Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Smartwatches7.2
Good7.2
Good13 expert reviews
2100 user opinions
Aug 15, 2024
Updated Dec 1, 2024
Medium confidenceMay be outdated
Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung's first serious attempt at a rugged, outdoor-focused smartwatch to compete with the Apple Watch Ultra. The titanium build is tank-like, the 590mAh battery delivers up to 60 hours in power-saving mode, and the new quick-action button is genuinely useful. However, reviewers feel Samsung played it too safe — Wear OS still lacks the outdoor/fitness app ecosystem that Apple's watchOS and Garmin enjoy, the $649 price is hard to justify when the Galaxy Watch 7 does 90% of what this does, and the massive 47mm case is too large for smaller wrists.
Pros reviewers agree on
Strengths consistently called out across sources
- Titanium build quality is excellent — feels genuinely rugged and premium
- Battery life is the best of any Samsung smartwatch (2-3 days typical use)
- Quick-action button is a genuinely useful addition for workouts
- Display brightness (3,000 nits peak) is superb in direct sunlight
Cons reviewers agree on
Weaknesses flagged across multiple sources
- $649 price when Galaxy Watch 7 is $299 and very similar
- Wear OS lacks serious outdoor/adventure apps (no equivalent to Apple's depth gauge, trails)
- Only works fully with Samsung Galaxy phones — limited with other Android phones
What reviewers disagree on
Points where expert verdicts diverge — weigh based on your priorities
- Whether the 'Ultra' positioning is earned vs. just a bigger Galaxy Watch
- Wear OS fitness tracking accuracy vs Apple Watch and Garmin
- Size at 47mm — great for some, comically large for others
How This Review Was Created
6Publications
4YouTube Reviews
3Reddit Threads
13Total Sources
Medium ConfidenceJuly 2024 - October 2024
This is a synthesis of expert reviews and user discussions; we may not have physically tested the product. See methodology.
Detailed Breakdown
Premium materials and rugged construction, though the size is divisive.
- The titanium case and sapphire crystal feel genuinely premium — this watch can take a beating.— The Verge
- At 47mm, this watch is enormous — it looks comical on smaller wrists and Samsung should have offered a smaller option.— CNET
Best battery life in Samsung's smartwatch lineup, though still behind Garmin.
- I consistently got 2.5-3 days of normal use — a huge improvement over the Galaxy Watch 6 series.— Tom's Guide
- The power-saving mode stretching to 60 hours is useful for multi-day hikes, but you lose most smart features.— Dave2D
Solid fitness tracking but the software doesn't match the hardware's outdoor ambitions.
- Heart rate tracking and sleep monitoring are accurate, but Samsung Health still isn't as comprehensive as Apple Health or Garmin Connect.— PCMag
- For the 'Ultra' branding, the lack of advanced outdoor features like topographic maps and trail navigation is disappointing.— Reddit r/gadgets
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This synthesis review was compiled from 13 independent sources. TechTalkTown did not receive products or compensation from Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
From $649 at Best Buy