Apple Watch Series 6 40mm Review | 126 Data compared

Le Petit Poussoir identifies the Apple Watch Series 6 as the leading smartwatch, effectively bridging the gap between high-tech utility and a stylish accessory. The review highlights a refined design, available in various materials, featuring an Always-On Retina display that is 2.5 times brighter than its predecessor. Key performance and health pros include the faster S6 SiP processor and the introduction of a SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen monitoring. Additional benefits noted are faster charging, an always-on altimeter, and new, vibrant color options. Conversely, the review describes the Series 6 as an evolutionary step rather than a revolution for existing owners. Cons include a battery life that still requires daily charging, basic sleep tracking compared to competitors, and limited clinical utility for the oxygen sensor.

L'Express reviews the Apple Watch Series 6 and SE, noting their shared, discreet design, while highlighting the Series 6 as the premium choice featuring advanced blood oxygen (SpO2) and ECG sensors. The Series 6 boasts a faster S6 processor and a brighter, 2.5 times more luminous 'Always-On' display, with pros including top-tier health monitoring and cons being its high price and potentially non-essential health features for average users. The Apple Watch SE is positioned as a high-value alternative offering about 80% of the flagship experience at a lower price point. While it offers great performance with the S5 chip, key drawbacks include the lack of an 'Always-On' display, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring. However, the SE excels with essential safety features like fall detection and a strong price-to-performance ratio. Both devices run watchOS 7 with sleep tracking and health features, maintaining a consistent 18-hour battery life. The Series 6 stands out with faster charging capabilities, reaching a full charge in roughly 90 minutes. Ultimately, the review finds the Series 6 to be the most complete, while the SE is recommended...

The Phonandroid review describes the Apple Watch Series 6 as an incremental but solid evolution of its predecessor, particularly praised for its stunning, brighter LTPO OLED display and a 20% performance boost from the new S6 chip. Key advantages include improved, faster charging that hits 100% in roughly 90 minutes and a wider, more vibrant selection of case colors. Health and fitness tracking features, such as the new blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor and the always-on altimeter, are highlighted as technical achievements, though the SpO2 data might feel less essential for average users than the established ECG. The review balances these features against a high price point and the necessity for an iPhone. On the downside, the review criticizes the stagnant 18-hour battery life, which necessitates daily charging, and describes the native sleep tracking as basic compared to competitors. Ultimately, while it remains a top-tier smartwatch, the high cost makes it a challenging upgrade for current Series 5 owners.

The Apple Watch Series 6 is a mature evolution featuring a faster S6 chip, a new SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen, and a significantly brighter always-on display, which is ideal for outdoor visibility. Key improvements include a always-on altimeter for real-time elevation tracking during activities like skiing or hiking, marking it as a strong choice for active users. Health and sports tracking remain top-tier, with reliable heart rate and ECG functionality, though the SpO2 sensor requires the user to remain still for 15 seconds to work correctly. While watchOS 7 brings useful updates like native sleep tracking, which is noted as basic, the device delivers precise GPS and performance tracking for runners and swimmers. Battery life remains a limitation at 18 hours, necessitating daily charging, though faster charging allows a full charge in about an hour. Ultimately, the Series 6 is lauded as the best smartwatch for iPhone users, representing a significant upgrade from older models, though only an incremental update from the Series 5.

The Sport-Passion review highlights the Apple Watch Series 6 as a top-tier athletic device, praising its fast S6 chip and highly accurate heart rate monitoring. Key improvements include a brighter always-on display and a specialized always-on altimeter for improved outdoor tracking. Versatility is a major strength, with effective automatic swimming stroke detection, offline music capability, and a robust app ecosystem. For runners, the lightweight design and improved GPS precision are noted as significant advantages. Conversely, the review identifies limited battery life (18-24 hours) as a primary drawback, particularly when using GPS. While featuring an SpO2 sensor, the data is not yet deeply integrated for actionable fitness coaching, and the device lacks advanced recovery metrics compared to specialized competitors.

Le Figaro characterizes the Apple Watch Series 6 as a refined evolution focusing on health, highlighted by the addition of a blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor for wellness monitoring and a new, responsive always-on altimeter. The device improves upon its predecessor with 20% faster performance via the S6 chip and a brighter, more visible screen. Hardware enhancements include new blue and (PRODUCT)RED aluminum case options and comfortable, buckle-free Solo Loop bands. The review notes that the improved battery charging, reaching 100% in 90 minutes, and the integration of watchOS 7 features, such as sleep tracking, strengthen its position in the market. Despite these improvements, the review identifies a lack of a 'must-have' feature for Series 5 owners and highlights that battery life remains a constraint, particularly with active sleep tracking. While recognized as the best for iPhone users, the high price tag and incremental updates may make the new Apple Watch SE a more appealing option for some.

According to the Presse-citron review, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a refined, top-tier smartwatch featuring a faster S6 chip, a brighter Always-On display, and new health sensors for blood oxygen (SpO2) and altitude tracking. Key advantages include significantly faster charging—reaching full capacity in 90 minutes—and a highly fluid user experience, making it a robust health and fitness companion. However, the review notes that the device is an iterative update rather than a revolutionary one, making the upgrade less compelling for Series 5 owners given the high cost. A primary drawback is the continued 18-hour battery life, which lags behind competitors, along with basic, non-actionable insights from the new health tracking data. While considered the best smartwatch for iPhone users due to its performance and new color options like (PRODUCT)RED and blue, the high price point remains a hurdle. For those looking for value, the review suggests the Apple Watch SE as a viable alternative that offers the core experience without the premium, advanced sensors.

According to the Clubic review, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a refined "gentle evolution" featuring a 20% faster S6 chip, an brighter Always-On display, and a new blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor. Key health improvements and faster charging (full charge in 90 minutes) are major advantages, though the 18-hour battery life remains unchanged. While the device excels in performance and health tracking, the review notes the upgrade is incremental for owners of newer previous models, and it requires daily charging.

Les Numériques describes the Apple Watch Series 6 as a refined, 'buttery smooth' evolution featuring a significantly brighter 'Always-On' display and a fast S6 processor. Key pros include the blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor and always-on altimeter, which strengthen its position as a top-tier health tracker. However, the review highlights the 18 to 24-hour battery life as the main weakness, which is particularly limiting when utilizing the new sleep-tracking feature. Other downsides mentioned include the limited immediate medical utility of the SpO2 data and the lack of a final vibration on the handwashing timer. The Apple Watch Series 6 is recommended for users upgrading from older models (Series 3/4) due to its superior speed and display. For Series 5 users, the upgrades might be too minor, and the device faces stiff competition from the more affordable Apple Watch SE.