They can also be found on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Among the impressive selections from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, I opted for the Galaxy Watch 8 as my preferred Wear OS smartwatch. The pricing played a significant role, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 starting at $350, and further reductions from discounts and trade-ins. Additionally, the watch’s design, which is significantly slimmer and less obtrusive than a Pixel Watch or OnePlus Watch, was influential. Above all, it was the Samsung Health suite that truly captured my interest.
There are several Samsung Health features that offer valuable insights into your fitness and long-term health through the sensors in the Galaxy Watch 8. I can check my watch a few times each day and receive immediate snapshots of my well-being based on the underlying sensor data. You can do this as well, with these five features of the Galaxy Watch 8. They are also accessible on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Energy score
One of the greatest advantages of regularly using the Galaxy Watch 8 is receiving an Energy score each day. This score assesses your readiness for the upcoming day based on the activity and sleep data from the previous day and night. Using the Samsung Health app with a Samsung account is necessary, but aside from that, Energy scores are computed automatically with no need for manual configuration. Samsung utilizes the following metrics to derive your score, from a possible 100 points:
- Average sleep duration
- Sleep duration consistency
- Regularity of sleep
- Timing of sleep
- Previous day’s activity
- Activity consistency
- Heart rate during sleep
- Variability of heart rate during sleep
As highlighted, sleep significantly impacts your Energy score. If your sleep quality is poor, your score will drop, and a midday nap may offer little benefit. This is because Samsung factors in the timing of your nap, understanding that later naps can disrupt your circadian rhythm and diminish energy levels. There are four tiers for the Energy score: Excellent (85-100), Good (75-84), Fair (60-74), Needs attention (0-59).
To gain the most insights from the Energy score on your Galaxy Watch 8, ensure it is worn during sleep and throughout your daily activities. Then, access the Samsung Health app on your phone or the smartwatch tile to review your daily score.
Sleep score
Given that the Energy score heavily relies on your sleep data, you may be curious about what the Sleep score assesses differently. Like the Energy score, the Sleep score is automatically calculated when your Galaxy Watch 8 is worn during sleep. It also employs the same scale