Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: Style and Smarts in One

Got your eye on a smartwatch that’s stylish and packed with tricks? The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, dropped in 2025, could be the one. It’s got that classic rotating bezel everyone loves, Google’s Gemini AI for some serious smarts, and a bunch of health-tracking features that rival the Galaxy Watch Ultra. But with a starting price of Rs. 46,999, is it worth your cash? Let’s dive in.

Here’s what one reviewer found after two weeks with this stylish wearable.Design and Display: Premium VibesThe Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a looker. Its stainless steel frame and rotating bezel give it a timeless, rugged charm that screams Samsung. At 46.4 x 46 x 10.6mm and 64 grams, it’s a bit chunky, which might not suit slimmer wrists, but it feels solid. The bezel lets you scroll through menus with a satisfying click, cutting down on screen taps. The new “cushion” design, borrowed from the Ultra, adds a premium edge, and the Dynamic Lug system makes swapping straps—like the Hybrid, Sport, Fabric, or Athleisure bands—a breeze. It comes in Black or White, with five color options per band.The 1.34-inch Super AMOLED display pops with 3,000 nits of brightness and a 438 x 438 resolution, but it’s smaller than the 1.5-inch screen on the Watch 6 Classic. For a watch this size, a bigger display would’ve been nice. Still, sapphire crystal glass keeps it scratch-free, and IP68 plus MIL-STD-810H ratings mean it can handle water, dust, and rough days. The Quick Button, nestled between two physical buttons, adds extra functionality, making this a practical yet stylish pick.Software and Performance: Smart and Health-FocusedRunning on Wear OS 6 with One UI 8, the Watch 8 Classic is powered by the 3nm Exynos W1000 chip, 2GB RAM, and 64GB storage. It’s snappy and smooth, and it’s the first smartwatch to pack Google’s Gemini AI.

You can set reminders or pull app data with voice commands, though Gemini can be a bit quick to time out. The Now Bar, a Galaxy phone feature, shows background tasks, while multi-info tiles let you glance at health stats or notifications. Swipe right for notifications, left for tiles—it’s intuitive, especially with the bezel.Health tracking is a standout. You get heart rate, ECG, blood pressure, sleep tracking, and new features like the Antioxidant Index, which measures carotenoids (pigments from fruits and veggies) via a thumb sensor. Scores range from 0–100, with 75–100 being ideal—most users hit lower ranges, a nudge to eat healthier.

Vascular Load tracks circulatory stress during sleep, and the Running Coach offers AI-driven plans for runners. Bedtime Guidance and metrics like Energy Score and Blood Oxygen round out a robust health suite, though some features require a Samsung phone.Battery Life: Good, Not GreatWith a 445mAh battery, the Watch 8 Classic lasts about 40 hours without the always-on display and 32 hours with it. That’s decent but not stellar for a Rs. 46,999 watch. Heavy features like GPS or ECG drain it faster, and the 10W wireless charging takes a slow 90 minutes to hit full. Compared to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (Rs. 59,999), the battery feels underwhelming.Verdict: A Solid ContenderThe Galaxy Watch 8 Classic nails style and smarts with its bezel, AI, and health tools, outshining many rivals like the Apple Watch Series 10. The smaller screen and average battery life are drawbacks, but it’s a great pick for those who love a bold design and don’t mind the price. At Rs. 46,999 (Bluetooth) or Rs. 50,999 (LTE), it’s pricier than the standard Watch 8 (Rs. 36,999) but cheaper than the Ultra 2. Curious for more? Read the full review at Gadgets 360.