Compare Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Reviewers generally found automatic activity detection useful, especially for walking, cycling, and everyday movement, though a few false detections show it is not flawless.

Automatic workout detection was generally prompt and useful for CrossFit, walks, bike rides, and common exercises, though one reviewer noted detection can take a few minutes.

Reviewers treated the antioxidant index as a novel but uneven health metric: one called it unique, while several questioned usefulness, verification, or anxiety risk.

The Withings ecosystem is a major strength when paired with the app and other Withings health devices, with integrations into major phone health platforms.

The app ecosystem is a strength because Google Play and Wear OS provide major smartwatch apps alongside Samsung's own software layer.

Band quality is mostly praised for included metal and fluoroelastomer options, but sizing and micro-adjustment complaints keep it from being universally positive.

Bands are usually described as soft, comfortable, and easier to swap, but the new proprietary lug system and compatibility limits reduce enthusiasm.

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly reporting weeks of use and far less charging anxiety than standard smartwatches.

Battery life is the most consistent weakness: reviewers usually got about one day to a day and a half, with heavier use requiring daily charging.

Blood oxygen tracking is consistently treated as a useful core health feature, usually easy to trigger and presented clearly in the app.

Blood oxygen tracking is repeatedly listed as available for sleep and general health monitoring, with reviewers treating SpO2 as a standard included health metric.

Bluetooth is only lightly discussed, with one review tying workout drain to an extended phone connection rather than offering broad praise or criticism.

Bluetooth support is present for models, headphones, speakers, and phone-call features, with later reviews also noting Bluetooth 5.3.

Brightness is generally adequate thanks to automatic adjustment, though direct-sun visibility and reflections can still be an issue depending on the model.

Brightness is a major upgrade, with multiple reviewers citing the 3,000-nit peak brightness as a useful step up.

Build quality is repeatedly described as premium, watch-like, and appropriate for the price, especially because of the case, bezel, glass, and finishing.

Build quality is mostly positive thanks to sapphire glass, durability ratings, and the cushion case, although raised-screen confidence varies by reviewer.

The crown-based control system is simple and often intuitive, but one reviewer found the crown placement awkward because it presses toward the arm.

Button controls are useful but mixed: customizable presses and gestures help, while several reviewers prefer the Classic's tactile controls or find base buttons underused.

Call handling is basic: callers can be shown or alerted by vibration, but the watch does not replace phone-based call interaction.

Call handling is well supported, with reviewers noting calls and texts from the watch and direct Bluetooth phone-call support.

Calorie tracking receives limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer finding estimated calories more accurate than a previous Fitbit experience.

Calorie usefulness is present but not a standout: reviewers mention Energy Score, calories burned, and manual food/calorie entry rather than deep calorie guidance.

Charging convenience is mixed: the long battery life reduces how often charging matters, but several reviewers disliked the proprietary or cheap-feeling charger.

Charging convenience is mixed: the magnetic puck or cable is included, but there is no wall brick and reverse wireless charging is not supported.

Charging speed is acceptable rather than exceptional, usually around two hours, with one reviewer reporting a faster recharge in real use.

Charging speed ranges from solid short top-ups to underwhelming full charges, with reviewers reporting roughly 30 minutes to around half and up to nearly two hours for full.

Coaching is mostly app- and subscription-driven, with health scores, VO2 max context, and wellness programs providing guidance rather than deep on-watch coaching.

Coaching features are a major theme, especially Running Coach and sleep guidance; reviewers found them motivating and actionable but not always deeply personalized.

Comfort is widely positive, helped by lighter models, silicone strap options, and all-day wearability, although the metal band can feel heavy for some.

Comfort earns the strongest praise, with many reviewers saying the thinner design, fit, and band make it easy to wear all day, during workouts, and overnight.

The companion app is a standout, repeatedly praised for clear presentation, useful explanations, seamless syncing, and dashboard-style health tracking.

The companion app experience is split: Samsung Health is praised as useful and well designed, but needing multiple apps and setup attention is a recurring friction point.

Contactless payments are explicitly absent, reinforcing that this is not a full-featured smartwatch.

Contactless payments are clearly supported through NFC, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, or mobile payments, and reviewers treat them as expected smartwatch functionality.

Cross-platform support is strong, with Android and iOS compatibility plus Apple Health, Google Health Connect, and Google Fit integrations mentioned.

Cross-platform compatibility is a weakness because the watch targets Android/Samsung users and explicitly does not work with iPhone, with some features reserved for Samsung phones.

Customization is practical rather than deep, covering notification permissions, menu order, workout order, OLED functions, goals, and strap choices.

Customization is strong through customizable tiles, stacked widgets, app layout options, and easy access to running tasks through the Now Bar.

Display quality is mixed-positive: the small OLED is sharp and legible, but its tiny monochrome format limits detail and smartwatch interaction.

Display quality is widely praised, with reviewers describing the AMOLED screen as vivid, gorgeous, bright, and beautiful.

Durability is supported by premium glass, water resistance, and real-world comments about the watch staying pristine through travel and use.

Durability is mixed: official ratings and extra case material help, but soft aluminum, raised glass, and scratch/ding concerns appear in several reviews.

ECG functionality is one of the strongest health features, with repeated praise for on-demand readings, medical framing, and AFib-related capabilities.

ECG functionality is present and one reviewer calls ECG readings dependable, with others listing ECG among the retained health features.

Fit depends heavily on the band: some reviewers achieved an easy, secure fit, while others struggled with bracelet sizing or looseness affecting tracking.

Fit is a meaningful upgrade, with dynamic lugs and a snuger wrist position improving comfort and sensor contact.

Fitness tracking accuracy is good for casual use and workouts, but reviewers consistently caution that the Nova is not aimed at serious athletes.

Fitness tracking accuracy is good but not flawless: some reviewers saw Garmin-like agreement, while others found treadmill or distance tracking off.

GPS is a recurring weakness because the watch lacks built-in GPS, relying instead on connected phone GPS that limits phone-free workouts.

GPS is capable and dual-band, but reviews are mixed between fast/accurate route tracking and concerns that it falls short of top sports watches.

Health tracking accuracy is broadly praised, with reviewers comparing favorably against other devices and highlighting accurate sensor results.

General health tracking accuracy is solid overall, with reviewers calling data accurate or comprehensive, while not every experimental metric proves equally useful.

Heart rate accuracy earns strong marks in the reviews, including direct comparisons to other devices and even a chest strap.

Heart-rate accuracy receives strong marks, with reviewers reporting very accurate readings or differences of only a few beats compared with controls.

LTE is available as an option and can support standalone use, but several mentions frame it as an add-on rather than a core tested strength.

Mapping and navigation are useful when Gemini calls up Google Maps, but one reviewer found it still pushed actual directions to the phone.

Materials quality is consistently premium in the evidence, with stainless steel cases, sapphire glass, ceramic bezels, and polished finishing repeatedly cited.

Materials are mixed: reviewers mention armor aluminum and sapphire, but some found the aluminum case relatively soft or less durable than stainless steel alternatives.

Menu navigation is simple and crown-driven, generally praised as intuitive despite the tiny display.

Menu navigation improves through tiles and quick access, but reviewers still criticize the digital bezel, sensitivity, and lack of stronger tactile navigation on the base model.

Music controls are explicitly missing, making the Nova a poor fit for users who want watch-based media control.

Music controls are available through the watch and Now Bar, but one reviewer found control limited to Samsung Music in testing.

Onboard music support is credible because reviewers cite 32GB storage and the ability to download music, though the Classic offers more storage.

The operating system experience is improved, with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 described as better, modern, colorful, and engaging.

Outdoor visibility varies by reviewer and model, with sunlight readability praised in one review but reflections and direct sun criticized in others.

Outdoor visibility is very strong thanks to the brighter display, with reviewers saying it is readable or easy to see outdoors and in direct sunlight.

Pairing and sync reliability are generally strong, with setup and app syncing described as simple or seamless.

Pairing reliability appears straightforward in the available evidence, with the wearable app walking users through setup after the pairing prompt.

Recovery insights are weak or future-facing in the evidence, with one review noting recovery-related features were expected later rather than present.

Recovery insights are useful through bedtime guidance, recovery times, vascular-load context, and post-workout actionable suggestions.

Reliability is mostly good for daily wear and forget-it use, but connection loss and false activity detection appear as caveats.

Reliability is mostly good for tasks, but not perfect: one reviewer had no snags, while another noticed software gremlins.

Safety features center on heart-health alerts, AFib detection, ECG, and illness-related temperature signals, making this a strong health-first wearable.

Safety features include an SOS shortcut through repeated button presses, though emergency functionality receives limited discussion.

Size options are limited on the regular Nova but improved by the smaller Brilliant model, so the evidence is mixed by variant.

Size options are straightforward, with the base watch offered in 40mm and 44mm sizes across reviewers.

Sleep tracking is useful and often accurate enough for trends, but reviewers report missed split sleep, rosy or anxiety-provoking analysis, and limited sleep-stage detail.

Sleep tracking is generally strong and often described as accurate or detailed, though at least one reviewer still saw disagreement on sleep-stage details.

Notifications are basic and polarizing: they can alert users, but the small display and lack of replies make them limited.

Smartphone notifications are functional and reply-capable, but reviewers disagree on prominence, with some finding alerts easy to miss.

Smartwatch features are intentionally minimal, with reviewers repeatedly framing the Nova as a health-first hybrid rather than a phone-on-wrist device.

Smartwatch features are broad, spanning apps, Gemini, calls, texts, payments, health tools, and phone-extension functions.

Software smoothness is strong around app syncing, although some activity/map issues suggest the software is not perfect.

Software smoothness is mostly strong, with snappy, responsive, modern performance repeatedly noted, though wake-up slowness appears in one review.

Step counting is one of the more reliable daily metrics, with reviewers praising the subdial and accurate step results.

Step counting looks reasonably accurate, with manual alignment and only small variances reported.

Stress tracking is present through stress-level views, breathing exercises, high-stress alerts, and manual monitoring options.

Style and design are the most consistent praise point, with reviewers emphasizing the luxury analog look and traditional-watch appeal.

Style and design are polarizing but often praised: reviewers like the refreshed, minimalist cushion look, while some strongly dislike the standard model's appearance.

Third-party app support is a clear limitation, with direct evidence that users wanting such access should look elsewhere.

Third-party app support is strong thanks to Google Play access and examples like Spotify and other smartwatch apps.

Touchscreen responsiveness scores low because the watch has no touchscreen; all interaction is crown-based.

Touchscreen responsiveness is strong overall, with reviewers noting instantaneous responses, very responsive gestures, and quick bezel-style swiping.

The user interface is intentionally minimalist: reviewers like its simplicity, but the small display makes notifications and richer interactions constrained.

The user interface is one of the bigger upgrades, with Now Bar, better tiles, quick toggles, and smoother layouts drawing repeated praise.

Value for money is mixed: reviewers admire the quality and health features but repeatedly flag the high price and subscription angle.

Value for money is mixed: some reviewers gave strong recommendations, while others questioned the price increase or upgrade value.

Voice assistant quality is a standout because Gemini is repeatedly described as useful, faster, better than older assistants, and well integrated.

Watch face quality is positive overall, with analog hands, glow-in-the-dark indexes, subdial, and hidden display giving it a real-watch identity.

Watch face quality is good, with customizable faces, new designs, phone editing, and broad watch-face access mentioned.

Water resistance is a strength, especially on the 10 ATM standard Nova, though Brilliant models are rated lower at 5 ATM.

Water resistance is solid, with 5 ATM, IP ratings, and real swim/lake use appearing in the evidence.

Wellness insights are strong in the app, especially for health scores, trends, ECG review, dashboards, and actionable explanations.

Wellness insights are broad and often useful, especially Energy Score, Vascular Load, sleep coaching, and bedtime guidance, although some reviewers found the data overload or limited impact mixed.

Wi-Fi connectivity is supported, including 5GHz Wi-Fi in one review, but reviewers mostly mention it as a spec or requirement for connected AI use.

Workout tracking variety ranges from limited basic modes in some reviews to more than 40 sports in others, so it is useful but not elite.

Workout tracking variety is broad, with many activity modes and automatic activity detection mentioned across reviews.