Alongside the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 foldables, Samsung also unveiled new smartwatches including an Apple Watch Ultra rival. This rival model, called the Galaxy Watch Ultra, shares more than just its name with the Apple Watch Ultra. It tags along with the new Galaxy Watch 7.
Unlike the Galaxy Watch 7’s familiar 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Galaxy Watch Ultra goes big with a single, robust 47mm option. Unfortunately, for fans of the rotating bezel, neither watch offers it this year, nixing the “Classic” model.
Not to be confused with the Watch 7 Ultra, this new smartwatch boasts a rugged look, which Samsung calls a “cushion design.” It’s a rectangular body with a round watch face and a round bezel. Three buttons line the side, with the center one acting as a customizable “Quick Button” for added functionality.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes in a single, sizeable option: a 47mm case with a matching 1.5-inch display. The screen offers a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels and incredible brightness (up to 3,000 nits). A tough sapphire crystal protects the display, while the casing is crafted from durable Grade 4 titanium. Despite its size, the watch weighs in at a manageable 60.5 grams.
Built to endure the elements, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a true adventurer’s companion. It boasts 10 ATM and IP 68 water resistance and even MIL-STD-810H certification for shock resistance. It can handle extreme temperatures from a scorching +55°C down to a frigid -20°C. It can survive at high altitudes of up to 9,000 meters and even depths of 500 meters below sea level.
Packing the same powerful 590 mAh battery as the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, the Ultra offers the longest battery life yet in a Galaxy Watch. In Power Saving mode, it can last a whopping 100 hours, with 48 hours achievable in Exercise Power Saving mode.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a powerful new heart under its hood: the Exynos W1000 chip. Built on a tiny 3nm process, this processor is three times faster than the previous W930 and uses 30% less battery power. It’s paired with 2 GB of RAM for smooth performance.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers precise location tracking thanks to its new dual-frequency GPS, which works even in crowded city environments. For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, The watch can track a whopping 100 different sports and even complex multi-course workouts that combine multiple activities.
Fitness tracking gets a major upgrade with AI-powered algorithms working alongside the improved BioActive Sensor. Sleep analysis is more advanced with new Sleep Apnea detection that monitors for abnormally high or low heart rates, potentially indicating the condition.
The watch also keeps an eye on your heart rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation. Familiar features like ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and a skin temperature sensor for period prediction return as well.
The biggest health innovation might be advanced glycation tracking, a new feature on both the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 7. This allows you to monitor your sugar levels and receive an AGEs Index, a data point that reflects your metabolic health and biological aging process.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available in Titanium Gray, Titanium White, and Titanium Silver with a starting price of $650.
The Galaxy Watch 7 might not be quite as extreme as the Ultra, but it inherits many of its impressive features. This includes the advanced fitness tracking with AI, the new BioActive sensor for health monitoring, and the powerful Exynos W1000 chip.
The Watch 7 comes in two sizes: a smaller 40mm option with a 1.3-inch display and a larger 44mm option with a 1.5-inch display. Both offer crisp resolution and use the same durable sapphire crystal glass as the Ultra.
While it won’t conquer mountains or survive deep dives, the Watch 7 maintains a tough exterior with MIL-STD-810H certification and 5ATM + IP68 water and dust resistance, matching the Ultra.
Software-wise, both the Galaxy Watch7 and Ultra boast the latest Wear OS 5 (until the Pixel Watch arrives) with Samsung’s One UI Watch on top.
Pricing for the 40mm model begins at $300 and it is available in Green and Cream color options. Meanwhile, the bigger 44mm edition costs $330 and lets you choose between Green and Silver colors.