Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 & 6 Pro: rumours, possible tech specs, release date

This article compiles all of the rumours and leaks about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Pro. We also discuss a possible release date and some features we would like to see in the next generation timepiece.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 & 6 Pro: potential release date and price

Is a Galaxy Watch on the way from Samsung in 2023? The answer is unequivocally yes.

Every year since the original Galaxy Watch was released in August 2018, the company has unveiled at least one new version of its timepiece. That one in 2018 was released as the Samsung Gear S3’s successor. In terms of design, features, and functionality, it was a significant improvement over previous Samsung smartwatches.

The Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Pro release date is not too difficult to predict. As the table below shows, in recent years, this has always occurred in August during the company’s Unpacked event. Having said that, there will be another Unpacked event on February 1st 2023, but no smartwatch announcements are expected. Instead, the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphones are expected.

So, if you want a new Samsung Galaxy Watch, you have until August to save up. Expect an official announcement from Samsung in early August, with availability beginning a couple of weeks later, in late August, just before IFA in Berlin.

In terms of pricing, the current editions begin at $279 for the 40mm Watch 6 base variant. LTE connectivity of the same is available for an additional $50. The 44mm device costs $299 and $349, respectively. The Pro variant costs $449 with GPS only and an additional $50 with cellular connectivity.

We don’t expect Samsung to raise these prices any further for the Watch 6 range. The competition is fierce, and the company will want to keep its device appealing in the all-purpose smartwatch market. Furthermore, the prices of the components are gradually decreasing.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 & 6 Pro: rumours & leaks

Despite the fact that the next generation of the watch is still some time away, we’ve already heard one rumour about a potential feature. It has something to do with display technology. No doubt, information on other potential features will become available in the coming months. Before the official release of the Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro last year, almost everything was known.

MicroLED display

Samsung is reportedly preparing microLED screens for its future Galaxy series wearables. This is according to SamMobile.

The news actually comes as no surprise. But the question remains as to when the technology will be released. It is speculated that the microLED displays may not be seen until 2024 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Apple is, reportedly, working on the same for an upcoming version of its smartwatch.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

MicroLED is a significant emerging trend in mobile device display technology. Such screens offer several benefits for use in smartwatches, including high brightness, power efficiency, durability, improved colour accuracy, and the ability to create thinner and lighter displays. In other words, you get a higher-quality display that uses less power than the current offering. A perfect combination.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 & 6 Pro: our wish-list of features

We turn our attention to the logical progression of features and throw in a few things on our wish-list because there have been no other rumours or leaks. As and when they become available, we will update this article.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch is aimed at a broad audience, including health enthusiasts and technology users. Features such as heart rate monitoring, GPS, sleep tracking and other wellness insights, along with workout modes make it a popular choice for those looking to track their fitness progress. Furthermore, its technological features, such as smartphone compatibility, integration with Samsung Health, and the ability to receive notifications, make it appealing to tech-savvy consumers.

Are the features listed below too much to ask for? Let Samsung be the arbiter. Galaxy watch 5 is a pretty solid offering, but the next watch could move the platform to the next level.

A return of the rotating bezel?

We don’t see drastic changes in the design of the Galaxy Watch. Meaning it will not stray too far away from the current look and feel. For instance, we could see a slightly larger display and a thinner form-factor.

Aside from that, many people have expressed on social media their desire for the return of the classic watch style with a rotating bezel. Having said that, there are others who are not really bothered.

The rotating bezel was a signature feature on some of the older generations of Samsung smartwatches, and it offers a user-friendly and convenient experience for those who prefer physical controls. It’s a circular ring that wraps around the watch face and can be rotated to control the interface. When compared to tapping on a small screen, the bezel provides a tactile and physical means of navigation, making it easier to access functions.

To address this part of the market, Samsung could always release a model that sits between the base and pro models. Sure, wearing a smartwatch requires touching the screen, but a rotating bezel acts as a natural screen impact protector while also providing a distinct look. Some users also say that the clicks are satisfying. And there are those who would rather have a crown than a touch bezel, which they find unintuitive. The caveat, of course, is that more moving parts equals more potential failure points.

Double the battery life

The current generation of Galaxy Watch lasts 40 hours on a single charge for the base model and 80 hours for the Pro. With an always-on display, we’d like to see this at least doubled. Qualcomm’s new chipset should help with this. And what about a solar cell integrated into the watch face? That may help to keep things topped up a little. Garmin has adopted this strategy and solar has become more than a gimmick.

Actually, 4 to 5 days would be ideal, but that may be unrealistic at this point unless a major technological breakthrough occurs within the next six months. When in battery saver mode, perhaps improvements can be made. Additionally, the recharge time should be reduced so that topping up is a bit faster.

Samsung phone exclusive features should work on all Android phones

Samsung watches are designed to work best with Samsung phones. In terms of Android phones, the current generation is only compatible with devices running Android 8.0 or higher. The smartwatch is not compatible with iPhones. An Apple Watch is a better bet for those with an iOS device.

Even with Android phones, however, the situation is not ideal. You are not able to use advanced health and fitness tracking features such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring unless you have a Samsung phone. While the watch will continue to function, some features will be lost.

While iOS compatibility with the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Pro is unlikely, it would be nice if all features were available on all Android phones. It would solidify the Galaxy Watch’s position as one of the best smartwatches available for Android.

Improved sensor technology

The current generation of Galaxy Watch has a lot of sensors. The BioActive sensor (heart rate, ECG, bioelectrical impedance), temperature, accelerometer, barometer, geomagnetic sensor, and gyroscope are all found under the hood. Quite a long list, indeed.

However, better sensor technology is almost a given with each successive generation. Let us hope that it improves the accuracy of Samsung Health and other health and fitness apps. Other enhancements are also possible. For example, blood pressure tracking that does not require calibration and takes automatic measurements while you are at rest would greatly enhance the utility of the feature.

Many new sensors, such as hydration and glucose tracking, appear to be in the works. However, we don’t expect these to be widely available until 2024 at the earliest. So in terms of sensors on the Watch 6 range, we anticipate an iterative upgrade. Bigger gains may come from performance metrics such recovery data, which has become popular in the last year.

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