From Samsung’s debated new aesthetics to frustrating feature restrictions, Samsung is going all out to persuade you to upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 8.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic are launching on July 25, and Samsung is offering its signature trade-in promotions with increased credit to lure loyal fans into making the switch. But is it worth upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 8, or should you wait for the Galaxy Watch 9?
As someone who has reviewed the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic, owns the Galaxy Watch 7, assessed the first-generation Galaxy Watch Ultra, and is currently evaluating the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, I’m more than equipped to provide an answer!
I’ll discuss the divisive Ultra-fication of the Watch 8 series, a topic my colleague Andrew covered in his Galaxy Watch 8 hands-on review. However, regardless of personal preferences, enhanced specifications and new Samsung Health features should be as significant as design.
To summarize quickly: Galaxy Watch 7 users have just one tentative reason to upgrade, while if you own a Galaxy Watch 6 (Classic) or an older model, you should find yourself quite tempted.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 isn’t as distinct as it may appear
When you compare the Galaxy Watch 8 to the 7, it becomes instantly clear how alike they are. They share the 3nm Exynos W1000 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, dual-band GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options, and the latest BioActive Sensor suite with additional HR LEDs.
However, if you’re transitioning from the Watch 6 to the Watch 8, you’ll enjoy a quicker, more power-efficient processor, dual-band GPS, more precise health sensors with additional data, faster charging, and doubled storage. A bit more appealing, right?
Samsung has made slight adjustments to the display sizes with the Watch 8: it measures 1.34 and 1.47 inches instead of 1.3 and 1.5, with a pixels-per-inch ratio of 326 that’s within the usual range. I doubt many individuals will notice the display’s difference from previous iterations, except for the increased brightness.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is 1.1mm slimmer than the Watch 7, or 2mm thinner than the Watch 8 Classic. So while it may appear thick in photos, the truth is the opposite because Samsung has restructured its internals to compress its dimensions.
The images above and below showcase how the Galaxy Watch 8 looks in real life. Active-style Galaxy Watches feature cases that closely embrace the display edge, creating a seamless feel; now, the bezelless display seems more separate and raised, with the squircle aluminum case being more pronounced.
Personally, I’ve always viewed Galaxy Watches as comfortable and practical, but rather dull and far from an “ordinary” watch design. Thus, I appreciate the Galaxy Watch 8’s design experiment, as it diversifies the aesthetic after years of consistent repetition.
Both the Watch 8 and 7 have an artificial appearance; the newer model simply embraces this aesthetic a bit more. Samsung enthusiasts might find it less appealing, but since this squircle redesign is likely permanent, you may want to give it a try to see if it’s to your liking in person.
My colleague Andrew favors the Watch 8 Classic’s design and has no issue with bulkier watches, but he noted that the Watch 8 is light enough to “forget” you’re wearing it. With the standard band attached, the Watch 8 40mm and 44mm weigh only around 52–56g, which is quite reasonable and comfortable for a smartwatch.
No other smartwatch resembles the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (except for the Ultra)
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic owners might feel torn about the Watch 8 Classic’s design because the Ultra aesthetic stands in direct contrast to the idea of a “classic” smartwatch design. However, if you’re exclusively interested in the rotating bezel along with two generations of improvements, the Watch 8 Classic fulfills that requirement effectively.
Where the Watch 8 display appears exposed above the boxy case, the Watch 8 Classic bridges that gap with a zero-to-sixty scale border and the rotating bezel. From your top-down viewpoint while wearing it, the Watch 8 Classic appears stylish and does not seem “unnatural.”
For others, however, its flat sides may seem chunky, highlighting the fact that it is a smartwatch.
You may justifiably worry that the additional steel casing makes the Watch 8 Classic too heavy. In practical terms, both my Watch 8 Classic 46mm and Watch 6 Classic 47mm weigh 86g or 3oz. Furthermore, the newer version is 0.3mm thinner, though the difference is nearly imperceptible in person.
The bulk does have an effect, as Samsung equipped its Watch 8 Classic with a smaller 1.34-inch display; there’s no 1.5-inch option this time because (presumably)
