Apple Watch Series 11 vs Galaxy Watch 8: Main differences to expect
Intro
This autumn, we will hail the new Apple Watch Series 11 and the Watch Ultra 3, while the Galaxy Watch 8 has just been announced with many changes in tow, including a new design, many new health and wellness features, and an increased price tag.
At the same time, we don't expect too much of the Apple Watch Series 11, which will likely go down the annual minor and predictable upgrade path that Apple has sort of established over the years.
But how would the two wearables compare?
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Galaxy Watch 8: differences
- New 5G modem and S11 chip on Watch 11
- New health features on Watch 11 (hypertension) and Galaxy Watch 8 (Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index)
- watchOS 26 with new looks on the Apple Watch, Wear OS + One UI 8 Watch on the Samsung wearable
- Gemini AI on the Galaxy Watch 8
- 3,000-nit display on Galaxy Watch 8
- New squircle redesign for the Galaxy Watch 8, thinner 8.6mm case
- New Dynamic Lug System for band attachment on Galaxy Watch 8
- 42/46mm versions of the Apple Watch 11, 40/44mm versions of the Galaxy Watch 8
Table of Contents:
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Design & Sizes
Is Samsung about to go with a redesign?
Presently, the rumor mill is keeping mum on any major changes that might arrive to the Apple Watch Series 11. This is why we largely expect the Watch Series 11 to be similar to what we saw on the Watch Series 10, so we will get the same-ish looking Apple Watch, just a slightly thinner as its predecessor.
This means the same general Apple Watch design, with a slightly rounded display sloping toward the case, a digital crown and a flush button on the right-hand side of the device. You will be able to get this one in either aluminum or titanium, depending on which option you go for.
That's okay: wearables seldom score major redesigns.
But as an exception to the rule, it's this here Galaxy Watch 8 that actually comes with a hefty redesign in tow. The new wearable employs a squircle case design language similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra. It's made of Armor Aluminum 2 and the case has been slimmed down from 9.7 mm down to 8.6 mm, making it one of the slimmest Galaxy Watches around.
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Galaxy Watch 8 |
|---|---|
| Sizes 42/46mm | Sizes 40/44mm |
| Materials Aluminum/titanium Ion-X glass | Materials Armor Aluminum 2 |
| Thickness ~9.7 mm | Thickness 8.6 mm |
Thanks to the redesigned case, Samsung has successfully fit a slightly bigger battery inside the smartwatch, which is once again available in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes, with 1.3" and 1.47" screens respectively. Peak brightness here, however, has been increased to 3,000 nits, setting a bar too high for the Apple Watch Series 11.
The Galaxy Watch 8 comes in Graphite and Silver colors, a business-like selection that is mostly devoid of nay fun. We don't know what specific colors the Apple Watch 11 will be available in, but Silver and Jet Black are likely a given.
Bands
Despite the rumors that Apple is entertaining the idea of changing the way bands are attached to its wearables with the Watch Series 10, we didn't get such a change and instead Apple kept its decade-old latch mechanism in place. We don't expect the Watch Series 11 to change that, either. That's a good thing: all the older Apple Watch bands you've collected over the years will be compatible with the next device.
Meanwhile, Samsung has once again changed the band attachment mechanism with a new one, called Dynamic Lug System. It ensures a snugger fit, passively increasing the heartrate accuracy and also allowing for even quicker band swapping. New bands with the Galaxy Watch 8 will fit into three categories, called Athleisure, Fabric, and Sport.
Software & Features
Wear OS vs watchOS
The Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to feature watchOS 26. Yes, watchOS 26 and not watchOS 12, as Apple is reportedly aiming to rename all of its operating systems across the board.
Aside from the name itself, Apple is also changing the visuals of watchOS: just like iOS and macOS, we are probably scoring a glass-like visionOS style here. This will boost the cohesiveness of the design style of all of Apple's operating systems.
New health features coming to the Apple Watch Series 11 is getting blood pressure monitoring, which will alert you if it detects signs of hypertension.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 8 comes along with Wear OS 6 running beneath Samsung's One UI Watch 8 software. The interface is slightly redesigned, with the Galaxy Watch 8 scoring the Now Bar from Samsung's One UI 7 flagships. It shows relevant information like timers and media controls on your watchface. Another change has come to how notifications are displayed: notifications from each app now occupy a single page, giving you richer context and providing with more relevant actions at the bottom.
The major new feature is Google Gemini, bringing AI on your wrist. The AI assistant can execute multistep actions straight on your watch. For example, you can tell it to start a 5K run and play your workout playlist. Of course, more complex Gemini prompts are also available.
New health-related features on the Galaxy Watch 8 are Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index, which are exclusive to the new models. The former aims to gauge the vascular load on your circulatory system while you're asleep and provide you with ways to improve it. It tracks your sleep habits, exercise load, and stress levels to determine your vascular load. The other new feature uses sensor data to determine the levels of antioxidants accumulated in your skin. It also gives you recommendations on how to lower your antioxidants.
Some other improvements include a new Bedtime Guidance feature that will use Galaxy AI to determine the best times to hit the hay at night, based on your heart rate variability, heart rate, and previous sleep data. Another new activity-based feature called Running Coach will provide guidance and motivation to runners, give motivational messages, insights, and real-time feedback.
Battery and Charging
No changes to the one-day status quo
We're possibly looking at a ~327mAh battery for the Apple Watch Series 11, while the Galaxy Watch 8 comes with a 325 mAh and a 425 mAh batteries inside the 40 mm and 44 mm versions of the Galaxy Watch 8. The Apple Watch Series 11 will come with the Apple S11 chip, while the Galaxy Watch 8 features the 3nm Exynos W1000 chip.
Samsung says it expects up to 30 hours of battery life with always-on display on and up to 40 hours with the feature off, which is mostly consistent with the previous Galaxy Watch 7.
Models and Prices
We expect the Apple Watch Series 11 to be available in two sizes, 42 and 46mm ones. Each of these will be available in either GPS-only or GPS+cellular variant, with the connectivity here possibly getting upgraded from LTE to 5G on the upcoming models for better efficiency. On top of that, each of these will be available in different sizes and material variants, so the options will be a lot.
At the same time, the Galaxy Watch 8 comes in two sizes, 40 and 44mm ones, either available with either Bluetooth-only or a cellular version. Samsung has raised prices by $50 across the board.
The 40 mm Bluetooth-only watch is priced at $350, while the 44 mm one goes for $380. The LTE-enabled 40 mm versions costs $400, while the top 44 mm LTE model goes for $430.
Voice Calls and Haptics
You will be able to make and take calls on either smartwatch, provided that you pick a cellular-enabled version. You can do that on a regular GPS-only watch as well, but your phone will have to be nearby.
Specs
Here's how the Apple Watch Series 11 vs Galaxy Watch 8 specs might pan out:
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 |
|---|---|
| Models 42mm 46mm both in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions | Models 40mm 44mm both in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions |
| Processor S11 chip | Processor Exynos W1000 chip |
| Software watchOS 26 | Software Wear OS 6, One UI Watch 8 |
| Battery ~327 mAh Magnetic charger, 50% in 30 mins | Battery 325 mAh / 435 mAh |
| Sensors HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, blood pressure (hypertension) | Sensors HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, blood glucose, AGEs, BMI, Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index |
Summary
Both the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Galaxy Watch 8 will be the workhorses, so to say, of both companies' smartwatch lineups this year.
The Galaxy Watch 8 comes along with a fresh new design, new health features, as well as Gemini AI, and a price hike.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 11 might come with less changes in comparison with the previous Apple Watch Series 10. Still, it could be a decent upgrade target for users of older Apple Watches, like the first SE, Apple Watch Series 5 or 6.
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