The Galaxy Watch6, sixth generation of Samsung’s connected watch, celebrates the big return of the rotating bezel. A great asset in the face of stiff competition, but which struggles to erase some annoying flaws.
The Galaxy Watches are to Samsung smartphones what the Apple Watches are to the iPhone: they represent the natural extension of the mobile by recalling the well-polished design specific to the brand, but also the intuitive interface which allows them to be handled without stopping. question. For the sixth generation of Galaxy Watch, which still includes eight models of different sizes, from 40 mm to 47 mm with or without 4G connection, prices range from 279 euros for the Galaxy Watch6 40 mm up to 499 euros for the Galaxy Watch6 Classic 4G 47mm. No revolution with this new range. Samsung stands by its achievements. The Classic 43 mm model that we are testing here (419 euros) celebrates its return after being eclipsed last year by a Pro model more oriented towards sport and less becoming. It is also accompanied by the famous rotating bezel, a true trademark of the Galaxy Watch and which allows it to distinguish it from the competition both visually and in handling. But beyond this ergonomic detail, the Watch6 Classic struggles to really make a difference. And if it combines some great assets, it stumbles on some rather annoying points. We were able to test the Galaxy Watch6 Classic for several days. Here is our verdict.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic: a refined design that impresses
For this sixth generation of Galaxy Watch, Samsung has not reinvented the wheel in terms of design. This is, with a few details, similar to that of previous iterations. We still benefit from a round case, in stainless steel for this Classic version instead of aluminum for the “standard” Watch6. Even if it doesn’t look like it, it turns out to be relatively thick. From the base of the sensor to the bezel, the watch still has a nice size of 14 mm. The weight is to match with its 52 g. In short, it doesn’t go unnoticed but it’s not very annoying.
It does not cling to the sleeve of a shirt and is quite easy to show off. Rather elegant, far from the resolutely sporty look often encountered on this type of device and that of last year’s Galaxy Watch5 Pro, the Watch6 Classic is impressive. It is also comfortable for all daily activities but also when you need to be active. Samsung provided an equally elegant fluoroelastomer strap with a stitched leather effect on the top.
For grip, the Korean is introducing a new, very practical system based on a push button instead of traditional pump rods. No need to have long nails to change them. However, for those who wish to reuse an old bracelet, the operation remains entirely possible. Unlike Apple Watches, this new attachment system is not mandatory. Any standard bracelet will do.
In terms of robustness, the Watch6 Classic has an IP68 waterproof rating allowing it to withstand up to 5 ATM. Enough to take with you for swimming in a pool while remaining careful about the depth.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic: remarkable ergonomics
This is the big return of the rotating bezel. If you don’t know the principle, it may appeal to you. Like watches designed for diving, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic has a rotating bezel around the dial. This allows you to easily scroll through the information on the screen (menus, dials, widgets, etc.) without having to touch it with your finger. A system which is not new at Samsung since it was already present on certain Galaxy Gear – the ancestors of the Galaxy Watch – but which still proves to be as efficient and pleasant to use. Thus positioned around the screen, the rotating bezel allows navigation that is not found, to our knowledge, on any other connected watch. The rotation is enhanced by notches with haptic feedback, a sort of small vibration, which also facilitates its use. Once you have tasted this system, it becomes really difficult to do without it. Another advantage of this bezel: it cleverly hides the borders of the screen which can, on certain other watches, remain clearly visible and sometimes unsightly. We can therefore only welcome this return.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic: a very readable screen in all circumstances
This Watch6 Classic has a beautiful 1.31 inch Super Amoled screen with a definition of 432 x 432 pixels. Above all, it is its brightness that impresses. Whatever the environment, the display remains perfectly readable, including in direct sunlight where the brightness sensor automatically increases the rate to a peak of 2000 nits. Suffice to say that you will not have the slightest difficulty reading the information displayed during a short jog on a beach in full sun. During the night, this display is also discreet to avoid burning your retina if you decide to consult your watch in the dark.
Obviously, the Watch6 Classic has an Always On Display mode (screen always on) to keep the time displayed permanently but with a reduced brightness level. However, we do not recommend enabling it to avoid eating into battery life, as we will see later.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic: a wide range of functions
What has made Galaxy Watches so valuable for years is also the wide range of functions they offer. Here we are dealing with a general-purpose watch which, like the Apple Watch, has everything you need for everyday life but also for sport and health. It’s a riot of menus, sometimes accessible from the tocante, sometimes from the Samsung Wearable application installed on the smartphone… Android only. Yes, if Apple reserves its Apple Watches for its iPhones, Samsung no longer allows iOS users to take advantage of Galaxy Watches since the arrival of WearOS, the mobile OS signed Google, instead of Tizen, the in-house system of Samsung. Worse still, certain functions of this Galaxy Watch6 Classic only work with Samsung smartphones. This is the case of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure measurement carried out by the Samsung Health Monitor application which is not available on the Google PlayStore but from the Galaxy Store, the application store of Samsung installed by default on its own devices. On this point it is a real disappointment.
Watch management
It is through the Samsung Wearable app that all the settings of the Galaxy Watch6 Classic are made. Rather well designed and readable, the app allows you to personalize the watch as you wish. We have a multitude of dials to vary the pleasures and styles. Incidentally, some of them still benefit from a very careful design with a very successful virtual reflection effect which comes to life depending on the orientation of the watch. Many other watch faces are downloadable but not all are free.
The app also allows you to customize the action of the two buttons on the watch by single or double press, long or short. For example, it is possible to launch an app directly without having to search for it in the list. Practical. Certain arm or wrist movements are also taken into account to carry out actions (like on the new Apple Watches) to, for example, take a call or trigger an exercise.
Sports management
The Galaxy Watch6 Classic can of course accompany you for your sports sessions. 90 activities are available for which the monitoring of the heart rate monitor proves to be a good partner. The measurements that we recorded during hiking and fitness walking exercises by varying the pace turned out to be very close to those provided by an Apple Watch Ultra (1).
As for GPS tracking, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic provides the minimum. We did not notice any big differences in the distance measurements taken. However, precision is not always there when analyzing course layouts. If we rely on those recorded by the watch, we sometimes have the impression of having followed several series of slaloms even though it was actually a straight line. Amazing.
There also remains all the health functions for which the Watch6 Classic is rather well equipped. We appreciate monitoring body composition measurements or even monitoring sleep (provided you keep a close eye on the energy gauge.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic: autonomy worthy of an Apple Watch
Placing the Galaxy Watch6 Classic on the same level as an Apple Watch in terms of autonomy is unfortunately not a compliment. It’s quite simple, we started our day at 7:30 a.m. with 100% autonomy. Notifications without excess, a 1.5 hour walking session with GPS, permanent heart rate monitoring, Always On Display mode activated to read the time at any time… at 11 p.m., there was nothing left only 5% autonomy. That’s way too fair. There is no point hoping in these conditions to follow up with an evening or sleep monitoring. Without Always On Display mode, things get better, a little, but without providing great satisfaction either. We’re just grabbing a few extra hours. Despite a slightly more generous battery than last year, the watch really struggles to keep up. A larger screen, a more powerful processor but also the presence of WearOS 4 in the controllers supported by the One UI 5 in-house software overlay are the reason for the autonomy of this Watch6 Classic. It’s just frustrating.
For charging, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic comes with an induction dock (but without a charger). Allow a good hour and a half to refuel to 100%. Note that charging is also possible if you have a wireless reverse charging system on the smartphone. On the other hand, you have to be quite patient. One hour allowed us to recover 18% of autonomy.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic: should you fall for Samsung’s elegant watch?
Samsung’s know-how in the design of its watches remains undeniable. The Galaxy Watch6 Classic continues the tradition by maintaining an elegant and functional design. We greatly appreciate the return of the rotating bezel which, in our opinion, provides an exclusive and very practical way to navigate the interface and the various applications with a touch of elegance. The watch is also very pleasant on a daily basis with its beautiful, bright and very readable Amoled screen. It is also full of functions to stay informed, carry out all the usual health measurements and accompany sports sessions even if we would not have been against a little more rigor in precision. The Galaxy Watch6 Classic therefore ticks almost all the boxes for a good connected watch. But it’s impossible to really take advantage of all its advantages without sacrificing autonomy. On this point, Samsung must work hard to offer a watch that is as attractive as it is durable.