I didn’t expect to care this much about a watch band system, but here we are. With the launch of its newest smartwatches, Samsung has officially streamlined its wearable portfolio, bringing its questionable squircle shape to every model. This also means that all the Galaxy Watch 8 models now feature the brand’s Dynamic Lug system. This particular facet of the redesign might seem minor at first glance, and for anyone who’s ever struggled to swap a watch strap, it’s a meaningful improvement that’s worth all the backward incompatibility it’s creating.
Easy does it
Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority
If, like me, you keep your nails short and consequently can never get the pins to cooperate, the Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic will be a welcome change. I’ve always liked customizing my watch depending on the day or activity. While I’m most often sporting a workout-friendly band, I also love leather and metal options for more formal occasions. I prefer woven options for sleep tracking, but when I inevitably get my wrists wet while wearing nylon, I immediately have to swap bands.
The new system is significantly easier to use with a button and click-to-lock design.
The new lugs, first seen on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, ditch the traditional spring-pin mechanism in favor of a slide-in, click-to-lock system. It’s intuitive, secure, and most importantly, it takes seconds to change bands, no nails needed. Samsung says the new fit also improves health-tracking accuracy by keeping sensors more stable on users’ wrists. I haven’t gotten my hands on a device yet to test this claim, but it’s a nice bonus when I was sold on the usability upgrade alone.
With that said, the change doesn’t come without compromise. Because of the new lug shape, neither the Galaxy Watch 8 nor the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is compatible with generic 20mm watch bands. If you’ve spent the last few years collecting straps, including official ones, third-party picks from Amazon, or niche designs from small makers, those are now effectively obsolete — unless you go the ugly adapter route.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The only bands that should work out of the box with the new devices are Galaxy Watch Ultra bands, but they’re also a little wider, as Samsung has confirmed to us. So even if you’ve bought extra straps for your Ultra, you’ll need to buy new, narrower Dynamic Lug-compatible bands for the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic.
Unfortunately, existing Galaxy Watch bands and third-party, 20mm pin-style watch bands will not be compatible.
... continue reading