Renders of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic smartwatch have leaked online, confirming Samsung’s assertion that it is going in a new design direction. But is it truly “innovative”?
OnLeaks and SammyGuru have teamed up to post a series of detailed CAD renders for Samsung’s forthcoming smartwatch, which sees the return of the beloved rotating bezel input (hence the ‘Classic’ moniker).
Most notable, however, is the shape of the phone’s base. It takes on a rounded-square (don’t make us say ‘squircle’) form rather than the pure circular shape of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
OnLeaks x SammyGuru
Samsung’s not-so-innovative smartwatch design
You could argue that this is a bold new design for the series, in keeping with Samsung’s assertion that its next-gen wearable would feature “an innovative design”. That’s not quite the case as far as we can see.
Samsung is clearly following the lead of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (pictured below) here, which launched back in July of 2024. The two smartwatches look very similar indeed, except for that more pronounced circular element on the Classic.
We even get the same flourish of orange with the side button. Indeed, the original report speculates that this new Classic model could be a spiritual successor to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, or even a direct follow-up.
Mike Sawh
Other rumoured specs
It has been claimed that the regular Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 will also adopt this new squarer shape, so this may just be the new norm for Samsung’s smartwatch range now, regardless of model.
Other spec rumours concerning the Classic include a 1.5-inch display (still circular), a 450mAh battery, and a solitary 46mm size option.
We’re expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 range announced alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 some time in July.
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