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Apple Watch Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Hands-On: How Close Is It to Apple Watch Ultra?

Cherlynn Low’s launch-event hands-on found plenty of Apple Watch Ultra echoes in Samsung’s rugged smartwatch—but left battery life and performance untested.

By WatchRanker Team 4 min read
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Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra borrows plenty of familiar rugged-watch cues from Apple’s Watch Ultra, but it is not a duplicate: its round display sits inside a rounded-square case, and it adds a customizable Quick Button. In her July 10, 2024 launch-event hands-on for Engadget, Cherlynn Low found the resemblance striking but did not test real-world battery life or performance. Her article is a snapshot of the launch model, not a long-term review.

How similar are Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra?

Low’s comparison focused on the watches’ names, premium rugged positioning, titanium construction, bright displays, water-resistance claims, emergency siren and gesture controls. Those shared cues led her to question how original Samsung’s design was. That is her assessment of the resemblance, not an independently established finding that Samsung copied Apple.

The shapes differ in a visible way: Samsung puts a circular display in a rounded-square case it calls a “cushion” design, while Apple’s case is rectangular. Low described the Samsung watch as visually striking, though somewhat overwhelming on her relatively small wrist. During her brief wear at the event, she did not find it too heavy.

Launch-event comparison Galaxy Watch Ultra Apple Watch Ultra
Case size 47 mm 49 mm
Weight 60.5 g 61.4 g
Display brightness Up to 3,000 nits, as described in Low’s July 2024 comparison Up to 3,000 nits, as described in Low’s July 2024 comparison
Water-resistance claim Up to 100 m, as described in Low’s July 2024 comparison Up to 100 m, as described in Low’s July 2024 comparison

The size and weight figures are the values compared in Low’s July 2024 article; they are not a comfort test across different wrists. Likewise, the brightness and water-resistance figures are launch-era claims, not independent tests.

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What does the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s Quick Button do?

Samsung gives the watch three buttons on its right edge, including a new middle Quick Button that can be assigned to launch an app or start a workout. Its dial can rotate, but it does not act as a scroll wheel. Low put the distinction plainly: “Although it’s a dial that can turn, rotating the Quick Button doesn’t scroll through the interface.”

Low also noted there is no physical spinning bezel on the Ultra. The scrolling method she described is dragging on the touchscreen. She cautioned that the Quick Button might be pressed accidentally when someone bends the wrist backward during an exercise such as pushups. These are observations from brief event handling, not quantified usability results.

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What did the hands-on establish about performance and battery?

It did not establish whether the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 3 nm processor feels faster in everyday use or whether its battery lasts longer in practice. Low had not completed real-world testing, so her article leaves speed and battery life open questions rather than review verdicts.

Samsung’s regional product page for the 47 mm LTE model lists a 590 mAh battery and these maximum estimates: up to 60 hours with always-on display (AOD), up to 80 hours with AOD off, and up to 100 hours in Power Saving Mode. It also lists up to 48 hours for an outdoor workout with GPS in Exercise Power Saving. These are Samsung’s estimates for the stated modes, not runtimes measured by Low or guaranteed results.

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What features and specifications does Samsung list?

The figures below are Samsung’s specifications for the cited Gulf-region 47 mm LTE Galaxy Watch Ultra. They should not be assumed to describe every regional SKU or a later model year.

Specification Samsung-listed value
Case 47.4 × 47.1 × 12.1 mm; titanium Grade 4
Weight 60.5 g
Display 1.5-inch (37.3 mm) Super AMOLED; 480 × 480 resolution
Processor 3 nm, five-core
Memory and storage 2 GB memory; 32 GB storage
GPS L1+L5 dual-frequency GPS
Battery capacity 590 mAh
Durability ratings 10 ATM, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H; Samsung describes water resistance up to 100 m

These ratings and material descriptions come from the manufacturer; they are not independent proof that the watch suits every water activity or condition. Samsung lists Marine, Trail and PeakForm band styles, but compatibility of third-party bands with this specific model is not established here.

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How do their outdoor and diving claims compare?

In Low’s July 2024 comparison, Apple Watch Ultra had a depth gauge and recreational-diving software rated to 40 m; she said Samsung did not have similar software in the comparison she made. She contrasted Samsung’s IP68 rating with Apple’s IP6X dust-resistance rating. This describes the products and comparison at that time, and should not be read as a statement about later software or hardware changes.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What did they cost at launch?

Engadget’s July 10, 2024 article listed a $650 launch price for Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra and $800 for Apple Watch Ultra, a $150 difference at that time. Samsung orders began July 10, with availability scheduled for July 24, 2024. Those are historical launch facts, not current prices or stock information; current retail pricing and availability have not been verified.

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What does this hands-on leave unanswered?

Because the article was a short event preview, it cannot settle several practical buying questions:

  • Battery in everyday use: Low had not run a real-world battery test; Samsung’s figures are estimates by mode.
  • Speed: the 3 nm processor specification does not demonstrate faster real-world performance.
  • Sleep features and heart-rate response: Low did not test the sleep features, and the article does not provide a measured assessment of these functions.
  • Double-pinch gesture: Samsung representatives demonstrated it, but Low did not try it herself. Her judgment that Apple’s gesture implementation was more thorough remains an event impression.
  • Compatibility and current buying details: the cited comparison does not resolve phone-ecosystem compatibility, current prices or present-day availability.

Has Samsung done anything better than Apple here?

On the evidence of this hands-on, the clearest Samsung-specific practical distinction is its customizable Quick Button, alongside a case design that keeps a circular screen rather than Apple’s rectangular one. But the button’s rotating dial does not scroll, and Low’s brief handling raised a possible accidental-press issue. The article does not offer enough testing to declare Samsung faster, longer-lasting or broadly better. It supports a narrower conclusion: Samsung created a distinct interface detail within a design that shares many of Apple’s rugged premium-watch cues.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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