Samsung has just announced the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and they come with a new look, updated health features, and a few firsts for the lineup. The big focus? Making the watches more comfortable to wear all day—and night—while offering smarter tools to help you keep track of your overall health.

If you've ever taken your watch off mid-day because it started feeling bulky or awkward, Samsung says it’s addressing that with the new design. The Galaxy Watch 8 is now 11% thinner than before, thanks to a redesigned internal structure that lets everything fit more efficiently. It also includes what Samsung calls a “Dynamic Lug” system, which basically means the way the watch sits on your wrist should feel more natural, whether you’re typing at a desk or running a mile.

You’ll be able to choose between two sizes—40mm or 44mm—in either Graphite or Silver for the Watch 8. If you prefer something more classic-looking, the Watch 8 Classic comes in Black or White, has a rotating bezel for easier control, and comes in a larger 46mm size. Both are compatible with Samsung’s full range of interchangeable watch bands, so you can dress them up or down.

The display on the Watch 8 series is brighter than ever, peaking at 3,000 nits. That means even in full sun, you shouldn’t have trouble seeing your stats or notifications. There’s also a dual-frequency GPS for more accurate tracking—handy if you’re into outdoor workouts or trail running.

Inside, the watch is powered by a new 3nm processor, which Samsung says brings better performance and longer battery life. In short, it should be faster and last longer between charges, even if you’re using it to track a workout, control music, or run multiple apps at once.

Samsung is continuing to turn its smartwatches into tools for better rest, not just fitness. The Watch 8 series introduces Bedtime Guidance, a feature that looks at your circadian rhythm and suggests the best time to hit the pillow. There’s also a new Vascular Load metric that tracks how much stress your cardiovascular system is under while you sleep.

And for the first time, the watches can check for signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea, a feature that could help users identify potential health issues earlier. Combined with updated sleep coaching features in the Samsung Health app, the watch is clearly aiming to be more than a step counter—it wants to help you feel better, too.

The Galaxy Watch 8 is also introducing a few features we haven’t seen on a smartwatch before. One of them is the Antioxidant Index, which estimates your carotenoid levels (a measure related to your body’s antioxidant status) in just a few seconds. It’s a small but potentially useful snapshot for people interested in aging and overall wellness.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, a new High Stress Alert can now warn you when your stress levels stay elevated. Alongside that, the Mindfulness Tracker lets you log your mood and get guided breathing exercises—all right from your wrist.

Whether you're training for your first 5K or just trying to stay active, the updated Running Coach might be helpful. It gives you a fitness level score between 1 and 10 and builds a custom training plan based on that. You’ll also get real-time tips while you run.

There’s also a revamped Together feature that lets you challenge friends or family to fitness goals—even running goals now—which could be a fun way to stay motivated.

One of the key features this year is the addition of Gemini, Google’s new AI assistant. It’s built into the Galaxy Watch 8 series and can do things like start a workout, send a text, or find a nearby restaurant—all using natural voice commands. For example, saying “Start a 30-minute run” will kick off a workout in the Samsung Health app without touching a button.

The watch is also the first to ship with Wear OS 6, co-developed with Google. On top of that, Samsung’s new One UI 8 Watch brings improvements like Multi-Info Tiles (think health stats, weather, and events in one glance) and a Now Bar that highlights what you’re doing—like your current workout or a phone call—front and center.

The Galaxy Watch 8 ($379.99), Watch 8 Classic ($499.99), and the rugged Watch Ultra ($649.99) are available for pre-order now and will hit stores on July 25. The regular and Classic models are geared toward daily use, while the Ultra is built for people who want something more durable and long-lasting—ideal for outdoor adventures.

No matter which version you go for, the Galaxy Watch8 series is clearly about giving users more useful health data and more comfort throughout the day. Whether you're trying to improve sleep, train smarter, or simply stay more in tune with your body, Samsung is betting these updates will help you get there.