I like tactile things. The click of a keyboard. The spin of a volume knob. So when Samsung brought back the rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch6 Classic, I was intrigued. Most smartwatches have you swiping and poking at a teensy screen, but twisting a bezel to scroll just feels right.
Samsung offered the rotating bezel on older models but ditched it last year for the Galaxy Watch5. Tick-tick-tick-tick. The satisfying clicks are back on the Watch6 Classic, making it more fun to use.
There are four Watch6 models altogether, ranging in price from $319 to $659. I appreciate the options since my massive mitts need the 47mm Classic. Swapping the comfy silicone band for a snazzy fabric one is easy, but needs some muscle. I still wish the quick-release buttons were bigger.
The Watch6 pairs nicely with my Pixel Fold when I'm juggling grocery bags and need to take a call. I used my chin to spin the bezel and answer! Wear OS is improving app-wise, but still trails the Apple Watch. I love using Google Home to control my fan though.
Price & Availability
Classic Health
I dig to see my real-time heart rate and barely-existent sleep data. The ECG and irregular heartbeat notifications provide peace of mind but only work with Samsung phones. Depending on the region you're from you may not have access to the Blood Pressure feature, but it's quite neat to have some indication.
The two-day battery life with an always-on display beats the Pixel Watch. Sleep tracking was hit or miss versus other watches. But auto workout detection is a clutch when I'm hustling on my walk and don't want to fuss with the watch.
The heart rate tracking mostly lined up with my other watches, but sometimes the Classic read lower during walks. The GPS maps of my routes were spot on though. Serious athletes will still lean toward Garmin, but I'm happy.
Spin Cycle
The rotating bezel, long battery life, and workout smarts make the Watch6 Classic my fave Galaxy Watch. But the lag and health feature limits hold it back from being the best Android smartwatch.
The Pixel Watch wins on design with its gorgeous circular domed glass and tactile crown. And the TicWatch Pro 5 lasts longer with its dual-layer display.
I'll keep rocking the Classic for the tactile thrills and exercise smarts. But here's hoping Samsung smoothes out the software and opens up the health features next go-round. Until then, I'll happily tick-tick-tick-tick my way through notifications.
An Elegant Tank
The Galaxy Watch6 Classic exudes elegance with its durable stainless steel body and svelte profile. The styling hits a sweet spot between a sporty smartwatch and a classic timepiece.
I tested the larger 47mm model, which has a 1.4-inch screen—perfect for my big mitts. There's also a smaller 43mm version for daintier wrists. Both watches are available in sophisticated black and silver colours.
The bright, vivid AMOLED display looks fantastic indoors and out. It's surrounded by a slimmer rotating bezel that's easier to grip than before. I love using it to zip through apps and notifications.
Built To Last
This watch is built tough with an IP68 rating against dust and water. It can also handle pressure down to 50 meters underwater. I wouldn't take it scuba diving, but it's fine for swimming laps.
The sapphire crystal display is scratch-resistant, and the stainless steel case can take a licking. I banged it against doors and desks without a nick. This tank can handle adventures.
Samsung also improved the bands with a new one-click release mechanism that makes swapping straps a breeze. But old Galaxy Watch bands still work if you have some favourites.
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Specs
| Body | Dimensions | 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm (1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 59 g (47mm), 52 g (43mm) (2.08 oz) | |
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, stainless steel frame | |
| SIM | eSIM | |
| MIL-STD-810H compliant* 50m water resistant (IP68) ECG certified Blood pressure monitor Compatible with standard 20mm straps *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display | Type | Super AMOLED |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1.5 inches | |
| Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels (~453 ppi density) | |
| Protection | Sapphire crystal | |
| Always-on display |
| Platform | OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos W930 (5 nm) | |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A55 | |
| GPU | Mali-G68 |
| Memory | Card slot | No |
|---|---|---|
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Camera | No |
|---|
| Sound | Loudspeaker | Yes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Comms | WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | |
| NFC | Yes | |
| Radio | No | |
| USB | No |
| Features | Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
|---|
| Battery | Type | Li-Ion 425 mAh, non-removable |
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless (Qi) |
| Misc | Colours | Black, Silver |
|---|
Final thoughts
The Galaxy Watch6 Classic brings back the satisfying rotating bezel, providing tactile joy while scrolling through Wear OS. The long battery life and workout auto-tracking offer freedom from daily charging and fidgeting during exercise. But lags persist, and some health features only work with Samsung phones.
Diehard fitness folks should still look at Garmin, but design lovers will love the Pixel Watch's slick domed glass and crown. For me, the Classic hits the spot with its spins, battery life and workout smarts. Just smooth out that software, Samsung!
Check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic if you want a durable and refined smartwatch with handy tactile controls, long battery life, and in-depth fitness tracking. Just be ready for a few software hiccups.
