Galaxy Watch6 Opinion & New Features

The Galaxy Watch6 is the first device to showcase Wear OS 4 in its entirety. Here’s an overview of the watch and the new Wear OS 4 features, but starting first with the new hardware capabilities:

Watch6 40mm ($299/£289), 43mm ($329/£319)

Watch6 Classic: 44mm ( $399/£369), 47mm ( $429/£399)

The Watch

In Samsung Galaxy Watch6, the emphasis has been on incremental improvement rather than completely overhauling the existing Galaxy Watch series. This iteration boasts improvements such as a bigger display with less bezel, a thinner case, a faster processor, and the reintroduction of a rotating bezel in the Classic model.

Battery life is claimed as “up to 40 hours”.

What’s New in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Series?

– Slimmer bezels for a larger display-to-body ratio.
– Thinner rotating bezel on the Classic model.
– Comes with Wear OS 4 and Samsung’s One UI 5 Watch.
– New Exynos W930 chipset for improved performance.
– Temperature sensor now integrated into cycle tracking and sleep monitoring.
– Third-party Thermo Check app to measure the temperature of objects.
– Minor improvements to the software and watch faces.

Wear OS 4

To some, the most noteworthy highlight is the integration of Wear OS 4, making the Galaxy Watch 6 the first one to incorporate this new OS. Although the Galaxy Watch6 employs Samsung’s variant called One UI Watch 5, the core framework is Google’s Wear OS in all but name, which encompasses several novel features.

The Galaxy Watch6 aims to elevate sleep tracking with a novel approach. It acts as a sleep coach, guiding users towards establishing healthier sleep habits and understanding their sleep patterns. Throughout the night, the smartwatch records vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep phases. This data is then presented on a series of well-designed and generally pretty screens.

The post-sleep analysis is available through the Samsung Health app, offering detailed breakdowns and a sleep score. The introduction of skin temperature improves the accuracy of sleep stage detection and helps further with the understanding of sleep conditions.

After a week of sleep data, the Watch6 starts its sleep coaching. This involves imparting tips and insights to help users fall asleep and stay asleep. Regular updates and analysis reports contribute to better understanding and progress tracking. Sleep coaching is a well-liked and well-used feature in several other brands including WHOOP.

The integration of SmartThings within One UI Watch 5 enhances the user experience, enabling the Galaxy Watch 6 to seamlessly interact with Samsung’s smart home ecosystem. This includes features like automatic adjustment of surrounding lights to aid in falling asleep. This

Fitness enthusiasts benefit from personalized heart rate zones for running. The Galaxy Watch6 offers real-time running analysis and an interval training program. Activity is categorized into zones, aligning with individual fitness capabilities and goals.

An intriguing addition is menstrual cycle tracking, a feature unlocked by the skin temperature sensor present in the Galaxy Watch5 and 6. Users can access tracked and projected menstrual cycle data, including ovulation predictions and symptom evaluations, providing insights into reproductive health.

Wear OS 4 brings modifications to notifications on the Galaxy Watch6, with larger notification tiles that are easier to read due to a grey square backdrop. Incoming message notifications also display profile photos for enhanced context.

The introduction of Samsung Wallet on Wear OS 4 for the Galaxy Watch 6 enhances practicality, offering functionalities like digital IDs and boarding passes. However, compatibility requires a connected compatible Galaxy phone.

Notable convenience improvements include simplified device transfers and automated backups through One UI Watch 5. Transferring the watch to a new device is now claimed to be less cumbersome, while automatic backups provide an added layer of data security.

Safety features are further enhanced by the inclusion of automatic background electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, which detect irregular heartbeats and prompt users for supplementary readings when necessary.

Additionally, the Galaxy Watch6 introduces SOS functionality, enabling direct contact with emergency services.

Overall, Wear OS 4 brings incremental enhancements to the Galaxy Watch6, contributing to a more user-friendly and feature-rich experience. These improvements position the Galaxy Watch 6 as a refined and advanced iteration within the Galaxy Watch series. Pre-orders through specific channels offer a $50 discount on the device and accompanying accessories.

Samsung Galaxy Watch – A Brief History

The Galaxy Watch Series serves as Samsung’s counterpart to the Apple Watch.

The first Galaxy Watch made its debut in 2018, and there has been a new model introduced each year since then. These models are typically announced in August, with availability in September, just in time for the lead-up to Christmas.

In 2021, the Watch4 transitioned from Samsung’s proprietary Tizen software to Google’s Wear OS 3.0. The Watch5 supports Wear OS 3.5, while the Watch6 supports Wear OS 4.0. Both Watch4 and Watch5 are expected to receive the Wear OS 4 upgrade. This stands in contrast to the Apple Watch lineup, where models since Watch 4 (2018) are compatible with the 2023 version of Apple’s software, provided the hardware supports it.

The evolution of the Galaxy Watch Series closely reflects industry-wide developments, featuring faster performance, improved battery life, and enhanced sensing capabilities with each new iteration. The watches’ versatile capabilities, serving as sports watches, smartphone companions, and wellness tools, are in line with what’s typical for the Watch6.

As the technology landscape progresses, a clear distinction emerges between Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS as the two dominant platforms. Apple maintains a hardware monopoly, while Google and Samsung compete in a more open software environment, allowing customers to mix and match their Android phones and watches. While this is advantageous for consumers, it poses challenges for Samsung, which aims to establish a strong connection between its Galaxy phones and Watches. To address this, Samsung’s One UI provides a proprietary visual “shell” for Watch6, and some Health features remain exclusive to modern Samsung phones when paired with the watch.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch 6 Classic Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 – Opinion

If you own a Watch3 or older then Watch6 is worth the upgrade. Otherwise, stick with what you have got.

If you own a Galaxy smartphone and want a watch then go for the latest Galaxy Watch you can afford above Watch4.

If you don’t own a Galaxy smartphone don’t buy a Samsung Watch.

Galaxy Watch 6 – Price and Availability

Phone-free net connectivity is possible with LTE but you will probably have to buy an extra data package from your carrier for about $/£5-£/$10 per month.

Base Model Galaxy Watch6:

• 40mm version starts at $299/£289
• 43mm version starts at $329/£319

Galaxy Watch6 Classic:

• 44mm version starts at $399/£369
• 47mm version starts at $429/£399