Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: First Impressions
Samsung’s latest rugged smartwatch hasn’t changed much on the outside, but the real upgrades on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 are all hiding inside. It has a bigger battery, a more powerful processor, and new trail features to take you from the office to the paths without extra gear.
At $700 ($50 more than the original Galaxy Watch Ultra), it’s the most expensive watch in Samsung’s lineup, but it’s also the most durable — and arguably the most capable.
I’ve spent the past week testing the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and while the jury is still out on its long-term features like health tracking and battery life, it’s clear that this watch can pull double duty as both a trail-ready companion and a premium smartwatch.
Whether its $700 price tag is justified depends on what you’re looking for. If you want Samsung’s most rugged watch with the best battery, brightest display, and the most outdoor features, it’ll be worth the premium. But if the outdoor features matter less than the core smartwatch experience, you might be better off getting the standard Galaxy Watch 9 (or even older models) for nearly half the price.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 keeps the squircle frame but increases the size and brightness of the display.
Design and Display
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 looks identical to the original. It has the same premium titanium case, sapphire crystal display, signature squircle shape, and three programmable physical buttons. But look closer and you’ll see a few subtle upgrades.
The display is slightly bigger (1.52 inches compared to 1.5 inches on the original), though the overall watch is smaller and lighter. Samsung has also redesigned the bands, making them thinner and more breathable so the watch sits flatter against your wrist, which the company says improves sensor contact. The new clasp mechanism makes them easier to swap than traditional watch bands, though it also locks you into Samsung’s proprietary system.
The fact that I slept a couple of nights without ripping it off halfway through the night says a lot about a watch this size. I still wouldn’t choose to sleep with it long-term, but it’s noticeably more comfortable than I expected.
Samsung watches already have the best displays in the industry, and the Ultra 2 kicks it up a notch with an even brighter 5,000-nit display (versus 3,000 nits on the original) that looks flawless even in harsh mid-morning summer sun.
New Trail Running and Diving Features
The Ultra 2 edges closer to sports watch territory with a dedicated trail-running mode that surfaces real-time climb and elevation data, has offline trail map access, and hydration reminders.
After a 5-mile trail run through the hills, I was impressed by two things: turn-by-turn audio navigation and real-time elevation tracking. I don’t like wearing headphones when I trail run because I want to stay aware of my surroundings, so hearing instructions through the watch speaker is the perfect solution. With real-time elevation tracking, the watch automatically broke my route into individual climbs and showed my progress. Having a live progress bar as I approach a hill gives me a tangible target, making it easier to push through steeper sections.
The Ultra 2 also debuts a recreational diving feature developed in partnership with Italian diving company Mares. Since it doesn’t track gas or oxygen consumption, it’s not meant to replace a dedicated dive computer. Instead, it’s aimed at casual recreational divers who want basic dive data on a device they’re already wearing.
Gemini Integration and Software
My favorite feature, however, has nothing to do with rugged outdoor sports. It’s Gemini integration. Google’s AI assistant on your wrist, with the new raise-to-talk feature, makes it even better. No button presses or wake words required — just raise your wrist and start talking. This added layer of convenience made me far more likely to use it and helped me get things done entirely hands-free.
Battery Life and Performance
The Ultra 2 packs an 800mAh battery, up from the 590mAh on the original, paired with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor, which promises better power efficiency. On-device AI optimizes battery life as it learns your habits. Samsung rates it for up to 60 hours with the watch’s always-on display enabled.
It’s still too early to know if that 60-hour claim is realistic, as my initial results haven’t been stellar. That 5-mile trail run chewed through about 30% of the battery, and I’ve yet to reach the watch’s promised 60-hour mark. I’ve gotten closer to 48 hours before needing to recharge.
Either way, don’t expect sports watch-level endurance. A Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, for comparison, can last over a week on a charge. The Ultra 2 powers a brighter display, Wear OS, and always-ready Gemini, all of which demand far more power than a dedicated sports watch typically consumes.
Health and Recovery Tools
The watch also gets a new suite of health features, feeding into the redesigned Samsung Health app. Vitals tracking can flag possible signs of illness by monitoring metrics like heart rate variability, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature. There’s also a new Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load to help guide recovery, and a Health Index review that uses AI to create a personalized coaching plan.
I appreciate that Samsung isn’t putting these health insights behind a subscription the way companies like Whoop and Oura do. Some guided workouts and iFit content still require separate subscriptions, but the core health features are included with the watch.
Should You Upgrade?
After a week of testing, the Ultra 2 feels like more of an upgrade than its familiar design would suggest. If you’re coming from an older Galaxy Watch and want the latest hardware with the peace of mind that it’ll keep up with your adventures, this is the one to get. But battery life, in particular, will make or break my recommendation — both over the Galaxy Watch 9 and for anyone considering upgrading from the original Ultra.
