Samsung Set to Abandon Fully Circular Galaxy Watch Design in Upcoming Series

Samsung appears to be moving away from its traditional fully circular smartwatch design with the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 series. Leaked images reveal a new ‘squicle’ design—blending square and circular shapes—similar to last year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra. Although the display remains round, the overall body shape now mimics a squarish frame, leading to criticism that the new layout is inefficient, with wasted space around the screen. This change aligns more closely with the form factor popularized by the Apple Watch, suggesting Samsung is targeting a more fitness-centric user base. Historically, Samsung and other Wear OS manufacturers like Fossil and Montblanc favored circular designs to maintain a classic watch look. However, the market shift toward fitness features and screen real estate may be influencing Samsung’s latest design choices. Some users argue that Samsung should fully commit to a square display rather than maintaining a circular screen in a square body. The article poses the question to readers: do they prefer square or round smartwatches, inviting them to participate in a poll. While no official reason has been given for the design change, industry speculation suggests competitive pressure from Apple may be a major factor.