Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Review: Stuck in the Middle

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a highly anticipated smartwatch that brings back the beloved physical rotating bezel. This new offering from Samsung boasts plenty of software upgrades over its predecessor, the Watch 6 Classic, making it a solid performer in the Wear OS market. However, there are some divisive design choices and a few issues that prevent it from standing out among other smartwatches.

Design & Build:
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a new ‘cushion’ design, a physical rotating bezel, and new strap lug connectors. The combination of these elements gives the watch a unique look, but some users may find the design to be a bit awkward. The watch is slightly heavier than its predecessor, the Watch 6 Classic, due to its stainless steel construction. The addition of a Quick Button for quick access to features is a nice touch, but the new lug system for the strap may be a bit tricky to use.

Screen & Audio:
The 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display on the Watch 8 Classic is bright and vibrant, with a maximum brightness of up to 3000 nits. The display is responsive and offers features like an always-on display mode and wake-up gestures. The onboard microphone and speaker provide decent performance for calls and audio playback.

Software & Features:
The Watch 8 Classic runs on Wear OS 6.0 and features Samsung’s One UI 8 Watch interface. The software enhancements include the ability to view similar Tiles on a single screen, a Now bar for quick access to apps, and the introduction of Google Gemini AI. Gemini is a smart assistant that offers more advanced capabilities than previous assistants. However, users will need to use three different apps on their phone to access all of the watch’s features.

Fitness & Health Tracking:
The Watch 8 Classic offers a range of fitness and health tracking features, including automatic workout tracking, sleep tracking, and personalized running coaching. The watch also includes features like an Antioxidant Index, sleep apnea detection, and a vascular load metric. However, some of these features are still in the experimental stage and may not be entirely reliable.

Battery Life & Charging:
The Watch 8 Classic offers up to 40 hours of battery life with the raise-to-wake mode and up to 30 hours with the screen always on. The watch includes power-saving modes to extend battery life further. However, the battery life is not the best compared to other smartwatches in its price range.

Price & Availability:
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is priced starting at £449/$499 for the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi version and £499/$549 for the LTE version. The watch is available for purchase from Samsung, Amazon, and other retailers. Compared to other smartwatches in its class, the Watch 8 Classic falls in the mid-range price range.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic?
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic offers some significant improvements over its predecessor but falls short in some areas. The design may not appeal to everyone, and the battery life and certain features are not as impressive as expected. While the watch showcases the latest Wear OS and Gemini AI, there are better options available in the market at similar or lower price points. Consider opting for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or exploring alternatives like the OnePlus Watch 3 for better battery life.

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a solid smartwatch with some standout features, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. Consider your priorities and needs before making a decision on purchasing this smartwatch.