Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: The return of the bezel

If you’re someone who already wears a smartwatch, smart ring or fitness tracker, you’ll be all too aware of how much health data is at your disposable. But there can always be more, right? With that in mind, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 Samsung has announced its latest smartwatches in the form of the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and both are bringing more health and fitness features to your wrist.

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic marks the return of the rotating bezels – a design feature of Samsung’s smartwatches that was loved among fans before it was cruelly stolen from us in the Galaxy Watch 7. The Galaxy Watch 8 meanwhile, has had a redesign to bring it more in line with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, but less fussy and more streamlined. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic design 

I’ll be honest, while I love the simplicity of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8’s design, the rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is wonderful to use. Surprisingly so in fact. When I first saw it, I thought it was a bit much and added too much bulk to an otherwise lovely design, but then I used it to scroll through the interface and I was immediately sold. 

Both Galaxy Watch 8 models feature a new “cushioned design”, which effectively means they have a rectangular body with a circular face on top, similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra that launched last year. As I mentioned, the standard Watch 8 takes a more minimalist approach and features an aluminium casing, while the Watch 8 Classic elevates things with stainless steel finish, a hybrid leather strap, and that tactile rotating bezel I seem to have become obsessed with in a very short period of time.

The Classic model also features a dedicated quick button which can be customised to access functions like workout initiation or a timer. I found myself pressing this to get to the main screen as I am used to wearing Apple Watch and that’s what the similarly positioned Digital Crown on that smartwatch does, but you’d of course get used to the controls after a couple of days. 

In terms of build, the Watch 8 is notably 11 per cent slimmer than the Watch 7 at 8.6mm, with improved stability and comfort metrics cited by Samsung at 8 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. Goodness knows how they came up with those stability and comfort figures so we will have to take their word for them, but slimmer is always good when it comes to smartwatches, especially if you’re tracking sleep. The Watch 8 Classic meanwhile, measures 10.6mm thick. 

There’s only one casing size for the Watch 8 Classic – 46mm, while the Watch 8 comes in 40mm and 44mm options. The Watch 8 Classic is also considerably heavier at 63.5g, compared to the Watch 8’s 30g and 34g depending on the casing size. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic specs

Under the hood, the Exynos W1000 3nm chip drives performance in both of the new smartwatches, complemented by an 8 per cent larger battery for the Galaxy Watch 8 and dual GPS (L1 and L5) for enhanced location accuracy in both models.

The 40mm Watch 8 has a 325mAh battery capacity, the 44mm has a 435mAh battery and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has a 445mAh battery. All three models have fast charging and they all have Bluetooth 5.3, along with an IP68 water and dust resistance and waterproofing up to 5ATM.

The Galaxy Watch 8’s display boasts a leap, too, at 50 per cent brighter than its predecessor at 3,000 nits, which the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic takes on too. Both smartwatches have Super AMOLED panels, as has long been the case for Samsung’s smartwatches, and both have Sapphire Crystal protection. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic have a 1.34-inch screen, while the 44mm Galaxy Watch 8 has a 1.47-inch display. 

What new health features do the Galaxy Watch 8 models have?

Despite the design and spec improvements however, it is in the health tracking capabilities where Samsung has placed considerable focus – similar to what it has done with AI in its smartphones. Beyond the foundational metrics that we’ve seen for years, there are a suite of features designed to offer deeper insights into your personal physiology.

Bedtime Guidance moves beyond simple sleep tracking, providing personalised recommendations for better sleep based on a three-day sleep analysis. There’s also the option to integrate with SmartThings for additional environmental insights and control.

Vascular Load is a feature designed to operate passively during sleep, assessing the strain on your cardiovascular system. You will receive a daily morning reading of this metric, like you already get with Sleep Score and Energy Score, to help offer a more continuous awareness of heart health.

Then there is Running Coach, which after a brief 12-minute assessment, the Galaxy Watch 8 models will construct and adjust a personalised running plan to meet your goal. It’s seemingly designed to be a sort of bespoke coaching, dynamically responding to your performance so if you’re struggling, it will reduce your plan, and similarly if you’re finding things to easy, it should increase the intensity.

Last but not least on the main health feature additions, the Antioxidant Index is a sensor-based measurement, taken by you removing the watch and placing your finger on the bottom of the casing. It is supposed to provide guidance on dietary and lifestyle choices so I’ll be very interested to see what it says to me after my bar of Diary Milk.

Elsewhere there are some software enhancements too. One UI 8 Watch integrates glanceable tiles and the Now Bar for better and quicker access to information, while redesigned widgets and an app drawer promise a more intuitive user experience. 

There’s also the integration of Google Gemini within select Samsung apps offering voice-activated control, and allowing for commands like “start a run” or “start 300 calorie circuit workout”, without you having to open specific apps. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 – both the 40mm and 44mm models – come in Graphite and Silver colour options. They are available to pre-order from 9 July, with prices starting at £319. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic comes in Black and White and starts at £449. It too can be pre-ordered from 9 July.

A refreshed Galaxy Watch Ultra was also announced, featuring double the storage at 64GB and a new Titanium Blue finish. It maintains its £599 price point and 47mm case sizing.