Galaxy Watch 8 Classic with rotating bezel leaks, and you'll love it

A new Galaxy Watch generation is coming to this summer's Unpacked event, and for the first time, a CAD render based on leaked specifications have surfaced. If the final product looks anything like it does in the image below, we're in for another exciting chapter in Samsung's smartwatch saga.

Samsung appears to be trying something different again. Its upcoming premium smartwatch, purportedly named Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, combines Classic and Ultra DNA. It's a blend of both, and Samsung appears to be bringing back one iconic feature every Galaxy Watch enthusiast loves: The physical rotating bezel.

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, as it were, has a squircle body similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, except it looks slightly more rounded and maybe even thinner.

Strikingly, a perfectly circular physical rotating bezel sits atop this squircle body. Even though the Galaxy Watch Ultra also has a circular element around its screen, it was non-interactive. This time, for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, the circular bezel is more pronounced and has anti-slip ridges.

Yes, the circular frame is a physical rotating bezel, exactly like you would expect from a Samsung Classic smartwatch.

Other than these details, we see the Ultra-like three-button configuration, including a crown-shaped button flanked by two side keys. Check it out below, but just to be on the safe side, keep in mind that CAD renders (via @OnLeaks) are not official but often based on leaked dimensions.

Again, Samsung appears to be following its usual strategy of keeping premium Galaxy Watches fresh every year. The company knows all too well that smartwatches are fashion items, too, and not just smart wearable devices. Samsung is constantly experimenting with redesigns, which works wonders against staleness, and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic represents yet another bold step.

There is a risk associated with always trying something new, and in this particular case, purist Classic smartwatch enthusiasts could find the squircle design harder to swallow even if they like the addition of the rotating bezel. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic looks unlike Samsung's previous smartwatches.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, as seen in this render, does seem like a natural evolution of the existing models. We think it's gorgeous, assuming the image above and final product match. Maybe the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will be a perfect mix of the best of both worlds. We'll see at Unpacked this summer.