Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Not much of an upgrade

Updated: Aug 27, 2024, 1:55 AM

2comments

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Not much of an upgrade

Intro

Samsung's Galaxy Watch series has continued getting refined with each year, and now, with the release of the Galaxy Watch 7, the question on everyone's mind is: Does it offer enough improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 6, to justify an upgrade?

This year, Samsung simplified its Galaxy Watch lineup. Unlike the previous year, which featured both standard and Classic models, we now have only one Galaxy Watch 7 available in two sizes. While the Classic model is absent, Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Watch Ultra, a premium option with an extra-large battery and advanced fitness features.

In this comparison, we'll focus on the Galaxy Watch 7 and compare it to the Galaxy Watch 6. Key differences include a new and more powerful chipset, expanded fitness and health tracking capabilities, an improved sleep tracking algorithm, and more.

Note: It's important to remember that both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 6 are exclusively compatible with Android phones and will not work with iPhones.

Galaxy Watch Ultra: save up to $350 with trade-in

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is here! You can get the exciting wearable for up to $350 with eligible trade-ins. The smartwatch features 4G and Bluetooth on deck.

$350 off (54%) Trade-in

$299 ⁹⁹

$649 ⁹⁹

This offer is not available in your area.

Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, 4G): save up to $250 with trade-in

Get your Galaxy Watch 7 and save up to $250 with eligible trade-ins. This is the smaller version of the timepiece (40mm) with 4G connectivity.

$250 off (71%) Trade-in

$99 ⁹⁹

$349 ⁹⁹

This offer is not available in your area.

Galaxy Ring: get yours at the official store

The incredible and ultra-innovative Galaxy Ring is now available at Samsung. The wearable arrives at its standard price, but you can order a free Free Sizing Kit.

$399 ⁹⁹

This offer is not available in your area.

Galaxy Watch 7 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Main differences

Galaxy Watch 7	Galaxy Watch 6
Same 40mm, 44mm sizes	40mm, 44mm sizes
Dimensions: 44mm: 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm, 33.8g 40mm: 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm, 28.8g	Dimensions: 44.4 x 42.8 x 9.0 mm, 33.3g 40.4 x 38.8 x 9.0 mm, 28.7g
Three times faster W1000 chip (3nm)	Older W930 chipset (5nm)
Double the storage, 32GB	16GB storage
Same battery sizes 425mAh for 44mm 300mAh for 40mm	Same battery size
Enhanced BioActive sensor	Older version of the sensor
New Wear OS 5 platform	Wear OS 4
Dual-band GPS	Single-band GPS
Suggeseted message replies on watch	-
Combine various exercise to create a Workout Routine	-
Race feature to compare your time against your previous workout	-
New sleep tracking algorithm	Old sleep tracking algorithm
ECG, Blood Pressure monitoring	ECG, Blood Pressure monitoring
New AGEs index	-

Most notable here is the jump from a 5nm chip to a 3nm one. The Exynos W940 (which might be called W1000) should offer a nice boost to performance but also battery efficiency. The new chipset is said to be have 50% better efficiency and 30% faster performance compared to the older one, which would be a massive jump and visibly impact the user experience.

On top of the new processor, the new model is also said to get double the storage (32GB) and it might even get slightly more memory than its predecessor (4GB). This is all, presumably, to facilitate some of the new features related to AI.

Another difference to point out is the faster 15W charging on the newer model. Since the battery capacity is rumored to remain the same on the Galaxy Watch 7, this should mean less time on the charger before the watch gets to 100% compared to the Galaxy Watch 6.

Table of Contents:

Design and Sizes
Bands
Software
Battery and Charging
Models and Prices
Specs
Summary

Design & Sizes

The Galaxy Watch 7 next to the Galaxy Watch 6 and their design (Image by PhoneArena)

These two look nearly the same: the same round shape, the same two sizes of 40mm and 44mm, same pretty much everything.

Get the smaller 40mm model if you have a smaller wrist, while 44mm would look better on mid-size and large-sized wrists. We are glad Samsung keeps these two sizes, as we know a number of people who really appreciate having the smaller size (some companies only release one size).

There is no physical rotating bezel on either one, but you do have a digital simulation, so you can say you have a digital bezel to navigate the UI.

In terms of water protection, we have IP68 and ATM5 rating on the Galaxy Watch 7, and both this new model and the older one can be used for swimming of course. If you want to use your watch for diving, consider the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra, which comes with an ATM10 rating.

Bands

(Image by PhoneArena)

The Galaxy Watch 6 introduced a brand new way to swap bands, and Samsung achieved that while still allowing compatibility with the old-style Galaxy Watch bands. That said, we weren't too impressed with the new button-release system, as the button was somewhat small and hard to press.

What's more, the default silicone bands Samsung provided with the Galaxy Watch 6 were a bit too stiff and did not wrap around your hand that well, making them sit awkwardly on the wrist. Well, the issue persists with the Watch 7, although it at least comes with a selection of new, colorful bands, like the Ripple band.

Software & Features

The Galaxy Watch 7 arrives as the first smartwatch running Google's new Wear OS 5 platform, which is good to see.

We, however, do not hear much about Galaxy AI magic features here as that seems to be reserved mostly for Samsung's phones and tablets.

Here's a breakdown of the notable new features:

New "Energy Score" provides daily insights into your overall well-being.
Personalized workouts: Galaxy AI will recommend personalized workout routines for seamless transitions between exercises, keeping your workouts engaging.
Challenge yourself: Runners and cyclists can use the "Race" feature to compare their performance on favorite routes, adding a competitive edge to your training.
Smarter sleep tracking: Look forward to more comprehensive sleep analytics with detailed "Sleep Score" metrics, helping you understand your sleep quality better.
Advanced running metrics: Get insights into your running performance with features like "Aerobic Threshold (AT) / Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) Heart Rate Zone," allowing you to optimize your training zones.

Stay tuned for a lot more detail about these and other new features over the coming weeks as we get to spend more time with the Galaxy Watch 7.

Battery and Charging

The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 6 sensors and bottom side.

The battery size on the Galaxy Watch 7 remains the same as before, so we cannot expect big changes in battery life.

However, with the newer chipset some battery gains are possible, but this will probably still be a watch you have to charge every day.

We will be testing the battery life in detail over the next couple of weeks and will give you more information as we learn more about it.

As for charging, we don't have a confirmation yet, but it seems that the Watch 7 now supports 15W speeds, much faster than the 10W speeds on the Galaxy Watch 6. This would shorten your top up time and will be a big help.

Models and Prices

Just like with the Galaxy Watch 6, the Galaxy Watch 7 will come in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. Buyers will also have the option to choose between a Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions for both sizes.

And here are the Galaxy Watch 7 prices in the US:

Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm): $300 Wi-Fi only; $350 Wi-Fi + Cellular (same as last year)
Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm): $350 Wi-Fi only; $380 Wi-Fi + Cellular (same as last year)

Having cellular means you are able to use the watch without having your phone nearby, including for phone calls or anything that requires an internet connection. Keep in mind that even if you don't have support for cellular connectivity, you can still pay with your watch wirelessly at POS terminals.

Summary

The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 6 are not too different, but there are some important upgrades on the inside.

The Galaxy Watch 7 is clearly all about refinement and better health and fitness tracking.

It's the same size and looks quite the same, so this is not about physical appearance, and prices haven't changed (which is a good thing considering that Samsung hiked the prices for its foldable phones).

Should you upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 7?

If you already own the Watch 6, we don't see a big reason to upgrade, honestly, but we do see a few upgrades that are very welcome. The dual-band GPS will be great for runners who live in big metros, and the new health, fitness and sleep tracking promises to be more accurate, which is really important. The faster processor is also nice, but honestly, we care more about battery life than having a faster chipset on a watch.

Stay tuned for our full review and more impressions that will be coming here over the next week, and our final judgment of the Galaxy Watch 7!

View Full Bio

Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.