WATCHES HAVE ALWAYS been the go-to companion for an adventurer, explorer or someone simply looking to get a little exercise in while staying aware of the time. But in the same way the style, scale and format of our adventures has changed in modern times, so too, have our watches. They’ve become more effective, more stylish, more advanced and most importantly, more intelligent – as the producers of these watches will waste no time in telling you. But if you’re looking for the superlative sum of all these parts, Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch Ultra is a class above the rest.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra takes everything from the standard Galaxy Watch and elevates it. In comparison to the Galaxy Watch7, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has a larger battery capacity, a bigger screen, more features and a few extra buttons, for good measure. Those aren’t the only improvements though. The Galaxy Watch Ultra also has an enhanced BioActive sensor, personalised fitness coaching and an emergency siren[1] in case you get into trouble. Perhaps most intriguingly, it also harnesses the power of Galaxy AI[2] for personalised insights on fitness and health[3].
Clearly, the Galaxy Watch Ultra isn’t short on features, but can it hold up to the rigorous testing of the Men’s Health team? Read on to find out.
The look
We love a watch that stands out, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra certainly fits that bill. The watch comes in three titanium colours – titanium grey, titanium silver and titanium white – all of which command attention. As for the band, a bright orange ‘Marine’ band is the default, but there are other options. ‘Trail’ and ‘PeakForm’ band varieties are also available, and in addition to orange, they also come in more subtle white, green and dark grey colours. Personally, we can’t look past the orange base.[4]
As for the dial, the Galaxy Watch Ultra opts for a distinct shape. While previous Samsung watches have been mostly circular – the Galaxy Watch Ultra is more of a half circle, half square. The case itself is a square with rounded corners, while the 47mm screen remains circular.
On either the left or right side of the watch – depending on which way you choose to wear it – you’ll find three buttons. There’s the usual back and home keys, and a quick button. As the Galaxy Watch Ultra was built with physical activity in mind, the base function of the quick button is to let Galaxy Watch Ultra users initiate workouts quickly and smoothly, without having to look at the screen or use touch controls. The button can also be customised to command other functions, like opening a particular app.
Then there’s the display itself. The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 47mm screen gets up to 3000 nits of brightness. If that number means nothing to you and you haven’t the slightest clue what ‘nits’ are, just know that that’s a good amount; enough for it to be seen even under harsh sunlight. The display is a wonder to look at, with a crystal-clear view at all times. At night, the watch automatically switches to night mode – which, in our opinion, is when it looks most appealing.
The features
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is flush with features. For starters, there’s the upgraded, do-it-all sensor on the case back, which Samsung has dubbed the ‘BioActive sensor’. It holds 16 LED lights, which can project ultraviolet rays into the skin to track health metrics. Within the sensor lies an accelerometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitor, pedometer, barometer and gyroscope, among other things.
With a dual frequency GPS tracker[5], the Galaxy Watch Ultra can guide you during any journey but is especially helpful during workouts. Sometimes you just want to set off and not worry about how you’re getting to where you’re going. With the Galaxy Watch Ultra, you can do exactly that with data-based guidance from Google Maps and turn-by-turn directions that are audibly provided through the watch’s loudspeakers. Once you’ve reached the end of the road, you can easily track back with directions to your starting point at the press of a button.[6]
The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s workout-enhancing capabilities go far beyond navigation. You can track every one of your workouts – whether it’s a walk, run, swim, bike ride, hike, weights session or even a multi-sport endeavour like a triathlon – the Galaxy Watch Ultra will record your data and provide real-time feedback in areas like heart rate zones. This feedback is also tailored to your capabilities. The watch can learn your routine and know what your heart rate should be during certain degrees of effort[7]. If you’re running at what should be a conversational pace but your heart rate is climbing too high, the watch will let you know to ease up[7].
Of course, we can’t forget about the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s incorporation of Galaxy AI. In the health space, Galaxy AI can analyse the key indicators of your overall health condition and provide you with a daily energy score[9]. This assesses a holistic range of factors, including your sleep, heart rate and daily activity. To fine-tune your energy score, you can try optimising your sleep, during which the watch will keep tabs on your rest stages, duration, heart rate and even snoring. I initially scored an 86 and was able to up that to 94 after some good shuteye.
Outside of workouts, Galaxy AI can come in handy when replying to text messages. By analysing previous messages, Galaxy AI can effectively determine your typical tone of conversation with a specific contact and offer reply suggestions that match the mood – and yes, it can do this mid-run, when you need to shoot off a quick text but don’t want to lose your rhythm.[10]
In terms of battery life, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is built for long lasting use, with a 590mAh battery[11]. It should outlast any adventure you take it on, and it’ll be able to handle any environment you take it in too, with an operating temperature ranging from -20-49 degrees Celsius and altitude resistance up to 9000 metres[12].
Lastly, in case you run into trouble, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is equipped with a safety siren that can be triggered by holding the quick button for five seconds. Once activated, a powerful 86 decibel siren will be emitted, which can be heard from up to 180 metres away[13].
The test
Like we said, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is flush with features, but how does it hold up in practice? I had a week with the watch to put it to the test – which I did, comprehensively.
As someone who was recently diagnosed with a heart condition relating to an irregular heartbeat, I was intrigued by the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s ability to perform an ECG[14]. Naturally, that’s the feature I tested first. Within roughly 30 seconds, the Galaxy Watch Ultra was able to detect atrial fibrillation and recommend I see a specialist. I was floored by this, having spent the last few months taking exactly that kind of test, in hospitals. If only I’d tested the Galaxy Watch Ultra sooner.
To help manage my condition, I’ve been ordered by doctors to not let my heart rate get too high while exercising. There, the Galaxy Watch Ultra once again proved useful**. Embarking on a moderate tempo run around my local circuit, I was able to monitor my heart rate through the watch’s BioActive sensor and ease up when I reached too high a zone.
That was run one. On run two I figured I’d test out the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s navigational abilities and was again impressed. I set out rather aimlessly with no clear direction in mind bar a point I wanted to end up. The watch was able to guide me to my destination easily, with timely directions at every turn. Once I arrived at my end point, rather than being completely lost, I was able to use the watch’s ‘track-back’ feature and return home safely[15].
On day three, I shook things up with a bike ride, to see if the watch was just as effective on a different mode of transport to my legs. In short, it was. It was during this session I discovered how handy Galaxy AI can be. Roughly halfway through my ride, a text message popped up on the display. At the time, I was in the zone. You know, that period when you put everything else aside, lock in and feel unstoppable. Rather than pause my workout, pull over and lose momentum, I was able to shoot off a quick – Galaxy AI-suggested – response.[16] With the Galaxy Watch Ultra, you become accustomed to unexpectedly useful features like this.
The verdict
The race to create the world’s leading smart watch is fierce, with new technologies constantly emerging and previously unimagined uses for AI arriving every day. But after testing the Galaxy Watch Ultra, it feels safe to say that Samsung is winning that race.
Yes, the heart-rate monitoring capabilities did appeal to me in particular, but the BioActive sensor is hardly a one trick pony. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone that doesn’t want greater insight into what makes their body tick so they can optimise their health and enhance their workouts. In that sense, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is truly nonpareil.
The whole design is unquestionably appealing, and, on the wrist, the watch is eminently wearable.
There wasn’t an aspect of the Galaxy Watch Ultra that didn’t impress me, and while I didn’t have the occasion to take it to a mountain’s summit or a desert’s barren vista to test out some of its more hardcore features, it wouldn’t surprise me if it performed just as well.
[1] The siren emits up to 86-decibel sound and can be heard up to 180 metres away maximum. The loudness and range of the sound may vary depending on the environment. The duration for which the siren can be activated may vary depending on the battery life.
[2] Certain Galaxy AI features requires Samsung and Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features. AI Features will be provided free of charge until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.
[3] The Galaxy Watch Ultra is not a medical/therapeutic device. It is solely intended for fitness and wellness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions; or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease; or for the prevention or control of conception or pregnancy. Samsung recommends that you consult with your doctor or physician before participating in any exercise program.
[4] Colour availability may vary depending on country or carrier. Additional Watch bands are sold separately.
[5] GPS accuracy may vary depending on network environment, obstructions to the satellite signal and other factors. GPS function requires internet connection. Can be used on LTE models without paired smartphone.
[6] To use Track Back feature, it must be enabled prior to every hiking or cycling workout session under Samsung Health settings.
[7] Personalisation of Heart Rate Zone enabled when selecting outdoor run activity. It is required to run consistently for more than 10 minutes with speed of 4km/h or faster.
[8] HR alerts is intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or management of any medical condition or disease. Any health-related information accessed through the device and application should not be treated as medical advice. Users should seek any medical advice from a physician.
[9] Available on select Android phones (Android 10 or above), requires Samsung Health App (V6.27 or above) and Samsung Account login. User must register a Galaxy Watch (Watch4 or later) or Galaxy Ring. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.
[10] Requires a Samsung Account and network connection. Suggested Replies feature with watch works when the watch is paired to a Galaxy Flip6, Galaxy Fold6 or Galaxy S24. Translation might not be accurate.
[11] Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns, device model, battery manufacturer and other factors.
[12] Galaxy Watch Ultra has obtained MIL-STD-810H Certification and can be used in temperatures ranging from -20° C to 49° C when tested under lab conditions. Watch Ultra has been tested as water resistant against a range of lab conditions, including for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Actual results may vary. Refer to the user manual for further information, including care/use instructions.
[13] The siren emits up to 86-decibel sound and can be heard up to 180 meters away maximum. The loudness and range of the sound may vary depending on the environment. The duration for which the siren can be activated may vary depending on the battery life.
[14] ECG feature is intended for adults 22 years + to create, record, store, transfer, and display a single channel electrocardiogram (ECG) and is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment. ECG feature is not intended for users with known arrhythmias. Please consult a medical professional for advice. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE.
[15] To use Track Back feature, it must be enabled prior to every hiking or cycling workout session under Samsung Health settings.
[16] Requires a Samsung Account and network connection. Suggested Replies feature with watch works when the watch is paired to a Galaxy Flip6, Galaxy Fold6 or Galaxy S24. Translation might not be accurate.
**Samsung Health and Watch Ultra are intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment of any medical condition or disease. Measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is $1,299 and is now available with Samsung Care+ See website for full details on Samsung Care+ service.
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