Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: Which One To Choose?
The Samsung event brought two iconic watch reveals that surprised everyone, especially the larger Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. While both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offer similar specs, there are key differences that set them apart.
The Classic version features a lighter weight, a physical rotating bezel, a bigger dial size, and, of course, a higher price tag for the added rotating bezel functionality.
Whether you prioritize the classic design with the rotating bezel and larger dial or prefer the more budget-friendly option with all the essential improvements, understanding their unique features will guide you in making the best choice for your needs.
In this comparison between Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, let’s go a bit deeper into their features to help you decide which one is the right fit for you.
Table of Contents:
1. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: Key Differences
| Galaxy Watch 6 | Galaxy Watch 6 Classic |
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2. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: Design & Build
- IP68 & 5ATM
- Mil-Std Certified
- Armor Aluminum Frame
When it comes to design and build, both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offer impressive quality but in their own unique ways.
The Galaxy Watch 6 sports a lightweight aluminum body, weighing 33.3 grams for the 44mm variant and 28.7 grams for the 40mm version. The design follows the same style as its predecessor, the Watch 5, featuring two buttons, a microphone, and sensors on the back. It is available in three colors: graphite, silver, and gold, and offers IP68 water and dust resistance.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic caters to users’ demands by bringing back the iconic rotating bezel. This physical feature is highly valued by those wearing gloves or sweaty hands, as it allows for easy menu and app navigation.
The Classic model comes in a larger size and has a heavy build to it as well, with a weight of up to 59 grams for the 47mm variant and 52 grams for the 43mm variant. Its build quality is superior, boasting Sapphire display glass and a Stainless Steel frame, whereas the Watch 6 is limited to an aluminum frame. The Classic version is available in Black and gray colors and shares the same IP68 rating for water and dust protection.
3. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: Display
- AMOLED PANEL
- Improved Display Resolution
- Sapphire Crystal Protection
The Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic bring forth exciting upgrades in their display technology, enhancing the user experience compared to their predecessors. Building on the success of the Watch 5, both models feature impressive improvements in their display design and functionality.
The Galaxy Watch 6 introduces two distinct display sizes, catering to different preferences. The larger 44mm variant boasts a stunning 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, while the more compact 40mm variant offers a captivating 1.3-inch screen.
Both displays operate at a smooth 60Hz refresh rate, ensuring seamless interactions and responsiveness. The 1.5-inch variant presents a resolution of 480×480 pixels, resulting in a high pixel density of 453 PPI, while the 1.3-inch option maintains a similar pixel density of 432×432 pixels.
Notably, both watches offer significantly brighter displays, with up to 2000 nits peak brightness, a notable improvement from the Watch 5. The display’s 30% thinner bezel contributes to a more immersive visual experience, enhancing the overall aesthetics and interactivity.
In terms of the smaller Galaxy Watch 6 stands out with its unique touch bezel, offering an innovative way to navigate and interact with the watch’s features. However, it’s worth noting that this touch bezel may present challenges when operated with wet hands.
While the larger Galaxy Watch 6 Classic features a rotating bezel, the smaller Watch 6 differentiates itself with its distinct characteristics. The rotating bezel of the Classic version enhances usability and provides a traditional yet engaging navigation method. This, combined with the 15% thinner bezel, contributes to a sleeker and more refined appearance.
4. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: Performance
- Samsung Health App
- Skin-Temperature
Both the Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are meant to deliver upgraded performance with the same performance and ram upgrade from last year’s models.
As they are powered by the Exynos W930 chipset, built on a 5-nanometer architecture, those watches offer improved clock speeds for app usage and faster responses with its Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A55 processor and Mali-G68 GPU. This results in faster GPS loading and quicker stat results, making interactions with the watch seamless and fluid.
You also get faster RAM of up to 500MB more, giving you around 2GB now compared to last year’s 1.5GB, enhancing multitasking capabilities and overall performance. The 16GB ROM remains unchanged, providing ample storage for apps, data, and media.
In terms of fitness and health features, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Watch 6 offer over 90+ workout modes, ensuring users can track various exercises and receive comprehensive workout scores. The 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor, which combines optical heart rate, electrical heart signal, and bioelectrical impedance analysis sensors, remains consistent with the, while new additions like “Track Run” and custom workout plans enhance versatility and personalization.
Both watches offer a comprehensive range of health-monitoring features, including sleep monitoring, blood oxygen level measurement, ECG with notifications for irregular heart rhythms, menstrual cycle tracking, and skin temperature sensors. The integration of a 3D Hall sensor enables precise monitoring of the physical rotating bezel’s position, enhancing the watches’ user-friendliness.
To ensure uninterrupted connectivity, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic support Wi-Fi and an upgraded Bluetooth 5.3, guaranteeing seamless interactions with paired devices, smooth data transfer, and improved overall connectivity performance. These enhancements in design result in the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic delivering an immersive and captivating smartwatch experience suitable for both fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals.
5. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: OS & UI
- Android Wear OS
- One UI 5
Both the Galaxy watches come with the same Android Wear OS 4 and One UI 5, users benefit from newer watch faces and retain all previous customization options, ensuring a personalized and dynamic interface.
The Galaxy Watch 6 offers a user-friendly Android skin, though some essential Google apps are missing. However, users can still access helpful apps like Assistant, YouTube Music, and WhatsApp.
Besides that, you can also check out your sleep insights, emergency SOS, fall detection for elderly users, and a personalized heart rate zone for fitness monitoring. UI improvements such as text dictation and a larger keyboard enhance usability.
The reduced bezel and brighter display further contribute to a better experience. For Samsung’s flip or foldable device users, the watch’s flex mode enables control over various functions, like the timer, photography, and zoom, using the rotating bezel from the wrist, which can be performed from both watches.
6. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: Battery Life
- 425mAh & 300mAh (Both Watches)
- Wireless Charging with Qi
When it comes to battery performance, both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic maintain consistency across their varying sizes and smaller displays. The battery integration remains unchanged, providing robust performance for approximately 30 hours with the Always-On Display (AOD) feature enabled. Turning off AOD can extend battery life even further, granting extra hours of usage.
In the case of the Galaxy Watch 6, the 44mm variant is equipped with a 425mAh battery, while the 40mm variant holds a 300mAh battery. Similarly, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic boasts a 425mAh battery for the 47mm variant and a 300mAh battery for the 43mm variant.
A standout feature is the inclusion of fast charging, offering an impressive 8 hours of usage with just 8 minutes of charging. However, intensive activities such as GPS usage, connected headphones, or sports mode might necessitate more frequent charging, taking around 2 hours for a full recharge.
And thankfully, both watches come with a 25W USB-C charger with a magnetic connector that comes inside the box, providing convenience for fast recharging. Furthermore, the watches offer Qi wireless charging capabilities of up to 10W, a handy feature for those with compatible wireless charging accessories.
7. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS Galaxy Watch 6: Specs
And if you are looking for more detailed head-to-head specs of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, here are all the major specifications of the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic VS the Regular Galaxy Watch 6:
| Specs | Galaxy Watch 6 Classic | Galaxy Watch 6 |
| Display | 47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, 480×480 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, (453ppi), Always-on display
43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED, 432×432 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, Always-on display |
44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, 480×480 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, (453ppi), Always-on display
40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED, 432×432 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, Always-on display |
| Dimensions | 47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm Weight: 59 g43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9 mmWeight: 52 g |
44mm: 42.8 x 44.4 x 9 mm Weight: 33.3 g40mm: 38.8 x 40.4 x 9 mmWeight: 28.7 g |
| Protection | 47mm: Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame, Physical rotating bezel 43mm: Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame, Display rotating bezel 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
44mm: Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame, Physical rotating bezel 40mm: Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame, Display rotating bezel 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Platform | OS: Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 Chipset: Exynos W930 (5 nm) CPU: Dual-Core 1.4Ghz Cortex-A55 GPU: Mali-G68 |
OS: Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 Chipset: Exynos W930 (5 nm) CPU: Dual-Core 1.4Ghz Cortex-A55 GPU: Mali-G68 |
| Sound | Built-in Loudspeaker | Built-in Loudspeaker |
| Storage | Ram: 2GB ROM: 16GB |
Ram: 2GB ROM: 16GB |
| Connectivity | eSIM, Wi-Fi 802.11, BT 5.3, GPS, NFC | eSIM, Wi-Fi 802.11, BT 5.3, GPS, NFC |
| Battery | 47mm: 425mAh 43mm: 300mAh Fast Charging ( 45% charge with 30 min Charging) Wireless Charging: Qi Wireless |
44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh Fast Charging ( 45% charge with 30 min Charging) Wireless Charging: Qi Wireless |
| Features | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature), 3D Hall sensor | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature), 3D Hall sensor |
| Compatibility | Android 10 or higher | Android 10 or higher |
| Connectivity | LTE (available in select models)
Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo |
LTE (available in select models)
Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo |
| Colors | Black, Silver | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
8. Verdict
In shorter terms, choosing between the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and the Galaxy Watch 6 depends on your preferences and budget. The Galaxy Watch 6 offers updated improvements in performance, durability, and a minimized bezel at a more affordable price. However, it lacks the physical rotating bezel found in the Classic version.
On the other hand, if you prefer the older Watch 4’s rotating bezel and want a larger 47mm watch face with updated features, the redesigned Watch 6 Classic is the choice for you. It offers a premium and classic feel but comes at a higher cost compared to the basic Watch 6.
Ultimately, both watches are excellent choices, and it’s essential to weigh the features you value most to find the right Galaxy Watch that suits your style and needs.
Get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, if
- You require a new Galaxy Watch with a less price tag;
- You need a durable watch with greater protection;
- You want an amazing display in a Galaxy Watch.
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Get the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, if
- You must need the rotating bezel and bigger display;
- You like a solid build watch with durability;
- You want updated performance in a Galaxy Watch.
Mohammad Shariful Islam is the CEO and MD of Apple Gadgets, a leading e-commerce and retail chain for gadgets in Bangladesh. He has a passion for technology, entrepreneurship, and holds a decade of experience in gadget E-Commerce. He’s committed to providing the best possible shopping experience for customers by delivering the latest and trendy gadgets.
