After a hiatus lasting one year, the latest iteration of the Samsung smartwatch makes a triumphant return to the Classic nomenclature, christened as the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. With the arrival of this new smartwatch, a familiar feature, the rotating bezel, and the enduring stainless steel construction are back in the spotlight, coupled with a slight uptick in case dimensions compared to the Watch 4 Classic. However, it's crucial to note that the Watch 6 Classic isn't positioned as a direct successor to last year's Watch 5 Pro. Furthermore, Samsung has chosen to concurrently offer the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro alongside the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, leading to the question of who precisely should opt for the newer model. For existing owners of the Watch 5 Pro or even the Watch 4 Classic, the quandary remains: should you consider upgrading? In the following sections, we'll embark on a journey to unearth answers to these inquiries.
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs. Watch 5 Pro: Aesthetic Aspects
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic proudly upholds the timeless round design reminiscent of traditional timepieces. The 47mm variant, which I had the privilege of testing, exudes an air of elegance and sophistication. In comparison to the Watch 5 Pro, the Watch 6 Classic adopts a slightly slimmer battery, a topic we'll delve into shortly. Despite this, the Watch 6 Classic manages to be marginally thicker and approximately 13 grams heavier than its predecessor, the Watch 5 Pro. This weight differential is largely attributed to the use of stainless steel in the Watch 6 Classic, as opposed to the titanium build of the Watch 5 Pro, which not only renders it lighter but also enhances its durability. Having spent considerable time with the Watch 6 Classic as my daily companion, I can affirm that while the weight is noticeable, it becomes easily accustomed to regular use.
Now, let's talk about the return of the rotating bezel. While many enthusiasts have lauded its aesthetics and the satisfying tactile experience it offers, its practicality cannot be overstated. Manipulating the rotating bezel adds an element of fun to interactions with the watch. There's a distinct audible click that accompanies each rotation, contributing to the overall satisfaction of its use. Moreover, the rotating bezel significantly enhances the precision and reliability of navigating through actions when compared to the touch-sensitive bezel found on the Watch 5 Pro, which often exhibited inconsistency.
Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic comes equipped with a high-quality rubber-material wristband that exudes the luxurious feel of leather. What sets this band apart is the convenience of a quick-release button, which simplifies the process of changing bands. Furthermore, the support for the 20mm watch band standard in the Samsung Watch 6 Classic broadens the horizons for choices, both from first-party and third-party manufacturers, allowing users to personalize their watch to their heart's content.
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs. Watch 5 Pro: Display Dynamics
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offers consumers two variants to choose from: 43mm and 47mm, each featuring Super AMOLED displays measuring 1.3 inches and 1.5 inches, respectively. In my testing, I had the privilege of exploring the larger variant, and I must confess that the display on this watch is nothing short of outstanding. It boasts sharpness, vibrancy, and most importantly, brightness that sets a new benchmark, arguably ranking as the brightest display on any smartwatch available today.
Samsung claims a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, which is twice as bright as what the Apple Watch Ultra can achieve. While I lack the precise tools for measuring brightness claims, I can confidently assert that, based on my personal experience, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic outshines my Apple Watch Series 7, Galaxy Watch 4, and the Watch 5 Pro, establishing itself as the undisputed leader in terms of smartwatch brightness.
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs. Watch 5 Pro: Power and Battery Performance
As highlighted in the previous section on design, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic opts for a smaller 425mAh battery in contrast to the 590mAh battery found in the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. This reduction in battery size, combined with the presence of an improved and faster Exynos W930 processor, results in top-tier performance for the Watch 6 Classic. However, this enhanced performance comes at the cost of battery life.
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, equipped with this potent hardware, delivers remarkable speed and responsiveness in day-to-day operations. Yet, it's essential to acknowledge that the battery life, while by no means subpar, doesn't quite match up to the standards set by the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. This isn't to suggest that the Watch 6 Classic's battery life is inadequate. In fact, with features such as an always-on display and adaptive brightness enabled, Samsung claims a battery life of 30 hours. In my testing, I consistently achieved between 25 to 30 hours of battery life on my Watch 6 Classic, even with all health sensors activated, an always-on display, and adaptive brightness settings engaged. Furthermore, when I reached for the charger, I typically had a residual battery level of 10-15%, implying that the Watch 6 Classic might indeed achieve the magic number Samsung claims with a full 100% to 0% drain, contingent upon usage patterns.
On the software front, the Watch 6 Classic adopts OneUI 5.0 layered on top of Wear OS 4. This distinctive combination positions it as the first Android smartwatch worldwide to feature the latest Watch OS release, surpassing even the Pixel Watch in this regard. Wear OS 4 on the Watch 6 Classic, however, is more about refinement, delivering a sense of familiarity to users already acquainted with Wear OS 3.5.
Nonetheless, there are a couple of noteworthy differences. Notably, the integration of Samsung Wallet enables tap-and-pay functionality with the watch. Additionally, users now have the flexibility to define custom workout routines, with the option to record these tailored workouts.
