Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47 mm) / Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44 mm)

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47 mm): Galaxy Watch6 Classic 47 mm (2023); the Bluetooth version is SM-R960, and the LTE version is sold under a separate model code. The 43 mm Classic, the flat-bezel Galaxy Watch6 and the later Watch8 Classic are separate models.

Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44 mm): Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), 44 mm aluminium case; GPS and GPS + Cellular models. The 40 mm case, the original Apple Watch SE (2020) and Apple Watch SE 3 are separate models.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47 mm)Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44 mm)
Release year20232022
Display1.5-inch (37.3 mm) Super AMOLED, 480 × 480 pixels; full-colour Always On Display; sapphire crystal glass

According to Samsung, the display is larger than on the Watch4 Classic and the rotating bezel is 15% thinner. Sapphire crystal resists scratches; the bezel partly surrounds the edge of the screen.

Samsung		Retina LTPO OLED; 368 × 448 pixels, 977 sq mm display area, 326 ppi; up to 1000 nits; Ion-X glass

SE has no always-on mode; the screen wakes when you raise your wrist. Ion-X is strengthened glass and is not as scratch-resistant as sapphire.

Apple
Rotating bezelPhysical rotating bezel; menu, notification and app control

Turning the bezel moves between notifications and tiles without touching the screen; its position is sensed by a 3D Hall sensor.

Samsung		—
CaseStainless steel; quick-release band button Samsung—
Processor, memory and storageExynos W930 dual-core 1.4 GHz; 2 GB memory, 16 GB storage Samsung—
Battery and charging425 mAh; up to 40 hours with Always On Display off, up to 30 hours with it on; WPC-based fast wireless charging

Samsung’s fast-charge testing used the magnetic fast-charging cable and a separately sold 25 W adapter. Battery life varies with network, usage and watch face.

Samsung		—
Operating systemLaunched with Wear OS 4 (Wear OS Powered by Samsung) and One UI 5 Watch

Setup needs a phone with Google Mobile Services, Android 10 or later and more than 1.5 GB of memory; it does not work with an iPhone.

Samsung		—
SensorsSamsung BioActive Sensor (optical heart rate + electrical heart signal + bioelectrical impedance analysis), temperature, accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, light and 3D Hall sensor

Bioelectrical impedance analysis passes a weak current through the body when two fingers rest on the buttons to estimate muscle, fat and water; it should not be used with a pacemaker or during pregnancy. ECG and blood pressure work only in approved markets through Samsung Health Monitor.

Samsung		2nd-gen optical heart sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high dynamic range gyroscope; ambient light sensor

The high-g accelerometer and gyroscope are used for Crash Detection. ECG, blood oxygen and temperature sensors are not included on this model.

Apple
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3, Wi‑Fi 2.4 + 5 GHz, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo

LTE is only on the LTE version; on the Bluetooth version internet and notifications come through the paired phone.

Samsung		—
Durability5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H

5ATM corresponds to 50 metres for 10 minutes; it is not suitable for diving or high-pressure water. IP68 covers 1.5 metres in fresh water for 30 minutes.

Samsung		—
Size and weight46.5 × 46.5 × 10.9 mm; 59.0 g (without band)

Thickness is measured without the health sensors.

Samsung		—
Case and weight—44 × 38 × 10.7 mm aluminium case; GPS 32.9 g, GPS + Cellular 33 g

Weight is for the case only and rises with the band. The 44 mm case fits 140–245 mm wrists.

Apple
Chip and storage—S8 SiP (64-bit dual-core processor); 2-core Neural Engine; 32 GB

Storage holds music, podcasts and apps and cannot be expanded.

Apple
Safety features—Emergency SOS; International Emergency Calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection

Crash Detection can call emergency services after a severe car crash. Emergency SOS needs a cellular connection or Wi-Fi calling with internet access from the watch or a nearby iPhone.

Apple
Battery—Up to 18 hours; about 80% charge in about 1.5 hours

Apple measures 18 hours with 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 60-minute workout with music; on the cellular model, 4 of those hours are on LTE. Longer GPS workouts shorten it.

Apple
Water resistance—50 metres under ISO 22810:2010

Suitable for swimming, but not for scuba diving, water skiing or high-velocity water sports.

Apple
Location and wireless—L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo and QZSS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; LTE and UMTS on the GPS + Cellular model

The cellular model can make calls and use data without your iPhone nearby; carrier support is required.

Apple
Compatibility—iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18

The watch can only be set up and used with an iPhone; it does not work with Android phones.

Apple
Colours—Midnight, Starlight and Silver Apple