iPhone users have the Apple Watch, but what about Android users? While there are plenty of smartwatches available, not all offer the same level of polish as Apple’s wearable. In fact, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line has come closer than any other manufacturer with a high level of polish, both in terms of software and hardware. But which of the current range is best for your needs?
Samsung has been producing smartwatches since 2013 with the Samsung Gear, so safe to say it has a bit of experience in the area. The most recent Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic represent the latest and greatest of Samsung’s wearable line, both of which feature as part of our look of the best Samsung Galaxy Watches below.
While other WearOS-powered smartwatches from the likes of TicWatch, Fossil and more work seamlessly across all Android devices, Samsung’s are designed to work best with its Galaxy phones. While that’s fine for Samsung users, it means other Android users won’t get access to the complete Galaxy Watch experience – a key point worth considering.
Our reviewers have tested each of these wearables for at least a week, testing for key performance indicators such as app support, features, battery life and general usability. We take them on runs, walks, and use them for day-to-day use, too, gaining a proper understanding of how well the device works in real-world conditions.
As a side note, you can also check out our round-ups of the best smartwatch, best running watch and best fitness tracker if you’re after a wearable that doesn’t have the Samsung brand attached to it.
Unlike its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 feels far less iterative this time around by bringing some genuinely welcome changes to the table.
For starters, the fact that Samsung’s done away with the 30% of yesteryear’s chunky bezels whilst also making the display 20% larger is fantastic, and it makes the Galaxy Watch 6 look and feel like a far more confident device overall. It’s very reminiscent of when Apple made significant upgrades to the display in the Apple Watch 7.
Just like how the Galaxy Watch 4 brought Wear OS 3 to market, the Watch 6 is the first of its kind to come with Wear OS 4 out of the box, which makes it a pretty good investment right now in terms of longevity. The newer OS brings about several impressive features including the ability to track your different stages of sleep, which is always handy for figuring out how to improve your circadian rhythm.
Samsung’s bevy of health tracking features make a return here, including the Body Measure function for a holistic look at your current bill of health, as well as the ability to run an ECG and blood pressure test, although these two are only available if you pair the watch with a Samsung Galaxy handset.
What holds the Galaxy Watch 6 back is its battery life. If you want to make it safely to the end of the day without cause for concern then we recommend switching off the always-on display. It is the type of wearable that you’ll need to charge daily, so if you want a longer battery life above all else then you may want to check out the TicWatch Pro 5.
After a short hiatus from the Watch 5 series, Samsung decided to revisit its ‘Classic’ timepieces with the new Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. With a few years’ difference between the wearable and its predecessor (the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic), Samsung’s created a worthy upgrade here that’s well worth checking out if your old Galaxy Watch is starting to show its age.
As its name implies, the 6 Classic has a more distinguished style that separates it from the more sport oriented look of the standard Galaxy Watch 6. This includes the use of a tougher stainless steel chassis as well as a new hybrid eco-leather band that’s best paired with a suit.
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic also boasts the physical rotating bezel that helped to put the Galaxy Watch line on the map many years ago, letting you scroll through menus and apps just twisting the bezel like a dial. It works brilliantly and is definitely a step up from the digital rotating bezel on the Watch 6.
Beyond all of that however, there isn’t much else to lure users to the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, which is a shame given that it also brings a significant price bump over the entry level Watch 6 so if you’re not too fussed with the professional aesthetic here, then you might be better off saving your money.
The other specs are exactly the same as the Watch 6, boasting Wear OS 4 and the new Exynos W930 chipset, although this isn’t a bad thing per se. The watch works well in everyday use and while the battery life could definitely be improved, there’s a lot to like here.