
The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic is a refined and powerful smartwatch that brings back some of the most beloved features from earlier models while incorporating fresh upgrades. With a stainless steel build and a bold cushion-like design, it blends elegance and ruggedness in a way that feels substantial on the wrist. The return of the physical rotating bezel sets it apart from many modern smartwatches, offering tactile feedback that improves navigation, especially useful during workouts, outdoor activities, or when wearing gloves.

Its large 46mm case and 1.34-inch Super AMOLED Sapphire display make a strong impression. The screen is incredibly bright, reaching up to 3,000 nits, which ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight. Despite its size and heft, the watch maintains a sleek profile and fits well, thanks to Samsung’s new Dynamic Lug system that improves strap integration and wearability, although it may limit customization with third-party bands. Still there are plenty of designs and options offered by Samsung eStore.

Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is powered by Samsung’s new Exynos W1000 chip built on a 3nm process. The result is noticeably smoother performance and faster app loading, paired with a generous 64GB of internal storage, double that of its standard counterpart. Whether it’s installing apps, downloading music, or storing health data, the extra space is a welcome addition. Basically, it has the same internal as the company’s updated top-tier Galaxy Watch Ultra. Hence, you are not missing a lot when it comes to performance.

Software-wise, the Watch8 Classic runs on Wear OS 6 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 8 interface. It introduces several useful features like the Now Bar widget for quick multitasking and an updated app layout for faster access to your favorites. One of the standout changes is the integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant, which allows for smarter voice interactions directly on the watch, eliminating the need to reach for your phone for basic tasks or queries.

When it comes to health and fitness, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic offers a comprehensive suite of sensors and features. It includes the usual tracking options, heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood pressure, sleep tracking, and body composition analysis, but expands into newer territory with tools like sleep apnea detection (unfortunately, it’s not available for the Malaysia region yet). One of the more unique additions is the Antioxidant Index, which estimates the levels of carotenoids in your skin to offer dietary feedback. While innovative, this feature feels more motivational than medically precise, with readings that can vary and lack detailed guidance on how to improve. That’s what motivates me to eat more vegetables and move my body.

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the upgraded Running Coach feature, which offers over 160 personalized training plans. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, the adaptive feedback and performance tracking help you stay on course with your goals. Every day tracking, steps, calories, heart-rate zones are handled well, and the watch syncs seamlessly with Samsung Health and third-party apps.
Battery life is solid but not groundbreaking. With the always-on display turned off, you can expect up to 40 hours on a single charge, or around 30 hours with it on. In typical daily use, most people will find themselves recharging it every one to two days. While this doesn’t rival some sport-focused wearables with multi-day endurance, it’s a fair tradeoff considering the Watch 8 Classic’s vivid display and advanced capabilities.

One of the few caveats is that some of the watch’s more advanced features, including ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and the Antioxidant Index, are either region-locked or require a Samsung Galaxy phone for full functionality. Users outside the Samsung ecosystem may find the experience slightly limited, particularly when it comes to AI and health integration. In addition to that, one to two days of battery life just doesn’t cut it, especially when charging has to happen either at night or during the day. Worst case, I forget my charging pod at home, and the new Galaxy Watch8 no longer support Wireless Power Sharing.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is priced at RM 1,799 for the Wi-Fi model and RM 2,099 for the LTE variant. Looking at the specs, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic could be considered a “Galaxy Ultra in disguise,” equipped with a built-in 3D Hall sensor. Naturally, some compromises were made to keep the price down, there’s no titanium case, the display is slightly smaller, and the battery is about 25% smaller compared to the Ultra.

Overall, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic stands out as one of the most complete and premium smartwatches available today. It offers a compelling blend of timeless design, robust health features, and cutting-edge AI, wrapped in a package that feels as much like a traditional timepiece as it does a piece of modern tech. It’s ideal for those who value craftsmanship and functionality, though its size and software limitations may not suit everyone. Still, for Samsung users looking for a versatile, stylish, and intelligent smartwatch, this is arguably the best option on the market.
Learn more: Samsung Malaysia