Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs Watch 4 Classic

A while ago, I wrote a review about the Galaxy Watch 4, and I regularly wear the Watch 4 Classic. Since we have both the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic available, I’m happy to make a comparison with all the real differences so you know exactly what to expect. In this article on the Galaxy Watch 4 vs Classic, I list all 7 differences.

Samsung	Watch 4	Watch 4 Classic
Case Size	40mm or 44mm	42mm or 46mm
Weight	25.9g or 30.3g	45.5g or 52g
Case Material	Aluminium	Stainless Steel
Rotating Bezel	No	Yes
Colours	Black, Silver, Rose Gold	Black or Silver
RRP	From €269	From €369

Dimensions Watch 4 vs Classic

It’s clear that the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic differ in size. Both models are available in similar sizes, with the 44mm Watch 4 being only 1.1mm smaller than the 46mm Watch 4 Classic.

Design and Style

There are many differences in the appearance of the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic. The Watch 4 is made from aluminium, while the Watch 4 Classic has a more robust look thanks to its stainless steel case. This makes the Watch 4 Classic heavier than the Watch 4.

The rotating bezel is only found on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, while the Watch 4 has none. This adds an extra layer to the Watch 4 Classic, making it thicker than the Watch 4.

Colour Availability

The “standard” Galaxy Watch 4 has more colour options. The straps are interchangeable, so you only have to choose your case colour once.

The Galaxy Watch 4 is available in 3 colours:

• Black
• Silver
• Rose Gold

The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is available in 2 colours:

• Black
• Silver

Display and Resolution

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, while the Watch 4 Classic is slightly larger with 42mm and 46mm sizes.

The smaller variants (Watch 4 - 40mm & Watch 4 Classic - 42mm) have AMOLED displays with a resolution of 396 x 396 pixels.

The larger variants (Watch 4 - 44mm & Watch 4 Classic - 46mm) have AMOLED displays with a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels.

This means that the pixel density is highest on the Watch 4 - 40mm and Watch 4 Classic - 42mm, as they show more pixels on a smaller surface, resulting in sharper screens.

Price Difference Between Galaxy Watch 4 and Classic

The RRP for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic is:

• Galaxy Watch 4 - 40mm: €269
• Galaxy Watch 4 - 44mm: €299
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic - 42mm: €369
• Galaxy Watch 4 Classic - 46mm: €399

We are now seeing significant price drops, with up to €100 off the Watch 4 Classic.

Changing the Strap

Both the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic use 20mm straps. This type is common for smartwatches and traditional watches.

Hardware Watch 4 vs Classic

There is no difference in hardware or features between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and the Watch 4 Classic. They share the same chipset, processor, RAM, and capabilities.

The only functional difference is the rotating bezel for navigation on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. However, this is optional since swiping works perfectly well.

Differences in Sensors?

The sensors on the Galaxy Watch 4 and Classic are identical. Both use:

• Optical heart rate monitor
• Accelerometer
• Barometer
• Gyro sensor
• Geomagnetic sensor
• Light sensor

Battery Capacity and Charging

The smaller models have a 247mAh battery, while the larger versions have a 361mAh battery. This doesn’t impact usage time as the larger screens consume more power.

All variants of the Watch 4 support wireless charging.

Conclusion

The main differences between the Galaxy Watch 4 and Classic are in the exterior. The size, colour, price, and material are the biggest visual differences. The only practical difference is the rotating bezel on the Watch 4 Classic, which is absent on the standard Watch 4.