Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch Ultra arrives as the brand’s most premium and rugged smartwatch to date. Launched alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphones, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is designed for those who need a durable, feature-packed device, especially extreme sports enthusiasts. After spending a few weeks with this smartwatch, here’s my detailed review to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is priced at ₹59,999 and comes in a 47mm variant. Available in Titanium Gray, Titanium White, and Titanium Silver color options, the watch caters to different aesthetic preferences.
What’s Inside the Box
The box contains the following:
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
- Charger
- Documentation
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a rugged yet sophisticated design, standing out in the market of premium smartwatches. I tested the Titanium Silver variant, which pairs beautifully with its dark gray strap. The dynamic lug system makes strap changes effortless, though older watch straps are not compatible with this model.
At 47mm, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s largest smartwatch, weighing 60.5 grams. Despite its bulk, it is only 12.1mm thick, making it thinner than Apple’s equivalent, the Apple Watch Ultra. The watch case is made from Titanium Grade 4, giving it a premium matte finish while preventing fingerprints and dust buildup.
The watch is built to withstand tough environments, with 10ATM water resistance, an IP68 water and dust rating, and MIL-STD-810G certification. This makes it durable enough for extreme temperatures, from -20°C to 55°C.
Display
The 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display is another highlight. With Sapphire glass protection and a peak brightness of 3000 nits, it delivers excellent visibility, even in bright outdoor conditions. The always-on display ensures convenience, and I found no scratches on the screen, even after some rough use.
Software and User Experience
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on WearOS with Samsung’s One UI 6 Watch overlay, offering a familiar and smooth interface for Samsung device users. The watch connects to your phone through the Galaxy Wearable app, and health tracking is managed via the Samsung Health app.
You have access to various watch faces and can download more from the Play Store, including a unique night mode face with a red theme. A new customisable Quick Action button allows you to perform tasks like starting workouts or using the torch. The device’s AI integration is handy for tasks like replying to messages, adding another layer of convenience.
One downside, however, is that certain health features—such as ECG and blood pressure tracking—are limited to Samsung smartphones, restricting full functionality for users with other Android devices.
Performance and Features
Powering the Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s Exynos W1000 chipset, with a 5-core CPU delivering significantly improved performance compared to its predecessor. With 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, the watch operates smoothly, even when running multiple apps.
The watch also includes a new Siren feature, which could prove useful in emergencies by enabling a loud siren sound when the Action Button is pressed.
For fitness and health enthusiasts, the watch is loaded with tracking sensors, including Samsung’s new BioActive Sensor, which combines optical, electrical, and bioelectrical impedance sensors. It also comes with an optical heart rate sensor, temperature sensor, geomagnetic sensor, and more.
During my usage, the Galaxy Watch Ultra proved to be an excellent fitness companion, accurately tracking workouts, heart rate, and even sleep patterns. Over a seven-day period, the watch provided insights into my sleep patterns and offered suggestions for improvement. The AI-powered energy score is a helpful tool, predicting daily energy levels based on sleep and activity.
However, it’s worth noting that while health metrics like ECG and blood pressure are valuable, they are exclusive to users with Samsung smartphones. This limitation could be a dealbreaker for non-Samsung Android users.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with a 590mAh battery, promising up to 100 hours of battery life in power-saving mode. With the always-on display (AOD) and heart rate tracking enabled, I managed nearly three days of use, which is impressive for a smartwatch with so many features.
Charging the watch, however, is slow. It takes about two hours to fully charge the device using the provided wireless magnetic charger. Unfortunately, this charger isn’t compatible with regular wireless charging pads, so you’ll need to keep the original charger on hand.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is an impressive piece of technology, offering durability, a stunning display, and excellent health and activity tracking. Its rugged design, paired with its premium features, makes it an appealing choice for those who lead active lifestyles.
If you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, this watch is an excellent addition. However, for non-Samsung smartphone users, the limitations on key health features and slow charging speeds are worth considering before making a purchase.
Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes.
