Galaxy Watch 5 vs 6 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Galaxy Watch 6 & Galaxy Watch 5 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Galaxy Watch 6 rather than the Galaxy Watch 5. 

Why Do I Recommend The Galaxy Watch 6

  • The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 features a powerful Exynos W930 processor with 2GB RAM, delivering faster performance, improved multitasking, and smoother app navigation compared to the Galaxy Watch 5’s Exynos W920 and 1.5GB RAM.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 boasts a 30% thinner bezel with a larger display, offering improved screen real estate, better readability, and a more immersive visual experience than the Galaxy Watch 5.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 supports Wear OS 4 with One UI Watch 5, providing enhanced app compatibility, smoother animations, and better battery optimization, unlike the Galaxy Watch 5 which launched with Wear OS 3.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 features 30% faster charging, ensuring you spend less time charging and more time using your smartwatch, unlike the Galaxy Watch 5’s slower charging speed.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 offers an improved heart rate sensor with enhanced accuracy, delivering better insights during workouts, stress monitoring, and overall heart health than the Galaxy Watch 5.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 introduces advanced sleep coaching with personalized tips and insights, providing deeper analysis and improved sleep tracking accuracy compared to the Galaxy Watch 5’s standard sleep tracking.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic brings back the physical rotating bezel, offering intuitive navigation that is absent in the Galaxy Watch 5, enhancing user experience for accessing menus and apps.
  • The Galaxy Watch 6 includes a one-click band swap mechanism, allowing users to easily change watch bands for style customization, while the Galaxy Watch 5 requires more effort to switch bands.

Maybe the Galaxy Watch 5 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Galaxy Watch 6. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureGalaxy Watch 6Galaxy Watch 5
Display Size1.3″ (40mm) / 1.5″ (44mm)1.2″ (40mm) / 1.4″ (44mm)
Resolution432 x 432 (40mm) / 480 x 480 (44mm)396 x 396 (40mm) / 450 x 450 (44mm)
Bezel Thickness30% thinner bezelsStandard bezel thickness
ProcessorExynos W930 (1.4GHz)Exynos W920 (1.18GHz)
RAM2GB1.5GB
Operating SystemWear OS 4 (One UI Watch 5)Wear OS 3 (One UI Watch 4.5)
Battery EfficiencyImproved efficiency with optimized power consumptionStandard power efficiency
Charging Speed30% faster chargingStandard charging speed
Heart Rate SensorEnhanced with improved accuracyStandard heart rate sensor
Skin Temperature SensorImproved accuracy for better insightsStandard accuracy
Sleep Tracking FeaturesAdvanced Sleep Coaching with personalized insightsBasic sleep tracking features
Design & BuildSlimmer, sleeker designSlightly thicker design
Rotating BezelAvailable in Classic ModelNo rotating bezel
Bluetooth VersionBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.2
Glass ProtectionSapphire Crystal GlassSapphire Crystal Glass
Watch Band DesignOne-click band mechanismTraditional band mechanism
WeightSlightly lighter designSlightly heavier design
Colors (Standard Model)Graphite, Gold, SilverGraphite, Sapphire, Pink Gold
Colors (Classic Model)Black, SilverN/A
PriceCheck Watch 6 PriceCheck Watch 5 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Build Material: Both smartwatches feature durable aluminum (standard models) and sapphire crystal glass, ensuring premium build quality with enhanced scratch resistance for everyday use and outdoor activities.
  • Water Resistance: Both models are IP68-rated with 5ATM certification, meaning they can withstand water immersion up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and general water exposure.
  • Fitness Tracking: Each watch offers comprehensive fitness tracking, including step counting, calorie tracking, and auto workout detection, providing real-time insights for various activities.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Both watches are equipped with continuous heart rate monitoring, helping users track their cardiovascular health and manage stress.
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring: Both devices support blood pressure tracking (when calibrated with a compatible cuff), providing useful insights for users monitoring hypertension.
  • ECG (Electrocardiogram): Each model features ECG capabilities, enabling users to monitor heart rhythm and detect irregularities such as atrial fibrillation.
  • Body Composition Analysis: Both watches include BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) sensors to measure body fat, muscle mass, water percentage, and BMI, giving users deeper insights into their body metrics.
  • Skin Temperature Sensor: Both models include a skin temperature sensor, helping users monitor changes in body temperature for improved wellness insights.
  • Sleep Tracking: Each watch provides detailed sleep tracking with insights on sleep stages, sleep quality, and personalized coaching tips to improve rest patterns.
  • Stress Monitoring: Both models include stress tracking tools with guided breathing exercises to help users manage anxiety and tension.
  • SpO2 Monitoring: Both watches feature blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, allowing users to monitor their oxygen saturation levels — useful for fitness, altitude training, or respiratory health.
  • Fall Detection: Both devices support fall detection, automatically alerting emergency contacts if the user suffers a hard fall.
  • Emergency SOS Feature: Each watch includes an Emergency SOS feature, allowing users to quickly contact emergency services in critical situations.
  • GPS Tracking: Both watches support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou for accurate outdoor activity tracking and navigation.
  • Samsung Pay: Both models are equipped with Samsung Pay, enabling convenient contactless payments directly from the watch.
  • Music Storage: Each watch offers 16GB of internal storage, allowing users to store music offline for workouts or travel without relying on a smartphone.
  • App Support: Both run on Wear OS, providing access to a wide range of apps via the Google Play Store for enhanced functionality and personalization.
  • Microphone & Speaker: Both models include a built-in microphone and speaker, enabling hands-free calls, voice commands, and notifications.
  • Wireless Charging: Each device supports WPC wireless charging, providing cable-free charging convenience.
  • Customization Options: Both watches offer customizable watch faces and interchangeable bands, allowing users to personalize their look and style.

Common Features

FeatureGalaxy Watch 6Galaxy Watch 5
Build MaterialAluminumAluminum
Glass ProtectionSapphire Crystal GlassSapphire Crystal Glass
Water ResistanceIP68 (5ATM) + MIL-STD-810H CertifiedIP68 (5ATM) + MIL-STD-810H Certified
Fitness TrackingStep count, calories burned, auto workout detectionStep count, calories burned, auto workout detection
Heart Rate SensorContinuous heart rate monitoringContinuous heart rate monitoring
Blood Pressure MonitoringYesYes
ECG (Electrocardiogram)YesYes
Body Composition AnalysisYesYes
Skin Temperature SensorYesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
Stress MonitoringYesYes
SpO2 MonitoringYesYes
Fall DetectionYesYes
Emergency SOS FeatureYesYes
GPS TrackingYesYes
NFC for PaymentsSamsung PaySamsung Pay
Music StorageUp to 16GB internal storage for offline musicUp to 16GB internal storage for offline music
App SupportExtensive Google Play Store app compatibilityExtensive Google Play Store app compatibility
Microphone & SpeakerYesYes
Wireless ChargingYesYes
Customization OptionsCustomizable watch faces and bandsCustomizable watch faces and bands
Samsung SmartThings IntegrationYesYes
Price Check Watch 6 Price Check Watch 5 Price

FAQ

Does the Galaxy Watch 6 have better performance than the Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 6 has improved performance thanks to the upgraded Exynos W930 processor and 2GB RAM (compared to 1.5GB on the Watch 5). This results in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and improved responsiveness.

Is the display better on the Galaxy Watch 6 compared to the Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers a larger display with a higher resolution (432 x 432 for 40mm and 480 x 480 for 44mm) compared to the Watch 5 (396 x 396 and 450 x 450 respectively). The Watch 6 also has 30% thinner bezels, giving it a sleeker and more modern design.

Does the Galaxy Watch 6 have better battery life than the Galaxy Watch 5?
Both models provide similar battery performance of up to 40 hours. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 features improved power efficiency and 30% faster charging, allowing you to top up the battery more quickly.

Which model has a rotating bezel for navigation?
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic includes a physical rotating bezel, providing a tactile and intuitive way to navigate the interface. The standard Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 5 do not have this feature.

Does the Galaxy Watch 6 have better health tracking features than the Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 6 introduces enhanced heart rate tracking with improved accuracy, better skin temperature tracking, and upgraded sleep coaching features. While the Watch 5 still offers solid health tracking, the Watch 6 provides more precise data and deeper insights.

Are both watches water-resistant?
Yes, both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5 are IP68-rated and have 5ATM water resistance, meaning they are safe for swimming and other water activities. Both are also MIL-STD-810H certified for durability.

Do both watches support ECG and blood pressure monitoring?
Yes, both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5 support ECG (Electrocardiogram) and Blood Pressure Monitoring, although calibration with a compatible blood pressure cuff is required.

Do both watches offer body composition analysis?
Yes, both watches include a BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) sensor, which measures body fat percentage, muscle mass, water content, and BMI for comprehensive body analysis.

Can I use Samsung Pay on both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, both models support Samsung Pay, allowing you to make secure contactless payments directly from your watch.

Do both watches support Google apps like Maps and Assistant?
Yes, since both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5 run on Wear OS, they support popular Google apps such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Wallet.

Is the Galaxy Watch 6 compatible with the same watch bands as the Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5 share the same watch band design, ensuring compatibility between both models for easy customization.

Do both models offer Bluetooth calling?
Yes, both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5 include a built-in microphone and speaker, enabling Bluetooth calling directly from the watch without needing your phone.

Which watch is better for fitness tracking?
Both models provide excellent fitness tracking features, including auto workout detection, step counting, calorie tracking, and workout customization. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers improved accuracy in heart rate and skin temperature tracking, making it better for serious fitness enthusiasts.

Does the Galaxy Watch 6 have better software support than the Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 6 ships with Wear OS 4 and One UI Watch 5, offering better battery efficiency, improved app support, and smoother performance. The Galaxy Watch 5 originally launched with Wear OS 3 but is eligible for updates to Wear OS 4.

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