The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra represents Samsung’s premier attempt to rival Apple’s Watch Ultra by offering a blend of advanced features and a durable, high-end design. As Samsung’s top-tier smartwatch for the year, it succeeds the Classic model from the previous generation. The Ultra isn’t simply an upgraded version of the Watch6 Classic but rather a new series with its unique characteristics.
Compared to the previous Classic model, the Galaxy Watch Ultra introduces significant improvements. It is powered by the new Exynos W1000 SoC, which boasts five cores for enhanced performance and efficiency. Additionally, it features a larger 590 mAh battery and a sturdier construction, including materials such as sapphire, titanium, and ceramic, providing superior protection for outdoor activities and rugged environments.
The specifications of the Galaxy Watch Ultra are notable. It has a 47.4 x 47.4 x 12.1 mm body with a weight of 61 grams, a 1.50-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 480×480 pixels and operates on Android Wear OS 5 with One UI Watch 6.
The watch includes various sensors like an accelerometer, heart rate monitor, barometer, and temperature sensors but lacks a front or rear camera. It supports LTE, eSIM, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC connectivity, and features a 590 mAh battery with 10W wireless charging.
Despite the enhanced features and robust design, the Galaxy Watch Ultra shares similarities with its predecessor. It retains the same display size and weight as the previous model. Notably, it does not include the rotating bezel present in the Watch6 Classic, opting instead for a “virtual bezel” due to the bezel being a feature only included every other generation.
The retail package for the Galaxy Watch Ultra includes several nested boxes, a set of default straps, and a 10W wireless charger with a USB-C connector. As Samsung’s first Ultra smartwatch, it will be interesting to see how it performs in daily use and how it measures up against its competitors in the smartwatch market.