Samsung has a reputation for innovation and experimentation in the smartwatch market. It’s a safe bet that any Galaxy Watch will be among the best options for Android users. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, however, stands out as a throwback to an earlier era, reviving the physical rotating bezel and the “Classic” label that was dropped in the previous Watch 5 series. This makes the comparison between the Watch 6 Classic and Watch 4 Classic an intriguing one. Should you opt for the older school charm or embrace the newer model?
Price, Availability, and Specs
Despite the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic being two generations ahead, the Watch 4 Classic is still in the game. Both are available from similar retail outlets, but you’ll likely find the Watch 6 Classic more readily available, with a starting price of $400 compared to the discounted Watch 4 Classic, which ranges from $250 to $380, depending on where you shop. Both watches are available in black and silver variants and offer comparable sizes.
Here are some notable differences in specs:
Design
It’s not often that a company removes a physical feature only to reintroduce it later. This is what sets the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic apart, as it resurrects the physical rotating bezel that was omitted in the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The rotating bezel was a beloved feature for many, offering precise navigation through widgets, apps, and settings.
The key distinction between these two watches begins with size options. The Watch 6 Classic comes in 47mm and 43mm variants, while the Watch 4 Classic offers 46mm and 42mm options. This makes the 6 series the largest in Samsung’s lineup to date, although it retains the same color choices, black and silver, as the 4 series. The screen sizes have also increased slightly, with a 0.1-inch boost in both variants of the Watch 6 Classic, featuring slightly sharper Super AMOLED displays.
Both watches share a stainless steel body, with similar durability ratings of 5ATM and IP68 water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-H/G protection. The larger size of the newer watches does make them slightly heavier on the wrist. Samsung has made strap replacement easier, although the size remains at 20mm, allowing for interchangeability between older and newer models.
Software and Health Tracking
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic boasts 2GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 1.5GB in previous models, along with a faster Exynos W930 chipset clocked at 1.4GHz compared to the older Exynos W920’s 1.12GHz speed. Improved Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity enhances stability and reduces power consumption. Both watches offer LTE variants, standard Wi-Fi support, and eSIM compatibility. They connect to phones using Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app.
One UI Watch 5, based on Wear OS 4, was introduced with the Galaxy Watch 6 series and is now available on the Watch 4 series as well. Wear OS 4 brings new features like text-to-speech, updated Samsung Wallet, SOS emergency contact, and automatic backups. Notably, Wear OS 4 allows you to switch your Galaxy Watch to a new phone without resetting it, a feature unavailable in Wear OS 3.
In terms of health and fitness tracking, the Watch 6 Classic targets runners with personalized heart rate zones and advanced exercise tracking. Both watches offer automatic exercise tracking. However, the Watch 6 Classic excels in sleep tracking, providing coaching to improve sleep habits and tracking additional metrics like skin temperature, which can aid in menstrual cycle tracking—a feature absent in the Watch 4 Classic.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic comes with larger batteries—300mAh for the 43mm model and 425mAh for the 47mm model—compared to the Watch 4 Classic’s 247mAh (42mm) and 361mAh (46mm) batteries. Battery life can vary significantly based on usage, with factors like the always-on display and continuous exercise tracking impacting it. Expect around two days of use on both models, with the Watch 6 Classic benefitting from faster charging due to its 10W wireless charging capability, compared to the 5W max charge of the Watch 4 Classic.
Which One Is Right for You?
While there’s a generational gap between these two smartwatches, they share striking similarities. They both feature the iconic rotating bezel and offer similar activity tracking capabilities. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic benefits from newer software, advanced sensors, and features that make it a more versatile tracker, especially for runners and sleep enthusiasts. It also provides a smoother user experience when connected to your phone, with the added convenience of switching to a new phone without resetting the watch.
Samsung has committed to updating the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, ensuring its longevity. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Watch 4 Classic is still a solid choice. Ultimately, your decision will depend on your priorities and preferences in terms of features, design, and budget.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Genz Flash journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.