Do you favor a bodily rotating bezel, or are you able to make do with digital for a a lot lighter design? Samsung gave us this selection once more after proscribing its watches to digital final era, and it is a welcome enchancment. At the identical time, the usual Galaxy Watch 6 has a brand new chipset, extra reminiscence, and far bigger shows.
ForFaster Exynos chip with extra RAMLarger displaysThinner designClassic choice for rotating bezelAgainstShorter battery life estimateNo new sensorsNo storage improve
After holding the crown of finest Android look ahead to a yr, the Galaxy Watch 5 stays a dependable choice and hasn’t misplaced a lot of a step in comparison with the newer mannequin. Its battery life is barely longer, it matches the Watch 6 for well being monitoring and sturdiness, and it will obtain the identical new software program tips.
ForSame well being sensorsEqually sturdy and waterproofLonger battery life estimateSame One UI software program for years to comeAgainstLast-gen chipset with much less RAMSmaller displaysNo rotating bezel choice
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic have arrived. The latter brings again the rotating bezel after Samsung deserted it for the Galaxy Watch 5. But apart from this course correction, Samsung’s Sixth-generation watch (and Third-gen Wear OS watch) makes loads of different adjustments. At a look, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers you bigger shows, a brand new processor with a better clock pace, sooner reminiscence, and bigger batteries in comparison with the Galaxy Watch 5. But is that sufficient for GW5 house owners, on condition that the 2022 watch held the crown for finest Android watch since its launch?Below, we’ll go into extra depth about how the Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 5 evaluate to at least one one other. We’ll contact on some Galaxy Watch 6 Classic variations from the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, however primarily deal with the standard-sized Watch 6 and 5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 5: What’s the identical?Why you may belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you may select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.The Galaxy Watch 6 (left) and Galaxy Watch 5 (proper) (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Although Samsung redesigned the Galaxy Watch 6 show and made slight adjustments to sizing, the crux of the design is identical: you get an Armor Aluminum case in two sizes (40mm and 44mm) and a water-resistant design that withstands 50 meters of stress for 10 minutes, or 1.5 meters for as much as 30 minutes. Both the Galaxy Watch 6 and 5 go the MIL-STD-810H take a look at for sturdiness, too. Like the Galaxy Watch 5, the Galaxy Watch 6 helps Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5GHz, NFC tap-to-pay, and the identical 4 international satellite tv for pc methods. Plus, you may pay further to get an LTE mannequin of both watch. The solely connectivity distinction between them is the leap from Bluetooth 5.2 to 5.3.While the Galaxy Watch 4 added a BIA sensor and the Galaxy Watch 5 added a temperature sensor, the bottom Galaxy Watch 6 does not have a brand new snazzy sensor this yr. You can see the complete checklist of shared sensors under, however the one distinction is that the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has a 3D corridor sensor, which is used to register the rotating bezel’s actions — the identical because the Watch 4 Classic. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with its rotating bezel (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Galaxy Watch 6 will launch with One UI 5 Watch based mostly on Wear OS 4. While this new UI does have loads of new options like revamped sleep monitoring, personalised coronary heart charge zones, improved discover your cellphone by SmartThhings, and menstrual cycle monitoring, the Galaxy Watch 5 will get practically the entire similar options. Since the Galaxy Watch 5 is meant to get 4 years of updates, you may in all probability have to attend two or three extra years earlier than you see any vital software program variations between them.Rounding out the checklist, you get the identical 16GB of storage for Wear OS apps, watch faces, and different knowledge. Both watches use wi-fi charging with a proprietary charger; since Samsung did not point out a pace improve, we assume the Galaxy Watch 6 could have the identical 10W charging normal.Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 5: What’s completely different?Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySamsung Galaxy Watch 6Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ClassicSamsung Galaxy Watch 5Display1.3-inch (432×432), 1.5-inch (480×480) Super AMOLED1.3-inch (432×432), 1.5-inch (480×480) Super AMOLED1.19-inch (396×396), 1.36-inch (450×450, 330ppi) Super AMOLEDProcessorSamsung Exynos W930 (1.4GHz)Samsung Exynos W930 (1.4GHz)Samsung Exynos W920 (1.18GHz)RAM2GHz2GHz1.5GHzStorage16GB16GB16GBBattery300mAh / 425mAh300mAh / 425mAh284mAh / 410mAhWireless chargingYesYesYesSensorsSamsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light SensorSamsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, 3D Hall sensorSamsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light SensorConnectivityLTE (non-compulsory), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, GPS/ GLONASS/ GALILEO/ BeidouLTE (non-compulsory), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, GPS/ GLONASS/ GALILEO/ BeidouLTE (non-compulsory), Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, GPS/ GLONASS/ GALILEO/ BeidouDurability5ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810H5ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810H5ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810HMaterialsAluminum, Sapphire Crystal GlassStainless Steel, Sapphire Crystal GlassAluminum, Sapphire Crystal GlassDimensions38.8 x 40.4 x 9.0 mm; 42.8 x 44.4 x 9.0 mm42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9 mm; 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm39.3 x 40.4 x 9.8 mm; 43.3 x 44.4 x 9.8 mmWeight (w/out strap)28.7g; 33.3g52g; 59g29g; 32.8gColorsGraphite, Gold (40mm); Graphite, Silver (44mm)Black, Silver (43mm, 47mm)Boa Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold (40mm); Sapphire, Silver, Graphite (44mm)Starting with efficiency, the brand new Exynos W930 is a dual-core 5nm chip like its predecessor, however is clocked at 1.4GHz as an alternative of 1.18GHz. And it is backed by 2GHz of RAM, a 33% increase in comparison with the Galaxy Watch 5. Perhaps the obvious and vital distinction pertains to the show: Samsung says it shrunk the show border by 30%, which helps the Galaxy Watch 6 40mm and 44mm leap 0.11in and 0.14in in comparison with its Watch 5 counterparts whereas staying largely the identical measurement. Samsung says it made “updated watch faces to complement the larger screen,” so we assume this implies the Galaxy Watch 5 can be caught with the older variations. The Galaxy Watch 6 can pack in additional particulars than the Watch 5 (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Technically, the Galaxy Watch 6 packs in a bigger battery, supplying you with an additional 15–16mAh of capability relying on the dimensions. But in follow, the Galaxy Watch 6 battery estimate hits the identical 40-hour estimate because the Galaxy Watch 4 — 10 hours lower than Samsung’s 50-hour declare for the Galaxy Watch 5.We discovered that the Galaxy Watch 5 by no means truly lasted that lengthy in our checks, however the principle level right here is that the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic are nonetheless going to wish day by day fees when enabling options like AOD, always-listening Google Assistant, GPS monitoring, music streaming, and so forth. And due to the bigger shows and sooner processor guzzling extra battery, the newest-gen Samsung watch has fallen again a step on this one space. So if you would like an extended battery life, you may have to stay with the 80-hour Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as an alternative. (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)In phrases of sizing, each Galaxy Watch 6 fashions match their Watch 5 counterparts in width and measure 0.5mm shorter in top, whereas nonetheless providing a considerably bigger show. Both Galaxy Watch 6 sizes are 0.8mm thinner than their predecessors. Samsung’s thickness measurement is skewed for each as a result of it does not take the well being sensors into consideration. In actuality, we measured the Galaxy Watch 6 at barely above 12mm, whereas the Galaxy Watch 5 sits at 13mm. You’ll respect that the newer watches do not sit so excessive off of your wrist. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 6 is 0.3g lighter; the 44mm Watch 6 is 0.5g heavier. Either approach, it isn’t a distinction anybody might discover, and your selection of watch band will matter way more for consolation. As for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, each fashions are considerably bigger and heavier than their Watch 4 Classic counterparts, even though the Watch 6 bezel is 15% smaller. They’re even 0.4mm thicker and both 5g or 12g heavier than the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro — which our overview referred to as a bit too heavy and thick for consolation. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 5: Should you improve?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Galaxy Watch 6 prices $20 greater than the Watch 5 did at launch. You’ll pay $300 for the 40mm mannequin or $430 for the 44mm mannequin. Upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic prices $400 (43mm) or $430 (47mm), each of that are cheaper than the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. You can take a look at our Galaxy Watch 6 offers information for more information.If you are weighing the Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 5 for a brand new buy, the one stable purpose to think about the last-gen mannequin is when you discover it at low cost value. It’ll nonetheless maintain up as a dependable look ahead to the following few years regardless of falling behind the newer mannequin in show high quality and efficiency (and successful for battery life).If you already personal the Galaxy Watch 5 or 5 Pro, then think about when you’re unhappy together with your watch’s present pace or show measurement. We do not suppose these watches have instantly turn out to be out of date in both space, even when the Watch 6 is best. The software program would be the similar, the match solely barely completely different, and the battery life both comparable or barely worse. If you actually need that rotating bezel, then you might have a purpose to go for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. We’re not large followers of the Watch 5’s digital bezel, and that ought to apply to the Watch 6, too; however the Watch 6 Classic offers you the tactile feeling of zooming exactly by watch widgets. Just remember that regardless of its measurement, it’s going to final half the time of the Watch 5 Pro.
Choose the Galaxy Watch 6 for sooner efficiency, the most effective measurement/ show ratio on an Android watch at this time, and a barely thinner design; or select the Watch 6 Classic for the rotating bezel. Skip it when you’re already completely satisfied together with your Galaxy Watch 5 and are not keen on a heavy bezel.
Stick with the Galaxy Watch 5 when you’re completely satisfied together with your present watch; purchase the Galaxy Watch 5 when you’re trying to find offers and care extra about battery life than blazing speeds. Upgrade if you would like the very best Wear OS expertise.