The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, set to launch in July 2025 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, marks a significant evolution in Samsung’s smartwatch lineup, blending nostalgic design elements with cutting-edge technology. This highly anticipated wearable reintroduces the iconic rotating bezel, a fan-favorite feature last seen in the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, while adopting a bold “squircle” design—a hybrid of square and circular aesthetics inspired by the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
This design, featuring a circular AMOLED display within a squared chassis, offers a modern yet sophisticated look, balancing style and functionality. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is expected to be available in a single size, likely around 46mm (46 x 46.5 x 14.2mm), with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display boasting a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits, a 60Hz refresh rate, and over 320 pixels per inch for crisp visuals. The display is protected by Sapphire Crystal, ensuring durability, while the stainless steel frame enhances its premium feel. The watch is rumored to come in Wi-Fi (SM-L500) and LTE (SM-L505) variants, catering to users who prioritize standalone connectivity for calls, messaging, and data without a paired smartphone.
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is powered by the Exynos W1000 processor, a 3nm chip with five Arm Cortex cores, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, ensuring smooth performance for apps, notifications, and multitasking. The device runs on One UI 8 Watch, built on Wear OS, introducing features like the “Now Bar” for streamlined navigation, a Shortcuts app for quick access to frequently used functions, and randomized watch faces for enhanced customization.
A 435mAh battery, a slight upgrade from the Galaxy Watch 7’s 425mAh, supports 10-watt wireless charging with Samsung’s EPOL300 charger and includes a battery protection mode to extend lifespan. However, real-world battery life is expected to remain around 40 hours, similar to previous models, due to the modest capacity increase. The watch also features LTE, Bluetooth 5.3LE, NFC, and improved Wi-Fi compatibility for seamless connectivity across devices.
Health and fitness tracking remain central to the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic’s appeal, with advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen levels, sleep tracking, and potentially new metrics like skin temperature analysis and an Antioxidant Index to measure beta-carotene levels. Rumors suggest Samsung is working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, though its inclusion in 2025 remains uncertain. The watch retains an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and MIL-STD-810H certification for durability, making it suitable for outdoor activities. A Quick Button, positioned between the home/power and back keys, offers customizable shortcuts, while enhanced vibration motors provide precise, tactile notifications, aligning with the premium experience of the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic’s integration with Samsung’s ecosystem, particularly the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, ensures seamless notification management, media playback control, and app access across devices. While the rotating bezel’s return caters to traditionalists, the squircle design and advanced features position the watch as a competitor to premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra. Priced around ₹49,999 in India, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is poised to appeal to both tech enthusiasts and casual users seeking a blend of elegance, functionality, and innovation.