Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Vs. Huawei Watch GT 4

Some of the best new smartwatches on the market for your short list include the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Huawei Watch GT 4.

While both devices are brilliant next-generation options from well-known brands, they have little in common. And if you want to choose between the two, knowing all these differences will help you find the one that best suits your needs.

That's why we rounded up everything you need to know about the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch GT4, including tips on what every user should keep in mind.

Price, availability and versions

Can be used

When it comes to smartwatches in 2023, both Samsung and Huawei have introduced countless versions of their watches.

We've briefly looked at the MSRP for each of the available base versions below, but note that both LTE (Samsung only) and the various band options will see significant increases.

There are also case finishes that only fit certain case sizes - and have significant performance differences - so when we compare the devices below, we're talking in general terms.

It's worth noting that we haven't mentioned the Watch GT 4's price in the US as it's not officially available in the country. Our cost estimates are based on conversions only; The device may be cheaper or more expensive from third-party sellers.

In short, in almost all cases, you'll pay less for the Watch GT4. And if you start comparing the high-end Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with the base model of Huawei's smartwatch, it costs twice as much.

Galaxy Watch 6 vs Watch GT 4: base model prices

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm): £289 / $299.99.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (44mm): £319 / $329.99.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm): from £369 / $399.99.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (47mm): from £399 / $429.99.
• Huawei Watch GT 4 (41mm): From £229.99 (around $285)
• Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm): From £229.99 (around $285)

Design and feel

Can be used

With so many styles and versions to choose from, your first task when choosing between these two smartwatch lines is figuring out which one is right for your everyday wear.

With so many case sizes to choose from, we think there's something to suit every wrist size, whether you choose a unisex, men's or women's model.

The standard Galaxy Watch 6 is the sportiest of the four different devices, with the Huawei pair in particular leaning more towards a “classic” smartwatch prototype.

Can be used

However, Samsung uses this base in the more expensive Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, which also has a physical digital rotating bezel compared to the regular Watch 6.

As expected in terms of price, Samsung has a clear advantage in this category over its Huawei counterpart. The Super AMOLED screen is better (and bigger) in terms of overall build quality.

But that doesn't mean the Watch GT4 is underrated. We love the octagonal case and the balance between thickness, weight and width of the case is perfect. This is a great all-round game.

Eco-friendly and smart watch function

Can be used

We don't think you can go wrong with the design of any device offered in this line, which puts more emphasis on the usability of the watch.

And there really is a winner here: Samsung.

Wear OS 4.0 runs on both versions of the Watch 6, offering a variety of third-party apps supported by Google, including Spotify, Strava, and WhatsApp, as well as tight integration with Google's suite of apps like Maps, Gmail, and more. . And a wallet to support contactless payments.

The option to upgrade to LTE also gives you the option to disconnect from your smartphone completely.

It still doesn't match the style of the Apple Watch, but it surpasses the Watch GT4's capabilities as a pure smartwatch.

In contrast, all Huawei devices run on the proprietary and relatively closed HarmonyOS ecosystem.

This means you'll miss out on big-name apps like Spotify, but there are at least some fitness platforms like Strava that can sync with the Watch GT 4.

And while there's no SIM card support for offline calls and notifications, they work relatively smoothly when you're within range of your smartphone.

Don't expect to just pay from your wrist - this isn't supported either.

Battery life

Can be used

If there's one aspect that makes Huawei smartwatches superior to Samsung's new devices, it's battery life.

In our extensive testing, we were disappointed with the one-day endurance of the Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic. It's not a terminal like we see on the Google Pixel Watch, but in most cases you'll see it charging at some point every day.

That's what's so interesting. And depending on how hard you press the always-on display and GPS tracking, although they vary slightly, you could be in danger of running out of battery if you use them.

And for the Huawei Watch GT4 device, it's the opposite. While it doesn't come close to the company's claimed battery life of 14 days, relatively heavy use still lasts around 4-7 days.

It must be said that the superiority of the Galaxy Watch 6 series is partly due to the simple operating system and features it offers, but it still works well and is more than enough for those who are more focused. Fitness monitoring. .

Health monitoring and features

Can be used

Whether you're primarily interested in fitness tracking, sleep tracking, or viewing health data, this watch is for you. However, they are better in some areas and none of them are perfect.

The Watch GT4's highlights include dual-band GPS and heart rate monitoring accuracy, which we found to be generally on par with Garmin and Hupe trackers.

In other areas, it's a little less impressive, but still not bad. Sleep tracking is generally reliable, although you may get strange estimated wake-up times and the like. Likewise with fitness data such as VO2 Max which is above the target.

There are also two missing features you should be aware of. There's no data on HRV, lactate threshold measurements, or ECG readings, for example, and those omissions limit the Watch GT 4's capabilities as a health watch and fitness tracker.

Can be used

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 6 device offers a slightly different package.

This health tracker is top-notch, beating even Apple by offering blood pressure sync and fitness data, as well as having all the advanced data and sleep tracking performance you'd expect from a flagship product.

The downside is that some advanced features (like blood pressure and ECG) are only available to those who pair the watch with a Samsung phone, meaning the watch is less attractive when compared to other Android devices.

GPS accuracy isn't the best in the industry either, which can ruin the tracking experience on particularly intense workouts.

As with Huawei devices, not all the data is perfect: our VO2 Max, for example, came in well below typical estimates, but was pretty good overall.

What is the best?

The watches from the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch GT4 lines are relatively different, so choosing between them is much easier than comparing models from the same brand.

If your main concern is fitness tracking and you want a device that can last for days on a single charge without breaking the bank, the Huawei Watch GT 4 model is what you need.

But if HarmonyOS' closed ecosystem seems too limited, you're more interested in health and fitness features than fitness tracking, and don't mind charging the battery every day, the Galaxy Watch 6 is clearly a better choice.

Be aware of price issues compared to the Watch GT 4 and some features are only available to Samsung phone users.

Samsung Watch 6 Classic vs TicWatch Pro 5 vs Huawei Watch 4 Pro ⌚ Best smartwatches of 2023