Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)

Andrew Gebhart from PCMag praises the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) as a highly durable and customizable smartwatch tailored for serious athletes and adventurers. He highlights its top-tier build quality, bright 1.5-inch AMOLED display, and advanced AI-driven health insights, including detailed sleep analysis and multisport tracking. The watch’s standout features include a longer battery life than previous Samsung models, a customizable Quick Button, and precise fitness metrics rivaling the Apple Watch Ultra 2. However, Gebhart notes the Ultra’s large size and high price point ($649.99) may deter many users, especially since it lacks full water-sport capabilities compared to Apple’s offering. While the Galaxy Watch Ultra excels in durability, altitude resistance, and holistic health tracking, most Android users might find better value in the slimmer, more affordable Galaxy Watch 7. Overall, the review balances enthusiasm for the Ultra’s advanced features with measured critiques on cost, size, and water resistance limitations.

DC Rainmaker highlights the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) as a significant step forward for Samsung’s WearOS lineup, particularly praising its strong GPS accuracy and impressive battery life that outperforms competitors like Apple’s Watch Ultra in real-world use. The review conveys a cautiously optimistic tone, acknowledging that while the watch excels in outdoor activities such as hiking and trail running, it still falls short in some areas—most notably heart rate accuracy during outdoor cycling and the frustratingly unreliable native cycling power meter support. The new features, including multiband GNSS, emergency siren, and FDA-approved sleep apnea detection, add value but come with caveats, especially when used outside the Samsung phone ecosystem. The reviewer appreciates the bright display and thoughtful button design but notes usability issues like the touchscreen’s poor wet-condition responsiveness and a lack of a rotating bezel. Overall, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is positioned as the best WearOS watch available, with room for improvement in sports sensor accuracy and app polish.

Lexy Savvides from CNET highlights that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) delivers a rugged, feature-rich smartwatch experience tailored for Android users, with standout elements like a bright 3,000-nit screen, an improved bioactive sensor for heart rate accuracy, and FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection. The Quick button and multisport workout features add practical value, though some workout tools, like the cycling FTP test, feel limited in scope. Despite its robust titanium build and advanced sensors, the Ultra’s bulky size, confusing AGEs metabolic health index, and lack of diving-specific features temper enthusiasm. Battery life, while improved, falls short of Samsung’s bold claims. Importantly, many features overlap with the more affordable Galaxy Watch 7, which offers similar core functionality in a smaller, more comfortable package. Savvides ultimately recommends the Galaxy Watch 7 for most users, reserving the Ultra for those who prioritize durability and premium materials, making the Ultra a capable but niche flagship.

Andy Boxall from Digital Trends highlights a deeply personal and enthusiastic appreciation for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), describing it as a bold, statement-making smartwatch that has won him over despite some functional quirks. He praises its striking design, especially the vibrant orange Marine Band, and compares its presence to iconic pilot watches, emphasizing how it stands out rather than hides under clothing. While he acknowledges the complexity of Samsung’s One UI Watch 6.0 software and issues like unreliable notifications and inconsistent sleep tracking, these flaws do not diminish his affection for the watch. Boxall appreciates its effective automatic workout tracking for casual use but notes it may not satisfy hardcore athletes. Although he admits the Galaxy Watch 7 offers better value and daily wearability, the Ultra’s unique style and emotional appeal make it a coveted piece for him. His review blends candid critique with genuine enthusiasm, offering a nuanced perspective on this premium smartwatch.

Tom's Guide expresses genuine excitement about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), calling it the most thrilling secondary model Samsung has released alongside its flagship smartwatch. The review balances enthusiasm with a measured evaluation of whether the $650 price tag is justified. While the reviewer clearly appreciates standout features and innovations that set the Ultra apart, they also carefully weigh notable drawbacks and limitations. This nuanced approach offers readers a thoughtful perspective that goes beyond surface-level praise, highlighting both the watch’s unique strengths and the trade-offs potential buyers should consider. The review’s tone is engaged but not blindly enthusiastic, providing a well-rounded assessment that helps consumers decide if the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s premium positioning aligns with their needs and expectations.

Matthew Miller from ZDNET highlights that the 2025 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra offers minimal hardware changes from the 2024 model, primarily doubling storage and adding new color options that personally resonate with his USCG military service. While the watch benefits from Samsung’s One UI 8 software update—introducing features like Running Coach, Google Gemini, antioxidant measurements, and vascular load support—these are not exclusive to the 2025 model, limiting the incentive to upgrade. Miller values the expanded 64GB storage for accommodating media and fitness apps, enhancing his experience with LTE connectivity and music playback during runs. He appreciates the personalized, low-pressure coaching and detailed health metrics, though he questions the practical usefulness of the antioxidant index. Compared to other Samsung watches and pricier competitors like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Galaxy Watch Ultra remains his preferred choice for its battery life, GPS accuracy, and comfortable size. The unique color options also add personal meaning, making it a compelling companion for his active lifestyle.