In a surprising turn of events, a prototype unit of the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic has surfaced on eBay, providing what appears to be the first real-world confirmation of the much-discussed "squircle" design. The term "squircle" – a hybrid of square and circle – has been floating in tech circles for months, and now it seems Samsung is indeed taking a bold step away from its traditional circular watch face design.
This development marks a significant moment in the evolution of Samsung's wearables, suggesting not just a cosmetic shift but a broader rethinking of the Galaxy Watch’s usability, ergonomics, and software optimization. In this in-depth breakdown, we’ll explore everything we know so far about the Galaxy Watch8 Classic, the implications of the squircle form factor, the leak’s origin, what the eBay listing reveals, how it compares to past Galaxy Watch models, and what this could mean for the smartwatch market as a whole.
📦 1. The Leak: How the Ga...
In a surprising turn of events, a prototype unit of the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic has surfaced on eBay, providing what appears to be the first real-world confirmation of the much-discussed "squircle" design. The term "squircle" – a hybrid of square and circle – has been floating in tech circles for months, and now it seems Samsung is indeed taking a bold step away from its traditional circular watch face design.
This development marks a significant moment in the evolution of Samsung's wearables, suggesting not just a cosmetic shift but a broader rethinking of the Galaxy Watch’s usability, ergonomics, and software optimization. In this in-depth breakdown, we’ll explore everything we know so far about the Galaxy Watch8 Classic, the implications of the squircle form factor, the leak’s origin, what the eBay listing reveals, how it compares to past Galaxy Watch models, and what this could mean for the smartwatch market as a whole.
📦 1. The Leak: How the Galaxy Watch8 Classic Prototype Ended Up on eBay
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic prototype was listed on eBay by a seller who claimed to have acquired it from an electronics liquidation channel. The listing included multiple high-resolution images of the device, showing off a physical design that deviates significantly from previous Galaxy Watch models. The most striking aspect? The watch face is no longer purely circular.
From the images, it's clear that the watch adopts a squircle-shaped display, a rounded-square form factor similar to what we've seen on Apple Watches but with subtle distinctions that maintain some of Samsung’s own design language.
The listing also revealed:
A rotating bezel (classic Samsung style, though more flush this time)
Stainless steel build
20mm replaceable bands
Model number aligned with Samsung’s internal naming conventions
Software version indicating internal build for testing
🧩 2. Squircle Design – Why It Matters
For years, Samsung has differentiated itself from the Apple Watch by sticking to a circular design, which many traditional watch lovers preferred. But with the shift to a squircle layout, Samsung seems to be prioritizing screen real estate, better UI adaptability, and improved text layout, which can benefit:
Fitness and health tracking interfaces
Notification readability
Widget stacking
Keyboard usability
A squircle design allows for more usable screen space while retaining some of the aesthetic appeal of a round watch. It’s also likely that Samsung has re-engineered One UI Watch to take full advantage of this new form.
🔍 3. Design Changes: More Than Just the Shape
While the squircle shape is the standout, the prototype also hints at other design refinements:
Slimmer bezels, offering a more edge-to-edge display
More refined button placement, potentially mimicking the Galaxy Watch5 Pro’s flatter side buttons
Thinner profile, indicating enhanced wearability and comfort for long durations
Rotating bezel integration, possibly through touch or a new mechanical solution
These details suggest Samsung is aiming to modernize its smartwatch aesthetic while keeping the DNA that loyal users appreciate.
🔋 4. Expected Hardware and Performance Upgrades
While the prototype listing did not include technical specifications, several leaks and trends suggest the Galaxy Watch8 Classic will pack serious upgrades:
Next-gen Exynos W1000 or Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 SoC
Improved battery life thanks to a more efficient chip and possibly a larger battery
New health sensors (rumored to include blood sugar and blood pressure enhancements)
Updated BioActive sensor array
Faster charging and possibly Qi-standard support
UWB (Ultra Wideband) capabilities for better Find My support and smart home control
🧠 5. Software Expectations – One UI Watch 6 Based on Wear OS 5
Samsung is expected to launch the Watch8 series with One UI Watch 6, built atop Wear OS 5 (which Google previewed at I/O 2025). With the combination of the squircle design and updated software, we may see:
Reworked UI elements to better suit the square-rounded display
Faster animations and transitions
New fitness challenges and group tracking features
Deep integration with Samsung Health, SmartThings, and Galaxy AI
The squircle design could make multitasking, notifications, and typing on the watch smoother and more efficient than ever before.
📱 6. Comparison With Previous Galaxy Watch Models
Feature Watch8 Classic (Leaked) Watch6 Classic Watch5 Pro
Display Shape Squircle Circular Circular
Bezel Rotating (possibly touch) Mechanical rotating Touch bezel only
OS One UI Watch 6 (Wear OS 5) One UI Watch 5 (Wear OS 4) One UI Watch 4.5
Health Sensors Advanced, new gen Standard BioActive Standard BioActive
UWB Support Likely Yes No No
Chipset New-gen expected Exynos W930 Exynos W920
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic could be the biggest leap since the Galaxy Watch line began.
🧭 7. What This Means for the Smartwatch Industry
Samsung’s move to a squircle design may signal:
A shift to more functionally optimized smartwatch displays
Stronger competition with Apple Watch in both design and UX
A new wave of Android smartwatches moving away from pure circles
Enhanced app and widget support for non-circular displays
It could also mean a more unified design language across devices like foldables, smart bands, and Galaxy Tabs.
🗓️ 8. Release Date and Pricing Rumors
While Samsung hasn’t officially announced the Galaxy Watch8 Classic, based on their typical product cycle, a launch around July or August 2025 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 is highly probable.
Expected pricing:
Galaxy Watch8 Classic (Bluetooth): ₹35,000 – ₹38,000 ($399 USD approx.)
Galaxy Watch8 Classic (LTE): ₹42,000 – ₹45,000 ($449+ USD)
📸 9. Community Reactions & Developer Insights
Online forums like Reddit, XDA, and tech YouTubers have had mixed reactions:
Some love the squircle look, praising it for utility and screen size
Others prefer the traditional circular face, fearing it might feel too Apple-esque
Developers have also noted that Wear OS apps might need tweaking to adapt to the new shape, but Google’s own design guidelines are moving in that direction already.
🔚 Conclusion: A Bold New Chapter for Samsung Smartwatches
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic’s eBay prototype leak confirms more than just a change in design – it represents Samsung’s commitment to innovation, even in the competitive and often incremental world of smartwatches. The squircle display, combined with powerful new internals and fresh software, could redefine the Android smartwatch experience in 2025.
Whether you're a Samsung loyalist, a health-tracking enthusiast, or just curious about the next big thing in wearables, this leak is a big deal. Keep an eye out for more details as we get closer to the official Unpacked event.
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