The polls are in, it paints a very clear picture as to how people feel about the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic’s design language.
Last week, we released a poll asking users how they feel about the Galaxy Watch 8 design. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has been leaked in renders, showing off a design similar to what the Galaxy Watch Ultra offered, except this model has a rotating bezel.
While there aren’t renders of the Watch 8 base model, infographics show off the same shape. It can be expected that both watches will come in a “squircle” shape rather than the traditional circular profile we’re used to.
Since then, things have changed a little bit. A listing on eBay showed a real-life image of the proposed Galaxy Watch 8 Classic in a silver color. Those images give a much better idea of what the Watch 8 Classic will look like in real life, and opinions have already been flying around.
As for the poll we launched, the results are based on renders available at the time.
According to those results, a majority 55% of users say they dislike the new design. That was out of a total 2,458 votes from our readers, indicating that most of you really don’t like what Samsung is putting down.
On the other hand, a surprising 31% of users like the design. Whether or not these users would buy the watch is another question, but the number of likes is interesting. Those who didn’t really care numbered around 13%.
In essence, the new design is not popular among those who’ve seen the renders.
Among those who have seen the hands-on photos from the eBay leak, the opponents are very loud. Reddit comments seem to be mostly negative, noting that the watch looks ugly.
9to5Google‘s take:
Coming from someone who really appreciates analog watch design, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the first watch in a long time that I think really emulates the styles of classic designs. The Watch 8 Classic takes on a circular bezel with a cushion back, much like the well-known Seiko Turtle.
Truly, I think the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic looks excellent, and it’s paying homage to modern wrist pieces. That’s something that does not happen in the smartwatch industry often enough, especially with Wear OS devices that perform well. That being said, I understand the distaste for a new design that breaks away.
Still, the Watch 8 Classic, though it takes on a squircle shape on paper, looks mostly round from top down, like an analog diver. I think the renders make the watch look cheap, but the hands-on images we’ve seen – in a singular colorway, by the way – tell a much different story.
Now, as for the Galaxy Watch 8, there are no hands-on images available. That may be an entirely different story.
More on Samsung:
- Samsung wasted no time in poking fun at iOS 26 and Apple’s ‘Liquid Glass’ design
- Samsung’s next Wear OS update might be the last for some Galaxy Watch models
- Latest Galaxy S25 update sets the phone up for One UI 8
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