Samsung’s latest smartwatch offering, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, has taken the wearable tech world by storm. Promising a robust fitness experience built for endurance athletes and casual adventurers alike, the Ultra boasts a rugged design, advanced tracking features, and a battery life that aims to conquer weekend getaways. But does it live up to the hype? We put the Galaxy Watch Ultra through its paces to find out.
Built for the Trail (and Beyond)
The first thing you’ll notice about the Galaxy Watch Ultra is its design. Unlike its sleeker siblings, the Ultra embraces a bold, utilitarian aesthetic. The watch features a large, durable titanium case with a prominent raised bezel, making it a clear departure from the more minimalist styles of the past. This build translates to a watch that feels comfortable and secure on the wrist, even during vigorous activity.
The 1.4-inch display is bright and crisp, easily readable even under harsh sunlight. A major improvement is the addition of a sapphire crystal lens, offering superior scratch resistance compared to previous models. The two physical buttons on the side are customizable, allowing you to quickly access frequently used functions like workouts or the built-in flashlight. While some reviewers found the lack of a rotating crown (present on Samsung’s earlier watches) to be a slight drawback, the new button layout feels intuitive and responsive.
Fitness Tracking Features Galore
The Galaxy Watch Ultra shines in the fitness department. It boasts an impressive array of sensors, including an improved heart rate monitor, barometer, and SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen monitoring. Samsung has also introduced dual-band GPS, which promises more accurate location tracking, especially in challenging environments with tall buildings or dense foliage.
Our testing revealed generally accurate GPS performance during runs and hikes. While there were minor discrepancies in distance compared to professional running tracks, the recorded paths remained consistent. The heart rate monitor performed well during steady-state exercise but struggled slightly with rapid heart rate changes during interval training – a common hurdle for wrist-based sensors.
Beyond basic tracking, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a comprehensive suite of advanced features. Training programs cater to various fitness levels, providing guidance and coaching for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and more. The new “Route Training” feature allows you to import pre-existing routes or create your own, making it ideal for exploring new trails or sticking to familiar paths.
Another exciting addition is “Track Back,” a feature that guides you back to your starting point using GPS data – a lifesaver for those who tend to wander off the beaten path. Recovery metrics like VO2 Max estimation and sleep tracking help you understand your overall fitness level and optimize your training routine.
Battery Life: A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Samsung boasts a significant battery life improvement with the Ultra, claiming up to 100 hours in power-saving mode and 48 hours with continuous GPS tracking. In real-world usage, we found the battery to comfortably last for two days with moderate activity tracking and notifications enabled. Pushing the watch with constant GPS usage during extended hikes did drain the battery faster, but it still managed to hold on for a respectable 36 hours. While it may not quite reach the weekend warrior status Samsung promises, the battery life is a definite improvement over previous Galaxy Watches.
However, there’s a slight caveat. The Galaxy Watch Ultra ditches the convenient reverse wireless charging feature found on earlier models. This means you’ll need to rely on the included magnetic charger, which feels a bit bulkier than previous iterations.
Software and Connectivity
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Google’s Wear OS platform, offering access to a vast library of third-party apps and functionalities. The user interface is smooth and responsive, with intuitive navigation and customization options. Samsung’s own fitness app, Samsung Health, seamlessly integrates with the watch, providing detailed workout summaries and overall health data.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing you to stay connected to your smartphone and receive notifications on your wrist. You can also download music directly to the watch and listen to it independently during workouts, a feature welcomed by fitness enthusiasts who prefer to leave their phones behind.
A Worthy Contender, But Not Without Flaws
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is a compelling option for fitness enthusiasts seeking a feature-packed smartwatch with a rugged build and long battery life. Its advanced tracking features, comprehensive training programs, and durable design make it a solid choice for endurance athletes and outdoor adventurers. However, it’s not without its shortcomings. The heart rate monitor may struggle with certain workouts, and the lack of reverse wireless charging is a slight inconvenience.
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