Robert Triggs / Android Authority
While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series may still look like a brand new wearable, we might be halfway to its next iteration. Of course, rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 have been scarce so far. However, there’s no doubt in our minds that the current Wear OS juggernaut has a follow-up on the way. We’ll keep an eye out for any details we hear so you can find out more about what might appear on the next Galaxy Watch. Plus, it’s never too early to start dreaming up a wish list.
Will there be a Galaxy Watch 6 series?
Caitlin Cimino / Android Authority
Frankly, there’s almost no way we won’t see a new Samsung smartwatch in 2023: Samsung has launched a major smartwatch innovation with the Galaxy Watch 4 series introducing Wear OS 3. The Galaxy Watch 5 series is currently on the rise. While many other Wear OS-based wearables are making strides, Samsung will no doubt launch a new generation this summer to keep its momentum going. The company will have a hard time leaving the competition, especially with devices like the Pixel Watch shooting for a new user base.
Will there be a Galaxy Watch 6 Pro model?
This question is a bit tricky. Not much has been said yet about what we can expect from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series. Samsung is likely to stick with its two-pronged approach and offer buyers something different. However, will the company go back to the classic model or release a second version of the Pro moniker? If our Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review is any indication, the latter proved to be a very successful flagship. We’ll keep our ears peeled for rumors in the coming months.
When is the Galaxy Watch 6 release date?
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Galaxy Watch 5 (left) with Galaxy Watch 4
- Galaxy Watch: August 2018
- Galaxy Watch Activation: March 2019
- Galaxy Watch Active 2: September 2019
- Galaxy Watch 3 Series: August 2020
- Galaxy Watch 4 Series: August 2021
- Galaxy Watch 5 Series: August 2022
Samsung has a well-established pattern for product releases. Above is the Galaxy Watch Active, which was announced in February 2019 and dropped in March of the same year. Every other Galaxy Watch was announced in August and released a few weeks later. Active 2 technically landed in September, but like the rest of the lineup, it was announced a month earlier.
Based on the company’s previous release date, we expect the new generation to drop at Samsung’s Unpacked event this summer. Most likely, the event will take place in early August, allowing the devices to hit the shelves before the end of the month.
What Galaxy Watch 6 features can we expect to see?
Design
Andy Walker / Android Authority
The latest generation of the Galaxy Watch lineup hasn’t brought any dramatic design changes. In fact, our reviewer for the Galaxy Watch 5 review mentioned a sense of deja vu upon opening the device. That’s not necessarily a complaint, however, as the watches share a sleek aesthetic, eye-catching AMOLED displays, and impressive specs. With a winning design on hand, we can expect Samsung to offer more of the same next time.
As mentioned, it’s unclear whether Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 lineup will include a Pro or Classic, but we can expect two models in multiple sizes. It’s also unlikely that Samsung will deviate from its classic round case or alternate quick-release bands. The 5 Series has upped the ante on some strength specs that could carry over to the next lineup, and hopefully we’ll see the return of the D-buckle clasp as well.
There have been some rumors that Samsung might bring MicroLED displays to the lineup, echoing similar rumors about Apple’s next Ultra model. according to Sammobile However, the tech won’t be ready in time for the August launch, so this update might not debut until the Galaxy Watch 7. Micro-LED displays offer a brighter viewing experience with better color reproduction and visibility. They can also help save battery life.
Health and fitness monitoring
Caitlin Cimino / Android Authority
There aren’t many details yet on what tracking features might be improved in the next generation. On the sensor front, it’s safe to assume that we’ll still find an accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, and Samsung’s BioActive Sensor (PPG), Electrocardiogram (ECG), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor package. It can pack the same temperature sensor.
We found the fitness tracker and built-in GPS to be very reliable on the current series. The Pro model brings new navigation features on board for outdoor enthusiasts, aligning the device with the experience you can find in the Garmin stable. Those devices are also likely here to stay. Whether they will make their way to the base model of the 6 Series lineup is yet to be determined.
We will continue to update this hub as more information is released about the next generation. When the Series 5 hit shelves last year, we got a pretty complete picture of what consumers would get in the box. We expect more information to leak out about the new addition as well.
What will the price of the Galaxy Watch 6 be?
Caitlin Cimino / Android Authority
Pricing is a difficult topic to predict in the current climate. Last year, the Galaxy Watch 5 series launched at $279 for a base model device and $449 for the Pro model, which was available in just one size. Each option also comes with a fee for their respective LTE versions. These 5 Series launch prices were about $30 higher than the previous generation.
On the one hand, it’s hard to imagine Samsung raising prices again this year. On the other hand, Samsung’s current pricing will remain competitive with its rival out of Cupertino. Asking consumers to spend more for quality wearables is not out of the question. If Samsung introduces enough significant upgrades, the new series could command a hefty bill.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series: what we want to see
More time on the wrist
Caitlin Cimino / Android Authority
Battery life is a staple of many wearables and the Galaxy Watch series is no exception. Sure, we’ve seen incremental improvements from series to series, but no company should win the “most improved” award for fixing this age-old problem with the Galaxy Watch. Additionally, with the Galaxy Watch 5, Samsung brought better specs to the larger models but made smaller case sizes desirable.
Fitbit smartwatches, like the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, offer up to a week of battery life. What’s more, Apple Watches now offer a low power mode, closing the gap and leaving the smaller lead Samsung above our top pick for iOS users. If other companies reduce charging woes and add more convenience to their devices, Samsung should keep up. With that in mind, we’re not complaining about the fast payout either.
The return of the classic bezel
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
We’re glad Samsung ditched the 4 Series Classic model with a higher Pro model. From the premium build to the added features, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro brings something new to the table. It looks like the company is shifting gears to make a fitness-focused wearable for outdoor adventures.
But the Pro model also comes at a price. Saying goodbye to the classic means a sad goodbye to a design feature that many users love: the rotating bezel. We hope that Samsung will bring more interesting design changes in the next lineup, mix it up with colors, and most importantly, bring a model that brings the beloved bezel back to our fold.
Fewer restrictions
Caitlin Cimino / Android Authority
For anyone interested in the Galaxy Watch, the past two years have been a great time to be a Samsung phone user. Fingers crossed, the Galaxy Watch 5 series launches with compatibility with the 4 series health monitoring restrictions. Only selected users have access to electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure monitoring. Both of these devices require the Samsung Galaxy-only Health Monitoring app. In other words, they can only be used when paired with a Samsung phone.
We’d love to see the next generation break down the barn door and allow more users to access its full range of features. Limiting key tools to select users makes the series a tough sell for anyone on the go. This is especially true as the competition in the wearable market continues to heat up.
Additional use cases of the built-in temperature sensor
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Finally, we’d like to see Samsung use the temperature sensor for more than just sleep tracking. In contrast, we’ve seen other companies use the same sensor for women’s health tracking to great effect, and we’d love to see the Galaxy Watch 6 follow it up. Cycle tracking is a complex and unfortunately underdeveloped opportunity in many wearables. If Samsung brings more insights and tools to the Samsung Health app, it could make the lineup even more useful for those on their periods.
That’s what we want to see from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. What features are you hoping for the most? Let us know by voting in the poll below.
What feature are you most hoping to see on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6?
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