Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic moniker spotted online, could mark return of the rotating bezel

Samsung seems to be working on bringing back the ‘Classic’ smartwatch with a rotating bezel as the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic name has been listed in a certification listing. The Galaxy Watch 7 series was released last year, alongside a new offering called the Galaxy Watch Ultra. This generation did not have a Classic model, unlike the one before it, and none of the models had a rotating bezel. 

Xpertpick has spotted a familiar product model number, SM-L505U, in a Bluetooth SIG listing but this time, it has a name attached to it, “Galaxy Watch8 Classic.” While there is no more information about the device, the Classic moniker suggests Samsung could be bringing back the rotating bezel that was absent from the current 7th generation lineup. The rotating bezel is another way of navigating the UI besides the touchscreen.

The same model number first appeared in 2024 in the GSMA database but without any information on the name or the features.

Samsung first introduced the rotating bezel with the Samsung Gear S2 in 2015 which was then designated to the Classic lineup. Up till 2021, the Classic smartwatches from Samsung featured the rotating bezel, however, the 2022 Galaxy Watch 5 series did not have any of those. Then, in 2023, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic brought it back. Last year’s Galaxy Watch 7 series left it out again, but introduced a new Ultra model with a more square-ish bezel. 

It should be noted that Samsung has not shared any information on the next generation of smartwatches. The company is expected to host its Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in July, which is when the new smartwatch series and foldable phones are expected.