Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Review: Bringing Back Old Charm and New Skills
For fans of Samsung's smartwatches, one feature has always stood out as a beloved classic: the physical rotating bezel. After a brief hiatus, Samsung has brought it back with the new Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and it’s a welcome return. The new watch perfectly blends that nostalgic, tactile control with a host of new, modern features.
I’ve spent some time with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and it feels like a fantastic blend of what people loved about the older models and the new-age skills we expect from a top-tier smartwatch. Let's break down what's new and whether it's the right fit for your wrist.
A Design That Feels Both New and Familiar
The first thing you’ll notice about the Watch 8 Classic is its design. It keeps that timeless, traditional watch look, but with a few modern refinements. It has a sleeker profile than its predecessor, with angled edges that help it sit more comfortably on the wrist. It’s a subtle change, but it makes the watch feel less bulky.
It comes in two sizes, 43mm and 47mm, and is available in Silver and Black. The build quality is top-notch, featuring a durable titanium case and a sapphire crystal display that’s resistant to scratches.
But the real star of the show is the return of the physical rotating bezel.
The Rotating Bezel is Back and Better
If you've never used a Samsung watch with a rotating bezel, you've been missing out. It's an incredibly intuitive and satisfying way to navigate the watch's interface. You can turn it to scroll through notifications, apps, and settings with a satisfying click. It feels precise, practical, and honestly, fun to use.
This feature is what truly makes the "Classic" model stand out. It provides a tactile connection to the watch that swiping on a screen just can’t replicate. Whether you're zooming in on a map or adjusting the volume, the bezel makes interactions quick and easy.
New Features and Upgraded Performance
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic isn't just about looks. It’s powered by a new 5nm Exynos W1000 chipset, which makes everything feel faster and smoother. Apps open quickly, and animations are fluid. It also comes with an impressive 32GB of storage, giving you plenty of space for apps, music, and watch faces.
One of the big upgrades is the introduction of Galaxy AI on the watch. While you'll still need your phone for some heavy lifting, the watch can now handle AI-powered tasks like providing quick replies and summarizing notifications, which is incredibly handy.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Samsung continues to build on its excellent health and fitness features. The Watch 8 Classic is packed with sensors to monitor everything from your heart rate and sleep patterns to your blood oxygen levels. The BioActive sensor provides comprehensive data, making it a powerful tool for anyone serious about their health.
Sleep tracking is particularly impressive. The watch now gives you more detailed insights, including your "sleep animal" type, which helps you understand your sleep habits in a more engaging way. For fitness enthusiasts, it tracks a huge variety of workouts with reliable accuracy.
Battery Life: A Solid Performer
Battery life is always a key concern with smartwatches, and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic does a respectable job. With regular use—including notifications, some workout tracking, and the always-on display active—you can comfortably get through a full day and night.
The 47mm model I tested managed to last around 60 to 65 hours on a single charge with moderate usage. Lighter use could stretch this even further, but heavy users might still be looking at a daily or every-other-day charging routine. It’s not revolutionary, but it's a solid and reliable performance for a watch this feature-packed.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic feels like a triumphant return to form. By bringing back the rotating bezel, Samsung has listened to its most loyal fans. But this isn't just a nostalgia trip; the powerful new chip, increased storage, and the smart addition of Galaxy AI make it a truly modern and capable smartwatch.
If you value that classic watch feel and want one of the best Wear OS experiences available, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is an easy recommendation.
