Galaxy Watch 8 could bring two notable design changes

Samsung's next Galaxy Watch lineup, the Galaxy Watch 8, could introduce two important changes to both the basic and the Classic variants. According to animation files found inside One UI 8 Watch firmware for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, the two watches will have a ‘squircle' design similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra has a circular display attached to a square chassis, a design that is used by some luxury watch makers and could be seen on both the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. This design makes for a beefy look, as we noted in our Galaxy Watch Ultra review, and is also rather attractive.

It also looks like the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will match the Watch Ultra when it comes to the number of physical keys. A Quick Button will sit between the home/power and back keys on the right side. This will undoubtedly be customizable to launch exercises and other tasks and apps, but unlike the Watch Ultra, the Watch 8 Classic's Quick Button won't have orange accents.

The similarities to the Watch Ultra won't end there: the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will feature a stronger vibration motor and additional vibration patterns, according to code found inside the watch's firmware. Where the Watch 8 Classic will differentiate itself is with a physical rotating bezel — while the images above don't show it, we have it on good authority that the rotating bezel is making a return this year.

The Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will be unveiled alongside Samsung's new foldables in the second half of this year with various new features and improvements.