Honestly, keeping a secret in the tech world feels basically impossible these days. Just when everyone was starting to settle in with their current wearables, a fresh Galaxy Watch 8 series certification leak has bubbled up from regulatory databases, and it’s giving us a pretty clear look at what Samsung is planning for the next generation.
If you were hoping for a massive, world-changing battery revolution, I might have to rain on your parade just a little. But if you’re into refined designs and some very specific health tech, there’s actually a lot to chew on here.
Regulatory filings are usually the most boring documents on earth, but for tech nerds, they’re basically a treasure map. The recent 3C and CMIIT certifications in China, alongside some FCC filings, have essentially confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 8 and a returning Galaxy Watch 8 Classic are deep in the pipeline. We’re looking at model numbers like SM-L3350 and SM-L5050, which follow Samsung’s usual logic for the standard and premium versions.
The "Squircle" is taking over
The biggest takeaway from the design leaks is that Samsung is doubling down on the "squircle" look. You know, that hybrid square-circle shape that made its debut on the Galaxy Watch Ultra? Yeah, it’s spreading.
Sources like Evan Blass and various leaked renders suggest that the standard Galaxy Watch 8 will ditch the perfectly round frame for something a bit more angular. It’s a polarizing move. Some people love the modern, rugged vibe, while others think it looks a bit like a circular screen was forced into a square hole.
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However, there is a silver lining for the purists. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is heavily rumored to keep the physical rotating bezel. If you've ever tried to navigate a tiny screen with sweaty fingers while running, you know why that clicky wheel is basically legendary. It looks like Samsung realized that removing it from the main line was a mistake.
Battery life and charging: The cold hard numbers
Let’s talk about the juice. Certification data from South Korea (SafetyKorea) and TUV Rheinland has leaked the specific battery capacities, and they're... okay.
- 40mm Galaxy Watch 8: Roughly 325mAh.
- 44mm Galaxy Watch 8: 435mAh.
- Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: Around 445mAh.
Compared to the Galaxy Watch 7, we’re talking about a tiny 10mAh bump in some models. It’s not much. But—and this is a big but—the 3nm Exynos W1000 chip is expected to do the heavy lifting for efficiency. Samsung is banking on the software being smarter rather than the battery being physically bigger.
The charging speed also popped up in the FCC documents. It’s still capped at 10W wireless charging. Kinda disappointing? Yeah. In a world where phones charge in 20 minutes, waiting nearly two hours for a watch to hit 100% feels a bit "last decade."
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Health tech: Beyond just counting steps
Samsung is clearly trying to win the health war. The certification leaks hint at a new "BioActive" sensor array that might finally bring non-invasive blood glucose monitoring to the wrist.
Now, don't throw away your finger-prick kit just yet. This tech is notoriously hard to get right. But the filings show new sensor configurations that suggest Samsung is looking at "carotenoid levels" and an "Antioxidant Index." It’s basically a way for the watch to tell you if you’ve been eating enough veggies or if your body is under too much oxidative stress.
It sounds a bit sci-fi, but Samsung has been filing patents for this for years.
Why the 2026 release matters
Wait, didn't the Watch 7 just come out? Well, the tech cycle never stops. The Galaxy Watch 8 series is expected to headline the summer Unpacked event in 2026.
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Based on the pricing trends we’re seeing in the leaks, don't expect these to be cheap. The standard model will likely start around $349, with the Classic pushing closer to $499. That’s a significant chunk of change, but with the return of the stainless steel build and the rotating bezel, Samsung is clearly aiming for the "pro" crowd who skipped the more basic Watch 7.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re currently rocking a Galaxy Watch 6 or 7, here is how you should handle this news:
- Hold off on upgrades: If your heart is set on the rotating bezel, do not buy the current base models. Wait for the Watch 8 Classic release.
- Monitor your battery: If your current watch is dying before dinner, these new leaks suggest the Watch 8 won't "fix" that with a bigger battery, but rather through efficiency. You might want to look at the Watch Ultra 2 if battery is your #1 priority.
- Watch the trade-in values: Samsung usually offers insane trade-in deals during the first two weeks of a launch. If you have an older Watch 4 or 5, keep it in good condition; it could be worth $200+ toward the new 8 series.
The certification leaks are just the start. As we get closer to the middle of 2026, we’ll likely see the actual hardware photos hit the web. For now, the "squircle" era is officially here.