Galaxy Watch 8 Series Ditches Traditional Watch Pins in Favor of Apple-Style Proprietary Connector

Samsung’s newly unveiled Galaxy Watch 8 lineup marks a bold shift in design—ushering in a sleeker aesthetic while abandoning one of the brand’s long-standing features: the classic watchband pin. In its place is a proprietary connector, reminiscent of the band attachment mechanisms seen on the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch.

Originally introduced last year with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung’s new “Dynamic Lug” system replaces traditional spring bars with a quick-release mechanism. The hardware now includes a built-in button that detaches the connected band or adapter with a single press—streamlining the process significantly.

This change effectively ends a decade-long legacy of conventional pin-based watchbands on Galaxy wearables, a design staple dating back to the Gear S2 in 2015. The Galaxy Watch 7 now holds the distinction of being the final model to support the universal pin-and-lug format.

The move was perhaps inevitable, given that Samsung’s key competitors—most notably Apple and Google—have long embraced proprietary systems for watchband attachments. The Galaxy Watch 6 and 7 introduced a redesigned band mechanism that grabbed onto a pin, but it lacked a genuine one-click removal option. Previous Galaxy Watches employed different versions of quick-release pins. Samsung's steady move away from conventional connectors was alluded to in this design, and the Watch 8 series fully completes that shift.

The new Dynamic Lug system clamps bands into place with firm precision—so much so that removing them is surprisingly difficult, according to early hands-on experiences. Unlike Apple’s sliding mechanism or Google’s push-and-release system, Samsung’s requires a straightforward pull, with no other moving parts. Reattaching the bands delivers a distinct, audible click for reassurance.

Samsung has launched a wide array of first-party bands compatible with this updated system. The good news is that all models in the lineup support interchangeable bands across sizes. A smaller band size is available for the 40mm Galaxy Watch 8, while the 44mm Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and both generations of the Watch Ultra share the same “large” band size.

For those who still prefer traditional bands, there’s a workaround: leather and select third-party bands can be adapted to fit Samsung’s lugs using custom adapters—similar to how some Pixel Watch bands rely on specialized connectors.

What’s your take on this change?

The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349, and the entire refreshed series is now available for pre-order.

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and Galaxy Watch 8 series are now live via Samsung.com.