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Samsung’s original Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024) was its most technically capable smartwatch at launch, but it was never an automatic best buy. A titanium case, superb AMOLED screen, dual-frequency GPS and an unusually broad health platform make it the strongest Samsung watch for rugged, outdoor-minded Galaxy owners. Its 47mm bulk, touchscreen-heavy controls, high launch price and merely adequate real-world battery keep it from matching the best dedicated sports watches.
This review covers the original 2024 model tested by TechRadar, not the subsequently listed Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) refresh. Treat the verdict and testing below as a launch-era assessment of the 2024 watch.
Verdict
The Galaxy Watch Ultra delivered more capability than any Samsung watch before it. It combined Wear OS apps and Samsung phone integration with a tougher titanium build, 10ATM/IP68 protection, dual-frequency GPS, multisport tools and Samsung’s most complete health-tracking package. TechRadar’s category scores reflected that balance: 4/5 for design, 4.5/5 for features, 3.5/5 for performance and 3.5/5 for value (full review).
It is best understood as Samsung’s most ambitious watch, not the best watch for every job. The Ultra is a compelling choice for a Galaxy-phone owner who wants a premium AMOLED smartwatch for hiking, running, swimming and everyday notifications. It is a poor fit if you need multi-day GPS endurance, compact comfort, advanced native mapping or a lightweight training watch.
#1 Best Overall
- 47mm - 1.5" Super AMOLED, 480x480px, 590mAh Battery, MIL-STD 810H certified, IP68/10ATM 100m water resistant, ECG certified
- 64GB, 2GB RAM, Exynos W1000 (3nm), Penta-core, Mali-G68 GPU, Android Wear OS 5, One UI Watch 8 with AI Assistant
- Unlock your full potential with Galaxy AI: Track and improve your fitness performance, monitor heart health with precision, get personalized wellness tips, optimize your sleep for better health, stay connected with smart replies, and enjoy music or podcasts on the go—all from your Galaxy Watch.
- Compatible with Android devices Only. Supports Google Pay. 3G: 850/900/1700/2100/1900/2100MHz, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/18/19/20/25/26/28/40/66/71 - eSIM.
- International Model - No Warranty. 100% Unlocked but Most US carriers may not allow International models. Will still work as Bluetooth Watch. Works outside US with all carriers. (Country selection may not be available during setup. Select Any, as Country will updated later after Connecting to WIFI in Settings.)
Original 2024 specifications
| Specification | Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024) |
|---|---|
| Launch price | $649 / £599 / AU$1,299 |
| Availability | July 24, 2024 |
| Case | 47.4 × 47.4 × 12.1mm; titanium |
| Weight | 60.5g |
| Display | 480 × 480 full-colour AMOLED, sapphire crystal |
| Battery | 590mAh; Samsung claimed up to 100 hours in low-power mode |
| Positioning | Dual-frequency GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo |
| Durability | 10ATM and IP68; Samsung also made military-temperature-resistance claims |
| Software at review | Wear OS 5 with One UI Watch 6 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi and optional LTE |
Rugged, premium and conspicuously large
The Ultra uses a round display inside a cushion-shaped protective case. Titanium and thick silicone bands give it a genuinely premium feel, while the raised outer structure looks designed to take knocks rather than merely suggest toughness. The case is substantial, however: 60.5g and 12.1mm thick before counting the strap. On a small wrist it can feel cumbersome, and its size is noticeable under sleeves or in bed.
The 10ATM and IP68 ratings are useful protection for swimming, rain and dust, but they are not a blanket approval for every diving activity. Likewise, “military grade” describes Samsung’s claimed testing rather than independent proof that the watch survives every extreme environment. The styling also follows the large, rugged Apple Watch Ultra idea closely; the construction is convincing, but the design is not especially original.
Excellent screen, limited upgrade in usable area
The AMOLED panel is bright, sharp and easy to read outdoors, with sapphire crystal for additional scratch resistance. Night mode can tint the interface red for darker environments, and the always-on display makes the watch feel more like a traditional timepiece. The catch is that the 480 × 480 screen is effectively the same size and resolution as the 44mm Galaxy Watch 7. You are paying for the Ultra’s case, battery and feature set—not a dramatically larger canvas.
Rank #2
- YOUR TRAIL GUIDE ON YOUR WRIST: Navigate challenging trails on your run with path, elevation and pace guidance on your Galaxy Watch Ultra2¹. The smart watch gives you personalized hydration alerts² along the way so you can run and feel your best.
- ONE PERSONALIZED SCORE TO KNOW YOUR HEART BETTER: Get an easy-to-understand view of your overall heart health³ with a single personalized score⁴ and guidance, so you can avoid the guesswork.
- INSTANT AI ASSISTANCE. NO SLOWING DOWN: Every second can be crucial when you're outdoors. With Galaxy Watch Ultra2, you can just raise your wrist, start talking naturally and get instant AI assistance⁵—no wake phrase needed, no slowing down.
- GREAT DURABILITY FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS: From rugged trails to under water, take this fitness watch anywhere as your dependable adventure partner. IP69K and 10ATM rated, it’s dust-tight⁶ and water resistant⁷ up to 100m so you can take on any challenge.
- YOUR BODY SPEAKS. LISTEN WITH VITALS: Understand your body better with Vitals⁹–it’s built to track 5 different health metrics while you sleep, catch shifts from your usual patterns, and also provide tailored guidance based on the insights.⁸
Touch works well in ordinary use but becomes less dependable with sweat, water, mud or gloves. The programmable Quick button can launch workouts, pause sessions and help move through Multisports activities such as a triathlon. It does not replace a crown or a complete physical navigation system: you still swipe through data pages, which is awkward while moving.
Outdoor and fitness tracking
Dual-frequency GPS is one of the Ultra’s strongest upgrades. In TechRadar’s 5K comparison, its distance and route results were favourable against an Apple Watch Ultra 2; that is useful evidence, not a guarantee for every location or activity. Running screens can show heart rate and zones, cadence, pace, elevation gain and running symmetry. TrackBack can retrace a route, while water lock, water ejection and an emergency siren add practical outdoor touches.
Samsung’s standard workout profiles do not provide the full map-and-navigation experience expected from a dedicated adventure watch. Real-time maps or directions generally require a third-party app such as Komoot or AllTrails, and those apps can add setup steps and battery drain. The review also found dedicated windsurfing and kitesurfing profiles but no native surfing profile. The Ultra is therefore well suited to general running, hiking, swimming and mixed activities, but less convincing for serious navigation or specialised endurance training.
Rank #3
- 47mm - 1.5" Super AMOLED, 480x480px, 590mAh Battery, MIL-STD 810H certified, IP68/10ATM 100m water resistant, ECG certified
- 64GB, 2GB RAM, Exynos W1000 (3nm), Penta-core, Mali-G68 GPU, Android Wear OS 5, One UI Watch 8 with AI Assistant
- Unlock your full potential with Galaxy AI: Track and improve your fitness performance, monitor heart health with precision, get personalized wellness tips, optimize your sleep for better health, stay connected with smart replies, and enjoy music or podcasts on the go—all from your Galaxy Watch.
- Compatible with Android devices Only. Supports Google Pay. 3G: 850/900/1700/2100/1900/2100MHz, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/18/19/20/25/26/28/40/66/71 - eSIM.
- International Model - No Warranty. 100% Unlocked but Most US carriers may not allow International models. Will still work as Bluetooth Watch. Works outside US with all carriers. (Country selection may not be available during setup. Select Any, as Country will updated later after Connecting to WIFI in Settings.)
Broad health features, sensible expectations
Samsung’s BioActive sensor system supports heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen, ECG, heart-rate variability, skin temperature, sleep tracking, recovery insights and body-composition estimates through bioelectrical impedance. Samsung Health adds Energy Score, and the watch can work alongside a Galaxy Ring.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →These features are valuable for spotting trends, not diagnosing illness. TechRadar found body-composition readings broadly close to a smart-scale result, but that is not clinical validation. ECG and some other functions depend on country, software, age and regulatory approval, and may require a compatible Samsung phone. Check availability in your market before buying, and treat any concerning reading as a reason to consult a clinician rather than as a diagnosis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Battery life is the decisive weakness
Samsung’s headline claim—up to 100 hours—applies to low-power mode, not normal smartwatch use. With the always-on display enabled and a couple of GPS workouts, TechRadar reached only roughly the third day. That is better than a standard Galaxy Watch, but it is not the carefree weekend endurance many buyers associate with an “Ultra” adventure watch.
Rank #4
- WHY GALAXY WATCH ULTRA: Longest-lasting battery yet.¹* Advanced health and sleep tracking features.* Personalized Running Coach.* Durable titanium casing.* 10ATM Water Resistance.⁹* Dual-frequency GPS.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.⁶*
- A BATTERY BUILT FOR ENDURANCE: Have the confidence to adventure off-grid with a battery that can keep up with you. Galaxy Watch Ultra features our longest-lasting battery yet,¹ so you can go to the extreme for days on end without needing to recharge.
- YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS THE NIGHT BEFORE: Fuel tomorrow’s performance with a great night’s sleep, thanks to Advanced Sleep Coaching² - now improved with even more ways to help you sleep smarter.
- BUILT FOR THE LONG RUN: Whether you’re on a trail or a track, unleash the winning runner within using Running Coach³ on Galaxy Watch Ultra. It analyzes factors⁴ such as your age, weight, oxygen levels and heart rate to guide you through your run.
- UPDATES THAT GIVE YOU THE EDGE: Navigate the wild more easily with Now Bar⁵ and an improved user experience. Now Bar conveniently puts the info you use the most - like weather, timers, directions and more - right on your main Watch screen.
Always-on display, LTE, sleep tracking, frequent notifications, GPS and third-party apps all change the result. Low-power mode also changes the experience, so it should not be treated as equivalent to full smartwatch operation. If you need overnight tracking and a long trip without a charger, plan charging carefully or choose Garmin, Coros or Polar instead.
Everyday smartwatch experience
Wear OS 5 and One UI Watch 6 provide the usual strengths: notifications, calls and messages, Samsung Health, Google and third-party apps, and services such as Strava, Komoot and AllTrails. LTE can provide more independence from a phone, although it requires a compatible carrier plan and can reduce endurance. Galaxy-phone integration is the central advantage; this is not a sensible recommendation for iPhone owners.
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At $649/£599/AU$1,299, the Ultra launched as Samsung’s most expensive watch. Its price was below some Apple Watch Ultra and premium Garmin configurations, but the comparison is not simply about the case: Garmin and Coros generally offer much longer battery life and deeper training tools, while Apple is the natural choice for iPhone users. The Galaxy Watch 7 offered a thinner, cheaper route to Samsung’s core smartwatch and health experience.
In 2026, Samsung also lists Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic models. Samsung’s June 2026 US MSRP document lists Watch8 from $349.99 and Watch8 Classic from $499.99, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) remains listed at $649.99. These are MSRP references, not guaranteed sale prices, and they do not establish every hardware difference between the 2024 and 2025 Ultras (Samsung MSRP PDF).
Should you buy the original Ultra?
Buy it if:
- You use a Samsung Galaxy phone and want the toughest, most feature-rich Samsung watch.
- You value a bright AMOLED display, titanium construction, LTE and Wear OS apps.
- Your activities are mainly running, hiking, swimming and casual adventure sports.
- You can accept charging roughly every couple of days in normal use.
- You have a large enough wrist for a 47mm, 60.5g watch.
Choose something else if:
- You need dependable multi-day GPS battery life or advanced native maps.
- You prefer buttons and a crown over touchscreen interaction during exercise.
- You have a small wrist or want a discreet, comfortable sleep-tracking watch.
- You want maximum value; the Galaxy Watch 7 or a newer standard Galaxy Watch may suit you better.
- You use an iPhone or want a dedicated Garmin, Coros or Polar training ecosystem.
Buying note for 2026
Confirm the model year before paying. Samsung’s current US store lists a Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), with observed promotional listings at $449.99 and $549.99 as well as a $649.99 MSRP; offers change frequently (Samsung buying page). Do not assume those prices, software results or specifications describe the original 2024 watch reviewed here. If discounted 2024 stock is available, weigh the saving against support, condition and the differences in the later model.
Quick Recap
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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