It’s been 11 years since Samsung launched its first smartwatch – the Samsung Gear in 2013, which featured a camera built into the wristband – but the tech giant waited until 2024 to launch its first ruggedized variant: the Galaxy Watch Ultra (available from Samsung). With a large, bright and robust display and numerous fitness and health sensors – including, for the first time, FDA-approved sleep apnea detection in a smartwatch – the Galaxy Watch Ultra has a lot going for it. But it also has a few minor issues, if my five days with the device are any indication.
About the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Strangely, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has exactly the same naming convention as its main rival, the Apple Watch Ultra, but just as Apple’s wearable requires an iPhone, Samsung’s Galaxy Gear Ultra needs an Android 11 (or newer) phone to connect to it – so in that respect, they may not exactly be rival devices.
Samsung has taken its time with the launch of its first adventure-ready model, doing its homework to see what the competition has to offer – no doubt from Apple, Suunto and Garmin – and ensuring that the Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a rugged watch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Specs:
- Price: $649.99
- Size: 47mm
- Processor: Exynos W1000
- Storage: 32GB
- System memory: 2GB RAM
- Display: 1.5-inch, 480 x 480 ppi
- Ports: Proprietary disc-shaped wireless induction charging via USB-C
- Connectivity: LTE (optional, but all models are eSIM-enabled), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+ 5GHz, NFC
- Battery: 590mAh; up to 1 day of normal use, up to 100 hours in power saving mode
- Weight: 60.5 g
- Dimensions: 47.4 x 47.1 x 12.1 millimeters
- It’s durable and robust and has a bright display
Unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Watch7, which comes in two sizes, 40 mm and 44 mm, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is only available in 47 mm (47.4 x 47.4 x 12.1 mm, to be precise). It is extremely durable thanks to the tough and scratch-resistant military grade 4 (MIL-STD-810H) titanium material that can withstand extreme temperatures from -20°C to 50°C (interestingly similar to the Galaxy Watch7).
The total weight of the somewhat chunky case is 60.5 grams and it is IP68 protected, which means that the watch is resistant to dust, dirt and sand and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes or in water up to 100 meters deep for up to 10 minutes. For comparison, the Galaxy Watch7 can survive up to 10 minutes at a depth of up to 50 meters (in terms of altitude, it can also be used at 9,000 meters, for example when cycling in the mountains).
Fast performance and a wealth of health features
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is agile. When you swipe across the screen – for example, down on the watch face to see a bar with quick options, up to see apps, right to see notifications or left to get to the training tiles – it responds super-fast, thanks in large part to the competent Exynos W1000 processor and the sophisticated One UI 6 platform based on WearOS 5.
I used the watch on two of the five days for different fitness activities to see how it performed. I liked the optional audio guide that gives you spoken feedback on your goal and laps. Aside from one crash that required a restart while swimming, it was a mostly positive experience, which we’ll get to in a moment.
Impressive battery life
With moderate use, we got about a day and a half between charges (not at maximum brightness), but Samsung says the Galaxy Watch Ultra can last up to 100 hours in low-power mode, which is very impressive (that’s about four days compared to the Apple Watch Ultra’s three days in low-power mode). As I have only owned the watch for a few days, this claim has not yet been verified in this initial field test.
Almost the same features as the Galaxy Watch7
Aside from some of the robust specs and battery life, there isn’t much difference between the Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Galaxy Watch7. The screen is the same, as are many of the fitness and health tracking sensors. It has the same processor, memory and dual-frequency GPS.
Of course, there are a few other differences, such as battery life and battery life. For example, the Watch Ultra has a built-in eSIM, while you have to buy an LTE-enabled model for the Watch7, and the Watch Ultra has that big quick button, but for most people who aren’t crazy adventurers, the Galaxy Watch7 might be the better (and cheaper) choice. The Galaxy Watch Ultra costs $649.99, while the Galaxy Watch7 costs $249.99 (or from $349.99 for the LTE version).
Yes, if you need the Galaxy Watch7’s features:
Aside from a few issues, Samsung really got it right with the Galaxy Watch Ultra – especially for outdoorsy types, serious fitness buffs and anyone who needs a little help keeping track of their health.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is also a good choice for anyone who doesn’t need an adventure-ready watch, as it’s virtually identical in every other way – and at a much lower price.
