Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Rumors and Confirmations Explained

Smartwatches have become essential health companions in our daily lives, but battery life remains a common frustration. The good news is that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is set to address this, with a boosted 435mAh battery, promising to ease users’ battery anxiety. Classic features like the rotating bezel are making a comeback, along with new additions such as antioxidant index monitoring and the upgraded One UI 8 Watch system.

Renderings of the three models - standard, Classic, and Ultra 2025 - have already been leaked, sparking heated discussions about their design. With flagship-level upgrades, the Galaxy Watch 8 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated smartwatches of the year. In this article, we’ll dive into its release timeline, key features, health tracking upgrades, and more.

Also Read Other Samsung Galaxy Watch Review and Comparison Articles Below:

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Release Date

According to multiple sources, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series is expected to launch on July 9, 2025, during Samsung’s summer Galaxy Unpacked event in New York. Alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 lineup, the event is also rumored to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. While not officially confirmed, reports suggest the series will include the standard Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and a possible updated Watch Ultra.

Based on Samsung’s usual release schedule, the new watches are likely to go on sale within one to two weeks after the announcement, with pre-orders potentially opening the same day. Initial availability is expected in key markets such as South Korea, the U.S., Europe, and parts of Asia. If the rumors hold true, the Galaxy Watch 8 could be one of the most anticipated wearable releases of the summer.

Refreshed Design, Classic Elements - Galaxy Watch 8 Series Gets a Bold Makeover

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series brings a striking new design shift with its unified “squircle” aesthetic - blending a round display within a square-ish, curved-edge case. This marks a departure from Samsung’s traditional round smartwatch look, offering a more ergonomic fit and instantly recognizable style. First introduced with the Watch Ultra, this unique design language now expands across the entire Galaxy Watch 8 lineup.

The standard Galaxy Watch 8 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with a clean, minimalist design aimed at everyday wear. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic revives the fan-favorite rotating bezel, enhancing it with improved tactile precision and a newly added orange Quick Button for customizable, one-touch access to key functions. Its bold 47mm size and retro-mechanical vibe make it a nostalgic yet modern option for longtime Galaxy Watch users.

Rumored updates to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 focus on rugged durability and flagship appeal, with a new Deep Sea Blue colorway, titanium casing, and a matching marine strap - offering both style and extreme performance.

Overall, the Galaxy Watch 8 series strikes a thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation. By merging visual freshness with signature features, Samsung delivers a smartwatch experience that’s not just recognizable - but also more refined and wearable. As a longtime user myself, I’m genuinely excited to see how this new “squircle” design improves comfort and daily interaction.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Performance Upgrades and Advanced Health Monitoring

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series not only improves battery life and design but shines most with its performance enhancements and upgraded health monitoring features. Equipped with an upgraded BioActive sensor array - expanding from 4 to 13 LEDs - the watch significantly improves blood oxygen accuracy (reducing margin of error to ±1.5%) and introduces a groundbreaking antioxidant index. This new feature measures β-carotene levels in the skin, helping users scientifically track their antioxidant status and receive tailored dietary recommendations.

In addition, the Galaxy Watch 8 enhances sleep tracking and sports recognition capabilities, supporting automatic triathlon mode detection and boasting improved dual-frequency GPS accuracy down to 1.5 meters, ensuring more precise activity data. The ECG function continues to offer atrial fibrillation warnings and holds FDA medical device certification, providing reliable and authoritative health insights.

Powered by the new One UI 8 Watch system, it introduces the “Now Bar” quick access feature and “Now Brief” daily summary, allowing users to easily check health stats, control music, and stay updated with daily essentials - boosting the overall usability and convenience of the smartwatch.

As a longtime Galaxy Watch 7 user, I personally appreciate how these health monitoring upgrades improve daily life - especially the more accurate sleep data and antioxidant index - which make the smartwatch not just a fitness companion but a true personal health assistant.

If you’re considering upgrading your smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 8’s comprehensive improvements in performance and health management definitely make it a standout choice.

Battery Life Uncertain as Charging Slows Down

While the Galaxy Watch 8 series brings clear improvements in design and functionality, battery performance remains a major question mark. Leaks suggest that charging power has been reduced from 15W to 10W, possibly to improve wireless charging compatibility or extend battery lifespan. However, this change has raised concerns among users about slower charging times and real-world endurance.

That said, there’s a silver lining - the battery capacity has been slightly increased by 10mAh. Though this may seem minor, when combined with Samsung’s latest power optimization technologies, it could lead to noticeably longer battery life. One standout feature is the new “Battery Protection” mode, which automatically stops charging at 85% to reduce battery wear over time. As someone who had to replace a smartwatch after just a year due to battery degradation, this thoughtful addition is a welcome change.

From personal experience, my 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 typically lasted about 24 hours on a full charge - better than the Apple Watch Series 10, but far behind the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s impressive 4-day battery life in low power mode. Whether the Galaxy Watch 8 delivers real improvements in daily battery performance remains to be seen through hands-on testing.

Galaxy Watch 8 Price Hike - Is the Upgrade Worth It?

The entire Galaxy Watch 8 lineup is expected to see a price increase. The standard Bluetooth versions - 40mm and 44mm - are projected to start at around $349 and $379 respectively, roughly $50 more than their predecessors. The Classic model may start at $499, while the high-end Ultra 2025 edition is likely to retain its $649 premium price tag.

In Europe, the 40mm model is expected to cost about 349, and the 44mm version around 399 - an increase of approximately 40–50 compared to the previous generation. The Classic edition could see a price jump from the Watch 6 Classic’s 419 (47mm LTE) to at least 469, with higher-end configurations possibly reaching 499–549. For the U.S. market, the LTE large-size version may fall within the $499–$549 range.

As a Galaxy Watch 6 user, I’ve found the previous generation excellent in terms of system fluidity and health tracking, but it lacked major innovation and had limited battery improvements. If the Watch 8 delivers on rumored features like blood glucose monitoring, software upgrades, and enhanced durability, the price hike could be justified. However, for those on a tighter budget, the Watch 6 Classic still offers great value.

Summary - The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Series Remains Worth the Hype

Based on the information revealed so far, the Galaxy Watch 8 series brings improvements in design, system interaction, and health features. The introduction of the One UI 8 Watch system offers a more intuitive and convenient user experience. However, battery life still needs to be tested in real-world use, which remains one of the key concerns for users. For those using the Galaxy Watch 6 or earlier models, this generation is definitely worth considering an upgrade; Watch 7 users might want to wait and see if the actual experience offers significant improvements. You can also check the article of Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs 7.

With the launch event still some time away, more details will be unveiled soon. If you value daily smart watch experience, it’s best to try the device in person once available - after all, the best watch is the one that suits you. At this point, while the Galaxy Watch 8 series may not bring revolutionary hardware breakthroughs, its meticulous refinement and focus on user experience make it truly worth anticipating and recognizing.