Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra – Analysis

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra – Analysis. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the latest addition to Samsung’s expanding line of wearables. Competing in a market already dominated by the Apple Watch Ultra, Garmin, and other high-end fitness trackers, the Galaxy Watch Ultra promises advanced features for fitness enthusiasts, a robust design for outdoor adventurers, and compatibility with Android ecosystems. In this review, we dive into its design, performance, unique features, and where it stands in comparison to competitors like the Apple Watch Ultra. We also analyze its fitness tracking capabilities, health metrics, and overall usability.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra – Analysis

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with a 47-mm titanium case and a sapphire glass face, offering an elegant yet rugged look. With a square design reminiscent of a high-end Garmin or Coros watch, it feels slightly larger than its Apple counterpart, even though the Apple Watch Ultra boasts a 49-mm case. This aesthetic makes the Galaxy Watch Ultra perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate both form and function.

You may be interested:

Its durability is worth mentioning: the Galaxy Watch Ultra is rated to 10 ATM, meaning it can withstand up to 100 meters of water pressure. Additionally, it has an IP68 rating for dust resistance, can operate at elevations as high as 9,000 meters, and can endure temperatures up to 131°F. The watch performed well during extreme weather tests, handling over 100°F temperatures during outdoor activities without issue.

Design Comparisons: Apple vs. Samsung

While the design is sleek, Samsung’s watch doesn't stand out as much as the Apple Watch Ultra in terms of visual distinctiveness. The safety-orange band, which closely resembles Apple’s Ocean Band, hints that Samsung may have taken some design cues from Apple. However, despite similarities, the Galaxy Watch Ultra maintains a unique identity with its minimalist square face and rugged aesthetic.

2. Battery Life

Battery life is one of the most critical features for any outdoor smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a battery life of up to two days with normal usage—similar to the Apple Watch Ultra. While this is decent for a smartwatch, it’s insufficient for long camping trips or multi-day hiking expeditions. Samsung has included a Power Saving mode, extending the battery life to between three and five days. However, in this mode, several features must be turned off, limiting functionality.

Charging takes approximately three hours to reach full capacity from 10–15%. It’s essential to note that while some users will appreciate the ability to tinker with the settings to extend battery life, others may find it inconvenient to constantly manage power levels during extended outings.

3. Health and Fitness Features

Samsung continues to innovate with fitness and health tracking on the Galaxy Watch Ultra. One of its standout features is the enhanced BioActive sensor, which promises improved accuracy in tracking heart rate, body composition, and sleep. When compared with readings from an Oura ring, the heart rate data was remarkably consistent, with only a single bpm difference in some instances.

Enhanced Fitness Tracking

Similar to Garmin, Samsung has introduced Training Load on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, a feature that calculates cumulative calorimetric data such as heart rate, pace, and age to measure whether your training efforts are improving your performance. Although Apple’s Training Load algorithms are more advanced, Samsung’s introduction of this feature signifies progress toward serious fitness tracking.

The body fat composition metrics were also relatively accurate, with measurements aligning closely with other fitness devices like the Fitbit or Garmin Fenix. While it’s a useful feature for some, its importance will depend on the user’s fitness goals. Those looking for in-depth body metrics might find this feature more relevant.

4. Advanced Metrics: AGEs Index and Body Fat Composition

The AGES index is one of the more intriguing health features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. This non-invasive measurement tool uses light to assess advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can help predict the risk of diabetes and stroke. It’s powered by Diagnoptics, a company specializing in similar health diagnostics.

However, without clear guidelines on how to interpret this data, the feature may feel more experimental than useful for the average user. If you're concerned about diabetes or stroke risk, it’s still recommended to undergo traditional blood tests like the A1C for a more accurate assessment.

5. Sleep Tracking

Samsung has also taken cues from Fitbit in its sleep-tracking features. After a week of monitoring, the Galaxy Watch Ultra assigns a sleep animal to better interpret sleep habits. This playful yet insightful feature helps users better understand their sleep patterns.

For example, I was assigned a penguin, a metaphor for a decent sleeper who wakes up frequently—especially relevant as I tend to wake up often due to my new puppy. Samsung’s accurate sleep monitoring complements the overall health-tracking suite, making it useful for anyone looking to improve their rest quality.

6. Dual-Band GPS and Navigation

Outdoor adventurers will appreciate the dual-band GPS for improved accuracy. During testing, I hiked, ran, and cycled, and the GPS was consistently reliable. The heart rate readings were comparable to those from the Apple Watch Ultra, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra also autodetected various activities like biking and walking throughout the day.

Navigation and Tracking Features

The Galaxy Watch Ultra includes several navigation tools, such as Track Back (Samsung’s version of Apple’s Backtrack), which helps users find their way back to the starting point. It also includes water loss metrics during outdoor activities, alerting users to dehydration risks in hot weather. However, Samsung's watch lacks scuba diving support, a feature found in the Apple Watch Ultra.

7. Software and Usability

While the hardware of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is impressive, its software experience is where Samsung could improve. Samsung Health is solid, but the overall experience feels less streamlined compared to Apple’s ecosystem. Users may find themselves wondering whether to use Samsung Health, Samsung Health Monitor, or Google Fit for specific metrics.

Switching to a Samsung Galaxy S23+ did improve some of the user experience, as expected, but those using non-Samsung Android phones may miss out on some features. Apple’s closed ecosystem, while restrictive, ensures a more polished and intuitive user experience, especially when managing health data.

8. Comparison with Apple Watch Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra comes close to matching Apple’s Ultra in terms of hardware, but it still falls behind in some key areas:

• Design: The Apple Watch Ultra is more visually distinctive.
• Battery Life: Both watches offer similar battery life, but Apple’s algorithms for power-saving modes are better optimized.
• Software: Apple Watch Ultra offers a more intuitive and seamless experience, particularly for sports and health tracking.