← Back to Smartwatches
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED): which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
Ratings: 3.9★ vs 4.6★
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth)
★3.9
(565)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 10.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (iOS NOT supported; some health features like ECG require a Samsung Galaxy phone)
Operating System:Wear OS 4 (Powered by Samsung, One UI 5 Watch)
Case Size:47mm (46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm / 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in)
Case Material:Case: Stainless Steel; Glass: Sapphire Crystal; Strap: Hybrid Eco-Leather (standard US retail)
Check Amazon Price→
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6
(1,856)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
Check Amazon Price→
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth)
★3.9(565)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★3.9(565)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 10.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (iOS NOT supported; some health features like ECG require a Samsung Galaxy phone) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Wear OS 4 (Powered by Samsung, One UI 5 Watch) | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 47mm (46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm / 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in) | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Case: Stainless Steel; Glass: Sapphire Crystal; Strap: Hybrid Eco-Leather (standard US retail) | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | Super AMOLED touchscreen (Always-On capable) | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.5 in (37.3 mm) | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM + IP68 (Water resistant up to 50 meters) | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H compliant (Environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests) | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3; Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n); NFC | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | Yes (Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet) | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature Sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro Sensor; Geomagnetic Sensor; Light Sensor; 3D Hall Sensor | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m) |
Health Features | Body Composition (BIA); ECG (AFib detection); Sleep Coaching & Analysis; Blood Oxygen (SpO2); Cycle Tracking (Skin Temperature); Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification | Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot |
Workout Modes | 90+ exercises; Automatic workout detection (Walking, Running, Cycling, Rowing, Elliptical, Dynamic High-Intensity, Swimming); Personalized Heart Rate Zones | Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others |
Storage | 16 GB (Internal) / 2 GB RAM | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Yes (Built-in speaker and microphone) | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | Yes (Make and answer calls via Bluetooth) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | 425 mAh; Up to 40 hours (AOD Off); Up to 30 hours (AOD On) | Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days |
Charging | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC-based puck included; no wall adapter) | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 59.0 g / 2.08 oz (Case weight only) | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes ~145–205 mm (M/L strap); Uses standard 20mm width (new One-Click mechanism, backwards compatible) | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Physical Rotating Bezel for navigation; Camera Controller; SmartThings smart home control; Fall Detection; SOS | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth)
Rating:★3.9(565)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 10.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM (iOS NOT supported; some health features like ECG require a Samsung Galaxy phone)
Operating System:Wear OS 4 (Powered by Samsung, One UI 5 Watch)
Case Size:47mm (46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm / 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in)
Case Material:Case: Stainless Steel; Glass: Sapphire Crystal; Strap: Hybrid Eco-Leather (standard US retail)
Display Type:Super AMOLED touchscreen (Always-On capable)
Display Size:1.5 in (37.3 mm)
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM + IP68 (Water resistant up to 50 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H compliant (Environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests)
GPS:GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.3; Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n); NFC
NFC Payments:Yes (Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet)
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature Sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro Sensor; Geomagnetic Sensor; Light Sensor; 3D Hall Sensor
Health Features:Body Composition (BIA); ECG (AFib detection); Sleep Coaching & Analysis; Blood Oxygen (SpO2); Cycle Tracking (Skin Temperature); Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification
Workout Modes:90+ exercises; Automatic workout detection (Walking, Running, Cycling, Rowing, Elliptical, Dynamic High-Intensity, Swimming); Personalized Heart Rate Zones
Storage:16 GB (Internal) / 2 GB RAM
Speaker Mic:Yes (Built-in speaker and microphone)
Calls:Yes (Make and answer calls via Bluetooth)
Battery:425 mAh; Up to 40 hours (AOD Off); Up to 30 hours (AOD On)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging (WPC-based puck included; no wall adapter)
Weight:59.0 g / 2.08 oz (Case weight only)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes ~145–205 mm (M/L strap); Uses standard 20mm width (new One-Click mechanism, backwards compatible)
Extras:Physical Rotating Bezel for navigation; Camera Controller; SmartThings smart home control; Fall Detection; SOS
✓ Pros:
- • Iconic physical rotating bezel provides intuitive, smudge-free navigation
- • Comprehensive health suite including FDA-cleared ECG and Body Composition (BIA)
- • Stunning 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal protection
- • High-quality stainless steel build feels more premium than aluminum competitors
- • Seamless ecosystem integration with Samsung Galaxy phones
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life (max 40h) requires daily charging compared to multi-day competitors
- • Key health features (ECG, IHRN) are locked to Samsung phones only
- • Not compatible with iPhones (iOS)
- • Charging speed is decent but slower than OnePlus Watch 2's rapid charge
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Rating:★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters
Durability:MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m)
Health Features:Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable)
Weight:Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life
- • Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
- • Built-in LED flashlight and speaker/mic add massive daily utility
- • Comprehensive offline mapping and best-in-class GPS accuracy
- • Advanced strength training plans tailored to specific sports
✗ Cons:
- • High price point compared to previous generations and competitors
- • No LTE/Cellular option for standalone calls (requires phone nearby)
- • Titanium models with Sapphire glass command a significant premium
- • Proprietary charging cable (not wireless/Qi standard)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Overall, Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) delivers better satisfaction. Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) (Iconic physical rotating bezel provides intuitive, smudge-free navigation, Comprehensive health suite including FDA-cleared ECG and Body Composition (BIA))
For value or versatility: Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) (Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons)
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) and Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic (47mm, Bluetooth) excels if you value iconic physical rotating bezel provides intuitive, smudge-free navigation. Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is better if you prioritize stunning 1.4" amoled display with efficient 16-day battery life. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.