Watches & jewelry: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak cater to vastly different audiences. The Galaxy Watch 8 is a tech-forward smartwatch for those seeking fitness tracking and smart features. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a luxury timepiece for those who value iconic design, craftsmanship, and horological heritage. The choice depends entirely on individual priorities and budget.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a smartwatch focused on fitness tracking, smart features, and connectivity, while the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a luxury mechanical watch known for its iconic design and craftsmanship.
The Galaxy Watch 8 offers comprehensive health and fitness tracking features, while the Royal Oak focuses on traditional timekeeping with high-quality mechanical movements.
The Royal Oak is significantly more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 8, reflecting its status as a luxury timepiece.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Samsung Galaxy Watch 8	Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Brand	Samsung	Audemars Piguet
Model	Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, Galaxy Watch 8 Ultra	Royal Oak (includes Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, and Royal Oak Concept models)
Display Type	Super AMOLED	Analog with luminescent coatings on hour markers and hands
Case Material	Aluminum (Galaxy Watch 8), Stainless steel (Galaxy Watch 8 Classic), Titanium (Galaxy Watch 8 Ultra)	Stainless steel, gold (yellow, rose, or white), platinum, titanium, ceramic
Band Material	Sport band (rubber), Hybrid band (leather style with silicone rubber base), Fabric band (recycled nylon), Athleisure band	Stainless steel, gold, or other materials matching the case; often an integrated bracelet. Some models offer rubber straps.
Water Resistance	IP68-rated (Galaxy Watch Ultra)	Typically 50 meters (165 feet), some models up to 300 meters (1,000 feet)
Movement Type	Smartwatch	Automatic (in-house calibers like Caliber 2121 and Caliber 3120)
Smartwatch Features	Google Gemini AI assistant, Fitness and health tracking, Sleep coaching, Running coach, Antioxidant level measurement, Vascular load measurement, Sleep apnea detection, Body composition analysis, Blood oxygen saturation monitoring, Heart rate monitoring, ECG, Contactless payments, Third-party app support via Google Play Store, Notifications, calls, and texts	Not applicable
Connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE (optional)	Not applicable
Battery Life	Up to 40 hours (Samsung claim), 30 hours with always-on display (AOD) (Samsung claim), 25-32 hours with AOD (real-world testing), 39-40 hours without AOD (real-world testing)	Not applicable (mechanical movement); Power reserve typically around 40-70 hours
Case Size	Galaxy Watch 8: 40mm and 44mm, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: 46mm, Galaxy Watch 8 Ultra: 47mm	Various sizes, including 33mm, 34mm, 37mm, 38mm, 39mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm
Price	Galaxy Watch 8: Starting at $349.99 (40mm, Bluetooth)	$20,000 to over $415,000 (Stainless steel models may start around $25,000 - $50,000)
Ratings	Not available	Timekeeping accuracy: -0.5 seconds per day (measured by one reviewer)

Overall Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Starting at $349.99, Up to 40 hours battery life. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: $20,000 to over $415,000, Timekeeping accuracy: -0.5 seconds per day.

Pros and Cons

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Pros:

Slimmer design
Bright display
Google Gemini integration
Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
User-friendly interface

Cons:

Shorter battery life
Higher price compared to previous models
Incompatibility with older watch bands

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Pros:

Iconic design
High-quality materials and craftsmanship
Innovative movements
Potential for value appreciation
Comfortable wearability due to integrated bracelet

Cons:

High price
Can be prone to scratches
Limited water resistance in some models
Servicing can be expensive

User Experiences and Feedback

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

What Users Love

Comfortable to wear due to thinner and lighter design and various band options
Bright display, easy to read even in sunlight
User-friendly interface with improvements to widgets and notifications
Comprehensive suite of fitness tracking features

Common Complaints

Battery life may require daily charging
Higher price compared to previous models

Value Perception

Integrates well with Samsung phones and other Android devices
Supports third-party apps via the Google Play Store

User Recommendations

The Galaxy Watch 8 is designed to be thinner and lighter than previous models, with a "cushion shape" for a more natural fit.
The Dynamic Lug system and various band options (Sport, Fabric, Hybrid) also contribute to comfortable wear.
The display is very bright, with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it easy to read even in sunlight.
The One UI 8 Watch interface is generally well-received, with improvements to widgets and notifications.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

What Users Love

Iconic and easily identifiable design
High degree of accuracy in timekeeping
Comfortable for extended wear due to integrated bracelet
Luminescent coatings make the display easy to read in various lighting conditions

Common Complaints

May show scratches easily
Limited water resistance in some models compared to tool watches

Value Perception

Considered a revolutionary design blending luxury and sportiness
Movements are known for their quality and reliability

User Recommendations

The integrated bracelet is meticulously designed to blend with the case, offering a sleek and unbroken line from case to clasp.
AP Royal Oak movements are known for their high degree of accuracy.
The Royal Oak's design is iconic and easily identifiable, featuring an octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, a 'Tapisserie' dial, and an integrated bracelet.