Apple Watch Series 6 Versus Galaxy Watch4 Classic

Samsung has recently unleashed its newest round of smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic. Of the two, the Watch4 Classic is most suited for taking on Apple Watch, which is now in its Series 6.

Apple has long been considered the undisputed leader in the smartwatch wars, but Samsung and Google have made strides to close the gap. Find out how the two devices stack up in this comparison review.

The stainless-steel Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic starts at $349.99 for the smaller 42mm case size with no LTE and ranges up to $429.99 for the larger size with cellular service. All watches appear to come with the same sport band, with a black band for the black watch case and a white band for the silver.

The Apple Watch Series 6 is a little more expensive, starting at $399 for the smaller case size in aluminum with no cellular. The larger case size adds $30, while cellular connectivity adds $100. Higher-end stainless steel models start at $749, while titanium cases start at $799.

Apple Watch also offers an extensive range of luxury and designer bands, which can shoot the price well above $1000. When comparing Apple Watch versus Galaxy based on price alone, Galaxy is the better choice.

The Apple Watch is rectangular with rounded edges, a look that’s by now at least somewhat iconic. It’s aesthetically pleasing yet unmistakably a smartwatch.

Samsung has taken a different approach. The Galaxy Watch4 Classic features a circular display that’s extremely convincing as a stand-in for a conventional watch when in timekeeping mode. So, if you’re looking for the most watch-like smartwatch experience, Watch4 Classic is a serious contender.

Price, design, features and body style may matter a great deal, but it’s hard for any of those to outweigh the OS and ecosystem consideration.

Apple Watch runs WatchOS and is tightly integrated with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. On the other hand, Galaxy Watch4 Classic runs Wear OS, Google’s smartwatch OS, which integrates with Android and ChromeOS.

While you technically can buy an Apple Watch and pair it with your Android phone (or a Galaxy Watch with your iPhone), you’re going to miss out on a majority of the features that make using a smartwatch so convenient. This is doubly true with the Apple Watch and Android phone combination, given Apple’s love of exclusivity.

So, in the end, the right smartwatch for you very likely comes down to which phone OS you’re using. Most people aren’t going to sell their phones and switch brands just because they like the other watch better. At this point, at least, phones inform watch purchases, not the other way around.

Unchanged from previous models, the Apple Watch relies on a spinning Digital Crown (also known as a knob/button combo), plus one additional side button and a microphone for voice controls. And Samsung’s offering retains the spinning bezel, along with two buttons and a microphone.

Both systems work quite effectively once you make the mental adjustment.

Apple Watch has long held an advantage in terms of health features, with sensors for measuring heart rate and blood oxygen levels. It’s also authorized to perform medical-grade ECGs and is approved in the US for this purpose.

However, Samsung has made serious strides in this area this year. The new BioActive Sensor can measure heart rate in two ways (optical and electrical), plus bioelectrical impedance. The watch can also measure body composition — something Apple can’t match (at least, not until Series 7 releases later this year).

So, which one should you buy? If price is your primary driver, the Galaxy Watch4 Classic wins (though you should also consider the less expensive Galaxy Watch4, in that case).

However, if you’re heavily tied into either the Android or iOS/macOS ecosystem, your existing loyalties make the decision pretty straightforward. Generally speaking, the tighter integration you get by staying with your preferred brand is worth any potential trade-offs or missing features.

Both Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic offer a quality smartwatch experience. Apple may still have the edge overall, but Android users (especially Galaxy owners) are better off sticking with the Android-integrated solution.

Either way, you’ll be getting a great smartwatch. And a great smartwatch deserves a great extended warranty.

Upsie’s extended smartwatch warranties offer impressive coverage, including coverage for defects with your device and accidental damage from drops, spills, and more. Additionally, coverage is affordable. For example,  a two-year Upsie Apple Watch extended warranty costs only $45.99. In comparison, a two-year extended warranty from AppleCare+ costs between $49 and $149, depending on the price of the watch.

Furthermore, if you need to make a claim with Upsie, the deductible is only $25, compared to a $69 to $79 deductible from AppleCare+.

If you’re getting a new smartwatch, make the smart choice — get an Upsie warranty now so you can rest easy for years.