Are you looking for a new Samsung watch? Or maybe you want to see how much they have changed. Samsung has been making smartwatches for over ten years. They started with the “Gear” name and then moved to “Galaxy Watch.”
In this guide, we will look at every Samsung Galaxy Watch model by year. We will see how they grew from simple gadgets to powerful health tools. It is now late 2025, so we have the newest models to talk about too!
Samsung Galaxy Watch Models by Year
| Year | Model Name | Key Feature |
| 2013 | Galaxy Gear | First Samsung smartwatch |
| 2014 | Gear 2, Gear S | Curved screen, Tizen OS |
| 2015 | Gear S2 | First rotating bezel |
| 2016 | Gear S3 | Built-in GPS and speaker |
| 2017 | Gear Sport | Better for swimming |
| 2018 | Galaxy Watch | Rebranding to “Galaxy” |
| 2019 | Watch Active / Active 2 | Sleek design, no bezel |
| 2020 | Galaxy Watch 3 | Advanced health tracking |
| 2021 | Watch 4 / 4 Classic | Switched to Google Wear OS |
| 2022 | Watch 5 / 5 Pro | Sapphire glass, big battery |
| 2023 | Watch 6 / 6 Classic | Larger screens, bezel returns |
| 2024 | Watch 7 / Watch Ultra | AI features, rugged design |
| 2025 | Watch 8 / 8 Classic | Squircle design, faster chips |
The Early Days: The “Gear” Era (2013–2017)
Before there was a “Galaxy Watch,” there was the Samsung Gear. These watches were experiments. Samsung was trying to find out what people wanted on their wrists.
2013: Galaxy Gear
The very first watch was the Galaxy Gear. It had a square screen and even a camera on the strap! It only worked with a few Samsung phones. It was a bold start.
2014: Gear 2 and Gear S
Samsung released the Gear 2 and Gear S this year. The Gear 2 moved the camera to the watch body. The Gear S was very different. It had a huge, curved screen. It was the first watch that could use its own SIM card.
2015: Gear S2
This was a big year. Samsung introduced the rotating bezel. You could turn the ring around the screen to scroll through apps. People loved this! It felt like a real watch.
2016–2017: Gear S3 and Gear Sport
The Gear S3 came in two styles: Frontier and Classic. It was bigger and tougher. In 2017, the Gear Sport came out. It was smaller and better for people who loved to swim.
The Birth of the Galaxy Watch (2018–2020)
In 2018, Samsung changed the name. They wanted the watches to match their famous Galaxy phones.
2018: The First Galaxy Watch
The original Galaxy Watch replaced the Gear S3. It had amazing battery life. Some people could wear it for four days without charging! It kept the rotating bezel and looked very professional.
2019: Galaxy Watch Active and Active 2
Samsung wanted a watch for younger, active people. The Watch Active was small and light. It did not have a physical bezel. Later that year, the Active 2 added a “digital bezel.” You could slide your finger around the edge of the screen to scroll.
2020: Galaxy Watch 3
The Galaxy Watch 3 brought back the physical rotating bezel. It was thinner and lighter than the first model. It also added helpful health features like ECG (to check your heart) and blood oxygen tracking.
The Wear OS Revolution (2021–2023)
For many years, Samsung used their own software called Tizen. In 2021, they made a big change.
2021: Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic
Samsung teamed up with Google. The Watch 4 started using Wear OS. This meant you could finally use Google Maps and the Play Store on your watch. The Watch 4 had a sporty look, while the Classic kept the rotating ring.
2022: Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro
The Watch 5 series focused on being tough. They used Sapphire Crystal glass. This glass is very hard to scratch. The Watch 5 Pro replaced the Classic model. It had a massive battery for hikers and outdoor fans.
2023: Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic
People missed the rotating bezel, so Samsung brought it back on the Watch 6 Classic. The screens on these watches got much bigger. The borders around the screen (bezels) became very thin. They also improved sleep tracking.
The Modern Era: AI and Ultra Power (2024–2025)
Smartwatches are now smarter than ever. They use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help you live better.
2024: Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra
In 2024, Samsung launched the Watch 7 and a brand-new Watch Ultra.
- Watch 7: It got a much faster chip (3nm). It was great for daily health.
- Watch Ultra: This was Samsung’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra. It was made of titanium. It could survive very deep water and very hot weather. It also introduced Galaxy AI to give you “Energy Scores.”
2025: Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic
We are now in late 2025. The Galaxy Watch 8 is the newest model. Samsung made a big design change this year. The watch body is now a “squircle” (a mix of a square and a circle).
The Watch 8 Classic is also back. It combines the square look with the famous rotating bezel. These watches have the Exynos W1000 chip. They are very fast. They also have 64GB of storage for your music and apps. The new “Titanium Blue” color is a fan favorite.
What to Expect in 2026: Upcoming Leaks
As we look toward 2026, the rumors are already starting. Here is what we expect to see from the Galaxy Watch 9 series:
- Solid-State Batteries: There are rumors that Samsung might use new battery tech. This could make the watch even thinner but keep the battery life long.
- Blood Glucose Tracking: Samsung has been working on this for a long time. We might finally see a way to check blood sugar without a needle.
- New Sensors: Expect more AI features. The watch might be able to tell if you are getting sick before you even feel it.
- Watch Ultra 2: After a year off, we expect a second version of the rugged Ultra watch in 2026.
How to Choose the Right Galaxy Watch
With so many Samsung Galaxy Watch models by year, it can be hard to pick. Here is some simple advice:
- Best for Sports: Go for the Watch 7 or Watch 8. They are light and track everything.
- Best for Style: The Watch 6 Classic or Watch 8 Classic looks great with a suit.
- Best for Adventure: If you hike or dive, the Watch Ultra is the only choice.
- Best on a Budget: Look for the Watch FE (Fan Edition) or a used Watch 4. They still work great with most phones.
Conclusion
Samsung has come a long way since 2013. They moved from chunky gadgets to beautiful, smart pieces of jewelry. Whether you want the newest Galaxy Watch 8 or a classic model, there is a Samsung watch for everyone.
As we move into 2026, the technology will only get better. Your watch won’t just tell time. It will be your doctor, your coach, and your best friend on your wrist.