Galaxy Watch 8 vs Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
The standard Galaxy Watch 8 and premium Galaxy Watch 8 Classic share the same processor and health sensors but differ in design, materials, navigation, and storage. Here's what sets them apart.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Galaxy Watch 8 | Galaxy Watch 8 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Case Material | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
| Sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 46mm only |
| Rotating Bezel | ❌ Digital/touch | ✅ Physical |
| Storage | 32GB | 64GB |
| Display Protection | Sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Bluetooth Price | $349.99 / $379.99 | $499.99 |
| LTE Price | $399.99 / $429.99 | $549.99 |
What's the Same
Both models share core technology and health features.
- Processor:
Exynos W1000(3nm) - RAM: 2GB LPDDR5
- Operating System:
Wear OS 6withOne UI 8 Watch - Health Sensors: Identical BioActive sensor suite
- Health Features: Antioxidant Index, ECG, blood pressure, body composition, sleep apnea detection
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi, NFC, optional LTE
- Water Resistance: 5ATM + IP68
Design Differences
The models take different design approaches.
-
Galaxy Watch 8: Modern "cushion" squircle design with aluminum construction. Lightweight and contemporary styling for tech-forward users.
-
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: Traditional circular watch design with stainless steel construction. Features 60-second scale markings and classic watch aesthetics.
Navigation Experience
The biggest functional difference is how you navigate.
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Galaxy Watch 8: Touch-based navigation with edge scrolling and crown button rotation. Smartphone-like interaction.
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Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: Physical rotating bezel with tactile clicks. Precise scrolling without touching the screen. Works better with gloves.
Storage Capacity
The Classic doubles the storage.
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Galaxy Watch 8: 32GB internal storage. Sufficient for most users with typical app and music needs.
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Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: 64GB internal storage. Better for extensive music libraries, offline maps, and many apps.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Galaxy Watch 8 if:
- You prefer modern, lightweight design
- Touch navigation is fine for you
- 32GB storage meets your needs
- Budget is a consideration ($349-$429)
Choose Galaxy Watch 8 Classic if:
- You want premium stainless steel construction
- You prefer physical rotating bezel navigation
- You need 64GB storage for apps and media
- You work in business/professional environments
- Budget isn't the primary concern ($499-$549)
Health Features Are Identical
Don't choose Classic thinking it has better health sensors. Both models have the exact same health monitoring capabilities including Antioxidant Index and all other features.
See Also: Galaxy Watch 8 Specifications|Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Specifications|Galaxy Watch 8 Price Guide