Samsung seems to be gearing up for a major smartwatch refresh this July, with three new models reportedly on the way: the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025. All signs point to a fresh design language that builds on what we first saw with last year’s Ultra variant — the distinctive squircle design.
Squircle Design Now Standard Across the Galaxy Watch 8 Lineup
One of the most noticeable changes coming with this year’s Galaxy Watch 8 series is the squircle shape. Originally introduced with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, this design blends the circular and square form into a soft “cushion” shape. While it was initially tailored for rugged environments like hiking and intense outdoor use, Samsung seems to be extending this form factor across the board — even to the standard Galaxy Watch 8, which isn’t exactly an outdoor-first device.
That said, if you’re eyeing the base Galaxy Watch 8, don’t expect a dramatic design overhaul. The squircle look is expected to be more muted there compared to the more premium Classic and Ultra variants.
Galaxy Watch 8 Expected in Multiple Sizes
In terms of sizing, not much appears to be changing. Just like previous models, the Galaxy Watch 8 is expected to come in two sizes. The Galaxy Watch 7, for instance, was available in 40mm and 44mm versions, and it looks like Samsung plans to stick with that format this time as well.
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Leaks Ahead of Launch
Interestingly, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has already made an early appearance. It popped up on eBay recently, and from what we can tell, it looks pretty much identical to earlier leaked renders. This sighting backs up what was previously uncovered in an APK teardown — all three models are accounted for, and the designs aren’t holding many surprises anymore.
A Splash of Blue for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025
Now, about the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 — while its overall design isn’t expected to see major changes, there is one eye-catching update. Samsung is introducing a new blue bezel paired with a matching blue Marine strap. It’s a striking shift from last year’s Orange and Dark Gray options and might very well become the headline color of this year’s Ultra edition.
In fact, it looks like Samsung is leaning heavily into blue for 2025. The same color theme has already started surfacing in other products, starting with the Galaxy S25 series.
When Will We See the Galaxy Watch 8?
Looking ahead, Samsung is likely to host its next big Unpacked event in July 2025, where these three new watches are expected to make their official debut. If history is any guide, here’s a quick look at when past Galaxy Watch launches took place:
| Device | Launch Event Date |
|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 7 Series | July 10, 2024 |
| Galaxy Watch 6 Series | August 11, 2023 |
| Galaxy Watch 5 Series | August 10, 2022 |
Last year, Samsung moved things up by nearly a month, and it seems likely they’ll stick to that earlier timeline again this year. While the Galaxy S25 showed up a bit later than expected, Samsung generally avoids pushing launch dates back.
Following the Unpacked event, pre-orders typically open the same day, with the official release arriving around 10 to 14 days later — usually landing on a Thursday or Friday. Unlike Apple’s tightly scheduled iPhone launches, Samsung tends to be a bit more flexible, but that two-week post-event window has been pretty consistent.
Source: AndroidHeadlines
