Galaxy Manila Marathon highlights Samsung's commitment to Wellness

The Galaxy Manila Marathon, powered by Samsung

Samsung Philippines, building on its recent successful runs in key areas in the country, elevated its partnership with RUNRIO through the Galaxy Manila Marathon, a landmark celebration of health, wellness, and the vibrant spirit of Manila on August 10, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex.

Drawing 19,000 runners, the event stands as one of the country’s largest and most anticipated fitness gatherings this year. Samsung continues to champion a lifestyle of movement and discovery, encouraging participants to rise higher in their fitness journeys while appreciating iconic local landmarks in Manila passing through the storied grounds of Rizal Park, the enduring walls of Intramuros, the sweeping views along Roxas Boulevard, and the cultural landmarks of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex.

Powered by the latest Galaxy Watch innovations, Samsung continues to inspire wellness journeys through its Galaxy Watch series. The newly launched Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic serve as powerful companions for anyone striving to stay on top of their health.

“The Galaxy Manila Marathon shows how AI and innovation can take wellness to the next level. With features like the Running Coach and the power of the Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem, the Galaxy Watch8 series helps users run smarter and push further,” Samsung Electronics Philippines Ecosystem Product Marketing Manager Michelle Tee shared.

“Our aim is to continue inspiring Filipinos to live healthier, more active lives. The event shows how technology and wellness can move together, empowering runners to push limits, stay connected, and achieve their personal best,” Tee emphasized.

Redesigned to help you reach for Ultimate Wellness

The Galaxy Watch8 series offers a smarter, more connected way to stay motivated, whether you are training for your next marathon or simply embracing a more active lifestyle. Its sleek design meets rugged functionality, with a 50% brighter display and 3,000 nits peak brightness, runners can easily track stats even under the harshest daylight.

Whether you are training for your first 5K or chasing a personal best, the Galaxy Watch8’s Running Coach delivers personalized plans and real-time guidance based on your fitness level. Stay motivated with the updated Together feature that now supports running—challenge friends, track progress, and make every mile count.

The Galaxy Watch8 series is also built for those who want more than just distance tracking—it is your smart wellness coach on the go. It is the first smartwatch to introduce an Antioxidant Index, letting you measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds to support healthy aging. Equipped with the advanced BioActive Sensor, it provides runners with in-depth health insights, empowering them to train smarter, recover better, and push further.

To help you stay balanced, High Stress Alert notifies you when it is time to slow down, while the Mindfulness Tracker logs your mood and guides you through calming breathwork. Not only that! With the AI-powered Energy Score, you will get a quick read on your physical and mental energy so you can plan your day—and your next run—smarter.

Created together with Google, the Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch to launch with Gemini, Google’s powerful AI assistant and run on Wear OS 6, bringing next-level intelligence to your wrist. Go hands-free and stay in stride with natural voice commands that let you manage apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock effortlessly.

Optimized with the new One UI8 Watch, the interface is sleek, intuitive, and tailored to the Watch face. Multi-info Tiles let you view key metrics like weather, events, and health stats at a glance, while the Now Bar and depthless notifications keep your most important updates front and center, so you can focus on your pace, not your screen.

Crafted for endurance and everyday elegance, the Galaxy Watch8 is made for the long run. With a fully reengineered structure and 30% more efficient component layout, it is now 11% thinner for a lighter, sleeker fit. Designed for all-day comfort, it will not weigh you down whether you are racing, training, or cooling off, available in 44mm or 40mm, in Graphite or Silver.

For a more refined look, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic adds timeless sophistication with a rotating bezel and handy quick button, available in 46mm Black or White. Plus, both models can be customized with stylish bands to suit every runner’s lifestyle—on and off the race course.

For those pushing boundaries outdoors, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the toughest and most advanced Galaxy Watch yet. With up to the longest battery life in the lineup and a durable titanium build—now available in the bold new Titanium Blue—it is made for endurance, performance, and adventure.

Galaxy Unpacked reveals the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Series

Galaxy Watch8

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. on Wednesday, introduced Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic[1], establishing an iconic design identity across the entire Galaxy Watch lineup. Building upon the foundation of the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s cushion design, this series boasts the thinnest, most comfortable Galaxy Watch ever[2] for continuous health tracking. The Galaxy Watch8 series suits diverse lifestyles and provides advanced capabilities, setting a new standard for style and personalized health experiences.

“We are committed to empowering billions of people to live healthier lives through our innovative technology,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “By combining purposeful design with advanced sensor technology and an intuitive AI-powered experience, the Galaxy Watch8 series serves as a starting point for a healthier, more connected life, making it easier than ever to take meaningful steps toward users’ well-being.”

Redesigned Inside and Out for Ultimate Wellness

By reimagining both form and function, the Galaxy Watch8 series delivers unmatched comfort alongside industry-leading performance, making it the ultimate companion for everyday wellness. The distinctive cushion design, which debuted with Galaxy Watch Ultra, now defines the entire Galaxy Watch lineup. To achieve the thinnest design yet, the internal structure of Galaxy Watch8 was completely reengineered and its component mounting capability has been improved by 30%, resulting in an 11% thinner design. Combined with the Dynamic Lug system, this design moves naturally with the wrist, providing greater comfort and improved stability² for a better fit and enhanced health-tracking accuracy. 

Galaxy Watch8’s sleek profile is complemented by its exceptional performance. Even when you are outdoors under bright sunlight, the display is 50% brighter² with a peak brightness of 3,000nits for easy visibility, and the enhanced battery² ensures the watch can keep up with an active lifestyle. Moreover, the dual-frequency GPS provides more detailed and precise location results² while our most powerful 3nm processor delivers faster performance and greater power efficiency. With the groundbreaking BioActive Sensor that enables deeper and more accurate health insights, the Galaxy Watch8 series helps provide a holistic view of your health.

Motivation for Lasting Health Changes

Sleep is a window into your overall health and each restful night allows your body and mind to recover immediately the very next day. That’s why Samsung is continuously advancing the sleep experience, offering tailored sleep coaching, helping to create an optimal sleep environment, and even detecting moderate to severe signs of sleep apnea. On top of that, the Galaxy Watch8 series comes with new unique health features on the Samsung Health app[3] that help you build healthier habits through instant, motivational insights – from sleep to nutrition and workout.

Bedtime Guidance[4] can measure your circadian rhythm to suggest the optimal time to go to bed so you wake up refreshed the next morning. Vascular Load[5] helps monitor the stress levels on your vascular system during sleep. Providing insights on various lifestyle factors including sleep, stress and activity, it helps you adopt a more comprehensive approach to managing your health.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch8 series introduces Antioxidant Index[6] for the first time in a smartwatch, enabling you to measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds and make informed lifestyle choices for healthy aging.

Whether you’re a novice or experienced runner, the Galaxy Watch8 series delivers personalized fitness insights to keep you motivated when you need it most. Running Coach[7] calculates your fitness level from 1 to 10 and develops a tailored training plan complete with real-time guidance and motivational insights. With the updated Together feature, which now supports running, you can gamify your fitness journey by challenging friends and family.

If high level of stress persists, High Stress Alert will immediately signal so that you can take a break to help manage your stress levels in real-time. With Mindfulness Tracker, you can record your mood and receive guidance on breathing exercises to relieve your stress – all at once on your wrist.

Plus, the AI-powered Energy Score[8] gives you a snapshot of your energy level, combining physical and mental energy metrics so you can have a healthier day, every day.

Easier Watch Interaction with Wear OS and Gemini

Developed in close collaboration with Google, the Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch to come out of the box with Gemini[9], Google's AI assistant, and be powered by Wear OS 6. Go hands-free using natural voice commands to get things done on the go with your Galaxy Watch apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock. For example, you can ask Gemini to find a nearby cafe and text a friend to meet you there, all in one go. Or, if you’re ready to start your workout and you have a goal in mind, simply say, “Start a 30-minute run.” The watch seamlessly initiates the workout in Samsung Health.

In addition, thanks to the new One UI 8 Watch, the user interface is optimized for the size and shape of the watch face. The new Multi-Info Tiles provide easy access to health metrics, weather, events and more – all in a single, quick look. Moreover, the new Now Bar and depthless notifications ensure key activities are front and center.

Tailored to Match Every Lifestyle

Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and the new Galaxy Watch Ultra are available for pre-order in select markets starting today until July 31, with general availability starting August 1.

Featuring a sleek and minimalist design, Galaxy Watch8 is designed for everyday wellness. Available in 44mm or 40mm sizes and in Graphite or Silver, it provides comfort and style for daily activities. Meanwhile, Galaxy Watch8 Classic brings timeless sophistication to the wrist with modern features such as a rotating bezel and a quick button for added convenience. The Classic model measures 46mm and comes in Black and White. Plus, both models can be matched with a range of stylish bands[10] designed to suit diverse lifestyles.

For those who love outdoor adventures, Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most advanced and durable Galaxy Watch model yet. Available in four titanium finishes including the new Titanium Blue, it offers the longest battery life and the most robust performance in the lineup.

To learn more about Galaxy Watch8, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/galaxy-watch8-44mm-silver-bluetooth-sm-l330nzsaasa/buy/

Galaxy Watch8 Series Specifications

 

	Galaxy Watch8		Galaxy Watch8 Classic
Color	- 44mm: Graphite, Silver - 40mm: Graphite, Silver		46mm: Black, White
Dimension[11] & Weight[12]	- 44mm: 43.7mm x 46mm x 8.6t (34.0g) - 40mm: 40.4mm x 42.7mm x 8.6t (30.0g)		46mm: 46.4mm x 46mm x 10.6t (63.5g)
Display	Sapphire Crystal - 44mm: 1.47-inch (480x480) Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display - 40mm: 1.34-inch (438x438) Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display		Sapphire Crystal - 46mm: 1.34-inch (438x438) Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display
Processor	Exynos W1000 (5 Core, 3nm)
Memory & Storage	2GB memory + 32GB storage		2GB memory + 64GB storage
Battery[13] (typical)	- 44mm: 435mAh - 40mm: 325mAh		445mAh
Charging[14]	Fast Charging (WPC-based wireless charging)
OS[15]	Wear OS Powered by Samsung (Wear OS 6)
UI	One UI 8 Watch
Sensor	Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal Sensor + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor	Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal Sensor + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, 3D Hall sensor
Connectivity	LTE[16], Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz, NFC, L1+L5 Dual-Frequency GPS (GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo)
Durability[17]	5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H
Compatibility	Android 12.0 or higher and with more than 1.5GB of memory[18]

---

[1] Availability and features may vary depending on market, model and the smartphone paired. All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

[2] Compared to the previous Galaxy Watches.

[3] Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or management of any medical condition or disease. Any health-related information accessed through the device and/or application should not be treated as medical advice. Users should seek any medical advice from a physician. Certain features may vary by market, carrier, or the device paired.

[4] Based on 3 days of sleep analysis of user's circadian rhythm and sleep pressure.

[5] Wearing a compatible Galaxy Watch is required when sleeping for at least 3 of the most recent 14 days.

[6] To measure, the user should place the center of their finger on the sensor at the back of the Watch and hold it for 5 seconds. While Antioxidant Index can be measured using any finger, the thumb is recommended for the most accurate result. Repeat measurement due to uneven skin texture may lead to different results.

[7] Prior to starting the coach program, taking a running level test and receiving a level designation is required.

[8] Only available when user register a compatible Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring at least once.

[9] Gemini mobile app available on select devices, languages, and countries. Requires compatible Wear OS watch to be connected to a compatible device. Check responses for accuracy. Internet connection and set up may be required. Features may differ depending on subscription and account. Results for illustrative purposes and may vary. Google and Gemini are trademarks of Google LLC.

[10] Sold separately. Availability of watch bands may vary by market or carrier.

[11] Measured without health sensors.

[12] Measured without band.

[13] Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device model, network environment and other factors. Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among battery samples tested under the IEC 61960 standard.

[14] Testing conducted by Samsung using pre-released version of Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic (BT & LTE), each paired to a Samsung phone; all devices tested with prerelease software, Galaxy Watch Magnetic Fast Charging USB C Cable (EP-OL300), and Samsung 25W USB C Power Adapter (EP-TA800). Charge time varies according to region, settings, usage patterns and environmental factors; actual results may vary. Samsung 25W USB C Power Adapter (EP-TA800) sold separately.

[15] Wear OS Powered by Samsung works with phones running Android 12 or later with more than 1.5GB of memory. Compatible devices may vary by market, carrier or device brand.

[16] LTE connectivity only available in LTE models.

[17] Galaxy Watch8 series has obtained MIL-STD 810H Certification: It has undergone a test that repeats from -20°C (1Hr) to 50°C (1Hr) for a total 6 hours.

[18] Device activation is only available after connecting to a smartphone that supports Google Mobile Services. Compatible devices may vary by market, carrier or device brand.

Earth Day Run combines care for environment and introduces new wearables

c/o Samsung

Samsung Electronics Philippines, in conjunction with the Tzu Chi Foundation, staged the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run last month, with over ten thousand runners getting involved and walking the talk about caring for the environment.

Highlighting the theme, the event had its participants bring their own water bottles, helping reduce the need from having cups at hydration stations.

RunRio Founder and CEO Rio dela Cruz, who helped organize the run, notes, "This is very special. We actually committed to being more eco-friendly for the Earth Day Run, to make use of the materials na ginamit natin dito and recycle them into something more sustainable."

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Deputy CEO Peggy Sy notes that their foundation will take in all the recyclable materials used in the event and then recycle them into usable plastic products. She shares, "We’re glad they’ve learned our efforts for environmental protection. We turn pet bottles into pellets and fabric, we also do upcycling. What we do is we try to sort recyclables, so they do not end up in the oceans and landfills. It was very good that they promoted bring your own bottle, we reduced the single use plastic and paper cups. It’s a good start and I hope future runs will all follow this."

Samsung Electronic Philippines Mobile Experience Ecosystem Category Head Jelina King adds, "This initiative combines two of our biggest advocacies: building sustainability into our product experience, and pushing for wellness with our technology. The Galaxy Watch6 is designed to be a partner for a heart healthier lifestyle, and we are very glad to be able to do this with RunRio and the Tzu Chi Foundation."

The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 series is taking wellness to the next level with blood pressure and ECG monitoring and other features that help monitor heart health. It has a built-in PPG sensor that periodically measures heart rate and rhythm while worn, and can do a quick blood pressure check with no added equipment required. It also offers a ton of exercise features to help you create your own unique fitness journey.

For on-the-go fitness enthusiasts that are looking for a more affordable kind of wearable, the Galaxy Fit3 would be an ideal solution, allowing its users to monitor their wellness and fitness information anytime and anywhere.

Health Upgrades highlight new Samsung Galaxy Watch

The latest edition of Samsung's wearable tech contains much-desired upgrades and updates that would satisfy the need of a health buff.

The Galaxy Watch6, as well as the Galaxy Watch6 Classic, aims to help its users build healthier habits everyday. TM Roh, the President and Head of Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics, says, "With the new Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic, we are delivering on our commitment to democratize advanced health monitoring tools, now offering easier access right from the wrist. From sleep and fitness coaching to nutritional insights, Samsung is providing new and convenient ways to help users gain understanding and take action for better health and wellness, every day and every night."

Highlighting the idea that better health starts with better sleep, Samsung addresses this with an emphasis on three elements: understanding personal sleep patterns, building better habits, and establishing a sleep-friendly environment. Insights based from these elements could potentially yield positive changes through personalized and actionable tips, advice, and encouragement.

By wearing the Galaxy Watch6, users would be able to receive in-depth analysis of Sleep Score Factors - total sleep time, sleep cycle, awake time, as well as physical and mental recovery, allowing them to be understand better the quality of sleep one receives nightly. Users also would have the option to get even more detailed feedback through individualized Sleep Messages, which are co-developed with the National Sleep Foundation. The Sleep Consistency feature illustrates the consistency of one's sleep and wake times, with a designated Sleep Animal Symbol representing their sleep type.

With all the information now available, users would be able to tailor such knowledge into better sleeping habits. Enhanced Sleep Coaching puts that together through instructions, tips, and reminders, which one can access either on their wrist or through their paired smartphone.

In addition, invoking Sleep Mode on both the watch and the smartphone would set the mood for the perfect sleep environment, with the notifications muted, screens dimmed, and even activate the invisible LED infrared sensor on the watch that allows delivery of valuable health information without the additional light distractions.

As for fitness buffs, the Body Composition feature of the Galaxy Watch6 provides key physical measurements that helps shed light on the user's body and fitness, including skeletal muscle, basal metabolic rate, body water and body fat percentage, among others. Having this data available allows users to have a better read with their fitness goals. A new partnership with Whisk means users can now also get nutritional tips to help with their progress.

The Personalized Heart Rate Zone analyzes individual physical capabilities, allowing it to define five optimal running intensity levels that can guide users in setting feasible goals based on their current ability, whether in burning fat or being in a high-intensity workout.

In addition, the Track Run feature records the user's runs on a track, with the Custom Workout feature enables users to build and track their own personalized exercise routines. This is besides the over a hundred available workout trackers in place.

In case of emergencies, a Fall Detection meter can gauge whenever the user falls either during exercise, standing still, or even during sleep. In case it happens, it could send an alert automatically to either an emergency service number or to pre-selected contacts.

For those interested, both the Galaxy Watch6 and the Galaxy Watch6 Classic are available for pre-orders starting July 26, with general availability slated on August 18.

To learn more about Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic, or design your own watch, please visit: www.samsungmobilepress.com, news.samsung.com/global or www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch.

Galaxy Watch5 to offer BP and ECG monitoring

Galaxy Watch5

Given recent incidents at sporting events that involve emergency medical attention, it just got more essential to have ready made features that can better detect our health state.

Samsung has already made headway into this through their latest update on their Galaxy Watch5 Series, which now includes mechanisms to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate via the BioActive sensor.

Available through the Watch5 as well as the Watch5 Pro, one will be able to monitor your blood pressure through the Samsung Health Monitor, which one would need to install onto their Samsung Galaxy smartphone and then connect it and calibrate onto your Galaxy Watch. Once calibrated, it can make measurements anywhere with the device.

The device will be able to make reads through pulse wave analysis, made possible through Heart Rate Monitoring sensors. These would record the relationship between the calibration value and blood pressure changes. The readings would then be made available for users, and can even be exported into a PDF.

Users also would be able to get an electrocardiogram reading as well with their Galaxy Watch, as the device has a sensor that can record the heart's electrical activity. Reading is as simple as opening the Samsung Health Monitor app once one is seated comfortably and the Galaxy Watch is fitted firmly on one's wrist. The user can then have his forearm rested onto a flat surface, followed by lightly placing a fingertip from the opposite hand onto the top button on the device for thirty seconds.

Data would then be produce out of one's heart rate and rhythm, which would then be displayed as either a Sinus Rhythm if normal or AFib if there is a irregular heartbeat. This information can be converted into a PDF as well.

Aside from these two features, the update on the Galaxy Watch5 series includes improved sleep tracking technology. Users are now able to not just play one's bedtime, but it can also detect snoring, track and understand one's sleep stages. It can also produce nightly sleep reports.

Fitness enthusiasts would relish the Watch5 Series' ability to count steps, calories, and even one's fitness routines. That last feature includes supporting over ninety exercises that can be tracked from the watch. The Watch5 Pro has the added feature of GPS route tracking, which cyclists and hikers would appreciate.

Aside from all of these, the Galaxy Watch5 Series is the most durable and powerful compared to its predecessors. A 15% bigger battery provides room for 20% faster charging, taking it more or less about thirty minutes to go from 0% to 45% charge. The Pro version takes it a step further by having the biggest battery capacity in the series, able to last a full day even with continuous GPS use and eighty hours on standby. Premium Sapphire crystal allows the watch to take some hard knocks, and a splash won't do any harm with its water resistance. Also, the Watch Pro comes with a titanium body case.

Style will not be a problem for those who love wearing the Watch5 Series. A variety of watch faces is available to tailor whatever look one wants with their watch, whether analog or digital, vintage or modern. The 40mm version comes in either Composite Gray, Iconic Gold and Silver, with straps in either Gray, Pink Gold, or Lavender. The 44mm version comes in either Composite Gray, Navy Blue and Silver, with straps in either Gray, New Blue, and White. As for the Galaxy Watch5 Pro, it either comes in Black Titanium or Gray Titanium, both of which can fit with any kind of outdoor ensemble.

The 40mm version of the Galaxy Watch5 is already available locally at the price of PhP 16,990, with the Galaxy Watch5 Pro coming in at PhP 26,990. A 30% discount from either device is available if one purchases a Galaxy S23 Series smartphone.

For more details, one can check out https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/.