Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, about a month ago on the 24th of July 2024, and there have been debates as to whether this is one very powerful smartwatch and the best watch the company has ever released, speaking from a technical standpoint or from a normal user’s standpoint. Well, it is bigger in size, presumably, tougher and faster and they claim lasts even longer than other watch produced by Samsung like the Galaxy Watch 7. But is that true?
It features a durable titanium case that’s scratch-resistant, water resistance up to 100 meters, and outstanding battery life, the new Galaxy Ultra excels not only in aesthetics but also in advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities, which might actually be commendable by modern standards.
Well here’s a comprehensive overview of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, covering its specifications, smart and holistic features, battery life, build quality, and more, in other to answer our initial question, could this be the best Samsung yet?
Table of Contents
Display and Design
Samsung introduced a new aesthetic with its 47mm square-shaped case, three physical buttons on the right side, and a 1.5-inch round AMOLED display, marking a shift from earlier Galaxy Watch designs. It features a customizable Quick Button and is available in three color options: Titanium White, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Silver. The watch has dimensions of 47.4 x 47.1 x 12.1 mm and weighs 60.5 g.
Those three physical buttons, two being Samsung’s usual two buttons that lets you cycle through options in the same way as they always have, and are used in conjunction with the powerful AMOLED touchscreen and also, we now have the Quick Button, which can be programmed to automatically initiate workouts, transition between segments, or switch to the next workout profile using the new Multisports tile, perfect for disciplines like triathlon.
Specifications
The programmable Quick Button mentioned earlier can be set to instantly start a workout, making it easy to begin activities like hiking, running, swimming, or cycling with just a press. These activities benefit from the new precision dual-frequency GPS, which enhances tracking accuracy. Samsung believes that this advanced GPS feature also allows you to retrace your steps along a GPS-driven route, guiding you back to the exact point where you may have deviated from your planned course.
Additional features carried over from previous models include comprehensive health monitoring, now enhanced with an upgraded Samsung BioActive sensor array. This includes heart rate tracking, blood oxygen levels, heart rate variability, skin temperature, electrocardiogram heart health scans, and body composition analysis using BIA (Bioelectrical impedance analysis), which estimates the ratio of fat, muscle, and bone in your body.
AI-powered sleep tracking integrates a comprehensive range of factors to help users gain deeper insights into their sleep patterns and habits. Additionally, the Ultra offers a daily Energy Score along with personalized tips and recommendations to enhance overall well-being.
Battery Life and Charging
Samsung equipped the Galaxy Watch Ultra with a battery capacity of 590 mAh, providing robust power for extended use. Additionally, it supports wireless charging with a power output of 10W, ensuring efficient and convenient recharging without the need for cables. This combination of a substantial battery and fast wireless charging contributes to a seamless user experience, minimizing downtime and maximizing the watch’s functionality.
Software
In addition to the Galaxy Watch 7, the Ultra seems to stand out as one of the first Android smartwatches to debut with Wear OS 5. Samsung believes that this new operating system brings enhanced capabilities and a range of features. Moreover, third-party apps available on Wear OS provide the opportunity to further expand your smartwatch’s functionality beyond the standard offerings from Samsung, allowing for a more personalized and versatile user experience.
Price
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is available at $649 or around a price of 850,000 to over 1 million NGN, which in my personal opinion seems too expensive for a smartwatch.
Conclusion
For a watch that is slightly cheaper than other premium watches in the category, but an expensive design upgrade, bulky and bold, but robust, durable and well thought out, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra will sit alone at the top of the Wear OS heap as the device to beat. Of course, that comes with a hefty $650 price tag which is double the cost of the Galaxy Watch 7, despite doing many of the same things.
Is it the best Samsung watch yet and how does compare with other brands? With these features mentioned, it is obvious that this watch might just be Samsung’s best watch yet and it might just do fair with other smartwatches that are on the market right now, especially with Samsung’s reputation.