Review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: A Fresh Twist on Iteration

(Image credit- Flipboard) This year, Samsung once again launched Wear OS 4's first watches, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic, prior to anyone else. The rotating bezel, a Samsung signature and a fun and simple way to use the watch's user interface (UI), is also back in the 6 Classic after being gone in the versions from a year ago. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, aside from its bezel, is just a slight upgrade over the Watch 5 series from a year ago. However, if you're buying your first Wear OS watch or replacing one that's a few years old, the 6 Classic is definitely among the best options available right now.

Specifications

 

Battery Life	30 hours with Always On Display, 40 hours without
Onboard GPS	Yes
Lens Material	Sapphire Crystal
Sizes	43mm and 47mm
Colors	Black and Silver
Display	43mm: 1.3-inch 432 x 432 Super AMOLED, Always On Display; 47mm 1.5-inch 480 x 480 Super AMOLED Always On Display
CPU	Exynos W930 Dual-Core 1.4GHz
RAM	2GB
Storage	16GB
Battery	43mm: 300mAh 47mm: 425mAh
Connectivity	LTE6, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz, NFC
Durability	5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H
Software	Wear OS 4 / OneUi 5 Watch
Health sensors	Samsung BioActive Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, 3D Hall Sensor
Price	43mm: $400 47mm: $430
Strap	Hybrid Eco-Leather Band
Weight	43mm: 52g 47mm: 59g

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Image credit- TechWar.GR[/caption]

Design  and Hardware

The rotating bezel is back: this year's range restores the proper Classic form factor, complete with a clicky bezel after last year's Galaxy Watch 5 series removed the feature on the ruggedized Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. However, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic from 2021 and the upcoming Watch 6 Classic share a lot of similarities. The Watch 6 Classic's bezels are slightly narrower and its dimensions are slightly larger than the Watch 4 Classic's (43 and 47mm compared to 42 and 46mm), allowing for slightly larger screens in both sizes. Fortunately, the Watch 6 series still accepts regular watch bands, and this year's Samsung first-party bands receive a modest update. Each part of the band has a button on the underside that retracts the pins, making it slightly simpler to switch it out for another item.

Display

The 480x480 60Hz AMOLED displays on the 43mm and 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are both 1.5" wide and measure 1.3" in size. The Watch 6 Classic's case is a little bit broader than the Watch 4 Classic's, and Samsung managed to make the bezels around the displays smaller, so they are both a little bit bigger than the Watch 4 Classic's screens. Although you'll usually only see it from one angle, it has an amazing screen and brilliant colors. A 60Hz refresh rate ought to be the norm for Wear OS watches by now. Additionally, the brightness reaches a maximum of 2,000 nits. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Image credit- Stuff TV[/caption] Also, the Watch 6 Classic is easy to see outside, even in bright, direct sunlight, which is a significant improvement over the Watch 5 series' maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. According to Samsung, sapphire crystal, as compared to the more common toughened glass, covers the Watch 6 Classic's display.

Software and Performance

Technically, Wear OS 4, the most recent version of Google's wearable software, first appeared on the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic. Additionally, they are running Samsung's latest One UI 5 Watch on top of them, giving the watches' user interfaces a unique Samsung feel that was influenced by the company's earlier Tizen-powered smartwatches. Samsung's new Exynos W930 processor, which replaces the W920 that powered the Watch 4 and Watch 5 series, is featured in the Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Image credit- Digital Trends[/caption] Additionally, the Watch 6 Classic has two gigabytes of RAM, which is an improvement over the 1.5GB in the two previous models. Apps open quickly, and switching between app tiles and menu panels is seamless. Performance is extremely good.

Battery Life

For all Galaxy Watch 6 versions, Samsung offers the same battery claims: 30 hours with the always-on display turned on, or 40 hours without. That is a reasonable price for the 47mm Watch 6 Classic. Based on our experience with the 40mm regular Watch 6, Samsung's 30-to-40-hour estimate will be more realistic for the 43mm version because it has a smaller battery and won't last as long on a charge. A standard wireless charger in the shape of a puck that connects to USB-C is included with the Watch 6 Classic. It takes just over an hour to charge the battery from empty to full. The Watch 6 Classic won't charge on standard Qi charging pads, but you can use reverse wireless charging to charge it on the back of a compatible Samsung phone.

Price and Availability

The 43mm and 47mm versions of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic start at $400 and $430, respectively, for each size. Both sizes come in black or silver, and adding LTE connectivity to either watch raises the cost by $50. Also read: Samsung confirms Galaxy Watch 6 may roll out later this year with Apple Watch’s remarkable health feature