Samsung’s next-gen hardware list has started appearing in leaks, yet again, weeks before its release. This time, @OnLeaks (through MySmartPrice) has shared renders that supposedly represent the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, the most exclusive finish of the vanilla Galaxy Watch 6.
Now, Samsung is once again playing a minimalist game with design, retaining the signature round face and curved hook aesthetic of its previous smartwatches. The biggest change in 2023, however, will be the return of the rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
Samsung has been serving up rotating bezels for years, back when its smartwatches hit shelves under the “Gear” brand. After a turn towards the Galaxy Watch brand, Samsung continued to be loyal to the physical rotating bezel, and the company is still featuring it on the 2021 Galaxy Watch Classic 4.
But for whatever reason, Samsung eschewed the Classic branding and ditched the signature rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro last year in favor of a sturdier build. The move did not sit well with many fans. I’ve also avoided upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 5 series and continue to use the Galaxy 4 Classic with its glorious rotating bezel in tow.
But it looks like the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic will give enthusiasts a reason to pay attention. The rotating physical bezel is not simply an aesthetic element. It offers a rewarding way to interact with Wear OS software that’s much more reliable than finicky touch controls on a small screen. Also, when the screen is wet, the rotating bezel acts as a much more reliable method of user interface control than the touch-sensitive OLED display.
The leaked renders depict the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic in black, but more colors are most likely on the way. In addition to the usual generation-over-generation chip upgrade and new straps, the upcoming smartwatch will come equipped with a larger 1.47-inch OLED display.
Compared to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and its 361mAh battery, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic could also offer a beefier 425mAh Li-ion unit inside for longer screen wake-up time. However, it’s still noticeably smaller than the 590mAh battery that powers the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
We don’t know if Samsung will eventually introduce more advanced biosensing capabilities, such as blood sugar monitoring or reliable sensor analysis, but industry analysts say those non-invasive wearable solutions are still a few years away. As for the release date, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Watch 6 series, along with the Galaxy Tab S9 portfolio, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in July.
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