Samsung has been a prominent player in the smartwatch arena, even before its shift from the in-house Tizen OS to Wear OS in 2021 with the Galaxy Watch 4 series. This transition brought both excitement and a tinge of nostalgia, as it marked the end of the beloved rotating bezel as a way to navigate the watch’s user interface. The subsequent release of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro saw the introduction of a capacitive digital bezel, a departure from the tactile hardware of the Watch 4 Classic. Now, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic not only revives the iconic rotating bezel but also introduces several enhancements over its predecessor. It boasts impressive hardware that ensures snappy performance, and its extensive health-tracking features cater to fitness and wellness enthusiasts. But does it have enough to maintain its supremacy among Android smartwatches? Let’s find answers to that question and more in this review.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review Snapshot
Editor’s rating: 4/5
Design
Display
Software
Performance
Health tracker
Battery
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Pros
- Rotating bezel for intuitive navigation
- Premium design and build quality
- Superb screen with exceptional brightness
- Robust health and fitness tracking
- Impressive performance and user interface
- Samsung Pay
- Fall Detection
Cons
- ECG features not available in India
- Blood pressure monitoring not available in India
- Average Battery life and Charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review: Design
When it comes to design, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is available in Black or Silver, featuring the classic circular dial we’ve seen in Galaxy smartwatches over the years. What’s truly remarkable is the return of the iconic rotating bezel, and I must say, it’s a welcome comeback. The bezel provides a satisfying tactile feedback that enhances the overall user experience. Samsung has made subtle improvements to the bezel of the Watch 4 Classic, making it feel clickier with slightly more distance between each click, a welcomed enhancement.
Spinning the bezel allows you to scroll through messages, navigate the UI, adjust the volume, and more, just as it always has. That satisfying click as you rotate it adds a delightful touch, offering an excellent way to interact with the watch without leaving fingerprints on the display. It’s like having your cake and eating it too!
Compared to the previous-generation Galaxy Watch, the Watch 6 Classic takes a bolder approach with a 47mm form factor, precisely 46.5mm. This extra space accommodates a larger 1.5-inch display, which is a noticeable upgrade. The screen appears more spacious, and Samsung has reduced the bezel size by 30%, making the Watch 4 Classic and Watch 5 Pro seem a bit chunky in comparison. Even the rotating bezel itself received an update, now 15% slimmer according to Samsung.
The Watch 6 Classic features a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels, protected by durable Sapphire Crystal glass. With rotating bezels, the likelihood of the watch screen taking damage when dropped or brushed against furniture or walls is significantly reduced. The bezel often absorbs impacts, and the best part is that it’s easy to replace if it gets scuffed up. What’s even more impressive is its ability to reach a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, making it exceptionally visible in direct sunlight. You won’t have to squint at the watch’s screen on bright sunny days.
The Watch 6 Classic weighs in at 59 grams, making it the heaviest Galaxy Watch to date. However, it doesn’t feel burdensome on the wrist, and you’ll quickly adapt to the weight difference if you’re accustomed to the lighter Watch 5 Pro with its titanium frame.
The layout remains familiar with two buttons, speaker, and microphone holes on the right-hand side, consistent with previous models. In terms of health tracking, sensors for heart rate, temperature, blood oxygen saturation, and more are discreetly positioned on the back. Charging is hassle-free with wireless capabilities, eliminating the need for POGO pins.
The strap is progressing in the right direction, though there’s room for further improvement given the price point. Samsung opted for a soft-touch silicone material, a notable improvement from the Watch 4 Classic. It feels comfortable against the skin, and the outer surface effectively emulates the texture of leather, complete with stitched details for an authentic appearance. Samsung offers a range of strap designs, and third-party options are also available for those who seek customization.
In terms of durability, the Watch 6 Classic maintains an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and complies with the MIL-STD-810H standard. While it can withstand everyday wear and tear, it’s important to note that it’s not built to endure extreme conditions.
Overall, the Watch 6 Classic seamlessly integrates into daily life, offering the feel of a conventional watch. It doesn’t obstruct comfort, even for those with larger wrists, and despite the added weight, it remains comfortable for all-day wear.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review: Performance and software
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic comes equipped with One UI 5 Watch, layered atop the Android-based Wear OS 4 right out of the box. Samsung’s decision to incorporate its One UI skin ensures a consistent user experience within its mobile ecosystem, even if paired with non-Galaxy phones.
The user interface retains its familiar look but with a touch of refinement. If you’ve been using Samsung smartwatches for a while, you’ll find yourself at home without a significant learning curve. Gestures work seamlessly, the UI is thoughtfully organized, and navigating using the rotating bezel remains a smooth experience while also reducing the need to touch the display.
Notably, the watch boasts some clever software features. For instance, the camera viewer feature is a game-changer when connected to a compatible Galaxy phone. It allows you to open the camera viewfinder on your smartwatch and even zoom in and out using the rotating bezel. This feature is particularly useful for capturing distant shots. Additionally, Samsung provides an array of attractive watch faces.
Users can also enjoy four generations of Android OS upgrades with the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. However, it’s worth noting that many of the new software features and watch faces will also be extended to the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 5 lineups through software updates.
Under the hood, Samsung has upgraded the watch with the Exynos W930 chipset. This dual-core Cortex-A55 CPU now runs at 1.4 GHz, an improvement from the previous 1.18 GHz. Coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, this upgrade results in noticeable performance improvements, especially for those transitioning from the Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 5. During daily use, the watch maintains buttery smooth navigation, with seamless transitions between apps.
One standout feature is the impressive vibration motor, delivering strong, crisp, and precise vibrations that stand out, especially for users familiar with other smartwatches. Furthermore, the inclusion of Samsung Pay adds convenience, enabling cashless transactions even when your phone is not at hand.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review: Health and Fitness
Samsung has placed significant emphasis on health over the years, integrating advanced sensors into its smartwatches and seamlessly connecting them with the Samsung Health app. While the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic doesn’t introduce any new sensors compared to the Watch 5 Pro, it continues to excel in health tracking.
The watch effectively passively tracks metrics such as heart rate, stress levels, blood oxygen, and sleep patterns. It stands out by providing alerts for readings that fall outside the user’s normal range, offering an opportunity for timely action.
One noteworthy feature is the ECG (Electrocardiogram), although it’s important to mention that this feature is not available in India. Consequently, users in India will also miss out on irregular heart rhythm notifications. Another notable absence is the blood pressure monitoring feature.
However, the watch does offer a valuable fall-detection feature. This feature can automatically alert emergency services when it detects a fall during activities, daily routines, or even during sleep. It can also contact someone from your emergency contact list, prioritizing safety.
The watch comes equipped with a temperature sensor, primarily focused on tracking body temperature during sleep. Additionally, it continues to feature body composition measurements, assessing lean mass, water content, and body fat. Samsung recommends taking these measurements in the morning on an empty stomach and before consuming any liquids for greater accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review: Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic houses a 425mAh battery. In our testing, it provided approximately 42 to 45 hours of usage with the always-on display active and the screen set to maximum brightness. Adjusting these settings can extend battery life slightly, but as a general rule, users can anticipate around two days of usage before requiring a recharge. Charging the watch to full capacity took slightly over an hour.
REVIEW Verdict: Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic?
The answer to whether you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is quite simple: yes. The added improvements and the return of the rotating bezel make the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic a compelling choice. It excels in design, build quality, display brightness, software robustness, and health and fitness tracking features. It not only meets but exceeds the expectations of a great smartwatch. Without a doubt, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic stands out as the reigning supreme among Android smartwatches!
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic FAQ
Q- Does the Watch 6 Classic support custom watch bands?
A- Yes, you can use third-party custom bands on this watch.
Q- Does the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic supports Qi charging?
A- As per Samsung, it does. However, we tried a couple of other wireless charging pads and none of them really worked for us.
Q- Can I download third-party watch faces on Galaxy Watch 6 Classic?
A- Yes, you can.
Q- Is the calling feature available on the Galaxy Watch4?
A- Yes, it has a microphone and speaker in build so you can make calls using the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
Q- Does the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic support E-SIM?
A- Yes, it does support e-SIM function.
Q- Does the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic have Google Assistant on onboard?
A- Yes, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic supports Google assistant. To use it you have to set it up.
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