Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Review: Responds with AI and Runs with You
The bezel is back, the quick button is here. Let's start with these two elements, which we believe are important, to describe the new Galaxy Watch 8 Classic - there's also a Watch 8 version , with a beautiful minimalist design - that Samsung presented in New York a few weeks ago along with the new foldable watches .
For two weeks we tested the Classic with its silver case and soft black silicone strap, and our impression is that Samsung has corrected some oversights from the recent past and, at the same time, tried to raise the bar , aiming for a user base that prefers "premium" smartwatches. In appearance, in functions and - consequently - in price .
The rotating physical bezel is one of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's signature features. It's a welcome return: the Watch 7 lacked one, and many users weren't too happy with it. The reason is simple: by rotating it, you can navigate between system screens or scroll up or down on a single screen, with precise and intuitive control.
Compared to swiping with your finger, the bezel offers smoother navigation and, most importantly, keeps the screen free from fingerprints.
It's not just a question of functionality, but also of sensation : beyond recalling the charm of traditional watches, it represents a successful balance between innovation and tradition. In a device that looks to the future, an analog detail like this continues to make the difference.
The Quick Button is a first for the Galaxy Watch Classic line, and comes directly from the Watch Ultra , the model Samsung designed for outdoor activities and extreme sports. The Ultra, as we've already seen in the past , combines robust functionality with a striking aesthetic, thanks to bright colors that make it perfect for a summery, casual look.
On the Watch 8 Classic, this new button is located where the crown used to adjust the hands is usually found on traditional watches. A simple press allows you to quickly launch an app or a predefined function; holding it down slightly longer activates a second action, which is also customizable.
Assignments are managed from the menu dedicated to the physical buttons in the Galaxy Wearable app, the same one used to pair the smartwatch with your smartphone (compatible with all Android devices, but not with iPhone) and to change watch faces, notifications and other settings.
Available shortcuts include voice recorder, starting a workout via Samsung Health, stopwatch, flashlight, and remote camera control. This handy addition makes interaction even more immediate and customizable.
That said, let's move on to everything else.
The design does not go unnoticedThe Galaxy Watch 8 Classic introduces a notable stylistic evolution , which you may or may not like, but which we found well-balanced. The case echoes the aesthetic of the Ultra model: a "cushion" (or "squircle") shape—essentially a fusion of a square and a circle—which gives it a distinctive look. The rotating bezel, as already mentioned, recalls the look of traditional watches.
The Classic's body is made of stainless steel, a more premium material than the aluminum of the standard Watch 8. It comes in a single 46mm size, measuring 46.4 x 46 x 10.6mm (length, width, depth) and weighing 63.5g without the band. This makes it heavier than the Watch Ultra , a feeling we immediately noticed and which takes some getting used to, especially if you're coming from a fitness tracker or a very light model like the Huawei Watch 4 Pro.
The only available size—46 mm—may be cumbersome for those with smaller wrists. Furthermore, its weight and size don't make the Watch 8 Classic a comfortable companion at night for sleep tracking. And this is perhaps its biggest flaw . However, we really liked how the weight and size of the steel case give it the feel of a luxury mechanical watch.
The new dynamic lug system (Dynamic Lug System) has been designed to improve both comfort on the wrist and accuracy in heart rate monitoring.
And, indeed, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is very comfortable: once adjusted correctly, the strap doesn't tighten excessively, but it doesn't loosen either, offering a perfect balance between stability and freedom of movement.
The new attachment system , however, means that new straps are needed, which isn't entirely a good idea for those who already have a collection of replacement straps from previous models.
We've already said almost everything about the physical rotating bezel. We'll add that we liked its tactile response and precise control. We also liked the customizable shortcut button. It's worth noting that the watch has two other physical buttons: Home and Back.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a 1.34-inch Super AMOLED display (438x438 resolution). Maximum brightness has been significantly increased, now reaching 3,000 nits peak . This is 1,000 nits higher than the Galaxy Watch 7 and matches that of the Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. This translates to excellent readability even in direct sunlight. We found it to be very good outdoors.
The display is protected by sapphire glass. We noticed that the screen is slightly raised from the case, a feature that, while improving finger glide along the edge, also makes it potentially more vulnerable to bumps and scratches.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic offers a full suite of features expected of an advanced smartwatch. It lets you make calls, send messages, and manage mobile payments right from your wrist.
Access to the Google Play Store ensures the availability of a wide range of third-party apps, including Google apps like Maps and Gmail . The device also supports gesture controls, such as pinching to answer a call or shaking your wrist to silence an alarm.
Despite its weight and size, the Watch 8 Classic proves to be a reliable and well-designed tool for sleep monitoring. The BioActive sensor, positioned closer to the wrist thanks to the new attachment system, allows for more accurate readings. This allows the smartwatch to provide more detailed reports on your night's sleep , including sleep cycles, signs of snoring, and sleep apnea monitoring. Finally, a score is assigned to evaluate the quality of your sleep.
A brand new feature is the "Bedtime Guide," which analyzes your circadian rhythm and accumulated need for sleep to suggest the ideal time to fall asleep. This feature requires three nights of data to establish a baseline. We think it could be very useful, especially for those who have difficulty maintaining a sleep routine. After seven nights of data collection, the Samsung Health app can launch a personalized Sleep Guide —thanks to AI—to improve your rest.
The new functions for well-beingThe BioActive sensor is the heart of the Watch 8 Classic's health features. It monitors your heart rate and stress level .
A new feature is vascular load monitoring during sleep. This function analyzes blood volume and vessel stiffness.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is also the first smartwatch to measure antioxidant levels in the skin , a proxy indicator of lifestyle and diet quality. Simply place your thumb on the rear sensor and apply gentle pressure for a few seconds to get real-time readings in the phone app. Our results have consistently been "very low" or "low," despite efforts to improve them; more time may be needed for accurate calibration.
The new smartwatch retains all the other health monitoring capabilities of previous models, including a daily energy score, body composition analysis (BIA), temperature-based cycle tracking, and advanced glycation product index (AGE) for metabolic health. It also supports blood pressure monitoring and ECG . It's important to note, as always with smartwatches, that these features are not certified medical devices and the data should be interpreted with caution.
Physical activity monitoringThe Galaxy Watch 8 Classic caters specifically to runners with its new virtual running coach. This system classifies the user into one of 10 training levels after just a 12-minute running test and offers over 160 professional sessions, adapting to their progress. The real-time coaching is visible even in direct sunlight thanks to the high-brightness display.
Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) improves location accuracy during exercise, especially near tall buildings or in wooded areas. We found activity tracking to be accurate, with automatic detection of common exercises like walking, running, or swimming.
Post-workout data offers insights into performance and suggested recovery times. Overall, fitness and heart rate accuracy was impressive compared to other smartwatches.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the first smartwatch to integrate Gemini , Google's artificial intelligence, right out of the box. This integration allows you to interact with the voice assistant without having to touch your phone, as long as you are connected via Wi-Fi or LTE .
We appreciated Gemini's responsiveness and its real usefulness in everyday use: for quick questions or impromptu curiosities, just press the Watch 8's “Home” button and ask a question verbally.
The answer comes immediately, either as text on the screen or via a virtual voice (the latter is useless in noisy environments, as the audio isn't very loud). This interaction with the watch is simple and immediate: it avoids having to take out your smartphone, unlock it, and manually activate the assistant when the information requested concerns small curiosities or very simple questions.
On the Watch 8 Classic, Gemini can also handle complex tasks, like finding locations, sending messages or organizing activities, and integrates information from different apps.
The interaction is fluid and can handle follow-up questions, although it doesn't listen by default after you've spoken. We've found that while Gemini is much better than other smartwatch voice assistants like Siri or Bixby, it still has some limitations: it's sometimes verbose and can't provide personalized, complex fitness advice or display directions directly on the watch's display . Even so, it's a great start for wrist-based AI.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic runs Wear OS 6, customized with Samsung's new One UI 8 Watch interface. This combination ensures smoother and faster performance.
The interface features a compact and intuitive "Tiles" design that organizes and displays information in an optimized way. We liked that the tiles have been revamped to display data from multiple apps simultaneously, reducing the need to scroll and making information quicker to access.
Another new feature is the "Now Bar," activated with a double-tap gesture, which displays contextually relevant information such as current playlists or timers. This further improves navigation and quick access to essential functions. The software will receive updates until 2029, ensuring longevity for a device that isn't cheap.
Battery, autonomy and chargingThe Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a 445 mAh battery. Samsung claims about 30 hours of battery life with the always-on display (AOD) and 40 hours without.
However, in our tests, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic exceeded expectations, averaging around 40 hours per charge with AOD enabled . We particularly appreciated this extended battery life, which allows us to use the watch for around two days before needing a recharge. Without the display enabled, we managed to get twice as many days. Much, of course, depends on how you use the device. If you rely heavily on AI, for example, the battery will drain more.
Ultimately, the Classic's battery life is surprisingly close to that of the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Charging is fast: a full charge takes about 90 minutes. Interestingly, the device supports adaptive charging to preserve battery life over time. The Watch 8 Classic uses the same Samsung magnetic charger as the Ultra and previous generations.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, available only in the 46mm size, is sold for 529 euros in the Bluetooth version and 579 euros in the LTE version.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic struck us as one of the most advanced and complete smartwatches on the Android market. We loved its ability to combine a distinctive and luxurious design, reminiscent of traditional watches, with cutting-edge technology. The integration of Gemini is a significant step forward for voice interaction with AI.
New wellness metrics like vascular load and antioxidant index, while still requiring some refinement, demonstrate Samsung's commitment to providing increasingly in-depth health tools. Battery life, which exceeds expectations for a Galaxy Watch, is a welcome improvement that enhances its everyday convenience.
While the price is higher and the "pillow" design may not appeal to all "Classic" purists, for rotating bezel enthusiasts and those seeking a complete smartwatch experience packed with AI features, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic represents a very solid solution. It's an ideal device for athletes, health-conscious users, and anyone looking for a personal AI experience on their wrist, but also—simply—for those who want to show off a digital watch without looking like a cheap toy.
What we liked:- Premium materials and rotating bezel
- Gemini AI integrated with dedicated button
- Ultra-bright display
- Improved autonomy.
- New features for Wellbeing
- Virtual Coach for Running
- Perfectly integrated into the Samsung ecosystem
- Price increase compared to previous models
- Lack of compatibility with straps from previous models
- Raised screen more vulnerable
- Dependence on multiple apps ((Wearable, Health, Health Monitor) to monitor device and well-being
- Bulky for some wrists, if you intend to use it for sleep monitoring
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