Design and Specifications: Rugged but with Some Compromises
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra presents itself with a rugged design, featuring a 47.7mm titanium case and Grade 2 Titanium for durability. While it’s IP68 rated and MIL-STD-810H certified, making it durable in tough conditions, the design feels like a departure from previous models. Instead of a fully circular design, Samsung has opted for a mix of square and circle, which feels confusing and lacks the cohesive identity of past Galaxy watches. Another drawback is that the case is only partially titanium, with some parts made from plastic. The Marine strap, however, is a saving grace, offering a comfortable and breathable experience.
Display: Bright and Clear in All Conditions
The 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels, and it’s protected by sapphire crystal glass. This provides great protection and makes the watch more resilient against the elements. The display shines in outdoor conditions, making it easy to read even under direct sunlight, thanks to its brightness and the always-on display (AOD) mode. Although the Ultra lacks a rotating bezel or digital crown for easy navigation, its high-sensitivity touchscreen mode compensates well when gloves are worn during extreme activities.
Software and Performance: Optimized for Samsung Ecosystem
Powered by the Samsung Exynos W1000 processor and 2GB of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra runs smoothly on Wear OS 5.0 with One UI 6.0. The interface looks modern, featuring Samsung’s new font and some exclusive Ultra-specific watch faces. The software works seamlessly, particularly when paired with a Samsung smartphone. Features like ECG readings and blood pressure monitoring are only available on Samsung devices, limiting its appeal to users with non-Samsung phones. The Samsung Health and Health Monitor apps offer robust fitness tracking, and the added Galaxy AI integrations help craft quick replies during conversations.
Battery Life: Adequate but Not Exceptional
or Suunto. Turning off some features can extend the battery life to around three days, but it’s still far from the multi-day battery lives offered by some other rugged watches. Charging the watch takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, which is reasonable, but not groundbreaking.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a solid option for Samsung users who want a rugged smartwatch with a large display, robust health tracking features, and a seamless software experience. However, its high price and lack of certain features like a dive computer may make it less appealing to casual users, especially when the Galaxy Watch 7 offers similar functionality at a lower cost.
