Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review
Introduction and Unboxing
Samsung has made a welcome return to its classic design with the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, reintroducing the beloved rotating bezel that fans of the brand have missed since the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. This feature not only enhances usability but also adds a touch of elegance to the smartwatch. Along with the aesthetic upgrade, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is powered by the new Exynos W930 chipset, marking a notable improvement in performance and efficiency.
This smartwatch seems to cater to a broader audience with two distinct series: the Classic, aimed at traditional smartwatch lovers, and the Pro, for those seeking advanced fitness features. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, targeting users who appreciate the rotating bezel, combines style with functionality, making it a worthy contender in the smartwatch market.
Pricing
- $206.68 (Approx)
- €222.00 (Approx)
Specifications at a Glance
Body
- Dimensions: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm
- Weight: 59g
- Materials: Sapphire crystal front, stainless steel frame
- Durability: MIL-STD-810H compliant, 50m water-resistant (IP68), ECG certified, and blood pressure monitor.
Display
- Size: 1.50″ Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 480 x 480 px
- Aspect Ratio: 9:9
- Pixel Density: 453 ppi
- Features: Always-on display for convenient access to information.
Chipset
- Exynos W930 (5 nm)
- CPU: Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A55
- GPU: Mali-G68
Memory
- Storage: 16GB
- RAM: 2GB
Operating System
- Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5
Battery
- Capacity: 425 mAh
- Charging: Wireless (Qi)
Connectivity
- LTE support, eSIM, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
Sensors
- Accelerometer, gyro, compass, heart rate monitor, barometer, thermometer (for skin temperature), 3D Hall sensor.
Miscellaneous
- Supports natural language commands and dictation, Samsung Pay for convenient transactions.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is a blend of modern and traditional styles. The stainless steel frame adds durability while providing a premium look and feel. The rotating bezel is not just for aesthetics; it enhances navigation, allowing users to scroll through menus and notifications seamlessly. This feature sets it apart from other smartwatches that rely solely on touch interfaces.
The watch is also designed to withstand various environments, being MIL-STD-810H compliant and featuring a water resistance rating of IP68, making it suitable for swimming and outdoor activities.
Display Quality
The 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing excellent readability in various lighting conditions. With a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels, the display delivers sharp visuals that enhance the overall user experience. The always-on display feature allows users to glance at notifications and time without needing to wake the watch, adding to its convenience.
Performance
The Exynos W930 chipset brings noticeable improvements in performance, ensuring smoother animations and quicker app launches. With 2 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic can handle multitasking more efficiently, making it a suitable choice for users who rely on multiple apps during their daily activities.
Whether tracking workouts, receiving notifications, or using health monitoring features, the watch performs consistently well, reflecting the upgrades in hardware and software.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with an impressive suite of health and fitness tracking features. The addition of skin temperature measurements provides users with more insights into their overall well-being.
The 3D Hall sensor enables fall detection, a critical safety feature for active users or those who may be at risk of falls. The watch continues to offer essential health metrics, including heart rate monitoring, ECG readings, and blood pressure monitoring. With these features, users can closely monitor their health and fitness levels, making it a comprehensive health companion.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic houses a 425 mAh battery, which is smaller than the 590 mAh battery found in the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. However, the efficiency of the new Exynos W930 chipset is expected to optimize battery life, making the most of the available capacity.
Early usage suggests that users can expect around 40-50 hours of battery life under standard usage conditions. With the always-on display enabled, users might see a decrease in battery performance, but the overall efficiency of the watch helps mitigate this impact. Samsung has also included a battery saver mode, which can extend battery life during extended activities.
Unboxing Experience
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic comes in a standard retail box, which includes user manuals and a charging pad with an attached USB-C cable. It is worth noting that Samsung has opted not to include a dedicated charger in the box, allowing users to utilize any USB-C wall charger or PC/laptop for charging. However, the watch does not support charging with third-party Qi chargers, nor can it be reverse charged using non-Samsung smartphones, which may limit convenience for some users.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic strikes a compelling balance between style, performance, and health tracking features. The reintroduction of the rotating bezel enhances usability, while the Exynos W930 chipset ensures smooth operation and responsiveness. With its suite of health features, including ECG and blood pressure monitoring, as well as skin temperature measurements, the Watch 6 Classic stands out as a comprehensive health companion.
While the reduction in battery capacity compared to its predecessor raises some questions, the new chipset’s efficiency suggests it will still provide satisfactory battery life for daily use. For those who appreciate the classic design and innovative features of the rotating bezel, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is a commendable choice in the smartwatch market.