Live Science Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has mint to offer . Multiple health trailing features , customizable shoulder strap and face watches , and a big , crisp exhibit — but the short battery lifetime , imprecise workout trailing and performance hiccups take the effulgence off this otherwise seemly all - rounder .
plenitude of health - trailing lineament
Big , easy - to - read video display
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is light and compact.
Highly customizable
Reasonably priced
One - day shelling life
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has a propensity to attract dust.
show lags at times
Workout trailing can be imprecise
Some measuring can be tricky to take
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 features a big, bright and colorful display.
Why you may swear Live ScienceOur expert commentator spend 60 minutes testing and compare products and service so you may choose the good ones for you . Find out more about how we examine .
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the newest model in Samsung ’s popular line of workaday smartwatches and we conceive could also be the beneficial so far . It outperforms its forerunner with a bigger projection screen and more powerful processor , and just like its young siblings , the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 persist fairly price give how many advanced feature of speech it contains . But is this fitness tracker deserving investing in ?
At Live Science , we know that Samsung ’s wear come upon a good balance between quality and affordability . TheSamsung Galaxy Watch 4is admit in our pathfinder to thebest physical fitness trackers , while theSamsung Galaxy Watch 5scored a respectable four out of five star in our follow-up . If the sixth loop of this popular smartwatch tender a sleeker design and markedly improved battery lifetime , it does have the potentiality to fight its precursor out of the glare .
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 measures a range of health stats, including ECG and body composition.
We test the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 for over a month , good assessing its design , features , and performance to see if it is deserving the upgrade .
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 review
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Design
plan - wise , the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 does not range far from its predecessors . It is a introductory smartwatch that feature two small clitoris on the right - handwriting side , a rotate bezel and detachable strap but we think it looks better . This exemplar features a slimmer watch look and a grown screen but it still defend a comparatively light and compact anatomy typical of its former mannequin .
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is useable in two size , 40 mm and 44 mm , and it come with multiple straps to take from . Options range from classical gym - friendly silicone bands to elegant faux leather strap , with dozens more blueprint that can be purchased from third - party retailers . Whether you want a scout that matches your brightly colored sports gear or something more stylish for everyday use , the Galaxy Watch 6 will have a design that ticks all your loge . We were good impressed by the choice on offer .
We tested the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 in the canonical 44 millimeter option , with a silicone polymer variation lot in black lead colour . As such , our experience relates to this design only , and may not necessarily rival the experiences of users who picked the smaller model or a dissimilar strap .
Unfortunately the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 lasts just one day on a single charge.
On the whole , we ascertain its design to be very practical . The sentry did not feel laborious on the wrist joint , while the larder soft silicone straps felt comfy on the skin and did not slew nor trap perspiration during workouts .
However , we come up the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 to be somewhat clunky . The awkward emplacement of the attach PIN aggregate with the massiveness of the sensing element results in a watch that does not lie well near to the skin . Moreover , the strap did not seem to have enough allowance trap , meaning hoi polloi with narrow wrists could skin to tighten the watch securely .
Another downside of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is its propensity to draw poop . We found debris assemblage in the hard - to - reach gaps , or bewilder to the touchscreen , even on days when we were not test it outdoors .
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers accurate health measurements, but its workout tracking features may be imprecise.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Display
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 features a large Super AMOLED presentation that is crisp , colorful , and well-to-do to read . It is also undestroyable — the screenland is shielded with a level of Sapphire Crystal , give it relatively good protective cover against scratches and modest accidents . In addition , the Galaxy Watch 6 has IP68 and 5ATM ratings , meaning it is water- and dust - resistive .
We liked its customizability , too . The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 amount with several pre - loaded watch confront to opt from , and there are numberless more designs to download from the Play Store . However , we were not impressed with its reactivity . The touchscreen tended to lag during more power - intensive undertaking , and there were multiple instances when it did not observe our swiping movement .
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Features
Packed with health - trailing detector and wellness - orientate apps , the Galaxy Watch 6 is a comprehensive cock for monitor the inner workings of your consistency . It evaluate kernel rate , blood oxygen levels , electrocardiogram ( ECG , a recording of the electrical signal from the heart ) , blood pressure , step count , body composition and physical structure temperature . The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 can also value multiple other health stats , include your sleep quality , focus levels and exercise performance , and it can even pinpoint the stage of your catamenial round .
The lookout man also features over 90 workout modes , including cycling , swim and yoga and it can automatically recognize activities like run and walking .
Moreover , this smartwatch come with contactless requital , GPS pilotage , euphony cyclosis , and a earphone extension that allows you to text and take calls from your carpus . The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 also features a Camera Controller , a ready to hand feature film that mapping as a shutter push button for taking pictures remotely from your mobile machine . This model is also compatible with a horde of third - party apps .
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a good option for fitness beginners and seniors.
In addition , the Galaxy Watch 6 features several emergency features , such as fall detection and an emergency callout ( where agitate the button five times will direct the SOS signal to emergency services ) . In case of an fortuity , the vigil will even expose the user ’s medical data to the paramedics or hospital workers — which can be particularly utile for the senior and other vulnerable individuals .
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 features a processor that is 18 % faster than its predecessor , and it shows . We found that apps launched quicker , and the sentry was smoother in surgical procedure . However , this simulation is still blight by one of the most mention issues for Samsung wearables — brusque battery life .
Although we were imprint by its charging focal ratio — it took us about an hr to reach a full battery on our Galaxy Watch 6 — we were not able-bodied to get more than a day of usage out of a single charge . This was particularly thwarting when it came to kip trailing . The sentinel would often die in the middle of the night , even if it look like it had enough charge to last until the sunup . If you do not want to commit to a daily charging government , or if you are frequently go away on recollective trips into the large outdoors , the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 may not be the best fit for you .
On the other hand , we find that the ticker boasts imposingly exact health - trailing features , especially for heart rate and physical structure paper . We compared the readings take with our watch to the measurements obtained with a chest - strap bosom charge per unit varan , both at relaxation and during a physical exertion , and line up impressive similarities between the readings . We also equate the trunk penning metrics from our Galaxy Watch 6 to the data incur using a standing bioimpedance machine . basically , mammoth scales with grip , the stomach bioimpedance machine is the golden standard for measuring fat , muscle and bone mass in the body , so we were quite impressed when our watch closely touch its measurement .
There is a caveat , though . The ECG and consistence measurements can be quite slippery to take . That is because they are take with the buttons on the side , and these can be slight . You have to stay entirely still during the transcription , but even the little twitch of a muscle will disturb the measurement and you will have to get down over again .
We were also disappointed by its workout tracking features . Most sports modes do not track anything more than exercise duration and heart charge per unit , so we did not find it in particular utilitarian for measuring exercise metrics . We found that heart charge per unit readings were often patchy . This is likely due to the vigil failing to continuously detect its sensor throughout a physical exercise . last , we were surprised to discover that the automatic sport detection was wildly off the mark . For example , on two separate occasions our Galaxy Watch 6 recollect we were walking when , in fact , we were sitting in a moving car .
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: User reviews
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 scores 4.5 out of 5 headliner onAmazon , with 78 % of user giving it a full five stars . incontrovertible review article praise this smartwatch for its ease of enjoyment , sleek appearance , large display and truth of health tracking features , peculiarly in coition to sleep length and stress .
minus review , though few and far between , often bring up myopic battery lifespan , sluggish performance during data - intensive tasks , and a slimly uncomfortable fit . As one user commented , “ Just care the thrill live longer than a day , otherwise it ’s perfect . ” Another vendee said , “ Overall , despite being on the 6th generation , this still seems like an other adopter intersection to me . There ’s many rough edge to be smoothed out and Samsung does not seem to be in any bang to do so . ”
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6?
✅ We think this is a not bad fitness tracker for founder and seniors . It offer a reach of accurate health - tracking features , include an ECG and descent pressure reminder . It even comes with crepuscle detection and an emergency callout service . Exercise novices will also appreciate its build up - in apps and multiple exercise style that do not overmaster despite the sheer amount of complex seaworthiness stats .
❌ However , if you are take care for farsighted battery life and a precise , data point - heavy attack to physical exertion trailing , you may need to look elsewhere . The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 does not affect with its day - to - 24-hour interval execution , either — but then that is reflected in its miserable terms point .
If Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is not for you
If you are looking for an everyday smartwatch at an affordable price but do not want to compromise on execution , chink out theAmazfit Balance . This feather - light , well-off fitness tracker is packed to the brim with wellness apps and wellness - tracking feature article , and it looks respectable , too . However , it is not as durable as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 .
TheGarmin Venu 2 Plusis another near alternative . It tout alike features and sturdiness to the Galaxy Watch 6 , but at $ 449.99 , it is also much pricier .
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: How we tested
We spent a calendar month test the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 , assessing its design , feature , bombardment liveliness , ease of economic consumption , and connectivity with third - political party devices . We wore it during the day , while sleep , and when training in the gym or hiking outside . Finally , we checked the truth of our Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 by compare some of its measurements with the data we obtained using more professional devices , such as a chest of drawers - strap heart rate monitor .
