Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 May Bring An Ultra-Inspired Squircle Design

All leaks point to Samsung introducing some big changes to its smartwatches with the upcoming One UI 8 Watch update. Apparently, the company is planning an even bigger upgrade for its next-gen Galaxy Watch lineup, moving all of them to a squircle design similar to last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra.

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The Android Authority team dug through an unreleased One UI 8 Watch firmware for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, revealing a fair bit of details about Samsung’s 2025 smartwatch lineup. All the animation files in the firmware show the “fresh 8” Galaxy Watch 8, “wise 8” Watch 8 Classic, and the “project X2” Galaxy Watch Ultra with a squircle-shaped design. However, all three models will still feature a circular display.

Samsung used this design language only on its Ultra watch in 2024, with the regular Galaxy Watch 7 sticking to a circular body. The change could raise eyebrows and disappoint long-time Galaxy Watch users, as not everyone will like the squircle design.

Graphic files in the leaked firmware indicate the Galaxy Watch 8 will house two physical buttons on the right, much like the Watch 7. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic could gain an extra Quick Button, similar to the one available on the Galaxy Watch Ultra. But unlike the latter, the Classic’s customizable third button will supposedly not feature an orange highlight.

The animation files also show the difference in bezels on the upcoming three Galaxy Watch models.

Galaxy Watch 8 lineup could introduce some big changes

Strings in the leaked indicate Samsung will offer the Galaxy Watch 8 in S and L sizes, though there’s no mention of the chassis size. For the Classic, there’s no mention of another size, but that does not mean Samsung may not offer it in two sizes.

Lastly, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic could pick up another Ultra feature: a stronger vibration motor. Based on the report, it seems Samsung will create a bigger feature gap between the regular Galaxy Watch 8 and its Classic model this year.

If the release timeline of previous Galaxy Watches is anything to go by, the Galaxy Watch 8 and its other siblings should launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 in July.