things up exactly the way you like them. Samsung has also added its Now Bar feature, first introduced on the Galaxy S25 series, to the said, the OneUI 8 Watch update is only rolling out to Galaxy Watch Ultra users. The Galaxy Watch 7, despite being part of the beta programme earlier, hasn't received the final version just yet. But given the rollout has started, it's likely not too far off. For now, if you own a Galaxy Watch Ultra, keep an eye out for the software those interested in purchasing the device, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is available for Rs 59,999 for the lone Wi-Fi + LTE variant in the new Titanium Blue shade. However, if you can skip the blue shade, the white and silver colour variants of the watch are available at much lower prices.- Ends
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Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra receives One UI 8 update: Check new features
Samsung has announced the rollout of the One UI 8 Watch update for the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The new software brings upgraded health features and a refreshed interface to present key information more clearly. The recently launched Galaxy Watch 8 series, which includes the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic, already ships with One UI 8 Watch. With this rollout, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which received a new colour variant, Titanium Blue, at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, will now run the same updated interface. One UI 8 Watch: What's new The new features that were introduced in One UI 8 Watch are: Antioxidant Index: Measures carotenoid levels in about five seconds using the BioActive Sensor to estimate the user's antioxidant capacity. Bedtime Guidance: Suggests the best time to sleep based on three days of sleep analysis, combining circadian rhythm and sleep pressure data. Vascular Load: Monitors cardiovascular stress during sleep, offering early insight into heart health. Running Coach: Provides real-time feedback after a twelve-minute run and creates a tailored training plan for the next three to five weeks. Energy Score: Estimates daily mental and physical energy levels based on activity, sleep, and heart rate variability. High Stress Alerts and Mindfulness Tracker: Notifies users during elevated stress and recommends guided breathing exercises. Apart from these, the multi-info tiles offer a personalised way to keep key details such as health stats or weather updates in one glanceable view. Furthermore, the Now Bar adds to the convenience by keeping your active tasks or apps readily accessible. Notably, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra's Titanium Blue colour variant is now available for pre-orders in India at a price of Rs 59,999. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is also available for pre-order now. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series: Price and variants Galaxy Watch 8 40mm BT: Rs 32,999 Galaxy Watch 8 40mm LTE: Rs 36,999 Galaxy Watch 8 44mm BT: Rs 35,999 Galaxy Watch 8 44mm LTE: Rs 39,999 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 47mm BT: Rs 46,999 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 47mm LTE: Rs 50,999
