Latest news with #GalaxyWatch8Classic
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Review: Bezel Dazzle
Samsung releases new smartwatches every summer, but its most beloved ones with a "Classic" design and a rotating bezel only come out once every two years. Well, 2025, is the year when we get the new one — the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. It brings the familiar elevated style and the addictive click of the physical rotating bezel. Previous Classic editions of the Galaxy Watch came in two sizes, but this year, we only have one, a 46mm version, a bit on the larger side and probably a bit too big for smaller wrists (sorry, ladies). As far as functionality goes, it's the same as the regular Watch 8 model, meaning you get Wear OS 6 with the wonderful addition of the Gemini smart assistant. There are also some new health features like Bedtime Guidance, Running Coach and for the first time on any smartwatch - an antioxidant index. After using it for a few days, we can say that Galaxy Watch 8 Classic feels more refined than ever. Let us explain. $250 off (38%) Samsung announced its latest Galaxy Watch Ultra model, offering improved durability, a better-looking display, and more features. Right now, you can buy the smartwatch for up to $250 off at the Samsung Store. You must provide an eligible trade-in to take advantage. Buy at Samsung $250 off (45%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is also available at the Samsung Store at a pretty steep discount, provided you trade in an eligible device in good condition. Right now, you can save up to $250 with trade-ins. Buy at Samsung $200 off (47%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is here, packing more features and a modern-looking design. The smartwatch is already available at the Samsung Store, and right now, you can save up to $200 with eligible trade-ins. Buy at Samsung Exynos W1000 processor (same as Galaxy Watch 7) 64GB storage Gemini on board Same BioActive sensor as Watch 7 New health metrics like bedtime guidance and antioxidant index New fitness metrics like running coach Same battery life and charging speeds Comes in only one size (46mm) Pricier, now from $500 Table of Contents: Design and Sizes Bands Software Battery and Charging Models and Prices Summary Design & Sizes Last time we got a Galaxy Watch with a rotating bezel it was the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, and that looked stunning. This new Watch 8 Classic keeps the appeal, but changes the design style. Instead of a round watch, we now get a squircle base with a round watchface above it. The rotating bezel is also a bit thinner, with bigger indentations. We were a bit worried about that new "squircle" shape, but it has grown on us, and honestly, it feels more comfortable wearing the new design and it seems to wobble a bit less on the wrist. Great for runners and cyclists. We already mentioned that it comes in just one, big-gish size: 46mm. The 6 Classic came in a 43mm and 47mm flavors, so the smaller model is missing. This is a good place to also mention the non-Classic Watch 8 model. With no need for a rotating bezel on that model, it's significantly thinner and lighter, so for those who are not absolutely certain they need the bezel, it's worth taking a look at the vanilla version. The benefits of a light-weight watch are under-rated! Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. The Watch 8 Classic also get a neat upgrade in peak brightness — it can now hit 3,000 nits outdoors in the sun, up from 2,000 nits on previous models. This is on par with the best watches out there and makes seeing the screen on a sunny day much easier. We also get an IP68 rating and 5ATM rating. What does this mean? You can swim with the watch, but diving is not advised. For that, you'd need to go to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is even tougher (but heavier too). The Galaxy Watch 7 inherits the band-latch mechanism from the previous model. You have a button that you press to release the strap and then reattach it again. It's simple enough, but if you've trimmed your nails a bit more you might have trouble pressing that button. Good news is that you can still use standard 20mm straps with spring bars. The Watch 7 comes with a selection of new, colorful Ripple bands. We like the attention to detail and loved the provided sporty strap. The green color was nice and not boring with the stitching on the side, plus it seems extra durable. Software & Features Galaxy Watches have been running Wear OS for a while now, but, of course, Samsung couldn't resist adding its own seasoning. Enter One UI Watch, the company's glossy skin on top. Think of it as Wear OS dressed for a night out — slicker and here looks nice, animations are smooth, and the software mostly stays out of your using the Pixel Watch and a few others, we have to mention just how wonderful it is that the Samsung Health app is completely free to use. No asterisks, no monthly subscriptions. Compare that to Google's Fitbit app, which has taken to paywalling useful the real star this year? Gemini. Yes, that Gemini. On your wrist. It's as cool as it sounds, but keep in mind that it will work when your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or LTE. Otherwise, you'll need to drag your phone along for the what can you actually do with Gemini from your wrist? You can ask it questions, anything from "How far to Mars?" to 'What's the best pizza in Philadelphia?' and it will answer right on that lovely round screen you have. One thing to know: it will not whip up custom training plans for you just yet. It's smart, but it has not yet transformed into a personal coach. The Watch 8 Classic has not gotten a new sensor this year (not a surprise), but thanks to the new cushion-y design that hugs your wrist snugly, the data it collects is a little more trustworthy. Better fit, better readings. Who knew?In our tests (consisting of sweaty runs and the occasional brisk walk), heart rate accuracy was solid. Meaning, it was mostly in line with readings we get from an Apple Watch or Garmin's there's the automatic workout detection, which might just be the best we've ever seen on a smartwatch. You start walking and boom — the Watch 8 knows. Hop on a bike, look at your wrist and the workout is already going. It's almost eerie, in a good GPS is still here, as it should be. If you live in a city full of tall signal-scrambling buildings, this is the feature you need. Route accuracy was spot-on in our testing. And let's take a moment to applaud Samsung's workout summaries. All your stats are cleanly laid out, explained like someone actually wanted you to understand them. Nice! The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has taken up a new hobby: looking into your vascular health while you snooze. It's a feature called vascular load tracking, the idea being to assess the pressure on your arteries over time. With three nights of data it can start sliding your results along a scale based on you, not just some generic average. I consistently landed in the calming green zone, which was reassuring, but a little opaque. It would have been helpful to see a comparison to others experiencing the same kind of mid-life crisis in their early 40s, but real star, though, is Galaxy AI and its new tricks. This year, it brings the coaching tips for sleep. In case you need a replacement for your grandparent reminding you should not scroll until be fair, Samsung's been on its sleep game for a while. Previous models could already track your REM, SpO2, temperature, even snoring (with your phone on the night stand). And from the Watch 7 onward, there's sleep apnea detection too. Sleep reports are in-depth without being overwhelming: sleep stages, apnea red flags and now (most usefulle!) a suggested bedtime window based on your recent patterns. As someone having troubles falling asleep lately, I appreciated this. Samsung, being the innovator it likes to be, has decided that this year it will become your nutritionist by providing you... an antioxidant index. However, it needs your participation. For this test, you need to remove the watch, press your thumb to the sensor, and hold for a few seconds. It's a bit of a comes the result. It slots you into one of three vague categories. But here's the twist: out of five testers, everyone landed in "low." Either we're all woefully lacking in spinach, or the scale's a bit... off. Worse still, try it twice in a row and you might get two different post-scan advice is where I started losing faith in this feature. Basically, you need to check your phone for dietary suggestions, which, amounted to: "eat more veggies." Don't we all know that already? With such vague advice, I doubt many people would bother measuring their antioxidant levels also admits this antioxidant reading hasn't been clinically validated, so think of it less as a diagnosis and more like a nudge from a this rings a bell, it's because Samsung used the same playbook for last year's AGEs index, another flashy acronym aimed to help you understand your biological aging based on lifestyle choices. What it actually measures? Still a bit of a mystery (and do let me know if you know someone who actually measures this regularly). The Watch 8 Classic still keeps the old faithfuls around: ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and the rest. Blood pressure is still a no-show on the competition like Apple Watches, but honestly, if you're serious about tracking it, an actual cuff is still your best bet. The battery in the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a bit bigger than before. It's a 445 mAh battery, up from a 425 mAh one on the Watch 6 Classic 47mm. Should we really care about a 5% increase in battery size? It's nice to have, but it does not change the equation in any meaningful way. Compared to the Watch 6 Classic, though, here you get a new and more efficient Samsung W1000 chip, so that should help a bit with efficiency. The battery numbers by Samsung, however, remain unchanged. Both the new and older classic models get the same 30 hours battery life estimate with the always-on option enabled and 40 hours if you turn it off. In other words, you have to charge the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic every single day (okay, day and a half). There are no changes to charging speeds either, which is disappointing considering that the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch both charge faster. And don't even mention the OnePlus Watch 3 series which is lightning fast to charge. In this chapter we have to once again say that the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic only comes in one large 46mm size. There is no small version of this watch (like there used to be for the Watch 6 Classic). Sadly, Samsung has also bumped the price by $100, which is quite a bit for a smartwatch: Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm): $500 Wi-Fi only; $550 for Wi-Fi + Cellular So what exactly did Samsung change with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic? Apart from a few niche health features, this is mostly about refreshing the design and style, and we think this new design is mostly a success. What we don't quite get is what has justified the steep $100 price increase, bringing the starting price of the Watch 8 Classic to $500. The other annoying detail is the never-changing battery situation on Galaxy smartwatched (really, on most major smartwatches). Having to charge this watch daily is a chore. We could occasionally squeeze a day and a half of use, but two days would be a stretch. We do like the additional third button, we like the style and fit, and we like how smooth and refined Wear OS now feels. And the Watch 8 Classic remains the only watch with such elegance and the convenience of a rotating bezel. You should absolutely get if that's what you're after, we are just not so sure owners of previous Classic watches have much reason to upgrade.
GSM Arena
3 days ago
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic review
Every other year, Samsung is introducing its new top-of-the-line Classic series smartwatches, alongside a modestly upgraded standard Galaxy Watch. But this year, the smartwatch portfolio has been reshuffled in the context of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Now, the Classic appears to be a complement to the Ultra, serving as a stepping stone between the vanilla and the Ultra, if you wish. Still, Samsung is promising significant improvements over the Galaxy Watch6 Classic. The Classic now adopts the cushion design that the company introduced last year, along with the Dynamic Lug locking system for the straps. It's marketed as both a design and a functional upgrade, since it helps improve the accuracy of the BioActive sensor. To be fair, with the addition of the Quick Button to the rotating bezel, the Classic feels like it's closer to the Ultra. It's still a premium smartwatch. Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic specs at a glance: Body: 46.4x46.0x10.6mm, 64g; Glass front (Sapphire crystal), stainless steel frame; Rotating bezel, MIL-STD-810H compliant*, IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 50m/5ATM), ECG certified, Blood pressure monitor, *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions. 46.4x46.0x10.6mm, 64g; Glass front (Sapphire crystal), stainless steel frame; Rotating bezel, MIL-STD-810H compliant*, IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 50m/5ATM), ECG certified, Blood pressure monitor, *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions. Display: 1.34" Super AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak), 438x438px resolution, 9:9 aspect ratio, 327ppi. 1.34" Super AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak), 438x438px resolution, 9:9 aspect ratio, 327ppi. Chipset: Exynos W1000 (3 nm): Penta-core; Mali-G68. Exynos W1000 (3 nm): Penta-core; Mali-G68. Memory: 64GB 2GB RAM. 64GB 2GB RAM. OS/Software: Android Wear OS 6, One UI 8 Watch. Android Wear OS 6, One UI 8 Watch. Rear camera: No. No. Front camera: No. No. Video capture: Rear camera : No. : No. Battery: 445mAh; 10W wireless. 445mAh; 10W wireless. Connectivity: LTE; eSIM; Wi-Fi 4; BT 5.3; NFC. LTE; eSIM; Wi-Fi 4; BT 5.3; NFC. Misc: Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, altimeter, compass, SpO2, temperature (skin), BioActive, antioxidant index. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic also employs a brighter screen, reaching 3,000 nits, and a more modern, energy-efficient chipset - the Exynos W1000 based on 3nm node. Moreover, the chip can handle some AI tasks, albeit simple, making the Watch8 Classic the first Android smartwatch to offer native support for Gemini AI. Memory gets a huge upgrade, which is a nice bonus since AI requires more storage too, so this year's Classic is fitted with 64GB internal storage. Sports and health aren't neglected in this year's iteration of the Galaxy Watch8 series. Samsung has developed a new personalized running coach, and the BioActive sensor can now measure an antioxidant index and vascular load. Samsung Galaxy Watch8 specs at a glance: Body: 46.0x43.7x8.6mm, 30g; Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame; MIL-STD-810H compliant*, IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 50m/5ATM), ECG certified, Blood pressure monitor, Armor aluminum 2 frame, *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions. 46.0x43.7x8.6mm, 30g; Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame; MIL-STD-810H compliant*, IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 50m/5ATM), ECG certified, Blood pressure monitor, Armor aluminum 2 frame, *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions. Display: 1.47" Super AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak), 480x480px resolution, 9:9 aspect ratio, 327ppi. 1.47" Super AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak), 480x480px resolution, 9:9 aspect ratio, 327ppi. Chipset: Exynos W1000 (3 nm): Penta-core; Mali-G68. Exynos W1000 (3 nm): Penta-core; Mali-G68. Memory: 32GB 2GB RAM. 32GB 2GB RAM. OS/Software: Android Wear OS 6, One UI 8 Watch. Android Wear OS 6, One UI 8 Watch. Rear camera: No. No. Front camera: No. No. Video capture: Rear camera : No. : No. Battery: 435mAh; 10W wireless. 435mAh; 10W wireless. Connectivity: LTE; eSIM; Wi-Fi 4; BT 5.3; NFC. LTE; eSIM; Wi-Fi 4; BT 5.3; NFC. Misc: Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, altimeter, compass, SpO2, temperature (skin), BioActive, antioxidant index. Some of the hardware upgrades that we mentioned, however, aren't exactly new to the vanilla Galaxy Watch8. Still, the newer Galaxy Watch offers a brighter display, adopts the new cushion design, it's a lot thinner now and also gets the new health and sports features. With the smartwatch market continuing to expand, Samsung is now facing tougher competition, so let's take a deeper dive and see what's with the new Galaxy Watch8 series. Unboxing the Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic The two devices come in standard retail packages containing the default straps and chargers. Galaxy Watch8 Classic and Galaxy Watch8 retail boxes Keep in mind that even though the watches support Qi wireless charging, they require proprietary Samsung chargers to work. Page 2
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Android Authority
Time is running out for these Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 pre-order deals
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Are you thinking of getting a new Samsung smartwatch? The Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic are about to launch, tomorrow, but you can still sign up for some nice pre-order offers. You will get $50-$100 in credits. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and get a free $50 credit Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and get a free $100 Amazon gift card These offers are available from Amazon, but they are a little different. With the Galaxy Watch 8, you get an Amazon credit. This means that the $50 is just deposited into your account automatically. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic comes with a $100 Amazon gift card, which you have to manually redeem. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 40mm + $50 promotional credit Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 40mm + $50 promotional credit Brighter display, better battery life The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 offers a new 'squircle' look, with new band attachments, backed by new software, a 50% brighter display over last year's model, and a slightly larger battery. The watch is available in four configurations: a 40mm display in Wi-Fi or LTE and a 44mm display in Wi-Fi or LTE. See price at Amazon Save $50.00 With Coupon! The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 adopts a new design, with a more square bezel and circular screen that more closely resembles the Galaxy Watch Ultra's look. Love it or hate it, it certainly makes it stand out from most other smartwatches. It's also 11% thinner. While thinner, it still features an IP68 rating, so it is resistant to both water and dust. So much that it even gets a 50ATM rating, which means you can submerge it as deep as 50 meters. Additionally, it gets a MIL-STD-810H certification. In short: this thing can take a beating! Build quality aside, it is a really fun watch to use. You get a large 1.47-inch Super AMOLED panel with a whopping 3,000 nits of brightness. This is comparable to the highest-end smartwatches available. And the 480 x 480 resolution is sharp and 327ppi (pixels per inch). You'll also get a pretty nice 30-hour battery life when the always-on display feature is enabled. If you disable it, it gets extended to 40 hours. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic + $100 Amazon Gift Card Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic + $100 Amazon Gift Card Going squircle, still Classic The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic continues the Classic lineage but with a squircle redesign. Available in Wi-Fi and LTE, with a 3,000 nit display and big 445mAh battery, enjoy all of the best Samsung smartwatch software experiences in style. See price at Amazon Save $100.00 The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is fantastic, but the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is even better. Let's go over the benefits of upgrading. For starters, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic offers a more refined design that looks more like a traditional watch. The frame is made of stainless steel instead of aluminum. It also has twice as much storage, at 64GB. This one also features a rotating bezel that provides a more interesting way to interact with the smartwatch. Not everyone will deem these improvements worthy, but if you do, the $100 gift card makes this a more enticing upgrade. The retail price is $150 higher, though. Again, these offers are pre-order deals, and both smartwatches will be released tomorrow. You might want to secure your free gift card while you can!
Stuff.tv
5 days ago
- Stuff.tv
With one exception, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is everything I want from a smartwatch
Stuff Verdict Ultra-inspired looks and expanded fitness features take the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that bit further upmarket. This distinctive smartwatch isn't a longevity champ, but impresses almost everywhere else. Pros Rotating bezel great for offscreen interaction Comprehensive health and fitness features Snappy performance and clean UI Cons Squircle shape won't be to all tastes Not the longest-lasting Wear OS watch Introduction The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic feels like Samsung attempting to please everyone at once. The firm's latest smartwatch brings back one fan favourite feature, inherits the design from its flagship wearable, and doubles down on fitness features. It's also first out the door with on-wrist Gemini smarts. Anyone with a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – now two years old – will have their head turned by the return of the rotating bezel, while those wanting a more affordable take on the Galaxy Watch Ultra will appreciate the 'cushion' design being carried over for significantly less cash. Add in a bigger battery and it could be the new Wear OS watch to beat. There's only one size to choose from this year, though, and prices start from $499/£449 – cheaper than an Ultra, but a bigger investment than the $349/£319 Watch 8, and more than most Wear OS rivals to boot. Does the Watch 8 Classic do enough to earn a spot on your wrist? How we test wearables Every smartwatch and fitness tracker reviewed on Stuff is worn 24/7 throughout the testing process. We use our own years of experience to judge general performance, battery life, display, and health monitoring. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: squared away It's not quite the dominating presence that the Galaxy Watch Ultra was, but the Watch 8 Classic is still a sizeable bit of wristwear. It reimagines the bigger brother's styling, again setting a circular screen inside a square bezel, but slimming things down a bit at the sides. A coin-edge bezel then sits on top, rotating with a satisfying click as you bi-directionally scroll through onscreen menus. I'm convinced this dual approach is the best wearable input method, letting you tap and swipe the touchscreen while stationary but not having to hit tiny touch targets while exercising – or simply when you don't have both hands free. As for the squircle shape? Personally I'm a fan, because I like my watches to make a statement, and means there's more case between the screen and anything you might accidentally bash it on. Still, I can imagine there'll be some Watch 6 Classic owners that liked the more subtle approach. It also collects dust quite quickly; I had to clean it with a Q tip after just a few weeks' wear. I do appreciate the Ultra's three side buttons becoming the norm here. The central button can be customised to launch a specific sports mode or app, or just used as a shortcut to take you to the main exercise page if you like to mix and match your workouts. A protruding crown guard prevents accidental presses, while the two regular buttons assist with navigation. The polished stainless steel case looks the part, and means the watch feels substantial on your wrist. It's imperceptibly slimmer than the Watch 6 Classic, and I had no trouble sliding it out from underneath a cuffed shirt sleeve. The way the strap lugs clip into the casing is particularly fiddly, though, and means you can't snap any old 22mm band on like you could on the Galaxy Watch 7 series. On the plus side, it brings the casing closer to your wrist, which helps boost the accuracy of the heart rate sensor. If you're sticking with the default band – a polymer strap that mimics the look of leather – I think my black review unit is probably the version to go for. Samsung has a bunch of different strip styles to pick from, but most are lighter colours that I feel gel better with the white bezel model. Screen: smaller but shinier Unlike previous years, there's only one flavour of Watch 8 Classic. It comes in a 46mm case with a 1.34in screen, which is smaller than the 1.5in display you got on the equivalent Watch 6 Classic. Pixel density has dropped between generations, too, though the 437×437 resolution still looks clear enough at arms' length. Even watch faces with very small complications appear sharp and legible. You've also got to look hard to spot the inner bezel – there's barely any black bar visible around the circumference of the screen. It's an OLED, so of course colours look brilliantly vibrant and blacks are properly black. Pick the right watch face and that inner bezel disappears entirely. That's doubly true for the always-on display mode, if you don't mind the associated hit to battery life. Brightness has jumped up dramatically this year. A peak 3000 nits means this is a serious shiner, with zero visibility issues on even the brightest of days. It helps that viewing angles are excellent. The ambient light sensor is quick to react to changing environments, so you're not left waiting for it to boost brightness outdoors – or blinded by a bright screen when you step inside. Sapphire crystal glass should withstand most scrapes and scratches; my review unit still looked box-fresh after several weeks of wear. Interface: how about Now? Samsung's home-grown Exynos W1000 chipset is still running the show; the 3nm silicon hasn't changed at all from the Watch 7 series, and it's still paired with 2GB of RAM. Happily there's still more than enough grunt to keep Wear OS running smoothly, even with Samsung's extensive One UI customisations on top. There's a welcome consistency here with Samsung's latest smartphones, with familiar icons and pre-installed watch apps. The firm's in-house apps are the defaults for things like contactless payments, but with full access to the Play Store you can quickly swap to Google Wallet if you like. I'm more than happy with the 64GB of storage the Watch 8 Classic gets standard; there's enough room for loads of third-party apps, plus more workout playlists than I could possibly get through in a single session. Tiles are now grouped onto single screens now, saving you a few swipes or twists of the bezel. Notifications are also grouped into the firm's Now Bar, which also hosts media controls right on your watch face. I definitely found I was spending less time finding relevant information than on previous iterations, which sounds like a job well done by the software team. This is also the first Wear OS watch to put Google Gemini on your wrist. As well as controlling your smart home appliances with your voice, compatibility with Samsung's own ecosystem means you can ask Gemini to start a workout based on a metric like burning calories. It also understands multi-step actions, like recommendations on locations near you, paired with messaging invitations to you friends. It's slick, though I still can't bring myself to talk into my tech in public. Health & fitness: catch some Zs Samsung's watches have never been short on exercise tracking ability, and the Watch 8 Classic is no exception; it'll monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, step count and exertion levels for any workout, as you'd expect, and goes a lot more granular for certain exercises like running. The ECG monitor now highlights ectopic beats – minor irregular heartbeats that could be a precursor to bigger health issues – in its results. The new running assessment feature is neat for fitness beginners, tracking you over twelve minutes before serving up over 150 potential running plans. These coached sessions range from a first 5K to training for marathons, with difficulty that dynamically adjusts based on whether you're under- or over-performing. GPS accuracy is up there with the best smartwatches, and the biosensor produces figures that closely match more hardcore fitness devices like chest straps. It's health and wellbeing that've seen the most new additions this year, with the already comprehensive sleeping coach getting bedtime guidance that can suggest when hitting the hay will result in the best night's rest. So far it hasn't given me any dramatic insights, but maybe that's because I'm pretty good at turning in for the night before the early hours. Any bad morning moods are usually reflected in a low Energy Score. There's now an option to monitor your vascular load during sleep, and if you're in the UK or Europe, the Galaxy Watch 8 series also gains certified sleep apnea detection. Basically if you're losing Zs for any reason, this wearable will clue you in as to why. I'm less sold on the Antioxidant Index, which measures your carotenoid levels by sticking your thumb over the watch's rear optical sensor. If you're low, it'll suggest you munch some fruits or veggies rich in the stuff. Battery life: more of the same With a 445mAh cell stuffed inside, the Watch 8 Classic has a roughly 8% larger battery capacity than the Watch 7 series. With a slightly smaller screen as well, I was expecting it to last a fair bit longer between charges, but the reality was a closer match to the outgoing model. I typically got to the end of a second day of wear before the Watch needed a trip to its magnetic charging puck. That's roughly 30 hours, though admittedly that was with the always-on display mode switched on. With it off, you'll get closer to 40 – or into a third day, depending on when you first strapped it to your wrist. That means Samsung still lags behind the OnePlus Watch 3, which uses two chipsets to stretch comfortably into a fifth day. It's still more than the most recent Pixel Watch can manage, though. Samsung's charging puck is less fussy about placement than OnePlus' pogo pin cradle, too, so I never worried about it not charging because I hadn't lined it up perfectly. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic verdict With most of the feel of a Galaxy Watch Ultra, at a price that's (a little) kinder to your wallet, the Watch 8 Classic is another Samsung success story. By spacing its Classic-badged wearables, the firm has also sensibly left enough time for existing owners to think about upgrading. This is about as feature-rich as Android wearables get, and there's been no skimping on the health and fitness front either. While battery life isn't class-leading, and some will find the chunkier looks a turn-off, it has no real weak links anywhere else. It commands a premium over rival smartwatches, so you've got to decide if the rotating bezel and distinctive styling are worth paying extra for. If you're already entrenched in the Samsung ecosystem, I expect they will be. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 Ultra-inspired looks and expanded fitness features take the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that bit further upmarket. This distinctive-looking smartwatch isn't a longevity champ, but impresses almost everywhere else. Pros Rotating bezel great for offscreen interaction Comprehensive health and fitness features Snappy performance and clean UI Cons Squircle shape won't be to all tastes Not the longest-lasting Wear OS watch Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic technical specifications Screen 1.34in, 437×437 AMOLED CPU Samsung Exynos W1000 Memory 2GB Storage 64GB Operating system Wear OS 16 w/ One UI 8.0 Watch Battery 445mAh Durability IP68/5ATM/MIL-STD-810 Dimensions 46x46x10.6mm, 63.5g
Phone Arena
5 days ago
- Phone Arena
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's rotating bezel: A feature I can live without
Samsung brought back the "Classic" variant of its smartwatch this year. One of the hallmarks of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and a big marketing point, is the physical rotating bezel. Today I'm going to go against the grain and argue against this physical interface. This may be an unpopular opinion, but to be honest, I've seen quite a few people share this sentiment that the rotating bezel in Samsung's watches is an unnecessary, bulky, laggy, and even ugly contraption. But first, a few words on the history of the rotating bezel. Back to the year 2015! History of the rotating bezel The first iteration of the rotating bezel in the Gear S2 | Image by PhoneArena Samsung introduced it with the Galaxy Gear S2 in 2015. Back then, people were fascinated by the idea. My colleague Nick praised it in the Galaxy Gear S2 Review: "Speaking of the bezel, it is one of the Gear S2's stand-out features. By rotating it, one can navigate through the smartwatch's menus, scroll down emails, and interact with apps, having to touch the display only to confirm a selection. The solution is elegant, convenient, and superior to anything similar that we've seen on a smartwatch to date." The design made its way to the Galaxy Watch 3 and subsequently to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. But then Samsung decided to move to a two-year release cycle for the rotating bezel models, skipping it on the Galaxy Watch 5 series, only to bring it back a year later on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The Galaxy Watch 7 series once again omitted the rotating bezel, and now we have it back on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. What's going on? It turns out that most of the reasons match the ones I already mentioned in the beginning. Let's dive deeper. Design and aesthetics The true origin of the rotating bezel can be traced back to diving watches in the 1950s | Image by Omega One of the reasons Samsung has been taking away and bringing back the rotating bezel on a regular basis lies in the aesthetics department. I know design is subjective, but in 2022, when Samsung removed the rotating bezel from the Galaxy Watch 5 series, the industry was pushing for a minimal and stylish look. Samsung was competing with the Apple Watch 8 and allegedly saw the rotating bezel as old school, bulky, and outside the design language the company wanted to portray. Samsung didn't say this officially, but that's what the rumor mill was spitting out at the time. The sleek and stylish Galaxy Watch 7 | Image by PhoneArena I'm absolutely on board with this point of view. Smartwatches have been trying for years to mimic regular timepieces, mainly because we're so accustomed to the design through the ages. But given the true origin of the rotating bezel, I think it looks odd and out of place on a modern and stylish smartwatch. Hear me out. The origin of the rotating bezel can be traced back to diving watches back in the 1950s. It was a crucial safety feature to remind divers of the time they'd spent underwater. Nowadays many smartwatches go for that "diving watch" aesthetic, even though they're not specifically designed for diving. I personally find this annoying; instead of making smartwatches innovative and exciting, we're clinging to the past. But even as an interface piece, the rotating bezel is, in my opinion, not a very good idea. It's redundant as an interface You still need to tap on the display to navigate in and out of menus and apps | Image by PhoneArena The rotating bezel is mainly used to scroll through menus and text on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. In order to select something or go back, you need to touch the display. Many people argue in favor of the rotating crown with the argument that it lets you navigate without touching the display—for example, with wet or dirty hands, underwater, etc. However, it's simply not the case—you can't even use the other physical buttons to avoid touching the screen—you can only return to the home screen. To me, it's a flawed design and a failed opportunity. Had Samsung allowed the physical buttons on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic to be used to go forward and back one step, the rotating bezel would've made much more sense. And even then, doing a rotating motion to scroll up and down or left and right isn't the most intuitive way to do it. And speaking of alternatives… There's a better way to do it—the rotating crown Apple Watch's rotating crown is minimal and gives more design freedom As far as physical scrolling interfaces go, Apple did a great job with the rotating crown. Don't get me wrong, I still think that the Apple Watch is overpriced and flawed with its 18-hour battery life. The rotating crown, though, was a great invention, and no wonder so many companies have copied it. It requires less physical effort to turn (you can do it with a finger), your hand doesn't obscure the display while you're turning it, and the direction of the rotation mimics what's happening on the display—you turn it up or down, and the text or menu moves up or down. For me, the rotating crown is a better implementation of the same idea and also leaves much more design freedom. Other problems with the rotating bezel People are complaining about rotating bezel's durability and functionality on older Galaxy Watch models | Image by Reddit The rotating bezel is a big moving part. And as we all know, parts that move mechanically are prone to failure. It's also a point of entry for dirt and moisture, adding to the risk of failure I mentioned above. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is still quite new, and it will take some time for such problems to manifest, but still, it's a potential issue. Conclusion Design and interface are two subjective parts of the smartwatch equation. I get that many people still love and swear by the rotating bezel, but it's just not for me. I see it as a gimmick and a tribute to our old ways of thinking. I would love to see new designs, new interface choices, and braver solutions when it comes to smartwatches. What do you think of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and the rotating bezel? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comment section below.
