Last month, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch FE as an affordable entry-level option. Today, they’ve revitalized their lineup with a $299.99 Galaxy Watch 7 and launched the all-new $649.99 Galaxy Watch Ultra. Clearly taking cues from Apple’s design playbook, the Galaxy Watch Ultra steps up as the flagship model, replacing the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is tailored for the adventurous outdoorsman, stepping away from the distinct flair of its predecessor and embracing a design that closely mirrors the Apple Watch Ultra. This is evident not only in the name but in every aspect of the watch. Samsung touts it as their most rugged watch to date, featuring 10ATM water resistance, an IP68 rating, a robust titanium case, and a sapphire crystal lens. A new orange Quick Button enhances functionality with shortcuts to essential apps, and the watch sports a new strap attachment system remarkably similar to Apple’s.
This new model is not just about style; it fills a needed gap in the Android market, offering a strong alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra at a more accessible price point.
Samsung has managed to infuse its unique flair into the Galaxy Watch Ultra with its 47mm titanium squircle-shaped case, which stands out next to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The absence of a physical rotating bezel is noted, but Samsung compensates with its innovative digital touch bezel, a distinct feature that enhances user interaction.
The Galaxy Watch 7, meanwhile, maintains its design and features from previous models but includes the same internal hardware and software updates as the Ultra. Both models are now upgraded to Wear OS 5 and One UI 6 Watch, feature a new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and support LTE, fast charging, and dual-frequency GPS. Enhanced Samsung BioActive Sensor technology improves monitoring of heart rate, EKG, and body composition, with additional LEDs for a new experimental Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Index metric to analyze your diet and lifestyle.
Both watches benefit from AI-powered Galaxy features like Energy Score and Wellness Tips, offering personalized health insights. A significant development this year is the FDA De Novo clearance for both watches for sleep apnea detection—a first in the industry, using sleep data to monitor signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Although my hands-on experience with the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra didn’t reveal groundbreaking features, the presence of an Android equivalent to the Apple Watch Ultra is a welcome addition to the market.
Preorders for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra start today, with general availability from July 24th.
By Andrej Kovacevic
Updated on 10th July 2024