Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Review)

Durability and Build Quality

Both watches have aerospace-grade titanium and sapphire crystal displays. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is MIL-STD-810H compliant and has an IP68 rating, indicating resistance to dust and water. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also MIL-STD-810H certified and dust-resistant up to IP6X. However, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s robust titanium build and rugged design make it more suitable for harsh outdoor activities.

Display Quality

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a larger 1.91-inch OLED display with a resolution of 502×410 pixels and a higher pixel density of 335 PPI. The Galaxy Watch Ultra features a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 480×480 pixels and 320 PPI. 

Both screens can achieve up to 3,000 nits of brightness, ensuring exceptional visibility in bright settings. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s bigger screen allows for a more immersive viewing experience.

Water Resistance and Sports Suitability

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 excels at water sports, with a WR100 rating (water-resistant to 100 meters) and EN13319 certification, making it ideal for diving up to 40 meters. 

While the Galaxy Watch Ultra is water-resistant up to 328 feet (10ATM), it is unsuitable for high-pressure activities such as scuba diving. As a result, for water aficionados, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option due to its increased water protection and diving capabilities.

Platform Compatibility

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only compatible with iPhones and requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 17 or higher. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is intended for Android devices, with features specifically optimized for Samsung Galaxy phones. 

This makes the Galaxy Watch Ultra a better option for Android users, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains the standard for those in the Apple ecosystem.

Operating System and Software

The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI 6 overlay, which allows for significant customization and integration with Android capabilities. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 runs on watchOS 10, which is noted for its seamless interaction with the Apple ecosystem. 

Wear OS offers greater flexibility for third-party apps, but watchOS excels at reliability and user experience within Apple’s ecosystem. The choice is based on the selected platform and software flexibility.

Health Tracking Features

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra offers comprehensive health tracking, including FDA-approved sleep apnea monitoring, bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition, and an Energy Score feature. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides complete heart health tracking, such as ECG, blood oxygen levels, and sleep monitoring. While both offer strong health features, Samsung stands out for its unique sleep apnea diagnosis and body composition measures.

Fitness & Workout Features

The Galaxy Watch Ultra includes Race mode and Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cyclists, allowing them to compare their prior performances. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides accurate fitness monitoring, including cycling data and topographic maps for trekking. 

Apple’s connectivity with third-party fitness apps opens up more fitness tracking possibilities, whereas Samsung concentrates on improving performance data for specific activities.

Customization and Band Options

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra has a unique dynamic lug system that limits band compatibility to select models while assuring secure attachments. It features a variety of band genres, including Marine, Trail, and Peakform. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports bands from earlier Apple Watch models, giving you more flexibility and customization options. Apple’s wide band ecosystem provides major advantages for those looking for various stylistic options.

Processor and Performance

The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Samsung’s Exynos W1000 processor, three times faster and 30% more efficient than its predecessor. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 runs on Apple’s S9 SiP, the most powerful wristwatch processor. 

While both provide smooth performance, Apple’s S9 chip offers a noticeable advantage in speed and efficiency, resulting in smoother multitasking and app performance.

Unique Features and Innovations

The Galaxy Watch Ultra has Galaxy AI-powered features, including an Energy Score and Wellness Tips, which provide individualized health insights. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes the Oceanic+ app for diving and advanced hiking skills such as Backtrack. 

Samsung also incorporates gesture controls and AI-suggested responses, whereas Apple prioritizes seamless connectivity with its ecosystem, each providing distinct advancements to improve the user experience.

AI and Smart Features

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra uses Galaxy AI to improve health insights and contextual smart answers, adding intelligence to everyday interactions. 

Apple’s watchOS 10 ensures a robust and stable ecosystem without incorporating advanced AI functions. Samsung’s AI integration offers smarter, more personalized capabilities that appeal to users who appreciate intelligent help.

Charging Speed and Convenience

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has quick charging capabilities, reaching 80% in about an hour and fully charging in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The Galaxy Watch Ultra takes approximately two hours to charge from 10% to 100%. 

Apple’s speedier charging is useful for consumers who require quick power boosts, while Samsung’s charging time stays competitive, albeit somewhat slower.

Connectivity Options

Both smartwatches have dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC for mobile payments, and LTE capabilities. They also have dual-frequency GPS for accurate location tracking. 

While connectivity options are mostly comparable, the Galaxy Watch Ultra adds AI-enabled features to Samsung Galaxy phones, improving Android customers’ connected experience.

Storage Capacity

Both smartwatches have a large amount of storage, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra having 32GB and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offering 64GB. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s enhanced storage capacity enables additional apps, music, and video, improving its effectiveness as a standalone device for fitness and daily use. This makes the Apple Watch Ultra 2 more suitable for consumers that require a large amount of storage.

Price and Value

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra costs $650, making it a more reasonable option than the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at $799. 

While both are high-end smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers comparable robust features at a lesser price, making it a better value for consumers looking for sturdiness without breaking the bank. Samsung also offers competitive trade-in rates, making it even more affordable for Android customers.

Ready to take your smartwatch experience further? Discover essential tips to help you choose the perfect Apple Watch that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Overall Verdict

The decision between the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 primarily depends on your smartphone ecosystem and individual requirements. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is a better value for Android users, with a longer battery life and advanced health tracking capabilities. 

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 excels in aquatic sports, delivers flawless performance, and has broad app support for iPhone users. Both are high-end smartwatches, ensuring you receive outstanding quality regardless of preference.

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