The Galaxy Watch 8 is known to be one of the best smartwatches for Android users, offering a wide range of features and functionalities. However, if you are considering using the Galaxy Watch 8 with a non-Samsung phone, there are certain limitations you should be aware of. While you can still use the Galaxy Watch 8 with an Android phone by downloading the Galaxy Wearable app from the Play Store, some features may be restricted compared to when using it with a Samsung phone.
Features Limited on a Non-Samsung Phone
Blood Pressure and ECG Monitoring
One of the limitations of using the Galaxy Watch 8 with a non-Samsung phone is the inability to utilize features like blood pressure and ECG monitoring. These features require integration with Samsung Health Monitor, which is exclusively available on Samsung phones. While you can manually enter blood pressure measurements within Samsung Health, the live monitoring functionality is restricted to Samsung Galaxy phones.
Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications
The IRHN feature, which provides notifications for irregular heart rhythms, is also limited to Samsung phones due to FDA approval requirements. While basic heart rate tracking is still available, the advanced notification feature is only accessible when paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring Detection
Similarly, advanced sleep tracking features like Sleep Apnea detection are exclusive to Samsung phones. While basic sleep tracking is available when paired with any Android phone, more advanced functionalities are restricted to Samsung devices.
Conclusion
Despite the limitations imposed when using the Galaxy Watch 8 with a non-Samsung phone, the smartwatch still offers a range of features such as workout tracking, step counting, sleep tracking, and the Samsung Energy Score. While certain advanced health monitoring features are exclusive to Samsung phones, the Galaxy Watch 8 remains a versatile and useful device for Android users. Consider these limitations when deciding to use the Galaxy Watch 8 with a non-Samsung phone.
