At first touch, the watch’s square, sporty frame surprises with its featherweight feel—just 50 g on the scale—and smooth metal edges that catch the light in both silver and black finishes. The 2.1-inch IPS display bursts to life instantly, wrapping right to the edge of the bezel for an immersive look you’d normally expect from a premium brand. It’s that “wow” moment as the startup animation glides across the glossy screen that really seals the deal for me [5]. If you love the drama of unboxing, check out our Hello Watch 3 unboxing review for another glimpse at cutting-edge design.

The soft silicone strap proves just as thoughtful—a gentle, balanced grip that feels at home both at your desk and in the middle of a sweaty gym session. I remember back in uni when my roommate’s watch strap gave him blisters during exams—no such mishaps here. Overall, this first encounter leaves you feeling that the S8 Ultra isn’t just another budget mimic; it’s something built with care and an eye for confidence.

Display Quality: Brightness, Resolution, and Visual Performance

The S8 Ultra’s 2.0-inch IPS panel dazzles with a brightness rating that cuts through outdoor glare, keeping notifications and workout stats crystal clear under the sun [1]. Even the base model’s 240×240 resolution renders text and icons sharply, while the Max Series boosts clarity to 385×435 pixels for finer detail in custom watch faces and on-screen widgets [3].

Colors truly pop with vibrant reds and deep blues, and the wide viewing angles ensure your step count or heart rate never fades into a dull gray when you glance down during a run. While it can’t match an AMOLED’s inky blacks, its even backlight keeps every detail visible in bright light—even if you’re sprinting under a midday sun [2]. For a head-to-head look at budget AMOLED displays, you might enjoy our analysis of adrenaline-pumping brightness in comparable models.

Menus respond smoothly to swipes, with no perceptible lag or stutter—a surprising feat for an IPS panel at this price point. One moment you’re checking heart-rate data, the next you’re scrolling through watch faces with ease. It’s that kind of responsiveness that makes you forget you’re on a budget device.

Performance and Battery Life: Power Under the Hood

Everyday smoothness hinges on the S8 Ultra’s custom chipset, which zips through notifications, health-tracking tasks, and app controls without skipping a beat. Whether you’re logging a quick HIIT session or answering a Bluetooth call, the interface stays crisp and stutter-free, making it feel more like a high-end model than a bargain lookalike.

And when it comes to battery life, the watch doesn’t disappoint. A 380 mAh cell powers the device for 3–5 days under normal use—many users comfortably hit four days of mixed notifications, health monitoring, and light workouts without tapping into power-saving modes [1]. Charging options add extra convenience: the base model recharges via a magnetic dock in about two hours, while select editions support wireless charging, and the Max Series boasts rapid-charge tech that refills 50% in under an hour.

Here’s a quick look at key specs and charging times:

Ultimately, you get meaningful endurance and flexible refueling options—essential in a world that rarely pauses.

Health Tracking Features Of The S8 Ultra

Tracking your heart’s rhythm, breaths, and steps has never felt more personal. The optical heart-rate sensor samples your pulse every second and even measures blood oxygen (SpO₂) and blood pressure on the go, all neatly displayed on its bright screen [1]. Whether pacing around the office or climbing a trail, the wrist-based readings turn raw data into clear charts you can trust.

At night, the watch monitors light, deep, and REM sleep phases, then syncs a colorful sleep report to your phone so you spot patterns at a glance. “It wakes me during light sleep, so I don’t feel groggy,” says one tester in an in-depth video review [2]. Seeing how often I wake up or toss and turn has started to reshape my bedtime routine.

On the fitness side, over a dozen sport modes—from running and cycling to yoga and swimming—record distance, speed, calories burned, and more. These modes automatically sync with the companion app, where you can zoom into each workout’s stats. For a closer look at how these sport modes stack up, explore our review of customization tricks in the S8 Ultra’s activity suite.

Seamless Connectivity And App Integration

The S8 Ultra effortlessly bridges your wrist with every device in your digital life. Right out of the box, it pairs in seconds to both Android and iOS phones using dual Bluetooth channels, letting you answer calls, control music playback, and sync health data without missing a beat [1]. The intuitive setup flows through a simple QR scan, and once connected, your watch becomes the center of your tech ecosystem, handling everything from voice commands to remote camera snaps [2].

Missed alerts are a thing of the past: calls buzz on your wrist, message previews scroll across the vivid display, and social media pings pop up in real time—so I stay in the flow without digging for my phone [5]. You can swipe through notifications, reject calls, or even trigger your phone’s flashlight finder with a tap, all without hunting for your pocket.

Through the companion app, you unlock over 500 watch faces and customize widgets for weather updates, breathing reminders, and alerts from third-party apps like WhatsApp and Gmail. If you choose the 4G/5G Android variant, you can install standalone apps from Google Play—turning your wrist into a mini smartphone [3].

Customization Options: Make The S8 Ultra Yours

Your S8 Ultra is more than a gadget—it’s a canvas for your style and personality. With over 500 watch faces to choose from, you can flip through classic analog dials, vibrant digital designs, or even upload your own snapshot to the screen in seconds [5]. I once set mine to a neon-green face that felt like a mini disco every morning, then swapped it out midday for a sleek black-and-white theme that matched my office attire.

Bands come in sporty silicone, elegant metal mesh, and soft leather in silver, black, and rose gold—each snapping on with ease so you can dress the watch up for a night out or keep it light for a gym session [1]. Inside the menus, customizable widgets—weather updates, heart-rate summaries, breathing exercises, and more—are arranged just how you like them. For a deep dive into every tweak, check out our guide on personalizing your smartwatch experience.

Comfort And Durability Of The S8 Ultra Smart Watch

Wearing the S8 Ultra all day feels surprisingly light and secure, like a gentle hug for your wrist. It weighs just around 50 g and measures roughly 49×41×11 mm, placing it among the most comfortable options in its price range [1]. The soft silicone strap flexes with your movements, preventing pinch or chafe whether you’re typing, cooking, or working out.

Built with an IP68 rating, the watch stands up to sweat, splashes, and sudden rain showers without missing a beat. I was pleasantly surprised when it shrugged off a surprise downpour during my morning jog [1]. The rugged exterior resists everyday knocks and scrapes, so you can wear it during chores or hikes without worrying about scratches or water damage.

One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “I barely notice it’s there, yet it keeps me connected and on track all day.” That balance between durability and invisibility is what makes the S8 Ultra feel like a true companion rather than a bulky gadget.

Is the S8 Ultra Worth the Investment?

Could a smartwatch that mirrors high-end designs yet costs less than dinner really deliver both style and substance? With the base S8 Ultra starting at just under $50 and peaking around $70 depending on the seller, it packs a 2.0–2.1″ IPS screen, Bluetooth calling, heart-rate/SpO₂ monitoring, and over 500 watch faces—all features you’d normally pay four to ten times more for [1][5].

I was genuinely surprised when the screen’s brightness and responsiveness rivaled my expectations for a budget model [2]. The 380 mAh battery easily lasts three to five days with moderate use—call handling, fitness tracking, and notifications—without begging for a charger every night [5]. Of course, you trade off GPS accuracy, medical-grade sensors, and a polished app experience—but at under $70, that feels fair.

For those craving standalone calling or Google Play apps, the 4G/5G Android variant climbs closer to $100–$120 [3]. When stacked against other bargain picks—many of which skimp on sensors or battery—I’d say the S8 Ultra hits a sweet spot of functionality, comfort, and style for its price. It’s one of the best all-rounders in our Top Budget Smartwatches of 2025.

Summary and Final Thoughts

The S8 Ultra Smart Watch feels like a high-end gadget without the hefty price tag. You get a bright 2.0–2.1″ IPS touchscreen that rivals pricier models, wrapped in a sporty square case that’s both lightweight (around 50 g) and comfy for all-day wear [1]. Heart-rate and SpO₂ monitoring, sleep tracking, Bluetooth calling, and over 500 watch faces round out a feature set you’d normally find on devices four times the price [5].

It’s not perfect—no built-in GPS, sensors that aren’t medical-grade, and a companion app that occasionally stumbles—but for under seventy bucks, the S8 Ultra delivers an extraordinary blend of form and function. If you’re looking for a budget smartwatch that punches above its weight, this one deserves a serious look.