I put theSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultraback on when I started reviewing theGalaxy S25 Ultra , and it has mostly stayed on my wrist since then . I did so as a means to testGalaxy AI ’s Now Brief feature , but have come out the other side head - over - heels in sexual love with Samsung ’s biggest , maddest smartwatch . Here ’s what happened .
I missed the other Ultra
Upon go for my newfound love of the Galaxy Watch Ultra , I tried to sympathize where my infatuation came from , and remembered a polar moment . When I boughtmy titanium Apple Watch Series 10 , I used the original Apple Watch Ultra as a trade - in to set off the centre - tearing cost . I knewI’d miss the Apple Watch Ultrawhen I trade it in , but the superb Apple Watch Series 10 made me forget any angst quite quickly .
Although I fag out the Galaxy Watch Ultra for a period in mid-2024 , I was mostly take in with thewonderful Ultra Analog vigil face , and did n’t really think that profoundly about the scout itself . Looking back , I wonder if the reasonableness was I still had the Apple Watch Ultra to hand if I wanted a swelled , bold , slightly crazy smartwatch to wear . Today , it ’s merely not the eccentric .
There ’s another chip in gene . At the end of last yr I purchased a novel strap for my Oris Aquis GMT watch , and the one I choose hap to be orangish . It transformed the spotter , and I adore the bright orangish strap . My Galaxy Watch Ultra is equipped with Samsung ’s orange Marine Band , and I ’ve taken every opportunity to show it off . My kinship for the Galaxy Watch Ultra was by all odds helped by the Oris . It all means several things aligned to make certain this sentence when I put the Galaxy Watch Ultra on , it would be hard to protest .
Such a statement
I care watches that make a assertion . It ’s why I love Casio G - Shock watch , in particularbrightly dark-skinned Frogman diva picket , and was so enchant withthe Apple Watch Ultra in the first place . The Galaxy Watch Ultra is a statement God Almighty . You probably already bonk it ’s a big smartwatch , but the numbers game — 47 millimetre wide and 12.1 mm slurred — do n’t tell apart the whole story .
Last time I wear the Galaxy Watch Ultra it was summertime , but now I ’m wearing it in winter and thus fit with hoodies and jackets . Any watch I wear pauperization to fit under the cuffs without being a pain . The Watch Ultrawantsto make a statement , and is n’t well-chosen being hidden away like this , and you ’ll see and finger its presence all the time . It ’s not always very comfortable as the rubber strap holds on to your clothing , twist everything around as you move .
But the affair is , I have n’t cared . I ’ve worn it proudly with my turnup press back behind the substantial casing , and racket in its size of it and colour . When I first wore the Galaxy Watch Ultra I likened the circle - in - a - square contour to some ofwatchmaker Bell & Ross ’s designs , and this is as close as I ’ve bring forth to one of its pilot program ’s watches , so I ’m utterly going to make the most of its bluff look .
What about functionality?
It ’s all very well being so take with the design , but what about how it work ? The One UI Watch 6.0 software has a logical , promiscuous to learn format that ’s unique to Samsung ’s smartwatches , but it ’s very complex and require plenty of tending for the first few years of function , whether that ’s making sure it ’s tracking all your health stats , set up dissimilar apps on your phone , or setting up apps like WhatsApp on the sentinel itself .
Even when you do drop time setting everything up , it ’s not always guaranteed to function . Sleep tracking operate for a start , but then just stopped and I ’ve no idea why . I still have n’t been capable to get it function again . It ’s not a gravid problem as although the Galaxy Watch Ultra can be worn overnight , the size makes it quite detectable . presentment are also treacherous , but this is a problem with Google ’s fag out O software system in ecumenical , rather than something wrong with the Galaxy Watch Ultra specifically .
The Ultra is made for sports enthusiasts and while I do n’t stretch its ability , I appreciate features like the very effective automatic exercising trailing . It connects to Samsung Health on your phone , and although the app is nicely designed it does n’t sense like it supply for hardcore sports people , who may be search at it over a Garmin smartwatch . For me as a casual ( at beneficial ) exerciser , it does the job well .
One to buy in 2025?
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung ’s top smartwatch at the consequence , and we do n’t await it to be replaced until later in 2025 . Exactlywhat Samsung will replace it withis another matter , as the brand has n’t dumbfound to a design for its more expensive smartwatch line , giving us a Pro , Classic , and Ultra model over the last few years . What it will do this year is anyone ’s guess , and should n’t put you off bribe the Ultra for fear of an Ultra 2 descend soon .
The $ 650 price is steep though . I have fall for the Galaxy Watch Ultra and really savor wearing it , but in terms of functionality and universal day-after-day wearability , the excellentGalaxy Watch 7 — in either size — is far better value . But if someone reach me the Titanium White Galaxy Watch Ultra with the orange Marine Band and said , “ here Andy , wear this instead , ” I ’d faint and it ’d be on my wrist joint in the blink of an eye .
I want to feel that way abouteverywatch I own , and although I did n’t pick up on that feeling with the Galaxy Watch Ultra before , I absolutely have now .
