Verdict
Despite the odd oddity , the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra bring a tonic premium touch to the Wear OS ecosystem . It ’s certainly true that the Ultra ’s design appears intemperately breathe in by Apple ’s homonymic alternative , but I do n’t suspect Android users craving a supercharged smartwatch will wish much . If you’re able to wield the clunky seafaring , gently unpredictable battery life , and oversized footprint , the Galaxy Watch Ultra is an excellent upgrade to the distinctive mid - range smartwatch experience .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Galaxy Watch Ultra represents a percipient shift in tactfulness from Samsung . While once content to offer a slightly buffed version of the standard Galaxy Watch , the Ultra represents the Korean blade ’s first true attempt at a ruggedized , high - closing smartwatch .
With theApple Watch Ultrafinding success over the last couple of years , Samsung ’s all - new $ 649/£599 flagship attend as the de facto alternative for those with anAndroid phone – not least because the interlingual rendition drawn up in Cupertino almost sure as shooting proved to be the stand out off point here .
Samsung has take cues with design points like the action push , band elan , colouring , and a sight of matching base - storey specs , as well as a few new software additions .
Yet , while it ’s easy to mock Samsung for mimic Apple ’s purpose and feature so overtly , it ’s also hard to argue with the effectiveness of doing so . After all , it ’s a ploy that has assist secure the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a fun - look smartwatch with excellent build quality .
or else , the real story of the Galaxy Watch Ultra lies in the head - scratching misses from Samsung that curb it back from being thebest smartwatch .
Design and Screen
The design of the Ultra and its similarity to the Apple Watch Ultra has been the major talking point since Samsung unveiled it at Unpacked in July .
However , Samsung insert a similar looking at with theSamsung Gear Sportback in 2017 . Whether one date the cushioned case design of the Gear Sport as having been reimagined here , or views this as a derivative of the Apple Watch Ultra , in all probability depends on one ’s loyalty to either of these transnational tech entity .
What ’s more important is whether it ’s a design that ’s in reality functional . After all , draw up a comparable look does n’t automatically translate to a working design in the real world .
With a weight of 60 g and a case size of 47 mm , the Ultra is very clearly not designed for those with smaller wrists . What this oversized style does do , though , is add a much - ask sense of individuality to the Wear OS batting order .
The distinctive shape and exceptional build quality set it asunder from almost every other smartwatch in the Android landscape . The titanium subject is a great example of this . I have test many lighter sentinel with stainless steel instance that are much less comfy for workouts , uninterrupted wear , and sleep tracking .
The 1.5 - inch SuperAMOLEDdisplay is one of the standout features here , too , declare oneself the good screenland quality on an Android watch . It remains clean even in bright sunlight with a peak brightness of 2000 nit – the same as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 .
The only publication here is that the glorious video display gets smudged easy due to the one major drawback of this design , the seafaring .
While Samsung has included a customisable nimble push , it also missed a immense opportunity by not incorporating a rotating bezel – a defining feature of many of its previous mannequin . It would have made scroll through the UI a joyousness here .
or else , navigating through the interface can feel cumbersome and , while the quick button is useful , it does n’t fully make up for the absence seizure of a more intuitive navigation method like a digital crown or functional bezel .
The aim would also really benefit from repositioning one of the two side button on the opposite side for better ergonomics .
This by , though , I have loved having the Ultra on my carpus . It ’s still just about unique enough to not find like a full Apple Watch Ultra clone , and the distinct trend is a perfect fit for those who want something with a bit more in - your - facial expression personality than the usual stock of muffled Wear oculus sinister watches .
Software
Along with theGalaxy Watch 7 , the Ultra is the first to do good fully from the raw Wear OS 5 update . This new package is presented with Samsung ’s own overlaid design – the young One UI 6 Watch .
It ’s definitely a positive , but , grant the full-bodied state of Google ’s software political program over the past distich of years , the impact has been slightly minimal . And the big software additions from Samsung ’s end are n’t particularly integral , either .
The companionship hyped the introduction of Galaxy AI earlier in the year , but the smartwatch experience here does n’t finger especially driven by it – and that ’s despite the presence of a powerful 3 micromillimetre splintering . The AI features , from what I can narrate , are define to personalized wellness top for Samsung earpiece and the raw Energy Score . Both of these are interchangeable to characteristic that have been available on other wearables for some time .
I should say , though , that another significant lineament of One UI 6 Watch is the FDA - approved sopor apnea sleuthing . Unfortunately , pass on it ’s still pending approval in the UK , it was n’t something I could essay for this followup .
So , what about the rest ? Well , while Google ’s service and smart features such as LTE and contactless payments make the watch a comprehensive bright twist , I still do n’t think it matches the slick nature of Apple ’s watchOS . perceptivity are generally presented in a absolved context over on the other side of the fencing , and minor frustrations present in Samsung ’s weapons platform just do n’t really exist .
For exercise , one thing I routinely found with One UI 6 Watch on the Ultra is its dependency on a speech sound connective to get at elaborated data . During some tests , like outdoor drive , leaving the telephone set at home meant I could n’t critique any hoard data point until I returned and synchronize the spotter .
likewise , if the phone battery exit overnight , sleep datum and mark are n’t immediately accessible . That kind of thing just is n’t the character on watchOS , or , true , if you have a functioning LTE connection .
You might have also seen Samsung announce feature like the ‘ Double Pinch ’ motion ascendence , which is an divertingly similar take on Apple’sDouble Tapfeature unloose last September .
However , while these add-on are prissy , they do n’t sum up satisfying note value to One UI 6 sentry or importantly specialize the Ultra . This kind of thing is compounded by the fact that the Samsung Health Monitor app – which include entree to ECG and parentage insistency monitoring – is curtail to exploiter of Samsung phones .
With the introduction of the Galaxy Ring , a machine very clear designed to complement Samsung ’s vigil , now might be the best time to own a Samsung phone . If you own the like of a Pixel or OnePlus handset , though , it ’s not specially welcoming .
Activity Tracking
While the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra may share the same rugged feel as the Apple Watch Ultra , there ’s actually a middling unlike centering here when it comes to tracking .
While Apple would have you using its agiotage smartwatch on challenging hikes and deep sea adventure , the Galaxy Watch instead leans into the traditional triathlon disciplines : swim , running , and cycling .
For the most part , it ’s similar to what you happen with the standard Galaxy Watch 7 series , but it ’s been buffed in certain areas . So , the Ultra comes with a 10ATM piddle resistance military rating , making it desirable for open pee swimming , which is a notable improvement over the veritable smartwatch ’s consortium - only valuation .
For bicycler , the Ultra also introduces a Functional Threshold Power ( FTP ) feature . rather of channelise out and perform a sustained , Georgia home boy - effort to discover your FTP , Samsung is promising to rein AI to metamorphose this into a four - minute trial run .
Does it work ? Yes and no .
The in the buff datum is very comparable to the likes of Garmin , but it was an absolute slog for us to attain it . The power meter connection in the Samsung Health app ( if you’re able to locate the division to do so , cave in you ’re unprompted on the ticker ) unplug multiple time while attempting to enter the initial FTP figure .
Plus , the watch does n’t actually exhibit the wattage and ability zone data for you to work from , nor does it sync this information to fitness apps like Strava . Again , another no - brainer overleap .
The advanced running metric offered by the Ultra are more straightforward and honest , at least . Post - run data point includes insights such as imbalance , contact sentence , flight time , regularity , and uprightness , which ordinate closely with datum from a Garmin gadget , and you may actually view this immediately after a run using the UI ’s dealings - light system .
In terms of gist pace monitoring and dual - frequency GPS truth , the Ultra performed extremely well , match theGarmin Epix Pro ( Gen 2)in all three core sportsman disciplines .
Heart rate reading material were consistently within 1 BPM of my Garmin ’s measure , and I experienced only one major , out - of - sync spike in our hour of exercising trailing .
The new dual - frequency GNSS also compare favourably to the gold criterion , which , as we ’ve seen in other Wear type O devices boasting the feature film , is n’t always the slip .
The Ultra tended to jug by about 50 K ( 0.03 miles ) over every 10 km chase after , liken to the Garmin . The discrepancy is within an acceptable range , especially considering the price conflict between the two devices .
Overall , the Galaxy Watch Ultra has great potential to be an splendid workout and sports sentinel alternative , provided Samsung can speak some of the package issues . It may not be replace any dive watches any clip soon , but the insights and experience are still a definite jumping from the mediocre smartwatch and loosely comparable to a top sports watch .
Health and Sleep Tracking
With the freshen design of the BioActive sensor and new insights front - and - center in the Samsung Health app , the Ultra look to be a comprehensive health monitoring gimmick at first glimpse .
The ‘ Energy grade ’ ( initially harbinger in January as ‘ My Vitality Score ’ before being rename before launching ) and the AGEs Index are the adult additions here , slot in alongside exist feature such as body composition depth psychology , rake oxygen levels , menstrual cycle tracking , and all - day tension monitoring . Plus , there are those undivided features for Samsung earpiece users we mentioned earlier , ECG and blood press monitoring ( if you have a BPM cuff to fine-tune it ) .
It ’s a comprehensive package to be sure , but I am not entirely convinced the truth is on par with the likes of Whoop , Oura , Garmin , or Apple .
For instance , body composition indication have ( like last year ) evidence very discrepant , with consistence fat percentages fluctuating importantly between readings – one mental testing would show 22 % , and one taken directly after would show 17 % . In examination , the Ultra ’s outcome often did n’t adjust with those from more true generator like the Withings Body Scan and Fitbit Aria 2 smart scales , both of which have me pegged around 14.5 - 15 % .
The Ultra ’s blood O monitoring during sleep also showed suspiciously low readings , with some measuring falling below 95 % and occasionally even 90 % . Even though this is almost sure as shooting due to a poor fit during sleep , it was still unique among the four devices I test .
Stress monitoring , too , just is n’t really a flesh - out experience . At a time when article of clothing from the ilk of Google , Oura , and Whoop place this at the heart and soul of the experience and ply nonrational feedback and perceptivity , the fact you have to manually turn on all - day trailing on the Ultra speaks volume .
Plus , the raw material – AGE monitoring and the Energy Score – just do n’t have a big enough wallop to claw the middling public presentation back .
Tracking forward-looking glycation end products ( AGEs ) – influenced by diet and life-style and are often used as endangerment markers for conditions like diabetes and strokes – is peculiarly frustrating in its current human body on the Ultra .
The trailing meter is very vague , allow for little actionable feedback or clarity on the significance of the reading , leave behind me to understand that higher value are worse and without any comfortable - to - follow guidance on how to improve this .
I opine there ’s something for Samsung to work with here , but it ’s a feature that need plenty of work .
The Energy Score is , at least , a bit more svelte – even if it ’s not nigh as refreshing .
This is efficaciously Samsung ’s twirl on the daily readiness scores seen from a pot of wearables makers over the last couplet of years . Energy Score is n’t as attuned to personal forwardness to train , as what you ’ll get hold withWhoopor Garmin , but does still offer clear scoring markers , personalized feedback , and comprehensive partitioning .
Samsung ’s focus appears rather to be more on sleep metrics than training loading , which is similar to Oura ’s approach shot .
Over the last couplet of weeks , my score tend to be within a specific range of 75 - 80/100 . I have had fairly consistent sleep and exercise in that time , which is a potential explanation for the lack of motion – though it is also possible it ’s not the most sensitive scoring organization , as well .
And though the wellness trailing could do with a minute more refinement , sleep trailing is a strong point for the Ultra .
I found the smartwatch can faithfully track sleep and wake times , closely matching the data from other devices , and furnish detailed feedback on skin temperature , breathing rate , snoring ( if the phone is nearby ) , and sleep degree .
There is also a quietus coach feature for drug user attend to improve their sleep calibre , and , unlike some other platforms , Samsung does n’t charge extra for access to this comprehensive datum .
Again , there ’s groundbreaking eternal rest apnea spotting on offer here reckon on your region , too , so it ’s a astray - ranging package .
Battery Life
Boasting the same 590mAh unit packed inside theGalaxy Watch Pro 5 , combine with what ’s establish to be a very great power - efficient operating organisation in other watches , I was hopeful the Ultra would be capable to really deliver on shelling life .
Yet , the largest on - paper electric battery in the Wear OS world does n’t translate to class - leading carrying out . Samsung claims up to 100 hours can be gained from the Ultra ’s Power Saving mode , but , naturally , this is n’t too helpful when drug user will mostly want to crank up out veritable use with the always - on video display enabled .
In my experience , you have to excite the Ultra every other 24-hour interval – and there ’s a chance it ’ll shinny to make it through the second nighttime of sleep tracking if you ’ve had a jolly heavy charge cycle .
Though this is n’t exactly a great functioning , two - day electric battery animation in itself is n’t the end of the populace for a pressurize smartwatch like the Ultra .
The bigger trouble is that it ’s an discrepant battery and that makes it incredibly hard to know what you’re able to get away with away from the battery charger . For model , some of our out-of-door rides sap next to no electric battery – less than 5 % – while equivalent distance would play out more than duple under the same trailing conditions .
Sleep trailing , too , where you would anticipate roughly identical drainpipe , order between 15 % and 25 % .
It does n’t alter too much in the overall modus operandi of bear the Ultra as you ’re give-up the ghost to have to think about charging every other day pretty much regardless of context – but it ’s not large for a picket of this price .
Plus , it ’s intensify by very slow institutionalize speeds . It ’ll take well over an hour to go from around 10 % to a full heraldic bearing , while 10 - 15 minutes on the proprietary puck will only deed over you an supererogatory 10 % . Not enough additional juice to track your sleep or an outside workout without concern of losing power .
The constancy of electric battery drainage might be cover through future software program updates , and we ’ll go along to supervise this in the come calendar month – especially have that Samsung is already aware of working on a mend for battery problems with the Ultra ’s babe equipment , the Galaxy Watch 7 .
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Should you buy it?
Pairing a bold design with exact and in - depth sleep monitoring and physical exercise trailing , this is an splendid choice for those who desire a bit extra from their smartwatch .
Those extra lineament come at the toll of the battery , and we recommend await at a consecrate variation watch like theGarmin Epix Pro ( Gen 2)if you prioritize extended runtime .
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is both a unequalled and first-class smartwatch but also a missed chance for Samsung to push the premium smartwatch place forward .
The design is derivative , but it ’s still staggeringly functional in day-by-day wear and provides a tough dash that ’s just simply not available from any other Wear OS vender – and something not potential to see fit by Google ’s forthcoming third - generation smartwatch .
While I would typically recommend a sports sentinel from Garmin’sFenix 7orEpix ( Gen 2)range for those looking for top tracking functioning , the performance of the Ultra is surprisingly very like , which means the cardinal reason for Android substance abuser to search beyond the Ultra would be improved battery life .
That is , of grade , unless you really value off - screen navigation prick like a spread out bezel , in which instance you ’ll likely be better off with the last - genGalaxy Watch 6 Classic . Or , you really want top - grade accuracy in wellness tracking – an area where theGoogle Pixel Watch 2excels .
If Samsung could have shored those areas up , while also raise a more consistent battery , we think it could have stolen Apple ’s crown for the top ‘ Ultra ’ smartwatch . But this is still a solid riposte worth weigh .
Trusted Score
How we test
We soundly try out every smartwatch we critique . We use industry - stock testing to liken feature article properly and we use the watch as our chief machine over the critical review catamenia . We ’ll always tell you what we get hold and we never , ever , bear money to review a product .
FAQs
The Watch Ultra play with any earpiece with Android 11 or newer and 1.5 GB random-access memory or more . However , pot of characteristic require a Samsung phone . There ’s no reenforcement for IOS .
