Samsung’s Galaxy Watch lineup has just added an Ultra version, and as expected, the new launch comes in a big, bold avatar. The chunky wearable ticks all the boxes expected of a pro-grade, rugged smartwatch that can withstand the elements and survive challenging scenarios without skipping a heartbeat, pun intended. I was among the first to get up close and personal with the watch, and here are some thoughts based on my experience.
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Design
Big and chunky are the first words that come to mind when one lays eyes on the Galaxy Watch Ultra for the first time. Straying away from conventional circular or squarish designs, the 47mm case sports a unique look – a squircle shape for the case, with a circular screen on top. Samsung calls it the cushion design and it’s supposed to enhance durability.
The 1.5-inch sapphire crystal display is of the Super AMOLED variety and go up to a whopping 3,000 nits in terms of peak brightness. The screen sits under a raised bezel that bears time markers. On the right of the case, there are two hardware keys and a rotating crown in the middle. This works as a quick button to initiate workouts, and can also be mapped to other functions.
A whole bunch of sensors adorn the bottom of the case, and you’ll also find a couple of release buttons for the straps on two sides. Pressing these and pulling out the strap detaches it from the watch case, and that’s when the new Dynamic lug system becomes visible. This is a proprietary band mechanism and means that you won’t be able to use conventional bands with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Samsung will be selling other bands as accessories for the new smartwatches, and in time, third-party vendors could also come up with their own versions, but this isn’t great news for those who like to keep switching watch straps often. The default straps I saw on the demo units were of the thick silicone variety.
Understandably, durability is a crucial aspect of the Watch Ultra… so it can appeal to adventure buffs and outdoorsy folks. It boasts a titanium grade 4 frame and 10ATM water resistance and is designed to operate at altitudes ranging from 500m below sea level to 9,000m above. You can even take it for a swim in the ocean if you want.
Software and features
The Galaxy Watch Ultra and its sibling the Galaxy Watch 7 are the first smartwatches powered by Google Wear OS 5. The Ultra stays true to its monker though, and offers additional features over and above the Watch 7. Take for instance, the emergency siren feature. Its watch faces can switch automatically to night mode for better readability in the dark. The Ultra also offers ultra-long battery life – up to 100 hours in power saving and 48 hours in exercise power saving mode, as per Samsung. There’s a new Multi-Sport tile on offer, plus new Functional Threshold Power (FTP) metrics for cyclists, measured in just 4 minutes. Not just that, the Ultra also promises advanced Personalised HR Zone data which indicates optimal energy levels for workouts specific to the user.
In addition, both the Watch Ultra and the Galaxy Watch 7 boast a new BioActive sensor system, which promises to offer better health insights. Samsung says the sensors have been redesigned, with improved performance of light-receiving photodiodes, adding additional colours to the LEDs, and ensuring optimal arrangement across the sensor. For one, the performance of each photodiode has been doubled, allowing Samsung to reduce their number and use the space to add more LEDs. Blue, yellow, violet and ultraviolet LEDs have been included, along with more green, red and infrared LEDs. All in all, it does come across as a serious upgrade from before, and hopefully, help deliver the promises Samsung is making regarding the better insights offered by these wearables.
Conclusion
While the launch of the new Galaxy Ring and the Galaxy Watch Ultra are among the key highlights of this year’s Unpacked event, it looks like Samsung is making big strides in the health department… working not just on improving the hardware and the sensors, but also adding more features, AI capabilities and more. At the end of the day, the real value of these wearables lies in the data they capture and the insights they’re able to provide the user. That’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. That said, I don’t really mind when the rainbow comes in the form of a swanky new wearable like the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Disclosure: this writer attended the Unpacked event in Paris on Samsung India’s invitation
