Samsung’s smartwatch lineup is about to get a significant refresh with the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and early leaks suggest this might be the most premium Wear OS smartwatch of 2024.
After months of speculation, trusted sources have revealed key details about its design, features, and potential improvements over the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Here’s everything we know so far about Samsung’s next flagship smartwatch.
Design and Build A Refined, Premium Look With the Beloved Rotating Bezel
The biggest news is the return of the physical rotating bezel, a fan-favorite feature that was missing in the standard Galaxy Watch 6 series. Early renders show a slightly slimmer and lighter design compared to the Watch 6 Classic, with a titanium frame option for enhanced durability. The circular display is expected to retain its Super AMOLED panel with sapphire glass protection, making it more scratch-resistant than ever.
Samsung seems to be sticking with its two-size strategy, offering the Watch 8 Classic in 45mm and 47mm variants, catering to different wrist sizes. The watch will likely come in multiple color options, including Black, Silver, and a new Dark Green for a more premium aesthetic.
Display and Performance Smoother, Brighter, and More Responsive
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is rumored to feature a 1.5-inch (45mm) and 1.7-inch (47mm) Super AMOLED display with a higher refresh rate (possibly 60 Hz), ensuring smoother animations and scrolling. The always-on display mode is getting an upgrade too, with improved brightness and efficiency for better outdoor visibility.
Under the hood, Samsung is expected to introduce the Exynos W1000 chip, a 3nm processor that promises better performance and battery efficiency than the previous generation. Combined with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, this should make the Watch 8 Classic one of the fastest Wear OS smartwatches on the market.
Health and Fitness Tracking Next-Level Sensors and AI Features
Samsung is reportedly enhancing its health-tracking capabilities with a new bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) sensor, which can measure body composition, hydration levels, and even muscle mass more accurately.
The watch is also expected to include:
- Advanced sleep tracking with sleep apnea detection
- Continuous blood pressure and ECG monitoring
- Improved heart rate sensor for workouts
- New AI-powered fitness coaching
One of the most exciting rumors is the potential addition of a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring feature, though it’s unclear if this will be ready at launch.
Battery Life and Charging Bigger Battery, Faster Charging
Battery life has always been a concern for Wear OS watches, but the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic might finally address this. Leaks suggest a 600mAh battery (up from 425mAh in the 47mm Watch 6 Classic), which could translate to 3-4 days of battery life with moderate use.
Fast charging is also getting an upgrade, with 10W wireless charging support, meaning a full charge could take just under an hour. If true, this would be a major improvement over previous models.
Expected Price and Release Date
If Samsung follows its usual timeline, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will launch in July 2025 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Pricing is expected to be slightly higher than the Watch 6 Classic:
Starting at $499 for the Bluetooth model
$549 for the LTE version
While expensive, the rumored upgrades, especially the return of the rotating bezel and improved battery life, could make it worth the premium for Samsung loyalists.
Also Read: Black Shark Watch X Pro with Hidden Camera
Final Thoughts Is This the Ultimate Samsung Smartwatch?
Based on early leaks, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic appears to be a refined, feature-packed successor that addresses many of the complaints about previous models. The return of the rotating bezel, longer battery life, and advanced health tracking could make it the best Wear OS smartwatch of the year.
However, with competitors like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Google Pixel Watch 3 also expected to launch soon, Samsung will need to deliver a flawless experience to stay ahead.
