Newly leaked photos of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watches suggest that the beloved rotating bezel is making a comeback, much to the delight of fans. These images, shared by reliable German tech site WinFuture, showcase the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic. However, upon closer inspection, the leaked marketing stills don’t offer many surprises in terms of design. The Galaxy Watch 6 appears similar to its predecessor, as does the Watch 6 Classic compared to the Watch 4 Classic.
Reportedly, the standard Galaxy Watch 6 will be available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with an upgrade to sapphire crystal displays for enhanced durability. Speculation had circulated about the return of curved displays, but the leaked photos seem to suggest otherwise. In contrast, the Classic version will be larger, with options for 43mm and an impressive 47mm—the most substantial Samsung smartwatch since the 46mm Samsung Gear S3. Even last year’s Watch 5 Pro model was “only” 45mm. Larger cases often accommodate bigger batteries, offering hope for improved battery life, an issue that plagued the initial releases of the Watch 4 and 5.
Although the leaked designs don’t appear groundbreaking, Samsung seems to have several changes in store. Recently, the company announced One UI 5 Watch, promising new health and fitness features such as enhanced sleep tracking and personalized heart rate zones. Additionally, Google revealed that Wear OS 4 would debut later this year. It’s possible that the Galaxy Watch 6 will be the first to launch with this new operating system. Details on Wear OS 4 are scarce, but Google emphasized its potential to improve battery life. Rumors also suggest that the Galaxy Watch 6 lineup will feature a new Exynos W930 chip.
The reintroduction of the rotating bezel is a welcome move by Samsung. While some may dislike bezels, it has been one of the most intuitive and distinctive smartwatch designs, setting Samsung apart from its competitors. This decision to return to a familiar design comes as no surprise, especially considering Google’s rise in the smartwatch market with its first-gen Pixel Watch. The Watch 5’s iterative update and the Pro’s sportier design and capacitive bezel failed to make users forget the appeal of the physical rotating bezel.
The eagerly awaited Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic will be unveiled alongside new foldable devices at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event in Seoul, Korea. Fans won’t have to wait much longer to experience these highly anticipated smartwatches firsthand.
