Galaxy Watch8 Classic Review: A Timeless Masterpiece Reimagined
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic marks the triumphant return of a fan-favorite feature, blending timeless watch design with cutting-edge technology. As of September 2025, it brings back the iconic physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation, wrapped in a premium stainless steel body. Powered by the efficient 3nm processor and Galaxy AI, it delivers the full suite of advanced health insights, including the new Antioxidant Index, while offering double the storage at 64GB. It’s the perfect union of classic horology and modern smarts.
1. Iconic Design with Rotating Bezel
The Rotating Bezel Returns
The celebrated physical rotating bezel is back, providing a satisfying, tactile way to navigate menus, scroll through widgets, and adjust settings with precision and ease.
Premium Stainless Steel Build
The watch case is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, giving it a substantial, premium feel and a polished look suitable for any occasion, from the gym to a formal event.
Timeless Cushion Design
It incorporates the new signature cushion design of the Watch8 series, which, combined with the Dynamic Lug System, ensures a comfortable and secure fit despite its larger 46mm size and 63.5g weight.
2. Upgraded Performance & Storage
Expanded 64GB Storage
The Watch8 Classic comes with 64GB of internal storage (49GB available), a significant upgrade that allows for more offline music playlists, apps, and watch faces.
Efficient 3nm Processor
It is powered by the same advanced Exynos W1000 3nm chip as the rest of the Watch8 series, ensuring smooth performance, fast app loading, and efficient power consumption.
Large Super AMOLED Display
The 3.4 cm (1.34-inch) Super AMOLED display features a crisp 438×438 resolution and a peak brightness of 3000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility indoors and out.
3. Complete AI-Powered Health Suite
Galaxy AI Coaching
AI-powered insights provide personalized recommendations for your sleep, fitness, and overall well-being, helping you understand your body better and form healthier habits.
Advanced BioActive Sensor
The single BioActive Sensor chip powers key health metrics, including ECG, Blood Pressure, Body Composition, and the new Antioxidant Index, providing a comprehensive health overview.
Sleep Apnea Detection
Leveraging the SpO2 sensor, the watch can monitor for signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, providing crucial awareness for a common but often undiagnosed condition.
Full Specification Details
Display & Design
- Screen: 3.4 cm (1.34″) Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 438 x 438 pixels
- Material: Stainless Steel Case, Sapphire Crystal
- Feature: Physical Rotating Bezel
- Dimensions: 46.0 x 46.4 x 10.6 mm
- Weight: 63.5 g
Processor & Performance
- Chipset: 1.6GHz + 1.5GHz Penta-Core
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 64 GB (49GB available)
- OS: Wear OS Powered by Samsung
Health Sensors
- Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
- Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG)
- Optical Heart Rate Sensor
- Infrared Temperature Sensor
- Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro
Connectivity
- Infra: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Only
- Bluetooth: v5.3
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4+5GHz)
- NFC: Yes
- Location: GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Battery & Durability
- Capacity: 445 mAh
- Usage Time: Up to 40 Hours (AOD Off)
- Durability: 5ATM Water Resistance
Compatibility
- Required OS: Android 12.0 or higher
- Required RAM: Minimum 1.5 GB
- Not compatible with iOS
Who Is This Watch For?
- The Traditional Watch Lover: Anyone who appreciates the tactile feel and classic aesthetic of a physical rotating bezel.
- The Power User: Those who need expanded 64GB storage for offline music, apps, and watch faces.
- The Style-Conscious Individual: Users who want a premium smartwatch that looks sophisticated in both casual and formal settings.
Who Might Consider Other Options?
- The Minimalist: Users who prefer the ultra-slim, bezel-less design of the standard Galaxy Watch8.
- The Extreme Athlete: The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers superior durability (Titanium, 10ATM) and longer battery life for rugged adventures.
Competitive Edge
- Iconic Rotating Bezel: This unique, functional, and satisfying navigation method is exclusive to the Classic and sets it apart from all other smartwatches.
- Premium Materials and Finish: The use of stainless steel provides a more luxurious, traditional watch feel compared to the aluminum of the standard model.
- Expanded Storage: With 64GB of storage, it offers significantly more space for offline content than most competitors, including the standard Watch8.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Offers an intuitive and satisfying physical control method that is unique and highly functional.
The stainless steel case provides a classic, high-end aesthetic that stands out.
64GB of storage is a huge plus for users who want to load up on apps, music, and offline maps.
The bezel mechanism adds bulk and weight (10.6mm, 63.5g) compared to the slim standard Watch8.
The premium design and bezel come at a significant price increase over the standard model.
Final Verdict
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic is a triumphant fusion of past and future. It successfully resurrects the beloved rotating bezel, providing a best-in-class tactile experience, while packing in all the next-generation AI and health innovations of the Watch8 series. For those who miss the satisfying click of a physical bezel and appreciate the heft and look of a traditional timepiece, the Classic is the perfect choice. It’s a premium device that doesn’t compromise on smarts, making it the ultimate option for the user who values both form and function.
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0
