Galaxy Watch 8 series: In summary
- Samsung’s 2025 flagship series of smartwatches
- Likely to launch at Unpacked, tipped for 9 July
- Two models are expected, a regular and the return of the Classic
- ‘Squircle’ design will mimic the original Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is one of the best smartwatches and best Wear OS watches you can buy, and it seems that successors are on the way very soon in the form of the Galaxy Watch 8 series.
Samsung didn’t change a whole lot with the Watch 7, though it had some welcome improvements, but things appear to be getting more of a shake-up for 2025.
This is especially true of the design, which is taking on the ‘squircle’ design introduced with the original Galaxy Watch Ultra. The reintroduction of a Classic model will be the most Ultra-like of the two models if leaked renders are correct.
There’s lot to unpack (pun unintended) here so this article will get you up to speed on everything Galaxy Watch 8, including the release date, price and specs. We’ve rounded up and distilled the rumours from across the web and added our expert analysis and opinion.
Galaxy Watch 8 latest rumour
The Galaxy Watch 8 series smartwatches look set to get an Ultra-style design with a more square shape, and Samsung may charge a subscription fee for certain features similar to Fitbit Premium.
When will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 be released?
In summary
- 9 July seems the likely launch date
- A reliable leaker says this is when the next Samsung Unpacked event will take place
- Rumoured to take place in New York and should also see the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
There isn’t an official launch date for the Galaxy Watch 8 yet, but we’re expecting Samsung to confirm the next Unpacked event very soon.
It is very likely to take place on 9 July, though. This comes via long-time reliable leaker Evan Blass, who says it will start at 10am EDT, or 3pm BST UK time.
That eastern time zone hints at the rumoured New York location.
In terms of the release date, we expect Samsung will put the smartwatches up for pre-order straight away before putting them on sale around two weeks after Unpacked, making 23 July our bet.
The launch event is also likely to see the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (or Ultra 2025), as well as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 and more.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 cost?
In summary
- Pricing shouldn’t be too different from the Galaxy Watch 7, around £300/$300
- The Classic model will fetch a higher price
Pricing leaks are less common than release dates, design and specs, so we’re looking at previous strategies to get an idea of how much the Galaxy Watch 8 will cost.
The Galaxy Watch 7 costs exactly the same as the Galaxy Watch 6, with pricing ranging from £289/$299 to £319/$329 for the larger 44mm variant of the Watch 7. Adding LTE connectivity into the mix put an extra £50/$50 onto the price.
In smartwatch terms, the Watch 7 launch pricing was very competitive, making it one of the best-value smartwatches in that high-end smartwatch category. In Wear OS smartwatch terms, it was cheaper than the Pixel Watch 3 and Mobvoi’s TicWatch Pro 5, which has, in fairness, dropped in price since its launch.
Tech Advisor anticipates Samsung won’t deviate too much from that pricing approach, though it may be guided by what it chooses to offer on the Galaxy Watch 8, which we’ll get into next.
If the Galaxy Watch 6 series is anything to go by (the last range with a Classic model), the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will cost around £80/$100 more than the regular.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 have?
In summary
- The Classic model will return for the first time in two years
- Design heavily influenced by the Galaxy Watch Ultra, especially the Classic
- New health features including Antioxidant Index but Samsung could charge a subscription fee
The Classic is back
When Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung decided not to offer a Classic version and leave out a more bezel-dominating model for those who aren’t fans of the more streamlined, minimalist look of the standard Galaxy Watch.
However, it’s almost certain that this model will return for the Galaxy Watch 8 Series. There are plenty of rumours and mentions of the device in various certifications. And more recently, leaked images.
Sources: Smartprix
Design
After the Galaxy Watch 7 stuck with a really similar design to its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 8 series will introduce quite an overhaul in this department.
Both will sport ‘squircle’ designs inspired by the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, featuring a square body with rounded corners. The image below from Evan Blass gives a pretty good idea of what the regular model will look like.
Evan Blass
It’s got two buttons on the right, like normal, but a very different body. Not just the shape but also how the strap attaches (which still appears to have the cotton accoutrements like the Watch 7). Here it appears to be in a silver aluminium colour but we’re sure others will be available.
Moving onto the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and it’s got a rotating bezel as nature intended. In fact, it looks remarkably like the Galaxy Watch Ultra with a few tweaks.
Evan Blass
Namely, it has metal lugs where the strap attaches and a more formal look in this particular black and silver colourway, but still with set of orange hands for a splash of colour. So, less sporty and more stylish overall.
Sources: Evan Blass
Impressive blood pressure monitoring
Samsung was one of the first to introduce blood pressure monitoring capabilities to its smartwatches, letting you take blood pressure readings directly from the watch (once calibrated by a traditional monitor). A patent filed by Samsung suggests Samsung is looking to enhance those blood pressure monitoring powers.
The filing outlines using a more advanced blood pressure setup that will be able to continuously monitor blood pressure and detect when you’ve been drinking alcohol, exercising or holding your breath. This could help to determine the impact of those activities and others on changes in your blood pressure.
