Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Classic unveiled: more display, fewer frames
Samsung is updating its smartwatch line-up with two new models. There is a new Classic model this year, but no new Pro version.
Samsung says it has enlarged the displays of this year's smartwatches by 20 per cent and made the frame thinner. In the Galaxy Watch 6 by 30 per cent and in the Watch 6 Classic by 15 per cent. The new chipset is designed to launch apps faster and reduce energy consumption.
Larger displays and individual heart rate zones
Both smartwatches are available in two sizes. The Galaxy Watch 6 measures either 40 or 44 millimetres, the Watch 6 Classic 43 or 47 millimetres. The Super AMOLED displays are either 1.3 or 1.5 inches in size. In the previous series, the smaller display was only 1.19 inches.
Source: Jan Johannsen
The Classic version has a rotating bezel. On the Watch 6, this control element is only available digitally. So you just swipe over the edge to move through the menu. Both models are available in different colours. Samsung also offers numerous wristbands. These have a new "Quick & Easy" fastener. This is said to be compatible with the previous standard connection, but can be opened and closed more conveniently with a button instead of a slider.
Source: Jan Johannsen
The Exynos W930 chipset is said to offer 18 per cent more performance compared to the Galaxy Watch 5. As a result, the apps on the Galaxy Watch 6 should start 34 per cent faster. It should also require less energy. According to Samsung, it has also increased the battery capacity. 300 mAh for the small and 425 mAh for the large variants. The battery life should reach up to 30 hours with the always-on display active and up to 40 hours with the always-on display deactivated.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Samsung is not touting any innovations when it comes to connecting to smartphones or other devices. Instead, these are mainly in the health area. Sleep tracking is said to have been expanded. The heart rate zones can now be customised. In addition, the watches are supposed to better recognise irregularities in the heart rhythm. However, this function has yet to be certified in some countries, such as Germany. Samsung has added emergency information to the SOS functions.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Price and availability
The recommended retail prices of the smartwatches vary depending on size and internet connection (LTE or Wi-Fi). They range from 319 to 399 euros/francs for the Galaxy Watch 6 and from 419 to 499 euros/francs for the Watch 6 Classic.
Pre-orders are now possible. The official sales launch is 11 August 2023. In Switzerland, pre-orders include the Galaxy Buds 2.
In Germany there is no free gift.
Cover photo: Jan Johannsen
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.