Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 4 Classic: Samsung recently released its new Galaxy Watch 6 series, and while many fans were thrilled about the return of the physical rotating bezel in the Watch 6 Classic, there are some questions about how much of an upgrade it really is from previous models.
At first, it looks a lot like the Watch 4 Classic. So, why does it cost more? Today, we’re comparing the differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
It’s worth noting that there wasn’t a generation 5 Classic, which means there are two generations between these models and consequently, a lot of differences to explore.
Pros and Cons
| Watch 6 Classic | Watch 4 Classic |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel case | Runs super smooth |
| Wonderful rotating bezel | Wonderful rotating bezel |
| Excellent sleep insights | Impressive performance |
| High-quality display | Decent battery life |
| 2000 nits brightness | 1000 nits brightness |
| Hefty price over Watch 6 | Doesn’t offer all OS features |
| Mediocore battery life | Samsung apps Required |
Specifications
| Watch 6 Classic | Watch 4 Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Display | 43mm: 1.3-inch AMOLED 47mm 1.5-inch AMOLED | 42mm: 1.2-inch AMOLED 46mm 1.4-inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 43mm: 432 x 432 Pixels 47mm: 480 x 480 Pixels | 42mm: 396×396 Pixels 46mm: 450×450 Pixels |
| CPU | Exynos W930 | Exynos W920 |
| RAM | 2GB | 1.5GB |
| Storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| Battery | 300mAh (43mm) 425mAh (47mm) | 247mAh (42mm) 361mAh (46mm) |
| Connectivity | LTE6, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Durability | IP68 | IP68 |
| Weight | 43mm: 52g 47mm: 59g | 42mm: 52g 45mm: 46.5g |
Table of Contents
Major Differences
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 4 Classic
Size: The Watch 6 Classic comes in sizes of 43mm and 47mm, while the Watch 4 Classic is slightly smaller with 42mm and 46mm variants.
Display: Both use a Super AMOLED screen. The smaller size of the Watch 4 has a 1.2-inch display, and the Watch 6 sports a 1.3-inch. For the larger sizes, the Watch 4 has a 1.4-inch display, and the Watch 6 sticks to 1.3-inch. However, the Watch 6 boasts double the brightness at 2000 nits, compared to 1000 nits on the Watch 4.
Both watches have a mechanical rotating bezel, but Watch 6 Classic features a thinner bezel which makes its display appear larger.
The Watch 6 Classic in the 47mm size has a 425mAh battery and the 43mm size has a 300mAh battery, and it uses a speedy 10W charger. Meanwhile, the Watch 4 Classic provides a 361mAh battery for its 46mm size and a 247mAh battery for the 42mm size, paired with a 5V charger.
The Watch 6 Classic has the Exynos W930 processor that runs at 1.4GHz. On the other hand, the Watch 4 Classic uses the slightly older W920 processor that speeds along at 1.12GHz.
The Watch 6 Classic has 2GB of RAM, while the Watch 4 Classic comes with 1.5GB of RAM.
A unique feature of the Watch 6 is its skin temperature sensor, which is missing in the Watch 4. This sensor tracks sleep temperature, assists in menstrual cycle tracking, and might be used by third-party apps in the future.
The Watch 6 runs on Tizen OS 4 and One UI 5, offering a range of new features like reorganized menu systems, a new sleep mode, improved gallery app, and enhanced backup options.
The Watch 6 introduces sleep coaching, active heart rate zones during workouts, background ECG readings, and an enhanced SOS feature. Some of these features will likely be available for the Watch 4 when it gets a software update, but not all due to hardware limitations.
Watch 6 has a sapphire crystal display protection which is sturdier and more scratch-resistant than the Gorilla Glass DX on Watch 4.
Samsung promises software support for their watches for three years. So, while the Watch 4 will only get updates for one more year, the Watch 6 will receive them for the next three years.
If you currently own the Watch 4, whether or not to switch to the Watch 6 is a matter of personal choice, depending on the importance of these new features for you.
Design
The rotating bezel is a favorite among users. It not only keeps the screen smudge-free but also enhances user experience. In the Watch 6 Classic, this bezel is 15% slimmer, giving it a cleaner and more modern look.
Screen and Display
The most significant change is the display. Despite being available in the same 40 and 44 millimeter case, the thinner bezels on the Watch 6 have allowed Samsung to introduce a slightly larger display.
At first look, both watches seem similar, but the 6 Classic has some small changes that give it a cooler and fancier look. They made the bezel on the Watch 6 Classic thinner, so the screen looks bigger and better.
The Watch 6 Classic boasts a larger screen, reaching nearly 1.5 inches. This screen upgrade also brings with it a bump in resolution from 450 x 450 in the Watch 4 Classic to 480 x 480. Another noteworthy aspect is the brighter and more vibrant display of the Watch 6 Classic.
System and Performance
Currently, the Watch 6 Classic runs on Tizen OS 4 and One UI 5, while the Watch 4 Classic is expected to receive this update soon. In terms of processors, the Watch 6 Classic uses the Exynos W-930, a slight upgrade from the W-920 found in the Watch 4 Classic. Although this might not sound like a significant change, users may notice smoother performance on the Watch 6 Classic.
Software: Wear OS 4
The Watch 6 is one of the first to ship with the newer Wear OS 4 platform, which brings a fresher, bubblier UI design. It also introduces quality-of-life upgrades, like effortlessly switching between phones without resetting the watch.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery in the Watch 6 Classic is beefier, coming in at 425 milliamps, while the Watch 4 Classic sits at 361 milliamps. This results in a slightly longer battery life for the Watch 6 Classic.
A significant advantage for the Watch 6 is its faster charging capability,due to its 10-watt charging capability compared to the 5-8 watts of the Watch 4 Classic.
Health and Fitness Features
A standout feature for the Watch 6 Classic is its enhanced precision in monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Additionally, it introduces a temperature thermometer – a feature absent in the Watch 4 Classic.
Miscellaneous Differences
- Strap Mechanism: The Watch 6 Classic introduces a new strap mechanism that uses a button, while the Watch 4 Classic employs a sliding pin mechanism.
- Weight: The Watch 6 Classic is slightly heavier than its predecessor by about 6 grams.
- Durability: Both watches are resistant to dust and water, but only the Watch 6 Classic has a sapphire crystal coating.Swimmers rejoice! Both watches have the same water resistance, making them suitable for a splash or even a swim.
Pricing
The Watch 6 Classic starts at $399, with an additional $30 for the bigger variant. The older Watch 4 Classic is approximately $30 to $40 cheaper on Samsung’s website, but deals on platforms like Amazon can make it available for around $220 to $250. A notable point is that the Watch 6 will receive four years of updates, which is two years more than the Watch 4.
Conclusion!
The Watch 6 Classic offers several upgrades over the Watch 4, including better display, performance, and additional features. However, if budget is a concern and you can find a good deal, the Watch 4 Classic remains a solid choice.
If you’re looking to accessorize, there are various bands available, including the new fabric bands and others from popular brands like Straps Company.
Remember, choosing between these two models depends on your needs and budget. Both are fantastic devices, and you can’t go wrong with either!
