Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Do you ever feel like your fitness tracker is making things up?
I’ve had that feeling. That’s why I decided to give the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 a try - I wanted to see if the Galaxy Watch 6 could really keep me alive and, more importantly, if it could do it accurately. Here’s my honest review after using it daily for a while.
First Impressions
When the Galaxy Watch 6 arrived, the packaging was sleek and minimal. The watch itself was sturdy and not flimsy like some other wearable devices I’ve tried. The design was clean and modern. I liked the way the screen looked and the way the edges were curved. The watch doesn’t look bulky on my wrist, which was a concern for me before I purchased it. I was interested to see if they would live up to their excellent build quality. The strap is easy to change - a small thing, but nice.
Display and Software
The display is really outstanding. It is bright, even in direct sunlight, which will be appreciated by those who spend time outdoors. The menus are very easy to navigate, and I like the swipe gestures. The rotating bezel on the classic version is a nice touch, but the touch bezel works well too, and we didn’t miss anything special about the standard watch. The Wear OS 4 system is responsive, and we had no problems installing apps from the Play Store. Google Assistant is nimble and it’s pretty easy to use from the wrist.
- Heart Rate Tracking: This feature is pretty good for steady activities like a regular jog. It lags a bit when doing interval workouts. It seems to take time for it to pick up on the rapid changes in heart rate.
- Sleep tracking: Sleep tracking is interesting. The time of going to bed and the time of waking up are exactly the same. However, the stages of sleep. It is difficult to determine. There is a lot of variability compared to other devices, which makes you think that current technology is not yet capable of accurately tracking sleep stages.
- Tracking Mode: The tracking mode is controversial. It supposedly detects tracks automatically. It worked, but had odd angles and was not always accurate. There was also the problem of losing GPS signal in the middle of a workout. This was frustrating. This needs to be tweaked.
- Battery: The battery lasted about a day and a half with normal use, including sleep tracking and little GPS use. If you turned off the constant display and reduced the heart rate, you could use the device for almost two days. Not bad, but not great - GPS eats up a lot of battery power.
Real Life Usage
I found myself using this watch for more than just workouts. The notifications are great for tracking messages without having to pull out my phone, using Google Assistant to set reminders, and checking the weather. It’s also very handy for contactless payments. The GPS was adequate for my daily needs, although the heart rate measurement wasn’t perfect. I was biking in a new city one day, and the watch’s navigation was a lifesaver. I could easily navigate without constantly looking at my phone.
Drawbacks
And the Galaxy Watch 6 has some drawbacks. As mentioned, the track mode needs improvement: the GPS issues are annoying and the angles on the track map are weird. The battery needs to be better, especially for long workouts. Also, some features like ECG and arrhythmia notifications are only available on Samsung phones. This is disappointing for those who use other Android devices. Heart rate tracking was good for steady running, but not always reliable for interval training. Completing a workout is also a bit hampered by the swipe and tap system. I wish the workout control buttons could be customized.
Comparison to Other Smartwatches
Having tried a number of smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 6 is well positioned. Compared to other products, the display is great, the Google Assistant integration is excellent, and while there are competitors with better GPS accuracy and battery life, the Watch 6 offers a good balance of features and ease of use. We also found them to be more intuitive than other Wear OS watches we’ve used. While not designed for serious athletes, this watch is a strong contender for regular people who need a reliable fitness tracker and a convenient smartwatch. Some devices seem to excel at very specific things, but this is a versatile device.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a solid smartwatch that handles most tasks well. The display is great, the Wear OS is responsive, and Google Assistant is indispensable. The fitness tracking is good enough for casual users, but may be limited for serious athletes. If you’re looking for a stylish and reliable smartwatch, this watch is worth looking at. They’re not perfect, but it’s a well-designed device and I use it often myself. If style, convenience, and full functionality are important to you, this is a great and affordable option. It’s a great upgrade and I’m happy with it.
