The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra represents the pinnacle of Samsung’s smartwatch lineup, aiming to set new standards in the wearable tech industry. With its premium build, advanced features, and robust performance, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is designed for those who seek the very best in a smartwatch. This in-depth review will take you through every facet of this remarkable device, from its design to its real-world performance.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra exudes luxury and sophistication, making a strong first impression with its bold and refined design. Crafted from high-quality materials, including a titanium case and sapphire crystal glass, the watch is not only visually stunning but also incredibly durable. The titanium case offers a perfect balance between strength and weight, ensuring the watch feels substantial without being overly heavy on the wrist.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in multiple finishes, including a sleek matte black and a striking silver option. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the design, from the precision-engineered rotating bezel to the intricately crafted buttons. The rotating bezel, a signature feature of Samsung’s smartwatches, has been refined for smoother and more tactile feedback, enhancing the overall user experience.
The watch is available in two sizes, 44mm and 48mm, catering to different wrist sizes and preferences. The larger 48mm version is particularly impressive, featuring a rugged design that is built to withstand harsh environments while still looking elegant enough for formal occasions. The watch is also water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
Display
The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a stunning Super AMOLED display that is a true feast for the eyes. The 1.6-inch (44mm version) or 1.8-inch (48mm version) screen offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it one of the best displays ever seen on a smartwatch. The high resolution ensures that text and graphics are crisp and easy to read, even in bright sunlight.
One of the standout features of the display is its always-on functionality, which allows the watch face to remain visible at all times without draining the battery excessively. The watch also includes a customizable brightness setting, which can be adjusted automatically based on ambient light conditions or manually through the settings.
Samsung has also introduced a new feature called “Dynamic AOD,” which intelligently adjusts the always-on display based on the watch’s usage patterns. For instance, the watch face may switch to a more minimalist design when you’re not actively interacting with it, conserving battery life while still keeping essential information visible.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is powered by Samsung’s latest Exynos W920 processor, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. This combination delivers snappy performance, with apps launching quickly and animations running smoothly. Whether you’re navigating through the watch’s menus, using fitness apps, or interacting with notifications, the experience is fluid and responsive.
The watch supports both Bluetooth and LTE connectivity, allowing you to stay connected even when your phone isn’t nearby. The LTE version enables you to make and receive calls, send texts, and stream music directly from the watch, making it a truly standalone device.
One of the most significant upgrades in the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the inclusion of a new GPS module, which offers improved accuracy and faster satellite lock times. This is particularly beneficial for outdoor enthusiasts who rely on GPS for activities like hiking, running, and cycling. The watch also features a barometer, compass, and altimeter, providing essential data for outdoor adventures.
Software and User Experience
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Samsung’s One UI Watch, built on Google’s Wear OS platform. This collaboration between Samsung and Google has resulted in a refined and cohesive user experience, combining the best of both ecosystems. The watch is compatible with a wide range of Android devices and offers seamless integration with Google’s services, including Google Maps, Google Pay, and the Google Assistant.
One UI Watch offers a highly customizable interface, allowing users to choose from a variety of watch faces, widgets, and complications. The watch faces are beautifully designed, with options ranging from minimalist designs to more detailed and information-rich faces. You can also download additional watch faces from the Galaxy Store, giving you endless possibilities to personalize your watch.
The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with the rotating bezel playing a key role in providing a tactile and efficient way to scroll through menus and notifications. Swiping down from the top of the screen brings up the quick settings menu, where you can access essential functions like brightness control, airplane mode, and Do Not Disturb.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is its advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities. The watch is equipped with an array of sensors, including a heart rate monitor, blood oxygen sensor, ECG, and a new BioActive sensor that can measure body composition. These sensors work together to provide comprehensive health data, helping you stay on top of your fitness goals.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Samsung has always been at the forefront of health and fitness tracking, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra takes it to the next level. The watch offers a wide range of fitness tracking features, catering to both casual users and serious athletes. Whether you’re into running, cycling, swimming, or weightlifting, the watch has you covered with dedicated tracking modes.
One of the most notable additions to the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the ability to measure body composition. Using the BioActive sensor, the watch can estimate metrics like body fat percentage, muscle mass, and water retention. This feature is particularly useful for those who are focused on improving their overall health and fitness, as it provides a more holistic view of your progress beyond just weight or BMI.
The heart rate monitor has also been upgraded for greater accuracy, and the watch can continuously track your heart rate throughout the day. This data is used to provide insights into your overall cardiovascular health, including resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and recovery times. The watch also includes an ECG app that can detect irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, providing potentially life-saving information.
For runners and cyclists, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers advanced metrics like VO2 max, cadence, and pace analysis. The improved GPS accuracy ensures that your routes are tracked more precisely, and the watch can also provide real-time guidance during workouts, helping you stay on track with your goals.
Sleep tracking has also been enhanced, with the watch now able to monitor different stages of sleep, including REM, light, and deep sleep. The data is presented in an easy-to-understand format, with actionable insights to help you improve your sleep quality. The watch also includes a new feature called “Sleep Coaching,” which provides personalized recommendations based on your sleep patterns.
Battery Life
Battery life has always been a crucial factor for smartwatches, and Samsung has made significant improvements in this area with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The watch is equipped with a larger battery compared to its predecessors, and the efficiency of the Exynos W920 processor ensures that you can get through a full day of use with plenty of battery to spare.
In typical usage scenarios, including regular notifications, fitness tracking, and occasional GPS use, the watch can last up to 2 days on a single charge. This is impressive considering the watch’s powerful hardware and vibrant display. The always-on display and LTE connectivity do impact battery life, but even with these features enabled, the watch can comfortably last a full day.
Samsung has also introduced a new power-saving mode, which extends battery life even further by disabling non-essential features and reducing the screen’s brightness. This mode is particularly useful when you’re traveling or in situations where charging the watch might not be convenient.
Charging the Galaxy Watch Ultra is fast and hassle-free, thanks to its wireless charging capability. The watch is compatible with any Qi-certified charger, and Samsung includes a magnetic charging dock in the box. A full charge from 0% to 100% takes approximately 90 minutes, which is in line with other high-end smartwatches.
Smart Features
Beyond health and fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a wide range of smart features that make it a versatile companion for everyday life. The watch can receive and respond to notifications from your smartphone, including messages, emails, and app alerts. You can also make and receive calls directly from the watch, thanks to its built-in microphone and speaker.
One of the standout smart features is Samsung Pay, which allows you to make contactless payments directly from the watch. The process is simple and secure, and it supports both NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission), making it compatible with a wide range of payment terminals.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra also includes a variety of apps designed to enhance productivity and entertainment. For instance, you can use the watch to control your smart home devices, listen to music, or even navigate using Google Maps. The watch’s LTE connectivity ensures that you can stay connected even when you’re away from your phone, making it a true extension of your smartphone.
Samsung’s voice assistant, Bixby, is also integrated into the watch, allowing you to perform tasks using voice commands. While Bixby has improved over the years, it still lags behind competitors like Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri in terms of natural language processing and functionality. However, the inclusion of Google Assistant as an alternative provides more flexibility for users who prefer Google’s ecosystem.
Durability and Outdoor Features
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is built to withstand the elements, making it an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts and those who lead an active lifestyle. The titanium case is not only durable but also resistant to corrosion, ensuring that the watch remains in pristine condition even after exposure to harsh environments.
The watch is MIL-STD-810G certified, meaning it has passed rigorous testing for shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and humidity. This level of durability is rare in smartwatches, making the Galaxy Watch Ultra a reliable companion for outdoor adventures.
The water resistance rating of 100 meters is another highlight, allowing the watch to be used for swimming, snorkeling, and even shallow diving. The watch’s swim tracking features are comprehensive, offering metrics like stroke count, SWOLF (Swim Golf), and lap times.
For hikers and climbers, the watch’s barometer, compass, and altimeter provide essential data, such as elevation gain and weather trends. The improved GPS accuracy also ensures that your location is tracked precisely, even in challenging environments like dense forests or mountainous terrain.
Pricing and Value
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is positioned as a premium smartwatch, and its pricing reflects that. It is one of the most expensive smartwatches on the market, but it offers a level of quality and functionality that justifies the price tag.
When compared to other high-end smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7, the Galaxy Watch Ultra holds its own in terms of design, features, and performance. The choice between these watches ultimately comes down to personal preference and the ecosystem you’re most invested in.
For those who prioritize a rugged yet stylish design, advanced health and fitness tracking, and seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a compelling option. The inclusion of features like body composition analysis, advanced sleep tracking, and a durable build makes it a versatile and long-lasting investment.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the wearable tech industry. It offers a perfect blend of luxury, performance, and durability, making it one of the best smartwatches available today. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, or simply someone who appreciates cutting-edge technology, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is sure to impress.
While its premium price may be a barrier for some, the value it offers in terms of design, features, and overall experience makes it a worthy investment for those who seek the very best in a smartwatch. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is not just a smartwatch; it’s a statement piece that sets a new standard for what a wearable device can achieve.