The buzz around the Galaxy Watch8 series is picking up, and if the leaks are accurate, we won’t have to wait much longer. Samsung is expected to unveil its next-gen smartwatch lineup in early July—likely alongside the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7. While nothing’s been made official just yet, a steady stream of insider reports and leaks has painted a fairly detailed picture of what’s coming. And one of the most talked-about elements? Samsung’s decision to stick with its own Exynos W1000 chip.
Exynos W1000: Not New, But Still Impressive
Now, this isn’t the first time we’re seeing the Exynos W1000—it powered the previous generation too. But honestly, it’s still a standout in the world of smartwatch processors. With a penta-core CPU setup that includes four Cortex-A55 cores (up to 1.5 GHz) and a single Cortex-A78 core (1.6 GHz), it’s quick, reliable, and built for wearable efficiency.
Pair that with a Mali-G68 MP2 GPU and LPDDR5 RAM, and you’ve got a solid foundation. What makes it even more compelling is the chip’s 3nm GAA manufacturing process, which means better power efficiency and cooler operation. For a smartwatch, where battery life and smooth performance are critical, this architecture still makes a lot of sense.
A Familiar Face Returns: Watch8 Classic
Based on recent leaks, Samsung seems ready to bring back the Classic model—a fan favorite for those who prefer a more traditional wrist presence. This time around, both the standard Galaxy Watch8 and the Classic variant are expected to feature a new “squircle” case design. Think rounded square—a shape that echoes the premium aesthetic of the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
The Classic version will reportedly come in a 46mm or 47mm size, sporting a 1.5-inch display. Measurements floating around suggest a size of roughly 46 x 46.5 x 14.2 mm. So it’s not exactly compact, but it should strike a nice balance between style and substance, especially for users who like their smartwatch to feel like a proper watch.
Battery Life, Software, and the Samsung Ecosystem
Under the hood, the Watch8 Classic is said to carry a 450mAh battery. Given the power-efficient nature of the Exynos W1000 and Samsung’s 3nm process, we can reasonably expect good longevity—though actual battery life will, of course, depend on usage.
Software-wise, we’re looking at One UI 8 Watch running on top of Wear OS 6. That means more refined performance, a few new tricks, and likely tighter integration with other Samsung devices—always a plus if you’re already in their ecosystem.
Looking Ahead to July
With a launch window that lines up neatly with Samsung’s upcoming foldables, the Galaxy Watch8 series seems poised for a spotlight moment. If the leaks turn out to be on point, we’re getting a thoughtful update: familiar internals, yes, but with a refreshed design and improved software experience.
Nothing radically new, perhaps—but sometimes refining what already works well is the smarter play. This could be one of those times.