Samsung has expanded its smartwatch gadget lineup with the new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, a high-end Android watch designed for users seeking rugged durability and adventure-ready features. This latest addition, positioned as the successor to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, brings premium specs but raises the question: Is it worth the extra price tag compared to the standard Galaxy Watch 7? Let’s dive into the design, performance, and battery life of this new Android watch to find out.
Design & Specifications: Is the Galaxy Watch Ultra Really Premium?
- Case Size: 47.7mm
- Material: titanium + Grade 2 titanium
- Durability: IP68 (10 ATM), MIL-STD-810H Certified
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out with its rugged, robust design, combining a circular and square shape that may remind some users of a One UI home screen icon. While this design offers a unique identity, it may not appeal to everyone, especially those expecting the more familiar circular design seen in earlier Samsung smart watches. Some might even compare it to the Apple Watch Ultra, but this isn’t a fair comparison.
One noteworthy shift is the lack of a rotating bezel. This popular feature, known from previous models, is absent due to durability concerns. However, Samsung has retained the touch-sensitive bezel, allowing users to simulate the bezel’s function by swiping around the screen’s edge.
Contrary to the full titanium design advertised, the Galaxy Watch Ultra features a mix of plastic and titanium in its frame, which may be a letdown for those expecting an entirely metal body. Despite these shortcomings, the watch feels comfortable for daily use, thanks to its relatively slim 12.1mm profile. The Marine strap offers excellent breathability, with two additional straps—Trail and PeakForm—available for adventurers.
Although the Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts excellent durability standards, it lacks the ability to function as a dive watch. So if underwater exploration is part of your adventure plans, this smartwatch may not be the best fit.
Display: Bright and Tough
- Screen Size: 1.5 inches (Super AMOLED)
- Resolution: 480 x 480 pixels
- Protection: Sapphire Crystal Glass
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with a bright and vibrant Super AMOLED display protected by sapphire crystal glass, ensuring it can withstand tough outdoor conditions. This new Android watch offers impressive visibility, even in direct sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking or running.
While the display size is nearly identical to that of the Galaxy Watch 7, the larger case surrounding the screen makes it look bigger. The Always-On Display (AOD) mode is also bright and legible under harsh lighting conditions.
For those who wear gloves while adventuring, the high-sensitivity touchscreen ensures smooth navigation without the need for a bezel or a digital crown, making it easy to scroll through options.
Software & companion apps: seamless with Samsung devices
- Software: Wear OS 5.0 with One UI 6.0
- Companion Apps: Samsung Health, Samsung Health Monitor
Running on Wear OS 5.0 with Samsung’s One UI Watch overlay, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a polished software experience. The latest One UI 6.0 brings fresh fonts and sharp text, while ultra-specific watch faces add customization options, including a red-colored Night mode.
However, to unlock the full potential of the Galaxy Watch Ultra‘s health features, such as ECG readings and blood pressure monitoring, you must pair it with a Samsung smartphone. These functionalities are not available on non-Samsung devices, making this smartwatch better suited for users already invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
The Samsung Health app provides comprehensive tracking for workouts and health metrics, while the Samsung Health Monitor app handles ECG and blood pressure reports. The Fitness tab offers a variety of workout videos, with new ones added regularly.
Performance: Top-Notch But Some Limitations
- Processor: Samsung Exynos W1000 (3 nm)
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 32GB (21.1GB usable)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is powered by the efficient Exynos W1000 processor, offering smooth and fluid performance. Navigation is quick, and the interface is more responsive compared to previous models, such as the Galaxy Watch 6.
However, there are some quirks in the design, such as the Quick Button, which can be easily activated by accident. The button allows users to pause or resume workouts, but it may feel fidgety for some users.
Health features like blood pressure monitoring and ECG readings work well, though they are not medical-grade. Sleep tracking is accurate, though the watch doesn’t automatically track naps. Fitness tracking, including step counting and GPS, is reliable but slightly shaky in urban environments with tall buildings.
Battery Life: Good, But Not Great
- Battery Capacity: 590mAh
- Charging Rate: 10W (magnetic charger included)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra‘s battery life is decent but not exceptional for an adventure-ready watch. With heavy use, including GPS tracking and health monitoring, the watch lasts around 2 days on a single charge. With features like AOD turned off, it can stretch to 3 days.
While this is on par with other Wear OS smartwatches, it falls short compared to competitors like the OnePlus Watch 2R, which offers up to 12 days in Power Saver mode.
Verdict: A Good Choice for Samsung Enthusiasts and Adventurers
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a solid option for users already embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, especially those who love outdoor adventures. Its rugged design, bright display, and advanced health features make it suitable for fitness enthusiasts and athletes. However, for casual users or those without a Samsung device, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers nearly the same features at a lower price.
For hardcore adventurers, there are better alternatives, such as Garmin’s Fenix series or Suunto watches, which offer more extensive features like dive capabilities and longer battery life.
