Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic review: Rotating bezel, Gemini AI and all-new health tracking

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic emerges as Samsung's boldest smartwatch in recent years, drawing design inspiration from the Ultra model while retaining the much-loved rotating bezel. With the introduction of Gemini, Google's AI assistant, and new health tracking features, the Classic positions itself as a formidable contender in the smartwatch market, though its pricing raises some eyebrows. After testing the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic for nearly three weeks, including workouts, sleep tracking, and daily notifications, it’s clear where Samsung excels and where it falls short. **Design and Display: A Modern Timelessness** At first glance, the Watch 8 Classic is easily mistaken for the Ultra due to its squared cushion frame and robust stainless steel body. My white model garnered attention, with many recognizing it as “the Samsung watch with the spinning ring.” The rotating bezel remains a standout feature, providing a tactile way to navigate menus without smudging the display. However, this design does come with its drawbacks; the watch is quite large at 46mm and weighs 64 grams, which may not suit those with slimmer wrists. The screen size has been reduced to 1.34 inches from the previous 1.5 inches, which, despite achieving a peak brightness of 3000 nits, feels cramped within the bulky frame. The new Dynamic Lug strap system improves the fit, enhancing sensor accuracy, and while the bundled Hybrid Band was comfortable for everyday wear, Samsung’s extensive strap options are a definite plus. **Software and Performance: AI at Your Fingertips** The Watch 8 Classic is the first Samsung device to come with Google’s Gemini integrated. While still in its early stages, Gemini proves to be genuinely beneficial, allowing users to set reminders, check weather updates, and get task summaries without reaching for their phones. Occasionally, it would interrupt if I paused mid-sentence, but when it worked smoothly, it offered a glimpse into the potential future of smartwatches. Powered by the new Exynos W1000 chip, the device runs One UI 8 atop Wear OS 6, boasting 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage for a swift experience. Features like the Now Bar, which displays running tasks at a glance, and multi-info tiles enhance usability, particularly when paired with the rotating bezel. However, many health features, such as the antioxidant index and certain coaching tools, are exclusive to Samsung phones, creating a sense that the best functionalities are reserved for its ecosystem. **Health Tracking: Comprehensive Metrics** Equipped with an array of sensors, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic tracks heart rate, SpO2, ECG, and more. The addition of the antioxidant index, which evaluates carotenoid levels in your skin, offers a unique take on diet and health, though its usefulness will vary by individual. Another innovative feature, vascular load, assesses the stress on your vascular system during sleep and correlates it with lifestyle data. With accurate sleep and step tracking, the watch delivers reliable health insights. The Running Coach function provides mid-run prompts for pace adjustments, marking an improvement over static coaching methods. **Battery Life: Good, but Room for Improvement** The 445mAh battery shows a slight increase from the previous model, with Samsung claiming it can last up to 30 hours with the always-on display or 40 hours without it. In practical use, I achieved around 40 hours with the always-on display turned off, while keeping it enabled brought me closer to 32 hours. While this is acceptable, it's not exceptional, especially at this price point. Charging speed, at 90 minutes for a full charge via 10W wireless charging, falls behind competitors that offer faster recharging. **Conclusion: A Premium Offering with Caveats** The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is undoubtedly enjoyable to use, with its rotating bezel, Gemini integration, and extensive health tracking features positioning it as a leading smartwatch. However, at a price of Rs. 46,999 for the Bluetooth version and Rs. 50,999 for LTE, it faces stiff competition from the regular Galaxy Watch 8, which provides similar features at a lower cost, and the Ultra 2, which offers a larger display and better battery life for a slightly higher price. In summary, the Classic is a worthy choice for those who appreciate the rotating bezel and want the latest health functionalities, though its bulky design and price may deter some buyers. It serves as a testament that traditional design and cutting-edge technology can harmoniously coexist on your wrist.