Apple Watch Series 6 is the latest smartwatch from Apple and perhaps the best smartwatch right now on the market. The Watch 6 succeeds Apple Watch Series 5 and was released alongside Apple Watch SE – a lower-end version. New on Watch 6 is blood oxygen and sleep tracking alongside the new family setup, memoji apps, cycling map, handwashing app, and more that come with the newly released Watch0S 7 – the operating system that henceforth powers Apple smartwatches. Just like its predecessor, Watch 6 comes in two models; GPS and Cellular, the difference is the presence of an eSIM that enables cellular features and by extension other features that need cellular connectivity to work. In this post, I compare the specs and features of Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular to find out the differences and to help you make the right choice.
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Full Specifications Compared
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (GPS) | Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (Cellular) | |
---|---|---|
ABOUT DEVICE | ||
Device name | Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (GPS) | Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (Cellular) |
Device type | Sport/Fitness smartwatch | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch |
Predessesor | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 5 |
Successor | -- | -- |
Released date | September, 2020 | September, 2020 |
Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex |
DISPLAY | ||
Display type | LTPO OLED | LTPO OLED |
Display size | 1.78 inches (44mm) | 1.78 inches (44mm) |
Display resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (44mm) | 448 x 368 pixels (44mm) |
Pixel density | -- | -- |
Input type | Touchscreen 1 Physical button plus Digital Crown with haptic feedback | Touchscreen 1 Physical button plus Digital Crown with haptic feedback |
Always-on | Yes | Yes |
Customizable watch face | Yes | Yes |
BODY | ||
Shape | Rectangular/curved | Rectangular/curved |
Dimension | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (44mm) 40 x 34 x 10.4 mm (40mm) | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (44mm) 40 x 34 x 10.4 mm (40mm) |
Weight | 36.5 grams (GPS) | 36.5 grams |
Casing material | Aluminum | Stainless steel Aluminum Titanium |
Strap/band material | Solo loop (silicone) Braided loop (Silicone and Polyester) | Solo loop (silicone) Braided loop (Silicone and Polyester) |
Bezel Material | Ceramics | Ceramics |
Strap size | 125 - 210mm | 125 - 210mm |
Interchangeable band | Yes | Yes |
Screen protection | Ion-X glass | Ion-X glass (aluminum) Sapphire (Stainless steel & Titanium) |
Water resistant/Protection | Yes, IP68, 5ATM | Yes, IP68, 5ATM |
Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
Color(s) | (Aluminum) Space gray Gold Silver Red Blue | (Aluminum) Space gray Gold Silver Red Blue (Stainless Steel) Gold PVD Graphite Silver (Titanium) Space black Titanium |
MEMORY | ||
RAM | 1GB | 1GB |
Internal storage | 32GB | 32GB |
Memory card slot | No | No |
CONNECTIVITY | ||
Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
NFC | Yes | Yes |
Payment system | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
GPS | A-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS | A-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS |
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | ||
Technology | No | 2G/3G/4G |
SIM | No | e-SIM |
Band | No | __ |
NOTIFICATIONS | ||
Email alert | Yes | Yes |
SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
Weather | Yes | Yes |
Third-party apps | Yes | Yes |
Text response | Yes | Yes |
FITNESS TRACKING | ||
Sleep apnea | No | No |
Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
Steps | Yes | Yes |
Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Calories | Yes | Yes |
Distance | Yes | Yes |
Stress | Yes | Yes |
VO2 Max. | Yes | Yes |
Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
Blood pressure | No | No |
Menstrual cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Swim tracking | Yes | Yes |
Under-water heart rate tracking | __ | __ |
Preloaded maps | No | No |
On-screen workout modes | No | No |
Triathlon mode | Yes | Yes |
ECG Tracking | No | Yes |
Preloaded sport modes | Yes | Yes |
Safety tracking | Yes | Yes |
MEDIA | ||
Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
Music streaming | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
Radio | No | No |
Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Camera | No | No |
SENSORS | ||
PLATFORM | ||
Operating system (OS) | WatchOS 7 | WatchOS 7 |
Chipset | Apple S6, 64bit | Apple S6, 64bit |
CPU | Dual core | Dual core |
GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
BATTERY | ||
Type of battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
Battery capacity | -- | -- |
Battery life | Mixed usage: 18 hrs | Mixed usage: 18 hrs |
Charging type | Magnetic charging | Magnetic charging |
Charging time | About 1-2 hours | About 1-2 hours |
Battery saver mode | Yes | Yes |
Solar power | No | No |
Rapid charging | No | No |
CLOCK FEATURES | ||
Time/Date | Yes | Yes |
Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
Alarm | Yes | Yes |
OTHER FUNCTIONS | ||
Control camera | Yes | Yes |
Music control | Yes | Yes |
Find phone | Yes | Yes |
MISC | ||
Compatibility | iPhone 5s+ iOS 12+ | iPhone 5s+ iOS 12+ |
Companion app | Apple watch APP | Apple watch APP |
Voice command | Yes | Yes |
BOX CONTENTS | ||
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) | Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) | |
Straps | Straps | |
Magnetic charging cable + USB adapter | Magnetic charging cable + USB adapter | |
Quick start guide | Quick start guide | |
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error. | ||
Official Site | Official Site |
The difference between the GPS and Cellular model of the Apple Watch 6 is that the latter comes with an embedded sim that enables cellular connectivity. As a result, it’s a standalone smartwatch that allows you to make and receive calls directly from the watch independent of your iPhone, and by extension has features like family setup, incidental fall detection, international emergency calling, and find my app which the GPS model lacks. But the GPS model is cheaper.
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Features Compared
FEATURES | Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) | Apple Watch Series 6 (Cellular) |
---|---|---|
Display | 1.78 inches 2.5x brighter than SE | 1.78 inches 2.5x brighter than SE |
Share Watch Faces | Yes | Yes |
Add Widget to Watch Face | Yes | Yes |
Always-On Display | Yes | Yes |
Materials | Aluminum Stainless steel Titanium | Aluminum Stainless steel Titanium |
Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
Memoji App Allows you to send emojis as sticker in messages or use it as your watch face. | Yes | Yes |
Family Setup Allows family members who don't own an iPhone to still enjoy all the features of an Apple Watch by adding and assigning numbers to different Apple Watches which can be managed from a single iPhone. | No | Yes |
Smart Money With Apple Cash | Yes | Yes |
Find my App A feature that lets you know the location of family members. | No | Yes |
Cycling Maps A feature that guides cyclists by showing direction, suggesting lanes, and more. | Yes | Yes |
Hearing Protection Alerts you when you have reached the maximum recommended listening dose for the week, and also allows you to set maximum volume for your headphone. | Yes | Yes |
Handwashing App Guides you to wash your hand for up to 20 seconds recommended by WHO. Also reminds you to wash your hands when you get home. | Yes | Yes |
Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Incidental Fall Detection | No | Yes (Cellular) |
International Emergency Calling Allow you to call emergency contacts almost anywhere in the world. | No | Yes (Cellular) |
Blood Oxygen Tracking Monitors your blood oxygen to determine how well your blood absorbs oxygen. | Yes | Yes |
ECG tracking Allows you to take an electrocardiogram test on your wrist that's capable of detecting irregular heart rhythm and can help you prevent atrial fibrillations. | Yes | Yes |
Fitness+ Apple introduces a fitness service that features workout plans and coaching from professionals around the world. $9.99/month after the first 3 months. | Yes | Yes |
Processor | S6 chip dual-core processor and W3 wireless chip 20% faster than S5 | S6 chip dual-core processor and W3 wireless chip 20% faster than S5 |
As you may have observed from the tables above, the Cellular model of Watch 6 is a standalone smartwatch that allows you to make and receive calls directly from the watch without connecting to your iPhone. It’s available in stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium materials, unlike the GPS model that’s only available in aluminum.
The Cellular model features Family set up – a feature that allows other members who don’t own an iPhone to enjoy all the benefits of an Apple Watch, so you can add multiple Apple Watches to one iPhone and manage all from one place. Remember, the newly released WatchOS 7 supports Apple Watch Series 3 up to 6.
There’s also the “find my app” feature that alerts you when a family member gets home or can be used to know the exact location of a family member.
Other features include incidental fall detection which sends out a call if the watch detects a fall and you’re unresponsive for 60 seconds. There’s also the SOS emergency feature and international emergency calling feature that was introduced last year.
The GPS model lacks the aforementioned features, but still, a sophisticated smartwatch that has every other feature the Watch 6 can offer.
Which is Right For You?
Clearly, the Cellular model is a more comprehensive smartwatch that allows you to enjoy all the features of the Watch 6, it’s a better bargain. It’s the best choice for seniors, business individuals alike who want to give their phones some breathing space, and families looking for more ways to stay connected. However, it’ll cost you more.
On the other hand, the GPS model is a modest choice. It’s cheaper, yet feature-rich.
Prices
[content-egg module=AE__amazoncom]Hi! I’m Jude, the chief editor at Smartwatchseries.com
I’m a graduate of biochemistry, a 3D artist and a passionate fitness enthusiast. On here, I and other smartwatch fans work hard to help you find the right smartwatch for you with our guides, reviews, and comparisons.
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