The Galaxy Watch Ultra is the newest addition to Samsung’s smartwatch lineup, designed to compete in the premium and rugged smartwatch segment. Priced at ₹60,000, this watch aims to be the go-to wearable for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.
However, while it has many impressive features, it doesn’t escape comparisons to the Apple Watch Ultra, which has set a high standard in this category. Let's check out what makes the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra stand out, and where it falls short.
Galaxy Watch Ultra Design
One of the first things you'll notice about the Galaxy Watch Ultra is its size. At 47mm wide and 12.1mm thick, it’s a large and heavy watch, weighing in at 60.5 grams. The watch has a solid titanium case with a sapphire glass display, designed to withstand extreme conditions.
It's rated for 10 ATM water resistance, meaning it can handle depths of up to 100 metres, and it's built to handle harsh environments, including high altitudes and extreme temperatures.
This bulky design with that ‘squircle’ dial might not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more subtle look. However, for adventurers who need a tough, durable watch, this size and sturdiness will likely be a welcome feature.
Samsung has designed the Galaxy Watch Ultra to handle rough and tough conditions. It meets the MIL-STD-810H military standard for durability, meaning it can survive shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures.
The watch is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, though Samsung does warn that it’s not suitable for high-pressure water sports like diving. While it can track your swim workouts, you shouldn’t rely on it for deep-sea diving or water skiing.
One feature that stands out is the titanium construction. The material is known for being both lightweight and highly durable, which means the watch can take a beating without showing much wear and tear.
The sapphire crystal on the screen also ensures it’s highly resistant to scratches, making it a great companion for outdoor adventures.
Galaxy Watch Ultra Display
The display on the Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of its standout features. It boasts a 1.5-inch AMOLED screen with a 480x480 resolution, offering sharp visuals and vibrant colours. The screen is bright enough to see even in direct sunlight, thanks to its 3,000-nit brightness.
The always-on display is another highlight, allowing you to check the time or notifications without having to lift your wrist. The clarity of the screen makes it easy to switch between different watch faces, some of which look almost like real analog watches.
Galaxy Watch Ultra Health & Sports Tracking
Like many high-end smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a range of health and fitness tracking features.
Samsung has included its BioActive sensor, which combines heart rate, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring into one unit. This sensor is quite accurate, providing consistent heart rate readings that match closely with other devices like the Oura Ring and Apple Watch Ultra.
One of the new health features on the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) index, which claims to measure your risk of diabetes and stroke by analysing certain molecules in your skin. However, this feature has received mixed reviews. Some users find the metric confusing and not very helpful without proper medical context.
Additionally, the watch tracks sleep patterns and offers insights through Samsung’s sleep AI. After a week of monitoring your sleep, the watch assigns you a “sleep animal” to represent your sleep habits. While this can be fun and accurate for some, others might find it gimmicky.
One major drawback is that many of the advanced health features, such as ECG readings and the Energy Score, are only available if you have a Samsung phone. This can be frustrating for Android users who don’t own a Samsung device, as it limits the watch’s functionality.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is geared toward outdoor activities, and it does a decent job at tracking various workouts. It has built-in GPS with dual-band accuracy, making it easy to track runs, hikes, and other outdoor activities with precision.
The watch also auto detects activities like walking and biking, meaning you don’t have to manually start a workout.
For cyclists, the watch offers metrics like Functional Threshold Power (FTP), which is useful for serious athletes. However, some features that high-end Garmin or Apple Watch Ultra users might expect, such as scuba diving tracking, are missing.
Samsung has added Track Back functionality, which helps you retrace your steps if you get lost on a hike or run, but accessing these navigation tools can be a bit tricky.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra also monitors water loss during workouts, which is a handy feature for people who train in hot climates or participate in endurance sports.
Overall, it’s a solid option for most outdoor activities, though hardcore athletes might miss some of the more advanced features found on Garmin watches.
Galaxy Watch Ultra Software
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI overlay. If you’ve used a Samsung smartwatch before, the interface will feel familiar. The watch responds quickly to swipes and taps, and you can use the side buttons to navigate through apps and features.
Samsung has also included a Quick Button, similar to Apple’s Action Button, which lets you assign shortcuts like starting a workout or turning on the flashlight. It’s a useful addition, though some users might miss the physical rotating bezel found on older Samsung watches.
One area where the Galaxy Watch Ultra falls short is software integration with non-Samsung Android phones. While it works with any Android device running version 11 or higher, many of the best features, like the Energy Score and Double Pinch gesture, are only available if you’re using a Samsung phone.
Galaxy Watch Ultra Battery Life
Battery life is one of the key selling points of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Under normal usage, the watch lasts about two days on a single charge, which is similar to the Apple Watch Ultra.
If you turn on Power Saving mode, the watch can last up to 100 hours. This is a significant improvement over many other smartwatches that need daily charging.
However, there are some downsides. For one, the watch doesn’t support reverse wireless charging from a Samsung phone, a feature available in previous models. Additionally, fast charging isn’t as quick as some might expect, taking almost two hours to fully charge the watch.
Another issue is the lack of low-battery warnings. The watch simply shuts off when the battery is drained, without giving you much notice. This can be inconvenient if you’re out in the field and relying on the watch for navigation or workout tracking.
Galaxy Watch Ultra Review
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a well-built, feature-rich smartwatch that offers plenty for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its rugged design, large display, and strong battery life make it a good option for anyone looking for a premium wearable that can handle tough conditions.
However, it does have some limitations. Many of its most appealing features require a Samsung phone, which might deter Android users who don’t want to switch brands.
Additionally, while the watch offers good health and fitness tracking, it lacks some of the specialised features found on other high-end sports watches.
At ₹60,000, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a significant investment. For Samsung users who want a premium, rugged smartwatch, it’s a strong contender. But for others, especially those who don’t own a Samsung phone or who want more advanced sports tracking, there might be better options on the market.
