Smartwatches · 2020 · Apple

Apple Watch Series 6 (40 mm, GPS)

The Apple Watch Series 6 is the first Apple Watch with a blood oxygen sensor. It has the S6 chip, an always-on LTPO OLED display, ECG, an always-on altimeter and the U1 Ultra Wideband chip; Apple rates battery life at up to 18 hours.

Apple Watch Series 6, 40 mm aluminium case, GPS (2020). The 44 mm and GPS + Cellular versions, stainless steel/titanium cases and the Nike and Hermès editions are separate.

Apple Watch Series 6 (40 mm, GPS) — Apple Support’s Series 6 image showing different case and band options.
Apple Support’s Series 6 image showing different case and band options.

Specifications

SpecificationValue
Case and version40 mm aluminium case, GPS; Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Blue, (PRODUCT)RED

Stainless steel and titanium cases were only sold in the GPS + Cellular version. The 44 mm model uses the same chip but has a different display and weight.

DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED; 324 × 394 pixels, 759 mm² display area; 1000 nits

The Always-On display keeps the time and complications visible with the wrist down.

Water resistance50 metres (ISO 22810:2010)

Suitable for shallow-water swimming in a pool or the sea, but not scuba diving, waterskiing or high-velocity water.

ChipS6 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip; U1 Ultra Wideband chip

Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.

Storage32 GB
Health sensorsBlood oxygen sensor (Blood Oxygen app), electrical heart sensor (ECG app), third-generation optical heart sensor

Apple states Blood Oxygen measurements are not for medical use and are only designed for general fitness and wellness. The ECG app is not intended for people under 22.

Other sensors and safetyAlways-on altimeter, compass, accelerometer up to 32 g with fall detection, gyroscope, ambient light sensor; Emergency SOS

On the GPS model, Emergency SOS needs the iPhone nearby; otherwise the watch must be on a known Wi‑Fi network with Wi‑Fi Calling on. International emergency calling is only on the cellular model.

WirelessWi‑Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 5.0

LTE and UMTS are only on GPS + Cellular models.

Battery and chargingBuilt-in lithium-ion battery; up to 18 hours; magnetic charging cable (1 m)

The 18-hour figure comes from Apple’s August 2020 testing with pre-production watches paired to an iPhone; it varies with use.

OtherSpeaker, microphone, Apple Pay, GymKit; ceramic and sapphire crystal back
CompatibilityRequires an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 or later
Size and weight40 × 34 × 10.7 mm; 30.5 g (aluminium, without band)

From the manufacturer

Apple presents the Series 6 as a health- and fitness-focused watch with blood oxygen measurement, ECG and an always-on altimeter. Apple Support

Owner experiences and issues

  • Owners mostly praise activity and workout tracking, integration with iPhone and Mac, the always-on display, reading notifications on the wrist and health features such as blood oxygen and ECG. The most common criticism is battery life: many had to charge it every night and some could not get through a full day; those coming from Garmin and Fitbit missed week-long battery life. Several found the bundled band uncomfortable or got itching or a rash under it. A few said heart-rate readings dropped out during workouts or in the cold, that step and distance counts did not match a Fitbit or treadmill, and that stand reminders were hard to satisfy. An older user found setup and settings complicated.

    The first 200 of 2281 reviews shown on Best Buy Canada’s open-box 40 mm GPS listing; all are syndicated from Best Buy US, nearly all are verified buyers and all were collected as part of a promotion (incentivised). The pool most likely mixes 40 and 44 mm purchases.

    Best Buy Canada: Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 40 mm) reviews

Tags

2020APPLEWATCHOSSMARTWATCHSPO2ECG

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Sources

  1. Apple Support: Apple Watch Series 6 technical specifications
  2. Best Buy Canada: Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 40 mm) reviews