The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: More Ultra Than "Affordable Alternative"?
For years, Samsung's "Classic" line of Galaxy Watches has been the go-to for enthusiasts who crave the traditional rotating bezel and a more refined, elegant aesthetic, often at a slightly more accessible price point than the cutting-edge flagship. However, with the newly launched Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, it appears Samsung is charting a different course, positioning it less as an affordable alternative and more as a "massy" version of its premium Ultra offering.
This shift is evident in several key areas, from design philosophy to features and, notably, the price tag.
A Design That Echoes the Ultra
One of the most striking changes with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is its design language. While it thankfully retains the beloved physical rotating bezel – a feature deeply cherished by many users for its tactile feedback and intuitive navigation – the overall form factor now leans heavily into the "cushion" design previously introduced with the original Galaxy Watch Ultra.
This means a larger, more robust presence on the wrist. While the standard Galaxy Watch 8 has slimmed down significantly, the Classic, at a single 46mm size, embraces a thicker, more substantial build (63.5g compared to the Watch 8's 30-34g). It even incorporates the programmable "Quick Button" that was a hallmark of the Ultra, adding another layer of physical interaction beyond the bezel.
For those who appreciated the sleeker, more understated look of previous Classic models, this might be a point of contention. But for those who admired the rugged and bold aesthetic of the Ultra but preferred the Classic's bezel, this new design offers a compelling blend. It's an Ultra-lite, if you will, but still very much in the Ultra's vein rather than a slimmed-down, traditional watch.
Feature Parity with the Flagship (Mostly)
Beyond the design, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic also boasts a significant number of features that put it squarely in the premium smartwatch category, often mirroring the capabilities of the more expensive Watch 8 Ultra (2025).
Display: Both the Classic and the standard Watch 8 feature Samsung's brightest displays yet, reaching a staggering 3,000 nits. This ensures exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight.
Performance: All models in the Galaxy Watch 8 series, including the Classic and Ultra, are powered by Samsung's new 3nm Exynos W1000 5-core chipset, promising enhanced performance and battery efficiency.
Storage: The Classic doubles the internal storage of the standard Watch 8, offering 64GB – the same as the Ultra. This is a considerable advantage for storing music, apps, and other data on your wrist.
Health & Fitness: The Classic gets all the cutting-edge health and fitness features introduced in this generation, including:
Google Gemini integration: The Galaxy Watch 8 series are the first smartwatches to come with Google's AI assistant baked in, enabling advanced voice commands and contextual understanding.
New Sleep Features: Bedtime Guidance (for optimal sleep times) and Vascular Load (stress on the heart during sleep).
Antioxidant Index: A novel feature that measures carotenoid levels in your skin, providing insights into dietary health.
Running Coach: AI-powered personalized training plans based on your fitness level.
Dual-frequency GPS: For more precise location tracking during outdoor activities.
All the existing suite of features like ECG, SpO2, body composition analysis, and more.
Durability: It maintains 5ATM water resistance and IP68 dust resistance, along with MIL-STD-810H durability, making it robust enough for most daily activities.
While the Ultra still maintains an edge in extreme ruggedness (10ATM water resistance, military-grade certification for more extreme conditions, and a much larger 590mAh battery for extended endurance), the Classic's feature set is far from basic.
Conclusion: A New Identity for the Classic
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic marks a clear evolution for the series. It's no longer just the "traditional" option with a rotating bezel. Instead, it has absorbed much of the design language and advanced features of the Ultra, making it a powerful and feature-rich smartwatch in its own right.
This move could be seen as Samsung streamlining its lineup, offering a tiered approach where the standard Watch 8 is for the everyday user seeking comfort and core features, the Classic caters to those who want a premium, feature-packed experience with the beloved bezel (and an Ultra-esque design), and the dedicated Ultra remains for extreme adventurers and professionals demanding the absolute best in durability and battery life.
For consumers, the choice becomes clearer: if you want the classic rotating bezel and a high-end experience that feels almost like an Ultra, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is designed for you – just be prepared for a price tag that reflects its newfound premium status.
