Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic Might Be the Best Smartwatches for Android Yet

Alongside unveiling two new folding phones—Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5—as well as the Galaxy Tab S9 family, Samsung is also updating its line of Galaxy Watches with two new models. Samsung already offers a robust smartwatch line, but long-time fans of the Galaxy Watch and more traditional watches should be excited.

Longtime fans of the Galaxy Watch, as well as fans of traditional watches, have a reason to be excited as well. Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Two new additions that succeed the standard Galaxy Watch 5 will live alongside the more rugged Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. 

Both are feature-packed WearOS by Samsung smartwatches with a range of health and activity-tracking features that can last up to 40 hours of use. Plus, you can score the Watch 6 for as low as $50 or the Watch 6 Classic for just $180. 

While on the ground in Seoul for Galaxy Unpacked, I had the chance to hands-on with the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Ahead I’m sharing my first impressions and how tlock in a preorder. 

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How to Preorder the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

If you’ve been eager for the return of the rotating bezel or just want to upgrade to a sleek new smartwatch, Samsung’s already opened up preorders for both the Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

The best news is that you can save up to $250 on either Galaxy Watch with an eligible device trade-in. And during the preorder window, you’ll also score a Fabric Band for free.

• Galaxy Watch 6, 40mm in Graphite or Gold, $299 at Samsung
• Galaxy Watch 6, 44mm in Graphite or Gold, $329 at Samsung
• Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, 43mm in Silver or Black, $399 at Samsung
• Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, 47mm in Silver or Black, $429 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic: First Impressions

After a few minutes with the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, it was clear that my favorite aspect was the design. Overall, the displays are bigger, and the design is much more refined in a way that exudes elegance and looks really nice.

The more expensive Galaxy Watch 6 Classic reintroduces one of the most beloved former features of Samsung smartwatches—the rotating bezel is back, and with a twist to the right or left, you can easily navigate the interface, swapping between tiles and quickly accessing info. It moves smoothly and is easily one of the best interfaces for a smartwatch, but even more mirrors that of a traditional watch. It also sports either a 43-millimeter or 47-millimeter display in Silver or Black.

While the standard Galaxy Watch 6 doesn’t feature a bezel, it does pack more screens into about the same sizes as the former Galaxy Watch 5. Specifically, it comes in with either 40-millimeter or 44-millimeter display in Graphite or Gold. However, it sports the same performance and nearly all the same features.

Samsung is finally making it easier to swap out bands with a new attachment system that requires a simple press and pull for removing or attaching bands. It will simplify changing these on the fly and is on both the 6 and 6 Classic.

Powering both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic is 1.4Ghz Dual-Core Exynos processor with 2GB of RAM. It might not sound as impressive as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but it provides plenty of power for a swift, fluid experience when using a smartwatch. Navigating between tiles or widgets, opening applications like Google Maps or Spotify, and even responding to a message with your voice is fast.

It’s also efficient as Samsung is still promising up to 40 hours of battery with the always-on display turned off and 30 hours with the feature turned on. Samsung BioActive Sensor still lives on the back and is unchanged. The Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic can track everyday activity from steps to calories burned and a bevy of different workout types. It also scales into health tracking with support for Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, Sleep Tracking with some new coaching features, and Fall Detection. Additionally, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification is joining the list as a new feature that could be critically important.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic aim to deliver a really well-rounded experience that’s highlighted by a refined design, great performance that doesn’t have you worrying about finding a charger, and a laundry list of health features to cater to every type of wearer.

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.

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