If you’ve been considering strapping a new smartwatch to your wrist, Samsung’s 2025 Galaxy Watch lineup offers more choice than ever. Whether you’re after sleek daily convenience, a touch of classic style, or rugged outdoor performance, there’s a model here designed to fit your lifestyle. The question is, which one deserves that prized spot on your arm? Let’s take a look at the Galaxy Watch8, Watch8 Classic, and the new Watch Ultra to help you decide.

Galaxy Watch8 – The Everyday Essential

An Editor’s Choice pick by PCMag’s smart watch expert Andrew Gebhard, The Galaxy Watch8 is the baseline in name only. With a refined design, bright display, and a host of smart features, it’s the go-to choice for most users. Samsung has trimmed the bezels, improved the AMOLED brightness, and kept the lightweight aluminium body comfortable enough to wear all day.

Health tracking remains a major focus. The Watch8 offers advanced heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis1, and body composition readings2, while the new temperature sensor opens up more detailed wellness insights. Fitness tracking is accurate and responsive, and with Samsung’s continued integration with Google’s Wear OS, you get access to apps, notifications, and music playback with ease.

Battery life3 stretches beyond a full day depending on usage, and charging is faster than before. It also introduces smarter AI-assisted coaching and health summaries, which use on-device processing to suggest recovery plans or exercise tweaks. In other words, it’s the ideal blend of practicality and polish, available now via Samsung Australia.

Galaxy Watch8 Classic – Style Meets Substance

If you prefer your smartwatch with a more traditional aesthetic, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic is the model that marries modern tech with timeless design. The stainless steel case and signature rotating bezel return, making it feel more like a premium timepiece than a tech gadget. PCMag’s Andrew Gebhard’s awarded this watch with four stars, read his review here.

Beyond looks, the Classic delivers the same health and fitness smarts as the standard Watch8 but adds a little more gravitas to the experience. The rotating bezel isn’t just nostalgic; it’s also one of the best ways to navigate through apps and menus without smudging the screen. The slightly larger display gives you more room for widgets, and it remains just as responsive as its slimmer sibling.

Performance-wise, it shares the same improved chipset and software optimisations, which means everything runs smoothly whether you’re swiping through messages or launching Google Maps. While the stainless steel construction adds a touch of weight, it also lends durability and elegance. If your idea of a smartwatch includes sophistication and a dash of nostalgia, the Watch8 Classic is worth considering. See it at Samsung Australia.

Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) – Adventure Time

The new Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) is Samsung’s most durable and capable watch to date. It’s built for people who think of exercise as a lifestyle rather than a habit. Constructed with a titanium frame4, sapphire crystal display, and impressive 10ATM water resistance5, it’s ready for everything from deep-water swims to dusty hiking trails.

The Ultra takes all of Samsung’s health and fitness tracking to the next level. It includes advanced metrics for endurance training, real-time performance insights, and expanded GPS accuracy for outdoor adventures. You’ll also find improved battery longevity with an enhanced power-saving mode, letting you stay off the charger for days at a time.

Despite its toughness, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort or connectivity. LTE options mean you can leave your phone behind on a run, and the vibrant display ensures readability in bright sunlight. For those who want the best of Samsung’s innovation in a watch that can handle almost anything, the Watch Ultra sits at the top of the range, available via Samsung Australia.

Choosing the Right Watch for You

If you want something light, reliable, and feature-packed, the Galaxy Watch8 should cover everything you need. Basically, it’s a well-rounded device that nails the essentials without overcomplicating the experience.

The Watch8 Classic, on the other hand (or possibly wrist), appeals to users who appreciate tactile control and timeless style. It’s perfect for professionals or anyone who wants smartwatch brains inside a svelte, traditional body.

Finally, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is made for adventurers and endurance athletes. Its rugged build, extended battery, and pro-grade tracking tools make it the no-nonsense powerhouse of the lineup.

Honestly, though, whichever you choose, Samsung’s ecosystem and ongoing updates mean you’ll be well supported for years to come. And with each watch now boasting tighter integration with AI-driven health insights and Google services, the Galaxy Watch family continues to bridge the gap between fitness companion and smart assistant.

Disclaimers:

Fees may apply to certain AI features at the end of 2025. Certain Galaxy AI features require Samsung and Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features. For more information, see each product page: Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025).

Google Gemini requires a network connection and is provided by Google. Gemini is a trademark of Google LLC.

Circle to Search requires internet connection. May not work on all visual or audio elements. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

1 Intended for fitness and wellness purposes only. Should not be used if you have an implanted pacemaker or other implanted medical devices. Not advised for use by those under 20 years old or pregnant women due to reduced accuracy. Please consult a medical professional for advice.

2 Available on Samsung Health app v.6.24 or above and must be paired with Samsung Galaxy smartphones with Android OS 11 and above. Samsung account login required. Requires sleep data of at least 7 days (including 1 workday and 1 day off). Sleep Coaching feature does not act as a medical/therapeutic device. It is solely intended for fitness and wellness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions; or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. Samsung recommends that you consult with your doctor or physician before participating in any exercise program.

3 Typical capacity is 590 mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

4 Grade 4 titanium is partially applied to the front and back cover areas of the metal frame, excluding the display and physical buttons. The remaining parts of the frame are a mix of plastic and Grade 2 titanium.

5 Galaxy Watch Ultra is dust and water resistant with an IP68 rating when tested under lab test conditions by a third party.