Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Aims for Apple Watch Rivalry

Samsung has launched its first premium outdoor fitness watch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra. While it doesn’t immediately compare with Garmin or the Apple Watch in capabilities, the inauspicious start it makes is a great deal for Android users who want a high-end smartwatch experience, both in design and build.

Let’s Talk Specs

The Galaxy Watch Ultra, with its sleek, beefy design, wouldn’t look out of place against even the highest-end Garmin or Coros watches. Made with a 47-mm case in titanium and a sapphire glass face, it’s a combination of durability and style. It is rated to withstand pressures up to 10 ATM and temperatures as high as 131 degrees Fahrenheit. While a bit smaller than an Apple Watch, its square design gives it a robust presence.

• Battery Life

Battery life remains a challenge to the Galaxy Watch Ultra. It can last just over two days, which is not enough for longer outdoor ventures. The charging time—from 10% to full—takes about three hours every other morning. With Power Saving mode, though, battery life can stretch out to three to five days when all settings are managed prudently.

Besides this, the new BioActive sensor would further bring accuracy to heart rate readings and come very close to readings obtained from devices such as the Oura ring. Another feature added to the watch is the AGEs index, a feature designed to help in the prediction of diabetes and stroke risks. However, this feature use may vary, and consulting a doctor is recommended for serious health concerns.

• Fitness and Health Tracking

The Galaxy Watch Ultra gives a full range of health metrics, from body fat composition to sleep tracking. Even more, it introduced the concept of a sleep animal metaphor, taken directly from Fitbit. Activities such as running, hiking, paddling, or walking your dog will be tracked with the watch’s dual-band GPS.

While capable, there are places where the Watch Ultra lets down compared with the Apple Watch: It doesn’t include scuba diving metrics and doesn’t turn your phone into a bike computer for cyclists. Available are navigation features such as a compass and Track Back, but they aren’t as intuitive as on the Apple Watch.

Mimicking Apple?

While the Galaxy Watch Ultra mimics the Apple Watch in design, it doesn’t quite measure up in functionality and ease of use. Apple’s software, with features like Training Load and better UI, sets a higher bar. The Apple Watch also includes sports like diving and more advanced algorithms, making it a preferred choice for many outdoor enthusiasts.

However, the Galaxy Watch Ultra holds its own in several aspects. Its heart rate measurements and activity tracking are reliable, and it offers unique features like the AGEs index. For Android users, particularly those with Samsung phones, the Galaxy Watch Ultra presents a solid alternative with the potential for future enhancements.

Final Thoughts

It’s an attractive and capable smartwatch with a heart for outdoor fitness. Although it doesn’t exactly give an Apple Watch or Garmin a run for its money, it does hit a very good balance between features and performance for Android users.

With Samsung’s resources and future updates on their way, there’s no other way for the Galaxy Watch Ultra to move but up making it much of a contender against the premium smartwatches.

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