Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Review: A Rugged Smart Timepiece
4 min read
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is more than just a smartwatch. It is a robust companion designed to conquer the outdoors. With its rugged build, impressive battery life, and advanced health and fitness features, this smart timepiece is a compelling option for athletes, adventurers, and anyone seeking a durable and feature-rich wearable.
Design and Build
The Watch Ultra is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to crafting devices that can withstand the elements. Its titanium body and sapphire crystal display exude durability, while the watch’s overall size and weight suggest a tool rather than a fashion accessory. In comparison with the Watch6 Classic 44mm at 59 grams and Watch7 44mm at 33.8 grams, the Watch Ultra at 61.3 grams is the heaviest Galaxy Watch of all time.
The watch’s water resistance and dustproofing ensure it can handle the rigors of outdoor adventures without skipping a beat. However, the watch’s substantial dimensions might not appeal to those with smaller wrists.
Comfort-wise, I would say this is either hit or miss. Depending on your preferences, I find the original silicone band to be subpar for everyday usage, including sleep. Elastic fabric is my first choice for all-day comfort.
Sure, it is very suitable for most activities, just that I suppose users may prefer to explore third-party options for a more personalized fit. Besides, this is the first time Samsung introduces an alternative way to attach a watch band. In other words, if you’re upgrading from the previous generation Galaxy Watch, you would either need to purchase new bands or hopefully there’s third-party adapters.
Display and Usability
The Watch Ultra’s Super AMOLED display is bright, clear, and highly visible in various lighting conditions. The Always-On display mode is a convenient feature, offering essential information at a glance without requiring a full wake-up.
The combination of physical buttons and touchscreen controls provides a versatile interaction method. The dedicated action button is particularly useful for quickly accessing specific functions like workout profiles or compass. Unfortunately, scrolling through the menu seems cumbersome since it lacks any sort of scroll wheel.
Fitness and Health Tracking
One of the Watch Ultra’s standout features is its comprehensive fitness and health tracking capabilities. The watch offers a wide array of workout modes, from running and cycling to hiking and swimming. The built-in GPS provides accurate location data, and the heart rate monitor is reliable in most conditions.
Advanced features like blood oxygen level monitoring, electrocardiogram (ECG), and sleep tracking are also included. While the accuracy of these features can vary, the Watch Ultra generally provides valuable insights into overall health and well-being. Additionally, the watch supports third-party fitness apps, expanding its functionality for users with specific training goals.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical aspect for any smartwatch, and the Watch Ultra delivers in this department. With typical use, the watch can easily last 3 days on a single charge. That is depends on the type of activity and usage level. In my use case, I am never an active type of person and I could extract 3 and half days of battery life with AOD turned on.
If you’re having intensive outdoor activities with GPS and heart rate monitoring turned on, you can expect the battery life to be less than that. Nonetheless, the Watch Ultra is the most This makes the Watch Ultra a reliable companion for extended adventures without the constant worry of running out of power.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a compelling choice for individuals seeking a rugged, feature-packed smartwatch. Its impressive build quality, excellent battery life, and advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities make it a standout in its category. While the watch’s size and weight might not be ideal for everyone, it excels as a companion for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.
If you prioritize durability, long battery life, and comprehensive fitness tracking, the Watch Ultra is worth considering. However, if you’re primarily looking for a stylish smartwatch with a focus on fashion, there might be more suitable options available such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch7.
