After months of rumors, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has finally arrived, revealed at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10. This rugged smartwatch is set to compete with the Apple Watch Ultra series, offering a slew of features that should delight Android users.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Price and Release Date
Let’s start with the basics: the price. The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes in at $650. While it’s pricier than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, it undercuts the Apple Watch Ultra 2 by $100. If you’re looking to snag one, preorders began on July 10, and regular sales start on July 24. You can get your hands on it through Samsung’s website, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers. Preordering also gets you a free extra watch band, which is a nice bonus considering the price tag.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Specifications
Here are the key Specifications for the Galaxy Watch Ultra:
- Display: 47mm, 1.5 inch 480 x 480 Super AMOLED with full-color always-on display, Sapphire Crystal
- Processor: Exynos W1000 (4 Core, 3nm)
- Battery: 590mAh, fast-charging compatible
- Storage: 2GB memory, 32GB storage
- Software: Wear OS Powered by Samsung (WearOS 5) with One UI 6 Watch
- Sensors: BioActive Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
- Connectivity: LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz, NFC, GPS
- Durability: 10ATM + IP68
- Price: $650
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Design and Display
Samsung bills the Galaxy Watch Ultra as its “toughest Galaxy Watch yet.” Made from aerospace-grade titanium, it features a proprietary cushion design to protect the display in extreme conditions. The dynamic lug system enhances comfort.
The watch boasts a 47mm Super AMOLED display with a 480 x 480 resolution and Sapphire Crystal glass. It’s always on and plenty bright, even in outdoor conditions, thanks to its peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Plus, it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters and has an IP68 rating for dust and water protection.
Available in titanium silver, gray, and white, this watch can withstand everything from deep-sea dives to high-altitude hikes.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Health and Fitness Tracking
When it comes to health and fitness, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is packed with features. It’s the first smartwatch with FDA-approved technology to monitor sleep apnea. To start sleep apnea monitoring, wear the watch for two consecutive nights.
It also introduces a new racing feature to compete against your previous runs on the same route, measures anaerobic and aerobic threshold zones, and includes a multi-sports tile for tracking multi-course workouts.
Cyclists will love the Functional Threshold Power (FTP) feature, which accurately measures maximum cycling power in just four minutes. This uses AI-powered FTP metrics to help you unlock your full potential based on unique indicators.
There’s also a Quick Button to initiate and control workouts, an Emergency Siren for added safety, and a host of sensors, including the Samsung BioActive Sensor, temperature, accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, and light sensors.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Performance and Battery
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch Ultra packs Samsung’s first 3nm processor, the four-core Exynos W1000. This chip promises smooth performance and is up to three times faster than the previous generation.
Battery life is robust with a 590mAh battery that supports fast charging. In “exercise power-saving” mode, you get up to 48 hours, and in “standard power-saving” mode, up to 100 hours of use.
The watch comes with 2GB of memory and 32GB of storage for your apps, music, and other files.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Software
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI 6 interface. This combination provides improved performance and power efficiency. It comes loaded with various apps, including Samsung-specific services, Google apps, and third-party options.
Connectivity options include LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi (both 2.4 and 5GHz), and GPS. To use it, you’ll need an Android device with at least 1.5GB of memory and Android 11 or later.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra
It’s hard to talk about the Galaxy Watch Ultra without comparing it to the Apple Watch Ultra series. Samsung clearly took some inspiration from Apple, but it also brought some unique features to the table. For instance, sleep apnea tracking is something Samsung has over Apple.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s lower price is another plus, though Apple Watch Ultra 2 can be found at similar prices from third-party sellers. Both watches are deeply integrated into their respective ecosystems, so the choice may come down to whether you’re already an Android or Apple user.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a rugged, feature-packed smartwatch designed to handle extreme conditions and deliver top-notch health and fitness tracking. With its competitive pricing and impressive specs, it’s a strong contender in the high-end smartwatch market.
If you’re an Android user looking for a durable, versatile smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra might just be the perfect fit. Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and comparisons as we put this new wearable to the test.