Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

TheGalaxy Watch 7and theWatch Ultrawere launch earlier this calendar week with upgraded internals and a Modern BioActive Sensor . While the improved sensing element is claim to be more effective than before , it forced Samsung to murder a key feature previously unique to the Galaxy Watch lineup .

Older Samsung Galaxy Watch mannikin — including the Galaxy Watch 6 — could be send when place on the back of a Samsung phone that brook wireless charging . This functionality relies on “ Wireless exponent sharing , ” commonly known as reverse wireless charging , which allow Samsung phones to add shelling life to accessories such as earbuds and pick out Galaxy Watches through wireless charging .

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra’s heart rate sensor.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Several past generations of Samsung flagships , including the new announced Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6 , have supported reverse charging . The maximum end product is define to only 4.5 James Watt , and as you would expect , it is intend to be a fallback choice when you ca n’t get at a right power supply through a paries adapter or a power bank .

However , with the new Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra , Samsung had to change the chassis of the back glass to hold the more in advance BioActive Sensor . A newsupport pagethat cropped up after the recent Unpacked event states that the designing variety result in increase length between the back of the new picket and the wireless tear coil that ’s inside them . As a result of the increased distance , the wireless exponent - sharing feature article would no longer be supported on the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Watch Ultra . “ We appreciate your savvy , ” Samsung enounce .

The ability to charge your Galaxy Watch by placing it on the back of your phone has never truly been on par with the puck - form wireless charger that comes in the box . However , it can be a lifesaver if your Galaxy Watch is break away low on juice and you are n’t near an vent . More importantly , Samsung — until now — was the only manufacturer to offer a feature article like this on its smartwatches .

The implementationhasn’t been perfect , though , and isloaded with caveats . First , because it only works with Samsung earpiece , and not just any other phone with reverse wireless charging . It involve very specific Samsung Wireless Fast Certification on the gadget or the charger for it to officiate . second , the curved strap lug introduced with Galaxy Watch 5 make it incredibly unmanageable for the watch to sit on a broad , flat surface , like the back of a Samsung phone or a wide-cut wireless charger . So , the removal of the feature is likely designate for a few generations , with Samsung easy easing us away from it rather of withdraw it suddenly .

In addition to removing funding for reverse wireless charging , Samsung also warn against dull charging on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra if you use older battery charger . Instead , it recommends you expend a new manikin — EP - OL300 — that likelysupports quicker chargingand is bundled with the raw watches .