Global shipment figures for Samsung smartwatches plummeted significantly in the first quarter of 2025
Samsung is set to make a splash in the smartwatch market with the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 series, aiming to regain user interest and market share through a combination of technology and style innovations.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series, set to be unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event on July 9, promises a slimmer, refined design, with the watch measuring about 8.6mm in thickness - 11% slimmer than its predecessor. The new cushion-shaped design aims to offer a seamless blend of style and comfort on the wrist.
Under the hood, Samsung's latest 3nm Exynos W1000 chipset powers all models, promising better responsiveness, efficiency, and battery management. Storage varies by model, with 32GB on the standard Watch 8 and 64GB on the Classic and Ultra models, providing ample space for more apps and media.
Health and fitness are at the forefront of the Galaxy Watch 8 series, with the incorporation of the BioActive Sensor enabling advanced tracking of heart rate, ECG, temperature, and vascular load. New AI-powered capabilities like advanced sleep coaching with apnea detection, running coach with real-time feedback, personalized energy scores, and bedtime guidance aim to deepen user health insights and wellness management.
Software advancements include the integration of Google Gemini voice assistant, aiming to improve user interaction and daily productivity. The watches run Wear OS 6 customized with Samsung’s One UI 6.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic reintroduces the physical rotating bezel and adds an extra shortcut button for tactile navigation, contrasting the standard model’s touch-sensitive digital bezel. The Classic’s higher storage and traditional controls target users valuing both capacity and functionality.
Battery capacities range from 325mAh (40mm standard model) to 590mAh (Ultra), providing up to 4 days of power-saving life in some models. Water resistance and ruggedness vary, with Ultra models supporting 10ATM depth resistance.
These enhancements and the introduction of AI-driven health coaching and efficiency improvements suggest Samsung’s strategy to offer a more personalized, health-focused, and premium smartwatch experience, addressing shifts in consumer expectations after past shipment declines.
The smartwatch market is projected to grow by approximately 3% at a modest pace later in 2025. China saw a 37% boost in smartwatch shipments in Q1 2025, while LATAM saw a 24% boost. However, Samsung experienced the most significant decline, with a 18% year-over-year drop in smartwatch shipments. Samsung's rivals, Apple and Chinese OEMs like Huawei and Xiaomi, also saw declines, with Apple experiencing a 9% drop and Huawei and Xiaomi a 53% year-over-year increase in shipments.
While Samsung has yet to confirm whether some health features will be hidden behind a paywall, users have expressed concerns about the possibility of paid options for advanced coaching in the AI features and the potential for some features to be packed behind an AI-based subscription.
As Samsung gears up for the launch of the Galaxy Watch 8 series, it seems clear that the company is focusing on addressing the challenges it faced with the recent decline in its smartwatch shipments by enhancing appeal through technology and style innovations.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series, encompassing smart-home-devices and gadgets, will hopefully rejuvenate Samsung's smartwatch market presence through technology and style advancements. With the inclusion of AI-driven health coaching and efficiency improvements, Samsung aims to provide a more personalized, health-focused, and premium smartwatch experience.
