Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Review: 8.5/10 - Refined Wear OS experience with rotating bezel
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, released in August 2023, refines Samsung’s smartwatch formula with the return of the physical rotating bezel (on the Classic model), the faster Exynos W930 chipset, and Wear OS 4 running One UI Watch 5. It features the BioActive sensor for heart rate, ECG, and body composition analysis, along with improved sleep tracking and temperature-based cycle tracking.
Design & Build
The Galaxy Watch 6 is available in 44mm and 40mm sizes with a sleek aluminum case. The display features a larger 1.47-inch AMOLED panel with thinner bezels than the Watch 5, providing a more immersive viewing experience. The sapphire crystal display is highly scratch-resistant, and the IP68 and 5 ATM ratings ensure durability. The one-click band system makes swapping bands quick and easy. The Watch 6 Classic variant brings back the physical rotating bezel for tactile navigation. Build quality is excellent, with a premium look that works for both fitness and formal settings.
Performance
The Exynos W930 processor provides snappy performance with smooth animations and fast app loading. The 2GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, and Wear OS 4 runs without lag. GPS accuracy is good for outdoor tracking, and the BioActive sensor delivers reliable heart rate readings during various activities. Battery life reaches about 40 hours with typical use, enough for two full days between charges. Fast charging via the included puck reaches 45% in 30 minutes. Sleep tracking has improved with personalized sleep coaching and animal-themed sleep types.
Features
Wear OS 4 provides access to the Google Play Store for thousands of apps including Google Maps, YouTube Music, WhatsApp, and Strava. Samsung Health offers comprehensive fitness tracking, body composition analysis via BIA, and ECG readings. The skin temperature sensor enables improved cycle tracking and fever detection. Fall Detection sends emergency alerts to pre-selected contacts. Google Assistant and Bixby voice assistants are both available. Samsung Pay provides contactless payments, and SmartThings integration controls Samsung smart home devices.
Pros
- Beautiful AMOLED display with thin bezels
- Rotating bezel Classic model is tactile and satisfying
- Wear OS 4 with full Google Play Store
- Comprehensive Samsung BioActive health sensor
- Fast charging and 40-hour battery life
Cons
- iOS not supported at all
- Battery life lags behind Garmin watches
- No battery improvements over Watch 5
- One UI software can feel cluttered
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the best Android smartwatch for most users, combining the full Wear OS app ecosystem with Samsung’s excellent health tracking and refined hardware design.
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Technical Specifications
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