The Galaxy Watch 8 is a smartwatch straight out of the ’70s, and I’m okay with it

By using a squircle-shaped case for all its smartwatches in 2025, Samsung has made a real design statement. It’s almost like it said, hang the consequences, we don’t care if everyone likes it or not, as this is our wearable identity for the coming year.

Brave stuff, and I was quite concerned about it at first, especially on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

It turns out, the Galaxy Watch 8 is actually Samsung’s style winner of the season, and it’s the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that has suffered a few too many blows from the ugly stick.

However, the Galaxy Watch 8 escapes not because of the squircle case, but because of several other key reasons. Let’s get into what it’s like.

Samsung’s gone back in time

If smartwatches were made in the 70s, this is what they’d look like

The 70s were a mad time for watches as brands experimented with design, adopted early digital displays, and quartz came along to upset the entire industry. It was also the time when “cushion” cases became a thing.

A cushion is how the watch industry describes a case that’s not quite a square, and not quite a circle either. A squircle, to you, me, and now, Samsung.

Unfortunately, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic doesn’t quite get the 70s vibe right, but the Galaxy Watch 8 is far more representative of the daring designs from 50 years ago.

This is especially true for the smaller 40mm case (the 44mm alternative is just a bit too big), but what makes it special is the thickness and weight reduction Samsung has managed to engineer in.

It’s a seriously light smartwatch, and at 11% slimmer than the Galaxy Watch 7, it didn’t feel like a burden on my wrist. Samsung says the shape has “enhanced stability,” suggesting it won’t slip around much. We’ll test that out when the Watch 8 arrives for review, but it felt normal when I wore it for a short time.

The slim case and low weight make the cushion case look more sporty, but there’s another reason it works for the Watch 8 and less so for the Watch 8 Classic, and that’s the lack of any lugs.

Samsung has developed a new proprietary “Dynamic Lug” attachment for the Watch 8’s straps, much like it did for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, and they’re integrated into the case rather than attached to more traditional lugs. It’s a neater, sportier solution, and it minimizes the visual impact of the cushion shape.

Familiar technology with a few twists

Get ready to take your watch off more often

The cushion shape works better on the Galaxy Watch 8 than it does on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which means I got it the wrong way round when I voiced my concerns ahead of the announcement.

However, I was still right about it not being the prettiest style for any smartwatch, and I also still think not everyone is going to instantly warm to the unusual shape, even if they do dig the 70s callback.

Perhaps the technology inside will be enough to win you over? The Super AMOLED screen is 50% brighter (peak) than before, there’s the reliable and speedy Exynos W1000 processor inside, L1 and L5 GPS connectivity, and the latest Samsung One UI 8 Watch over Google’s Wear OS 6 software.

The software is a high point, with redesigned notifications and widgets, and it zipped along on the models I tried.

It’s colorful and easy to read, but I was disappointed to find the smartwatch doesn’t seem to have a virtual bezel control (where you run your finger around the edge of the screen to scroll through menus) anymore, unless it’s hidden deep in the settings menu and not activated by default.

One of the new health features is the Antioxidant Index, which is measured by pressing your thumb against the sensor on the back of the smartwatch, which, as you’d expect, requires you to take the Watch 8 off.

It’s good to see new health features being introduced, but this sounds like one that people may forget exists due to the extra, and somewhat unusual, step.

Samsung has added more sleep tracking features, a new Energy Score based on sleep and activity, plus integration with Samsung smart home products to collect environmental data for sleep tracking.

Is the Galaxy Watch 8 the one to pick?

Samsung’s base smartwatch may retain its top status

It was easy to sleep on the base Galaxy Watch, and have your head turned by the Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch Ultra, or even the Galaxy Ring.

This year, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic may turn your head for all the wrong reasons, and the updated Galaxy Watch Ultra is essentially exactly the same as last year’s model apart from a new color, so if it didn’t do it for you then, it’s unlikely to be any different now.

Through the process of elimination, the Galaxy Watch 8 (surprisingly) seems to have taken an early lead. Apart from the rotating bezel, it has all the same features as the Watch 8 Classic.

It comes in two case sizes, a choice of colors, and is the least expensive. It makes the best of the unusual cushion case shape, and if you’re keen to embrace the 70s with your wristwear, it’s probably going to be your top choice.

We’ll know for sure if it’s worth buying when we review it. The Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $350 or £319 for the 40mm model and $380 or £349 for the 44mm version.