Smartwatches have evolved significantly over the years, turning from simple notification devices to essential companions for health and fitness tracking. As an early adopter of smartwatches, starting with the Asus Zenwatch in 2016, I’ve seen this shift from luxury to necessity.
At the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event, Samsung unveiled its first smartwatch bearing the “Ultra” name, alongside its Ultra branding across smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Although its name tends to draw comparisons to the Apple Watch Ultra, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has distinct features and innovative features that set it apart.
In this review, we take a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, exploring its design, display, software, features, health tracking features, battery life, and overall value. Is the Rs 60,000 investment worth it, or should potential buyers consider the regular Galaxy Watch 7 or Watch 6 Classic instead?
design
The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s design is as controversial as it is bold. While many may point out similarities to the Apple Watch Ultra, a closer look reveals that Samsung has injected its own style into its design. The watch features a rectangular housing with a circular display, a first on the smartwatch market.
Button configuration: Moving from the traditional two-button design to a three-button layout, Samsung has introduced an action button with orange accents. This customizable button improves the user experience by providing quick access to frequently used features that are primarily set to workout mode by default. Durability: Made from titanium and with a sapphire crystal display, the Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts military-grade certification for durability Size and comfort: The watch is quite large at 47mm, larger than the Apple Watch Ultra at 49mm . It fits comfortably on the wrist, but people with thin wrists may find it a little compressive. The default sport band is sturdy but may feel bulky. However, Samsung offers a variety of strap options, including Peakform bands and Fabric bands in multiple colors.
screen
Samsung has prioritized display quality on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, featuring a 1.46-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 480×480 pixels and a color depth of 16M.
Brightness: 3000 nits peak brightness provides excellent visibility in a variety of lighting conditions, making it the watch’s distinguishing feature. Night Vision Mode: The watch also includes a night vision mode on the dial that automatically shifts to low light. The mode switches as the environment becomes thinner, making it less distracting in dark environments such as theaters or during sleep.
Software and features
Running on Wear OS 5-based One UI Watch 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a seamless user experience with an intuitive interface.
Compatibility: Wear OS integration improves compatibility with Google apps like Google Assistant and Maps, and Samsung’s One UI adds unique features and improves the overall experience. Notification handling: The watch is great at managing notifications and provides clear previews with app icons. Gesture controls: Improved usability with new gesture controls such as double pinch to answer calls and take photos. An additional safety feature, the siren function, can be activated via the action button in case of an emergency.
health and fitness tracking
Galaxy Watch Ultra excels in health and fitness tracking and offers a comprehensive suite of features.
New AGEs Index: This feature assesses metabolic health based on blood sugar levels and provides insights to help users adjust their diet and exercise habits. ECG and HRV support: ECG and heart rate variability (HRV) tracking is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. , this watch offers extensive tracking of workouts, route tracking, and real-time performance updates for various activities. Multisport mode: Users can combine multiple activities into one without the need to press additional buttons, improving the tracking experience. Outdoor Navigation: Improved outdoor navigation allows users to import GPX data for turn-by-turn guidance and utilizes dual-frequency GPS for increased accuracy. AI integration: Samsung leverages AI to monitor your health and introduces an AI-powered Energy Score that aggregates data from your sleep and heart rate. , daily exercise provides a holistic health perspective.
battery life
Galaxy Watch Ultra has a built-in 590mAh battery that can last up to 80 hours.
Performance: In real-world testing, the watch lasted two days with always-on display, heart rate monitoring, and continuous LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity. With moderate usage, a single charge can last 3-4 days.
verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is introduced as a feature-rich smartwatch made for fitness enthusiasts and those looking for a durable device that can withstand extreme conditions. Robust health tracking, high-quality display, and smooth integration of Wear OS 5 and Samsung’s One UI ensure a comprehensive user experience.
However, the premium price of Rs 60,000 may deter some buyers, especially with other comparable options available in the market. For those who prioritize the highest level of durability and extensive fitness features, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a sound investment.
