I spent two weeks with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and I really think it's worth $500
www.androidauthority.com
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic isn't the cheapest Wear OS watch you can buy in 2025, but it is one of the best.

I would respectfully disagree. Samsung already gates features for it’s phones and now it is gating features to GW 8 despite there being no new sensor upgrade from previous generation. The Antioxidant Index and Vascular load, is just gated to GW 8 for the heck of it and one is not even sure how accurate it is.

There was the Stress thing which I don’t even use on my GW 6 because it’s err, completely useless. It aims to measure physical stress using HRV but is completely out of touch to how I feel. The only thing it does decently is music streaming and sleep tracking.

And then there is the Achilles’ Heel, Battery life. Samsung 's Tizen watches used to last for two/three days and Wear OS is a significant downgrade even the Ultra variants. They have not taken any cues either from Mobvoi or Oneplus (either dual display or dual chip). Charging sucks as well. On GW 4, it was so slow that I wished to throw it. 10W WPC is better but it again overheats and throttles in hot climate.

  • dingus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    The one thing my smartphone can’t do better for me is exercise tracking! When I was first getting into running, I got myself a smartwatch to stay motivated. It helped a TON to see how far I was running, how much time I had remaining on my runs, how fast I was going, etc. Somehow I managed to stay motivated to run relatively consistently for over a year and I attribute a huge part of this from being able to track my progress with a device. I had never been so consistent with an exercise plan before. I unfortunately haven’t been running lately due to an injury, but I’m trying to supplement it with swimming which my watch also helps me with (counting laps for me, tracking my time, etc).

    I agree that unlike a lot of tech out there, smartwatches are absolutely NOT essential devices like cell phones. But they are absolutely fantastic if you want to track or stay motivated with exercise, and just a fun lil gizmo to have.

      • dingus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        Garmin honestly makes some great smartwatches that you don’t have to charge daily tho and have a great health suite. If I didn’t have my Android smartwatch, I’d prob pick up a Garmin tbh. Kind of fixes that problem of daily charging that Android and Apple smartwatches have.

        I don’t think I could go for a casual run without my watch lol I need to know my distance and speed for motivation! Weightlifting tracking is not great on smartwatches tho I’ve heard.