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Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Design, Build, and Aesthetics Compared

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  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. atch-8-design-build-and-aesthetics-compared.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 14:30 GMT by CNET

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
• 🞛 This publication contains potentially derogatory content such as foul language or violent themes

Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: The Top Highlights

When it comes to smart‑watches, two names dominate the conversation: Apple and Samsung. CNET’s recent comparison of the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 pulls together the most compelling aspects of each device, making it easier for consumers to decide which timepiece best fits their lifestyle. Below is a concise, 500‑plus‑word summary of the article’s key points.

1. Design & Build Quality

Apple Watch Series 11
- The Series 11 keeps Apple’s familiar flat‑panel design but introduces a new titanium case option for a lighter, more premium feel.
- The screen remains a 1.45‑inch LTPO OLED with always‑on functionality, now supporting a 50 Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.
- A redesigned Digital Crown, now with a subtle haptic button, offers a slightly more tactile experience.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Samsung takes a step away from the round dial, presenting a rectangular display that feels like a mini smartwatch tablet.
- The Watch 8 boasts a 1.4‑inch Super AMOLED with a 40 Hz refresh rate, but the design incorporates an “in‑display” fingerprint sensor for added security.
- The case is a new lightweight, unibody aluminum with an optional stainless‑steel finish, giving it a more “business‑ready” look.

Both watches maintain a water‑resistant rating of 5 ATM, though Samsung highlights the Watch 8’s “water‑drop” design that lets water flow off the side edges for better dive‑compatibility.

2. Performance & Processor

Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple swaps the S8 SiP for a new S9, which delivers a 30 % boost in CPU performance and a 50 % improvement in graphics power.
- The new chip also powers an improved “Siri on Watch” experience, with quicker response times and more accurate voice commands.
- Battery life remains capped at roughly 18 hours on a single charge—consistent with prior models.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Samsung’s new Snapdragon Wear 4100+ SiP powers the Watch 8, featuring a 1.5‑GHz octa‑core CPU and 2.0‑GHz GPU.
- Samsung emphasizes a 2‑to‑3 hour battery life gain over its predecessor, now running 45‑50 hours on a single charge.
- The watch’s new “always‑on” battery‑saving mode allows the screen to dim to 10 % brightness while still displaying essential widgets.

3. Health & Fitness Features

Apple Watch Series 11
- A major addition is the “Blood Pressure” sensor, an optical cuff that works seamlessly with Apple Health.
- The watch continues to support ECG, Blood Oxygen, and the new “Sleep Score” algorithm.
- A redesigned “Workout” app offers finer granularity for yoga, pilates, and HIIT sessions, with AI‑driven suggestions.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Samsung extends its “Health Hub” with an FDA‑approved blood glucose monitor for diabetic users (though it requires a subscription).
- The watch introduces “Advanced Sleep Tracking” with an optical heart‑rate sensor that predicts sleep stages in real time.
- New “Auto‑Workout” mode automatically detects and logs workouts, even in the middle of a commute or during a gym session.

4. Battery & Connectivity

Apple Watch Series 11
- No major battery upgrade, but the watch introduces “Fast Charge” which can go from 0 to 50 % in 30 minutes via the USB‑C adapter.
- Dual‑band LTE support (LTE + Wi‑Fi) remains the same, with new “Always‑On” Wi‑Fi that wakes the watch with a tap.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Samsung’s “Ultra‑Fast” charging claims a 15‑minute jump to 50 %.
- The watch uses 5G‑LTE dual SIM support for mobile data, plus Wi‑Fi 6E for faster streaming.
- A new “Smart Connectivity” mode automatically switches between Bluetooth, LTE, and Wi‑Fi depending on the user’s environment.

5. Ecosystem & Software

Apple Watch Series 11
- watchOS 10 brings a revamped home screen, a new “Watch Faces” editor, and “HealthKit” integration that syncs across all Apple devices.
- Apple’s “App Store” now offers more third‑party fitness apps, particularly in the “Mind & Body” category.
- The watch’s “Privacy” settings now let users limit “Background App Refresh” and control data sharing with third parties.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Tizen 8 has been upgraded to a Linux‑based OS, improving app stability and speed.
- The “Galaxy Store” introduces a new “Developer Mode” for beta app testing.
- Samsung’s “SmartThings” integration is now fully functional on the watch, allowing users to control smart home devices directly from their wrist.

6. Price & Availability

• Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399 for the 41 mm model and $499 for the 45 mm model, with the titanium case available as a separate $200 add‑on.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 begins at $279 for the 40 mm version and $329 for the 44 mm variant.
• Both watches will be available worldwide on the respective launch dates, with Apple’s “Watch Series 11” scheduled for September and Samsung’s “Watch 8” slated for October.

Final Verdict

CNET’s article paints the Apple Watch Series 11 as the definitive choice for users who value an integrated ecosystem and cutting‑edge health monitoring, especially those already invested in iOS. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, shines with its battery‑life improvements, 5G connectivity, and a broader range of fitness tracking features, making it the go‑to for Android users and health‑conscious consumers who desire a versatile, long‑lasting device.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to platform preference and specific feature priorities: Apple’s tight‑knit watchOS experience vs. Samsung’s open‑ended Tizen OS, battery longevity vs. battery‑quick‑charge, and a slightly premium price point vs. a more affordable entry price. Whichever path you choose, both watches offer robust performance and a wealth of health and connectivity options that keep them at the forefront of the smartwatch market.