Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 5 Pro: Not a replacement?

Samsung announced its Galaxy Watch 6 series at Unpacked. The Pro model is out, and the Classic is back in. The company hasn't released a sequel to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro this year, and instead, it brought back the physical rotating bezel through the revival of the Classic series. How does the new Galaxy Watch 6 Classic compare to the Watch 5 Pro from last year? Is it an outright replacement? Can the Classic be a Pro smartwatch in disguise?

Actually, the answer is no, surprisingly enough. Samsung didn't play around when it named the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro the way it did. Even if the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is newer and has a few advantages over the 2022 model, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro retains some qualities worthy of the “Pro” badge. And that's not going to change through firmware updates. Here's how these two smartwatches compare.

Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 5 Pro: Rotating bezel or no

There's a striking difference in design between the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Even though the latter model has a relatively thick bezel that stands taller than the screen, it's more of an aesthetic choice than anything else.

In contrast, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has a functional rotating bezel powered by a 3D Hall sensor. By twisting it around the circular display, users can interact with One UI Watch.

Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 5 Pro: Displays

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is available in two sizes: 43mm or 47mm. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro sits right in the middle and is available with a 45mm case.

Similarly, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic's display measures 1.3 inches (43mm) or 1.5 inches (47mm), whereas the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a 1.4-inch AMOLED.

In keeping with this theme, the Galaxy Watch 5's display resolution falls somewhere between the smaller and larger Galaxy Watch 6 Classic models. The 2022 smartwatch has a display resolution of 450 x 450 pixels, whereas the 43mm and 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 have a resolution of 432 x 432 and 480 x 480, respectively.

If none of these details make that much of a difference, the display brightness might. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro tops out at 1,000 nits, but Samsung really pushed the limit on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic display with 2,000 nits of peak brightness.

Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 5 Pro: Fitness and health tracking

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is chock-full of new and improved fitness and health features, including better fall detection, on-device Sleep Coaching, personalized Heart Rate Zones, Track Run records, and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications.

But all of these features are a part of One UI Watch 5. And since the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Watch 6 Classic use the same BioActive sensor, these One UI Watch features won't remain exclusive to the 2023 model and will eventually be released for the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro through a firmware update, expected to roll out later this year.

With that in mind, it's interesting to note that the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro does retain exclusivity over some fitness-related goodies, such as enhanced GPX (GPS exchange format) features, a GPX File Database, and Route Workout with support for running, walking, hiking, and cycling.

In Samsung's view, these are pro-grade characteristics, and only Galaxy Watch 5 Pro users should be able to take advantage of them. A year into the Pro smartwatch's life, they remain exclusive to this model, and this might never change.

Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 5 Pro: Battery life and other specs

As usual, a new year brings better internal hardware, at least partially. The 2023 Classic series is powered by the newer Exynos W930 chipset rather than the W920. The W930 is more powerful and energy efficient.

In addition, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has 2GB of RAM instead of 1.5GB and bigger batteries (300mAh/425mAh) than the standard, non-Pro Galaxy Watch 5.

But even if the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has an older SoC, it reigns supreme in terms of battery life. With its 590mAh battery, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offers up to 80 hours of battery life, whereas Samsung says that the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic can last up to 40 hours.

Galaxy Watch 6 Classic vs Watch 5 Pro: Conclusion

Comparing the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro isn't as clear cut as we may have thought it would be before Samsung revealed the new smartwatches on stage at Unpacked.

True enough, the new Classic model has a few noteworthy upgrades compared to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, such as newer firmware, more RAM, a better chipset, and a brighter screen.

However, the 2023 Classic model doesn't outdo the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro in every area. There's still a clear place on the market for the high-end 2022 Pro variant, particularly among fitness enthusiasts and battery life aficionados.

Samsung
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic LTE 47mm

Select model SM-R965 Buy Full specs

Samsung
Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Select model SM-R920 Buy Full specs