Anticipation is building for the successor to the Galaxy Watch 7, and Samsung has fanned the flames by revealing a suite of new features destined for its next-generation smartwatch. Expected to be named the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, the company detailed these health-focused innovations in a post on its site for the “upcoming Galaxy Watch.” These enhancements aim to significantly improve sleep quality, cardiovascular monitoring, fitness coaching, and nutritional insights. Let’s explore what the next Galaxy Watch is set to offer.
Personalized Bedtime Guidance
Samsung is enhancing its sleep tracking capabilities with new tools designed to suggest optimal bedtimes based on individual lifestyles. The upcoming Galaxy Watch will analyze your patterns and provide personalized recommendations. Furthermore, it will send timely reminders, encouraging users to adhere to a consistent sleep schedule for improved rest and recovery. This feature aims to make achieving quality sleep more intuitive and integrated into daily routines.
Galaxy Watch screens displaying One UI 8 Watch Bedtime Guidance feature with sleep score and bedtime suggestions
Advanced Vascular Load Monitoring
A significant new health metric, Vascular Load, will be measured by the new Galaxy Watch while you sleep. This feature assesses the stress on your vascular system, offering crucial insights into cardiovascular health. Typically, vascular stress should decrease during rest; if it doesn’t, it could indicate a need for medical consultation. Samsung highlights that this data, when analyzed alongside other metrics collected by the watch, can empower users to cultivate and sustain positive habits for a healthier lifestyle by providing a deeper understanding of their body’s nocturnal recovery processes.
One UI 8 Watch interface on Galaxy Watch showing Vascular Load measurement and heart health insights
Integrated Running Coach
The new Running Coach feature aims to provide personalized training and motivation. This feature shares some similarities with Apple’s Workout Buddy, announced for watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025. However, Samsung’s iteration is specifically tailored for runners. It promises encouragement to help users start running and achieve their fitness goals.
To begin, users will undertake a 12-minute run wearing their Galaxy Watch. Based on this initial assessment, the system assigns a running level from one to ten. Subsequently, Samsung states the watch will generate detailed training plans for various distances, including 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. Users will progress through a series of challenges, unlocking new ones upon completion. The Running Coach is designed to offer intense yet injury-preventive training, making it a potentially valuable tool, especially for beginners.
Galaxy Watch Running Coach feature in One UI 8 Watch displaying running level and personalized training plan options
Innovative Antioxidant Index
The final teased feature is the Antioxidant Index. The upcoming Galaxy Watch will utilize a light-activated BioActive sensor to measure carotenoids—antioxidants found in green and orange fruits and vegetables—directly from the user’s skin. Antioxidants play a vital role in promoting healthy aging by neutralizing harmful free radicals, which can accumulate due to lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, excessive sun exposure, and insufficient sleep. By enabling users to monitor their antioxidant levels, the watch will empower them to make informed lifestyle adjustments to improve or maintain their index reading, contributing to overall well-being.
Samsung Galaxy Watch interface for One UI 8 Watch showcasing the Antioxidant Index measurement tool for skin carotenoids
Will My Current Galaxy Watch Get These New Features?
The availability of these new features for existing Galaxy Watch owners depends on the specific model. According to Samsung’s announcement, users with the high-end Galaxy Watch Ultra can expect to receive all the new functionalities. Galaxy Watch 7 users, however, will gain access to the new Running Coach feature.
For the Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index features, users will need either the “later released Galaxy Watch Series” (implying the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 and subsequent models) or the Galaxy Watch Ultra. For eligible existing devices, these new capabilities will be delivered via the One UI 8 Watch software update.
When Will the Galaxy Watch 8 Launch?
Current reports and industry speculation suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 will be officially unveiled alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. Rumors point towards a potential launch event in July. This timeline aligns with Samsung’s previous launch cycles; for instance, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, and Galaxy Watch 7 were announced on July 10, 2024. With Samsung already teasing the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and now these Galaxy Watch 8 features, all indications suggest an imminent launch for these highly anticipated devices.
In conclusion, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch is poised to deliver a significant upgrade in health and wellness tracking. Features like personalized Bedtime Guidance, advanced Vascular Load monitoring, an integrated Running Coach, and the innovative Antioxidant Index demonstrate Samsung’s commitment to providing users with deeper insights and actionable data for a healthier lifestyle. Tech enthusiasts and current Galaxy Watch users alike have much to look forward to as the official launch approaches. Stay tuned for more updates as Samsung prepares to unveil its next-generation smartwatch.
