I’ve written once or twice (or a hundred times) about how I’m not really a smartwatch guy. I don’t like having to charge one more device each day, and I can’t be bothered to type out a text message from the confines of my wrist. Give me a reliable GPS watch or tracker, on the other hand, with weeks of battery life and accurate tracking to keep up with my weekly running mileage, and I’ll be happy for a long, long time. Now, I think I’ve found my perfect match — a watch that checks all the boxes and then makes up more boxes so that it can check them too. Simply put, the Garmin Epix Pro 2 has ruined all other GPS watches for me.

Built for adventure

Samsung’s latest lineup is the Galaxy Watch 6 series, which includes the return of the rotating bezel. For anyone who has been desperately waiting for the popular design feature to return to Samsung’s smartwatch lineup, the 6 Classic is a sight for sore eyes. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro fans might find the company’s backpedaling concerning. Fortunately, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro received some welcome updates as well and is still available on Samsung’s website.

Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are considered premium devices within their generational lineups. To help shoppers determine which smartwatch is the right buy, we compare their designs, features, prices, and specs below.

One perk of reviewing wearables is garnering insight into all the top brands available. That also means the ability to help friends and family choose the best smartwatch or fitness tracker to toss into their own carts. Historically, Garmin has been my go-to brand for athletes and big fitness enthusiasts. Apple’s watches I’ve primarily recommended to those who want an extension of their phones on their wrist. In the last few years, though, Apple has been moving in on Garmin’s territory and I see myself recommending the Apple Watch more and more instead of Garmin. Here’s why.

Both Apple and Garmin are after users’ hearts

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a great example of a capable fitness tracker under $100. Now that it’s a few months old, you can find it for even less. But what if you need something more? Perhaps the Fitbit Charge 6 is something you have your eye on. Below, we look at the Fitbit Charge 6 vs Inspire 3.

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Inspire 3: Specs

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Inspire 3: Design

Fitbit is synonymous with fitness trackers, and its Charge series is largely responsible for this. While the Fitbit Charge 5 added some specific wellness monitoring kit, the new Fitbit Charge 6 brings more Google-focused features to your wrist. Does this make it better, and what else is new? Learn more in our Fitbit Charge 5 vs Charge 6 comparison.

Fitbit Charge 5 vs Charge 6: Specs

Fitbit Charge 5 vs Charge 6: Design

Smartwatches and fitness trackers launched in 2023 look much like their predecessors, and the Fitbit Charge 6 continues that trend. Fitbit’s new tracker largely recycles the design of the Charge 5, including the flush band fitting, metal bezels surrounding a generous AMOLED display, and strap fastening mechanism. What is new is a physical button, which replaces Charge 5’s unreliable inductive groove. During our review, this was among our biggest gripes with Fitbit’s former fitness tracker, and we’re thrilled the pusher returns on the new model. The Charge 6 does add substantial weight to the package, though. It now tips the scales at over 37.6 grams — a 34% increase over the Charge 5. It’s also slightly wider, but you’ll barely notice this without a tape measure.

The Apple Watch Series 9 represents the latest model of one of the market’s leading smartwatch  lineups. It’s packed with sensors, tools, and features, including new user interactions and a redesigned interface. We rounded up our top Apple Watch Series 9 tips and tricks to make the most of your new device.

Apple Watch Series 9 tips and tricks

Access and customize your Smart Stack

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Fitbit Charge 6 review: At a glance

Google’s latest Pixel Watch 2 features the same seamless band attachment style as its predecessor, resulting in a minimalist impression on users’ wrists. To personalize the sleek look of your device, shop our round-up of the best Pixel Watch 2 bands available.

Buying the right Google Pixel Watch 2 band for your needs

The Pixel Watch 2 is a powerful device you’ll want to keep on your arm. That means pairing the watch with a comfortable band that fits your needs. We found the device’s included sport band plenty comfortable during our Google Pixel Watch 2 review. Still, there are many more options in additional colors and materials, including picks from third-party retailers.

Google’s second-generation smartwatch brings a ton of features to users’ wrists as well as a unique, minimalist aesthetic. Keep the domed glass of your display safe from cracks and scratches with a protective case. We round up the best Google Pixel Watch 2 cases you can buy.

Buying the right The best Google Pixel Watch 2 case for your needs

Apple’s smartwatch line has enjoyed popularity for nearly a decade, and the company is ready to celebrate its success. Rumors may be sparse but its clear an Apple Watch X is on its way. Find out everything we know about the upcoming special edition device.

Will there be an Apple Watch X?

Opinion post by

Kaitlyn Cimino

Google’s second-generation smartwatch tracks sleep, counts beats and monitors my sleep stages. It even calculates my real-time running pace so I can then calculate how much longer I’ll be huffing and puffing until the end of my 4-mile loop. It also fires off emails, stores payment cards, houses a voice assistant, and plays music through my Bluetooth headphones. In short, it’s an impressive little piece of wristwear. But one of the most powerful things the Pixel Watch 2 can do is help keep me safe, and the best way for it to do so is with an LTE model instead of the Wi-Fi version.

When launching the Pixel Watch 2, Google announced the addition of Safety Check. The feature allows users to set a check-in timer when heading into certain scenarios, such as before starting a solo run. When the timer expires, Safety Checks prompts users to confirm that they are, in fact, safe. Failure to do so automatically triggers the watch to share its location with specified emergency contacts.

Google Pixel Watch 2 tips and tricks

Protect your cover glass with a Pixel Watch 2 case

The Google Pixel Watch 2 features upgraded cover glass for increased durability, but it’s still not impervious to damage. With its domed design and lack of protective bezels, it’s an easy wearable to scratch or crack. More significantly, there currently isn’t an affordable way to repair the device if you do damage it. Browse our list of the top Pixel Watch 2 cases to protect your investment.

We’ve all had our eye on Fitbit for some time now, and not in a hopeful way. The brand’s latest moves, along with those of its parent company (hey, Google), have me coming to terms with a disappointing reality: Fitbit’s top smartwatch line is on its way out. Now that we have the Pixel Watch 2 and Fitbit Charge 6, there’s arguably no space left for the Sense series.

The Pixel Watch line ushered in a new player, and ushered one out

When Google first acquired Fitbit in 2021, I dreamed of Wear OS on my favorite Fitbit smartwatches. Specifically, I hoped for an integrated platform with the best of both worlds. Then the Pixel Watch arrived, and I quickly realized where the company’s loyalties lie. The Pixel Watch got all the bells and whistles from Fitbit’s ecosystem, while Fitbit’s watch lines got…worse.

If the original Pixel Watch was Google’s rough draft, the Pixel Watch 2 is an edited version much more than a complete rewrite. Google gave hopefuls a solid enough first-generation smartwatch, but it desperately needed refinement to smooth off the rougher edges. The Pixel Watch 2 cleans up some of the original’s mistakes with simple, effective upgrades and key additions, but is it good enough to keep with the best smartwatches? Find out in this Pixel Watch 2 review.

Google Pixel Watch 2 review: At a glance

As talk about Samsung’s Galaxy Ring ramps up, its main competitor, Oura, has some of its own headlines to make. The smart ring company is launching a new colorway and rolling out a handful of features.

Today, Oura announced three new features are rolling out to the Oura Ring. These three features include Daytime Stress, Reflections, and Stress Resilience, all designed to help the user manage daily stress levels.

Daytime Stress is the first of the features that are rolling out, and it will be available starting today. This function can identify stress triggers by continuously measuring small changes in biometrics like heart rate, HRV, and temperature. Readings are captured every 15 minutes to provide Oura members with data so they know what experiences add stress to their lives.

The second feature, called Reflections, is currently in beta for iOS. But if you want to try it out, the company says the feature is an AI-powered journal that allows members to speak and record a short journal entry. You’ll also be able to use a single gesture to have the ring record your mood and mental state.

The last feature won’t be out until winter later this year, but it involves measuring your ability to withstand stress. Specifically, the Stress Resilience feature assesses your ability to withstand physiological stress by tracking daytime stress load, daytime recovery, and recovery during sleep.

Along with these features, Oura announced that it has partnered with the mediation app Headspace. The app is said to add more stress-focused content to Oura’s content library. Oura members will also be able to access select Headspace meditations, guided breathwork, and muscle relaxation exercises in the Explore section and Daytime Stress feature in the Oura app.

As for the new colorway, you’ll now be able to get an Oura Ring in Brushed Titanium. It will join Silver, Black, Stealth, Gold, and Rose Gold as the sixth option in the current Horizon-style lineup. Like the Stealth and Gold finishes, Brushed Titanium is priced at $449 and will be available on Oura’s website.

Should you buy the Apple Watch Series 9?

The Apple Watch lineup is nothing if not consistent. The Series 9 features the same rounded rectangle case, rotating Digital Crown, and single push button we’ve come to know. The watch’s touchscreen mirrors the dimensions of the Series 8’s, with thin bezels and sapphire glass protection. Once tapped to wake, however, the display is twice as bright, maxing out at 2,000 nits, and, to save battery when not in use, drops to 1 nit. Unfortunately, Apple did not upgrade the line’s battery this generation, so users are still left with the same 18-hour promise. In my experience, the watch outlasts this claim just like last year’s model.

To the excitement of everyone aboard Greta Gerwig’s Barbie train, the Series 9 also now comes in a pink case. In person, the finish isn’t exactly Dreamhouse vibrant, but it’s elegantly feminine and pairs well with a variety of bands. I enjoyed building watch faces that highlighted the case even after opting for a blue band, originally to tone down the pink.

An elegant pink case joins the Apple Watch Series 9 lineup, along with eco-friendly bands and builds.

Notably, the Series 9 ships with more eco-friendly bands, including sport loops made from 82% recycled yarn. The company dropped leather straps altogether in favor of its carbon-neutral initiative. Likewise, base model Series 9 cases feature 100% recycled aluminum, so shoppers can go green while shopping pink.

While the cosmetic updates may seem minimal, internally the iterative improvements of the Series 9 add up. The new Silicone Apple S9 chipset and 4-core neural engine translate to a faster user experience with the potential for powerful new features.

I found the speed improvements largely unnoticeable, but I am very excited about one feature made possible by the upgrade: Double Tap gesture control. By simply tapping their index finger and thumb twice, users can complete a wide range of basic actions, like ending a call or scrolling through widgets. Unfortunately, the tool won’t roll out until sometime in October.

A powerful new S9 chipset positions the Apple Watch Series 9 for some impressive new features like Double Tap gesture controls.

The Apple Watch Series 9 also offers onboard processing of Siri queries without a phone nearby. Later this year, Siri will also be able to process requests for personal health data. Meanwhile, the Series 9’s new ultrawideband chip lends itself to more precision within the device’s Find My Phone feature. The watch can now guide users to the exact location of their lost iPhone, rather than just obnoxiously pinging it. Unfortunately, only users with an iPhone 15 or newer can capitalize on this upgrade.

It’s always disappointing to see device highlights unavailable at launch or relegated to specific users (in this case iPhone 15 users). Yet, there is no doubt the 9’s upgraded hardware is a sign of things to come. The internals are the biggest differentiator when comparing the Series 9 vs Series 8. Double Tap and wrist-based Siri interactions are just the beginning of what Apple has in store for the series.

In the meantime, a parade of watchOS 10 software updates enhance the device out of the box. Subtle design cues align the wearable with the software experience of the iPhone. Blurred backgrounds and full-screen data pages make for a more attractive aesthetic while redesigned and added shortcuts simplify navigation. Even the buttons take on new roles, with the control panel now accessible via the back button rather than a swipe.

The most noticeable change is the arrival of widgets accessible from the watch face with a spin of the Digital Crown. A Smart Stack allows users to add favorite apps, personalize a triple complication widget, and pin priorities for quicker access. Personally, I found pinning the complication widget with my three go-to apps set as shortcuts made the most sense. Meanwhile, the app screen is now confined horizontally rather than arranged in a hexagon floating in boundless space.

WatchOS 10 brings a slew of updates to the Apple Watch line including wellness tools, added support for cyclists, and the return of widgets.

For cyclists, watchOS 10 adds support for power meters, speed, and cadence sensors. During a workout, users can also now push live cycling activity data to a paired iPhone. These may seem like niche updates, but they’re big steps for the lineup. Apple continues to prove it can compete with fitness-tracking brands like Garmin.

Two underrated watchOS 10 features are the new State of Mind log within the mindfulness app and the ability to track time spent outdoors. Both of these tools can significantly impact users’ mental health. For children, spending time outdoors can even help prevent near-sightedness. Between my iPhone’s screen time updates and the watch’s time outdoors stats, I find myself more acutely aware of how I use my free time and more conscious of making intentional choices.

Speaking of time, as always, watchOS 10 also introduced two new watch faces. Palette emphasizes color tones, with a hue-focused design and room for four complications. Snoopy features the beloved Peanuts character in animated scenarios. I may be biased by nostalgia, but I can (and I did) spend an inordinate amount of time waking my device over and over again just to see what Snoopy would do next. The real takeaway is probably that I need a dog.

WatchOS also brought minor updates to how users build and change watch faces, including featured complication suggestions. Unfortunately, the update also removed the ability to swap between watch faces with a quick swipe.

The Series 9 features the same heart rate and GPS sensors found on the Series 8 and the device’s accuracy is as good as last year’s. On my neighborhood and park runs the watch recorded clean GPS data, keeping up with my Garmin Venu 3. Visiting my childhood home this week, I was able to pound familiar pavement and the device had no trouble accurately recording the routes of my high school training years. The map above represents one specific run during which I compared the Series 9 to Garmin’s even pricier device, the Fenix 7 Pro. The Apple Watch kept up well with Garmin’s typically excellent GPS data, deviating only slightly on a couple of streets.

I also compared the Series 9’s heart rate sensor to my Polar H10 chest strap as well as to Garmin’s newest Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor. Here again, Apple performed admirably. During the interval workout charted above, all three devices provided consistent peaks, valleys, and average heart rates. Apple’s ability to keep up with a dedicated fitness brand is significant and a major comfort to dedicated users who are particularly active.

While out on the road or trail, the Series 9 also offers additional tools for navigation. WatchOS 10 adds topographic map views and allows users to view offline maps as well as nearby trails and trailheads. The watch also sends elevation alerts, shows waypoints with relative elevation, and automatically creates waypoints for nearby cellular locations and emergency cellular locations (as in towers for other carriers). These additions won’t quite turn your Series 9 into an Apple Watch Ultra, but they do upgrade the device in the right direction (pun intended).

What are the best Apple Watch Series 9 alternatives?

Apple may be the most recognizable smartwatch in the game, but it’s not the only option. For Android phone users, it’s not an option at all. The devices below represent the best Apple Watch Series 9 alternatives.

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 ( ): Before shopping beyond the Apple garden, the best Series 9 alternative is the company’s pricier offering, the Ultra 2. The device features all the best of Apple’s ecosystem plus a more durable build, added battery life, and niche features for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ( ): The best Wear OS alternative to the Apple Watch Series 9 is a device from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series. Both models offer nearly identical features, but the Classic’s rotating bezel provides easier on-device navigation.
• Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 ( ): Another option from the Wear OS family, the TicWatch Pro 5 utilizes a rotating Digital Crown similar to the Apple Watch. It’s a fully loaded device with plenty of smarts and a unique, battery-saving dual display we love.
• Garmin Venu 3 ( ): The new Venu 3 is the best smartwatch Garmin has to offer. It’s loaded with health and fitness tools plus highly accurate sensors, key smartwatch features, impressive battery life, and brand-new automatic nap detection.
• Withings ScanWatch 2 ( ): For an attractive, health-focused hybrid experience, Withings’ latest ScanWatch 2 offers FDA-approved sensors and advanced sleep tracking on an elegant, traditional build.

Apple Watch Series 9 specs

	Apple Watch Series 9
Display	LTPO OLED Retina 396 x 484 pixels (45mm) 352 x 430 pixels (41 mm) Always-on display Up to 2000 nit brightness 1 nit minimum brightness
Dimensions and weight	45mm: 45 x 38 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 38.8g Stainless steel: 51.5g 41mm: 41 x 35 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 32g Stainless steel: 42.3g
Durability	WR50 IP6X-certified
SoC	Apple S9 with 64-bit dual-core processor Apple W3 Apple U2 chip (Ultra-wideband) 4-core Neural Engine
RAM	1GB
Storage	32GB
Battery	18 hours 45 min to 80% charge USB-C magnetic fast charging cable
Software	WatchOS 10
Case materials and colors	GPS-only, GPS + Cellular Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Pink, and (Product) Red GPS + Cellular Stainless steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold
Connectivity	GPS/GNSS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.0 Model A2475 (41mm) Model A2477 (45mm) LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66
Sensors	Always-on altimeter Blood oxygen sensor ECG Third-generation optical heart sensor Temperature sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor
Compatibility	iOS 16 or later

Apple Watch Series 9 review: FAQ

Update: October 6, 2023 (11:37 AM ET): We’ve updated our Galaxy Ring hub with a rumor about the launch window and different ring sizes.

Original article: Samsung’s watches are among the best smartwatches available in today’s market. We even named the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro our top wearable of 2022. Despite the line’s success, however, Samsung doesn’t appear ready to rest on its laurels. Instead, the company shows signs of pivoting to a much smaller form factor and a different part of the body. Possibly sliding soon onto fingers near you, here’s everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

Will there be a Samsung Galaxy Ring?

Assuming no unforeseen disasters hit the company’s current plans, a Galaxy Ring is very likely. At the very least, it’s certain that Samsung has a smart ring in the works. Patents for the device were reported in 2022, and a trademark for the Samsung Galaxy Ring was granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Right Information Service (KIPRIS).

We’ve been ignoring Apple Watch ring rumors for years now but the fact is that smart rings are gaining traction. The screen-free experience appeals to a lot of users who just want to track their basics without distractions. Korean news outlet The Elec reported in mid-July that the Galaxy Ring is in “advanced development,” so it certainly sounds like the product is more than just a patent.

What is the most likely Samsung Galaxy Ring release date?

Estimating a release date for Samsung’s first attempt is nearly impossible. Branching into new territory, Samsung won’t want to swing and miss. In order to compete with existing smart rings the company will need to have the device well buttoned up before launch. Given the sparse number of rumors or leaks, we think a 2023 launch is unlikely.

A report from The Elec suggests that the launch may happen in 2024 at the earliest. And if Samsung decides to seek medical approval, the timeline could be stretched out even further. “Even if Samsung Electronics starts product development in September and finishes development by April next year, it will take an additional 10 to 12 months to obtain medical device approval,” an industry source told the outlet, potentially pushing the release date to 2025.

New details from serial tipster Ice Universe suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Ring will debut alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, and star in Samsung’s next Unpacked event, in January 2024. Further supporting Ice Universe’s rumor, an APK teardown of the Galaxy Wearable app revealed code referring to a 2024 launch date for the smart ring.

The Elec later came back with a new report asserting the smart ring would have a Q3 2024 or Q1 2025 launch. It also suggested the Galaxy Ring could launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.

What specs and features could the Samsung Galaxy Ring have?

Based on the patent filings first reported by Korean outlet Naver, the ring may offer a fair amount of health tracking. The filing suggests the integration of both ECG and PPG sensors, This would likely mean the ability to take heart rate measurements as well as monitor temperature. These features align the ring with the current capabilities of the Oura Ring 3, a current leader in the smart ring market. An even earlier patent points to potential smart home integration. It’s possible Samsung will offer Galaxy Ring users the ability to control connected devices such as a smart TV.

The mid-July report by The Elec also points to a newly filed patent by Samsung. This patent shows that a pair of XR glasses can use a smart ring to get positional information for your fingers and hands. That theoretically means accurate hand and finger tracking in XR applications, allowing for fine control over the UI and in apps. This is just a patent though, so there’s no guarantee of this feature coming to the Galaxy Ring or any other Samsung ring.

Another report from The Elec says Samsung is working on a single model — so no Plus or Ultra version — of the smart ring in four sizes. It also claims that the advanced development version of the ring is too big for immediate commercialization. Samsung is reportedly trying to implement as many functions as possible and plans to remove some of those functions to reduce the size during the mass production development phase.

What might the Samsung Galaxy Ring price be?

In a word: expensive. The advanced tech required to turn a tiny ring into a viable fitness tracker has to cost a pretty penny. Our inclination is to expect prices similar to the company’s existing wearables.

The latest Oura Ring 3 starts at $299 and then requires a monthly subscription to access its full feature set. Samsung has yet to adopt a subscription service for its Galaxy Watch line and we’re hoping it doesn’t join the trend with the Galaxy Ring.

Should you wait for the Samsung Galaxy Ring?

With so many unknowns and possibly years before we ever see the ring on shelves, we don’t recommend holding your breath for the Samsung Galaxy Ring. If a finger-based wearable is currently on your shopping list, there are a few other options. The Oura Ring 3 ( ) is our top pick with fantastic sleep tracking and a holistic approach to wellness. Meanwhile, the Circular Ring ( ) is the best Oura Ring 3 alternative. It tracks heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen, and doesn’t require a monthly subscription.

If your preference is to stay within Samsung’s ecosystem, it may be worth sticking with the company’s smartwatch line for now. The new Galaxy Watch 6 ( ) offers a well-rounded smartwatch experience with all the basics in terms of tracking health and fitness. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic ( ) is slightly pricier but features a useful rotating bezel and an elevated aesthetic.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: What we want to see

For starters, we just want to see a Samsung Galaxy Ring exist. A strong alternative to the Oura Ring could turn up the gas on the entire smart ring trend and push more competitors to have a go. We’re fully expecting basic health tracking and decent battery life. Beyond that, below are a few specifics we’re also hoping to find on board.

Advanced health and training metrics

It goes without saying that we want to see detailed health metrics on Samsung’s potential Galaxy Ring. Heart rate monitoring and temperature tracking are two pillars of Oura that we find highly useful during our Oura Ring 3 review. If Samsung were to mirror these features, we hope to see a more advanced use of temperature data, especially in relation to women’s health. Where the Oura Ring falls short in our opinion is fitness tracking. Samsung could set itself apart by offering a more involved feature set for athletes.

Fantastic sleep tracking

The Oura Ring 3 has the ring market cornered and it did so by honing in on users’ Zs. A ridiculous amount of people aren’t getting enough shuteye and offering a tool to manage the problem is a home run. Samsung recently stepped up its own sleep tracking and we hope to see the company transfer the platform to our fingers. Accuracy, insights, trends, and sleep coaching are all factors we’re keen to find. Lightweight, comfortable, and without a bright screen to wake you up overnight, a smart ring is a fool-proof bedmate.

A thin design

As small as existing smart rings seem compared to wrist-based wearables, they are still quite bulky. Many resemble oversized wedding bands. We’d love to see Samsung offer a more petite form factor that won’t draw as many eyes. We’d also be open to more Samsung Galaxy Ring colors and finishes than can be found in the current smart ring pool.

Falling under the same Google umbrella, the latest Pixel Watch 2 and Fitbit Sense 2 directly compete for a place on shoppers’ wrists. They’re also both in their second generation, though one smartwatch seems to be improving its line while the other feels like a step backward. Find out more in our Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Fitbit Sense 2 comparison.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Fitbit Sense 2 specs

	Google Pixel Watch 2	Fitbit Sense 2
Display	41mm Always-on display 320ppi AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5	1.58-inch AMOLED Always-on display 336 x 336 resolution
Dimensions and weight	41mm x 12.3mm 31g (without band)	40.5 x 40.5 x 11.2mm 46g
Storage	32GB	4GB (OS only, inaccessible)
Power	306mAh Proprietary fast charging cable	162mAh Proprietary charging cable
Software	Wear OS 4.0	Fitbit OS
Sensors	Compass Altimeter Blood oxygen sensor Multipurpose electrical sensor Optical heart rate sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor Electrical sensor to measure cEDA Skin temperature sensor Barometer Magnetometer	Microphone Heart rate EDA / cEDA ECG (in select areas) SpO2 Gyroscope Altimeter 3-axis accelerometer Skin temperature Ambient light
Durability	5ATM + IP68	5ATM + IP68
Connectivity	4G LTE and UMTS Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo/Quasi-Zenith Satellite	Bluetooth 5.0 No Wi-Fi NFC Built-in GPS/GLONASS
Compatibility	Android 9 or newer	Android 8 or higher iOS 14 or higher
Colors	Matte Black Aluminum case / Obsidian Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Bay Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Porcelain Active band Champagne Gold Aluminum case / Hazel Active band	Shadow Grey band / Graphite Aluminum case Lunar White band / Platinum Aluminum case Blue Mist band / Soft Gold Aluminum case

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Features

Starting with what the two devices have in common, both the Sense 2 and Pixel Watch 2 are technically Fitbit devices. That means a large percentage of overlap in terms of health and fitness features. Both devices pack the top tools of the brand’s platform including activity tracking, detailed sleep monitoring, ECG, SpO2, heart rate tracking, and Body Response (cEDA) sensors that continuously monitor users’ stress levels. Both devices also feature temperature sensors for additional health insights. Notably, each also comes with a six-month Fitbit Premium trial at purchase for even more tools and insights.

Beyond these basics, the Pixel Watch 2 pulls ahead of the Sense 2 in features. For fitness tracking, the Google smartwatch adds pace and heart rate training tools to help users maximize performance during workouts. It also features the company’s most advanced heart rate sensor for optimal accuracy, as well as onboard music storage and music streaming. Coming soon, the watch will even utilize AI to provide personalized guidance based on users’ tracked wellness stats. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Compared to the Fitbit Sense 2, the Pixel Watch 2 offers a more well-rounded smartwatch experience centered around its powerful Wear OS 4.

As far as what the watch has to offer in terms of smart features, the Pixel Watch 2 is a much more powerful device than the Fitbit Sense 2. While the Sense lineup gained some Wear OS-inspired tiles and design features, it’s still limited to a Fitbit OS. The Pixel Watch 2 is a full-blown Wear OS device with all the accompanying perks and services. Users will find everything from Google Home to Google Maps, Calendar, Gmail, and Google Assistant. They’ll also find the Google Play Store for access to a broad library of third-party apps like Peloton, WhatsApp, Strava, and much more. The Sense 2, meanwhile, features a select few Google apps and zero third-party apps.

Likewise, while both watches support on-wrist phone calls, texting, and notifications, only the Pixel Watch 2 features Wi-Fi support and comes in an LTE variant. The Pixel Watch 2 also offers a handful of safety features not found on the Sense 2, including Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and Safety Check. It also adds plenty of smartphone integration tools, especially for users with a Pixel phone. In short, it’s a much more powerful device beyond tracking wellness stats.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Design

At its launch, the Sense 2 was the most attractive Fitbit smartwatch to date. It features the company’s staple rounded square design with a 1.58 AMOLED display on a slimmed-down, lighter watch case. The device also reinstates the line’s physical button, eliminating the unreliable capacitive groove of the original Sense. For strapping onto users’ wrists, the Sense 2 ships with comfortable sport bands in a variety of colors. It’s also compatible with those of the previous generation as well as Versa 3 bands. In short, it’s a good-looking watch with a smart design. Square watches in general typically offer more room for data and scrolling menus.

The Sense 2 offers a more functional design than its predecessor with a physical button and a lighter watch case, but it's not as attractive or unique as the Pixel Watch 2.

On the other hand, the Sense 2 isn’t especially unique looking. In fact, it looks fairly Apple-esque with its square form factor. The Pixel Watch 2 meanwhile boasts a unique, pebble-like design that’s 41mm in diameter. The round case is also highly reflective. Though the domed glass over the device’s colorful AMOLED display makes us nervous in terms of durability, it carries the same aesthetic as the original Pixel Watch and remains one of the most unique design features on the wearables market.

Like the Sense 2, the Pixel Watch also takes its own cues from Cupertino. The watch features a single physical button and a rotating digital crown with the same general functionality as that of the Apple Watch. The crown makes navigating the device’s Wear OS 4 very efficient and adds interest to the minimalist watch case at a glance. To further the clean lines of its design, the Pixel Watch 2 features a proprietary band mechanism that incorporates the device’s bands into its case. During our review of the original Pixel Watch, we found the bands tricky to swap out. However, the impact is undeniably seamless.

Where the Fitbit Sense 2 maintains a lead over Google’s offerings is battery life. Despite its Fitbit integration, the Pixel Watch 2 falls quite short of our expectations when it comes to Fitbit devices and battery. The watch lasts just 24 hours between charges. This is devastating compared to the Sense 2’s nearly week-long battery life claim. During our review, the device lasted roughly 3.5 days with all its features enabled.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Price and colors

• Google Pixel Watch 2 (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi): $349 / €349 / £349
• Google Pixel Watch 2 (LTE): $399 / €399 / £399
• Fitbit Sense 2: $299 / £269 / €299

The Sense 2 launched at $299, a surprising jump from its predecessor’s launch price. Though the device is cheaper than the Pixel Watch 2, it offers far fewer features. The single Sense 2 variant is available in Graphite, Platinum, or Soft Gold. Fitbit pairs these with bands in Shadow Grey, Lunar White, and Blue Mist.

The Pixel Watch, meanwhile, is available in Wi-Fi-only and LTE variants starting at $349. For just $50 more than the Fitbit Sense 2, users add tons of smart features and safety tools. For another $50 shoppers can add LTE connectivity. Pixel Watch 2 case colors include Matte Black, Polished Silver, and Champagne Gold, with bands in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Hazel.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Which should you buy?

We can’t in good conscience recommend the Fitbit Sense 2 to anyone shopping for a smartwatch. Fitbit has consistently rolled back key features of the lineup including third-party app support, music storage, and Google Assistant. During our review period, we also found existing features like GPS tracking unreliable. The one real advantage of the Fitbit Sense 2 is its fantastic battery life. Simply put, the device doesn’t offer enough functionality to warrant its price tag.

With that said, the Fitbit Sense 2 is the only option of the two compatible with iPhones. iOS users looking for a Fitbit device are left with the brand’s original lineups. If you fall into that camp, we recommend the band-style Fitbit Charge 6 ( ). If your heart is set on a watch, we suggest the original Fitbit Sense ( ) over the newer generation.

Aside from its significantly shorter battery life, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is a much better smartwatch than the Fitbit Sense 2.

Meanwhile, the added sensors of the Pixel Watch 2 have closed the gap between the two lines in terms of health features. The Pixel Watch 2 now supports Fitbit’s most advanced health monitoring, including sleep tracking, temperature tracking, and stress management. It’s also a much more powerful smartwatch with Wear OS 4, packing upgraded Google apps as well as the Google Play Store.

Do you prefer the Google Pixel Watch 2 or the Fitbit Sense 2? Let us know in the poll below.

FAQs

Samsung is far from the only giant in the wearables space, but the brand has maintained a steady Wear OS lead in recent years. Once the original Google Pixel Watch arrived, things started heating up. Now, Google is ready with its second-generation device, and the choice is even tougher for shoppers. Should you consider the Pixel Watch 2 or stick with the more established Samsung Galaxy Watch line? We compared the Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 to break down what each brand has to offer.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 specs

	Google Pixel Watch 2	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Display	Diameter: 41mm Always-on display Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 320ppi AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Always-on display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Always-on display Sapphire Crystal	47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Always-on display Sapphire Crystal 43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Always-on display Sapphire Crystal
Materials and finishes	100% recycled aluminum Active band: Fluoroelastomer with soft-touch coating	Armor Aluminum case with Sport Band	Stainless Steel case with Hybrid Eco-Leather Band
Dimensions and weight	Diameter: 41mm Height: 12.3mm 31g (without band)	44mm: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0mm 28.7g (without band)	47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9mm, 59.0g 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9mm, 52.0g (without band)
Chip	Qualcomm SW5100 Cortex M33 co-processor	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz
Storage and memory	32GB eMMC flash 2GB SDRAM	16GB 2GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM
Power	306mAh USB-C Fast charging cable	44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging	47mm: 425mAh 43mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging
Software	Wear OS 4.0	Wear OS 4.0 One UI 5 Watch skin	Wear OS 4.0 One UI 5 Watch skin
Sensors	Compass Altimeter Blood oxygen sensor Multipurpose electrical sensor Optical heart rate sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor Electrical sensor to measure cEDA Skin temperature sensor Barometer Magnetometer	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
Durability	5ATM + IP68	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H
Connectivity	4G LTE and UMTS Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo/Quasi-Zenith Satellite	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
Compatibility	Android 9.0 or newer	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM
Colors	Matte Black Aluminum case / Obsidian Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Bay Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Porcelain Active band Champagne Gold Aluminum case / Hazel Active band	44mm: Graphite, Silver 40mm: Graphite, Gold	47mm: Black, Silver 43mm: Black, Silver

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Features

At the base level, the Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offer similar experiences, namely because each runs Google’s latest Wear OS 4. The updated platform offers more power efficiency, introduces updates for favorite Google apps and popular third-party apps like Peloton, and adds new highlights like Gmail and Calendar apps.

On the Pixel Watch 2, a Qualcomm SW5100 chipset powers the software. On the Galaxy Watch 6, users will find an Exynos W930 SoC. Both internals provide robust and snappy experiences, but they’re not identical. The Galaxy Watch 6 series masks the Wear OS with Samsung’s One UI 5 Watch skin, watering down the overtly Google impression found on the Pixel Watch 2. Still, each offers similar third-party app experiences centered around popular Google apps and the functionality of the Google Play Store.

Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2 boast Google's latest Wear OS 4, but the user experience on each device varies significantly.

The Pixel Watch 2 packs more storage, offering users 32GB vs the Galaxy Watch 6’s 16GB. On the other hand, the battery capacities on Samsung’s smartwatches outshine that of the Pixel Watch 2. Specific battery cell size varies by model, but both Galaxy Watch 6 sizes claim up to 40 hours of use between charges. Though improved from the original model, the Google Pixel Watch 2 only claims up to 24 hours of use. This disparity is especially significant to users interested in sleep tracking and wellness monitoring.

On that topic, both watches offer hearty health and fitness tracking tools. The Pixel Watch 2 features thorough integration with Fitbit’s ecosystem. This includes detailed sleep monitoring, activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and stress tracking via its new cEDA sensor. The device also offers an ECG app, temperature tracking, and SpO2 monitoring. Coming soon, it will even leverage AI to provide personalized insights. Plus, with each purchase, shoppers receive a 6-month Fitbit Premium trial. In short, it’s a powerful health companion.

Via it owns native health and fitness apps, the Galaxy Watch 6 also offers many of the same wellness tracking features, including heart rate, sleep, activity, temperature, and SpO2 tracking. The watch also features a bioelectrical impedance (BIA) sensor for measuring body composition and a blood pressure monitoring system. Notably, some Galaxy Watch 6 features, including blood pressure monitoring, only work with Samsung phones.

Similarly, the Pixel Watch 2 supplies the best experience to Pixel phone users. Regardless of your smartphone, though, both options support staple smartwatch features like on-wrist phone calls, texts, notifications, voice assistants, and more. They also both support first and third-party watch faces. Finally, both lines pack a variety of safety features, including Fall Detection. The Pixel Watch 2, however, also introduces Safety Check, a new feature for peace of mind when approaching vulnerable situations.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Design

When it comes to comparing designs and aesthetics, neither new generation revolutionizes its respective lineup. The minimalist Google Pixel Watch 2 looks almost exactly like the original Pixel Watch, merely swapping stainless steel for recycled aluminum. Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 closely resembles the sporty Galaxy Watch 5, with slightly tweaked dimensions.

Beyond both being smartwatches, however, the Pixel Watch 2 and Galaxy Watch 6 have markedly different designs. For starters, the latter is available in both 40mm and 44mm case sizes. As such, it caters to more wrists than the single 41mm Pixel Watch 2. Though both lines boast full-color AMOLED displays, the Galaxy Watch 6 protects its screen with a flat Sapphire crystal. The Pixel Watch 2 equips custom, domed Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for a more futuristic, pebble shape.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 features a more unique overall atheistic and a digital crown for simpler on-device navigation.

The Pixel Watch 2 also features a protruding digital crown similar to that of the Apple Watch series. This rotating dial simplifies on-device navigation without detracting from the overall appearance of the watch. The device also features a single side button that blends into the rounded watch case. On the Galaxy Watch 6, users must depend on the device’s touchscreen and two side buttons. For more tactile interaction, shoppers can opt for the device’s pricier sibling, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. This model adds a rotating bezel for a more traditional aesthetic and easier on-device navigation. Like the base model, it’s available in two case sizes.

As far as durability, both designs offer 5ATM water resistance as well as IP68 ratings for dust resistance. The Galaxy Watch 6 also earns an MIL-STD-810H certification. These specs put both lineups on par with comparable wearables at these price points. We found the Galaxy Watch 6 stood up to regular wear and workouts during our review period. As of now, we have yet to test the new Pixel Watch 2.

The Galaxy Watch 6 ships with a quick-release 20mm sport band that’s flexible, lightweight, and very comfortable. It’s also compatible with loads of third-party bands, so mixing up your look is easy and affordable. The Pixel Watch 2 features a unique mechanism that incorporates the device’s band into its case for a sleeker look. These bands are swappable but proprietary, so shopping for additional accessories adds up quickly. This year, Google released a few new band designs including thin metallic options and revamped active bands.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Price and colors

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is available in Wi-Fi-only and LTE variants. The Wi-Fi model costs $349.99. Upgrading to an LTE option adds an extra $50 to the price tag. Either version is available in Matte Black, Polished Silver, and Champagne Gold. Google pairs these case colors with active bands in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, or Hazel. The company also offers additional bands in other materials and colors sold separately.

Pricing for the Galaxy Watch 6 is more complex, with additional case sizes and a Classic model to consider. For a base model device, the smartwatch starts at $299 in a 40mm case. The 44mm Galaxy Watch 6 costs $329. The Classic model also comes in two case sizes measuring 43mm and 47mm. These picks are priced at $269 and $399 respectively.

Like the Pixel Watch 2, adding LTE capabilities to any Galaxy Watch 6 series device costs an extra $50. The base model is available in a Graphite, Silver, or Gold case and ships with a sport band. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is available in Black or Silver paired with an attractive hybrid eco-leather band. As mentioned, the devices are compatible with a variety of first and third-party quick-release bands.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Which should you buy?

With more years in the game, Samsung has a well-established and successful smartwatch lineup on its hands. The Galaxy Watch 6 nails everything from health and fitness tracking to smart features to durability. It also offers considerably better battery life than Google’s devices for a more convenient user experience. For Samsung phone users in particular, the Galaxy Watch is likely the better pick. Plus, it’s cheaper, comes in multiple sizes, and can even be purchased with a rotating bezel.

It's hard to bet against Samsung's established lineup, but the Pixel Watch 2 offers a more unique look, plus thorough Fitbit integration.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel Watch 2 does have its own allure. Compared to the Galaxy Watch 6, the device is far less likely to be confused with any other wearable. It also offers the purest Google Wear OS experience, with the software starring in its raw form. It also simultaneously boasts Fitbit’s powerful health and fitness platform. Coming soon, the device will even leverage Google’s AI tools for further guidance related to users’ wellness goals. If you own a Pixel phone or prefer a thorough Google interface, it’s likely the best option.

That’s it for our Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 comparison. Which watch do you prefer? Let us know in the poll below.

FAQs

Google’s original Pixel Watch arrived to… let’s call them mixed reviews. It looked (and still looks) gorgeous and promised smooth integrations with the growing Pixel ecosystem, but modest battery life and an out-of-date processor left the Pixel Watch feeling like a wearable out of its depth. Now, Google is back for a second try. It’s had another year to refine its hardware and software, resulting in a smartwatch that performs closer to how it looks. We went hands-on with the Pixel Watch 2 after the Made By Google event, and here’s what we thought of it.

Dialed-in design

At first glance, the Pixel Watch 2 looks no different than its predecessor — at second glance, too. Honestly, it’s a perfect example of Google not trying to fix what wasn’t broken since the original Pixel Watch scored plenty of style points with its polished pebble design. It’s still one of the best-looking smartwatches around. Dipping back into the well also means using the Pixel Watch 2 is an immediately familiar experience. You still navigate via a combination of the rotating crown and the singular button, but this generation’s crown is just a little bit better.

What I mean by that is the rotating crown is slightly wider, giving it a bit more surface area to twist and turn while navigating. It also feels like Google beefed up the haptics on its Pixel Watch 2, with every turn of the crown delivering a reassuring series of clicks. The haptic response to taps and typing feels good, too, and certainly more deserving of the Pixel name.

Google's pebble-like design is a little smoother and more refined like it's had a few extra tides wash over.

Outside the updated crown, the Pixel Watch 2 pulls directly from its predecessor in many ways. We compared the two to see how similar the Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2 are. It still uses a 41mm case — no larger model is available — though it’s now crafted from recycled aluminum rather than stainless steel for a slight weight loss of about 5 grams. Google’s pebble-like display is still made of Gorilla Glass 5, so it doesn’t offer upgraded durability in that sense, but the Pixel Watch 2 now boasts a full IP68 rating. The original watch was already a solid swimming companion thanks to its 5ATM certification, but now it’s a more capable wearable for a day at the beach.

The Pixel Watch 2’s main external upgrade comes when you flip the watch over. Google reworked its heart rate sensor, upgrading the number of LEDs and photodiodes used to ensure a more accurate reading whether you’re logging a run or catching up on sleep. The heart rate sensor is also surrounded by four tiny pins that the charging cable can connect to instead of sitting on a simple wireless charging pad like the original model.

Perhaps the best part of Google’s decision to reuse its original Pixel Watch design is that all your existing watch bands will still work with the new model. The process for swapping said bands is unchanged, so it takes a little bit of getting used to, but consistency is key when compared to Apple’s habit of switching connector sizes every few years.

Revved-up internals

Now that we’ve covered what hasn’t changed, let’s dig into where Google made most of its updates: under the hood. One of our main knocks against the original Pixel Watch was that it launched carrying a chipset that was — at the time — already four years old. It felt like far too little, far too late, and hinted at a smartwatch that probably should have been launched sooner. The Pixel Watch 2 doesn’t fall into the same trap. It now relies on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5, the chipmaker’s most updated chipset at launch, and still comes in Wi-Fi or LTE configurations.

Qualcomm’s updated processor uses a slimmed-down 4nm process that’s far more efficient than the previous 10nm Exynos 9110 option. This upgrade should have a waterfall effect on the rest of the Pixel Watch 2 experience, allowing it to push the battery further and perform more efficiently, though we’ll have to wait until we’ve spent longer with the watch to be sure.

The chipset that sits half as thick burns twice as bright, right?

Google also bumped the Pixel Watch 2’s battery by a few milliamp hours, climbing from 294 to 306mAh. It’s a modest gain, but it’s also met with a slight bump in charging speed. Once you combine the suite of battery and chipset improvements, it becomes a little easier to understand Google’s claim of all-day battery life even with the always-on display active. Previously, you could only push the Pixel Watch all day with its convenient feature turned off.

With these internal upgrades comes a slate of new Fitbit Health features, many of which we’ll have to wait to truly test. The Pixel Watch 2 can provide irregular heart rate notifications and sense your skin temperature — neither of which was available on the original.

Another piece of the Pixel Watch 2’s upgraded sensor is the addition of continuous electrodermal activity monitoring or cEDA. Essentially, this allows the watch to monitor your stress level and offer occasional reminders to take deep breaths or meditate to bring your stress down through guided breathing exercises. We’ll have to wait to give this a proper test, though a full Made By Google event would have been the perfect chance for some guided breathing.

As before, the Pixel Watch 2 is compatible with devices running Android 9.0 or newer but doesn’t support iOS devices.

Google Pixel Watch 2 Specs

	Google Pixel Watch 2
Display	Diameter: 41mm Always-on display Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 320ppi AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color Brightness boost up to 1,000 nits
Materials and finishes	100% recycled aluminum Active band: Fluoroelastomer with soft-touch coating
Dimensions and weight	Diameter: 41mm Height: 12.3mm 31g (without band)
Chip	Qualcomm SW5100 Cortex M33 co-processor
Storage and memory	32GB eMMC flash 2GB SDRAM
Power	306mAh (typical) Up to 24 hours with always-on display USB-C Fast charging cable Promised charging speed: About 30 minutes to 50% About 43 minutes to 80% About 75 minutes to 100%
Software	Wear OS 4.0
Sensors	Compass Altimeter Blood oxygen sensor Multipurpose electrical sensor Optical heart rate sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor Electrical sensor to measure cEDA Skin temperature sensor Barometer Magnetometer
Interaction	Side button Haptic crown Premium haptics
Audio	Built-in microphone Built-in speaker
Features	Fitbit health and fitness Google Maps Google Wallet Google Assistant Messages and notifications YouTube Music NFC Emergency SOS International emergency calling Fall detection (up to 32 g-forces)
Durability	5ATM + IP68
Connectivity	4G LTE and UMTS Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, Quasi-Zenith Satellite
Compatibility	Android 9.0 or newer
Band Size	Active band: Small: 130-175mm around Large: 165-210mm around
What’s in the Box	Google Pixel Watch 2 Active band (small and large) USB-C Fast Charging Cable Quick Start Guide
Warranty	US, CA, JP, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Indian: 1 year UK,EEA, France, Switzerland and AU: 2 years
Colors	Matte Black Aluminum case / Obsidian Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Bay Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Porcelain Active band Champagne Gold Aluminum case / Hazel Active band

Google Pixel Watch 2: My first impressions

It’s not easy to jump into first impressions of a smartwatch, much less a Fitbit-fuelled, health-focused one like the Pixel Watch 2. As mentioned above, many of the wearable’s best features — and many we took issue with on the original Pixel Watch — will take some time before they kick in. Key metrics like sleep tracking and irregular heartbeat notifications don’t happen overnight — well, sleep tracking does, I guess. Anyway, what I’m saying is that these are primarily surface-level features that jumped out at me.

For starters, the setup process is quick and painless. Once I got my Pixel 8 Pro up and running, it took just a few minutes in the Pixel Watch app to go from startup to my watch face. The Pixel Watch app remains the easiest way to manage your collection of faces, as well as add complications like your step count or the current weather.

I was thoroughly impressed when I tried to start a run on the Pixel Watch 2.

Sticking with the smoother overall experience, I was thoroughly impressed when I tried to start a run on the Pixel Watch 2. I had no intentions of picking up a few miles for the day, so I swiped to the Quick Start widget in the middle of a restaurant, and the Pixel Watch 2 quickly grabbed my location and counted down a short timer after just a few seconds. How the watch would have fared with GPS accuracy in New York City’s tall buildings, however, is a test for another day.

Outside of the run tracking speed and accuracy, which was a gripe with the previous Pixel Watch, it’s nice to see Google double down on matching the Pixel Watch 2 with the rest of its ecosystem. This is twofold, with colorful band options that match the vibrant Bay of the Pixel 8 Pro and safety features lifted right from the last few Pixel phones.

Safety Check is now available on the Pixel Watch 2, allowing you to set a timer for when you expect to return home from a list of activities. If you’re not home at the end of the timer, the Pixel Watch 2 will ask you if you need to alert your emergency contacts or if you just ended up seeing the sights for a bit longer. I set up a sample Safety Check while getting to know the Pixel Watch 2 and was impressed by the number of activities, which include walking by yourself, going for a run, going for a hike, and even taking transit like an Uber or Lyft. Oh, and if you’re a Fitbit Premium subscriber, you don’t need an LTE watch line for the Safety Check to work. In cases of emergency, Fitbit Premium subscribers can get access to a 4G LTE network for using safety features only, in case you were on the fence about the extra subscription.

We’ll still have to wait a while before we can pass a final judgment on the Google Pixel Watch 2. We’ll keep a close eye on features like the battery life and any bump in performance that comes from the newer Qualcomm processor. In the meantime, it’s great to see Google stick with the original starting price of $349 for the Wi-Fi model and $399 for the LTE version, so hopefully, it means that the Pixel Watch learned the right lessons for its second generation.

Google is officially two generations deep into its wearable lineup with the launch of the Pixel Watch 2. The new smartwatch features many of the same specs and design features as the original model but adds a few key upgrades to the user experience. Is it worth upgrading to the newest version if you already own Google’s first release? Read our Google Pixel Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 2 comparison to find out.

Google Pixel Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 2 specs

	Google Pixel Watch	Google Pixel Watch 2
Display	Diameter: 41mm Always-on display Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 320ppi AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color Brightness boost up to 1,000 nits	Diameter: 41mm Always-on display Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 320ppi AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color Brightness boost up to 1,000 nits
Materials and finishes	80% recycled stainless steel Active band: Fluoroelastomer with soft-touch coating	100% recycled aluminum Active band: Fluoroelastomer with soft-touch coating
Dimensions and weight	Diameter: 41mm Height: 12.3mm 36g (without band)	Diameter: 41mm Height: 12.3mm 31g (without band)
Chip	Exynos 9110 SW5100 Cortex M33 co-processor	Qualcomm SW5100 Cortex M33 co-processor
Storage and memory	32GB eMMC flash 2GB SDRAM	32GB eMMC flash 2GB SDRAM
Power	294mAh (typical) Up to 24 hours USB-C magnetic charging cable Promised charging speed: About 30 minutes to 50% About 55 minutes to 80% About 80 minutes to 100%	306mAh (typical) Up to 24 hours with always-on display USB-C Fast charging cable Promised charging speed: About 30 minutes to 50% About 43 minutes to 80% About 75 minutes to 100%
Software	Wear OS 3.5	Wear OS 4.0
Sensors	Compass Altimeter Blood oxygen sensor Multipurpose electrical sensor Optical heart rate sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor	Compass Altimeter Blood oxygen sensor Multipurpose electrical sensor Optical heart rate sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor Electrical sensor to measure cEDA Skin temperature sensor Barometer Magnetometer
Interaction	Side button Haptic crown Premium haptics	Side button Haptic crown Premium haptics
Audio	Built-in microphone Built-in speaker	Built-in microphone Built-in speaker
Durability	5ATM	5ATM + IP68
Connectivity	4G LTE and UMTS Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo	4G LTE and UMTS Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, Quasi-Zenith Satellite
Compatibility	Android 8.0 or newer	Android 9.0 or newer
Band Size	Active band: Small: 130-175mm around Large: 165-210mm around	Active band: Small: 130-175mm around Large: 165-210mm around
What’s in the Box	Google Pixel Watch Active band (small and large) USB-C Magnetic Charging Cable Quick Start Guide	Google Pixel Watch 2 Active band (small and large) USB-C Fast Charging Cable Quick Start Guide
Warranty	US, CA, JP, TW, UK: 1 year EU, AU: 2 years	US, CA, JP, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Indian: 1 year UK,EEA, France, Switzerland and AU: 2 years
Colors	Matte Black Stainless Steel case / Obsidian Active band Polished Silver Stainless Steel case / Charcoal Active band Polished Silver Stainless Steel case / Chalk Active band Champagne Gold Stainless Steel case / Hazel Active band	Matte Black Aluminum case / Obsidian Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Bay Active band Polished Silver Aluminum case / Porcelain Active band Champagne Gold Aluminum case / Hazel Active band

Google Pixel Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 2: Features

Both Google Pixel Watches offer shoppers a unique Wear OS experience with the best Google has to offer and the top tools from Fitbit’s ecosystem packed into a single device. The smartwatches feature the staples of a solid wearable, including first and third-party apps, fitness tracking, health monitoring, and daily-use tools like phone call support, music storage, and assistant support. Where the Pixel Watch 2 pulls ahead is in its internal upgrades and added features.

The second generation packs a powerful new processor, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip, with four cores running at 1.7GHz. This makes the smartwatch much more efficient and supports low-power states such as Deep Sleep and Hibernation. Each of these modes contributes to improved battery specs. The Pixel Watch 2 also features ultra-wideband (UWB), enabling a new Find My Device feature.

On the fitness tracking front, the Google Pixel Watch 2 brings automatic workout detection to users’ wrists, including seven popular activities. This was a major oversight of the original model and an exciting tool to see added for active users. The new device also offers Pace Training as well as an improved heart rate sensor for monitoring heart rate zones during workouts. The device’s built-in Google Assistant will even answer health and fitness queries with real-time stats. These improvements make the device a more reliable gym companion and a more attractive option for athletes.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 builds on the features of the original model, adding more advanced health sensors and useful fitness tracking features. .

Beyond the gym, the watch also features new cEDA and skin temperature sensors for keeping closer tabs on advanced health metrics. Specifically, Fitbit’s stress management features are among the best in the business and a welcome addition to the Pixel Watch line. The watch also boasts new safety features. These include Safety Check, which allows users to preset a contingency plan when approaching situations they are uncertain about as well as Emergency Sharing. The latter allows users to share their location with specific contacts for a chosen amount of time. Finally, Fitbit Premium members can access phone-free connectivity to safety features without activating an LTE plan.

Because the Pixel Watch 2 runs Google’s latest Wear OS 4 out of the box, it also offers an improved user interface with updated apps. The device also features dynamic theming, new watch faces, and a revamped Fitbit UI. However, it’s very likely these improvements will also be available on the older model via a software update.

Google Pixel Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 2: Design

The second Pixel Watch echoes the overall minimalist impression of the original Pixel Watch with clean lines, integrated bands, and a curved display. Case in point: the image above is a Pixel Watch and a Pixel Watch 2!

However, to accommodate the model’s added sensors, the back housing features a slight redesign. More noticeably, the new device is made from 100% recycled aluminum rather than stainless steel. The watch is, therefore, slightly lighter and, according to Google, features thinner domed glass over its display. It also boasts an IP68 rating not seen on the original model. This means the device is certified as dust-tight and protected from water in all directions. The IP rating is in addition to the 5ATM water resistance rating carried over from the original model.

Like the previous model, the Pixel Watch 2 is available in four color combinations. Each new device ships with a fluoroelastomer sport band, and there are plenty of additional accessories available as well. These include new metal and active band options.

Internally, the Pixel Watch 2 packs a very slightly larger battery that Google claims will offer longer use between charges. The official specs list the device’s battery life at up to 24 hours with the always-on display enabled. The watch also ships with a new fast-charging cable that cuts charge times, though only slightly. Google claims the new cable will charge the device from 0 to 80% in under 45 minutes.

Google Pixel Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 2: Price and colors

The Google Pixel Watch launched at $349.99 in October 2022, landing squarely between leading wearables from Apple and Samsung. For an LTE model, Google added a $50 upcharge to the device. Both models shipped with active-style bands and were available in the same four colorways. Options include Matte Black with an Obsidian band, Polished Silver with a Charcoal or Chalk band, and Champagne Gold with a Hazel band.

This October, the Google Pixel Watch 2 landed at nearly identical prices to its predecessor globally. In the US, a Bluetooth Pixel Watch 2 costs $349.99. Like last year, the LTE model runs for an extra $50. Likewise, the Google Pixel Watch 2 still comes in four colorways. Matte Black with an Obsidian active band and Champagne Gold with a Hazel active band echo the line’s original colors. Google mixes things up slightly this year by pairing its polished silver case with an active band in Bay or Porcelain.

Google Pixel Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 2: Should you upgrade?

Like any first draft, the original Google Pixel Watch featured some first-generation kinks. It was missing advanced sensors, its battery life was unfortunate, and it didn’t pack a few staple tools for active users. Many of these shortcomings are addressed in the new model, (though certainly not at all). In short, the Pixel Watch 2 offers users a more powerful and refined wearable. With hardware and software upgrades, shoppers find a more comprehensive health and fitness tracking companion and an even better Google Wear OS experience. Meanwhile, it’s still a highly attractive device with a truly unique look. If you’re a Pixel phone user, the watch is an even more attractive buy.

With that said, we’re still dubious about the durability of the device and we’re desperate for multi-day battery life. Given that there are so many highly-rated competitors at this price point, it isn’t easy to recommend dropping roughly $350 for an imperfect upgrade. The biggest reason for average users to upgrade to the Pixel Watch 2 is for its powerful new chipset. For anyone with health concerns, the new model’s upgraded heart rate sensor and added stress management tools are also major selling points. If none of these upgrades strike you as necessary, it may be worth hanging on to the original model for now.

FAQS

Google’s second-generation smartwatch packs the powerful Wear OS, advanced health sensors, and tons of fitness tracking features. Before you purchase the new watch, though, you’ll need to decide what connectivity you prefer. The Pixel Watch 2 is available in two variants: Wi-Fi or LTE. Find out what each model offers in this Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE vs Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi guide.

Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE vs Google Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi: Features

Back with an upgraded experience, the Google Pixel Watch 2 lineup offers all the features users loved about the original model, plus a few improvements. At the heart of the experience is Google’s Wear OS. This year, that comes in the form of Wear OS 4.0 running on a powerful new Qualcomm SW5100 chipset. The software still packs all the best tools of Google’s ecosystem. The new processor offers more efficient power usage as well as faster performance specs. The watch also still boasts thorough integration with Fitbit’s ecosystem, now including the company’s advanced stress management tools.

All of these smartwatch and fitness tracking features, as well as new temperature and cEDA sensors, are identical on both the LTE and Wi-Fi models. Both variants also boast brand-new heart rate sensors for even more accurate heart rate zone tracking during workouts. They also automatically track seven popular workouts as well as body response data, sleep, steps, and much more. In other words, either way, shoppers can invest in a robust smartwatch experience with plenty of wellness tools.

Connectivity on the Pixel Watch 2 is most important for smart features like on-wrist phone calls and safety tools like the line's new Safety Check, plus routing apps and music streaming for long-distance training.

Where the LTE and Wi-Fi models differ is in connectivity. With an LTE model, users can make and receive on-wrist phone calls. They can also fire off texts, check emails, or pepper Google Assistant with queries. With a Wi-Fi model, these features require a paired smartphone nearby or a connection to a Wi-Fi network. Many apps also will not load, update, or send notifications to Wi-Fi users out of range. Meanwhile, LTE models can even stream music on the go, allowing runners and cyclists to hit their routes without the added weight of a smartphone. Perhaps more importantly, LTE models also provide uninterrupted accessibility to safety features.

In addition to Fall Detection and Emergency SOS, the Pixel Watch 2 introduces a new precautionary tool called Safety Check. This feature allows users to schedule a timer for specific situations they may be concerned about. Once the timer expires, Safety Check prompts the user to confirm they are safe or allows them to start sharing their location. If someone fails to respond, Safety Check will trigger Emergency Sharing, which shares the user’s real-time location with selected emergency contacts. Emergency Sharing also allows users to share their real-time whereabouts at will. These features require an LTE model or a paired smartphone nearby.

Notably, however, Fitbit Premium members can get phone-free connectivity to safety features even without activating a full carrier LTE plan on their watch. This is especially significant considering all purchases of a Pixel Watch 2 include six months of Fitbit Premium membership.

Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE vs Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi: Design

As mentioned, the Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE and Wi-Fi models are identical in most ways, especially in design. Both models feature 41mm watch cases with domed glass over their AMOLED displays. Made from 100% recycled aluminum, the devices weigh in at just 31g, without bands attached. As far as durability, each boasts 3D Corning Gorilla Glass protection and 5ATM water resistance.

When it comes to design, the LTE and Wi-Fi Pixel Watch 2 models are virtually identical.

For interacting with the devices, both models feature a protruding, rotating digital crown and a tactile back button. Like last year, the lineup also features integrated band connections for a minimalist aesthetic. Either model Pixel Watch 2 is available in four color combinations and ships with a fluoroelastomer sport band. The company also introduced new metal and active band options sold separately.

In terms of power, both models also pack the exact same size battery as well. According to Google, the Pixel Watch 2’s 306mAh cell provides up to 24 hours of use between charges. Both watches also ship with a new fast-charging cable. The new cable can charge the device from zero to 80% in under 45 minutes. Neither watch ships with a power adapter. In our experience, LTE models tend to drain device batteries faster than models relying on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. As always, battery specs in general vary by usage.

Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE vs Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi: Price and colors

• Google Pixel Watch 2 (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi): $349.99/€349/£349
  
• Google Pixel Watch 2 (4G LTE): $399.99/€399/£399

At launch, the Google Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi model costs $350. Opting for an LTE model costs an additional $50. However, that is not the only added cost of LTE connectivity. The device also requires a 4G LTE wireless service plan to use its cellular functionality. Depending on your provider, these plans typically cost around $15 per month. Before getting your heart set on an LTE model, contact your carrier for details about pricing, network compatibility, and performance.

Regardless of which model you choose, the Google Pixel Watch 2 comes in four color combinations. With a Matte Black case, the device ships with an Obsidian active band. The Champagne Gold case comes with an active band in Hazel. If you choose the Polished Silver watch case, you can select an active band in either Bay or Porcelain.

Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE vs Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi: Which should you buy?

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is a promising new device regardless of which model you choose. We are always grateful to see companies offer an LTE model, as the connectivity can be clutch for certain users. Access to phone calls and texts without a paired phone nearby makes the watch a more complete standalone device. Access to smart features and music streaming can be especially useful for athletes. LTE models allow these users to leave their phones behind rather than train with them in their pockets.

An LTE model is particularly attractive for runners and cyclists who prefer to train without a paired phone nearby, but the connectivity is not necessary for all users.

On the other hand, as mentioned, these perks don’t simply cost an extra $50. They also require a cellular plan with a monthly fee. Many users will find the Wi-Fi model plenty adequate for their basic needs. If you typically have your phone on you or if you most often find yourself within range of a Wi-Fi network, an LTE model is probably unnecessary.

That’s it for our Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE vs Google Pixel Watch 2 Wi-Fi comparison. Which watch do you prefer? Let us know in the poll below.

FAQs

Almost like clockwork, Google has launched the Pixel Watch 2 a year after it first entered the smartwatch market with the original Pixel Watch. The new wearable takes several cues from its predecessor — Google isn’t taking any big risks here. Rather, the Pixel Watch 2 is an evolutionary tale. It looks identical to first Pixel Watch but matures on the inside with additional sensors, Qualcomm processing, new safety and fitness features, enhanced durability, and a bigger battery. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Google Pixel Watch 2.

Pixel Watch 2: Release date, price, and availability

Should you buy the Garmin Vivoactive 5?

For years, Garmin’s Vivoactive series ran the table in terms of popularity, offering a balanced blend of smart features and wellness-tracking tools. That is, until the Venu series arrived. With its colorful displays and boosted smart features, the Venu lineup seemed to replace the Vivoactive line, and in fact, we didn’t see an upgrade to the latter for roughly four years. Now, the Vivoactive 5 lands with an AMOLED display of its own and a trove of new software updates. Approachably priced at $299, the device situates itself neatly between Garmin’s square-shaped Venu Sq 2 and the new Venu 3.

For the first time on the Vivoactive line, the new model swaps its MIP screen for a vibrant, colorful, AMOLED display.

The Vivoactive 5 comes in a single 42mm case size with a 1.2-inch touchscreen that’s no longer an outdated MIP display. Instead, it features a 390 x 390 resolution AMOLED display covered in Gorilla Glass and surrounded by an aluminum bezel. The screen is nearly identical to that of the Venu 3S, though the device’s overall impression is more casual.

Given that the Vivoactive 5 only features two buttons, I relied on the touchscreen more heavily than I tend to on most three or five-button Garmin watches. Overall, the display is responsive and reliable, though, like many watches, it struggles with wet or sweaty hands. Fortunately, the watch also features a revamped interface, with organized app/ activity menus, a Recents menu, and expanded shortcuts, so navigation is fairly streamlined.

Turned over, the Vivoactive 5 reveals another significant upgrade compared to the Vivoactive 4, though not as impressive as I expected. Where the previous generation featured a third-generation Elevate heart rate sensor, the new device features a Gen 4. This is an improvement for sure, but it’s not Garmin’s newest Gen 5 sensor, as seen on the Venu 3. That means the Vivoactive 5 will not be eligible for an ECG app down the line.

Instead, the watch leverages its sensor for activity tracking and overnight stats. The Vivoactive 5 is the second Garmin watch to offer automatic nap detection as well as on-device sleep coaching and sleep recommendation factors; it works as well as it did during my Venu 3 testing.

These tools and their corresponding stats are used to calculate useful metrics like Body Battery. Considering the device also now features heart rate variability tracking (HRV), it’s easy to dub the watch a more robust training companion than the Vivoactive 4.

Other tools added to the line are Garmin’s Morning Report and Daily Summary, both of which condense users’ key metrics for quick consumption (one in the morning and the other before bed). Personally, I love waking up to a friendly, wrist-based greeting. Garmin also added Recovery Time and Workout Benefit, as well as the ability to add on-watch interval workouts and several new sport profiles, including wheelchair-specific ones. The line still doesn’t offer the company’s highest-end fitness tracking features, like Training Readiness, but it packs an impressive toolkit for active shoppers at this price point.

The Vivoactive 5 adds key wellness tools from Garmin's ecosystem, including heart rate variability tracking, Morning Report, Recovery Time, and more.

Digging in deeper, I found a few more additions as well as some omissions. For cyclists, the device adds eBike sensor support, however, it doesn’t see cycling power meter support like the Venu 3. Likewise, you can configure interval workouts on-device and customize activity data pages, but the device no longer shows animated workout guidance like its predecessor. Instead, workouts like strength training now display illustrations that highlight which muscles a workout will challenge. Finally, the device also drops the 4’s barometric altimeter, eliminating stairs climbed and elevation tracking.

Fortunately, what the Vivoactive 5 does track it does so very well. Throughout my tests, the Vivoactive 5’s GPS data closely matched that of the more expensive Venu 3. On the neighborhood run above, you can see how the routes are largely consistent. Both recorded on the correct side of the road, and neither dipped into lawns. One exception is on Megan Ct in the top right corner. Here, both devices took a wider turn than I ran in reality.

Likewise, the Vivoactive 5 recorded reliable heart rate data as well. The graph above shows the Vivoactive 5 relatively aligned with my Venu 3 during a run with intermittent sprints. Both devices were also within two or three beats of my Polar H10 strap. Generally speaking, the Vivoactive 5’s heart rate sensor is great. It may not be as exact as Garmin’s high-end watches, but it’s more than adequate for the average, active user.

Finally, despite its vibrant new display, the Vivoactive 5 claims 11 days of battery life in default mode and five days in always-on mode. These estimates lined up with my experience during this review. After three days with 60 or so minutes of GPS workouts per day, the device had just under 30% left. Compared to the Apple Watch on my other wrist, that’s a fantastic stat.

Of course, compared to Apple’s devices and the Venu 3, the Vivoactive does not have as much all-day functionality in terms of smart features. Users won’t find on-wrist phone calls or voice assistant support. The Vivoactive 5 does, however, provide music storage, smartphone notifications, Garmin Pay, and an on-screen flashlight.

What are the best Garmin Vivoactive 5 alternatives?

Teetering between a budget-friendly device and a full-blown smartwatch, the Vivoactive 5 faces a lot of competition. Below are the best Vivoactive 5 alternatives.

• Garmin Venu Sq 2 ( ): For anyone on a strict budget, Garmin’s square-shaped smartwatch lands at $50 lower than the Vivoactive 5. The device offers 24-hour heart rate monitoring, 25 sport modes, SpO2 tracking, and more.
• Garmin Venu 3 ( ): Priced significantly higher, the Venu 3 is the best smartwatch Garmin has to offer. Unlike the Vivoactive 5, it features on-wrist phone call and voice assistant support for a more well-rounded experience.
• Apple Watch SE 2 ( ): Apple’s budget-friendly model is the best Vivoactive 5 alternative for iOS users. The SE 2 drops a few health sensors in favor of a lower price tag.
• Apple Watch Series 9 ( ): For the best Apple Watch experience available, the Series 9 is the newest model featuring a powerful new processor, updated watchOS software, and a new pink case color.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ( ): The best Wear OS smartwatch for Android users is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or 6 Classic. Both devices offer similar experiences, but the Classic model features a rotating bezel for easier on-device navigation.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 specs

	Garmin Vivoactive 5
Display	1.2 inch AMOLED, optional always-on 390 x 390 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dimensions and weight	42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1mm 20mm band 36g
Build materials	Anodized aluminum bezel Fiber-reinforced polymer case Silicone band
Battery	Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled) Up to 21 days in Battery Saver Smartwatch mode Up to 7 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music
IP rating	5 ATM
Sensors	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor GPS GLONASS Galileo Compass Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
Connectivity	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi
Compatibility	Android, iOS
Garmin Pay	Yes
Smartwatch features	Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack
Colors	Metallic Orchid, Slate with Black case, Cream Gold with Ivory case, Metallic Navy with Navy case

Garmin Vivoactive 5 review: FAQ

Garmin is extremely prolific when it comes to smartwatches, constantly churning out new models and updates. With the arrival of the Vivoactive 5, we see a very different watch to a line that hadn’t been updated since 2019, one much more akin to the Venu 3.

If you’re in the market for a new Garmin watch, you might have a tough time making a decision between these two. So which should you buy? Let’s take a look in this Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3 comparison.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3: Specs

	Garmin Venu 3	Garmin Venu 3S	Garmin Vivoactive 5
Display	1.4-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 454 x 454 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3	1.2-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 390 x 390 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3	1.2 inch AMOLED, optional always-on 390 x 390 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dimensions and weight	45 x 45 x 12mm 22mm band 47g	41 x 41 x 12mm 22mm band 40g	42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1mm 20mm band 36g
Build materials	Stainless steel bezel Fiber-reinforced polymer case Silicone band	Stainless steel bezel Fiber-reinforced polymer case Silicone band	Anodized aluminum bezel Fiber-reinforced polymer case Silicone band
Battery	Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled) Up to 26 days in Battery Saver Smartwatch mode Up to 11 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music	Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled) Up to 20 days in Battery Saver Smartwatch mode Up to 8 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music	Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled) Up to 21 days in Battery Saver Smartwatch mode Up to 7 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music
IP rating	5ATM	5ATM	5 ATM
Sensors	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor GPS GLONASS Galileo Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor GPS GLONASS Galileo Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor GPS GLONASS Galileo Compass Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
Connectivity	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi
Compatibility	Android, iOS	Android, iOS	Android, iOS
Garmin Pay	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smartwatch features	Make and receive phone calls Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby, and Siri support Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack	Make and receive phone calls Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby, and Siri support Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack	Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack
Colors	Silver bezel with Whitestone case Slate bezel with Black case	Soft Gold bezel with French Gray, Dust Rose, or Ivory case Silver bezel with Sage Gray case Slate bezel with Pebble Gray case	Metallic Orchid, Slate, Cream Gold with Ivory case, Metallic Navy with Navy case

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3: Design

The Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3 share a lot of the same DNA with an almost identical design. There are a few differences, including the nnumber of buttons on each device, but you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference at a glance. Size wise, the Vivoactive slots in between the Venu 3 and Venu 3S, coming in at 42.2mm. In contrast, the Venu 3 is 45mm, while the S model is 41mm.

Despite the similarities, there are some key differences aside from size. The Vivoactive 5 swaps the Venu 3’s stainless steel construction in favor of aluminum. This detracts from the premium look and feel to some degree, but the Vivoactive 5 is still a very attractive watch. Due to the difference in materials, you’re also more likely to scratch and ding the Vivoactive.

On the positive side, the Vivoactive 5 is 4g lighter, so it may actually feel a bit more comfortable on your wrist. Garmin’s new watch also has the same 5ATM water resistance and Gorilla Glass protection found on the Venu 3 family.

The overall footprint of the Vivoactive 5 isn’t too much different from the Venu 3S, it’s just a tad bigger.  You also get the same AMOLED screen type, as well as the same screen size and resolution.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3: Features

The Vivoactive offers a similar experience to the Venu, minus a few sensors and features. There’s no built-in microphone or speaker here, though you can still listen to music via a Bluetooth device. If we’re honest, the speaker was pretty limited anyhow, and we didn’t find this a hindrance during our review. You also still needed to connect to your phone to take calls. You’ll still get notification alerts about an incoming call, you’ll just have to dig out your phone to take it.

Beyond this, you’ll find the storage is cut in half at just 4GB. That said, unless you store a lot of music or audiobooks, this won’t really matter. There’s also no barometric altimeter, which can record steps taken or elevation climbed. That’s a bummer for hiking enthusiasts who want the most accuracy here.

The Vivoactive 5 offers a similar experience to the Venu 3 as fitness tracker, but does not boast as many smart features.

Avid cyclists might prefer the Venu 3 as the Vivoactive cuts some of these features, such as the ability to control turbo trainers or connect to power meters. Thankfully, you can still connect to speed and cadence sensors.

Probably the biggest downside is the heart rate sensor. While the Vivoactive still packs this feature, it uses the previous generation of Garmin’s technology known as Elevate 4. The E4 is also still a very capable sensor with two LED blocks and four light sensors, just the latter has six LED blocks and four light sensors. The Venu 3 family is going to be a bit more accurate, but the Vivoactive 5 is still a great choice for most.

The good news is you’ll still have access to all the same sleep features as the Venu 3. You’ll also get Body Battery, Pulse Ox, menstrual tracking, stress tracking, and more.

Battery life is also slightly better than the similarly sized Venu 3S at 11 days versus 10. The Venu 3 still manages to one-up the Vivoactive here at 14 days, but that’s really just down to its larger size.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3: Price and colors

As previously mentioned, there are two case sizes available for the Venu 3. Both models come in at $449.99. The former comes in just two colorways: a Silver bezel with a Whitestone case or a Slate bezel with a Black case. The latter comes with a Soft Gold bezel and either French Gray, Dust Rose, or an Ivory case. Not interested in Gold? Conversely, you can get a silver bezel with a Sage Gray case or a Slate bezel with a Pebble gray case.

Turning to the Vivoactive 5, there’s just one size available for $299.99. As you can see, that makes it $150 cheaper than the Venu 3 series. There are also a few different color choices on offer. There’s a model that comes with a Metallic Orchid bezel and case, a Slate bezel with a Black case, a Cream Gold bezel with an Ivory case, or a model with a Metallic Navy case and bezel.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3: Which should you buy?

The Venu 3 has a premium design, more advanced sensors, and a some key smart features you won’t get on the Vivoactive 5. But does that make it worth $150 more? It really depends. If you’re a cyclist, absolutely. If you do a lot of uphill activities like hiking and want that altimeter, yes again. The vivoactive 5 is a solid fitness companion but it doesnt offer features like voice assistance or onwrist phone call support. For those tools, we recommend the Venu 3.

If none of these features are that important to you, the Vivoactive comes very close to matching the Venu 3 family. In many ways, it feels more like a Venu 3 Lite than a successor to the aging Vivoactive 4, and that’s meant as a compliment. You’ll save a good chunk of change with the Vivoactive and you’ll still get a great watch out of it. Either way, you’ll find the same incredible fitness tracker experience Garmin is known for minus a few features.

Frequently Asked Question

The highly-anticipated Garmin Venu 3 (and the smaller but otherwise identical Venu 3S) has officially made its way to wrists, and the series packs a lot of impressive new features. In particular, for active shoppers looking for a smartwatch experience, the Venu 3 delivers all the basics, plus in-depth, accurate health and fitness tracking. It incorporates all the best tools of the Venu 2 (and Venu 2 Plus!) and sprinkles in a few extras. To learn more about what the new watch offers compared to its older sibling, we’ve compiled a Garmin Venu 2 vs Venu 3 comparison. Read on to learn what differentiates the two generations in terms of design, features, prices, and specs.

Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Venu 3: Specs

	Garmin Venu 3 and 3S	Garmin Venu 2 and 2S
Display	Venu 3: 1.4-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 454 x 454 resolution Venu 3S: 1.2-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 390 x 390 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Venu 2: 1.3-inch AMOLED 416 x 416 resolution Venu 2S: 1.1-inch AMOLED 360 x 360 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dimensions and weight	Venu 3: 45 x 45 x 12mm 22mm band 47g Venu 3S: 41 x 41 x 12mm 22mm band 40g	Venu 2: 45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2mm 22mm band 49g Venu 2S: 40.4 x 40.4 x 12.1mm 18mm band 38.2g
Build materials	Stainless steel bezel Fiber-reinforced polymer case Silicone band	Stainless steel bezel Fiber-reinforced polymer case Silicone band
Battery	Venu 3: Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled) Up to 11 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music Venu 3S: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled) Up to 8 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music	Venu 2: Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode Up to 8 hours in GPS mode + music Venu 2S: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode Up to 7 hours in GPS mode + music
IP rating	5ATM	5ATM
Sensors	Garmin Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor GPS GLONASS Galileo Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor	Garmin Gen 4 Elevate heart rate sensor GPS GLONASS Galileo Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
Connectivity	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi
Compatibility	Android, iOS	Android, iOS
Garmin Pay	Yes	Yes
Smartwatch features	Make and receive phone calls Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby, and Siri support Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack	Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack
Colors	Venu 3: Silver bezel with Whitestone case Slate bezel with Black case Venu 3S: Soft Gold bezel with French Gray, Dust Rose, or Ivory case Silver bezel with Sage Gray case Slate bezel with Pebble Gray case	Venu 2: Silver bezel with Granite Blue case, Slate bezel with Black case Venu 2S: Slate bezel with Graphite case, Light Gold bezel with Light Sand case, Silver bezel with Mist Grey case, Rose Gold bezel with White case

Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Venu 3: Design

Compared to Garmin’s fitness-focused wearables, the Venu moniker represents the company’s more approachable, everyday smartwatch. This is reflected in the watches’ clean, minimalist aesthetics, and beautiful AMOLED displays. When comparing the Garmin Venu 2 vs Venu 3, the two generations share nearly identical overall designs and dimensions.

Both series offer a full-size model as well as a second option for smaller wrists. The Venu 2 is less than 1mm larger than the Venu 3 and the Venu 2S is just a fraction of a mm smaller than the 3S. All four devices feature stainless steel bezels, fiber-reinforced polymer cases, and Gorilla Glass protection over their displays. Yet, thanks to minimized bezels, the Venu 3 and 3S offer slightly larger displays than their respective predecessors. Measuring 1.4 inches and 1.3 inches, the Venu 3 and 3S displays offer more room for on-device stats and sleeker overall appearances.

With a peek at the watches from the side, shoppers will also notice the addition of a third button on the newest lineup. Originally intended to activate the device’s speaker, this extra middle button first made an appearance on the Venu 2 Plus. Since the Venu 2 doesn’t offer a speaker or microphone, the older model only features two buttons.

Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Venu 3: Features

In terms of features, the Venu 3 offers everything found on the Venu 2, plus almost all the added tools of the Venu 2 Plus. This means a built-in microphone and speaker for on-wrist phone calls and voice assistant support, as well as music playback. The Venu 3 also adds a quick-access flashlight, a handful of new watch faces, and the ability to text photos (Android only). However, these crucial smartwatch features are far from the only improvements shoppers will find on the newest model.

The Garmin Venu 3 offers nearly all the best tools of the Venu 2 and Venu 3 including on-wrist phone call and voice assistant support.

On the wellness front, the Venu 3 epitomizes a dedicated focus on recovery and sleep tracking, and this was felt during our Garmin Venu 3 review. One of the biggest highlights of the new device is its automatic nap detection, a first for the Garmin stable. The Venu 3 also records overnight HRV status as well as offers personalized sleep coaching with sleep recommendation factors.

For training purposes, Garmin upgraded the device’s Body Battery feature and added a broad list of additional tools, including Recovery Time, Workout Benefit, Perceived Exertion, Morning Report, and a new Daily Summary (similar to Morning Report but in the evening). Users will also find a few added activity profiles, as well as wheelchair push detection and wheelchair-specific activities. We were particularly excited to see Open Water Swim make its way to the Venu 3 as well as a new Meditation activity. Users can even create custom interval workouts and pair the Venu 3 with additional sensors and power meters.

Most importantly, we found GPS and heart rate sensor accuracy significantly improved on the Venu 3. Garmin’s Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor is the current top-of-the-line. Our fingers are crossed that the hardware will receive FDA approval for ECG recordings in the future. For now, the Venu 2 Plus remains the only Garmin device to offer this advanced health tool.

The Venu 3 boasts improved GPS and heart rate sensor accuracy, however, it does not feature the ECG app found on the Venu 2 Plus.

To poke around all its new features and tools, the Venu 3 also offers an updated user interface. The redesign streamlines navigation primarily by optimally organizing menus. We found the user experience greatly improved by the device’s recent widgets menu. Likewise, we also appreciated the new separation of sport profiles from other apps. The extra, customizable button (compared to the Venu 2) also positively impacts the usability of the watch.

Last but not least, the Venu 3 still offers fantastic battery life, especially compared to other leading smartwatches. The Venu 2 puts up impressive stats as well. However, the Venu 3 offers noticeable improvement despite its larger display and added features.

Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Venu 3: Price and colors

The Garmin Venu 2 launched in April 2021 at $399.99. The 45mm model is available in Silver with Granite Blue or Slate with Black. Shoppers can grab a 40mm model in Light Gold with Light Sand, Slate with Graphite, Silver with Mist Gray, or Rose Gold with White. In January 2022, Garmin introduced the half-step Garmin Venu 2 Plus priced at $449.99. The Venu 2 Plus is available in just one 43mm case size. It comes in Cream Gold with Ivory, Silver with Powder Gray, or Slate with Black.

In light of its added features, the Garmin Venu 3 also launched with a $449.99 price tag. The 45mm Venu 3 is available in Silver with Whitestone or Slate with Black. The 41mm 3S is available in a few more options. These include Soft Gold with Ivory, Slate with Pebble Gray, Silver with Sage Gray, or Soft Gold with Dust Rose.

Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Venu 3: Should you upgrade?

The newest Garmin smartwatch is well worth the upgrade for anyone holding onto a Venu 2 or older. It adopts all the useful smartwatch features introduced on the Venu 2 Plus. It also debuts a few new Garmin tools, including automatic nap detection. Meanwhile, the device’s top-notch sensor accuracy, detailed recovery tools, and added fitness-tracking features make it a powerful workout companion. Given how much the Venu 3 has to offer, we don’t recommend anyone buy older Venu models at this point. The only exception might be the Venu 2 Plus if you can get in on a great deal, but even then the Venu 3 is a clear step up.

The Venu 3 offers shoppers plenty of improvements and new features worthy of an upgrade.

On the other hand, the smartwatch market is consistently heating up with new tools, features, and devices landing constantly. Though a well-rounded fitness watch, the Venu 3 can’t really compete with wearables like the Apple Watch Series 9 ( ) when it comes to smartwatch features. Anyone after a true smartwatch experience should take a careful look at an Apple vs Garmin comparison before committing to Garmin’s stable, but if you want an amazing fitness tracker with smartwatch features and looks, plus killer battery life, the Venu 3 is a clear hit.

Are you upgrading from the Venu 2 to the Venu 3? Let us know in the poll below.

The newest Apple Watch Series 9 is officially vying for shoppers’ attention. While the smartwatch packs a few key upgrades under its hood, it should look very familiar at first glance. Apple’s design has remained largely unchanged since the Series 7 landed in 2021. Yet, a closer look shows important improvements and significant new features. To determine how far Apple’s come in the last two years, we compare the Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 7.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch 9 specs

	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 7
Display	LTPO OLED Retina 396 x 484 pixels (45mm) 352 x 430 pixels (41 mm) Always-on display Up to 2000 nit brightness 1 nit minimum brightness	LTPO OLED Retina 396 x 484 pixels (45mm) 352 x 430 pixels (41mm) Always-on display Up to 1000 nit brightness
Dimensions and weight	45mm: 45 x 38 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 38.8g Stainless steel: 51.5g 41mm: 41 x 35 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 32g Stainless steel: 42.3g	45mm: 45 x 38 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 38.8g Stainless steel: 51.5g Titanium: 45.1g 41mm: 41 x 35 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 32g Stainless steel: 42.3g Titanium: 37g
Durability	WR50 IP6X-certified	WR50 IP6X-certified
SoC	Apple S9 with 64-bit dual-core processor Apple W3 Apple U2 chip (Ultra-wideband) 4-core Neural Engine	Apple S7 with 64-bit dual-core processor Apple W3 Apple U1 chip (Ultra-wideband)
RAM	1GB	1GB
Storage	32GB	32GB
Battery	18 hours 45 min to 80% charge USB-C magnetic fast charging cable	18 hours 45 min to 80% charge USB-C magnetic fast charging cable
Software	WatchOS 10	WatchOS 9
Case materials and colors	GPS-only, GPS + Cellular Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Product Red, and Pink GPS + Cellular Stainless steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold	GPS-only, GPS + Cellular Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Green, Blue, Product Red GPS + Cellular Stainless steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold Titanium: Space black, Titanium
Connectivity	GPS/GNSS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.0 Model A2475 (41mm) Model A2477 (45mm) LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66	GPS/GNSS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.0 LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66
Sensors	Always-on altimeter Blood oxygen sensor ECG Third-generation optical heart sensor Temperature sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor	Always-on altimeter Blood oxygen sensor ECG Third-generation optical heart sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor
Compatibility	iOS 17 or later	iOS 17 or later

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch 9: Features

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Watch 9: Design

The Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 9 share nearly identical design specs, from dimensions to weights to display sizes. Unlike the Series 7, the new model is not available in titanium, however, as Apple now saves that premium material for its Ultra lineup. The two generations still use the same interchangeable bands, mirror each other’s durability certifications, and come in many of the same colors. In Stainless steel, the devices share available colors. In aluminum, the Series 7 comes in Midnight, Starlight, Green, Blue, and Product Red. The Series 9 drops both the Green and Blue and instead adds a pink option.

In addition to its trendy new colorway, the Series 9 offers a second new bright spot. The latest model doubles display brightness compared to the Series 7, offering a maximum brightness of 2000 nits. The display also drops all the way to a single nit to make readability possible in all situations.

Finally, Apple has placed a significant emphasis on sustainability in this year’s product launches. The Series 9 is a more eco-friendly device built with sustainable practices and recycled materials.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 9: Price and colors

The Apple Watch Series 9 launched on September 12, 2023, with a starting price of $399. From there, prices vary depending on the case size and material shoppers select. An LTE model Series 9 starts at $499. The device is available with an aluminum case in Starlight, Midnight, Silver, Product Red, and Pink, or with a stainless steel case in Silver, Graphite, and Gold.

The Apple Watch Series 7 debuted in September 2021 with identical starting prices to the new model. However, now that it is two generations old, the Series 7 can be found for much cheaper. It is available in the same colors as the newer in titanium but doesn’t feature a Pink option in aluminum. Instead, the older line features a Blue and Green aluminum case in addition to Starlight, Midnight, Silver, and Product Red.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Which should you buy?

Slow and steady is the best way to describe Apple’s growth pattern regarding the Apple Watch. Each generation adds just enough to warrant interest, but not enough to make older models obsolete. Sure, there is plenty on the Apple Watch Series 9 to get excited about this year. It’s poised to provide a powerful experience with exciting convenience features. However, we still don’t know that it’s a revolutionary device compared to the last two models.

If you want the absolute best Apple has to offer, the Series 9 is it, but that doesn't mean it's necessary for everyone.

If you already own a Series 7, there likely isn’t enough newness on the Series 9 to drop ~$400. The Series 9’s fitness suite and general smartwatch experience are largely unchanged. Its design is literally the same as the Series 7 beyond available colors. Even battery life is identical after two full years. For those who menstruate, the Series 9’s temperature sensor is a valuable feature worth considering, but only if you feel it may significantly impact your cycle-tracking methods.

For those shopping for their very first Apple Watch, the Series 9 is a great entry point to the watchOS ecosystem. We have no doubt the processing power will translate to a fantastic user experience. If you’re an adventurer with a loose budget, it may also be worth checking out the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

That’s it for our Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 7 comparison. Which do you think is the better buy? Let us know in the poll below.

FAQs

Apple’s ninth series wearable is officially here in all its familiar glory. Though the smartwatch still looks largely the same as last year, there are a few new features on board compared to older models. Against Apple’s budget-friendly SE 2, the Apple Watch Series 9 stands out even more. It’s also much pricier. So which device is best for you? Read our Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2 to find out.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2 specs

	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch SE 2
Display	LTPO OLED Retina 396 x 484 pixels (45mm) 352 x 430 pixels (41 mm) Always-on display Up to 2000 nit brightness 1 nit minimum brightness	LTPO OLED Retina 368 x 448 pixels (44mm) 324 x 394 pixels (40mm) Up to 1000 nit brightness
Dimensions and weight	45mm: 45 x 38 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 38.8g Stainless steel: 51.5g 41mm: 41 x 35 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 32g Stainless steel: 42.3g	44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7mm 33g 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7mm 26.4g
Durability	WR50 IP6X-certified	WR50
SoC	Apple S9 with 64-bit dual-core processor Apple W3 Apple U2 chip (Ultra-wideband) 4-core Neural Engine	Apple S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor Apple W3
RAM	1GB	1GB
Storage	32GB	32GB
Battery	18 hours 45 min to 80% charge USB-C magnetic fast charging cable	18 hours 45 min to 80% charge USB-C magnetic fast charging cable
Software	WatchOS 10	WatchOS 9
Case materials and colors	GPS-only, GPS + Cellular Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Product Red, and Pink GPS + Cellular Stainless steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold	Aluminum Midnight, Starlight, Silver
Connectivity	GPS/GNSS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.0 Model A2475 (41mm) Model A2477 (45mm) LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66	GPS/GNSS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.0 LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66
Sensors	Always-on altimeter Blood oxygen sensor ECG Third-generation optical heart sensor Temperature sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor	Always-on altimeter Second-generation optical heart sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor
Compatibility	iOS 17 or later	iOS 17 or later

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2: Features

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2: Design

At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 9 and SE 2 are hard to tell apart. They both feature the traditional Apple Watch rounded rectangle shape, shared bands, and colorful displays. They each rely on a single back button and a digital crown plus a responsive touchscreen.

The company’s most affordable device, the Apple Watch SE 2 is available in 44mm and 40mm cases made of a nylon composite material. This helps the line cut production costs as well as weight. The SE 2 does not feature sapphire glass protection. The display also has a lower resolution than the Series 9 and doesn’t offer always-on capabilities.

The Series 9, meanwhile, is available in stainless steel or aluminum, each in a variety of colors. Shoppers can find the flagship device in 45mm and 41mm cases with Sapphire glass protection and IP6X certification.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2: Price and colors

The Apple Watch Series 9 launched on September 12, 2023, with a starting price of $399. Prices vary depending on case size and material and adding LTE to the lineup will cost shoppers an extra $100 upcharge. A for colorways, the series includes aluminum options in Starlight, Midnight, Silver, Product Red, and Pink and stainless steel picks in Silver, Graphite, and Gold.

The Apple Watch SE 2 debuted last year, alongside the Apple Watch Series 8. A wallet-friendly Apple Watch, the device starts at $249. It’s also available with LTE support for an extra $50. Both sizes of the Apple Watch SE 2 are available in Starlight, Midnight, and Silver.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2: Which should you buy?

The Apple Watch line is a story of interactive change. With a few exceptions, shoppers often find very similar devices year after year. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as we feel the company offers the best smartwatch experience available for iOS users. However, it also means that upgrading isn’t always necessary. When comparing the Apple Watch Series 9 vs SE 2, the decision is a bit more nuanced. The SE 2 represents Apple’s budget offering, sacrificing a few features in favor of a cheaper price tag. It forces shoppers to ask, do I want more or do I want to pay less?

The Apple Watch Series 9 represents the best of the best when it comes to Apple's standard lineup but the SE 2 is still a fantastic entry-level device.

Boiled down, the SE 2 doesn’t offer the same protection, display features, or advanced sensors. We think there are tremendous benefits to the temperature sensor, ECG, and SpO2 monitoring on the Series 9, but that doesn’t mean they are entirely necessary. Sure, if you want the best of the best, the newest flagship is the right choice. If however, you don’t need these health tools and are willing to make a few sacrifices for the sake of your wallet, we highly recommend the SE 2. It’s a great entry-level device for any iOS user.

That’s it for our Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch SE 2 comparison. Which do you prefer? Let us know in the poll below.

FAQs

Thanks to a powerful new Neural Engine, the Apple Watch Series 9 now offers users an even quicker way to interact with the wearable. The new Double Tap feature leverages the device’s health and fitness sensors to monitor users’ finger movements. Using data from its accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor, the watch learns to identify micro wrists movement and blood flow changes when a user taps their fingers. With a quick double tap of thumb and index fingers, users can now perform a handful of tasks. These actions include everything from playing music or snoozing an alarm, to answering or ending a phone call. Users can even double tap to open Smart Stack and scroll through widgets.

The feature should look familiar to anyone with experience with Apple’s Vision Pro. It’s very similar to the Vision Pro’s clicking gesture. The new feature is especially helpful in situations where users may only have one hand in free. Based on the promo video debuted during Apple’s Wanderlust event, that can be quite often. Whether your other hand is busy holding a coffee, or holding onto a climbing wall, Double Tap makes the device more accessible. It will be available on the new Series 9 in a software update next month.

The feature is not entirely revolutionary on a wearable as Apple offers similar accessibility gesture controls already. Even Google as well has boasted hand gestures on Wear OS devices in the past, allowing users to scroll and with the turn of a wrist. However, companies often bury these features in accessibility menus rather than streamline them for popular use. Apple markets Double Tap on the Series 9 as a new feature intended for wider use on a daily basis.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest edition of Cupertino’s best-selling smartwatch series. It might appear similar to its predecessors, but Apple promises several changes beneath its skin. Read on to discover the critical details surrounding the Series 9.

Apple Watch Series 9: Release date and price

Apple launched the Series 9 on September 12, 2023, alongside the iPhone 15 series and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. As always, prospective Series 9 buyers have a choice between two body sizes, two body materials, Wi-Fi-only and LTE variants, and several colorways.

We’ve seen remarkably consistent pricing from Apple over the years, and the Series 9 is yet another example of this. Bucking the trend of other devices this year, the wearable will keep its predecessor’s price and starts at $399 for the base aluminum Wi-Fi-only model and $499 for the LTE option. The stainless steel options start at $699.

You can preorder the Series 9 right now, with general availability kicking off on September 22, 2023.

Apple Watch Series 9: Design, colors, bands, and sizes

The new watch largely shares body shape with the Series 8. Regarding the Watch Series 9 colors on offer, we get a new pink colorway to join Starlight, Product (Red), Midnight, and silver on the aluminum models. The steel option is offered in more subdued gold, silver, and graphite shades.

Apple is using more recycled material in the Series 9’s construction, which also extends to the watch bands, too. There’s also a new FineWoven option, which Apple notes is a more environmentally friendly alternative to suede-feel leather and features a magnetic buckle. Existing band styles, like the Nike Sport Band and Apple Sport Loop, are now made with more recycled fabric and fluoroelastomer. There are still plenty of third-party Apple Watch Series 9 bands if you don’t like the official offerings. Notably, one of our top Apple Watch Series 9 tips is to grab two bands — one for everyday wear and the other for activity.

Apple is using more recycled material in the Series 9's construction.

Up front, you’re getting 2,000 nits of maximum brightness from the display, but it can drop to just 1 nit in dark environments. This should make for considerable power savings in the right conditions.

Apple Watch Series 9: Features and specs

Internally, the Series 9 welcomes several new components. Apple’s new S9 silicon now commands the Series 9 and features a four-core neural engine that processes Siri commands on-device. This means you needn’t require a data connection to control your device via the voice assistant.

This chip powers features beyond Siri, too. The Series 9 now comes with a nifty gesture command. Double tap your index finger with your thumb twice with your watch hand to control apps on your wearable. The gesture interacts with the main command button in the app you’re in, but it can also be used to swing through the widgets on offer. Again, this is powered by the watch’s new neural smarts.

Siri commands are now processed on-device.

You can also use Siri to access general health data on the fly using your voice or use the voice assistant to prompt specific health details, like what time you took your medication.

Also joining the fray is an upgraded ultra-wideband chip dubbed the U2. This should elevate the Series 9’s Find My device capabilities. You can ping your iPhone 15 from your watch, which will navigate you to your smartphone’s location within 20 feet. Apple’s calling this feature Precision Finding. If you get within four feet of a HomePod, the Series 9 will launch the now-playing screen or suggest media to play on the smart speaker.

For those wondering, there aren’t any new health sensors on the Series 9. This means there’s no built-in blood glucose monitor or a blood pressure monitor.

Alongside the Series 9’s new hardware comes watchOS 10. This arguably brings the most visible changes to the Apple Watch Series 9. We’ve had a chance to experience this software in beta form, but the software looks right at home on the new watch. The most notable watchOS 10 change is the return of widgets. Dubbed Smart Stack by Apple, these contextual information cards replace Glances and can be rotated by twisting the digital crown.

Apple is also bringing improved navigation tools to the watch, including offline maps support for Apple Maps. Alongside iOS 17, Apple Watch users can access mapping tools even when they’re nowhere near a cell tower or Wi-Fi coverage. As we discovered during our review, the Apple Watch Series 9’s GPS performance is as great as its precedessor’s.

There are some changes to Apple’s software fitness approach, too. The Series 9 brings follow-up medication reminders, open Workout APIs for third-party app access, Apple Fitness+ custom training plans, and new cycling metrics. Apple Health also gets mental health tools, including a mood logger and details about time spent in daylight.

Notably, watchOS 10 is not exclusive to the Series 9, and the software will roll out to devices as old as the Series 4.

	Apple Watch Series 9
Display	LTPO OLED Retina 396 x 484 pixels (45mm) 352 x 430 pixels (41 mm) Always-on display Up to 2000 nit brightness 1 nit minimum brightness
Dimensions and weight	45mm: 45 x 38 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 38.8g Stainless steel: 51.5g 41mm: 41 x 35 x 10.7mm Aluminum: 32g Stainless steel: 42.3g
Durability	WR50 IP6X-certified
SoC	Apple S9 with 64-bit dual-core processor Apple W3 Apple U2 chip (Ultra-wideband) 4-core Neural Engine
RAM	1GB
Storage	32GB
Battery	18 hours 45 min to 80% charge USB-C magnetic fast charging cable
Software	WatchOS 10
Case materials and colors	GPS-only, GPS + Cellular Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Pink, and (Product) Red GPS + Cellular Stainless steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold
Connectivity	GPS/GNSS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.0 Model A2475 (41mm) Model A2477 (45mm) LTE bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66
Sensors	Always-on altimeter Blood oxygen sensor ECG Third-generation optical heart sensor Temperature sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient light sensor
Compatibility	iOS 16 or later

Apple Watch Series 9: Battery life

The Apple Watch is not renowned for its stellar battery life, and the Series 9 likely won’t change this. While the new chipset and tweaked display will likely translate into better battery life than its predecessors, Apple still claims the watch will last 18 hours on a single charge. In short, the Apple Watch Series 9 won’t have better battery life than the Series 8 it replaces, at least not on paper.

In our experience, Apple usually sells its smartwatch battery life short, so you might exceed that figure depending on how you use the device. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that low-power mode will eke out another 18 hours when activated, even if it does disable non-essential systems.

Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 8 or Series 9?

The Apple Watch Series 9 brings just enough to entice those with older models. If you compare the new watch to the Series 8, Series 7, or Series 6, onboard Siri processing and smarter gesture controls are enticing. If you must have these features in your life, opt for the Series 9. But, if you’re looking for novel health tracking advances, you might be left wanting from the lack of any new sensors or core features.

Now that the Series 9 is official, the Series 8 will likely see a stark price drop. If you want to board the Apple wagon on a budget and skip the Watch SE 2, the Series 8 is the ticket.

If you’re thinking longer term, the Apple Watch X might be a better bet. We don’t know much about Apple’s forthcoming smartwatch series, but we weigh up the Series 9 vs the Watch X‘s prospects at the link.

Of course, there are plenty of Apple Watch Series 9 alternatives beyond the Cupertino family. Wear OS is stronger than ever, while the likes of Garmin, Withings, and Xiaomi may also offer something a little different for disillusioned shoppers.

FAQs

Apple has announced the Watch Ultra 2 alongside the Apple Watch Series 9 and the iPhone 15 lineup at its “Wonderlust” event. The smartwatch retains the enormous 49mm size and rugged looks of its predecessor, and presents as a minor upgrade over the previous $799 wearable.

What’s new?

That smartwatch market has never been more packed and yet, we can’t help but look ahead at what’s to come. The hottest new devices heading to shelves may usurp some of our current picks as the best smartwatches you can buy. Before you decide what to buy next, find out what the best upcoming smartwatches have to offer.

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best new and upcoming smartwatches.

New smartwatches

For context, find out what’s already out. Here’s our short list of the latest devices to hit the market.

• Apple Watch Series 8 ( ): We consistently rank the newest Apple Watch as the best choice for iOS users. With stellar iPhone integration, a full suite of health and fitness tools, and unmatched third-party app support, an Apple wearable is hard to beat.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ( ): Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch series features minor upgrades that build on an already fantastic experience. The lineup also reintroduces Samsung’s Classic model with its rotating bezel for smoother device navigation.
• Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 ( ): The latest Mobvoi’s TicWatch packs powerful internal specs and we love the company’s battery-saving dual display. This year, the line even adds a useful rotating crown.
• Garmin Venu 3 ( ): Garmin’s best smartwatch to date, the new Venu 3 is a precision health and fitness tracker with enough smartwatch features to keep users busy. It’s also the first Garmin watch to offer automatic nap detection.
• Withings ScanWatch 2 ( ): The best hybrid smartwatch with a health focus just received an impressive update. The ScanWatch 2 offers FDA-approved heart rate monitoring and more.
• Google Pixel Watch ( ): Though it certainly has some first-generation kinks, the original Pixel Watch offers the purest Wear OS experience available plus thorough Fitbit integration.

Best upcoming 2023 smartwatches

Apple Watch Series 9

Like clockwork, Apple updates its wearables line each year in the early fall. Naturally, the Series 9 is one of the best upcoming smartwatches we’re looking forward to getting on our wrists. Though we’re already fans of the Series 8, we’re always excited to see what improvements the company brings via each new generation.

Apple has confirmed a special “Wonderlust” event on September 12, 2023, and we expect the new watch to launch during the event. We don’t anticipate a major design haul, but we’re hoping to see some internal improvements and possibly a new chipset. Thanks to a preview this summer, we know watchOS 10 will bring a host of changes including the return of widgets. The Series 9 will also gain a mood-tracking feature, fitness-tracking upgrades for cyclists, and some health-focused tools.

Though the device should be here in just a few days, stay up-to-date on related rumors in the meantime by following our Apple Watch Series 9 rumor hub.

• When will the Apple Watch Series 9 released? — Most likely September 12, 2023

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Fortunately for adventurous types, the Series 9 is not the only upcoming Apple smartwatch. The Cupertino company may also launch a second generation of its Ultra device, the pricier, beefed-up Apple Watch model introduced in 2022. Some rumors suggest the rugged watch will launch at the upcoming Apple event, however, other reports suggest it may be delayed due to the production costs of new display technology poised to land on the lineup.

Given the positive reviews the original Ultra earned, we expect a moderate update rather than a complete overhaul. Trusted leaker Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working on a first-party MicroLED display for the lineup which will deliver better brightness, colors, and viewing angles. This tech has also been reportedly delayed so its possible that it will not be added to the device (or the device itself will also be delayed). Meanwhile, a rumor from Digitimes suggests the size of the screen could increase from 1.9 inches to 2.1 inches. Finally, in a Medium post, Ming-Chi Kuo claimed “Apple is actively adopting 3D printing technology” to use for manufacturing titanium watch components such as the digital crown, side button, and action button to help the company reduce costs and speed up production.

Of course, all of these rumors are subject to change, and we’ll keep this updated as we hear any information. To learn more about the watch before its launch, check out our Apple Watch Ultra 2 rumor hub.

• When will the Apple Watch Ultra 2 be released? — Most likely September 12, 2023 

Google Pixel Watch 2

A new and improved Google wearable is one of the best upcoming smartwatches primed to arrive soon. Thanks to a teaser promo, we know the Pixel Watch 2 will debut on October 4, 2023, at Google’s Pixel hardware event. So far, leaks and rumors point to a more refined second generation with powerful internals and an attractive design nearly identical to the first Pixel Watch. We’re hopeful the device will alleviate some of the original’s shortcomings to deliver a top Wear OS option to the market.

On the features front, a Google preview video has already confirmed the Pixel Watch 2 will feature an electrodermal activity sensor (EDA), heart rate sensor, sleep tracking, and an oxygen saturation sensor (SpO2), as well as an IP68 rating with water resistance up to 50m. Thorough Fitbit integration will also play a key role just as it did in the first generation. Meanwhile, our own leaker and contributor Kamila Wojciechowska, Android Authority has confirmed that the device will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip, plus an ultra-wideband module and 1.9GB of RAM.

Unfortunately, there is little indication that battery life will be better on the new model. Hopefully, with performance improvements, users will be able to eke more use out between charges. We are now within a month from the device’s launch so we expect more leaks and rumors in the coming weeks. To stay on top of everything we find out, check out our Google Pixel Watch 2 rumor hub.

• When will the Pixel Watch 2 be released? — October 4, 2023

Xiaomi Mi Band 8

Though technically a fitness tracker rather than a smartwatch, we’re also very excited about the global launch of the Xiaomi Mi Band 8. The device launched in China on April 18, 2023, and so far, it is only available in China. There, shoppers can find the band for 239 Chinese yuan (~$34) or 279 Chinese yuan (~$40) for the NFC version.

Generally speaking, the device echoes its predecessor in form factor. It offers the same 1.62-inch, 192 x 490-pixel AMOLED always-on display. However, the new model brings a 60Hz refresh rate and brightness of up to 600 nits. It also features a brand-new quick-release strap that clips into the tracker rather than wrapping around the pill. It can even be worn beyond the wrist as a necklace or attached to a running shoe.

Wherever you wear it, the Mi Band 8 offers more than 150 sports modes and many of the same tools as the Mi Band 7. Users will find continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, stress and sleep tracking, and workout analysis. It also boasts a battery life of 16 days with regular use. We were very impressed with the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 and consider it one of the best budget trackers available. To learn more about what to expect from this year’s model, read our Xiaomi Mi Band 8 hub. Notably, Xiaomi also announced a Mi Band 8 Pro which we are eager to see available globally as well.

• When will the Xiaomi Mi Band be released? — Available now in China, TBD on global launch

Movano Evie Ring

Upcoming smartwatches aren’t the only devices to get excited about in 2023. Wearables are taking on new form factors, including finger-based smart rings, and we’re particularly excited about Movano’s incoming Evie Ring.

After appearing on more than one CES show floor, the Evie Ring now boasts a November release date. Most importantly, Movano designed the medical-grade smart ring specifically for women. It will track everything from skin temperature variability to periods and ovulation, plus menstrual symptoms, heart rate, and blood oxygen. The device will also keep tabs on users’ steps, active minutes, calories burned, sleep stages, and moods. In short, Movano designed a well-rounded health companion in tiny packaging.

As of now, the Evie Ring is the leading device set to compete with the Oura Ring 3. As smart rings continue to make their way to shelves, we anticipate this becoming an increasingly hot arena for new tech. We’re also very happy to see the strides made for women’s health within the wearables market.

• When will the Evie Ring be released? — Scheduled for November, 2023

Upcoming smartwatches in 2024

If you don’t need a new wearable just yet, consider looking into a 2024 device. Below, we’ve listed a few devices we’re hopeful we will see in 2024. There will very likely be others coming so we’ll keep this list updated.

• Apple Watch X: Apple is rumored to be working on a tenth-anniversary device expected to bring major design and feature improvements to the popular smartwatch line.
• Garmin Forerunner 65: Though rumors have been sparse, we’re hopeful Garmin will drop a new generation of its most popular budget-friendly sports watch for runners.
• Fossil Gen 7: It is possible a Fossil Gen 7 is still yet to come in 2023 but with few rumors, we’ll anticipate a later release and be pleasantly surprised if the watch lands this fall. The fashion-forward brand offers a unique Wear OS experience on watches that prioritize style.
• Fitbit Charge 6: Another band-style fitness tracker we are eagerly anticipating is a potential Fitbit Charge 6. Unfortunately, there is no discernible pattern to the line’s launches so we’re simply crossing our fingers that the device is imminent.

Keep in mind these are only some of the best upcoming smartwatches. We’ve zeroed in on the ones we’re most looking forward to trying. There are sure to be exciting surprises as well! As always, we’ll be here at Android Authority to keep you updated.

To say the wearables market is bustling would be an understatement. There are more players in the game than ever, and with each new smartwatch or fitness tracker comes a wave of accessories including cases, screen protectors, chargers, and replacement bands. And yet, as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 made its way to shelves, the last thing on my mind was the device’s strap or any other supplementary purchases. Weeks later, Samsung’s latest first-party Galaxy Watch 6 straps are among my favorite upgrades to the lineup, especially true for the Extreme Sport T-buckle band.

Silicone still makes for the best gym partner

To be clear, I would never describe myself as extreme in any context (except maybe “extremely fond of chocolate chip cookies”). However, you can absolutely be a moderate or even beginner athlete and still reap the benefits of Samsung’s new Extreme Sport T-buckle band. It’s compatible with both the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic, and I’ve happily worn it clicked into both models. Since the designs of the Galaxy Watch 6 vs 5 are nearly identical, it is also compatible with older generations.

To begin with, the strap is simply comfortable. It’s soft, flexible, and easily adjustable so users can find the right fit. It even comes in two sizes, so smaller wrists aren’t left with tons of extra length to tuck. I’m personally indifferent about the look of a T-buckle, but if an extra prong adds some extra security, the more the merrier.

The Extreme Sport band nails comfort and breathability, but I mostly love how washable it is.

Meanwhile, the design’s perforated length keeps airflow possible, minimizing the build-up of sweat beneath your strap. I’m not saying I don’t still get sweaty roughly three minutes into a treadmill run, but the holes help manufactured breezes make contact. (Thank God for AC.)

Most importantly, this specialist Galaxy Watch 6 band is easy to clean and dries in a hurry. I recently read a study that found wearable bands can be breeding grounds for grossness like Staph and E. coli, a fact that will haunt me for years to come. Samsung’s Extreme Sport band alleviates my concerns by making thorough scrubs easy. While I’m also a fan of nylon options, they take much longer than silicone to dry after a rinse.

Doesn’t make a statement

Beyond the gym, I’m grateful for the unexpected subtlety of Samsung’s sportiest option. The band is available in three colorways, Graphite/Etoupe, Pink/White, and Green/Black. Not to be confused with taupe, Etoupe is a light greyish-brown color I’d never heard of before. I tested the Graphite/Etoupe option and really liked the softness of the combination.

Despite its Extreme Sport title, it also manages to blend into everyday wear with classy color combos and a sharp design.

Outside of reps and runs, I don’t necessarily want my daily accessories to scream “gym rat.” The look of the Samsung Extreme Sport Galaxy Watch 6 band balances workouts with everyday wear. In fact, it’s one of only a few bands I’ve had friends specifically compliment throughout all my time reviewing wearables. Between the elevated color scheme and the sharp design, it’s easily my favorite silicone option I’ve worn.

Meant for those who mix it up

With that said, Samsung isn’t counting on everyone to be over the moon about just one smartwatch band. Instead, the company adopted a new quick-release button to make swapping up your look much simpler. In the past, activating the pin release of old Samsung bands was tricky, especially for those of us with trimmed fingernails. This year, Samsung replaced the old minuscule lever pictured above with a user-friendly button on all its first-party bands.

The best part of the new band is its new one-click button release that makes changing bands simpler than ever.

It may seem like a minor upgrade, but the difference between a painful process and a seamless one is huge. I am much more likely to switch back into my leather Galaxy Watch 6 Classic band for dressy occasions (rather than leaving the device behind as I would have in the past). Likewise, I’m more tempted by a part-time nylon fit for sleep tracking or to add a pop of color once in a while. The new button provides a small but significant solution to the mental game of effort vs desire.

Samsung Extreme Sport T-buckle band review: A minor upgrade makes a big difference

It’s doubtful I will ever earn the moniker “Extreme Sport,” but I won’t let that stop me from wearing this Galaxy Watch 6 band. It’s clutch for the gym, comfortable for sleeping, and super washable for those squeamish about germs. Since I’ve yet to see any third-party brands offer a one-click release button, the new design also keeps Samsung ahead of the competition.

The reality is that the company’s bands are much more expensive than picks users can grab from Amazon. You can find multi-packs of silicone sports bands for less. However, Samsung’s band quality is fantastic, its look is clean, and its button is a game-changer.

A first-party band is never cheap, but the Extreme Sport band delivers an experience worth the investment.

If you’re convinced by the button argument but prefer a different material, Samsung’s breathable Fabric Band ( ) is also very comfortable and lightweight. For a more elevated look, the brand’s T-buckle Eco-Leather Band ( ) is just $10 extra.

Of course, you can also always save cash by shopping outside the Samsung ecosystem. A Lerobo Silicone Sport 5-Pack ( ) costs a fraction of the Extreme Sport band’s price. It also offers variety in a single purchase.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6?

Right on schedule, Samsung rounded out the summer of 2023 with the launch of its latest smartwatch series, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. The two-pronged lineup reintroduced the company’s Classic model featuring a rotating bezel (omitted from the Watch 5 series), as well as a standard base model. The latter, sportier device is almost otherwise identical to the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, and eerily similar to the vanilla Galaxy Watch 5.

In fact, my first major takeaway from testing the Galaxy Watch 6 was that it looked and felt very similar to the Galaxy Watch 5. The device features a full-color Super AMOLED display with a flat sapphire crystal overtop. On the 40mm model, users find a 1.3-inch screen with 432×432 pixel resolution. On the 44mm device, those specs land at 1.5 inches and 480×480. That’s roughly a 20% increase in real estate thanks to the device’s thinner bezels. The screen also offers double the peak brightness of last year’s model, upgrading from 1,000 to 2,000 nits.

The Galaxy Watch 6 is nearly identical to the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, minus the latter's rotating bezel.

On the back side, the watch features the regular round-up of health and fitness tracking sensors. It also adds a new quick-release button design for changing bands more efficiently. Below the glass, the watch runs Google’s latest Wear OS 4 software with a One UI Watch 5 overlay. I found the watch’s performance to be clean, sharp, and fresh. Apps loaded quickly and readability was fantastic.

What holds up the user experience is the touch-enabled bezel. It’s wishy-washy at best and downright useless at worst (think any situation involving sweat or grease). I quickly resorted to swipes only for navigation and even those weren’t foolproof. This bungle isn’t necessarily new for a Samsung Galaxy Watch; we cited similar issues on the Galaxy Watch 5 and previous Galaxy Watches without a proper rotating crown. It begs the question of how the touchscreen has not been ironed out yet. It also makes the sporty model a less attractive buy than its Classic sibling.

Given its athletic aesthetic, most users eyeing the standard model will be interested in its fitness-tracking capabilities. Here, Samsung delivers all the basics like tracking activity, steps, etc. A new running track mode records GPS data on outdoor tracks. Meanwhile, the device detects and creates new custom heart rate zones (once you log a 10-minute run) to help users monitor performance and stay on target during training. I found them extremely helpful for determining how hard to push during interval work.

For cyclists, Samsung also reintroduced automatic cycling detection. Relatedly, the company’s detection is some of the best in the game across multiple workout types. On runs and walks, I can’t get even a house’s distance away without getting credit for it.

Unfortunately, heart rate data on the Watch 6 is inconsistent, though likely accurate enough for the average user. Most prominently, when compared to my Polar chest strap, the device lagged at the beginning of interval workouts. It did match the strap with slightly better accuracy than we found in our Galaxy Watch 6 Classic testing, but more serious athletes would be better off shopping from Garmin’s stable.

Finally, three features still limited to Samsung phone users are on-demand ECGs, irregular heart rate notifications, and blood pressure detection. Though not deal breakers, these health tools could offer a lot of value to more users if not locked behind Samsung’s wall.

Both heart rate data and GPS accuracy are inconsistent, making the device an iffy choice for athletes.

Equally unfortunate is that GPS accuracy on the device is also spotty. During a number of runs, the device lost its way, plotting me slightly off track compared to other reputable devices. While my Apple Watch Series 8 and Garmin Epix showed near alignment, Samsung had me cut a few corners or waiver into streets. In the section of one my neighborhood runs shown above, you can see where the Galaxy Watch took a deep cut rounding the corner of Lilipuna Road. It also tracked me on the opposite side of the road than I actually ran and frequently dipped into the street.

It’s not the worst accuracy I’ve seen, but it’s disappointing to see Samsung drop the ball somewhat. It also sharpens the sting of Samsung’s failing to carry over any of the navigation features of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, including multi-band GNSS.

Overnight, the watch joined me in bed to track everything from sleep consistency and stages to skin temperature and potential snoring. Samsung also introduced a simple yet effective sleep mode screen. I personally appreciated how easy it was to enable and disable compared to Apple’s Digital Crown method.

Despite the company promoting a significantly improved sleep-tracking platform pre-launch, the tools are mostly reminiscent of last year’s offerings. My penguin sleep animal is wobbly and cute. My stats roughly align with trusted sleep-tracking devices, and sleep coaching is basic but useful for building better habits.

After tracking stats day and night, one of the most crucial aspects of any smartwatch is battery life. Both the 40mm and 44mm Samsung watches received bumps in battery size this year and now pack 300mAh and 425mAh batteries, respectively. Samsung claims up to 30 hours in always-on mode. With the always-on display enabled and about one hour of GPS workout tracking per day, my unit lasted almost exactly that. I also didn’t experience the finicky adjustment period I ran into when testing the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

What are the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 alternatives?

Samsung’s latest lands at the midrange price point within the wearables market aligning the device with plenty of Galaxy Watch 6 alternatives from other big names. Consider the following picks before making your purchase:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic ( ): As mentioned above, the Galaxy Watch 6 series devices share all the important core specs, including an Exynos W930 SoC, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. With its rotating bezel, we recommend the pricier model for a more elevated look and easier device navigation.
• Apple Watch Series 8 ( ): If you’re an iOS user who has stumbled upon this review by accident, we recommend heading back to Apple’s stronghold. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the best smartwatch for iPhone users, with seamless integration, accurate sensors, and unmatched app support.
• TicWatch Pro 5 ( ): A viable Wear OS competitor, Mobvoi’s TicWatch Pro 5 offers a rotating digital crown, fantastic battery life, and a unique dual display. It also shares the Classic’s aesthetic with a physical bezel, but it’s not a functional feature.
• Garmin Venu 3 ( ): For a reliable fitness tracking platform and a handful of smart features, Garmin’s new Venu 3 is slightly pricier than the Galaxy Watch 6 but packs fantastic training tools. Users won’t find as much third-party app support as on a Wear OS device, but there are certainly enough tools to keep you busy.
• Garmin Forerunner 265 ( ): If smarts aren’t a priority but accuracy is, Garmin also offers the midrange Forerunner 265. The device’s heart rate and GPS tracking are stellar, and its AMOLED display positions it neatly alongside other popular wearables.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 specs

	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Display	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal	47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions and weight	44mm: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0mm 28.7g	47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9mm, 59.0g 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9mm, 52.0g
Colors and materials	Armor Aluminum case with Sport Band 44mm: Graphite, Silver 40mm: Graphite, Gold	Stainless Steel case with Hybrid Eco-Leather Band 47mm: Black, Silver 43mm: Black, Silver
Battery	44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging	47mm: 425mAh 43mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging
Processor	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz
RAM	2GB	2GB
Storage	16GB	16GB
Connectivity	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
Sensors	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor 3D Hall sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
Durability	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H
Software	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch
Compatibility	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 review: FAQ

Right behind arranging an unruly pile of pillows, donning a sleep tracker is at the top of my checklist when calling it a night. Like many people, I’m on a lifelong journey to take control of my bedtime routine, eternally trying to count fewer sheep and capture more Zs. Leading up to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series, Samsung made a big to-do of its incoming sleep tracking upgrades. From personalized coaching to overnight spirit animals, the company promised new features sure to help users build better habits. Nearly a month later, Samsung has delivered on some fronts, but I’m still dreaming of an even better tool kit.

More access to sleep data

When it comes to sleep-tracking devices, the two major points to consider are data and distillation. Accurate stats and digestible insights are both key for a tracker to be any help to the average user. For the Galaxy Watch 6 series, this year’s most obvious improvements arrived in the form of data presentation.

Until recently, Samsung smartwatches have provided a fair amount of raw data, but the sleep-tracking experience was insufficient for most users. Last year, however, Samsung introduced personalized sleep coaching. This program added actionable insights, goal setting, and guidance and helped users interpret their overnight stats. Now, the company has added even more tools. In fact, these upgrades are among the few features differentiating the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5.

Sleep Coaching watch face

If your toxic habit is to consistently check the time and calculate how little sleep you got and/or are going to get, boy does Samsung have a face for you. For anyone with subpar sleep hygiene, the new Sleep Coaching watch face turns the gateway to your device into a reality slap. In addition to the time and one complication, the face depicts your previous night’s sleep score, personalized sleep coaching tips, and your beloved sleep animal. It’s worth crossing your fingers that your animal is cute because the icon will feature throughout your sleep-tracking data screens. Hence, you will see my personal penguin throughout this article.

This year, Samsung introduced the new Sleep Coaching watch face which offers users at-a-glance details related to their sleep goals.

A tap of the design’s internal ring will bring you to your personalized habit recommendations. From there you can mark complete each habit you’ve mastered. For example, for me, “Ate breakfast” and “Avoided eating before bed” are rarely checked, but aren’t we all works in progress? A tap of the outer ring will bring you straight to more sleep details including your total time asleep, sleep stages, blood oxygen, temperature, sleep consistency, and again, your adorable sleep creature. In short, the watch face offers useful at-a-glance information and a helpful shortcut to more info as needed. It’s easily the best face for anyone prioritizing the device’s sleep-tracking platform.

Galaxy Watch 6 Sleep Tile

If you don’t want your sleep data in your face (pun intended), you can always opt for a regular watch face and use the refreshed Sleep tile to access the same data. This tile also now depicts users’ sleep animals and sleep scores as well as their total sleep time. Below is a complete list of the overnight data now available by tapping the Sleep tile on the Galaxy Watch 6.

• Sleep score
• Sleep time
• Sleep stages
• Blood oxygen during sleep
• Snore detection
• Sleep consistency

For me, a well-designed Sleep tile is a more useful avenue for accessing sleep data than a watch face. As much as I find my penguin’s occasional little wobbles heart-warming, I don’t necessarily want my sleep performance to star so prominently on my smartwatch. Most of the time, I just want to check the time. The Sleep tile is still extremely accessible and intuitive and puts my data where I can find it when I want it.

More sleep data to access

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series also leverages the device’s temperature sensor to provide overnight skin temperature tracking. Unlike some competitors’ devices, users can view their complete range of temperatures and garner insights about how these values correlate with other sleep metrics. Samsung also provides suggestions for how to interpret and utilize your results.

The Galaxy Watch 6 also tracks overnight body temperature data as well as sleep consistency and snoring.

As with most things, the more information the better. The Galaxy Watch 6’s updated sleep tracking also brings sleep consistency data to users’ screens. This measurable represents the number of days in the current week that you’ve gone to sleep and woken up within your selected sleep goals. Regularity in sleep patterns can play a major role in attaining better quality sleep and more sleep in general. In the morning, new daily Sleep Messages, developed in collaboration with the National Sleep Foundation provide users with helpful insights about their previous sleep. Together, these two features provide actionable guidance.

Finally, as in the past, Galaxy Watch 6 series devices can still also track snoring. Since penguins obviously don’t snore (don’t fact-check me), I didn’t register any data on that front.

Shortcomings where it counts

Unfortunately, I have not been totally blown away by the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic’s sleep-tracking accuracy. Compared to my Oura Ring and Withings Sleep mat, the watch typically nails my wake time as well as the time I fall asleep each night, at least within a few minutes. One morning though, when I read in bed for 20 minutes before getting up, the watch registered my wake time as 20 minutes late. Top-tier devices should be able to differentiate between eyes open and feet hitting floorboards. Since this only happened once, I’ll call it a fluke.

Unfortunately, the Classic model hasn't been able to hold its own against more reliable sleep tracking devices.

My larger concern is with the seemingly inaccurate sleep stages. Early on, my watch appeared roughly as accurate as last year’s model. In the last two weeks, however, I’ve noticed more disparity between the Samsung device and my go-to sleep trackers. Most consistently, the Galaxy Watch tends to underestimate deep sleep compared to other trackers. My hope at this point is that this is a simple algorithm issue that Samsung can remedy with a future software update.

Sleep Coaching on the Galaxy Watch 6 series

Sleep Coaching should sound familiar to anyone who has given the feature a whirl on a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or 5. The updated platform varies slightly (for example, it appears Samsung dropped adjectives for its sleep animals, upgrading me from a nervous penguin to a regular old penguin), but the experience is largely the same. The ability to track suggested habits may help individuals who don’t know where to start when it comes to improving sleep hygiene, but, in my opinion, the guidance is pretty simplistic. With that said, I am only a few days into sleep coaching and I’m interested to see how the program progresses.

Sleep coaching remains somewhat basic, but the animals are cute and the insights serve as helpful reminders.

This, however, brings me to another point. Getting started with sleep coaching is harder than it should be. For one, battery life when first setting up a new Samsung Galaxy Watch is very inconsistent and it’s nearly impossible to count on the watch to make it through the night. Despite my best efforts, I unexpectedly missed two nights in a row because my device gave up the ghost as I was collecting REM cycles. To start Sleep Coaching you need seven nights of tracked data, including two weekend nights. If you miss a weekend night, that means five more days will pass before you can dive in.

Meanwhile, sleep tracking on the device when it’s fully charged is also inconsistent. One morning, I woke up with more than 40% battery life but no sleep data. Now that I’ve banked enough days to participate, I’m sure I will find Sleep Coaching more helpful and less stressful, but it’s definitely an unfortunate first impression.

Nylon bands make better bedmates (say that five times fast)

Meanwhile, a Galaxy Watch 6 sleep tracking upgrade that absolutely makes a strong first impression is Samsung’s new breathable Fabric Band ( ). The lightweight, flexible loop band is soft to the touch and comfortable enough for all-night wear. I always appreciate how velcro ensures a perfect fit and the band comes in two sizes so small wrists won’t be left with tons of extra length.

The best part, however, is the updated release button Samsung added to all first-party bands. This button makes it easier than ever to swap straps. For me personally, it’s finally feasible to have a casual go-to band like this one for day-to-day wear and swap into other materials for workouts or formal occasions. The Fabric Band is available in four colors — Black, Blue, Lavender, and Sand — and each features reflective threading… so you can spot your own wrist if you can’t find it in the middle of the night.

A strong start toward a solid night’s sleep

It’s clear Samsung is eager to help Galaxy Watch users bank better rest, even if the platform has some adjustments to make. While rather basic, Sleep Coaching has the potential to help a lot of users learn more about their own habits. Meanwhile, the new Sleep tile and dedicated watch face make accessing data foolproof, even without your phone nearby.

One UI Watch 5 even introduced more advanced SmartThings integration that can play a part in managing sleep goals. If you opt to sync up your compatible devices with Samsung’s smart home ecosystem, you can tailor your sleep environment to your bedtime routine. For example, the Galaxy Watch 6 will turn off your bedroom lights when you turn on your watch’s Sleep Mode.

All of these improvements point to Samsung’s commitment to users’ wellness. Here’s hoping the company continues to fine-tune its accuracy and expand its offerings in the future.

Withings has announced a new generation of ScanWatch with two new models focused on health. Each an elegant hybrid smartwatch, the ScanWatch 2 and ScanWatch Light both offer 30 days of battery life so users can track around-the-clock metrics, including heart rate and workout heart rate zones, active minutes, and sleep quality.

They’re also both powerful tools for those hoping to track their menstrual cycle. The premier offering — the ScanWatch 2 — features additional sensors and tools for an advanced health-tracking experience. For those on a budget, the ScanWatch Light cuts a few nonessentials to offer a more affordable wellness tool.

ScanWatch 2

The ScanWatch 2 is the company’s latest flagship for keeping tabs on everything from sleep and activity to cardiovascular health. Like the ScanWatch launched in 2020, the newest model offers an ECG for atrial fibrillation detection as well as SpO2 tracking. However, this year’s model offers upgraded software and new sensors to collect even more accurate health data.

Like many popular smartwatches and trackers, Withings officially adds temperature tracking to the mix. Users will be able to track baseline temperature fluctuations throughout the day and night to identify oncoming illnesses and garner insights related to training and recovery. The company announced its TempTech24/7 module, which relies on a sensor for measuring skin and ambient temperatures.

Withings also added automatic workout detection for more than 40 activities, plus detailed female health tracking both on the device and in the Withings Health app. As mentioned, the ScanWatch 2 also offers the same 30 days of battery life as the last generation (despite added features and sensors), thanks in part to an upgraded Withings HealthSense OS.

ScanWatch Light

In addition to a second-generation ScanWatch, Withings also announced the Withings Light, a more affordable, pared-down offering. The device tracks the same staples as its pricier sibling, including activity, sleep, and heart rate.

It also features Withings’ cycle tracking suite so budget-conscious users can still log periods, symptoms, access period predictions, and more. Unlike the ScanWatch 2, however, it does not offer temperature monitoring. Users also won’t find ECG recordings, irregular heart rate notifications, blood oxygen levels, or elevation measurements. Additionally, while similar in build and aesthetic, the Light model features Gorilla Glass rather than scratch-resistant Sapphire Glass.

Availability

Both devices are available now for preorder from Withings.com. They will hit shelves at select retailers in October 2023. The pricier ScanWatch 2 is available in 38mm and 42mm for $349.95. Current colorways include silver/black in the 42mm case size as well as silver/white, silver/black, and Rose Gold/sand in the 38mm model. The company also plans to add a 42mm silver/white option as well as a 38mm Rose Gold/blue model.

The ScanWatch Light is available in a single 37mm size, priced at $249.95. Colorways available now for the budget device include silver/black, silver/white, and rose gold/sand. Withings will eventually add a light blue/light green design as well.

This year, Garmin gave both of its top multisport watch lines a healthy upgrade, adding Pro monikers to the most recent Epix and the newest Fenix. Just as Garmin watches tend not to disappoint, both new devices offer a fantastic user experience. To help you choose the right fitness tracker, we compare the Garmin Epix 2 Pro vs the Fenix 7 Pro.

Garmin Epix 2 Pro vs Fenix 7 Pro specs

	Garmin Epix 2 Pro series	Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series
Display	42mm: 1.2-inch AMOLED 390 x 390 47mm: 1.3-inch AMOLED 416 x 416 51 mm: 1.4-inch AMOLED 454 x 454	Fenix 7S Pro: 1.2-inch sunlight-visible MIP 240 x 240 resolution Fenix 7 Pro: 1.3-inch sunlight-visible MIP 260 x 260 resolution Fenix 7X Pro: 1.4-inch sunlight-visible MIP 280 x 280 resolution
IP rating	10ATM	10ATM
Dimensions and weight	42mm: 42 x 42x 14.2mm Standard model: 63g (with band) Sapphire model stainless steel: 63g (with band) Sapphire model titanium: 58g (with band) 47mm: 47 x 47 x 14.6mm Standard model: 78g (with band) Sapphire model: 70g (with band) 51 mm: 51 x 51 x 15.0mm Standard model: 98g (with band) Sapphire model: 88g(with band)	Fenix 7S Pro: 42 x 42 x 14.2mm Base Solar models: 63g (with band) Sapphire Solar model Titanium version: 58g Sapphire Solar model Stainless Steel version: 65g Fenix 7 Pro: 47 x 47 x 14.5mm Base Solar models: 79g (with band) Sapphire Solar model: 73g (with band) Fenix 7X Pro: 51 x 51 x 14.9mm Base Solar models: 96g (with band) Sapphire Solar model: 86g (with band)
Compatibility	Android, iOS	Android, iOS
Storage	32GB	32GB
Lens material	Standard model: Corning Gorilla Glass Sapphire model: Sapphire crystal	Base Solar model: Power Glass Sapphire Solar model: Sapphire crystal
Build materials	Bezel Standard model: Stainless steel Sapphire model: Stainless steel or titanium Case Standard model: Fiber-reinforced polymer with steel rear cover Sapphire model: Fiber-reinforced polymer with steel rear cover	Bezel Base Solar models: Stainless steel Sapphire Solar model: Titanium Case Base Solar models: Fiber-reinforced polymer with steel rear cover Sapphire Solar model: Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover
Connectivity	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi	Bluetooth Smart ANT+ Wi-Fi
Smartwatch features	Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack	Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack
Input	Five face buttons Touchscreen	Five face buttons Touchscreen
Sensors	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor (Gen 5) GPS GLONASS Galileo Beidou Multi-band GNSS Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor (Gen 5) GPS QZSS GLONASS Galileo Beidou Multi-band GNSS Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
Battery	42mm: Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on) Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days GPS only: Up to 28 hours (20 hours always-on) All satellite systems: Up to 21 hours (16 hours always-on) All satellite systems + multi-band: Up to 13 hours (10 hours always-on) All satellite systems + music: Up to 6 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 49 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 9 days 47mm: Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (6 days always-on) Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 21 days GPS only: Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on) All satellite systems: Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on) All satellite systems + multi-band: Up to 20 hours (15 hours always-on) All satellite systems + music: Up to 10 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 75 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days 51mm: Smartwatch mode: Up to 31 days (11 days always-on) Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 41 days GPS only: Up to 82 hours (58 hours always-on) All satellite systems: Up to 62 hours (48 hours always-on) All satellite systems + multi-band: Up to 38 hours (17 hours always-on) All satellite systems + music: Up to 17 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 145 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 27 days	Fenix 7S Pro: Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days / 14 days with solar Smartwatch mode (w/ battery saver): Up to 38 days / 87 days with solar GPS only: Up to 37 hours / 46 hours with solar All satellite systems: Up to 26 hours / 30 hours with solar All satellite systems + Multi-band: Up to 15 hours/16 hours with solar All satellite systems + music: Up to 7 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 90 hours / 162 hours with solar Expedition GPS: Up to 26 days / 43 days with solar Fenix 7 Pro: Smartwatch mode: Up to 18 days / 22 days with solar Smartwatch mode (w/ battery saver): Up to 57 days / 173 days with solar GPS only: Up to 57 hours / 73 hours with solar All satellite systems: Up to 40 hours / 48 hours with solar All satelite sytems + Multi-band: Up to 23 hours/26 hours with solar All satelite systems + music: Up to 10 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 136 hours / 289 hours with solar Expedition GPS: Up to 40 days / 74 days with solar Fenix 7X Pro: Smartwatch mode: Up to 28 days / 37 days with solar Smartwatch mode (w/ battery saver): Up to 90 days / 1+ year with solar GPS only: Up to 89 hours / 122 hours with solar All satellite systems: Up to 63 hours / 77 hours with solar All satelite system + Multi-band: Up to 36 hours/41 hours with solar All satellite systems + music: Up to 16 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 213 hours / 578 hours with solar Expedition GPS: Up to 62 days / 139 days with solar
Garmin Pay	Yes	Yes

Garmin Epix 2 Pro vs Fenix 7 Pro: Features

A quick comparison of the Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) vs the Fenix 7 Pro shows a lot of crossover. As far as fitness tracking experiences, both top-tier devices provide identical features and tools. Each utilizes Garmin’s latest Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor for accurate heart rate tracking, VO2 max, sleep tracking, and more, plus two new advanced running metrics; hill score and endurance score. Both also provide multiband GNSS. For listening to music on your long-distance runs, both the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro pack 32GB of storage.

Garmin's two top multisport watches offer almost identical features, including accurate heart rate tracking, multiband GNSS, 32GB of storage, and advanced training tools.

Of course, if running isn’t your thing, Garmin added 30 new activity profiles to both lines, including team sports and niche activities like motocross and whitewater rafting. Plus, both the Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro offer detailed mapping features with weather overlays for precipitation, temperature, wind, and clouds, so you’re always prepared for wherever you’re headed.

One of our favorite features also found on both lineups is Garmin’s built-in LED flashlight. With a powerful beam, the flashlight is extremely useful for everything from midnight trips to the restroom to finding your camp after dark. Red Shift Mode, another useful tool for after dark, is only found on the Epix Pro 2. This feature turns every screen on the device into red-only hues to help preserve night vision when using your device in dim lighting. During our Epix Pro 2 review, we found Red Shift Mode especially helpful when winding down for bed.

Red Shift Mode, which helps users maintain night vision, is only available on the Garmin Epix Pro.

Unfortunately, neither device offers a particularly robust smartwatch experience. Users will find staples like Garmin Pay and music storage, but no phone call support, for example. With that said, the better experience is had on the Epix Pro given its display.

Meanwhile, to power your usage day and night, both watches also offer fantastic battery life. The Fenix 7 Pro, claims up to 22 days in smartwatch mode and 73 hours in GPS mode. With the always-on display disabled, the standard 47mm Epix Pro lasts 16 days in smartwatch mode and 42 hours in GPS mode. Both sets of specs are impressive, however, the Fenix 7 Pro pulls ahead with solar charging capabilities. In addition to its Memory in Pixel (MIP) display, the device features built-in solar panels to offer nearly limitless battery life.

Garmin Epix 2 Pro vs Fenix 7 Pro: Design 

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Design is where the Epix Pro and Fenix 7 grow apart, but not significantly until you turn them on. They share similar build materials and each comes in three case sizes; 42mm, 45mm, and 47mm. They feature the same sensor packages and five-button input. Though each line’s colorways vary, their general aesthetics are very alike.

In a side-by-side comparison, the devices’ displays are the most obvious design difference. As mentioned, the Epix Pro features a vibrant, colorful, AMOLED touchscreen display. Resolutions measure 390×390 pixels (42mm), 416×416 pixels (47mm), and 454×454 pixels (51mm). All three models are easy to read and align with the market’s most popular smartwatches, such as those from Apple or Samsung.

The Fenix 7 Pro features an MIP display. Though the screen has been updated for clarity and readability in lowlight settings, it’s not as attractive. It is, however, a great choice in terms of power consumption. Given the Fenix 7 Pro also supports solar charging, it’s a fantastic design for endurance athletes.

Garmin Epix 2 Pro vs Fenix 7 Pro: Price and colors

Garmin launched the Epix Pro (Gen 2) and Fenix 7 Pro simultaneously on May 31, 2023. Pricing for the smallest Epix Pro starts at $899 with a $100 premium for a Sapphire model. Device colorways are as follows:

Epix Pro Standard

• 42mm: Silver with Whitestone band
• 45mm, 47mm: Slate Gray with Black band

Epix Pro Sapphire

• 42mm: Soft Gold with Light Sand band
• 45mm, 47mm: Carbon Gray DLC with Black band

Pricing for the Fenix 7 Pro starts at $799 for the smallest model. Sapphire Fenix 7 Pro models run for $100 more. Available colorways are as follows:

Fenix 7 Pro Standard

• 42mm: Silver with Graphite band
• 45mm, 47mm: Slate Gray with Black band

Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire

• 42mm: Soft Gold with Light Sand band, Carbon Gray with Black band
• 45mm, 47mm: Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black band, Titanium with Fog Grey/Ember Orange band

Garmin Epix 2 Pro vs Fenix 7 Pro: Which should you buy?

As is often the case when comparing Garmin products, the choice between an Epix Pro or Fenix 7 Pro is a win-win. Both devices pack outstanding fitness tracking tools, highly accurate sensors, multiband GNSS, and great builds. The Epix 2 Pro is about $100 more than the Fenix, but at this price point, we doubt many people will choose based on that.

In our opinion, the choice between an Epix Pro or Fenix 7 Pro comes down to display preference.

Instead, the biggest question is which type of display you want and consequently, what you are willing to sacrifice. The AMOLED-touting Epix Pro feels as expensive as it is, and the onscreen user experience is delightful. Red Shift Mode is very useful. However, the display does drain battery so you’ll likely need to charge up weekly.

The Fenix 7 Pro might look out of place among the smartwatch-wearing wrists, but its battery life is unbeatable. Endurance athletes should prioritize the Fenix 7 Pro’s impressive battery specs thanks to its MIP display and solar charging.

That’s it for our Epix Pro (Gen 2) vs Fenix 7 Pro comparison. Which do you prefer? Let us know in the poll below.

FAQs

Fitness trackers and smartwatches can accumulate some nasty bacteria, as a recent study found. Needless to say, this study therefore revealed the importance of regularly cleaning your wearable.

The saga got us wondering whether readers cleaned their wearables after a workout. We posed this question to you in a standalone poll article last week, and here’s how you answered it.

Do you clean your wearable after a workout?

Results

This was one of our more divisive polls in recent months, although there was a winner. Just under 39% of surveyed readers said they indeed cleaned their wearables after a workout.

In second place, with almost 35% of the vote, was “No, I don’t.” Yep, over a third of respondents said they didn’t wash their wearables after exercising. Finally, 26.62% of surveyed readers said they sometimes cleaned their wearables after a workout.

It was also interesting to note that a couple of readers noted in the comments that they wore their wearables in the shower. That technically counts as cleaning it after a workout, I guess.

Comments

• Tziona Greenberg: I never even thought of cleaning my Fitbit Sense 2 after my workout. I think I will start doing that.
• gwine: Not directly, but I wear it into ths shower after a workout.
• Konrad Uroda-Darłak: Everyday during shower, not online after workout. It’s obvious for me, especially now (summer, hot temperatures).
• Callum: I don’t clean my watch after each workout, but I do make sure to thoroughly clean it at least once a week.
• EeZeEpEe: I clean my phone and watch at least once a day. Both things, get nasty pretty quickly. Even before I had a smartwatch, I cleaned my watches. Probably just good habits being that I work in a hospital.
• Byorself: How about a separate poll that might have a connection to this poll or not. The poll would ask- “Do you wash your hands after using the public restroom? 1-Always, 2-Sometimes, 3-Never.” My anecdotal observations about other users is often answer #3.

Samsung’s brand-new Galaxy Watch 6 lineup boasts bigger displays than ever. If you ask most smartwatch wearers, more screen space should mean a better user experience. If nothing else, larger graphics are easier to tap and larger text is easier to read. But how does the expansion actually translate on users’ wrists, and is the experience significantly different on a Galaxy Watch 6 versus a Galaxy Watch 5? We dug in.

When it comes to Galaxy Watch display space, bigger is better

For better or worse, the Galaxy Watch 6 looks a lot like the Galaxy Watch 5. Likewise, the 6 Classic doesn’t exactly revolutionize the 4 Classic’s design. Both new Samsung smartwatches feature subtle improvements across the board and bring back the same basic looks shoppers have seen before. Samsung did, however, improve the line by boosting its display sizes.

	Samsung Galaxy Watch 5	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Display	44mm: 1.4-inch Super AMOLED 450 x 450 resolution Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.2-inch Super AMOLED 396 x 396 resolution Sapphire Crystal	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal	46mm: 1.36-inch Super AMOLED 450 x 450 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass with DX 42mm: 1.19-inch Super AMOLED 396 x 396 resolution Corning Gorilla Glass with DX	47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions and weight	44mm: 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm 33.5g 40mm: 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm 28.7 g	44mm: 42.8 x 44.4 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 38.8 x 40.4 x 9.0mm 28.7g	46mm: 45.5 x 45.5 x 11mm 52g 42mm: 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2mm 46.5g	47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9mm 59.0g 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9mm 52.0g
Durability	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H

The Galaxy Watch 6 offers a display area 20% larger than that of the Galaxy Watch 5. Last year, the sporty model landed with 40mm and 44mm case sizes featuring 1.2-inch and 1.4-inch displays. This year, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers larger 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch displays in the same case sizes.

Likewise, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offers even larger cases and shrinks the 5’s bezel by 15%. In other words, its real estate is noticeably larger than the last device to sport a rotating bezel, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The older sibling offered 42mm and 46mm cases with 1.1-inch and 1.36-inch displays respectively. The newest Classic combines an extra 1mm on each case with much thinner bezels to offer 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch displays.

Given that the displays don’t add bulk, they’re an easy upgrade to celebrate. There aren’t any obvious drawbacks beyond that you may need to purchase a new screen protector. On the flip side, the expanded margins mean larger graphics. If you often find yourself raising your arm excessively to check stats or read texts, you’ll appreciate the roomy new devices.

More screen space means larger icons, text, graphs, and watch face details.

Rather than cramming more details onto data fields, Samsung merely beefed up existing icons and menus to improve readability. This is helpful when browsing at-a-glance info on your Wear OS tiles, but it’s even more impactful on info-packed screens such as graphs, Google Maps, and more. For users who like maximum complications on their watch faces, the bigger displays also make those particulars more visible.

A new generation of Samsung Galaxy Watch Classic

Of course, most any conversation about the Galaxy Watch 6 series inevitably makes its way to the return of the rotating bezel. As mentioned, even while bringing back this space-eating feature, Samsung still managed to maintain its promise of a larger display. With a thinner bezel, bigger screen, and beefed-up resolution, the 6 Classic delivers a truly attractive device for those interested in a traditional aesthetic.

A larger display and thinner bezel make the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic even more attractive than its predecessor.

Wear OS 4 has not yet rolled back to the Galaxy Watch 4 series so the devices don’t feature the same software. Since Samsung redesigned certain menus and tiles, a 1:1 comparison is not possible. A side-by-side look at different layouts isn’t as helpful as identical screens.

Still, it’s clear that the user experience is positively impacted by a larger display. As seen above, the watches often show the same amount of information. However, it’s easier to read and review on the Galaxy Watch 6. Likewise, shortcuts are easier to interact with, input is more consistent, and actions like selecting an app are easier. Even the thinner rotating bezel is pleasant to use. Notably, the 6 Classic is protected by Sapphire Crystal while the 4 Classic isn’t. The role of reflective lighting is misleading in analyzing each screen’s contrast in the shots above.

Whether you purchase a Galaxy Watch 6 or a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, you’re taking home at least one user-friendly upgrade. Rather than bringing your watch up to your nose to see it or feeling like an oversized giant tapping the wrong details, you can now see clearer and aim truer.

Fitness tracking is one of the most important activities for wearables, giving you loads of details about your workout and helping you to achieve your goals.

However, we wonder how many people actually clean their fitness trackers or smartwatches after using them for a workout. That’s the topic of our featured poll today, so give us your answer below.

We’re totally on board with you cleaning your fitness tracker after a workout. After all, a recent study found that smartwatch bands collected harmful bacteria if they weren’t regularly cleaned. Needless to say, we’re really curious to hear why you might not be cleaning your wearable after a workout.

Samsung smartwatches offer a well-rounded feature set with plenty of tools for all types of users. If you’ve recently unpacked the newest model, we recommend making some key adjustments. Scroll our top Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series tips and tricks to get the most out of your new wearable.

Maximize your watch face

The right watch face can offer more than just a fresh look. Complications let you add details to your face beyond the date and time. This keeps more information at a glance so you can keep tabs on your stats without touching your watch.

• Long press on your current watch face and tap customize.
• Tap available complication spaces to add your preferred information and shortcuts.
• If your current face does not have any complication space, consider switching.

Personalize your quick settings panel

The device’s quick settings menu is another spot to maximize shortcuts and identify your priorities. This panel allows you to enable features like do-not-disturb, airplane mode, and other smartwatch settings.

• Swipe up from your home screen to access your quick settings.
• Swipe all the way right and tap the plus icon. This will initiate Edit mode.
• Press and drag icons to rearrange your menu or tap the minus sign to remove an icon.

Edit and organize your tiles

Wear OS tiles are at the heart of the Galaxy Watch 6 user experience. These widgets provide at-a-glance information as well as shortcuts to first and third-party apps. You can access your tiles by swiping left from your watch face. Remove unwanted tiles and organize those you do need.

• Swipe to a tile you would like to edit and tap and hold the screen.
• Still pressing, drag the tile into a new position.
• To remove a tile, tap the red minus sign.

You can also organize Tiles from the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired phone.

Tailor your Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 buttons

The Galaxy Watch 6 has two buttons for navigating the device. Fortunately, Samsung allows users to personalize their input. First, you can set a double-press of your home key to access any app you want. A single press can be set to access Bixby or Google Assistant. The back key offers the option to return to a previous screen or show your most recent apps.

• Open your Settings app.
• Scroll down to and tap Advanced features.
• Tap Customize keys.

Tap into connected services

The Galaxy Watch 6 series is compatible with a number of supplementary tools. You can pair your watch to exercise machines for more workout details or sync up to a Samsung TV.

• Open the Samsung Health app on your Galaxy Watch 6.
• Scroll down to and tap Settings.
• Scroll down to and tap Share data with devices and services, then select the device you would like to sync.

Equip the right band

One of our top Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 tips is to pair your device with the right Galaxy Watch 6 band. A silicone band is great for the gym, but may not be elevated enough for the office. A Nylon pick is perfect for sleep tracking but takes a long time to dry and may not be the right fit for anyone who regularly swims. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and personal taste when shopping for a new band.

Snap photos from your Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Use your Galaxy Watch 6 to get the best angles. With the Camera Controller app, you can control your phone’s camera from your wrist. You can even view photos directly from your watch to make sure you get the shot.

• Line up your phone’s camera to your desired shot and open the Camera Controller app on your Galaxy Watch 6.
• Tap Capture on your watch. To record videos, switch to Video mode on your phone and tap Record on your watch
• Tap the timer icon to set a time on your phone’s camera.

Stay up to date

Samsung often issues software updates to fix minor bugs, but also to add new features. Likewise, keep your apps updated to ensure the smoothest performance.

• Software: Enable Auto update under Software Update in your Settings menu.
• Apps: Tap Samsung App updates under Apps in your Settings menu to check for available updates.

Beef up your Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 battery life

When it comes to most smartwatches, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, the most common tips and tricks we share are how to stretch out battery life. Disable a few superfluous features to stretch battery life on your Galaxy Watch 6.

• Always-on display: Your Galaxy Watch won’t have its always-on screen mode enabled out of the box, but if you’ve since turned this feature on, you may want to backtrack. It’s one of the fastest ways to drain your battery life. Open the Settings menu, scroll down to and tap Display, then tap Always on Display.
• Continuous heart rate monitoring: Most users don’t necessarily need continuous heart rate monitoring. Open the Samsung Health app, then scroll down to and tap Settings. Tap Heart rate and choose either ten-minute intervals or manual monitoring.
• Stress monitoring: Likewise, disabling continuous stress monitoring will also boost battery life. Open the Samsung Health app, then scroll down to and tap Settings. Tap Stress and tap manual only.
• Screen brightness: Another way to stretch battery life is to decrease the brightness of your display. Swipe down from your home screen to access your quick settings panel, then tap the brightness icon (small sun). Reduce your brightness using your touch or physical bezel.

The Google Pixel Watch and new Pixel Watch 2 have a lot to offer Android users, including Fitbit integration for health and fitness tracking and fantastic app support. They also boasts a sleek, minimalist design perfect for pairing with a personalized watch face. From native options to third-party picks, we round up the best Pixel Watch faces to add to your device.

How to change your Google Pixel Watch face

To change the face of your smartwatch right from your wrist, press and hold your current watch face. Then, swipe all the way left and tap Add new. You can also browse and swap watch faces in the Pixel Watch app on your paired phone.

The best Google Pixel Watch faces

Classic

The Classic Pixel Watch face is simply well, classic. An elevated, modern analog pick with customizable styles and colors, the watch face mirrors the sleek aesthetic of the device itself. It also offers room for four circular complications so you can add plenty of information to your screen. You can even opt to turn the second hand off if you want less movement.

Photos

For a truly personal watch face, Photos supports up to 30 of your favorite snaps. This is a standard face available on most smartwatches, but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. It also allows for a single line-style complication. Just know that some photos tend to emphasize the device’s large bezels.

Concentric

Arguably no design capitalizes more on the round form factor of the Pixel Watch than Concentric. With sections that turn independently of one another, the design is both mesmerizing and calming. This Pixel Watch face also allows room for three additional complications.

Shapes

An analog pick with a bit of quirky personality, Shapes is the most overtly “Google” native pick. The face is customizable by color scheme and can feature either 4 or 12 hours. Oddly, the shapes have nothing to do with the hours they represent (you might expect the three-sided triangle to be at the there spot, for example). Regardless, it is a fun, colorful watch face with room for one complication.

Prime

Conversely, for those like words, Prime offers a unique, legible watch face. The oversized text in Google Sans makes an impression while also making the current time very obvious. It is minimalist, however, and the design only allows for only a single complication.

Track

One of our favorite Fitbit-forward picks, Track highlights your favorite health or fitness stat. Choose what data you want to keep an eye on and watch the “track” close throughout the day. The face offers an easy way to keep goals like step count at a glance. It also allows for one additional complication.

Analog Arcs

Analog Arcs is a watch face you’ll only find on the Pixel Watch 2, at least for now. It makes full use of the Pixel Watch’s round face, with exterior complications, an analog design, and reserved splashes of color.

Pixel Watch faces from the Play Store

Beyond native picks, Google Pixel Watch users can also access thousands of third-party options through the Google Play Store.

Facer

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Facer is one of the most popular apps for custom Pixel Watch faces and even holds a spot on our dedicated list of the best Wear OS watch faces in general. The app features more than 15,000 watch faces including everything from unique designs to nostalgic retro looks. Pixel Watch users can download the Facer app for free, then shop picks at all different price points (including some for free). Alternatively, Facer also offers a DIY option, which provides a basic template and instructions to build your own custom design.

Get it on Google Play

Horizon Watch Designs

Price: $2.99 plus in-app purchases

Animated, beautiful, and customizable, Horizon watch faces put a tiny universe onto your wrist. Each of the 70 available designs feature an artistic and dynamic landscape that highlights the forecast at any given moment. Not only do the landscapes change to represent daylight versus nighttime, but you can also tap any point of the day to check the forecast at specific times. The watch faces also support multiple complications and can display a variety of weather data points.

Get it on Google Play

Xiaomi‘s Smart Band fitness trackers have long stood out for their cheap price tags, but the company has upped the ante in recent years with its Pro line of Smart Band models.

Now, the manufacturer has announced the Smart Band 8 Pro, picking up where last year’s Smart Band 7 Pro left off. You’re looking at a similar design here, albeit with a slightly larger OLED screen (1.74 inches versus 1.64 inches). You also still have a metal-coated frame, 5ATM rating, and quick-release straps on the new model.

Xiaomi has brought some new features to the table to make use of the larger display, such as a variety of widgets (e.g. tracking, payments, media playback), an improved UI, and new watch faces and wallpapers.

The Smart Band 8 Pro also brings a larger battery (289mAh versus 235mAh). Xiaomi claims that the new tracker can therefore last for up to two weeks, or up to six days with the always-on display enabled.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a fitness tracker without health and fitness features. Fortunately, the new wearable brings features like integrated GPS, over 150 sports modes, the ability to view a replay of your activity overlaid onto a map (e.g. a run), warmup and stretching guidance, and more.

Other notable features include heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, sleep/stress tracking, NFC, and smartphone integration.

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro pricing and availability

The new Xiaomi wearable is available in China for 399 yuan (~$55), while the model with a leather strap will set you back 449 yuan (~$62).

The company didn’t mention global availability for the Smart Band 8 Pro. In saying so, the Band 7 Pro took four months to reach global markets after the Chinese launch. So we might be in for a long wait if it is indeed launching outside China. However, the vanilla Smart Band 8 is already widely available if you like the idea of a cheap fitness tracker.

Right on schedule, Samsung launched a new flagship series of smartwatches featuring a few improvements and an upgraded Wear OS. Like the last two years, 2023’s lineup includes a sporty base model and a pricier, elevated offering. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 5 family though, the more expensive smartwatch in the Galaxy Watch 6 series reintroduces Samsung’s Classic moniker. Find out more in this Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic review.

What I like about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

As with each of the last two Galaxy Watch generations, there’s a lot to like about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series, and specifically the Classic model. The design is sleek, elevated, and timeless, mostly because the company caved to the cries of users and brought back the rotating bezel. MIA since the Galaxy Watch 4 series, the bezel’s impact is immediate, upgrading Samsung’s smartwatch to a traditional aesthetic rather than a sporty one, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the tactile navigation. It’s the little things, Samsung. The feature also keeps screen interaction to a minimum, meaning fewer smudges and fewer frustrated taps.

The return of the bezel on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic also means the return of a traditional aesthetic, plus easier, smudge-free navigation.

In addition to using the bezel, I tested the touchscreen regularly. It was generally responsive, though less usable once sweat or sunscreen was introduced (which is daily for me). The display is protected by sapphire crystal as well as its raised bezel, and after a week, my watch still looks brand new.

Both the 43mm and 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offer crisp AMOLED displays, each of which is slightly larger than its Galaxy Watch 4 Classic counterpart. With a 60Hz refresh rate and 2,000 nits maximum brightness (compared to 1,000 nits on the Galaxy Watch 5), the 1.3-inch display is simply easy on the eyes. The newer cases feature slightly shrunken bezels around their displays to offer more screen real estate. The cases themselves are also very slightly wider but not noticeably bulkier, though you may still want to consider a protective Galaxy Watch 6 Classic case to keep it scratch- and damage-free.

The Galaxy Watch 6 unit I tested shipped with a luxe Hybrid Eco-Leather band in white that felt comfortable throughout and looks great on the wrist. Personally, I don’t love leather bands long-term as they’re difficult to clean (white being a bold choice in this regard) and can sometimes trap sweat. In the past, Samsung bands were swappable but not entirely convenient, especially for anyone lacking in fingernail length. This time around, Samsung made it easier than ever to swap 6 Classic Galaxy Watch bands with a quick-release button on its latest straps. This button might be one of my favorite upgrades to the lineup. It’s a game-changer for me when it comes to mixing up my look rather than committing to one sport band for the foreseeable future, usually in green.

When the device is flipped over, you’ll notice a familiar sensor pack compared to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, as health tracking on the watch is largely the same as last generation. Still present is the Bio Active sensor, including ECG capability and blood oxygen monitoring, plus a skin temperature sensor. In fact, it certainly doesn’t warrant an upgrade if you’re already wearing last year’s model. However, this is the first Classic model to feature a temperature sensor. If both a bezel and beauty sleep stats are priorities, the 6 Classic is the play. This sensor specifically differentiates the device from the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. It can track everything from overnight body temperature stats to environmental temperatures. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic also offers period predictions and detailed cycle tracking, which can’t be found on the 4 Classic.

The device is the first Galaxy Watch to feature both a temperature sensor and a rotating bezel.

On the sleep tracking front, Samsung has joined the chorus of companies letting users know that, as a society, we are really bad at resting. The biggest difference you’ll find in the new series is in sleep data presentation (as opposed to leaps in data quality). The Galaxy Watch 5 already provided a hearty range of overnight data, and the 6 Classic fared on par in terms of accuracy. I was also already won over by the introduction of sleep animals last year. Now though, Samsung offers advanced sleep coaching in addition to snore detection, sleep stages, and a daily sleep score. This feature requires more data than I yet have, but I will update this review once I am able to experience the added tool. However, I am already appreciative of any tool that will help me improve my sleep habits.

On the flip side of rest is activity. The watch still tracks more than 90 sport modes and adds more detailed performance metrics for running. Everything from pace to cadence to asymmetry should keep users busy breaking down stats to their heart’s content. Samsung even added the option to build custom workouts. It’s not a Garmin watch just yet, but it certainly offers a robust experience for casual athletes. I was particularly happy to see personalized heart rate zones, as nothing motivates me faster than color coordination. HR zones have been making their way to more and more wearables, and they are a valuable way for users to build efficient and effective workout habits.

Meanwhile, if you forget to start a workout, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic will automatically detect walks and runs as well as cycling, elliptical, rowing, and swimming workouts. This usually keys in around the five-minute mark. The device will even detect Dynamic workouts, but I must not be dynamic enough. My device never clocked me for one during this review period. Given that I regularly walk entirely too many miles for someone who doesn’t have a pup to show off, I really appreciate automatic workout detection, and Samsung’s is consistently reliable.

Of course, beyond the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic’s bezel, the series’ headline feature is Wear OS 4. The devices are the first to run Wear OS 4 out of the box, and this type of head start has served Samsung extremely well in the past. The watches also run Samsung’s One UI 5 Watch skin over the top, so this isn’t a stock Wear OS experience. Instead, it’s pleasantly Samsung. It’s not remarkably different from Wear OS 3.5 at this point, but I’m hopeful that once Calendar and Gmail arrive, the watch will be an even more useful daily companion. In the meantime, the option to transfer the watch between phones without resetting it is much appreciated.

Performance-wise, Samsung delivers another smooth user experience with minimal lag or glitching. I didn’t notice a significant difference from last year despite the new Exynos W930 chipset, but that’s not a knock. Both generations run efficiently and snappy with quick load times and plenty of power. The newest series also ups RAM to 2GB for the first time but offers the same 16GB of storage. Set up still requires the Galaxy Wearable app, which is mostly unnecessary once you’re up and running. I use the app occasionally to fine-tune watch faces on a larger screen or look into settings. Most things can also be done on your wrist.

What I don’t like about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

During the first few days of wearing this watch, the battery life was… not great. I woke up to a dead watch twice after falling asleep with plenty in the tank. If you’ve ever owned a Galaxy Watch you probably already know that this is expected. When you first power up, Samsung watches adjust to usage patterns and the process drains the device. Typically, this takes around three days and it can certainly have an alarming impact on your battery life. Fortunately, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic was able to last longer than 24 hours by the end of the review period, but it still isn’t as good as it should be.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic doesn't offer the same battery life improvements shoppers found last year on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Samsung quotes 40 hours of use between charges and my results landed closer to 30 hours. That’s with multiple GPS workouts, notifications enabled, health features such as skin temperature enabled, and the always-on display turned off. I have continued fiddling with settings and am holding out hope that the watch is still adjusting. When it’s time to plug in, the watch supports wireless charging. Each device ships with a proprietary charger that looks exactly the same as the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro charger. It takes the watch roughly 70 minutes to reach a full charge from zero. I found topping off during showers to be the most effective way to avoid missing steps or overnight stats.

In reality, I’m coming to terms with the fact that shoppers have to choose between the Classic’s rotating bezel and the Pro’s better battery life. It makes sense that Samsung doesn’t offer both on a single device. The combination would diminish one of the 5 Pro’s biggest strengths. While I understand the decision, I’m disappointed. I wish companies were committed to creating the best possible devices instead of the best possible stable of devices, though we’ll perhaps have to wait for the inevitable Galaxy Watch 6 Pro for the best of both worlds.

The crux of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is that its biggest draw is a subjective design preference. For those of us eager to see the rotating bezel back on our wrists, the device is an immediate improvement. Beyond the bezel, though, there isn’t much else to set the watch apart. Once Wear OS 4 rolls back to older devices, the Galaxy Watch 4 series and Galaxy Watch 5 series will have even more in common with Samsung’s latest launch. It doesn’t have enough dedicated fitness tracking analysis to compete with Garmin’s lineups, and the app store is still not quite at the level of Apple’s ecosystem.

I was really hoping Samsung would blow us away this year, but instead, we’re left with iterative improvements. The watch hasn’t even been jailbroken from its exclusivity toward Samsung phone users, so anyone without one will miss out on a handful of features like ECG functionality.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic's biggest weakness is that it's not a huge leap for anyone upgrading from a Series 5, or even Series 4 device.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is still a powerful smartwatch and a useful gym companion. It just doesn’t raise the bar in a market that is consistently heating up. For fitness tracking, GPS is still generally very good, though a few of my early runs recorded strangely short total distances. Heart rate tracking on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic correlated well with my Polar chest strap during indoor cycling workouts. Occasionally, the watch deviated, grabbing higher heart rates than the chest strap.

Yet, when I tested the watch on trickier workouts, such as running and weight lifting, accuracy fell slightly. This could be due to the fit of the device on my wrist in particular. However, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is also a hefty device and manages slightly better heart rate accuracy, even during workouts with high wrist tension. Overall, the accuracy is likely good enough for the average user. I just wouldn’t recommend the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic for advanced athletes at this point. Samsung could also issue improvements via algorithm tweaks, so I’ll continue testing to see how the watch fares over time.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic specs

	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Display	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal	47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions and weight	44mm: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0mm 28.7g	47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9mm, 59.0g 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9mm, 52.0g
Colors and materials	Armor Aluminum case with Sport Band 44mm: Graphite, Silver 40mm: Graphite, Gold	Stainless Steel case with Hybrid Eco-Leather Band 47mm: Black, Silver 43mm: Black, Silver
Battery	44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging	47mm: 425mAh 43mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging
Processor	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz
RAM	2GB	2GB
Storage	16GB	16GB
Connectivity	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
Sensors	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor 3D Hall sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
Durability	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H
Software	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch
Compatibility	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic?

If you don’t already have a Samsung Galaxy Watch on your wrist and your budget is unlimited, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is a good buy. It’s technically the best Wear OS watch on the market, with great internal specs and a classy look. I’m particularly partial to the rotating bezel that helps the watch stand out among the masses.

If you don’t mind the sportier look of the base model, you can save a good chunk of change by opting for the standard Galaxy Watch 6 ( ). For the most part, all other specs are the same between the siblings, and the user experience is nearly identical. If the Classic’s bezel is important to you, but the cost is out of reach, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic ( ) is still a reliable device at a much lower price. As mentioned, none of the options offer battery life as good as last year’s Galaxy Watch 5 Pro ( ). The Pro is still the best pick for a rugged device built for sweaty gym workouts and hiking trails.

The Watch 6 Classic plays it very safe, but continues Samsung's dominance as the best choice for Android users looking for a premium smartwatch.

Outside of a Samsung roundup, Mobvoi makes a strong case for itself with the TicWatch Pro 5 ( ). The device boasts fantastic battery life, a rotating digital crown, and a unique dual display. Unfortunately, its raised bezel is just for show. The Google Pixel Watch should also be top of mind but only because its successor should hit wrists this fall. The first-gen Pixel Watch never really lived up to expectation, but the Pixel Watch 2 is rumored to pack more powerful specs and better battery life, as well as Wear OS 4. It may be worth waiting to see how the next generation compares to Samsung’s 2023 flagship before making any purchases.

If you are an iOS user reading this for fun, you’re likely content with the Apple Watch on your wrist. Or at least you should be. Both the Series 8 and the Ultra offer a better experience to Apple users, primarily because they are actually iOS-compatible, though you may want to wait for the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 at this point in their respective lifecycles. From Garmin, the only smartwatch worth recommending is the Venu 2 Plus ( ) but frankly, its app experience doesn’t yet hold a candle to that of a Wear OS device.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic review: FAQs

Xiaomi’s Smart Bands have long had a reputation for being cheap fitness trackers with a respectable amount of features. Last year’s Smart Band 7 Pro adopted an Apple Watch-style design thanks to a big screen, and the Chinese brand is upping the ante with the Smart Band 8 Pro.

Xiaomi showed off the Smart Band 8 Pro design and features on its Weibo account today (h/t: NotebookCheck), and the company is indeed leaning into the Apple Watch-style design once again. That is, you’re getting a rectangular watch display with polished edges.

Xiaomi says the Smart Band 8 Pro is equipped with a 1.74-inch display, featuring 336 pixels per square inch. That makes it slightly bigger than the predecessor’s screen and slightly smaller than the Apple Watch Series 8 screen.

The Chinese manufacturer has also mentioned a few features ahead of the wearable’s launch, such as widget support and the ability to set wallpapers from your photo album. In the case of the former, we can make out widgets for heart-rate tracking, media playback, step counting, and the weather.

Either way, Xiaomi will fully unveil the Smart Band 8 Pro alongside the Mix Fold 3 in China on August 14. There’s no word on global availability and pricing for either product just yet, though. But we’re guessing the new fitness tracker could retail for ~$120 when it eventually launches, broadly in line with its predecessor.

Opinion post by

Kaitlyn Cimino

I’m not shy about my appreciation of Garmin devices, especially when it comes to trekking up mountains and getting lost in the woods. However, my latest Garmin obsession has nothing to do with stats or GPS accuracy. Instead, it’s an add-on feature I’m jonesing to see other wearable brands adopt. The Garmin LED flashlight ceremoniously making its way to many of the company’s top multisport devices is surprisingly useful, and not just for adventuring. I’d drop extra cash to see leaders like Samsung, Apple, and Google elevate their smartwatches with this highly-useful tool.

I desperately want to see Samsung, Apple, and Google adopt Garmin's built-in LED flashlight on their own devices.

Before you get your hands on an equipped Garmin watch, an LED flashlight on your fitness tracker may sound like a gimmick. Even listing top use cases makes the addition sound logical, but not wholly necessary. Once you’ve strapped one to your wrist though, I assure you, you’ll be sold. Just like the flashlight on your smartphone, Garmin’s built-in flashlight comes in handy on a daily basis for everyday tasks.

At night, I use it to shuffle to the bathroom without waking my partner and to lead search parties into our outdoor washing machine hunting for rogue socks. When I’m feeling particularly skittish, I blast light into the back of my car looking for hooded serial killers because my parents let me watch scary movies much too young. By day, I use it to find my helpless robot vacuum when he gets stuck under the bed… again.

Of course, Garmin’s devices are built for the outdoorsy crowd who define adventuring by how many trails they’ve traced or tents they’ve pitched. In these scenarios, the built-in flashlight is even more valuable. For starters, it’s already connected to your body so there’s no remembering to pack it or rummaging through your bag when you need to illuminate a scary noise in the brush.

It’s also significantly more powerful than the Apple Watch Ultra’s screen-based option, for example, which is fine for emergencies, but not going to do it for me when cockroaches may be close at hand. Garmin’s flashlight is not a protective patronus either, but it’s bright enough to make me feel comfortable. Just last week I relied exclusively on the wrist-based torch after watching the sunset from the top of Koko Crater, a notoriously steep hike comprised of more than 1000 steps up an old tramway.

Useful everywhere from twilight hikes to midnight bathroom runs, the wrist-based torch is much more powerful than competitors' onscreen versions.

The reality is that major companies are gunning for Garmin’s market share, branding their flagship devices with monikers like “Ultra” and “Pro” and touting navigation features like Samsung’s TrackBack or Apple’s distress siren. To compete with a staple like Garmin in the outdoor arena, Samsung, Apple, and Google need to continue elevating their devices. I see absolutely no reason they shouldn’t start by mimicking Garmin’s highly-useful LED flashlight.

Much more than just a novelty, the flashlight serves all the purposes covered above and more, even offering valuable implications when it comes to safety. First, all of Garmin’s devices offer a red light mode to preserve night vision (or to keep you sleepy when necessary). The flashlights also feature adjustable brightness levels and strobe modes for alerting cars to your presence when out on runs. You can even match the lights strobing to your running cadence.

Finally, while Garmin doesn’t publish lumens, I’ve consistently found the lights on my Garmin Epix Pro ( ), Fenix 7 Pro ( ), and Instinct 2X ( ) bright enough to feel safe in a variety of scenarios. Again, the convenience of the tool incorporated into a device you already wear daily is immensely helpful.

When it comes to wearables, the more useful day-to-day tools companies can bring to users' wrists, the better the overall user experience.

Here at Android Authority, we often muse over the direction of the wearables market. We’ve even questioned whether Apple has reached the limits of what a smartwatch can do (I really hope not). Garmin’s flashlight proves that it hasn’t plateaued just yet. As wearables develop into standalone devices rather than accessories tethered to phones, tools like a flashlight cut one more tie.

Yet, Garmin’s ecosystem isn’t the right fit for anyone looking for a fully-featured smartwatch. The Venu 2 Plus has potential, but its UI is no Wear OS or watchOS. For this reason, I desperately want to see Samsung, Google, and Apple adopt Garmin’s design so I can pair a powerful app library with a (literally) handy torch.

While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series may not feel very old, the time has already come for the next iteration. Based on everything we know, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 could be one of the best smartwatches of 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung’s new smartwatch series.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Release date, price, and availability

Considering the sturdy foundation laid by the Galaxy Watch 4 and the improved Galaxy Watch 5, the Galaxy Watch 6 series should be worth considering for those looking to upgrade existing hardware or join the smartwatch club when it launches. But before jumping headfirst into a purchase, it’s important to know what the price is and where you can get it. So let’s start off with the price and follow our way down to availability.

Price

The Galaxy Watch 5 series launched at $279 for a base model device. The Pro model, available only in a single size, launched at $449. Each option also came with an upcharge for their respective LTE versions. These 5-series launch prices were roughly $30 higher than the previous generation’s.

For the Galaxy Watch 6 series, Samsung will charge a little more for the base models. But it’s not all bad news, as both of the Classic models will be slightly cheaper than the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro models.

The base Galaxy Watch 6 model will be $20 more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 5 at launch.

The Galaxy Watch 6 starts at $299 for the most affordable 40mm model. At the same time, the 44mm variant will sell for $329.

As for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, you can expect the 43mm model to come in at $399. The 47mm model will be available for $429.

In the UK, the Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic start from £289 and £369 for the smaller models, and £319 and £399 for the larger variants, respectively. Throw in 4G LTE connectivity and those prices increase to £339/£369 for the Watch 6 sizes, and £429/£459 for the Watch 6 Classic.

Watch 6 prices in Europe begin at €319 for the 40mm model and €349 for 44mm. 4G connectivity again raises the price tag to €369 and €399, respectively. The Watch 6 Classic is a bit more expensive, costing €419/€449 depending on the size, and €469/€499 for the 4G-enabled models.

Availability and pre-orders

Just like previous iterations, the Galaxy Watch 6 series will be available around the globe. Pre-orders in the US for both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic start on the same day as the Galaxy Unpacked event, on July 26, 2023. However, these devices won’t reach store shelves until August 11.

Samsung will sell its new smartwatches on Samsung.com. For those who submitted a reservation, they should have received a $50 Samsung store credit. You’ll also be able to pick one up from AT&T and Verizon. If you preorder, Samsung is offering a free fabric band. Samsung is also offering up to $250 off with eligible trade-ins.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Features

The Galaxy Watch 5 didn’t bring a remarkable design change to the Galaxy Watch line. In fact, we felt a bit of déjà vu when unboxing the device when reviewing the Galaxy Watch 5. However, that isn’t necessarily a complaint, as the watches share an elegant aesthetic, eye-catching AMOLED displays, and impressive specs. So it’s not a big deal that Samsung has decided to play it safe with the sixth generation.

Design: Colors, bands, and sizes

At first glance, the Galaxy Watch 6 looks nearly identical to its predecessor. So if you were hoping for an aesthetic overhaul, you will be sorely disappointed. However, there is one notable design change, thinner bezels. According to Samsung, the active display area is 20% larger than on the Watch 5, and the bezel is 30% thinner. The same will be true for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

In addition to the larger display, the Classic brings back a fan favorite — the rotating bezel. Our Galaxy Watch 6 Classic review notes that it makes for an incredibly satisfying and smudge-free navigation method. It’s well worth the fanfare, especially since we really missed the feature during our Galaxy Watch 6 review. This feature was noticeably missing from the entire 5-series, but Samsung brought it back thanks to popular demand. Unfortunately, it’s only available for the Classic and not the base model, but this fan-favorite feature gives the pricier watch a leg up over the Galaxy Watch 6 alternatives available.

Leaks leading up to the reveal suggested we’d get three colorways for the Watch 6 and two for the Classic. The Watch 6 was expected to get Silver, Cream, and Black, while the Classic would get Black and Silver. It turns out that the rumored colors for the Classic were correct, but the vanilla model predictions were a little off. The 40mm Watch 6 comes in Gold and Graphite, and the 44mm model gets Silver and Graphite.

The Galaxy Watch 6 series will get a new fabric band, which is meant to be more comfortable for sleeping. That band and other bands will now have one-click removal to make it easier to swap between bands. Buyers can also access a host of third-party Galaxy Watch 6 cases to protect the device from nicks and bruises and plenty of standard Galaxy Watch 6 bands and Classic bands to satisfy particular requirements and styles.

Software features

In early May, Samsung announced a few key features that will debut on the Galaxy Watch 6. These will arrive with One UI 5 Watch — a new version of the skin based on Wear OS 4.

One of the biggest highlights of the update is Fitbit-like sleep tracking. With a word-based numeric score, “Sleep Messages,” sleep consistency measurements, and a cute animal representing your sleep type, the new sleep-tracking platform offers a detailed personalized look at your sleep history. It even provides suggestions — or “Sleep Coaching” — for improving your sleep habits. Unlike Fitbit, however, this feature will not be locked behind a paywall.

On the fitness tracking side, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic have a Personalized Heart Rate Zone feature that provides even more advanced real-time training feedback. These zones are described as “warm up,” “fat burn,” “cardio,” etc.

Speaking of hearts, Samsung has given the Watch 6 series irregular heart rhythm notifications, just like it did for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5. This is an important addition for those with heart problems, as abnormal rhythm fluctuations could indicate atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Samsung is also updating fall detection for even safer workouts and outings. When the feature is triggered, users can communicate directly with emergency services. Another impressive feature is the device’s ability to auto-recognize when you are running, rowing, or swimming. In addition, these watches can measure skin temperature at night, which Samsung says can provide valuable insights like menstrual cycle tracking.

One feature we know will be very useful is the new way to transfer your watch from one phone to another. Previously, this would require a full reset of the watch, but One UI 5 Watch negates the need for this annoying step. Thankfully, this means if you buy a Galaxy Watch 6 and then upgrade to the Galaxy S24 later, you won’t need to reset your watch during the transfer.

The Galaxy Watch 6 won't require a full reset when migrating to a new phone.

These features will be powered by the various sensors included in the smartwatch. As with the previous iterations, you’ll still find an accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, light sensor, and Samsung’s BioActive sensor (optical heart rate (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) sensor package). In addition to these sensors, Samsung has added a temperature sensor, as well as a 3D Hall sensor exclusive to the Classic.

In addition to these features, Samsung is making a few new improvements to existing features. Gesture controls have been enhanced to allow greater accessibility and ease, while the camera controller can remotely switch camera modes and zoom when paired with a Galaxy Z Flip 5. The Galaxy Watch 6 series can now also show its location through Find My Phone with map support.

Display

As mentioned earlier, Samsung has increased the active display area by 20% on both models and shaved off 30% of the bezel. Going into specifics, the 40mm Watch 6 offers a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with 432 x 432 resolution. In comparison, the 44mm variant delivers a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED with 480 x 480 resolution. Whereas the 43mm Classic has a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display with 432 x 432 resolution and the 47mm boasts a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED with 480 x 480 resolution. All versions of the Watch 6 series feature a sapphire crystal screen and a full color Always On Display.

Samsung claims these displays are more vibrant than ever, and should make an excellent platform for your favorite watch faces. These displays boast a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, so you won’t have any difficulty seeing what’s on your screen when you’re outside. In comparison, this doubles the peak brightness of the Watch 5 series.

Battery life

Battery life was a bit of an issue in the smaller models of the Watch 5 series. Thankfully, the tech giant has managed to squeeze in some bigger batteries this time around. The smallest Galaxy Watch 6 model (40mm) now comes with a 300mAh battery, up from the 284mAh battery of the 40mm Galaxy Watch 5. Meanwhile, the 44m Galaxy Watch 6 got a 425mAh battery, a slight increase over the 410mAh battery of the 44mm Galaxy Watch 5. The Classic got the same minor but welcomed capacity bumps.

When you combine these battery capacity increases with the expected new processor and other energy efficiency tweaks, battery life should be notably better this year. But will this be the case for ever user? Perhaps by implementing a few tips and tricks, it’ll be possible.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Specs

On the specs side, the Galaxy Watch 6 series will land with a better processor — but only slightly. The Galaxy Watch 6 series houses an Exynos W930 SoC, an upgrade over the W920 seen in the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 4 models. However, the newer chipset is based on the same model number as the older one (S5E5515). That means the chipset is physically the same but altered just enough to warrant a new name. In other words, this is essentially an overclocked version of last year’s chipset, not a brand-new SoC.

Interestingly, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Galaxy Watch 6 offer the same chip. This is quite different from what we saw last year. Both models feature 2GB of RAM with 16GB of storage, operate on Wear OS 4, and have the same durability stats.

	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Display	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal	47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions and weight	44mm: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0mm 28.7g	47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9mm, 59.0g 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9mm, 52.0g
Colors and materials	Armor Aluminum case with Sport Band 44mm: Graphite, Silver 40mm: Graphite, Gold	Stainless Steel case with Hybrid Eco-Leather Band 47mm: Black, Silver 43mm: Black, Silver
Battery	44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging	47mm: 425mAh 43mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging
Processor	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz
RAM	2GB	2GB
Storage	16GB	16GB
Connectivity	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
Sensors	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor 3D Hall sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
Durability	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H
Software	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch
Compatibility	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM

FAQ

Samsung’s latest smartwatches are officially here with the Galaxy Watch 6 series unveiled at the Samsung Unpacked event on July 26. The newest devices feature a lot that shoppers will find familiar, plus some expected upgrades. For starters, the lineup repeats the company’s two-prong approach, offering a base model as well as an elevated Samsung smartwatch. If you’re interested in the standard Galaxy Watch 6 model, first find out if the newest generation is worth an upgrade compared to last year’s offerings. We break down the Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 5 to see what’s new.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Specs

	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Display	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal	44mm: 1.4-inch Super AMOLED 450 x 450 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.2-inch Super AMOLED 396 x 396 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions and weight	44mm: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0mm 28.7g	44mm: 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm 33.5g 40mm: 40.4 x 39.9 x 9.8mm 28.7g
Colors and materials	Armor Aluminum case Sport Band 44mm: Graphite, Silver 40mm: Graphite, Gold	Armor Aluminum case Sport Band 44mm: Graphite, Silver, Sapphire 40mm: Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold
Battery	44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging	47mm: 410mAh 43mm: 284mAh WPC-based wireless charging
Processor	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz	Samsung Exynos W920 Dual-core 1.8GHz
RAM	2GB	1.5GB
Storage	16GB	16GB
Connectivity	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo	LTE Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
Sensors	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
Durability	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H
Software	Wear OS 4 One UI 5 Watch	Wear OS 3 One UI Watch
Compatibility	Android	Android 10

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Design

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 appear largely the same, especially at a glance. In fact, Samsung’s sporty base models have retained a consistent design for the past few years. Like the Galaxy Watch 5, the 6 is still available in two aluminum case sizes, 44mm and 40mm, each paired with a silicone sport band. Both models also feature flat displays, oversized lugs, and a single button.

However, a closer look shows the newest generation boasts the largest displays yet on a Galaxy Watch series. Both case sizes received a boost with the 44mm model’s display measuring in at 1.5 inches and the 40mm model close behind at 1.3 inches. The devices even ship with brand new native watch faces for making the most of the added real estate. Naturally, both displays received a bump in resolution as well.

Despite their larger Super AMOLED displays, the Galaxy Watch 6 cases are also slightly thinner and lighter. Samsung accomplished this by decreasing the bezels to enlarge the screens, rather than increasing the case size.

Flipping the watch over, the Galaxy Watch 6 features a new button mechanism for swapping bands. This should make the process of switching up your look even easier. Fortunately, the watch is still compatible with the same bands as the Galaxy Watch 5 if you decide to upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Features

There are no new sensors on the Galaxy Watch 6, nor did we get a sweeping redesign or a packed list of internal upgrades. On paper, a Galaxy Watch 6 vs 5 comparison suggests iterative improvement. Since the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic are nearly identical experiences besides the Classic model’s rotating bezel, all three watches should offer fairly similar experiences. On the other hand, the headlining update is Wear OS 4, which should usher in plenty of software advancements.

In 2022, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 launched with Wear OS 3 and Samsung One UI Watch 4.5. The Galaxy Watch 6 lands with Wear OS 4 (and is the first smartwatch to do so!) and One UI Watch 5. Naturally, these updates will roll back to the older model as well, but out of the box, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers a lot to like.

On the health front, Samsung promises improved heart rate tracking so users can detect irregular heart rhythms. Heart rate accuracy will also be utilized in activity tracking where users can view heart rate zones based on their intensity. This isn’t the only improvement Samsung made to fitness tracking, as the watches also had a Track Run workout mode and a few other improvements.

Overnight, the Galaxy Watch 6 will collect additional sleep-tracking data and offers improved sleep coaching. For those who menstruate, both generations feature a temperature sensor that offers more accurate and useful data for cycle tracking. This was originally introduced on the Galaxy Watch 5 lineup and we’re glad to see Samsung keep the sensor on board. Now, starting with the Galaxy Watch 6 series, Samsung also introduced a new Thermo Check app. This app allows users to easily measure the temperature of their environment, from swimming pools to reheated meals. The app is only available on the Galaxy Watch 6 series, though it will later be expanded to Galaxy Watch 5 series devices as well.

There are also a number of smartwatch features users can now access thanks to Wear OS 4. With compatible phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the latest Galaxy Watches offer enhanced control of the camera on your paired smartphone from your watch. For faster checkouts, the devices add the Samsung Wallet app, which combines Samsung Pay with Samsung Pass so users can make payments, save tickets, or show IDs right from their wrists. There are also a number of improvements to popular apps such as MyFitnessPal, Peloton, Gmail, and more.

As mentioned, Galaxy Watch 6 features a slightly larger battery than its predecessors. According to Samsung, this increased capacity, as well as some performance improvements and a new processor, should leave users with longer battery life between chargers. The Watch 6 also comes with an improved processor and an extra .5GB of RAM — check out all the specs in the table above.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Price and colors

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series launched starting at $279 for a 40mm Bluetooth model. For a 44mm device, users paid $329. Samsung added $50 to both price tags to add LTE to either size. A year later, these watches can be found deeply discounted. This is to be expected as a new generation rolls out to tempt shoppers.

This year’s Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 devices launched at a slightly higher price point. Again, we’re not surprised as this small bump reflects similar shifts in the wearables market as a whole. A 40mm Bluetooth Galaxy Watch 6 starts at $299. The larger 44mm model starts at $329. The Galaxy Watch 6 is available now for pre-order and will officially hit shelves on August 11. If you do decide to preorder, you will receive one of Samsung’s new compatible fabric watch bands for free.

As for colorways, the larger Galaxy Watch 6 is available in either Graphite or Silver. The smaller model is available in Graphite or Gold. By contrast, the Galaxy Watch 5 launched in Silver, Graphite, Sapphire (44mm model only), and Pink Gold (40mm model only). This isn’t a significant difference as neither generation offers a ton of choice. However, if the Barbie movie has you itching for a pink device, you may want to shop for last year’s lineup.

Of course, either model can easily add a splash of color with a new watch band. This year Samsung released a new fabric band intended to offer a more comfortable fit for sleep tracking. The company also redesigned its band mechanism to introduce a new one-click system for swapping bands. Unfortunately, this means the Galaxy Watch 6 series is not compatible with older bands.

If you’re wondering how the new watches compare to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, the latter is still available albeit for $50 more than the Classic.

Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Which should you buy?

As is often the case when comparing two similar devices, the decision mostly boils down to budget. If you don’t need the absolute latest tech, the Galaxy Watch 5 is a fantastic smartwatch you can likely find on sale.

On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 6 may deliver better battery life and a more convenient user experience. Unless you desperately want a rotating bezel (and can afford to pay for it) the Galaxy Watch 6 is the best value of the latest lineup. It’s roughly $100 less than the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic but offers a very feature set.

However, if you already own the Galaxy Watch 5 and are considering upgrading to the latest Galaxy Watch 6, we’d say save your money for now. The Watch 5 is not outdated yet, as the upgrades offered by its successor aren’t massive.

Which base model Samsung Galaxy Watch catches your interest? Will you be upgrading? Let us know in the poll below.

What was old is new again — again. On top of updates to its Galaxy Z Flip and Fold and refreshes to its Galaxy Tab line, Samsung announced an improved pair of wearables, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic, as part of Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023. The two smartwatches offer some new features and the return of some old favorites, but are they worth the investment? We got to go hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic for some first impressions.

Spin it right round

We’re at the beginning of a new era. Not necessarily because Samsung packed heaps of innovation into its Galaxy Watch 6 series, but rather because it fixed one of the least popular decisions of the Galaxy Watch 5 series. That’s right — the rotating bezel is back. It’s a perfect example of Samsung rewinding to a beloved design, kind of like Apple bringing back ports and ditching the Touch Bar on its recent MacBook Pro models.

Although there’s no denying that the bezel is back, Samsung’s new rotating bezel isn’t an exact copy of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Rather, the new and improved bezel is 15% smaller than before, offering a border around your watch face that’s 30% smaller. The untrained — and even the trained — eye might not notice much difference, but it’s good to see Samsung pushing the boundaries (literally) in small ways with its newest smartwatches.

As with previous generations, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic come in two case sizes. If you opt for the base model, you can pick between 40mm and 44mm, while the Classic is larger at 43mm or 47mm. You’re more likely to notice the smaller border on the base Galaxy Watch 6, partly thanks to the fact that Samsung has a few new watch faces to accentuate the feature. We didn’t get to cycle through them all during our time with the device, but there’s plenty of room for customization.

Mentioning customization, Samsung’s most important update might not have anything to do with the display or bezel at all. Instead, the decision to adopt quick-release watch bands is a game changer. Rather than fiddling with a tiny little pin on each side of the 20mm band, Samsung now offers designs with a pill-shaped button for easy press and release. It’s still a little tricky to insert the watch band the first time, but I got used to it after just a few minutes with the Watch 6 Classic. Band junkies will also be happy to know that Samsung announced a new fabric band designed to be more comfortable for sleeping.

Watch band fans rejoice — quick-release connections and softer sleep bands go a long way.

Some of the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic’s most significant changes from the Galaxy Watch 5 lie inside. Both models now feature Samsung’s in-house Exynos 930 chipset to keep the lights on and slightly larger batteries. The smaller Samsung watches (40mm Watch 6 and 43mm Watch 6 Classic) get 16mAh bumps to an even 300mAh, while their larger counterparts (44mm Watch 6 and 47mm Watch 6 Classic) grow by 15mAh to 425 mAh. Both batteries still fall well short of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro’s 590mAh capacity, so you’ll want to stick with the previous generation if battery life matters most. On the bright side, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is sticking around, so that remains an option.

The new Galaxy Watch 6 series also features a few health-tracking improvements based on the BioActive Sensor, including temperature-based menstrual cycle tracking. We didn’t have time to test many of these new metrics during our hour or so with the device, so you’ll have to come back to learn more in the full review.

Winning the Wear OS race

The quest for unified software on Wear OS smartwatches is well-documented at this point. Everyone was headed in their direction, at least until Google and Samsung teamed up to resurrect Wear OS — kind of like the return of the rotating bezel, no? Now, Samsung has taken the lead, making its Galaxy Watch 6 series the first to launch with Wear OS 4 onboard and the One UI 5 skin. The latest version of Wear OS is based on Android 13, which was mainly a refinement of Android 12’s laundry list of changes. Using the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic doesn’t feel like an all-new experience, but it’s a bit more refined.

In the long term, Wear OS 4 and One UI 5 should be more efficient than the current Wear OS 3.5 platform, which  means better battery life. Samsung also pointed out that you no longer have to fully reset your watch when swapping from one device to the next, which is a meaningful change, even if you don’t have to take advantage of it very often. We’ll have to wait and see if Samsung brings some Material You-style theming to its Galaxy Watch 6 series — as if you needed even more room for customization.

Samsung is first in line for Wear OS 4, with plenty of health tracking and mobile payment features in tow.

No matter what Wear OS 4 brings or doesn’t bring, Samsung has already confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic feature improvements to workout autodetection for running, rowing, and swimming, as well as personalized VO2 Max heart rate zones depending on your effort. Once again, we didn’t have a chance to test the auto-detect accuracy during our brief session with the Galaxy Watch 6 series.

Samsung Wallet also gets a pretty big boost, offering full-scale support for mobile payments, membership cards, and transit passes without an attached phone. A few new features also require you to pair your Galaxy Watch 6 with one of Samsung’s foldables. If you open your phone’s camera in Flex Mode, you’ll automatically get a notification on your watch asking if you want to use it as a remote viewfinder and shutter button. It worked quickly and accurately during my testing, and the three-second timer is long enough to set up those group selfies.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Specs

	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Display	44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal	47mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal 43mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432 resolution Full color Always On Display Sapphire Crystal
Dimensions and weight	44mm: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0mm 33.3g 40mm: 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0mm 28.7g	47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9mm, 59.0g 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9mm, 52.0g
Colors and materials	Armor Aluminum case with Sport Band 44mm: Graphite, Silver 40mm: Graphite, Gold	Stainless Steel case with Hybrid Eco-Leather Band 47mm: Black, Silver 43mm: Black, Silver
Battery	44mm: 425mAh 40mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging	47mm: 425mAh 43mm: 300mAh WPC-based wireless charging
Processor	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz	Samsung Exynos W930 Dual-core 1.4GHz
RAM	2GB	2GB
Storage	16GB	16GB
Connectivity	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo	LTE Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz NFC GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo
Sensors	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)	Accelerometer Barometer Gyroscope Geomagnetic sensor Light sensor Temperature sensor 3D Hall sensor Samsung BioActive sensor: optical heart rate (PPG), electric heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
Durability	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H	5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810H
Software	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch	Wear OS powered by Samsung (Wear OS 4) One UI 5 Watch
Compatibility	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM	Android 10 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 hands-on impressions: Turning back the clock

It’s not easy to craft a refined opinion of a smartwatch after just an hour with it. There are too many time-sensitive software features and health-tracking metrics that I can’t form an opinion on quite yet. However, what I can do is praise Samsung for taking a step in the right direction — even if that means a step backward. It’s good to see a company listen to feedback and bring back one of the best features from previous generations in the rotating bezel.

I spent nearly all of my time with the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic using that bezel for navigation, rarely defaulting to the touch screen. Sure, you have to use the touch screen to type out messages and emails, but the rotating bezel is often more precise when scrolling through menus — unless you have slender piano fingers. I do not, so I’ll keep spinning the bezel to get around.

Sometimes progress means going backward — and that's okay.

At the end of the day, you’re probably wondering whether or not you should pick up the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Well, that’s a tricky question to answer. It’s great to see Samsung bring back a beloved design feature, yet there’s nothing life-changing to love about either watch. If you have a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you may want to upgrade depending on how your current watch is holding up, while most Galaxy Watch 5 wearers are probably perfectly content with the watch they already have.

With prices staying right around the previous generation, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic are some of the best smartwatches to pair with your Samsung Galaxy smartphone. They may not offer mind-blowing innovations, but sometimes the best way forward is a step back.

Wearables may be boasting durability stats left and right, but at the end of the day, they’re still made of breakable parts, and that includes the Apple Watch. They’re also built to be strapped on all day, so accidental bumps are largely inevitable. With this in mind, I purchased a Spigen Thin Fit protective case to help keep my Apple Watch Series 8 in tip-top shape. I had doubts, and I still wouldn’t rock the accessory to every outing, but I did build an unexpected habit that this case makes very convenient.

Small enough for small wrists

To set the stage, I have what can only be described as narrow wrists. I’d like to think they are proportionate to my arms, but I’ve never asked anyone. Either way, most smartwatches appear oversized on my wrists, making the idea of adding extra bulk to my everyday wearable an unattractive one. That is until I tested the Spigen Thin Fit case for my Apple Watch Series 8.

Spigen makes a variety of Apple Watch Series 8 accessories ranging from bumpers and cases to ultra-thin screen protectors. I chose the Spigen Thin Fit Apple Watch case because I was hoping to keep my watch as true to its original dimensions as possible, while still offering extra protection. In an ideal world, I wanted a covert case that I’d hardly notice.

While it will definitely add millimeters to your Apple Watch Series 8, the Spigen Thin Fit is relatively unobtrusive.

As you can see above, I’m not fooling anyone. However, the case is certainly thin compared to others I’ve tested, and its sleek finish doesn’t draw unwanted attention. It still fits easily under typical sleeves as well as under my tighter rash guards. I wore the case during multiple workouts and it didn’t feel heavy during exercise. In fact, the downside of its lightweight design is that I can’t blame the case when I bail on weightlifting after only a few sets.

A part-time relationship with protection

And yet, despite its minimalist design, what I really love about the Spigen Thin Fit is how easily it pops on and off. The case simply clips onto your watch face without the need to remove your watch band or make any other adjustments. This is a game changer for me because now I don’t have to balance aesthetics with durability. When I’m gearing up for a hike, house chores, or a workout with equipment, I clip into my case and feel an extra sense of security. Three days later, when I’m dressed up for a rare night out, I pop it back off and throw it in my pocket, bag, or cup holder. In other words, the case makes it easy to have protection when you need it without committing to extra bulk when you don’t.

The watch case clips right onto your watch face without the need to remove your watch band.

Personally, I wouldn’t sport this watch case as a wedding guest or to a job interview. It amplifies the sporty aesthetic of the Apple Watch, putting out a vibe I’m not always trying to give off. However, it’s plenty comfortable, very affordable, and extremely convenient. Short of actively trying to damage my watch, it stood up to everything I put it through during this Spigen Thin Fit review and still looks brand new.

Its raised bezel gives my display an extra boost of protection and doesn’t impede on the screen real estate in the slightest. It’s still just as easy to swipe through my apps and stats as it is without a case on. Its precise cutouts preserve access to your digital crown, and the back button has a specified protective cover. It also doesn’t have to be removed for charging, thanks to its backless design.

Affordable care

Most importantly, the Spigen Thin Fit is an easy investment because it’s easy on the wallet. The watch case rings up at just $18. Less than 20 bucks is a small price to pay to protect a nearly $400 wearable.

The case is also available in black or Starlight as well as translucent in case you want to keep your original case color on display. I opted for the black model, so I can’t speak as to how clear the translucent design stays over time. Clear accessories can sometimes yellow as they age, but others reviewed Spigen’s translucent option favorably. The Starlight colorway matches Apple’s original Starlight finish.

The Spigen Thin Fit does not, however, incorporate a screen protector. If you want extra durability across your display, you will need to purchase one separately. Fortunately, a multipack of screen protectors is easy to find for under $10.

Spigen Thin Fit for Apple Watch Series 8 review: The best basic case for the Series 8

I’m still not someone who wants to wear a case twenty-four-seven. In the Spigen Thin Fit, however, I found the perfect solution. The case is thin enough to blend into my day-to-day wear to the extent that I forgot I was wearing it on multiple occasions. Then, with its snap-on snap-off construction, it’s easy to leave behind when I want an even sleeker look. In other words, it lets me effortlessly moonlight as someone who takes great care of their tech.

The Spigen Thin Fit case is a reliable bumper-style Apple Watch case for anyone who wants convenient protection, but there are plenty of options available.

That said, the Spigen Thin Fit case isn’t the only one out there. It’s not even the only option from Spigen. For a more robust full-time watch case, the Spigen Rugged Armor ( ) offers more durability and a bulkier look. Meanwhile, the Otterbox All Day Cover ( ) is made from recycled materials and comes in a variety of colors. Retailers such as Amazon carry tons of cases ranging from simple bumpers to designs that even incorporate built-in watch bands.

Depending on your budget, how you use your Apple Watch, and your personal style, it’s worth shopping around. If you’re looking for something basic and adaptable to your whims, I highly recommend the Spigen Thin Fit.

When it comes to my loyalty and finger-based wearables, Oura has, as they say, put a ring on it. The Oura Ring 3 does a lot of things really well while taking up very little space or brain power. With hardly any competition to speak of, it’s enjoying a steady lead in the smart ring arena too. However, that may be about to change as Samsung reportedly prepares to launch a smart ring of its own, and given the company’s successful smartwatch lineups, the Samsung name should ring a bell (pun intended). My hope is that Samsung looks to the Oura Ring for features to emulate and faults to avoid on the potentially incoming Samsung Galaxy Ring.

My favorite part of the Oura Ring is its lack of distractions. I don’t want a bright screen or haptic alerts, as the idea of only my pointer finger randomly buzzing actually unsettles me. Instead, I value that everything happens behind the scenes on the Oura Ring, effectively turning my tracker into a piece of jewelry. I can rely on the Oura app when I do want information and ignore it when I don’t.

I hope Samsung keeps its device equally simple and pairs it with a digestible companion app. Since I am not the biggest fan of the Samsung Health app, I already have my fingers crossed we’ll see an overhaul with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. For example, I was happy to see Samsung team up with Natural Cycles on its latest Galaxy smartwatches. Oura utilizes the same partnership to provide very useful cycle tracking analysis that I consider a major strength of the wearable. I would hope Samsung will continue to prioritize this facet of health tracking on its smart ring as well. If so, it should look to Oura for best practices in presenting the data effectively.

Samsung should emulate the Oura Ring's distraction-free user experience and excellent companion app.

Samsung should also take a close look at how Oura handles push notifications. I love being reminded to charge before bed or congratulated for reaching a goal. Yet, I never feel inundated with smartphone notifications or bullied by prompts. Oura nails both frequency and effectiveness.

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Despite its hands-off approach, Oura still manages to direct users towards better shuteye. This makes sense considering it started as a sleep tracker. The company provides an exceptional sleep-tracking platform, recording everything from sleep stages and heart rate to movement and breathing regularity. Oura then consolidates all of your data into a single score so you can easily access at-a-glance feedback. Personally, I like to review this number first thing so I can justify how exhausted I will look in the mirror once my contacts are in. You can also review your trends and historical data in the Oura app and even track related activities and habits. This helps users analyze how lifestyle choices may be impacting their rest.

Oura also offers some of the best sleep tracking available, a component that would be great to see on the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

All of these overnight features would be exciting to see on the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Samsung has certainly made strides in terms of overnight metrics, adding tons of features in the past two years. However, it still doesn’t boast the level of accuracy or usability Oura offers. I’m hopeful the promised sleep tracking upgrades of One UI 5 on Galaxy watches will elevate Samsung’s offerings and imagine that would carry over to a ring-based wearable from the company as well.

In addition to improving its own tools, Samsung can also learn from some of the shortcomings we noted in our Oura Ring 3 review. To start, I would love to see a thinner build that doesn’t feel like such a statement piece. As impressive as teeny-tiny smart ring tech is, I want it even smaller. Not a single wearable I own garners as many comments as the Oura Ring. Most of them revolve around the misconception that I’m wearing my husband’s wedding band. A smaller ring would also be a better fit at the gym. The Oura Ring digs into my finger bones when I try to wear it weight lifting. It’s even more painful during an attempted (and often failed) pull-up. I had to take it off to play tennis and I imagine pickleball would be the same.

As small as the Oura Ring is as a wearable, it's still quite big as a ring, and very uncomfortable for certain forms of exercise.

In fact, I would like to see Samsung improve the Oura Ring’s fitness functionality in general. Samsung should perfect automatic workout detection and beef up the Oura Ring’s offering of metrics tracked for athletes. This would help separate the device from Oura’s comfort zone and make it a stronger fitness-tracking band alternative. More post-workout stats and training tools would help the Samsung Galaxy Ring appeal to a similar demographic as Samsung smartwatches. That said, I will be very disappointed if the ring echoes the watch line’s walled-garden approach of keeping key health metrics limited to Samsung phone users. With potential SmartThings compatibility rumored, I really hope the Samsung Smart Ring doesn’t become an ecosystem exclusive. I don’t expect Samsung to play nice with iPhones, but the smart ring needs to be a viable buy for all Android users, not just Samsung loyalists.

Whether your handicap is in the single digits or you’re just breaking in your first pair of gloves, a dedicated golf watch is a useful way to dig into your stats and improve your game. For the most powerful picks, we turn to a trusted brand. Before you swing another club, check out the best Garmin golf watches you can buy right now.

The best Garmin golf watches

Garmin watches are among the most trusted wearables available, especially when it comes to fitness tracking and GPS accuracy. Garmin is also well-known for its dedicated devices engineered for particular activities. In this case, we round up the best Garmin watches for golfers. Each of the company’s golf watches below are loaded with tools and features to help you tee off with every advantage.

Garmin Approach S70: The best Garmin golf watch

The Garmin Approach S70 is the best pick from Garmin’s Approach lineup and quite possibly one of the best golf watches available anywhere. With a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, the lightweight wearable ships with over 43,000 preloaded golf courses and all the tools you need to make par. These include Garmin favorites like Virtual Caddie and Green Contour, plus everything from hazard views and plays like data to 24/7 health and activity tracking beyond the clubhouse. In fact, this is Garmin’s first Approach device to feature a nearly full set of the company’s wellness tracking tools. Considering it’s built to be worn all day, we’re also grateful to see the impressive battery spec of up to 16 days in smartwatch mode. On that front, the device supports smart features such as notifications, onboard music storage, and Garmin Pay.

Opinion post by

Kaitlyn Cimino

It’s that time of year when the next best thing in wearables isn’t just a pipe dream, it’s right around the corner. For Samsung, all eyes are on the trickle of leaks linked to the Galaxy Watch 6. We’ve seen model numbers and we’ve seen potential specs, but the most exciting rumor to catch my attention is that of a possible rotating bezel. The fan-favorite feature hasn’t been seen on wrists since 2021’s Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and was completely absent in last year’s lineup. If Samsung reincarnates the rotating bezel on the incoming Galaxy Watch 6, I’ll be hard-pressed not to upgrade.

As the smudges across my tablet suggest, I’m not shy when it comes to touchscreens. On a smartwatch, however, the significantly smaller target area often results in miss-taps and frustration, especially if I’m already winded from a workout I never felt like starting.

The tactile experience of a rotating bezel offers more effective navigation than a touchscreen bezel.

A rotating bezel offers much more effective navigation with satisfying ticks as you hone in on your objective. Who doesn’t love tactile confirmation that they’re breezing through apps and menus? I can’t emphasize enough how much it appeals to my brain for there to be a direct relationship between what I do and what happens within the UI with minimal margin of error.

A touch bezel also disrupts a clean screen when sweat and lotions enter the scene. I wouldn’t say I have especially sweaty fingertips, but my love affair with sunblock inevitably leaves my hands unseemly greasy. Unfortunately, I’m most often lathering up for the exact activities I want to record on my fitness-tracking Galaxy Watch. Or I’m doing yard work and want access to my texts when my partner buzzes that lunch is ready. Without a rotating bezel, I spend entirely too much time sifting through eyeglass cases looking for a microfiber cloth. Plus, the raised bezel protects the display from side impacts offering an extra level of durability. Of course, the flip side is that moving parts are always more susceptible to damage. However, my Galaxy Watch 4 Classic has held up great for the past two years.

On a more personal level, I like the way a watch with a bezel looks. If I am going to jump ship from a rectangular Apple Watch, a round device needs to check one of these two boxes:

• It is excessively more equipped in terms of training tools (like a Garmin watch),
• It appeals to my impulsive nostalgia for simpler times.

Since I don’t personally consider the Galaxy Watch at Garmin’s level, my Samsung sweet spot is a Galaxy Watch that satisfies me aesthetically. Samsung’s classic lineup is more traditional than the sporty vibe of an unimpeded AMOLED display. Plus, I feel like a spy spinning a mechanism through widgets and data screens as if I’m doing something heroic rather than checking how high my heart rate shot up after seeing a cockroach.

Simply put, a rotating bezel isn’t just attractive, it’s useful. It offers all the benefits already mentioned while elevating the device’s core aesthetic. It helps Samsung stand out from a growing field of Wear OS alternatives because of its utility. This is in contrast to watches that feature a raised bezel solely for appearances. The TicWatch 5 Pro, for example, looks all kinds of elegant, but its components are hopelessly static.

Compared to the TicWatch 5 Pro's just-for-looks bezel, Samsung's operational design promotes both function and form.

Of course, a rotating bezel isn’t for everyone. Any time you introduce a bezel it can cut into display space and add to the bulk of your device. It can catch on long sleeves when you’re in a hurry to see your stats, especially compared to something as sleek and minimalist as the Google Pixel Watch. I’d direct shoppers with those concerns to the Galaxy Watch 6 base models instead. For me, a functioning bezel is worth the potential drawbacks.

As always with new generations, I’m making the large assumption that this year’s model will one-up the existing flagship. For me, a rotating bezel would give the Galaxy Watch 6 a healthy edge over other smartwatches in the market. Paired with enough software improvements, it might be enough for the company to make a repeat appearance atop the best wearables of the year list.

Opinion post by

Kaitlyn Cimino

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 should hit wrists in the next month or so, and we’re much more excited to try it on than our summer swimwear. The presumably attractive device arrives still riding the coattails of a very successful Galaxy Watch 5 series. We’ve even heard rumors that we might get everyone’s favorite rotating bezel back. But one feature I personally won’t be stoked to see unimproved is Samsung Health. The companion app holds Samsung back from playing at the same level as competitors and we’re jonesing for another Wear OS watch that can tap into Fitbit’s ecosystem instead.

To be fair, Samsung Health is a viable platform for covering the basics. It’s a solid app for setting goals, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and keeping an eye on your activity stats. However, the app can be unreliable and inconsistent. Users lament wonky data, missed steps, and imperfect sleep tracking. It’s also lacking the depth shoppers can find on more robust platforms, like Apple’s or Garmin’s. Actually, compared to Garmin’s data-heavy companion app, Samsung Health is elementary at best.

The Samsung Health app remains too rudimentary compared to the platforms offered by competitors like Apple or Garmin.

What’s even less convenient is that Samsung Health doesn’t play well with others. Instead, it limits third-party app compatibility. If you want your Galaxy Watch 6 to track data beyond what Samsung Health has to offer, you may be out of luck. Some of my colleagues have even resorted to double-wristing, (one of our favorite wearable terms), sporting a Galaxy Watch on one arm and a second tracker on the other, to get the best of both worlds.

As of now, Galaxy Watch users can access Google Fit tiles but, in our opinion, these are a step in the wrong direction. We know Samsung can’t plug users into the Apple or Garmin ecosystem, but it does seem like there’s at least one more option in the Wear OS board room: Fitbit. Fitbit is a trusted and reliable industry leader when it comes to fitness tracking. Its app is user-friendly and compatible with many popular third-party platforms. I wish Fitbit hadn’t dropped its social features and challenges, but for personal tracking, it’s still a favorite of mine and many on the Android Authority team. Plus, in a world where too many are battling insomnia, anxiety, stress, and sleep deprivation, Fitbit offers some of the best sleep-tracking analyses out there.

Access to the Fitbit app on a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 would significantly broaden the user experience and lengthen the list of prospective shoppers.

When the Pixel Watch teased onboard Fitbit apps and integration, I imagined a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, the device had some first-generation kinks to iron out, which meant the Galaxy Watch retained its market lead. This year, if Google keeps Fitbit as a Pixel Watch exclusive, it may put the Galaxy Watch at a huge disadvantage. More to the point, if a new and improved Pixel Watch 2 were to launch, it could usurp Samsung as our top pick for Wear OS devices. When you consider all of the smart features Fitbit watches have dropped the reality is even bleaker. The Pixel Watch is really the only device offering a true smartwatch experience plus Fitbit’s health and fitness tracking.

On the other hand, there’s no chance Samsung sweet talks its way into Google’s pocket and gets Fitbit to itself. What’s more plausible (not necessarily likely, but not impossible), is that Google-owned Fitbit eventually becomes available on all Wear OS devices. I wasn’t blown away by the latest TicWatch or Fossil companion apps, to take to recent examples, so Fitbit as a staple of the Android experience is an attractive prospect.

Narrowing back in on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Fitbit integration would be a significant play. I’m not going to hold my breath for it though. Instead, I’d settle for the new series landing with improvements to the existing health app. Its current 3.5-star rating in the Google Play Store is ugly, but not undeserved. It’s especially concerning for an app associated with something as pricey as a Galaxy Watch. In addition to reliable stats, we’re hoping for more thorough and personal analysis, digestible trends, and unique niche features.

To oversimplify, Garmin’s Forerunner 265 adds a fresh face to the already powerful Forerunner 255 feature set. Beyond their contrasting screens, the devices share many core features. In fact, a number of the new generation’s software updates will even roll back to the previous one, keeping the Garmin devices neck and neck. On the other hand, the 265 does pack a few important upgrades that differentiate the device from its older sibling. Find out which fitness tracker is the right pick for your wrist in this Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 265 comparison.

Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 265: At a glance

Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 265: Specs

	Garmin Forerunner 255/255S	Garmin Forerunner 265
Display	41mm: 1.1-inch MIP 218 x 218 resolution 46mm: 1.3-inch MIP 260 x 260 resolution	42mm: 1.1-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 360 x 360 resolution 46mm: 1.3-inch MIP 416 x 416 resolution
Dimensions and weight	41mm: 41 x 41 x 12.4mm 39g w/o strap Fits wrists 110-175mm 46mm: 45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9mm 49g w/o strap Fits wrists 130-205mm	42mm: 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9mm 40 w/o strap Fits wrists 115-178mm 46mm: 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9mm 46g w/o strap Fits wrists 135-205mm
Colors and materials	41mm: Color: Powder Gray or Light Pink Material: Gorilla Glass 3 display, Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, silicone strap 46mm: Color: Tidal Blue or Slate Gray Material: Gorilla Glass 3 display, Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, silicone strap	42mm: Color: Black/Amp Yello, Whitestone/Neo Tropic, or Light Pink/Powder Gray Material: Gorilla Glass 3 display, Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, silicone strap 46mm: Color: Whitestone/Tidal Blue, Black/Powder Gray, or Aqua/Black Material: Gorilla Glass 3 display, Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, silicone strap
Battery	41mm Up to 12 days in smartwatch mode Up to 26 hours in GPS-only GNSS mode Up to 20 hours in All-Systems GNSS mode 46mm: Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode Up to 30 hours in GPS-only GNSS mode Up to 25 hours in All-Systems GNSS Mode	42mm: Up to 15 days in smartwatch mode Up to 24 hours GPS-only GNSS mode Up to 15 hours in All-Systems GNSS mode 46mm: Up to 13 days in smartwatch mode Up to 20 hours in GPS-only GNSS mode Up to 14 hours in All-Systems GNSS Mode
Sensors	GPS GLONASS GALILEO Multi-Frequency Positioning Garmin Elevate Barometric Altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor	GPS GLONASS GALILEO Multi-Frequency Positioning Garmin Elevate Barometric Altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor
Durability	5ATM	5ATM
Connectivity	NFC Bluetooth Wi-Fi	NFC Bluetooth Wi-Fi
Compatibility	Android and iOS	Android and iOS

When comparing the Forerunner 255 vs 265, the most important thing to know is that both are great fitness trackers. During our Forerunner 255 review, we felt the device brought significant improvement to the Forerunner line with NFC support and upgraded sensors. Before it was outdone by the 265, we considered it the best midrange running watch you could buy.

Still, Garmin has a knack for giving users exactly what they ask for and the Forerunner 265 is a fantastic example. Running enthusiasts were eager for an AMOLED display on a device that wouldn’t break the bank and the Forerunner 265 fills that void. The new model features a vibrant, AMOLED touchscreen display, a major boost in resolution, and an updated UI that’s equally crisp. We found the user experience much cleaner and more enjoyable than that of a MIP display during our Garmin Forerunner 265 review. All-in-all, the change elevates Garmin’s mid-budget lineup to the aesthetic of a modern smartwatch, including an optional always-on mode.

The biggest differences between the Forerunner 255 and 265 are their respective displays and the availability of Garmin's Training Readiness.

Of course, the best part of any screen is the information you can access on it. On both generations, Garmin delivers tons of useful performance training metrics. These tools include everything from Body Battery, and Morning Report to Pace Pro, and much, much more. Even built-in running dynamics, which were introduced with the Forerunner 265, will roll back to the older generation.

The major exception that can only be found on the newest lineup is Training Readiness. This is a hugely beneficial tool for analyzing how prepared you are for a given workout. In our opinion, it’s a metric that alone might sway serious athletes to pick up the pricier new generation.

Fortunately, those athletes will also likely be able to find a solid fit as, like the previous model, the 265 series is still available in two sizes. The line’s 42mm and 46mm cases are just slightly larger than the 255’s 41mm and 44mm options. Unlike the previous model, however, the new lineup includes offline music storage as standard so there’s no longer the need to pay extra for a Music edition.

As far as a Forerunner 255 vs 265 comparison in terms of power, battery life isn’t significantly different between the two devices. A bright, AMOLED display will always use up your battery faster and always-on mode will drain it quickest. Without always-on mode though, the 265 offers multi-week use between charges, just like its predecessor. The newest lineup didn’t bring wireless charging to the table, so either way, you’re left with a Garmin proprietary charging cable.

Finally, there are a few things missing on both lineups that are worth considering. Users won’t find an ECG-compatible heart rate sensor, (like on the Venu 2 Plus), in either generation. They also don’t offer fully-baked smartwatch experiences. Neither generation packs a speaker or microphone, so on-device voice calls are also a no-go.

Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 265: Price

At launch, the Garmin Forerunner 255 hit shelves listed at $349 for a standard model. A Music edition pulled an extra $50 from shoppers’ wallets. As mentioned above, either edition is available in two sizes, and pricing does not change based on the size you choose. As the devices are still fairly new, you may still find them priced around the same. On the other hand, Garmin devices tend to go on sale once a newer model is available.

When the Forerunner 265 landed, Garmin simplified the lineup by adding music storage as a base feature. This also simplified pricing to a single $449 cost across the board. The 265 and 265S offer the same experience and features, they’re simply different sizes. While yes, the upgraded lineup did receive a $50 price bump, the markup is pretty moderate compared to rising prices in the wearables market in general.

Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 265: Which should you buy?

The final call on the choice of a Forerunner 255 vs 265 comes down to personal preference and budget. Fortunately, either way, you’ll end up with a winning device. If an AMOLED display is a priority, the answer is easy. If you’re more interested in substance than style, the answer may be less decisive. Both generations pack tons of sport modes and training tools, plus accurate sensors backed by an incredible fitness-tracking platform.

Garmin is also known to support its devices for many years, so there’s no real risk in choosing the older tech. If you want to save some cash we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a Forerunner 255. On the flip side, Training Readiness is a unique and valuable tool for athletes. Anyone who wants every stat imaginable at their disposal should strongly consider the newer Forerunner 265. Even if you already own a Forerunner 255, Training Readiness alone might warrant an upgrade.

FAQs

Garmin Epix Pro review: At a glance

Should you buy the Garmin Epix Pro?

To the joy of petite and wide-wristed users everywhere, the Epix Pro is now available in three sizes: 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. These are the same sizes found in the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series which launched in tandem. As when Garmin added a second size to its Instinct 2 lineup, I gratefully tip my hat to the company for more inclusive offerings.

With that out of the way, there are plenty of treats in both the new Epix and Fenix goodie bags. I already covered many in our Fenix 7 Pro review, but I’ll touch on a few quickly as a refresher:

• Endurance Score and Hill Score: Two new metrics for advanced training, Endurance Score measures users’ capacity to sustain performance, while Hill Score measures users’ power and strength on incline grades greater than 2%.
• Weather map overlays: While very cool, weather overlays can only be accessed from the weather widget. They are not displayed over in-use maps like during a hike, which is what we were hoping to see.
• Split screen and perimeter data pages: Additional screen views keep stats in view alongside maps so you’re not left toggling between data and directions.
• Relief shading on maps: Automatically added to all maps, relief shading makes it easier to interpret the landscapes you’re covering.
• New sport modes: 30 additional activity modes include a slew of team sports as well as more niche modes like motocross.

Since all the above can be found on both multisport lines, distinguishing between the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models primarily boils down to display. On the Epix Pro, users will find a bright, colorful AMOLED touchscreen. The Fenix Pro opts for a Memory in Pixel (MIP) display in order to stretch battery life. That display also harnesses and taps into solar charging which the Epix Pro does not. On the other hand, the Epix Pro offers fast charging that will power up your device in under an hour, which the Fenix 7 Pro, unfortunately, does not.

The Epix Pro line also adds Garmin’s LED flashlight which I already loved on the Fenix 7 Pro; a flashlight strapped to your wrist is more useful than you’d think. Whether you love to camp or just regularly rely on your cell phone to light up your garage, the Epix Pro now has you covered.

In addition to this popular feature, the Epix Pro also adds another tool for late-night use. Tucked into the Garmin Epix Pro’s control menu users will now find Red Shift Mode (pictured above). This overlay turns everything on the screen into red-only hues, from the watch face to training metrics, to the deepest menu you can find. The idea of course is that red light preserves night vision. This is the type of feature that won’t get field minutes from every user. Those who do use it though will love the convenience. Plus, even if you just want to feel like part of a tactical unit at 2 AM on the way to the bathroom, Red Shift Mode is the play.

Back to the hardware, the Epix Pro packs a brand-new Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor. In addition to updating its algorithms, Garmin spaced out the sensor’s LEDs for better accuracy, especially during workouts with more wrist movement. After one week of testing, it’s clear that space is ace. The sensor proved highly accurate compared to my chest strap throughout this Garmin Epix Pro review, including during weight lifting and circuit training.

At present, Garmin’s ECG app is still only available on the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, but it seems likely this updated sensor package could support that feature in the future as well. For now, the heart rate accuracy, coupled with multi-band GNNS support across the board, makes this a fantastic fitness tracker. GPS routes recorded by my Epix Pro were some of the most accurate I’ve dug into.

Finally expanded beyond its 47mm profile, the Epix Pro series puts a beautiful display, an accurate heart rate sensor, an LED flashlight, and tons of advanced training tools onto the wrists of athletes of all sizes.

Finally, the Epix Pro also offers substantially updated battery life on its biggest watch. The 51mm model will now last up to 31 days in smartwatch mode or 58 hours in GPS only. This is outstanding performance for a device with an AMOLED display. With my miniature wrists, I tested the 42mm option instead which features a much smaller cell, and its own more humble battery life specs. Still, the watch easily made it three to four days with about an hour of GPS workouts per day. If you don’t mind disabling the always-on display, Garmin claims up to 10 days between charges.

All of that said, the Epix Pro isn’t without its quirks. Primarily, the new training features don’t seem fully baked just yet. It’s also very possible that more data and workouts will improve that experience though so I’m not overly worried. Notably, all new software features will also roll back to the previous generation. Upgrading from the Gen 2 is only worthwhile if you’d love an alternative case size or if your heart’s set on a flashlight (which we fully support).

What are the best Garmin Epix Pro alternatives?

The Epix Pro isn’t the only option for athletes looking for a powerful fitness companion. Check out a few of these alternatives as well.

• Garmin Epix (Gen 2) ( ): The Epix Pro’s older sibling, the Epix (Gen 2) comes in just one case size and won’t have the same heart rate sensor or built-in flashlight. However, it’s a formidable device now likely to go on sale.
• Garmin Forerunner 965 ( ): A Garmin wearable with an equally attractive AMOLED display, the Forerunner 965 is our top recommendation for dedicated runners.
• Fenix 7 Pro ( ): Though the 51mm Epix Pro offers an impressive battery, true endurance athletes looking for hours and hours of GPS tracking will still likely find the Fenix 7 Pro a better fit with its MIP display and solar charging.
• Apple Watch Ultra ( ): The best smartwatch for adventurous iOS users remains the Apple Watch Ultra. It doesn’t offer the same level of training features, but it’s a durable device with accurate tracking tools.

Garmi Epix Pro specs 

	Garmin Epix Pro
Display	42mm: 1.2-inch AMOLED 390 x 390 47mm: 1.3-inch AMOLED 416 x 416 51 mm: 1.4-inch AMOLED 454 x 454
Input	Five face buttons Touchscreen
Lens material	Standard model: Corning Gorilla Glass Sapphire model: Sapphire crystal
Dimensions and weight	42mm: 42 x 42x 14.2mm Standard model: 63g (with band) Sapphire model stainless steel: 63g (with band) Sapphire model titanium: 58g (with band) 47mm: 47 x 47 x 14.6mm Standard model: 78g (with band) Sapphire model: 70g (with band) 51 mm: 51 x 51 x 15.0mm Standard model: 98g (with band) Sapphire model: 88g(with band)
Build materials	Bezel Standard model: Stainless steel Sapphire model: Stainless steel or titanium Case Standard model: Fiber-reinforced polymer with steel rear cover Sapphire model: Fiber-reinforced polymer with steel rear cover
Battery	42mm: Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on) Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days GPS only: Up to 28 hours (20 hours always-on) All satellite systems: Up to 21 hours (16 hours always-on) All satellite systems + multi-band: Up to 13 hours (10 hours always-on) All satellite systems + music: Up to 6 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 49 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 9 days 47mm: Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (6 days always-on) Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 21 days GPS only: Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on) All satellite systems: Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on) All satellite systems + multi-band: Up to 20 hours (15 hours always-on) All satellite systems + music: Up to 10 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 75 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days 51mm: Smartwatch mode: Up to 31 days (11 days always-on) Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 41 days GPS only: Up to 82 hours (58 hours always-on) All satellite systems: Up to 62 hours (48 hours always-on) All satellite systems + multi-band: Up to 38 hours (17 hours always-on) All satellite systems + music: Up to 17 hours Max battery GPS: Up to 145 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 27 days
IP rating	10ATM
Sensors	Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor (Gen 5) GPS GLONASS Galileo Beidou Multi-band GNSS Barometric altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient light sensor Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
Connectivity	Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi
Storage	32GB
Compatibility	Android, iOS
Garmin Pay	Yes
Smartwatch features	Connect IQ-compatible Smartphone notifications Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only) Controls smartphone music Plays and controls smartwatch music Find my phone/find my watch Incident Detection LiveTrack

Garmin Epix Pro review: FAQ

Opinion post by

Ryan Haines

It’s no secret that I prefer Garmin’s wearables to their rivals from Apple, Samsung, or Google. I’ve praised Garmin’s battery life and operating system flexibility more times than I can count. Sure, I can admit that the Forerunner 965 and the Instinct 2x aren’t sleek enough for formal occasions, but there’s another essential reason that I keep going back to Garmin time and time again. That reason is that once I’ve set up a Garmin running watch once, I never have to do it again.

Set it and forget it

Few people switch phones as often as I do, which means that few people are likely to face the hurdle of setting up a new wearable as often as I do. However, once you get your smartwatch set up and finish navigating every last menu and feature, the last thing you want to do is start over from scratch. If you’re swapping from Android to iOS or from a Galaxy Watch to a new Fitbit, you probably start over pretty regularly. That’s not the case with Garmin.

Instead, Garmin keeps all your watches stored in your Connect account, letting you choose and manage them as easily as if you were choosing a pair of shoes for the day. That means opening the app and selecting from my list of watches each time I set up a new phone for review. I can focus on setting up the phone while knowing that my emergency contacts, sleep preferences, and Garmin Pay information are already in place. Honestly, the most I usually have to do is coordinate the watch face with my new phone for a little bit of extra continuity.

With Garmin, swapping between phones is about as easy as changing watch bands.

On top of the simplicity of saved settings, Garmin hangs onto your sleep tracking and health data from one wearable to the next, too. This is crucial, especially for keeping an eye on your HRV. It takes about three weeks to build a baseline for your HRV when you first set up a Garmin watch, so it would be a nightmare if I had to restart that clock each time I put on a new watch. Thankfully, all of that precious data — as well as your level of running fitness and your daily Body Battery — is stored in the Connect app.

Although the stored settings make the process much easier, I’ve noticed one little hiccup when pairing a watch with a new phone — Garmin’s Bluetooth connection is almost too good. My Forerunner 965 often wants to connect back to a previous phone and pick up notifications from that device rather than my shiny new one. It’s not as big of an issue with notifications from Slack or Twitter since I only have one account, but it does mean that Garmin sometimes tries to escape my text messages and phone calls.

Of course, this won’t matter for most people since few hold onto as many phones (or Garmin watches) as I do, but that’s part of my job. If you’re simply switching phones after an upgrade, you should have no problems keeping your Garmin connected to your current device once your old one is powered off.

A watch for any occasion… or ecosystem

There’s a popular saying about having the right tool for the job, which is the other benefit of Garmin’s setup flexibility. Pairing one phone with multiple watches can be as simple as pairing one watch with a few different phones. It also means you can dabble in other parts of Garmin’s expansive lineup and still know you have the most appropriate watch for each occasion.

Garmin's expansive lineup means you can always have the right wearable for the job.

For example, you probably wouldn’t wear your hiking and adventure-focused Garmin Instinct 2x to a wedding, just like you wouldn’t wear a Garmin Venu 2 Plus for a long camping trip. If you had both watches and one phone, you could just swap them on your device and keep your focus on the big day (or, in my case, the view from the top of the mountain). Or, if you’re a runner who splits time between roads and trails, you might bounce from your Forerunner 965 to your Fenix 7 Pro when weight and durability are your primary concerns.

By the way, Garmin’s setup simplicity still holds true if you’re switching from Android to iOS. Instead of spending extra cash on an Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy Watch for the extra dedicated features, you can bring your Garmin with its unbeatable battery life, pinpoint GPS, and simple setup process from one platform to another.

I won’t pretend that the Pixel Watch isn’t stylish or the Apple Watch Ultra isn’t among the best Apple products to date, but I’ll keep reaching for Garmin’s simplicity and flexibility every single time.

This morning, Samsung announced that irregular heart rate notifications will make their way to Galaxy Watches via the Samsung Health Monitor app. The new feature works to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) by monitoring users’ heart rates for irregularities. When an irregular heart rate is detected, users will receive a notification. This can clue them into concerns they may need to share with a doctor. As always, Samsung does not intend for the device to serve as a replacement for official medical care or to be relied on for detection or diagnosis of a serious condition. Instead, the new feature will help users keep a closer eye on their heart health between doctor visits.

Though the Samsung Galaxy Watch is far from the first wearable to provide irregular heart rate notifications, the feature is an exciting addition to Samsung’s health platform. It will arrive first on the new Galaxy Watch Series 6 models slated to land later this year with One UI 5 Watch on board. According to Samsung, it will then filter down to older models over time.

Of the more than 70 markets with access to the Samsung Health Monitor app, 13 will see irregular heart rate notifications starting this summer. The final list of eligible regions includes the US thanks to the feature’s clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration. Likewise, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved the feature as well.

In addition to the US and Korea, the following markets can expect to see the new feature:

• Argentina
• Azerbaijan
• Costa Rica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Georgia
• Guatemala
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Panama
• UAE

The market’s smallest wearable is making big moves. Today, Oura introduced Oura Circles, the company’s first foray into social engagement. The new feature allows Oura Ring ecosystem users to link up with friends and family to share daily scores and send in-app reactions to others’ data. It’s a significant feature for members interested in achieving health goals with accountability and encouragement.

To start, Oura users can now create or join up to 10 circles in the Oura app. Each circle may include up to 20 members. Within these communities, users can then choose which daily scores they would like to share — Readiness, Sleep, and/or Activity — and customize the frequency of their shares. For example, you can send out your Readiness score daily or as a weekly average. Custom settings can also vary from circle to circle and can be changed at any time.

Once members of your Oura Circle begin sharing scores, you can also send reactions. This allows you to encourage each others’ progress and celebrate achievements. Reactions consist of in-app emojis including a crown, heart, flame, and more. Sent emojis will appear in the Oura app for 24 hours next to the user’s name and stats.

Arriving alongside Oura Circles, Oura also announced its new sleep staging algorithm is now rolling out of Beta. The algorithm uses sleep data sets and reference polysomnography data to provide more accurate estimates of REM sleep, deep sleep, light sleep, latency, and timing. We already found Oura’s sleep tracking highly reliable during our Oura Ring 3 review, and it’s great to see the company continue to tweak and improve its accuracy further.