While the next connected watches from Samsung are expected for this summer, we take stock of everything we already know about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Pro or Classic.
As has already been the case for several years, it is during the summer that Samsung should present its next range of connected watches. In this case, two models seem to be planned this year: the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
Indeed, the model Pro» could be abandoned after the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro launched last year in order to offer a return to a range close to that which we have known in previous years, with a model with a rotating bezel. But it should not be the only novelty expected on these future watches under Wear OS.
In this file, we are going to take stock of the new features expected on the various Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, both in terms of design, screen and even autonomy.
A round Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The first watch model expected is obviously the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which should succeed the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5. If the last generation had ultimately changed little compared to the 2021 version, we expect however to a bigger design change for the Galaxy Watch 6.
As with previous versions, the watch should be available in two formats – 40 and 44 mm wide – without a bezel around the screen and with a protective glass that extends to the edges of the case.
However, according to leaker Ice Universe, generally well informed about Samsung’s projects, the Korean manufacturer should go further to offer a more polished finish.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has returned to the curved glass design. From now on, it is known that the glass is not flat and there is not much other information.
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) February 23, 2023
In a tweet published at the end of February, the Chinese leaker indeed indicates that “ the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 will return to a design with curved glass“. A design choice that could notably be inspired by the Pixel Watch with its pebble-shaped case. Remember also that Apple also offers a curved screen for its connected watches, such as the Apple Watch Series 8.
However, we still do not know if the screen itself will be curved or if it will only be a curved glass protection protecting a flat screen.
In addition, as on previous models, the Galaxy Watch 6 should benefit from a round screen and navigation that can be done using a virtual bezel – simply by sliding your finger all around the screen.
A Galaxy Watch 6 Classic or Pro with the return of the rotating bezel
Alongside the Galaxy Watch 6, however, Samsung would not offer a model with wide borders this year, but a real rotating and mechanical bezel, as on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch. Like the digital crown on the Apple Watch, this bezel would allow you to navigate directly in the interface.
According to information from the Sam Mobile site and the leaker Super Roader, published in mid-March, Samsung has indeed decided to integrate a rotating bezel into its model “Pro“. For the moment, however, we do not know what the name of this variation will be and whether it will be a model stamped “Pro” Or “classic“.
“Samsung will bring back physical rotating borders this year. The bezel will only be offered on the Galaxy Watch 6 Pro, so if you’re planning on picking up the base Galaxy Watch 6, you’ll have to settle for the virtual bezel“, Indicates the site specializing in Samsung news.
Moreover, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro was only available in one size, 45 mm in diameter, the Galaxy Watch 6 Pro – or Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – should indeed be entitled to two formats in order to fit both small and large wrists. It is not yet known what formats will be offered. However, remember that the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic was already available in two sizes, 42 and 46 mm.
Thinner borders
On the screen front, Samsung has also decided to improve the user experience on its new connected watches. The Korean manufacturer would indeed have reduced the size of the borders around the screen in order to waste as little space as possible. A strategy that is also similar to the borderless screens offered by Apple’s connected watches.
This time again, the information comes from leaker Ice Universe who, in several messages shared on Twitter at the beginning of April, initially indicates that the Galaxy Watch 6 will be entitled to a larger screen, going from 1, 4 to 1.47 inches, while maintaining a case format of 44 mm in diameter. Concretely, this would therefore mean that the screen would occupy a more important place on the whole of the connected watch.
In a second message, the Chinese leaker goes a little further by specifying the size and definition of the two models of Galaxy Watch 6 which would be planned by Samsung. Enough to also assess the evolution in terms of display density on the two formats.
Exclusive：
Galaxy Watch 6 44mm 1.47″ 480×480（Watch5 44mm 1.4″ 450×450）
Galaxy Watch 6 40mm 1.31″ 432×432（Watch5 40mm 1.2″ 396×396）— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) April 6, 2023
Concretely, whether it is the 40 mm or the 44 mm version, the two Galaxy Watch 6 would thus be entitled to a larger screen than the Galaxy Watch 5 of last year. The Galaxy Watch 6 40 mm would also benefit from a higher definition also in order to maintain the resolution of 330 pixels per inch. On the other hand, if the definition would also increase on the Galaxy Watch 6 44 mm, going to 450 x 450 pixels, the resolution would be slightly reduced, going from 327 to 321 pixels per inch.
| Diameter | Definition | Density | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 6 40mm | 1.31″ | 432 x 432 pixels | 330 pixels per inch |
| Galaxy Watch 5 40mm | 1.2″ | 396 x 396 pixels | 330 pixels per inch |
| Galaxy Watch 6 44mm | 1.47″ | 480 x 480 pixels | 327 pixels per inch |
| Galaxy Watch 5 44mm | 1.4″ | 450 x 450 pixels | 321 pixels per inch |
It’s unclear, however, how reproducible this data is for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic — or Galaxy Watch 6 Pro. Remember that, last year, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro benefited from the same screen as the Galaxy Watch 5 44 mm. However, due to the integration of a mechanical crown, it is unlikely that Samsung will be able to drastically increase the size of the display on its watch without also increasing the format of the case.
Improved autonomy
The low autonomy of connected watches is a recurring criticism made against Wear OS, the Google operating system used in particular by Samsung on its own connected watches. The Korean manufacturer seems to be aware of this limitation and, after offering a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro with a battery life of almost two days, would have planned to further improve the battery life of its Galaxy Watch 6.
According to information from the Dutch siteGalaxy Clubshared last March, Samsung would have simply increased the capacity of the batteries integrated into its connected watches.
Concretely, the Galaxy Watch 6 40 mm would be entitled to a 300 mAh battery – against 284 mAh on the Galaxy Watch 5 40 mm – while the Galaxy Watch 6 44 mm would benefit from a accumulator of 425 mAh – against 410 mAh for the Galaxy Watch 5 44mm. Concretely, we would therefore be entitled to a battery with a higher capacity of 6.9% for the 40 mm model and 3.8% on the 44 mm model. It remains to be seen whether these slightly larger capacity batteries will be enough to compensate for the larger, and therefore more energy-consuming, display of the two models.
Furthermore, the versionsPro” Or “classicof the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 should also benefit from the same batteries, according to information fromSam-Mobile. Thus, the 42 mm model should be entitled to a 300 mAh battery, while the 46 mm model would be entitled to a 425 mAh battery. This is also an increase in capacity compared to the 247 and 361 mAh batteries of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
Likely price and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are expected to be announced later this summer, along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. In recent years, previous generations were unveiled during the Samsung’s summer event, during the formalization of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4, on August 10, 2022, or the Galaxy Z Fold 3, on August 11, 2021.
If Samsung keeps its usual schedule, we can therefore expect a presentation of its new generation of connected watches for the beginning of next August, between August 1 and August 15, 2023.
We are still in the unknown regarding the prices that Samsung could offer on its new range. Remember that the Galaxy Watch 5, in the Wi-Fi and 40 mm version, was available from 299 euros and up to 379 euros in the 4G and 44 mm version. For its part, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro was displayed between 469 euros – for the Wi-Fi version – and 519 euros – for the 4G version.
Logically, we should therefore have relatively similar prices, if not slightly higher, for the future Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
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