What Phones is Galaxy Watch 8 Compatible With?
The Galaxy Watch 8 works with any Android phone running Android 12 or higher with at least 1.5GB RAM. iPhones are not compatible.
Basic Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 12 or higher |
| RAM | 1.5GB minimum |
| Google Services | Required |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 or higher |
Compatible Phone Brands
The watch works with all major Android manufacturers:
- Samsung Galaxy: Full feature access including ECG and blood pressure
- Google Pixel: Complete Wear OS 6 and Gemini AI integration
- OnePlus: Full compatibility with all core features
- Xiaomi/Redmi: Compatible with MIUI based on Android 12+
- Motorola: Full support with stock Android
- Sony Xperia: Complete compatibility
Samsung Galaxy Exclusive Features
Pairing with a Samsung Galaxy phone unlocks additional features:
- ECG Monitoring: Medical-grade heart rhythm analysis
- Blood Pressure Tracking: Continuous BP monitoring with calibration
- Camera Remote: Control phone camera and view live viewfinder
- Enhanced Samsung Pay: Full payment features with loyalty cards
- Galaxy Buds Integration: Seamless audio device switching
iPhone Compatibility
iPhones are not compatible with the Galaxy Watch 8. Wear OS 6 requires Android integration that iOS doesn't allow. iPhone users should consider the Apple Watch instead.
Required Apps
You'll need these apps installed on your phone:
- Galaxy Wearable: Primary connection and management app
- Samsung Health: Required for health features
- Google Account: For Wear OS and Play Store access
- Samsung Account: Recommended for full Samsung features
Feature Availability by Phone Type
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy | Other Android |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sleep Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS/Workouts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| ECG | ✅ | ❌ |
| Blood Pressure | ✅ | ❌ |
| Body Composition | ✅ Full | Limited |
Best Experience with Samsung
For the complete Galaxy Watch 8 experience including ECG and blood pressure monitoring, pair with a Samsung Galaxy phone running One UI 4.0 or higher.
See Also: Galaxy Watch 8 Compatibility Guide|How to Pair Galaxy Watch 8|Galaxy Watch 8 Specifications