Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Good Stuff
- Premium design with titanium & ceramic material
- Impressive battery life
- Advanced health tracking features
- Impressive user interface with improved OneUI
- Integrates well with Google apps
The Bad Stuff
- Expensive
- Track features only work with Samsung phones
- No rotating bezel
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
(Image source: Samsung)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
“The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out as a premium smartwatch, offering great features and fast performance.”
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a new flagship smartwatch released this year, and is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness enthusiasts. If you’re one looking to get a premium smartwatch to track you steps and reach your fitness goals daily, you going to have a hard time as there are so many other brands to consider. Well, let me make your life a little more easier.
Take a look at this comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra that delves deep into the smartwatches’ overall features, design, battery life, and the overall value proposition.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a smartwatch that aims to rival Apple’s Watch Ultra. Offering a range of premium features and a rugged design, it’s not a direct successor to the Galaxy Watch6 Classic. The Galaxy Watch Ultra represents a significant upgrade in terms of performance, battery life, and durability.
Powered by the Exynos W1000 SoC and featuring a larger battery, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers improved performance and endurance. The rugged design, incorporating sapphire, titanium, and ceramic materials, makes it suitable for outdoor activities and challenging environments.
One notable change from previous models is the absence of a rotating bezel. While the touch-based “virtual bezel” provides functionality, it may not be as intuitive for some users.
Overall, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a premium smartwatch that offers a compelling combination of features and performance.
However, potential buyers should carefully consider their preferences and priorities, particularly regarding the absence of a rotating bezel and the proprietary wireless charging.
Specs
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
- Display: 1.50-inch Super AMOLED (480 x 480)
- Processor: Exynos W1000
- Storage/Memory: 32GB 2GB RAM
- OS: Android Wear OS 5, One UI Watch 6
- Battery: 590mAh; 10W wireless
- Network: LTE, eSIM, Wi-Fi , Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
- Other: IP68/10ATM certified, ECG certified, 100m water resistant, weighs 60.5g
(Image source: Samsung)
Robust Design with Mixed Choices
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra features a refined design with premium materials and a rugged build. While the square-ish shape may be divisive, the watch’s overall aesthetic is visually appealing. The absence of a rotating bezel, a hallmark of previous Galaxy Watch models, may disappoint some users. However, the touch bezel and haptic feedback provide a decent alternative.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s lightweight design, robust construction, and water resistance make it suitable for various activities and environments. The included straps are comfortable and durable, but users may prefer to explore third-party options.
In terms of usability, the absence of a rotating bezel and the close proximity of the buttons can be challenging for some users. While the Quick Button offers additional functionality, it may take some time to adjust to the new button layout.
Overall, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s design is a mixed bag. While it offers a premium look and feel, the absence of a rotating bezel and the challenges associated with the touch-based navigation may impact the user experience for some.
Enhanced Health & Fitness Tracking
The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers improved health and fitness tracking features compared to its predecessor. New features include GPX data import for turn-by-turn navigation, personalized workout routes, and a dedicated Night mode for preserving battery life during nighttime activities.
While the watch’s automatic workout tracking still needs refinement, it accurately tracks specific activities like running and cycling. The integration of AI allows for more accurate health assessments, such as the Energy Score and sleep tracking.
However, it’s important to note that certain features, like ECG and heart rate variability alerts, may be restricted to specific regions due to regulatory requirements.
Additionally, the accuracy of sleep tracking and body composition measurements can be influenced by various factors, making them less reliable compared to professional equipment.
Overall, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking features. While it may not be perfect in every aspect, it provides valuable insights and data for users who prioritize health and wellness.
(Image source: Samsung)
Impressive Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with an impressive battery life, offering up to 72 hours of usage without always-on display and with moderate usage. While this is an improvement over previous models, it may not match the endurance of some competitors.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra smartwatch is powered by a 590mAh battery and supports wireless charging. However, the charging speed is relatively slow, taking nearly two hours for a full charge. Additionally, you need to use the Samsung wireless charger which comes with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Other third-party chargers will not work.
Overall, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s battery life is commendable, but it could benefit from faster charging capabilities and wider compatibility with wireless charging standards.
Refined & Satisfying WearOS Experience
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 6 overlay, providing a refined and customizable user experience. While the software updates are incremental, they offer improvements in performance, features, and overall usability.
The Watch Ultra benefits from the maturing Wear OS ecosystem, with a growing number of compatible apps and watch faces available. Samsung’s own One UI Watch 5 offers additional features and customization options, tailored to the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s capabilities.
The device’s health and fitness tracking features are enhanced by the integration of Wear OS and Samsung’s Health app. The ability to import GPX data, track custom routes, and access real-time updates during workouts adds to the overall fitness experience.
While the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s software offers a positive experience, there are still areas for improvement. The absence of a rotating bezel and the limited customization options for the buttons can be seen as drawbacks. Additionally, the lack of wider third-party accessory compatibility and the slow charging speed may be limitations for some users.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra’s software provides a solid foundation for its features and functionality. However, potential buyers should carefully consider their priorities and preferences to determine if the device’s software aligns with their needs.
(Image source: Samsung)
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out as a premium smartwatch, offering great features and fast performance. It boasts an excellent battery life, a robust build quality, and a comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking options.
The new Exynos W1000 CPU chip does wonders as it ensures you get a smoother user experience compared to older smartwatch models. While the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a remarkable device, it’s does have its compromises. Firstly, the absence of a rotating bezel. Next, is the lack of a larger display. Lastly, the Galaxy Watch Ultra comes at a high price.
To add to that, the Galaxy Watch Ultra uses a special type of wireless charging port that only works with Samsung products. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a compelling choice and a good recommendation for those seeking a top-tier smartwatch. However, potential buyers should carefully consider their priorities and budget before making a decision to buy.
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