Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is coming: these are our expectations

Samsung will launch its new smartwatches in a few months. Curious what they have to offer? We’ve listed our expectations of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Classic) for you!

Our expectations of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Last year, Samsung released two, or actually three smartwatches: the Galaxy Watch 5 appeared in two sizes: 40 and 44 millimeters. If that wasn’t enough, you could opt for the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. That model had a diameter of 45 millimeters, was more solidly built and had a larger battery.

Also in 2023 we will see two different variants again. The regular Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The South Korean company drops the ‘Pro’ name after a year. We have now received a few things about these watches. So it’s high time to share our expectations of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series with you.

Faster chip

The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 series ran on an Exynos W920 chip. So they were exactly the same speed. This year we can expect another upgrade. The Galaxy Watch 6 models have a new Exynos W980 processor on board. It would perform about 10 percent better and also use energy more efficiently.

Larger screens

The 40-millimeter model of the Galaxy Watch 5 has a 1.19-inch OLED screen, while the display of the 44-millimeter variant measures 1.36 inches. Those sizes are going up. According to rumors, the larger Galaxy Watch 6 will have a 1.47-inch screen this year. We expect the smaller model to grow as well, but how much exactly is still unclear.

We also do not know what this means for the dimensions of the watch cases. Samsung may make the edges thinner, so they hardly increase in volume. The edges themselves would no longer be completely flat, but rounded. We know that from the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch.

Higher capacity battery

The battery life remains a point of attention with smartwatches. Fortunately, the Galaxy Watch 6 will have a slightly larger battery. The smaller variant is rumored to go from 284 to 300 mAh. The large one grows from 410 to 425 mAh. Those differences are small, but a nice bonus.

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a much larger 590 mAh battery. However, that watch does not seem to have a direct successor. Instead, Samsung is releasing a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Renders have already appeared. This smartwatch, with a 1.47 inch screen, also has a battery of 425 mAh. That is considerably less than the 5 Pro.

A smaller Galaxy Watch 6 Classic may also appear, but rumors about this contradict each other.

Classic gets a rotating bezel

Lovers of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic were quite displeased last year. At that time, Samsung did not release a new watch with a physically rotating bezel around the screen. That has been an important feature of Samsung smartwatches in the past. With this ring you can easily navigate through the menus and adjust the volume, for example.

This year the Classic is back and most likely the rotating bezel too. Good news for the enthusiast. The normal Galaxy Watch 6 does not get this physical ring. Instead, there’s a touch-sensitive bezel with the same features.

Weather WearOS

Samsung’s smart watches have been running on Google’s Wear OS for a few years now. That certainly also applies to the Galaxy Watch 6 (Classic). That’s handy, because you can easily install thousands of apps via the Play Store. There are also countless watch faces for this operating system.

Samsung puts its own One UI skin over Wear OS. The Galaxy Watch 6 models have One UI 5 Watch on board. This new version gives you better insight into your sleeping behavior and puts even more emphasis on fitness and safety. Incidentally, this software will also come to the older Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series later.

Presentation on July 26?

In recent years, Samsung launched its smartwatches during an Unpacked event in August. That seems to take place on July 26 this time, although we are still holding back. We will also see the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 at this event. Soon after, all devices will probably be for sale.

It is not yet known how much the watches will cost. To give you an idea: the Galaxy Watch 5 with a 40 mm case had a suggested retail price of 299 euros, while the 44 mm variant cost 329 euros. The Watch 5 Pro had to cost at least 469 euros.

Galaxy Watch 5 (Pro) remains a great buy

Do you need a new smartwatch now? Then you can safely look at the Galaxy Watch 5 or Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. These remain excellent watches, which have also fallen considerably in price. For example, you have now ‘only’ lost about 300 euros for the Pro.

Curious what we think of these smart clocks? In our extensive review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (Pro) you will find all the pros and cons!

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