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Watch comparison

Samsung Galaxy 8 Classic vs Samsung Galaxy 9 40mm

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

  • Screen: 438 × 438 pixels.
  • Exynos W1000, 3 nm processor.
  • 2 GB RAM in this version.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs Wear OS 6; One UI 8 Watch.
KSh 38,500In Stock
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02
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm

  • Screen: 44 mm: 480 × 480 pixels; 40 mm: 438 × 438 pixels.
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite, 3 nm processor.
  • 2 GB RAM in this version.
  • 32 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs Wear OS 7; One UI 9 Watch.
KSh 39,500In Stock
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2 spaces available

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 44mmKSh 42,000
OnePlus Watch 4KSh 38,500
Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraKSh 45,000
Google Pixel Watch 3KSh 37,500
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025KSh 44,000
WHOOP ONE 5.0 SensorKSh 37,000
Amazfit Balance 2KSh 39,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

With the same 2 GB of RAM and IP68 rating, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm takes ECG heart-rhythm readings, is lighter to wear all day and has a sharper screen, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic lasts longer per charge (40 hours) and has more storage (64 GB).

Display

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
438 × 438 pixels
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
44 mm: 480 × 480 pixels; 40 mm: 438 × 438 pixels

Performance

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Exynos W1000, 3 nm processor
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite, 3 nm processor

Storage

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
64 GB storage in this version
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
32 GB storage in this version

Software

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Runs Wear OS 6; One UI 8 Watch
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Runs Wear OS 7; One UI 9 Watch

Battery life

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Up to 40 hours per charge
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Up to 30 hours per charge

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

  • Rated for up to 40 hours per charge (vs 30).
  • More storage: 64 GB (vs 32 GB).
  • Lower price: KSh 38,500 (vs KSh 39,500).

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm

  • Lighter: 31.5 g (vs 63.5 g).
  • ECG heart-rhythm readings.
  • Higher screen resolution: 480 × 480 (vs 438 × 438).
  • Slimmer: 8.6 mm thick (vs 10.6 mm).
  • Newer Wear OS 7 (vs Wear OS 6).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

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6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Battery lifeUp to 40 hours per chargeUp to 30 hours per charge
Storage64 GB storage32 GB storage
Display1.34-inch OLED display1.47-inch OLED display
PerformanceExynos W1000 processorQualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite processor
SoftwareWear OS 6Wear OS 7
Battery capacity445 mAh battery44 mm: 445 mAh

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Display1.34-inch Super AMOLED44 mm: 1.47-inch Super AMOLED; 40 mm: 1.34-inch Super AMOLED
Screen resolution438 × 438 pixels44 mm: 480 × 480 pixels; 40 mm: 438 × 438 pixels
Display protectionSapphire crystalSapphire crystal
Display featuresFull-colour always-on display3000 nits (peak)

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Network / cellularGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
SIM / eSIMeSIMeSIM
Wi-FiWi-Fi 2.4 GHz + 5 GHzWi-Fi 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3
NFCSupportedSupported
Positioning / GNSSDual-frequency GPS, L1 + L5; GLONASS; BeiDou; GalileoDual-frequency GPS, L1 + L5

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
BrandSamsungSamsung
ModelSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 (40 mm and 44 mm configurations)
Announced2025, July 092026, July 22
Dimensions46.4 × 46.0 × 10.6 mm44 mm: 46.0 × 43.7 × 8.6 mm; 40 mm: 42.7 × 40.4 × 8.6 mm
Weight63.5 g without band44 mm: 34.0 g; 40 mm: 31.5 g, without band
Build materialsStainless-steel caseAluminum case
Controls / buttonsRotating bezel; Quick Button; Home and Back buttonsTouchscreen and two side buttons
Strap / band—Lightweight breathable Sport Band with Dynamic Lug System

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
ProcessorExynos W1000, 3 nmQualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite, 3 nm
CPU5-core5-core
GPUMali-G68—
RAM2 GB2 GB
Storage64 GB32 GB
Operating systemWear OS 6; One UI 8 WatchWear OS 7; One UI 9 Watch

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
SpeakerSupportedSupported
MicrophoneSupportedSupported
CallingBluetooth calling with a connected smartphone; standalone calling on LTE editionsBluetooth calling with a connected smartphone; standalone calling on LTE editions

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
SensorsSamsung BioActive: optical heart-rate, electrical heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis; temperature; accelerometer; barometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic; light sensor; 3D Hall sensorSamsung BioActive: optical heart-rate, electrical heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis; temperature; accelerometer; barometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic; light sensor
Health & wellness featuresHeart and wellness tracking; Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load, Energy Score and stress features. Availability varies by market and paired phone.Heart rate; SpO₂; ECG; body composition; temperature; stress; Vitals; Heart Health Score
Sleep trackingSleep tracking, sleep coaching, Bedtime Guidance and sleep-apnoea features where availableSleep-stage tracking; sleep-apnea risk detection; sleep Vitals
Training & outdoor featuresRunning Coach and dual-frequency route trackingDaily Cardio Load; Fitness Index; workout and recovery guidance
Sports / workout modes—Automatic and manual workout tracking across running, walking, cycling, swimming and other activities
Safety & emergency features—Fall detection and Emergency SOS

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Battery capacity445 mAh44 mm: 445 mAh; 40 mm: 390 mAh
Battery lifeAlways-On Display off: up to 40 hours Always-On Display on: up to 30 hoursUp to 30 hours with AOD on
ChargingFast wireless charging, WPC-basedFast wireless charging, WPC-based
Water resistance5 ATM; IP685 ATM; IP68
Durability / certificationsMIL-STD-810HMIL-STD-810H

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Phone compatibilityAndroid 12.0 or later; more than 1.5 GB RAMAndroid 13.0 or later; more than 1.5 GB RAM; Google Mobile Services
Companion appGalaxy Wearable; Samsung HealthGalaxy Wearable; Samsung Health
ColorsBlack; White44 mm: Graphite, Silver; 40 mm: Graphite, Cream

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm
Case materialStainless steelAluminum
Peak brightness3,000 nits peak3,000 nits peak
Release statusAvailable. Released 2025, July 25Available. Released 2026, August 07
Model numbersSM-L500, SM-L505USM-L340, SM-L350, SM-L345F, SM-L355F, SM-L345U, SM-L355U
Card slotNoNo
CameraNoNo
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
USBNoNo
RadioNoNo
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
Network speedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
SAR (US)1.04 W/kg (head) 0.41 W/kg (body)1.06 W/kg (body)
SAR (EU)0.03 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body)0.70 W/kg (body)
Additional durability featuresRotating bezelArmor Aluminum 2
Charging time—44 mm: 100% in 90 minutes, 45% in 30 minutes; 40 mm: 100% in 80 minutes, 50% in 30 minutes

Similarities

  • Both have 2 GB RAM.
  • Both are rated IP68.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both are water resistant to 50 m.
  • Both take calls over Bluetooth.
  • Both have OLED displays.

In summary

Get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm if you want ECG heart-rhythm readings and a lighter watch for all-day wear, or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic if you would rather have longer rated battery life and more storage.

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In-stock alternatives

OnePlus Watch 4For Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicOnePlus Watch 4View product ↗Amazfit Balance 2For Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicAmazfit Balance 2View product ↗Google Pixel Watch 3For Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mmGoogle Pixel Watch 3View product ↗Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 44mmFor Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mmSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 44mmView product ↗

Related comparisons

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 44mmSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicOnePlus Watch 4Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicGoogle Pixel Watch 3Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicWHOOP ONE 5.0 SensorSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicAmazfit Balance 2Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch 6 46 mm
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