Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra wins 3 of the 7 categories we compared, against 1 for Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (3 tied) — including battery life (3.3 days vs 40 hours).
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: our verdict
Go with Galaxy Watch 8 Classic if you want the best performance and more storage without paying a premium. If battery life, a tougher build, or a bigger, sharper screen are your top priorities, this isn’t the one to pick. You will be charging it more often.
Choose Galaxy Watch Ultra if what you want is a bigger, sharper display, a lighter titanium build, and longer battery life in a rugged package. Pass on it if value matters more than those upgrades. You’re paying $150 more and getting less storage for apps and music.
Summarised from our video comparison of these two wearables.
Watch the video comparison
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Battery & Charging
| Spec |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 40 hours | 3.3 days |
| Charging time | 67 min | 120 min |
| Charging | Fast wireless charging | WPC-based wireless charging |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Display
| Spec |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 1.34 in | 1.5 in |
| Peak brightness | 3000 nits | 3000 nits |
| Display type | Super AMOLED, full-colour Always On Display | Super AMOLED, full-colour Always On Display |
| Resolution | 438 x 438 | 480 x 480 |
| Screen protection | Sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Health Sensors
| Spec |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Blood pressure alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Breathing rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: GPS & Navigation
| Spec |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | 4 | 4 |
| Offline maps | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Smart Features
| Spec |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Calls from the wrist | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular (LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Software | Wear OS 6 Powered by Samsung; One UI 8 Watch | Wear OS 5 Powered by Samsung; One UI 6 Watch |
| Works with | Android only | Android only |
| Voice assistant | Google Gemini / Bixby | Google Assistant / Bixby |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Design & Durability
| Spec |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 63.5 g | 60.5 g |
| Thickness | 10.6 mm | 12.1 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 100 m |
| Military-grade toughness | Yes | Yes |
| Case size | 46.4 mm | 47.4 mm |
| Material | Stainless steel | Titanium |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Price & Colors
| Spec |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
|
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Titanium Silver, Titanium Gray, Titanium White |
| Release year | 2025 | 2024 |
Where each one wins
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
- Charging time: 67 min (vs 120 min)
- Thickness: 10.6 mm (vs 12.1 mm)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
- Battery life: 3.3 days (vs 40 hours)
- Screen size: 1.5 in (vs 1.34 in)
- Weight: 60.5 g (vs 63.5 g)
- Water resistance: 100 m (vs 50 m)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra wins 3 of the 7 categories we compared, against 1 for Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (3 tied) — including battery life (3.3 days vs 40 hours).
Which is cheaper, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic costs around $499, $150 less than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra at around $649.
What are the main differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra?
The biggest gaps are in battery life (3.3 days on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs 40 hours); water resistance (100 m on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs 50 m); charging time (67 min on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs 120 min).