I had to switch from my Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the Galaxy Watch Ultra for testing purposes with just two days left to complete my 28-day preliminary Training Load analysis. The Training Load feature in WatchOS 11 takes into account various data such as heart rate, pace, effort, and age to assess your fitness performance progress. Although it was frustrating not to finish the analysis on my Apple Watch, I found the Galaxy Watch Ultra intriguing in its own right.
While Apple is currently leading the pack in terms of creating a fully-featured outdoor smartwatch, Samsung is not far behind. The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a sleek design that may not be as visually distinct as the Apple Watch Ultra, but it does resemble high-end Garmin or Coros watches. The watch features a titanium case with a sapphire glass face that is rated to withstand water pressure up to 100 meters and various environmental conditions.
One of the main concerns with these smartwatches is their battery life. The Galaxy Watch Ultra can last a little over two days, which is decent for a smartwatch but may fall short for longer outdoor adventures. With Power Saving mode activated, the battery life can be extended to three to five days. It’s useful to be able to customize settings to optimize battery usage based on individual preferences.
Samsung has introduced a new enhanced BioActive sensor in the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which aims to improve the accuracy of health metrics such as heart rate monitoring. The watch also features an AGEs index, which can measure advanced glycation end products to help predict the risk of conditions like diabetes and stroke. This feature provides valuable health insights that were previously obtained through more invasive blood tests.
In terms of design, the Galaxy Watch Ultra closely resembles the Apple Watch Ultra, with similar functionalities such as a Quick Button for assigning specific functions and a gesture-based feature akin to Double Tap. While Samsung has some catching up to do, the Galaxy Watch Ultra presents a promising option for Android users looking for an Apple Watch-like experience.
Overall, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a compelling mix of design, features, and health tracking capabilities. With Samsung’s commitment to innovation, future iterations of the Galaxy Watch series are likely to continue bridging the gap with leading smartwatches in the market. Whether you’re an Android user seeking an alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra or simply looking for a stylish and functional smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is worth considering.
