Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch6 – A Stylish and Functional Wellness Partner

Are you looking to get into shape for summer? Do you need a smartwatch that seamlessly blends style and functionality? Are you the type of person who doesn’t follow the herd? If so, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better wellness partner or value than the new Samsung Galaxy Watch6.

Launched last month, the Watch6 (as the name suggests) is the latest version of Samsung’s trendy and versatile smartwatch. Available from Samsung in 40mm and 44mm sizes for $649 and $699, respectively, the Galaxy Watch6 is more a lifestyle coach than an activity tracker.

Key features and specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Watch6

The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is a powerhouse of features, packed into a sleek and stylish design. With its vibrant Super AMOLED display, it offers a visual experience that is second to none. The touchscreen is highly responsive, but sadly the navigation is still over-engineered with a different menu system as you swipe in each direction. The display is protected by Sapphire crystal, ensuring durability and scratch resistance.

Under the hood, the sleek Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos W930 dual-core 1.4GHz processor, delivering smooth performance and snappy responsiveness. It comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, music, and more. The watch runs the Samsung Wear OS, which offer a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customisable features such as new watch faces and music.

Connectivity is provided via WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band) and Bluetooth 5.3. NFC allows easy connectivity to Samsung Pay and Google Wallet for on-the-go transactions. Other safety features include Fall Detection and Emergency Calling.

Pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Watch6

Like any device, the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s start with the pros. First and foremost, the design of the watch is a standout feature. It is sleek, stylish, and available in various vibrant colours, allowing you to express your style. The 1.5inch 480×480 pixel Super AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant, making it a pleasure to use. The screen can be challenging to read in direct sunlight, but it’s super crisp before the dawn and in the water.

Another significant advantage of the Galaxy Watch6 is its health and fitness tracking capabilities. It offers a comprehensive range of features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and even blood oxygen level monitoring. These powerful features provide valuable insights into your overall physical health and well-being – helping you stay on track with your fitness goals.

While Samsung claims a battery life of up to 40 hours, I found this to be a little shorter at around 30 hours – or a day and a half. If I ventured too far from the paired Android device – to play tennis for example – this number would plummet to less than a day. I can only imagine that this could be even worse on the version with the eSIM.

The other shortcoming of the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 (and many other smartwatches) is the lack of Qi spec wireless charging. I’ve written about this several times – charging a smartwatch via the wireless charger in the car or elsewhere is very convenient. I still can’t believe more watchmakers don’t follow Huawei’s lead on this.

User experience with the Samsung Galaxy Watch6

The user experience with the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is generally favourable. The interface is intuitive, which allows for easy navigation through apps and settings. I have to say that a rotating bezel or crown would make selecting alarm and timer increments much easier. Sometimes a swipe just isn’t accurate enough.

Whether you prefer a minimalist design or a more intricate layout, there is a watch face to suit every taste. The watch also supports a variety of third-party apps, including popular fitness and productivity apps, further enhancing its functionality. I found the inclusion of News Headlines and real-time weather to be very handy.

Messaging and calls are still not the best experience on any smartwatch. I have to admit that they are the two functions I use the least.

The Watch6 is responsive and smooth, with no noticeable lag or slowdowns. It handles multitasking effortlessly, allowing you to switch between apps with ease. The rubber strap is very durable and has an excellent range of size increments.

Fitness and health tracking on the Samsung Galaxy Watch6

The fitness and health tracking capabilities of the Galaxy Watch6 are where it truly shines. The watch offers a wide range of features to help you stay on top of your wellness goals. The built-in heart rate monitor provides real-time data, allowing you to track your heart rate during workouts and throughout the day. Sleep tracking is another standout feature, providing insights into your sleep patterns and helping you improve your sleep quality.

I did find the GPS tracking quite inconsistent with and without the paired Android device. Not sure if this was something I did, but I think I only accurately tracked one morning run.

The Galaxy Watch6 also includes an ECG app, which can detect irregular heart rhythms and potentially indicate underlying health issues. This feature has received praise, providing a convenient way to monitor heart health without needing additional devices.

In addition to heart rate and sleep tracking, the watch offers stress monitoring, which measures your stress levels throughout the day.

Pricing and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Watch6

The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is available in various models, including both Bluetooth and LTE versions.

40mm

$549 Bluetooth

$649 Bluetooth + 4G

Available in Gold or Graphite

Sleep Coaching

Personalised Health Monitoring

18% Faster Processor

IP68 and 5ATM Durability

More details…

44mm

$599 Bluetooth

$699 Bluetooth + 4G

Available in Gold or Graphite

Constant connectivity

40 hours battery life

Infrared Temperature Sensor

20% Larger / 30% Thinner

More details…

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is a standout smartwatch that excels in both design and functionality. With its sleek and modern design, vibrant Super AMOLED display, and advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities, it offers a compelling package for the tech-savvy amongst you. While battery life may be a downside for some users, the overall performance and user experience of the Galaxy Watch6 make it a worthy contender in the smartwatch market. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a fashion-conscious individual, the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is sure to impress.