Here are the rumours about the new Galaxy Watch 6
The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 will be presented this wednesday in Seoul, at Samsung’s Unpacked event. Alongside the Watch 6, we’ll also see the new Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, Samsung’s unique flippable and foldable phones. What can we expect from the new Galaxy Watch 6?
Goodbye Pro
The main change this year is the disappearance of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The ‘Pro’ model was introduced for the Galaxy Watch 5 series and is already leaving the table. This watch was an upgraded Galaxy Watch 5 with several extra features. We’re not sure why Samsung has been so quick to disown the Pro variant, but an interesting change nonetheless.
It’s being replaced by the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, with a 43mm and 47mm case size. The Classic features more hardware upgrades alongside the rotating bezel, which is used to control the watch’s features. The Classic is returning after a short hiatus, it was the Galaxy Watch 4 that introduced this line of products.
The standard Galaxy Watch 6 will come in both 40mm and 44mm, sizes we’re used to by now. The design has remained similar and is comparable to the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series respectively.
New straps
Leaked renders of the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, shown below, reveal an important update to the straps. It appears both the Galaxy Watch 6 strap and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic strap now feature a button on the back, instead of a pin system. Our source at Samsung has confirmed that old straps are still compatible, however.
The compatibility with older watches has us believe the strap is still connected using the 20mm QuickRelease system we’re all familiar with. However, the button may be used to operate the opening and closing of the pin system. This would be a change from the manual pin-opening on the older variants of straps.
The button on the back of the Galaxy Watch 6 strap.
New features
Amongst new features this year are a new sleep coach. It’s designed to help you achieve a good night’s rest, a healthy part of life many of us can improve on. There will also be improvements to the heart rate sensor, giving you different heart rate zones to help while working out.
The new One UI 5 software package that the Watch 6 will have is being developed alongside Google Wear OS 4. Details have not yet been revealed, but it’s almost certain that software updates and improvements will come. Including of course new health and fitness functions.
Price and availability
The announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 will happen Wednesday 26th of July, and we expect the watch to be available one to two weeks after. Of course there has been much speculation on the price of the watch, as inflation is rising and electronic shortages are still an issue. There is likely to be a price increase of around 10 to 15 percent over last year’s release.
- Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm and 44mm): £ 279 expected price
- Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm and 47mm): £ 499 expected price
The standard variant would cost 20 pounds more than the Galaxy Watch 5 series did. If we can agree on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic being a replacement of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, then the price of this model has risen by 50 pounds.
In summary
The Galaxy Watch 6 is coming very soon. The Pro model will make way for the return of the Classic line-up, of 43mm and 47mm. Leaked renders of the Galaxy Watch 6 show very interesting developments in regards to the straps. Perhaps a button will be used to switch out straps. We’re looking forward to the Samsung Unpacked event!
