Samsung Galaxy Watch8 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
These two are very similar: both have AMOLED screens, built-in GPS and Wear OS software. The main difference: the Galaxy Watch8 has the bigger screen: 1.5 in against 1.3 in.
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Key differences
-
GPS
Galaxy Watch8 wins
The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 adds multi-band GPS for more accurate tracks.
-
Display
Galaxy Watch8 wins
Both are AMOLED, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch8's screen is bigger (1.5 in against 1.3 in).
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Galaxy Watch 7 wins
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is lighter: 28.8 g against 34 g.
Other differences
- Screen size Galaxy Watch8 wins
The Galaxy Watch8 has the bigger screen: 1.5 in against 1.3 in.
- Sizes Galaxy Watch8 wins
The Galaxy Watch8 comes in 2 case sizes (40 and 44 mm).
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Galaxy Watch8 if…
- You want maps and stats easy to read: it has the bigger screen.
- You want the right fit for your wrist: it comes in more than one size.
- You want accurate tracks in cities and forests: it has multi-band GPS.
Choose the Galaxy Watch 7 if…
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Galaxy Watch8.
Full spec comparison
On the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Series | Galaxy Watch | Galaxy Watch |
| Released | 2025-07 | — |
| Versions | 40 mm, 44 mm | — |
| Colours | Graphite, Silver | Green |
| Also sold as | Galaxy Watch 8, Watch8 | Galaxy Watch 7 |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Wear OS | Wear OS |
| Works with | Android only | Android only |
| Minimum Android | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| Chipset | Exynos W1000 | 3nm processor |
| RAM | 2,000 MB | — |
| Storage | 32 GB | 21.1 GB |
Display
The Galaxy Watch8 is ahead on the display.
It has a bigger screen, and the Galaxy Watch 7 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display name | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.5 in | 1.3 in |
| Resolution | 480 x 480 | 432 x 432 |
| Pixel density | 327 ppi | 332 ppi |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | — |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | — | touchscreen |
Design & durability
The Galaxy Watch8 is ahead on size and durability.
It comes in 2 sizes, and the Galaxy Watch 7 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 40 / 44 mm | 40 mm |
| Case shape | Round | Round |
| Dimensions | 46 x 43.7 x 8.6 mm | 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm |
| Thickness | 8.6 mm | 9.7 mm |
| Weight (case) | 34 g | 28.8 g |
| Case material | Armor Aluminium | Metal |
| Lens | Sapphire crystal | — |
| Back material | Sapphire glass | — |
| Band fitting | — | one-click band swap |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| IP rating | IP68 | — |
| MIL-STD-810 tested | Yes | — |
Battery
Battery life is close on both.
How you use the screen, GPS and notifications will matter more than the difference between them.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 40 hours | — |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 40 hours; Always-on display: 30 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 435 mAh | — |
| Battery type | Built-in battery | Built-in battery |
| Charging | wireless | — |
| Wireless charging | Yes | — |
| Full charge time | 78 min | — |
GPS & navigation
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | — |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, ECG electrode, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, EDA | — |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| ECG | Yes | — |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | Yes | — |
| Heart-rate variability | — | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | — |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Blood pressure | cuff-calibrated | — |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep coaching | Sleep coaching |
| Sleep apnea alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | — |
| Energy score | Energy Score | Energy Score |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Body composition | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | — |
| Fall detection | Yes | — |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | Yes | — |
| Swim tracking | — | Pool |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, Personalised Functional Threshold Power | FTP |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | — |
| Running dynamics | Yes | — |
| External sensors | — | power meter |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | — |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | — |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Gemini | — |
| Contactless payments | Yes | — |
| Payment service | Google Pay | — |
| Cellular | LTE version available | — |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4GHz+5GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n (Wi-Fi 4) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |