Samsung is gearing up for a major tech unveiling with its Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for July 9, 2025, in New York City. The spotlight will shine brightly on the South Korean giant's next generation of foldable smartphones and smartwatches, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and a fresh Z Flip 7 Fan Edition expected to headline the show. But amid the buzz around foldables, a significant development is quietly emerging in the smartwatch arena: the debut of Google's Gemini AI assistant on Wear OS, starting with Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 series.
Leaked promotional materials obtained by Roland Quandt of WinFuture, shared on Bluesky, reveal the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic sporting a sleek new interface featuring Gemini. The watch's screen prominently displays an "Ask Google Gemini" prompt, signaling the arrival of Google's next-generation AI assistant on the wearable platform. This visual confirms earlier reports that Gemini, poised to replace the traditional Google Assistant, will launch first on Samsung's latest smartwatches before expanding to other Wear OS devices like Google's Pixel Watch.
Google had previously announced that Gemini would bring enhanced natural language understanding capabilities and support for extensions and apps, promising a smarter, more versatile experience than its predecessor. Jaime Williams, Wear OS's product manager, clarified that Gemini is independent of the Wear OS 6 update, meaning existing smartwatches can receive Gemini as a standalone app update without waiting for a full OS upgrade. This flexibility suggests a swift rollout following the Galaxy Watch 8 launch.
The Galaxy Watch 8 series itself is shaping up to be a significant leap forward in Samsung's wearable lineup. Powered by the new 3nm Exynos W1000 5-core chipset, both the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic promise notable performance improvements. Each model will come equipped with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, running on the latest One UI 8.0 Watch software.
Samsung is offering multiple size options to cater to different preferences. The Galaxy Watch 8 will be available in 40mm and 44mm variants. The smaller 40mm model features a 1.34-inch sAMOLED display with a resolution of 438x438 pixels, measuring 40.4 x 42.7 x 8.6 mm and weighing just 30 grams, powered by a 325 mAh battery. Meanwhile, the 44mm variant boasts a larger 1.47-inch sAMOLED display at 480x480 pixels, dimensions of 43.7 x 46 x 8.6 mm, a weight of 34 grams, and a 435 mAh battery. Both versions sport an Aluminum Armor casing paired with durable Sapphire Glass.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, positioned as the premium choice, comes in a single 46mm size with a 1.34-inch sAMOLED display at 438x438 pixels. It measures 46.7 x 46 x 10.6 mm and weighs a heftier 63.5 grams, featuring a robust 445 mAh battery. Its stainless steel body complemented by Sapphire Glass lends it a sophisticated and sturdy build.
Health and fitness enthusiasts will find a comprehensive array of sensors across the lineup, including an Accelerometer, Altimeter, Gyroscope, Light Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, PPG Sensor (Photo-Plethysmographic), ECG Sensor (Electrocardiogram), and a BIA Sensor (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis). These sensors aim to provide detailed insights into users' health metrics, from heart rhythms to body composition.
Samsung has opened reservations for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and Galaxy Watch 8 series ahead of the event, offering incentives such as a $50 Samsung credit redeemable on official accessories or devices, triple reward points, and entry into a $5,000 sweepstakes. Reservations are free and come with no obligation to purchase, making it an enticing opportunity for eager fans.
The marketing materials also reveal some of the new user interface elements introduced with One UI 8 Watch, such as pill-shaped UI components and a Running Coach app, highlighting Samsung's focus on a refined user experience. While Gemini is clearly showcased on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, it's highly probable that the AI assistant will be integrated across all upcoming Samsung wearables, including the Galaxy Watch 8 and the new Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Industry watchers anticipate that the Galaxy Unpacked event will not only unveil these devices but also provide more details on Gemini's capabilities and rollout plans. Given Google's emphasis on Gemini replacing the existing Assistant across compatible devices, the launch on Samsung's watches could mark a pivotal moment for AI on wearables.
As the tech world eagerly awaits July 9, the convergence of Samsung's cutting-edge hardware and Google's advanced AI hints at a new chapter for smartwatches. The promise of more natural, intuitive interactions powered by Gemini could redefine how users engage with their devices on the go, making the Galaxy Watch 8 series a compelling choice for those seeking the latest in wearable technology.
With the Galaxy Watch 8 series set to debut alongside Samsung's latest foldables, the upcoming Unpacked event promises to be a showcase of innovation and collaboration, blending hardware excellence with AI advancements. Whether you're a fitness buff, a tech enthusiast, or someone looking for a smarter wrist companion, the fusion of Samsung's craftsmanship and Google's Gemini assistant is poised to make waves in the smartwatch market.
