Samsung has revealed the Galaxy Watch Ultra, seemingly positioned to compete directly with the Apple Watch Ultra. This new smartwatch features a “squircle” design and a reinforced titanium chassis, as anticipated by rumors. The device is notable for its large battery and an additional programmable button, enhancing user customization.
The Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung’s flagship smartwatch, also received a design refresh and new health-tracking capabilities, rivaling the Apple Watch. It is the first smartwatch to detect sleep apnea and introduces a double-pinch gesture control. Despite these advancements, the Galaxy Watch 7’s design remains largely unchanged from previous models, although it does incorporate the new Exynos W1000 3nm processor and 2GB of RAM.
The health features of the Galaxy Watch 7 are significantly enhanced by the new BioActive Sensor, which offers increased accuracy and a greater number of sensors to monitor the body’s functions.
This sensor enables the detection of sleep apnea and works in conjunction with Galaxy AI to provide an Energy Score, similar to the Pixel Watch’s Fitbit Readiness Score. The double-pinch gesture allows for hands-free control of the smartwatch or paired Galaxy smartphone.
However, despite these improvements, the Galaxy Watch 7 may still feel redundant to some users. The design is familiar, albeit slightly thinner, and comes with new sports and athleisure bands for added comfort. The device will be available for purchase today, starting at $300 for the 40mm version, with shipments beginning on July 24.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra, on the other hand, stands out with its new cushion design and robust titanium chassis, built to withstand extreme temperatures and water depths. It features a large, bright screen designed for outdoor use and a Quick Button that can sound an 85-decibel alarm and call emergency services if needed.
With a 590mAh battery, it boasts the longest battery life ever for a Galaxy Watch, lasting up to 100 hours in power-saving mode and 48 hours in exercise power-saving mode.
Available in titanium gray, white, and silver, the 47mm Galaxy Watch Ultra will be priced at $650 and starts shipping on July 24. Its features, including a night mode and peak brightness of 3,000 nits, position it as the ultimate Android smartwatch for users seeking durability and extended battery life.