Same watch inside
Samsung Galaxy Watch8
- Thin and light
- Rich health data
Cheaper alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic
Three cheaper watches. You lose the rotating bezel and the dressy steel case.
Updated 13 November 2026
Google's alternative
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Very bright domed screen
- Dual-frequency GPS
Battery for days
Garmin vívoactive 6
- Around 11 days
- Works with iPhone
The original
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic
Worth it if: You love a bezel to scroll
- Physical rotating bezel
- Dressy, classic look
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Watch8 Classic?
What the extra money buys
- Physical rotating bezel
- Dressy, classic look
- Samsung's health tools
Worth it if
- You love a bezel to scroll
- You wear it with a suit
Not worth it if
- You want multi-day battery
- You use an iPhone
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8
TechRadar called it a triumph and later its best smartwatch of 2025. Les Numériques liked the thin, light case and health data but found battery under two days. It suits Samsung owners happy to swap the bezel for touch.
Google Pixel Watch 4
TechRadar praised the redesign as a strong Android companion. Les Numériques got about two and a half days and reliable heart rate, with some lag and weak GNSS in town. It suits Android users who don't own a Samsung phone.
Garmin vívoactive 6
Its big draw here is battery: Garmin quotes around 11 days, several times the Classic's. TechRadar liked how much fitness it packs into a light body. It suits people who want to charge weekly and care more about training than apps.
Final recommendation: The Galaxy Watch8 is the same smartwatch without the bezel. The Pixel Watch 4 suits non-Samsung Android phones, and the vívoactive 6 wins on battery. Keep the Watch8 Classic if the rotating bezel and dressy look are why you want it.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Premium | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable |
| Battery (claimed) | Up to 40 hours with AOD off | Up to 40 hours with AOD off | Up to 30 hours AOD on | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode) |
| GPS | Yes (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo) | Yes (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo) | Yes (dual-frequency: GPS, Galileo, GLONASS) | Built-in, up to 21 hours (GPS-only) |
| Screen | Super AMOLED 1.3in 438x438, rotating bezel | Super AMOLED, 1.3in 438x438 (40mm) or 1.5in 480x480 (44mm) | Actua 360 domed AMOLED LTPO, 320ppi, up to 3000 nits | AMOLED, 1.2-inch |
| Maps | – | – | – | No |
| Water resistance | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H | 5 ATM + IP68 | – |
| Works with | Android | Android | Android | iPhone and Android |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
What does the Watch8 Classic add over the Watch8?
A physical rotating bezel and a dressier case. The health features are the same.
Does the Galaxy Watch8 Classic work with iPhone?
No, it needs an Android phone. The vívoactive 6 works with both.
Which Watch8 Classic alternative lasts longest?
The vívoactive 6 by a wide margin; Garmin's figure is around 11 days per charge.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic specs, TechRadar: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic review: A Galaxy Watch Ultra that’s dressed to impress, Les Numériques: Test Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic : le design au service du confort, Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 specs, TechRadar: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 review: A triumph, Les Numériques: Test Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 : le juste équilibre entre design, sport et santé, Google: Google Pixel Watch 4 specs, TechRadar: Google Pixel Watch 4 review: Big design changes make for a great smart companion, Les Numériques: Test Google Pixel Watch 4 : la montre gagne en autonomie et en IA, Garmin: Garmin vívoactive 6 specs, TechRadar: Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: A feature-stuffed pocket rocket, Android Central: Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: For the casual fitness-goer, Les Numériques: Test Garmin Vivoactive 6 : une montre connectée élégante et compétitive.