A traditional rotating bezel combined with an oversized case gives off a distinctive appearance, yet it might dissuade loyal Galaxy Watch Classic enthusiasts.
Last week, SammyGurus and OnLeaks shared renders of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that stray from the definition of “classic.” If the leaked design holds true, it appears to merge the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, featuring a rotating bezel positioned on the squircle case. Whether you embrace this transformation or resist it, there are valid concerns.
The leak indicates that the Watch 8 Classic will boast a 1.5-inch display, a 435mAh battery, and dimensions of 46 x 46.5 x 14.2mm. While we lack weight specifications, it’s reasonable to suspect that it could rank among the heftiest Android watches available, regardless of whether it’s crafted from steel or titanium.
Keep in mind, Samsung tends to misrepresent the thickness of its watches by neglecting to include the sensor bump in the measurement, as if it were somehow detachable or not a factor. The Galaxy Watch 7 claims to be “9.7mm” thick, but the actual figure is closer to 12.7mm. In a similar vein, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is nearer to 15.5mm than the reported 12.1mm.
Now, check the video above and pause at either the one or seven-second mark. Is this watch genuinely 14.2mm thick? If you consider the “12mm” Ultra case and add a 2mm-thick rotating bezel, that could add up. Yet, the real thickness would approximate 17mm, overshadowing every smartwatch I’ve ever owned.
All of this remains mere conjecture until we can experience the Watch 8 Classic directly or obtain official specifications to verify the weight. Nonetheless, I trust this leak, as Android watches seem to be evolving in this direction.
This ‘Classic’ no longer caters to ‘typical’ smartwatch enthusiasts
My mother remarks on my “spaceship watches” during my visits when I review a new model. To her, they resemble an object resting on my wrist, rather than a fashionable item. By this assessment, the Watch 8 Classic would genuinely be a Millennium Falcon.
Let’s afford Samsung the benefit of the doubt for now, assuming the thickness isn’t as exaggerated as suggested in the leak. It’s still reasonable to expect that the Watch 8 Classic sports a 46mm titanium body with a stainless steel bezel atop it. That amounts to a significant weight on one’s wrist.
After following weeks of leaks regarding Galaxy Watch 8, all signals indicate that Samsung will offer just one Classic model this year — the SM-L500 or SM-L505 with LTE, despite the Watch 4 and 6 Classic being available in two sizes.
My Watch Ultra already tips the scales at 93g/3.3oz with the Marine Band; the addition of the Classic bezel raises concerns about its comfort for prolonged wear, particularly with a lack of a smaller 42mm variant — especially for someone accustomed to heftier timepieces.
Since the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra, designers from other brands have been liberated to emphasize performance over conventional aesthetics. The backlash claiming the Galaxy Watch Ultra is merely an Apple replica was exaggerated, as it indeed possesses a unique design, but it still remains quite large according to many people’s perceptions. The same applies to the bulky OnePlus Watch 3, which employs Samsung’s technique to report a thickness of 11.8mm, discounting the sensor.
These devices cater to dedicated Android fans, but alienate the broader consumer base who prefer lighter, slimmer, and more affordable squircle watches.
Should you doubt my words, I organized a smartwatch beauty contest last Christmas with my extended family. While my non-technical relatives appreciated the distinct style of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, they disliked the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra due to their excessive size.
Reinforcing heavier watches for minimal gains
During Samsung’s recent earnings call, a corporate vice president assured a “new Galaxy Watch with an innovative design,” and the Watch 8 Classic certainly fits the bill as a unique offering. But will consumers opt to purchase it?
The aforementioned leak suggests that the Watch 8 Classic will feature a rated capacity of 435mAh, or a typical capacity of 450mAh. This represents a minor increase over the 425mAh Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 6 Classic; however, it falls significantly short of the 590mAh found in the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 5 Pro.
Typically, heavier watches offer better-than-average battery life or additional benefits. Yet, if the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic delivers the same 40-hour estimate, maintains the 1.5-inch display, and (most likely) retains the same Exynos chip and 2GB of RAM as last year’s model, what’s the reasoning for investing in such a bulky watch?
That said, my preferences may be skewed, and I do believe the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (
