Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)

Apple Watch Series 6 (2020): the first with a Blood Oxygen sensor and app, the S6 chip, an Always-On Retina display up to 2.5 times brighter outdoors and 32 GB; from $399.

Specs

Launch

Apple introduced it on September 15, 2020 (the "Time Flies" event, with Tim Cook and Jeff Williams); it was available to order that day and reached stores on September 18, 2020. It was discontinued around October 8, 2021 (EveryMac estimate). Dates and data: Apple (newsroom and Apple Support) and EveryMac.

Marketing

The pitch was health: the new Blood Oxygen sensor and app measured saturation in about 15 seconds and took periodic background readings. The S6 chip (based on the A13) promised 20 percent more performance than the S5 with the same 18-hour battery, and the Always-On display was up to 2.5 times brighter outdoors with the wrist down. It added the U1 chip with Ultra Wideband (aimed at digital car keys) and new finishes: blue and (PRODUCT)RED aluminum, graphite stainless steel and titanium, plus the buckle-free Solo Loop bands. watchOS 7 brought Family Setup. Launch price from $399 (GPS) and $499 (GPS + Cellular) in the US. (Apple newsroom, Apple Support, EveryMac.)

Flaws and fixes

Documented defect: Apple determined that the screen on a very small percentage of 40mm Apple Watch Series 6 devices may go blank permanently; affected units were manufactured between April and September 2021. Apple ran an official service program with a serial-number check that covered eligible units for two years from their first retail sale. Free repair should not be assumed to still apply: ask Apple about your unit’s coverage and current options. No other models are affected. Spec-sheet limits: battery rated at about 18 hours by Apple; Blood Oxygen measurements are not for medical use; maximum system version watchOS 26.x per EveryMac.

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October 29, 2026 Apple Support · EveryMac · Compare this product