The smartwatch market continues to evolve rapidly, with brands like Honor and Samsung pushing the boundaries of wearable technology. The Honor Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 are two of the most talked-about smartwatches in 2024, each offering unique strengths in design, health tracking, battery life, and smart features. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a tech-savvy professional, or someone looking for seamless smartphone integration, choosing between these two devices can be challenging. This detailed comparison breaks down every aspect—design, display, battery performance, health sensors, software, and pricing—to help you decide which smartwatch is the best fit for your lifestyle. While the Galaxy Watch 6 benefits from Samsung’s well-established Wear OS ecosystem, the Honor Watch 4 impresses with its long battery life and affordability. Let’s dive into the key differences and see which one comes out on top.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Honor Watch 4 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Organization Name | Honor | Samsung |
| Display | 1.75″ AMOLED, 450 nits | 1.5″ Super AMOLED, 2000 nits |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 days | Up to 40 hours (with AOD) |
| Health Tracking | SpO2, Heart Rate, Sleep Tracking | ECG, Blood Pressure, Advanced Sleep Coaching |
| Operating System | RTOS (Lightweight OS) | Wear OS 4 (Full Smartwatch OS) |
| Official Website | Honor.com | Samsung.com |
Design & Build Quality
When it comes to design, both the Honor Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offer premium aesthetics, but with different approaches. The Honor Watch 4 features a sleek, lightweight aluminum body with a 1.75-inch AMOLED display, making it comfortable for all-day wear. It has a sporty yet minimalist look, ideal for fitness-focused users. On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 6 boasts a more refined stainless steel or aluminum casing with a rotating bezel (in the Classic model), giving it a more luxurious feel. The Galaxy Watch 6’s Super AMOLED screen is brighter (up to 2000 nits), making it easier to read under direct sunlight compared to the Honor Watch 4’s 450-nit display. Both watches are 5ATM water-resistant, meaning they can handle swimming and intense workouts without issues. However, Samsung’s more polished design and better screen visibility give it an edge in this category.
Display & User Experience
The Honor Watch 4 sports a 1.75-inch AMOLED touchscreen with smooth animations and decent brightness. While it lacks the sheer brilliance of Samsung’s display, it gets the job done for notifications and fitness tracking. The Galaxy Watch 6, however, takes the lead with its 1.5-inch Super AMOLED panel that reaches 2000 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility. Additionally, Samsung’s Wear OS 4 offers a more intuitive and feature-rich interface with access to the Google Play Store, allowing users to download apps like Spotify, Google Maps, and more. The Honor Watch 4 runs on a lightweight RTOS, which means fewer third-party apps but better battery efficiency. If you prioritize a smoother, more interactive smartwatch experience, the Galaxy Watch 6 is the clear winner. But if you prefer longer battery life over app versatility, the Honor Watch 4 holds its ground.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery performance is where the Honor Watch 4 truly shines. With up to 14 days of battery life on a single charge (with moderate usage), it far outlasts the Galaxy Watch 6, which typically lasts 1.5 to 2 days with the always-on display enabled. The Honor Watch 4’s efficiency comes from its RTOS, which consumes less power compared to Samsung’s Wear OS. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 supports fast charging, reaching 45% in just 30 minutes, while the Honor Watch 4 takes nearly 2 hours for a full charge. If you hate frequent charging, the Honor Watch 4 is the better pick, but if you want fast top-ups and don’t mind daily charging, the Galaxy Watch 6 remains a strong contender.
Health & Fitness Tracking
Both smartwatches excel in health monitoring but with different strengths. The Honor Watch 4 covers the basics well, offering 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep analysis, and over 100 workout modes. It’s a solid choice for casual fitness enthusiasts. The Galaxy Watch 6, however, goes further with ECG, blood pressure monitoring (in select regions), advanced sleep coaching, and body composition analysis. Samsung’s BioActive Sensor provides more accurate and comprehensive health insights, making it ideal for users with serious health concerns. If medical-grade tracking is important, the Galaxy Watch 6 is superior, but for general fitness tracking, the Honor Watch 4 offers great value.
Software & Smart Features
The Galaxy Watch 6 runs Wear OS 4, giving it full smartphone-like functionality with Google Assistant, Google Wallet, and a wide range of apps. It also integrates seamlessly with Samsung smartphones, offering features like camera control and Samsung Pay. The Honor Watch 4 uses a proprietary OS, meaning fewer apps but better optimization for notifications and basic tasks. It works well with both Android and iOS, though with limited functionality on iPhones. If you want a full-fledged smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 6 is unbeatable, but if you prefer simplicity and longer battery life, the Honor Watch 4 is a practical choice.
Price & Value for Money
The Honor Watch 4 is significantly more affordable, often priced 30-40% lower than the Galaxy Watch 6. For budget-conscious buyers, it delivers great battery life and essential health tracking without breaking the bank. The Galaxy Watch 6, while pricier, justifies its cost with a superior display, Wear OS, and advanced health sensors. If you’re willing to spend more for premium features, Samsung’s offering is worth it. However, if cost-efficiency is a priority, the Honor Watch 4 provides excellent value.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Choosing between the Honor Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 depends on your priorities. If you want long battery life, affordability, and basic fitness tracking, the Honor Watch 4 is the better pick. However, if you prefer a premium design, advanced health sensors, and a full smartwatch experience, the Galaxy Watch 6 is the clear winner. Samsung’s model is ideal for tech enthusiasts and health-focused users, while Honor’s offering suits budget buyers and those who dislike frequent charging.
FAQs
1. Does the Honor Watch 4 support ECG and blood pressure monitoring?
No, the Honor Watch 4 does not include ECG or blood pressure tracking. For these features, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the better choice.
2. Can I use the Galaxy Watch 6 with an iPhone?
Yes, but with limited functionality. Some features like Samsung Pay and ECG won’t work on iOS.
3. Which watch has better battery life?
The Honor Watch 4 lasts up to 14 days, while the Galaxy Watch 6 lasts about 1.5-2 days with always-on display enabled.
This detailed comparison should help you make an informed decision based on your needs. Let us know in the comments which smartwatch you prefer!
Rahul Sharma is a Senior Tech Analyst specializing in mobile devices, with 8+ years of experience reviewing smartphones and wearables. Holding a degree in Electronics Engineering, he provides in-depth comparisons and buying guides. Rahul enjoys staying updated with the latest mobile tech trends and benchmarking performance metrics.
