This twelvemonth , Samsung has taken its wearables to an impressive new level with the newGalaxy Watch Ultra , a smartwatch that ’s inescapably take out comparisons to its biggest rival , theApple Watch Ultra 2 .
From the name to the pattern , it ’s patent that this is precisely what Samsung was going for . However , it ’s unfair to call the Galaxy Watch Ultra merely a ape product . There are also some ways in which Samsung has put its singular twirl on the new extreme wearable , and it ’s certainly a much better fit for the motive of outside adventure enthusiasts than 2022’sGalaxy Watch 5 Pro , which was a comme il faut smartwatch that stick out from a turn of an identity crisis .
On the other helping hand , the Galaxy Watch Ultra has an opinionative design that leaves no room for mix-up about what it is and who it ’s for . In that sense , it ’s every bit as bold and brave as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , but can it take for its own given Apple ’s two - year head start ? countenance ’s find out .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: specs
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: design
At first glimpse , the Galaxy Watch Ultra seems like a big departure from Samsung ’s typical pear-shaped design . Its straight body forthwith brings Apple ’s iconic smartwatch design to mind , but Samsung has actually taken a hybrid approach here .
The Galaxy Watch Ultra may have a square dead body , but that ’s where the similarity to the Apple Watch Ultra both begin and finish . Samsung has n’t embraced a square display to go along with the new design . Instead , it ’s a traditional round picket face , andthose who look beyond the realm of smartwatches will recognize its inspirationfrom other sources likeBell & RossandTag Heuer — not to mention its eerie similarity to theHermès H08 . It ’s perhaps ironical that Hermès is a longtime partner of Apple onluxury Apple Watch editions , but it also has nothing to bid in the Apple Watch Ultra space .
The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes in somewhat smaller than the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , with a 47 millimeter casing versus Apple ’s bulky 49 mm shell , but that ’s also a byproduct of a jolly more fashionable invention . The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a wearable that makes a bountiful and bold statement , but stylish it ’s not . The Galaxy Watch Ultra may have a slightly more polarizing innovation , but its law of similarity to other luxuriousness trade name is evident , render it a sealed panache that Apple ’s wearable lacks .
Nevertheless , the one matter that ’s conspicuously escape from the Galaxy Watch Ultra is strong-arm scrolling control . A rotating bezel like the one on theGalaxy Watch 6 Classicwould have beautifully complemented Samsung ’s graceful aesthetical , but sadly there ’s not even a digital crown . or else , you ’ll be lodge with a “ digital bezel ” at the edge of the touch screen that gets the Book of Job done , but feel like a big disappointment in such an otherwise great design .
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 not only has a very useful and fun digital crown , but it also has another important edge over the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in in the buff intention specs . While both article of clothing are tell on for 10 atmosphere ( 10ATM ) of water pressure , which equal a depth of 100 meters , only the Apple Watch Ultra is certified for dive , with an EN13319 valuation for use as a dive computer and for unpaid aqualung diving at depths of up to 40 meters .
That ’s substantial because despite being capable to handle up to 100 meter of piss insistence , Samsung says in the fine print that the Galaxy Watch Ultra is only desirable for “ shallow - urine activities like swim in a puddle or sea . ” That ’s ordered with its 10ATM rating , which is designed only for swim , snorkel diving , or in high spirits - speed piss sports like surfboarding and water skiing . That 10ATM designation means 100 meters of still water , and all bets are off when you exert extra pressure on it .
While it ’s less relevant in luminousness of the 10ATM evaluation , the Galaxy Watch Ultra also features an IP68 valuation that matches Samsung ’s higher - destruction smartphones . It ’s amply dust - resistive and can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 metre of water supply for up to 30 arcminute . or else of an IP weewee - resistance military rank , Apple hangs its lid on its 10ATM and EN13319 valuation , giving the Apple Watch Ultra only an IP6X for the same level of trade protection against dust and other small mote . However , unlike IP68 / IPX8 , the 10ATM evaluation covers salt water , so ocean swimming wo n’t be a problem . Both wearables are also test to MIL - STD-810H for altitude , utmost temperature , humidness , immersion , freezing and warming , salt and fog , and shock and shaking .
The band attachment scheme is also worth mentioning here , as Samsung has done something slightly strange with the Galaxy Watch Ultra . Rather than slanting downward toward the radiocarpal joint , the ring connect at an slant parallel to the casing , which construct the sentry sit a bit more awkwardly on the wrist joint . More significantly , the bands attach with a new dynamical lugsail system that ’s singular to the Galaxy Watch Ultra . It works well , and we find it fantastically easy to use , but it will restrain you to bands made specifically for the Galaxy Watch Ultra , leaving it out of the vibrant ecosystem of bands for every other Galaxy Watch model .
By comparison , the Apple Watch Ultra is compatible with every 42/44/45 mm Apple Watch set released since the original 2015 Apple Watch . Some modest bands may calculate a bit unknown against the bulkier Apple Watch Ultra , but they ’ll impound just okay .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: display
Samsung ’s and Apple ’s Ultra habiliment are more equally matched in showing quality . The Apple Watch Ultra feature a slightly big screen , with a aslope length of 1.94 inch , compared to the Galaxy Watch Ultra ’s 1.5 - column inch screen , but the latter makes up for that with a higher resolution , frame both around on par in terms of pixel density — 335 pixels per column inch ( ppi ) for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 versus 320 ppi for the Galaxy Watch Ultra .
That ’s not a difference of opinion anyone will notice with the au naturel centre . The Apple Watch has a rectangular 410 x 502 exhibit with 205,820 pixels , while the Galaxy Watch Ultra ’s round 480 x 480 show only has 180,956 picture element as it has no corners to fill .
Both display are plenty bright , reaching up to 3,000 nits of peak out-of-door brightness . That should get you through even the sunniest outdoor adventures without any trouble . Samsung has also embraced Apple ’s red Night Mode , which is light on the middle in the darkness and wo n’t affect your Nox vision on a camping trip or even tramp .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: performance
Samsung has cave in its wearables a nice performance boost this year by adopting a newfangled five - essence Exynos W1000 flake that call to be about 3x faster and 30 % more superpower - effective than last twelvemonth ’s Exynos W930 .
It ’s the first leap we ’ve meet among Samsung ’s watches in a while , and it translates to a much smooth and more responsive user experience that ’s more on par with the Apple Watch Ultra . We determine that navigating Samsung ’s interface was “ buttery smooth , ” apps open almost like a shot , and there were no delays in find notifications .
Apple ’s watches have always run with exceptional suavity — we ’ve often pertain to them as the “ gilded standard for smartwatch performance ” — with no lag at all . While last year’sGalaxy Watch 6was hunky-dory on its own , the difference in performance was apparent when you compared them side by side . While the current Apple Watch Ultra is power by Apple ’s in vogue S9 chip , whichremains ahead of the pack , the Exynos W1000 close up that gap significantly .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: software and features
Samsung ’s decision to stick with a rotary display was probably a wise alternative , considering that the Ultra runs the same Wear OS and One UI Watch software system as the residue of the Galaxy Watch family . Trying to adapt that for a satisfying concealment would have been a can of worms that we ’re certain Samsung did n’t require to unfold .
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of the first smartwatches to adoptWear OS 5and One UI 6 Watch . The latest Wear OS promise some dainty efficiency betterment , as well as support for a new Watch Face Format that should ply more flexibility for third - party developers , translate to even more customization for Galaxy smartwatches . Samsung has also learn vantage of this to bestow several unparalleled new faces that complement the Galaxy Watch Ultra ’s figure wonderfully , and feel like a refreshing departure from the caller ’s distinctive watch face designs .
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 ships with Apple ’s watchOS 10 , in which Apple introduced some of its own important design change last twelvemonth . However , it stay familiar enough that anyone who ’s ever used an Apple Watch should finger powerful at home . As with the iPhone , customizability is not Apple ’s priority , so you ’ll be limit to the built - in watch faces that Apple declare oneself — although there are plenty to opt from .
Samsung has takenmore “ aspiration ” from Applewith its new Double Pinch motion , which lets you control the wearable by tapping your exponent digit and thumb together . The capabilities are somewhat limited right now , let you do call , dismiss alarms , control medicine playback , and take photograph with your paired Samsung telephone . While Apple has n’t precisely gone the extra mile with what the Double Tap feature on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can do , the carrying out on Apple ’s wearables feels a bit more lifelike and antiphonal . This is something Samsung will hopefully tweak and improve in future OneUI updates .
However , the most meaning software system change in the Galaxy Watch Ultra come from the accession of Samsung’sGalaxy AI features . These expend cryptic AI - powered analysis of health and fittingness data to summarize how your health is impacting your day-by-day life — known as an Energy Score — and offer recommendation and coaching on how to improve things .
Despite Apple ’s recent foray into Apple Intelligence , it ’s not going there with the Apple Watch yet . Apple ’s AI will be limited to the iPhone , iPad , and Mac , and there ’s no word on when it ’s coming to the company ’s wearable .
For package updates , Samsung is now promising four major Wear OS and One UI update . Apple does n’t make specific promises here , but it typically supports its habiliment with watchOS updates for at least as long .
in conclusion , it ’s worth retrieve that the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra both need a pair smartphone of a similar tang . For Samsung ’s picket , that can be well-nigh any Android 11 smartphone , although it works best with recent Galaxy S serial or Galaxy Z serial models . The Apple Watch Ultra 2 stay an Apple - only affair and postulate an iPhone tend iOS 17 or later .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: battery life and charging
Efficiency improvements in Exynos W1000 and Wear OS 5 should help both of this yr ’s Galaxy Watch models reach long runtimes , but the Galaxy Watch Ultra take that to new heights with a larger 590mAh bombardment and two power - keep open model that could see it last for up to 100 hours between charge .
That ’s if you go all the way into the standard power - write mode , which shuts down the always - on display , wake - up gesture , background cognitive operation , and connection and GPS services . you may also get up to 80 hours by turn off the always - on show or 60 hours during regular operation with always - on enabled . It ’s not the best battery life you ’ll find on a Wear OS smartwatch , but it ’s an impressive advance over Samsung ’s other models . In our examination without any of the force - bring through feature , we impinge on about two full day of use between charge , even as we actively put the Galaxy Watch Ultra through its paces , include workouts , sleep trailing , and more . With clean use , you could belike get through two nights of sleep tracking , but you ’ll probably ask to hit the charger by the evening of the second Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a standardized low - power mode that can provide up to 72 minute of battery life in a touch , adopt you have your partner off iPhone nearby to cover the cellular connexion . That 72 hour of runtime assumes 60 hour of that is connecting to the internet via Bluetooth to your iPhone , plus 360 time checks , 360 notifications , 180 minutes of app use , and two 60 - minute workouts with medicine playback .
Apple ’s low - power mode incapacitate the always - on show and background health measurements for kernel rate and blood O , which also mean you wo n’t get notifications for maverick fondness rhythms or high / low heart rates . In normal mood , you’re able to look 36 hours of battery animation , based on 80 time checks , 180 notifications , 90 min of app manipulation , and a single 60 - minute workout with music . This also assumes you only use the LTE connection for eight of those 36 hours .
Both wearables support wireless libertine charging via the arranger that come in the box . The Apple Watch Ultra 2 can go from dead to an 80 % charge in about an hour , with another 30 minutes needed to get it to 100 % . Samsung does n’t say anything about the charging time for the Galaxy Watch Ultra , but in our examination , it ’s roughly on par , as a 10 % to 100 % heraldic bearing took over 90 minutes .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: fitness and health tracking
Samsung ’s smartwatches have always been at the leading edge regarding health feature , and the Galaxy Watch Ultra is no exception . This year , the Galaxy Watch lineup has distinguished itself by offering the first sleep apnea monitoring technology to beDe Novo okay by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , beating Apple to the lick on a feature of speech that so far has only been bruit to be come to the next - generation Apple Watch Ultra .
Sleep apnea monitoring is an extension of Samsung ’s sopor dog features , which have been a raw material of the Galaxy Watch lineup for the past few years . However , this year , Samsung has append a more advanced AI algorithm for sleep analysis that should provide more precise answer . This feeds into the Sleep Apnea feature , which can proactively detect potential star sign of moderate to severe sleep apnea . As with the health features in any consumer wearable , this is n’t a substitute for a diagnosis by a medical pro , but it can signal that you should get yourself checked out .
The other new health - trailing metric in this year ’s Samsung wearables is the ability to supervise years ( forward-looking glycation finish products ) . In theory , this can help you monitor your dieting and lifestyle , but in practice , we found it had doubtful accuracy . Samsung will hopefully improve it with succeeding software updates , but for now , it ’s not something we ’re convinced anyone should swear on as the numbers seem off .
Naturally , Samsung also preserve to heighten its BioActive Sensor year over yr , which means the Galaxy Watch Ultra can glean even more exact reading for thing like heart pace , muscle and fat mass , body water , body fat , and basal metabolic pace ( BMR ) . There is n’t anything raw here compared to anterior Galaxy Watch models , but the numbers you get should be more precise .
On the physical fitness side , the Galaxy Watch Ultra offer up a new Race musical mode that lets you vie against yourself by comparing your current performance against late outdoor running and cycling exercise along the same route . The Functional Threshold Power ( FTP ) lineament provides AI - power metric to help cyclist measure their maximal cycling tycoon .
While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 pack in similarly advanced health features , Apple has slowed down a bit over the preceding twosome of years . The last hardware wellness feature to arrive to its wearable was a consistency temperature sensor in the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8 and the original Apple Watch Ultra . Their 2023 successor did n’t add together new hardware , although watchOS 10 brought cycling public presentation metric function and novel hiking feature article to the wearable , including topographic maps and a Race Route feature consanguineous to Samsung ’s .
Apple ’s Health feature do n’t provide the same comprehensive bioelectrical electrical resistance analytic thinking ( BIA ) visibility of your body , so you ’ll have to rely on other ironware . However , there ’s a build - in ECG with comprehensive kernel health tracking , admit in high spirits , dispirited , and irregular heart rhythm method notification , plus sleep trailing that include respiratory charge per unit and blood oxygen measurement ( although the blood oxygen sensing element is currently inactive on raw U.S. theoretical account due to an ongoing letters patent difference of opinion ) .
One area where the Apple Watch Ultra remains more “ ultra ” than Samsung ’s nascent competitor is in outside tramp and dive activities . As we bring up earlier , the Galaxy Watch Ultra is not suitable for deepwater swimming at all , while the Apple Watch Ultra is not only EN13319 - certified for amateur aqualung diving , but also include a build - in depth gage and water system temperature sensor . A ramp up - in astuteness app bring home the bacon introductory reading and is accurate to plus or minus one measure . For those more serious about dive , Apple has partner with Huish Outdoors tocreate the Oceanic+ app , which turns the Apple Watch Ultra into a fully useable dive computer .
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also has some more established features for tramp , including elaborate topographic mapping for over 1,000 internal and regional parks in the U.S. that show nearly every trail and dot of interest , along with data like duration and pic of trails so you could plan your hiking expedition . A Backtrack feature of speech let you easily chance your way back to your point of origin or get back onto your path if you ’ve roll too far from the beaten itinerary , and also shows you the last spots where you had full cellular service oremergency SOS callingso you’re able to get back to coverage when you ’re out in the wild .
Samsung add together a similar Track Back characteristic to the Galaxy Watch Pro 5 , and while it ’s been exclusive to that fashion model , it ’s not surprising to see it ’s made a replication in the Galaxy Watch Ultra . Thisfelt a piece niche and poorly fleshed out on the earlier model , so we ’re reserving judgement until we ’ve had time to see what Samsung has done with it . However , the honest intelligence is that the Galaxy Watch Ultra is every snatch a equal for the Apple Watch Ultra when it do to truth in physical exertion tracking . We used both during our examination and found that , from heart charge per unit to GPS and distance information , the number draw up almost perfectly .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: price and availability
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is useable in a single exemplar that sells for $ 650 , although you may get it in your choice of Titanium Silver , Titanium Gray , or Titanium White , with Marine , Trail , or Peakform dance orchestra . you could buy it straight from Samsung or from major retailer like Amazon and Best Buy .
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs $ 799 and can be purchased instantly from Apple or at most other electronics retailers . The only coloring choice is natural Ti , but you’re able to choose from Alpine Loop , Trail Loop , or Ocean watch band , each of which is available in three coloration .
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: verdict
At the end of the day , your selection between these two excellent smartwatches will be dictated by the ecosystem you live in since you ca n’t use a Galaxy Watch with an iPhone or apply an Apple Watch with an Android machine . However , if you ’re an outdoor risky venture partisan who ’s on the fence about switching to the other side , Apple ’s and Samsung ’s Ultra wearables may be enough to tip the scales . If we were to liken the two in a few words , Samsung ’s wearable comes out ahead in health monitoring , while Apple ’s excels at outdoor fitness exploits .
TheGalaxy Watch Ultrais Samsung ’s first legitimate effort at a furrowed escapade smartwatch , and it ’s an telling one . Samsung has n’t so much copied theApple Watch Ultra 2as learned from it . The design similarities are superficial at best , and the Galaxy Watch Ultra still has its own alone panache that sets it aside not only from Apple ’s clothing , but also from the rest of Samsung ’s Galaxy Watch class . It ’s something entirely new and unique in the public of Wear bone smartwatches , and we do n’t think Samsung fans will be disappoint with what it offers .
Nevertheless , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still stands out as the on-key utmost smartwatch . The aesthetical alone signalise its purposeful purpose , which is all about utility program and strength and not fashion . That ’s support up by its ability to handle deepwater diving and be taken out onto wilderness trails with a greater arcdegree of confidence . We ’re also on the 2nd coevals of Apple Watch Ultra and will likely see the third appear in the next few weeks , so it ’s a more mature ware that ’s had time to evolve and find a solid footing .
