Galaxy Watch 8 series: In summary
- Samsung’s 2025 flagship series of smartwatches
- Launched at Unpacked on 9 July and available to buy now
- Two models, including the return of the Classic
- Taken on ‘Squircle’ design from the Galaxy Watch Ultra
- The first smartwatches to arrive with Wear OS 6
Samsung has officially announced its 2025 line-up of flagship smartwatches, unveiling the Galaxy Watch 8 series at Unpacked July.
The family of wearables consists of two devices: the regular Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, seeing the return of the beloved rotating bezel Classic model after skipping the 7 generation.
Both have adopted the ‘squircle’ design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra , and come with features like a slimmer profile, bigger battery and they are also the first smartwatches to ship with Wear OS 6 software.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy Watch 8 series smartwatches . Note that Samsung was also expected to announce the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (or 2025) but that didn’t happen.
Read our Galaxy Watch 8 hands-on review and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic hands-on review now.
When will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 be released?
In summary
- Officially announced at Unpacked on 9 July
- Available to buy now
- Release date is 25 July
Now the Galaxy Watch 8 series has been revealed on stage at Unpacked in Brooklyn, New York, we can tell you the release date is 25 July .
They go on sale alongside the new range of foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 .
You can buy both smartwatches now from Samsung and claim a free Duo Wireless Charger & a Camel Hybrid Band worth £130 (until 2 September).
On the official US store , you can save $200+ on trade-in credit and get up to 30% off Galaxy Buds.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How much does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 cost?
In summary
- Pricing increased by £30/$50 on the Galaxy Watch 7
- Regular model starts at £319/$349
- Classic model starts at £449/$499
You might not be surprised to hear that the Galaxy Watch 8 has seen a price increase compared to last year’s Galaxy Watch 7 .
Both sizes are £30/$50 more for the starting price and you can still add £50/$50 on top if you want LTE connectivity.
We can sort of treat the Classic as ‘new’ since this hasn’t been updated since the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic . You will, of course, need to pay more for this model, which comes in just one size – 46mm.
Here’s the full Galaxy Watch 8 series price list:
- Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm) Bluetooth – £319/$349
- Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm) LTE – £369/$399
- Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) Bluetooth – £349/$379
- Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) LTE – £399/$429
- Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Bluetooth – £449/$499
- Galaxy Watch 8 Classic LTE – £499/$549
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 have?
In summary
- The Classic model will return for the first time in two years
- Deign heavily influenced by the Galaxy Watch Ultra, especially the Classic
- New health features including Antioxidant Index but Samsung could charge a subscription fee
The Galaxy Watch 8 series not only introduces a refreshed design but also plenty of new features. Specs haven’t moved on all that much from the previous generation, but upgrades have been made in key areas like the screen.
They are also the first smartwatches to hit the market with Wear OS 6, essentially the latest version of Android for wearables.
Design & Build
There’s quite a distinct difference between the two Galaxy Watch 8 smartwatches, even though both adopt the ‘squircle’ design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra to a to a lesser or greater extent.
Samsung calls this a “cushion design” and we think it might be quite divisive, though the series was due a refresh in this area.
Luke Baker
The regular Galaxy Watch 8 has a much more subtle and clean design. Samsung dubs it ‘Minimalistic Essentials’, which actually fits quite well.
It’s 11% slimmer than its predecessor at 8.6mm, which Samsung says improves comfort by 12% and stability by 8%. Overall, resulting in a smartwatch that’s easier to wear 24/7 and provides more accurate tracking.
At launch, it’s available in two sizes (40- and 44mm like normal) and two colours: Graphite and Silver.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic looks much more like the Ultra with a much more chunky 46mm case and the same rotating bezel and the Quick Button which has a selection of supported apps.
It comes in just black or white colourways and doesn’t adopt the Dynamic Lug system for quickly swapping straps like the regular Watch 8 does.
Both watches have 5ATM, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H durability ratings.
Screen
You might expect the Watch 8 Classic to have a larger screen than the regular model but it’s actually the same as the 40mm model at 1.34-inch.
The regular 44mm option has the biggest screen of the trio at 1.47-inch. All three are Super AMOLED, always on displays covered in Sapphire Glass.
Samsung says the screen is 50% brighter and now peaks at an impressive 3000 nits helping you to use the devices outdoors or other challenging conditions.
Core specs
Both Galaxy Watch 8 models are powered by the Exynos W1000. It’s the same chip used in the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra but is still a powerful option based on a 3nm process.
If you opt for the regular model, you get 32GB of storage, while the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic doubles that to 64GB.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Either way, you get 2GB of RAM but battery size varies between size and model. The smaller 8 has a 325mAh battery, while the larger bumps this to 435mAh and the Classic goes to 445mAh.
Here’s a list of other internal specs you get with either model:
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- NFC
- Dual-band GPS
- Samsung BioActive Sensor
- Temperature sensor
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Gyro Sensor
- Geomagnetic Sensor
- Light Sensor
Software & Health Tracking
As mentioned earlier, the Galaxy Watch 8 models are the first to come with Wear OS 6. This is ahead of the upcoming Google Pixel Watch 4, though the software looks different as Samsung adds One UI 8 Watch over the top.
Features for this year include glanceable tiles, a Now Bar, app suggestions and quick access to an AI Assistant via one of the physical buttons. That assistant is Google Gemini as expected and can do various things for you, like find the nearest gym, start a specific workout, or create a playlist.
Samsung
Samsung announced various software features ahead of Unpacked and these include a new Antioxidant Index to “motivate you to make healthier choices”. The watch can measure the level of carotenoids stored in your skin, so you know, in simple terms, when to eat fruit and vegetables.
Other features include a Running Coach with various analysis and motivational elements, Vascular Load to track the stress levels of your heart (with the aim of avoiding heart disease), and Bedtime Guidance.
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
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