Comparing Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Watch 5 Pro in Singapore: What Sets Them Apart?

Samsung’s newly-revealed Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has caught the attention of tech enthusiasts looking for cutting-edge wristwear. This stylish smartwatch reintroduces the much-loved rotating bezel, which was absent in the previous generation, and boasts larger screens and batteries. It’s essential to note, though, that the Watch 6 Classic is not a direct replacement for last year’s Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, which will continue to be available as a fitness-focused alternative within the new Watch 6 range. With prices starting to drop, it’s worth considering which watch is the better fit for you. To aid in your decision-making process, we have conducted a thorough comparison of both watches, highlighting their respective strengths.

Design & Build: Offering elegant choices, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro featured a single 45mm model, larger than either Galaxy Watch 5 variant, and presented a more substantial build to accommodate a bigger battery. Its thicker screen bezel provided added protection, and the exclusive D-buckle strap offered a unique advantage, making it easier to wear compared to the regular Watch 5’s band. The Watch 6 Classic, on the other hand, provides more versatility with two size options: 43mm and 47mm. While it retains some style similarities with the Watch 5 Pro, it is not as chunky. The raised bezel now includes minute markers, and the outer ring rotates smoothly, allowing effortless onscreen navigation. The strap has a more conventional design, made from Samsung’s “Hybrid Eco-Leather.” Both watches have IP68 and 5ATM water resistance, making them suitable for swimming and showering.

Screen: When it comes to enhanced visuals, the Watch 5 Pro impressed with its circular 1.4-inch AMOLED display, which almost stretched entirely from edge to edge, with the black bezel being subtly concealed. The 450×450 resolution delivered sharp visuals, excellent viewing angles, and ample brightness for outdoor use. In comparison, the Watch 6 Classic further elevates the visual experience by reducing the bezels even more. It offers a choice of 1.3-inch or 1.5-inch screen sizes, with a resolution of 480×480 on the larger variant. Although brightness comparisons are limited, it undoubtedly enhances the impact of full-color watch faces. Both watches are protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and offer always-on display options.

Software & Health Tracking: In terms of comprehensive features, both Galaxy Watch models come equipped with various sensors, including optical and electrical heart rate sensors, a temperature sensor, accelerometer, barometer, and gyroscope. They also offer functionalities like estimating body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis, fall detection, predicting menstrual cycles, and sleep tracking. The Watch 5 Pro stands out with additional features such as importing GPX route files and a watch face with a built-in compass, which are not present in the Watch 6 Classic. In the software department, the newer Watch 6 Classic runs on WearOS 4, while the Watch 5 Pro operates on WearOS 3.5, with an upcoming update to WearOS 4 expected. While this update will bring both watches to a more level playing field, it mainly involves behind-the-scenes improvements without significant new features.

Performance & Battery: In terms of advancements, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro utilized Samsung’s Exynos W920 processor, which was already a generation old at the time of its release. Paired with 1.5GB of RAM, it functioned well with WearOS 3.5, even with Samsung’s OneUI 4.5 Watch interface layered on top. However, it wasn’t as power-efficient as some competitor chipsets. The Watch 6 Classic presents a newer Exynos W930 CPU with a higher clock speed, promising improved energy efficiency. Additionally, it features 2GB of RAM and comes with the newer WearOS 4, which should result in a more responsive experience compared to the Watch 5 Pro. Both watches offer 16GB of onboard storage, sufficient for music playlists or apps from the Google Play Store. Regarding battery life, the Watch 5 Pro holds an advantage with its substantial 590mAh cell, outperforming the 47mm Watch 6 Classic’s 425mAh battery by a considerable margin and nearly doubling the 43mm version’s 300mAh unit. While the Watch 5 Pro’s CPU may not be as efficient, it still managed multiple days between charges in our previous review. Samsung estimates the Watch 6 Classic to last for 30 hours with the always-on display enabled, or 40 hours without it.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs. Watch 5 Pro: The Verdict

Although the Bluetooth-only Galaxy Watch 5 Pro may have a higher price tag than the 47mm Watch 6 Classic, current market deals suggest otherwise. The same applies to the LTE version, which may have a higher RRP but could offer attractive discounts from different sellers. The Watch 5 Pro’s larger battery results in longer battery life between charges, but the Watch 6 Classic’s stunning appearance and latest software make it a compelling choice. An update will eventually bring the Watch 5 Pro’s software up to par with the Watch 6 Classic. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preferences and priorities

NETWORK

Technology
GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20
Speed HSPA, LTE

BODY

Dimensions 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9 mm (1.67 x 1.67 x 0.43 in)
Weight 52 g (1.83 oz)
Build Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame, rotating bezel
SIM eSIM
MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions

DISPLAY

Type Super AMOLED
Size 1.3 inches
Resolution 432 x 432 pixels (~453 ppi density)
Protection Sapphire crystal
Always-on display

PLATFORM

OS Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5
Chipset Exynos W930 (5 nm)
CPU Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A55
GPU Mali-G68

MEMORY

Card slot No
Internal 16GB 2GB RAM

CAMERA

No

SOUND

Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack No

COMMS

WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
NFC Yes
Radio No
USB No

FEATURES

Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, compass, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature), 3D Hall sensor
Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay

BATTERY

Type Li-Ion 300 mAh, non-removable
Charging Wireless (Qi)

Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.