Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
In the battle of premium smartwatches, the Withings ScanWatch Nova stands out for its impressive 30-day battery life, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic excels with a vibrant 3,000-nit display. If you prioritize long-lasting performance, the Withings is the better buy, but if you want a feature-rich experience, the Galaxy Watch makes a strong case for itself. The Withings ScanWatch Nova is the premium option here, boasting clinical-grade health sensors and a 10 ATM water resistance rating, perfect for swimmers. What matters most is how you plan to use these watches in your daily life.
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Withings ScanWatch Nova

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

Withings ScanWatch Nova

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
| Criterion | Withings ScanWatch Nova | Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(268)Amazon | ★4.5(920)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+) | Android 12.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (Galaxy phone required for full feature set) |
Operating System | HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary) | Wear OS 6 (Powered by Samsung) with One UI 8 Watch |
Case Size | 42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness) | 46mm (46.4 x 46.0 x 10.6 mm) |
Case Material | Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal | Stainless steel case; Sapphire Crystal glass (Front and Back) |
Display Type | Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid) | Super AMOLED Color Always-On Display |
Display Size | 0.63 in (digital screen) | 1.34 in (34.0 mm) |
Resolution | 14,504 pixels (282 PPI) | 438 x 438 pixels (327 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes (Analog hands always visible) | Yes (Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness) |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) | 5 ATM + IP68 (Water resistant up to 50 meters) |
Durability | Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent) | MIL-STD-810H military standard; Stainless steel frame |
GPS | Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection) | Dual-band GPS (L1+L5); GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) | LTE (Optional); Bluetooth 5.3; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4+5GHz); NFC |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | Samsung Wallet; Google Pay |
Sensors | Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart Signal + BIA); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor; 3D Hall sensor |
Health Features | ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV) | Vascular Load monitoring; Antioxidant Index (AGEs); Sleep Apnea detection; ECG; Blood Pressure (market dependent); Body Composition (BIA); Cycle Tracking with skin temp |
Workout Modes | 40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation) | Advanced Running Coach; Multisport tile; Race partner; Heart Rate Zones; Auto-detection for workouts |
Storage | Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch | 64GB |
Speaker Mic | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) | Speaker (supports media/calls/Gemini); Microphone |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only) | Yes (via Bluetooth or standalone on LTE models) |
Battery | Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion | 445 mAh; Up to 49 hours (typical usage); Fast wireless charging (WPC) |
Charging | USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%) | Fast Wireless Charging |
Weight | 63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband | 63.5 g (without strap) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width | 20mm standard (One Click system supported) |
Extras | Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync | Physical rotating bezel; Integrated Google Gemini AI; Gesture controls (Double pinch); Customizable Quick Button |
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Withings ScanWatch Nova
✓ Pros:
- • Elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass
- • Clinical-grade health sensors (ECG, SpO2, Temperature) in a non-intrusive form factor
- • Exceptional battery life (30 days) compared to standard smartwatches
- • Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100m), suitable for swimming and snorkeling
- • Distraction-free interface with a small, discreet digital screen
✗ Cons:
- • Small monochrome screen limits notification readability and smart features
- • No built-in GPS (relies on phone connection for tracking routes)
- • No music controls, NFC payments, or third-party apps
- • Heavy on the wrist (63g watch head only) due to steel construction
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
✓ Pros:
- • Iconic physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation
- • Display brightness doubled to 3,000 nits (matches Ultra model)
- • Storage capacity increased to 64GB (up from 16/32GB in previous Classics)
- • Premium stainless steel build looks more like a traditional timepiece
✗ Cons:
- • Small 1.34" screen relative to the large 46mm case size (bezel takes up space)
- • Significantly heavier (63.5g) than the aluminum standard models
- • Battery (445 mAh) is smaller than the Galaxy Watch Ultra (590 mAh)
- • Some health features (AGEs, BP) are Samsung Galaxy phone exclusive
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the better buy for most people - its 3,000-nit display crushes the Withings ScanWatch Nova's monochrome screen. That said, grab the Withings if you need long-lasting battery life - it's a no-brainer with 30 days of use.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Withings ScanWatch Nova if: you want 30 days of battery life, need advanced health metrics like ECG, or prefer a classic diver watch aesthetic.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic if: you want a bright, colorful display, prefer a rotating bezel for navigation, or need integrated calling and messaging features. (2.24 oz weight)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Withings ScanWatch Nova excels if you value elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is better if you prioritize iconic physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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