The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has stirred a lot of buzz with its recent redesign. After a month of wearing it daily, I’ve gathered a comprehensive view of what this watch is really like beyond the spec sheets. Here’s a detailed look at its pros and cons, and how it stacks up in real-world usage.
Key Takeaways
- Design: The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s new look is striking and bold, but it’s a departure from Samsung’s previous designs, leading to mixed reactions.
- Performance: Despite some minor drawbacks, the watch excels in heart rate accuracy and GPS tracking.
- Battery Life: While better than many competitors, it’s not extraordinary, requiring regular charging.
- User Experience: Innovative features like customizable watch faces and gesture controls stand out, though not without quirks.
Design and Comfort
The redesign of the Galaxy Watch Ultra has been polarizing. Some users love the new look, likening it to the Apple Watch Ultra, while others miss the familiar rotating bezel. Despite the shift in design, the watch has grown on me, particularly the strap. Initially, it felt heavy and uncomfortable for sleep, but it has become more comfortable over time. I opted for the black strap with titanium gray, which gives the watch a sleek appearance, even though it’s not a default option from Samsung.
A positive aspect of the design is the ability to use older watch straps with a compatible adapter. However, the Marine Band strap has a small design flaw where the end piece tends to stick out, catching on sleeves.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s battery life is decent but not outstanding. With typical use, including an hour of GPS workout daily and high screen brightness, I get about 2.5 days of battery life. This is an improvement over some other smartwatches that require daily charging, but still falls short of a week-long battery life. Charging takes about 1.5 hours from 0 to 100%, so you’ll need to plan for this if you’re traveling.
Features and Performance
Heart Rate Accuracy
The heart rate tracking on the Galaxy Watch Ultra is impressive. In tests comparing it to the Polar H10 heart rate strap and the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2, the watch showed a slight lag at the start but performed very well overall. For most of the workout, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s readings were closely aligned with the Polar H10, showing its reliability in tracking heart rate during various exercise intensities.
GPS Accuracy
The GPS functionality is another strong point. Compared to the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s GPS accuracy was nearly identical. During a 33-minute run, the watch’s tracking was consistent with that of the Garmin, showing minimal deviations. This is a key advantage for users who rely on precise navigation for outdoor activities.
Watch Faces and Usability
Samsung offers a range of customizable watch faces that I find highly functional. You can adjust the layout, colors, and add widgets like weather, UV index, and heart rate, which are useful for quick information at a glance. However, the middle button on the side can be accidentally triggered during activities like golfing, which might be inconvenient.
Gesture Controls
The Galaxy Watch Ultra introduces some new gesture controls. The pinch gesture, for instance, is handy for silencing notifications. However, the knock-knock gesture, while cool, can be overly sensitive. I had to disable it because it triggered actions unintentionally, especially during physical activities.
Fitness and Health Tracking
Sleep Tracking
The watch offers robust sleep tracking features. It provides a sleep score, tracks sleep stages, and even monitors blood oxygen levels and skin temperature. While the sleep score is generally optimistic, it’s useful for getting a general sense of your sleep quality. There are occasional gaps in data, particularly with blood oxygen levels, but overall, the watch offers valuable insights into your sleep patterns.
Fitness Features
Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate features like trackback, which helps you return to your starting point if you’re running in an unfamiliar area. The watch’s fitness tracking capabilities are comprehensive, although the display can be challenging to read with polarized sunglasses.
Durability and Build Quality
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is built to last. After a month of wear, including swimming in the ocean, the watch shows no signs of scratches or damage. It appears to be more durable than many other watches I’ve used.
Price and Value
At $650, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a premium device. While this is more expensive than some other models, including the base Galaxy Watch 6 or 7, it offers superior features for fitness tracking and overall performance. For those who prioritize accuracy and advanced features in a smartwatch, the investment may be worth it.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a blend of innovation and reliability. Its performance in heart rate and GPS tracking stands out, making it a strong choice for fitness enthusiasts. Although it lacks the rotating bezel and has some quirks with gestures and charging, its strengths in durability, battery life, and customizability make it a top contender in the smartwatch market. If you’re looking for a high-quality smartwatch that excels in both everyday use and fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is worth considering.