Samsung has typically offered its smartwatches in two iterations: the standard and the Classic. But this time, the brand is taking a proverbial swing at Apple with its own Ultra version called the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is designed to be ultra-rugged, durable, water-resistant, and able to tackle any situation.
Launched alongside the Galaxy Watch7, the two watches make up the newest wearables in Samsung’s line, now joined by the Galaxy Ring, which is launching stateside.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Naturally, the model everyone wants to know about is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. It is made from a Titanium Grade 437 frame and boasts 10ATM water resistance: that’s twice as much as most standard smartwatches. It’s also rated to be used at a wider range of altitudes, from 500 meters below sea level to 9,000 meters high.
Made with a new cushion design, it works with a dynamic lug system. Naturally, you can track all types of workouts, including multi-course workouts using the new Multi-sports tile. Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling accurately measures maximum cycling power in four minutes with AI-powered FTP metrics to unlock full potential based on indicators unique to you.
With Personalized HR Zone, you can run at optimal intensity levels based on your physical capabilities. Meanwhile, the new Quick Button can be used to instantly initiate and control workouts and map other functions. Activate an Emergency Siren for safety, a useful features for ladies who go trail running in the early morning or late-night hours. Post-workout, check stats at a glance with dedicated watch faces for Galaxy Watch Ultra, which automatically switch to Night Mode for optimal readability in the dark. In direct sunlight, meanwhile, you’ll have no issue thanks to the impressive peak brightness of 3,000 nits.
What about battery life? Galaxy Watch Ultra lasts up to 100 hours (four days) in Power Saving mode and 48 hours in Exercise Power Saving mode. Measuring 47mm size, making it ideally suited to larger wrists (or those who like bulky watches), it comes in Titanium Gray, Titanium White, and Titanium Silver.
Also worth noting is that the Galaxy Watch Ultra, along with the Galaxy Watch 7, are the first Android smartwatches powered by Wear OS 5, which offers advanced performance and power efficiency, They both work with plenty of Galaxy services, Google apps, and fan-favourite third-party apps. They also work alongside the Galaxy Ring should you opt for both, to provide more accurate health tracking, particularly for sleep.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra will sell for $880 in Canada once officially available starting July 24. The price, it’s worth noting, is about $220 cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Galaxy Watch7
For those who aren’t adventurers, athletes, or the outdoorsy type, you might be fine with just the standard Galaxy Watch7, which boasts a host of improvements over the previous-generation Galaxy Watch6.
The Galaxy Watch7 can accurately track over 100 workouts and you can use it to build routines by combining various exercises with Workout Routine. With Race, compare current and past performance in real-time to track progress and maintain motivation. Receive a complete body and fitness snapshot with Body Composition.
In addition to the new advanced AI algorithm for sleep analysis, Galaxy Watch7 offers the De Novo FDA-authorized Sleep Apnea feature, providing a simple, proactive tool to check potential signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. Receive real-time readings and alerts for abnormally high or low heart rates with Heart Rate monitoring, detect irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AFib) with IHRN (Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification), and get a deeper understanding of your heart health with Electrocardiogram (ECG).
The watch boasts an enhanced BioActive Sensor, which offers increased accuracy, says Samsung. For the first time, Galaxy Watch7 allows you to track advanced glycation end products (AGEs) right from your wrist with an AGEs Index. Strongly influenced by diet and lifestyle, AGEs reflect your overall biological aging process and provide an indication of metabolic health.
Equipped with the most powerful chip in the Galaxy Watch line-up, and for the first time a 3nm processor, Galaxy Watch7 offers a three times faster CPU and 30% improved power efficiency of application processor. It’s also the first Galaxy smartwatch to feature a Dual-frequency GPS system, which can more precisely track location, even in dense urban environments.
You can answer messages with intelligent suggested replies, which analyze previous conversations through Galaxy AI to determine logical responses. With Double Pinch Gestures, easily control a Galaxy Watch and connected Galaxy smartphone even when your hands are full. Use the Samsung Wallet to pay for items from your wrist, access digital IDs, and more.
Design-wise, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 comes with a variety of watch band options, including a ripple shape design and colourful stitch details, along with a variety of watch faces.
Galaxy Watch7 will be available in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm, starting at $410 and $450 in Canada for the Bluetooth only versions (LTE options are $480 and $520, respectively). Galaxy Watch7 40mm is available in Green and Cream, while Galaxy Watch7 44mm is available in Green and Silver. For a limited time, those who pre-order a new Galaxy Watch will receive a free additional watch band, varying by model.