Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic review - Android smartwatch done right

The smartwatch market is more crowded and competitive than ever, but Samsung continues to set itself apart with a diverse lineup. With the new 2025 Galaxy Watch series, featuring the standard Galaxy Watch, the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra, and the refined Galaxy Watch Classic, the choices can be overwhelming. We've had the opportunity to review the high-end model of the Classic, testing it extensively with the new Galaxy Z Fold 7. We believe the Classic stands out as the best investment for most users, and we'll explain why throughout this review.

Price and Availability

The new Galaxy Watch Classic is available in two sizes, with pricing starting at Rs 39,999 for the base model and Rs 42,999 for the higher-end variant. While both models sit at a premium price point, their blend of features and design makes them a compelling value proposition against their siblings.

Design

The Galaxy Watch Classic strikes a perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern technology. It's a genuine blend of an analog watch and a smartwatch, with a look and feel that doesn't scream "tech gadget." This is a huge selling point for both new and veteran smartwatch users. For someone new to smartwatches, it looks and feels like a traditional watch, making the transition to a connected device less intimidating.


Our favorite feature, and what truly makes this watch special, is the rotating bezel. This physical dial provides satisfying tactile feedback that's unique to the Classic, making navigation through apps and notifications intuitive and enjoyable. In our opinion, this design feature gives the Classic a far more premium and appealing aesthetic than the sportier Ultra model. For those already familiar with smartwatches, the rotating dial is a standout feature. In a market dominated by flat, touch-only displays, this physical control re-establishes the Classic as a unique and premium product.

While it is not as rugged as the Galaxy Watch Ultra, the Classic is built for everyday life. It features a durable casing and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning you can wear it without worry during workouts, in the rain, or while washing your hands.

The watch itself has a substantial weight, and while it feels solid and well-built on the wrist, it's worth noting that it might feel too heavy for people with skinnier wrists. Additionally, the large size of the dial, while great for visibility, can make it uncomfortable to wear while sleeping, which is a key consideration for anyone planning to use it for sleep tracking. The straps that come with the watch have a more formal look, but they are incredibly easy to switch out, allowing you to customize the watch for any occasion.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy Watch Classic offers a smooth and seamless experience with Android phones. We found the setup and pairing process to be quick and simple, not just with Samsung's own Galaxy devices, but with other Android smartphones as well. All the core features, from notifications to health data sync, worked flawlessly. It’s worth noting that while pairing with a non-Galaxy Android device is possible, you’ll first have to download a couple of extra supporting apps to reach that point. This can be a bit of a hurdle at the beginning, but once the setup is complete, the experience is worthwhile.

However, it’s important to note that this watch is not compatible with iPhones, a key limitation for users in the Apple ecosystem.

Software

The software experience on the Galaxy Watch Classic is a major highlight. It runs a clean and refined version of Wear OS, which we found to be incredibly smooth and responsive. Navigating through apps and notifications is fluid, and the OS integrates seamlessly not just with Samsung's own devices, but with the wider Android ecosystem. This year's biggest upgrade comes from the integration of powerful AI features. The new Gemini integration on the watch brings a new level of on-device intelligence. You can use it for conversational queries, get contextual suggestions, and perform complex tasks directly from your wrist. This transforms the watch from a simple notification hub into a truly smart assistant that understands your needs on the go.

The Samsung Health and Galaxy Wearable apps on the phone are excellent tools for managing your watch and reviewing your health data. However, for our taste, the user interface feels very animated, which can be a bit distracting compared to the more streamlined design of competing platforms.

Performance

For sports and activity tracking, the Galaxy Watch Classic performs admirably. It handles a wide range of workouts smoothly, and we found that the data it collects, from heart rate to step count, was on par with the Apple Watch Series 10 that we compared it to. The watch also syncs effortlessly with the Health app, making it easy to review your progress and track your fitness goals.

The Galaxy Watch Classic is also a surprisingly capable device for taking calls. The built-in speaker and microphone are clear enough for quick conversations, making it easy to take a call when your phone is out of reach. For those who want to truly cut the cord from their smartphone, the LTE variant of the watch is a game-changer. With this model, you can make and receive calls even when your phone is at home. This also means you'll continue to get notifications, messages, and app updates, whether you're out for a run or just left your phone in another room. Another huge benefit of LTE is the ability to stream music directly to your Bluetooth earbuds, so you can leave your phone behind while you work out or go for a walk.

The Samsung Health and Galaxy Wearable apps on the phone are excellent tools for managing your watch and reviewing your health data. However, for our taste, the user interface feels very animated, which can be a bit distracting compared to the more streamlined design of competing platforms.

However, there are a couple of notable drawbacks. While the battery life is good and will easily last you through a full day of use, the charging time is a significant miss. It takes a full hour to get a complete charge, which feels inefficient, especially when new Apple Watch models sport much faster charging speeds. In a world where every minute counts, this feels like a step behind the competition.

What other aspects of the watch would you like to review next? We could cover the display, battery life in more detail, or the new health sensors.

Verdict

In the end, the Galaxy Watch Classic is the clear winner in Samsung's 2025 lineup. Its design perfectly blends a traditional watch aesthetic with modern technology, making it a truly unique product. The rotating bezel is a standout feature, adding both style and functionality. While it is not ideal for very thin wrists and its charging speed is a drawback, these are minor issues for a device that excels in almost every other area. For a sophisticated, do-it-all smartwatch that you can wear in any professional setting, the Classic is the ultimate choice.