Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Vs. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: Differences, Explained

Aug 06, 2023

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic have several features in common, but there are some key differences that set them apart.

Samsung has launched its next generation of smartwatches – the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. They are the successors to the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, but don't include a Pro model since Samsung is still selling the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. While the watches come with incremental upgrades over their predecessors and share Samsung's One UI 5 Watch user interface, they still have some key differences that users should be aware of.

The Galaxy Watch 6 comes in 40mm and 44mm case sizes with 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch Super AMOLED displays, respectively. The Watch 6 Classic comes in larger 43mm and 47mm variants, but the displays are the same size as the Watch 6. Both smartwatches feature Sapphire Crystal protection, circular dials, and dual side buttons. The Watch 6 has an aluminum case, whereas the Watch 6 Classic has a stainless steel chassis and brings back the rotating bezel last seen on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. It is almost twice as heavy as the regular Watch 6. The Galaxy Watch 6 comes in Black and Silver colors, while the Watch 6 Classic is available in Graphite, Gold (only 40mm), and Silver (only 44mm).

Related: Galaxy Watch 5 & Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Golf Edition: Specs & Features, Explained

One of the most notable upgrades of Samsung's new smartwatches is the new 1.4GHz Exynos W930 chipset, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. This should provide better performance and a smoother user experience compared to the Watch 5 lineup. The new chip also supports Bluetooth 5.3 for better connectivity. The Watch 6 and the Watch 6 Classic have in-built GPS, dual-band Wi-Fi, and optional LTE connectivity.

As for the software, the smartwatches run Wear OS 4 with Samsung's One UI 5 Watch skin, providing new features like Sleep Score Factors, Enhanced Sleep Coaching, Personalized Heart Rate Zone, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification, and Fall Detection. Features like Body Composition with the BioActive Sensor, cycle tracking, and daily activity tracking are also available.

Both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic feature 300mAh and 425mAh batteries on the smaller and larger variants, respectively. Samsung promises up to 30 hours of battery life with the always-on display enabled and up to 40 hours with the always-on display disabled. The company also claims that an eight-minute charge provides up to eight hours of usage (with Samsung's 25W USB-C Power Adapter), as the watches support WPC-based fast wireless charging via the dock provided in the box. An IP68 dust and water resistance rating and MIL-STD-810H certification are also standard on both watches.

The Galaxy Watch 6 and the Watch 6 Classic are more alike than different. The main differences come down to the display size, colors, and bezel type. Ultimately, buyers will need to choose between the two based on their budget. The Galaxy Watch 6 starts at $299.99 for the 40mm variant, while the 44mm version costs $329.99. On the other hand, the larger Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with a rotating bezel starts at $399.99 for the 43mm variant, while the 47mm version costs $429.99.

Source: Samsung

Fascinated by companies like Apple and Samsung, Shikhar has covered consumer tech for three years. His favorite topics include how-to explainers, guides, and features with a helpful point of view that makes tech easier for others. In the past, he has worked for several technology publications, including Android Fist, TelecomDrive, and is currently associated with Republic World and SlashGear. Other than writing, Shikhar has a knack for social media management. In his free time, he watches the American sitcom Friends or creates videos for his YouTube channel. Shikhar attended Amity University in India for a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for academic excellence.