Ten Galaxy Watch 8 Watch Faces You Never Use

The Galaxy Watch 8’s display is a banger of an OLED, and its Wear OS performance is the fastest yet when you consider both general speed and health sensors, so why trap it behind that stock face? Samsung’s selections are largely good, but the really interesting part begins when you trawl through third‑party efforts that combine clarity, data, and style in ways Samsung tends not to with its stock options.

Of dozens I tested on Pujie, Facer, and WatchMaker — and then promiscuously loaded onto the TicWatch Series Pro 4G with abandon when it eventually arrived — these ten faces rose above, thanks to legibility in bright light or the always‑on time (and finesse in turning it off after a few seconds), sensible battery behavior, and clever use of complications. They even play nice with both Samsung Health data and the rotating bezel on the Classic model.

How We Chose These Galaxy Watch 8 Wear OS Watch Faces

We focused on glanceable typography, meaningful metrics (heart rate, steps, weather, battery), and layouts that sidestep tiny touch targets. AOD readability was important, as was color contrast for outdoor runs. Third‑party faces may have more varied power draw; the below behaved in line with average daily use while AOD was enabled.

The ecosystem is also flourishing with Wear OS’s advancements under Google and Samsung’s One UI Watch. Industry analysts such as Counterpoint Research say Samsung continues to build momentum for its smartwatches, which is good news for designers building top‑tier faces that feel like they were made specifically for the Watch 8’s display.

Pujie Gear Watch: A Data‑Dense Yet Readable Dashboard

A data‑filled digital dashboard that you can still read. Steps, heart rate, calories, battery, weather, and date all exist in tidy containers that never encroach on the bold time readout. It’s the rare information‑dense face that doesn’t feel too cluttered, and the color accents help triage what you need with a quick glance.

Tip: Turn off seconds in AOD to cut power draw while keeping you from getting caught and still checking your total time during workouts.

Pujie Chronometer: Analog Clarity With Modern Complications

An analog purist’s choice with modern moderation. Matte hands, sharp markers, and clean type skip fake‑metal gloss which ruins many analog faces. Two side subdials manage the essentials without being distracting, and minute hashes line up nicely with the Classic’s bezel.

It’s a great daily wear if you want the analog look without losing a couple of key complications.

Facer Legend X Plus: Sport‑Luxe Analog Hybrid Face

A sport‑lux analog hybrid featuring a big top register for hours and seconds underpinned by five compact complications. The dark dial and orange accents leap out on AMOLED, and the layered dial work introduces plenty of depth that still reads well even at arm’s length.

Consider it a prettier and more useful take on Samsung’s sporty stock faces, but this time with some balance.

Facer R1088 Black Pearl Deep Satin: Minimal and Chic

Minimal, chic, and just right for the dressiest of occasions. Large 12‑hour numerals encircle a 24‑hour scale and there are no superfluous widgets on the dial except for a subtle date window. The deep blue background looks rich even on the Watch 8’s panel.

For those of you suffering from decision (and complication) fatigue, this is your wrist’s palette cleanser.

WatchMaker MDS387: Fitness Metrics With Clear Readouts

Three progress circles chart heart rate, steps, and battery around an uncluttered digital face. It is fitness‑first without yelling, and its layout leaves your metrics clear to follow while running sans cranking brightness.

Central seconds readout is excellent for interval training; toggle it off to extend battery life on non‑workout days.

Pujie Orbi‑Tron: Bold Orbital Progress and Dual‑Tone Time

Orbital progress bars are the centerpiece of this watch face, offering bold visual indicators for steps and battery with a digital clock that comes in dual‑tone.

The shadowed time layering adds a nice little touch of design that gives it a premium feel without being overdesigned.

Pujie JD V41: Maximum Data Without Losing Readability

For data maximizers. Weather with highs and lows up top, step and heart rate panes below, a progress bar for battery on the left of your screen and one for daily goal. A vintage font and orange accents make it readable while standing out from your average minimalist design.

For as crowded as it is, the tap targets are pretty forgiving—something not true across busy watch faces.

WatchMaker MD271: Near‑Perfect Hybrid Analog Design

A near‑perfect hybrid for a practical‑layout‑loving designer. An analog body holds a small digital time window and three tidy dials (for battery, steps, and heart rate). Every detail is well judged, and restrained typography looks stunning in AOD.

If you are on the commute from boardroom to bike, this one simply never looks out of place.

AXIS Remastered: Analog Layout That Honors the Bezel

An analogue display that honors the Classic’s rotating bezel. Full minute markers, nice hands, and just‑enough data: date at right, switchable heart rate/step pane on left, battery o’clock down below.

It’s a testament to how much useful information you can cram into an analog layout without turning the dial into a spreadsheet.

Facer Krypton: High‑Contrast Future‑Class Digital Face

A future‑class digital face in high‑contrast panels and bold linear progress bars. It’s stacked for quick reading of date, weather, steps, and battery, and its base colour is grayscale dark enough to make it power‑friendly in AOD.

Not for everyone, but on the Watch 8’s crisp display it looks like a sci‑fi prop — and it is genuinely useful.

Before You Install: Permissions and AOD Tips to Know

Give the sensors permissions so complications on your watch pull Samsung Health metrics and run a calibration for heart rate if prompted. For those who depend on always‑on, select faces with dimmed‑down AOD layers, which saves battery without conspiring to bury the info you actually need on your wrist.