AI on your wrist works great! We tested Gemini on Galaxy Watch8 Classic

After two weeks of intensive use of the Galaxy Watch8 Classic, I must conclude that Google Gemini on the wrist is exactly what I have always expected from a smartwatch. Artificial intelligence has finally arrived on watches in a way that truly facilitates daily use, and not just as a marketing slogan. In today’s article, we will look at what it’s really like to live with Gemini and whether it’s worth choosing Samsung over the competition because of it.

Gemini vs. Assistant: the end of frustration

The first thing that surprised me when using Gemini is its ability to understand natural language. While with Google Assistant I had to speak in simple commands and often it still didn’t understand me, Gemini can process even more complex sentences and contextual queries. I stopped worrying about how exactly to phrase a question for the watch to understand me – I simply ask as if I were talking to a person.

For the domestic market, Gemini also has one significant advantage over Assistant – it understands Czech. If I wanted to turn on the light with the old assistant, it certainly worked, but I had to give it a specific command in English, which was not always convenient and natural.

A fundamental difference is also how Gemini works with applications. When I asked Assistant about a restaurant’s opening hours and then wanted to read reviews, I had to do it as two separate operations. Gemini combines this process – it can search for information, offer options, and then perform an action (e.g., create a calendar event or a reservation) within a single query.

For example, I asked: “What are the reviews for the new movie ‘Džob’ and when is it showing at Premiere Cinema in Karlovy Vary?” Gemini not only provided a summary of reviews but also offered showtimes and the option to create a calendar event for the selected screening. The old Assistant would never have managed this.

What Gemini can do on watches

During testing, I discovered several scenarios where Gemini truly excels:

Multitasking with apps – Gemini can connect with your default applications (Google or Samsung), which significantly speeds up work. After initial setup of preferred apps, I could create reminders, send messages, or search for information much more smoothly than before.

Search and answers – Instead of just “here’s what I found,” you get relevant answers directly from the LLM. When I asked about foods rich in carotenoids (because Watch8 Classic has a new antioxidant index), Gemini gave me a specific list instead of general phrases, and even offered to create a shopping list in Google Keep.

Navigation and reservations – Asking about a restaurant? Gemini will not only tell you which ones are best rated nearby but will also immediately open maps with directions. This is a level of integration that makes the watch a truly useful helper.

Natural conversation – You don’t have to know exactly what you want. You can start with a general query and gradually refine it, just like you’re used to with mobile Gemini. For example, I started with a question about running routes nearby and gradually specified preferences regarding length and elevation.

Practical use in everyday life

In my daily life, I use Gemini on my watch surprisingly often. In the morning, I ask about the weather forecast and traffic situation while brushing my teeth. While walking, I have the latest emails read to me (through headphones) or quickly reply to messages without having to stop. In the store, I activate a shopping list that I created by voice earlier in the day.

I see the greatest added value in the ability to handle unexpected situations. When a friend told me about an interesting movie during lunch, I could immediately ask for reviews and, if necessary, find out when and where it was showing, all without pulling out my phone.

Or when I was looking for a restaurant in an unfamiliar part of town, I just had to ask: “Where is a good Italian restaurant with outdoor seating nearby?” and Gemini not only found options but also compared reviews and distances and offered to open navigation.

Battery and Performance

Concerns that Gemini would significantly drain the battery were not confirmed. With normal use, including dozens of Gemini queries during the day and activated, battery life dropped by only approximately 15-20% compared to standard use without AI.

Thus, a single charge still gets me more than a day of use, which I consider an acceptable compromise given the features Gemini brings. Moreover, thanks to the fast charging of Watch8 Classic, it’s enough to connect the watch to the charger for 20 minutes during morning hygiene, and you have enough power for the whole day.

As for performance, Gemini’s response is very fast. Thanks to the powerful processor in the new watches, you get answers almost instantly if you are connected to Wi-Fi or have a good mobile connection. In areas with weaker signals, there may be a slight delay, but it is still usable.

This brings us to another point. Gemini can only function if the watch is connected to the phone, which I hope is understandable. Even today’s phones with TOP chipsets are not capable of running such a comprehensive model locally, so it’s logical that watches can’t either. And as I described above, the response is almost indistinguishable from using it directly on the phone; answers to queries are lightning-fast, much quicker than, for example, ChatGPT or Claude.

Room for Improvement

Despite all its advantages, Gemini on watches is not perfect. Sometimes it would be useful if Gemini spoke more to the point. When I ask for quick information, I don’t need a minute-long lecture. Fortunately, the answer can be interrupted by tapping the display and reading the summary.

I also miss a “Show on phone” button at the end of Gemini’s responses. Sometimes the topic is too extensive, and it would be easier to continue the conversation on a larger screen.

How to activate and use Gemini

If you have purchased a Galaxy Watch8 Classic, Gemini should be part of the default settings. You have several options for activating it. The most convenient is a long press of the home (top) button. However, you can also use a tile that can be added to the main screen.

For the best experience, I recommend setting your preferred default applications (Samsung or Google) for tasks, reminders, messages, and calendar in Gemini’s settings. This ensures that Gemini will communicate with the applications you actually use.

Verdict: A Change Worth It

After two weeks of use, Gemini on Galaxy Watch8 Classic is a clear step forward for me. It’s not just a better voice assistant – it’s a change in how we interact with watches and what we can expect from them.

While Google Assistant was more of an accessory that you occasionally used for basic tasks and moreover didn’t understand Czech, Gemini is becoming the central point of watch usage. Thanks to better understanding, contextual reasoning, and deeper integration with applications, we finally get what we have always expected from smartwatches – a truly smart helper on the wrist.

If you are considering upgrading to the Galaxy Watch8 Classic, Gemini is definitely one of the reasons. However, One UI 8 will also come to older versions of Galaxy Watch later this year.

Do you use Gemini on your watch? What are your experiences?