The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, released in July 2025, represents a powerful blend of classic timepiece aesthetics and cutting-edge smartwatch technology, designed for users who prioritize premium design alongside advanced health and performance features. It stands out in the Galaxy Watch 8 series by bringing back the beloved physical rotating bezel, a signature feature that offers intuitive navigation.
Design and Display: Timeless Elegance Meets Durability
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is positioned as the premium model with a build that emphasizes durability and style. It features a robust Stainless Steel frame and a tough Sapphire Crystal glass protecting the display. Unlike its predecessors, the Watch 8 Classic comes in a single, larger size: 46mm, with dimensions of 46.4×46×10.6 mm and weighing 63.5 g (without the strap). This size houses a 1.34-inch Super AMOLED display with a 438×438 pixel resolution.
A significant upgrade is the display’s peak brightness, which has been boosted to an impressive 3,000 nits. This ensures exceptional clarity and visibility, even in bright direct sunlight. The classic design is complemented by the physical rotating bezel, which provides a tactile, satisfying, and precise way to interact with the Wear OS-based interface.
The watch is highly resistant to the elements, boasting an IP68 rating, 5 ATM water resistance (immersible up to 50m), and MIL-STD-810H compliance, attesting to its ruggedness. Color options available at launch include Black and White.
Performance and Battery Life
Powering the Watch 8 Classic is the new Exynos W1000 five-core chipset, built on a 3nm process. This processor promises a significant performance boost in efficiency and speed compared to previous generations. It is paired with 2GB of RAM and a generous 64GB of internal storage, which is double the storage found in some base models.
The operating system is Wear OS 6 with Samsung’s One UI 8 Watch overlay, providing access to a vast ecosystem of apps through the Google Play Store while retaining the familiar Samsung-specific features. The Classic features a larger 445mAh battery compared to its sibling models. Samsung estimates this will provide up to two days of use with moderate settings, offering better longevity than the base Watch 8 models. Charging is handled via WPC-based wireless fast charging, rated at 10W.
Advanced Health and AI Integration
The Watch 8 Classic is a comprehensive health and fitness companion, packed with advanced sensors. The enhanced BioActive Sensor measures Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart Signal (ECG), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) for body composition readings.
New or improved health-tracking features for 2025 include:
- Advanced AI Coaching: Personalized feedback and workout insights, including a Personalised Running Coach.
- Sleep and Wellness: Enhanced sleep tracking, which provides tailored coaching tips and an “Energy Score” to gauge daily readiness.
- Vascular Load Monitoring: A new metric that contributes to heart health assessment.
- Temperature Sensor: Improved skin temperature tracking capabilities.
- FDA-approved ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring: (Availability may vary by region and require calibration with a traditional cuff).
A key integration point is the adoption of Galaxy AI features, which leverage the powerful new chip for functions like summarizing long notifications, suggesting smart replies, and offering more detailed, personalized health insights directly on the wrist.
Connectivity and Pricing
Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi (2.4+5GHz), NFC (for Samsung Pay), and dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) for superior location accuracy. An LTE variant is also available for an additional cost, allowing the watch to function independently of a connected phone for calls, streaming, and data.
The initial pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm) starts at approximately $499 USD for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model, with the LTE version priced slightly higher. The watch aims to appeal to the user seeking a traditional watch aesthetic combined with the most powerful performance and cutting-edge AI-driven health monitoring available in the Android-compatible smartwatch market.
