Compare Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024) vs Apple Watch Ultra 2

Reviewers generally found automatic activity detection reliable and convenient, especially for walks, runs, and auto pausing, with only minor caveats.

Automatic activity support appears around brisk-walk logging, running-track recognition, and contextual auto-marking, though reviewers do not dwell on broad workout auto-detection.

Wear OS and Google/Samsung integration were treated as major strengths, though one long-term reviewer still found smartwatch apps somewhat limited.

The app ecosystem is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers praising Apple’s native and third-party app depth over competing watch platforms.

Band feedback was sharply mixed: some reviewers praised the attachment system and comfort, while others disliked the stock or Marine bands.

Band impressions are mostly positive, especially for comfort and material quality, though one reviewer found the Alpine Loop slow to dry after sweat or water.

Battery life was consistently better than ordinary Galaxy Watches, commonly reaching roughly two days or more, but still short of serious sports-watch endurance.

Battery life is excellent for an Apple Watch, often lasting two to three days, but dedicated GPS watches still make it look short for endurance use.

Blood oxygen support appeared in sleep and apnea-related tracking, but reviewer confidence varied because one outlet saw unusually low overnight readings.

Blood oxygen coverage is mixed in the review set because some reviews mention the feature’s patent-related absence, while the updated PCMag review says monitoring was restored.

Bluetooth support exists, but the clearest reviewer evidence focused on frustrating power-meter pairing rather than broad Bluetooth reliability.

Bluetooth support is strong for cycling accessories, especially power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors, with reviewers treating it as a useful sports upgrade.

Reviewers strongly agreed the 3,000-nit display is a standout, with excellent brightness in sunlight and outdoor use.

Brightness is a major consensus strength, with repeated praise for the 3,000-nit display and flashlight improvement.

Build quality was repeatedly praised as premium, rugged, and solid, with reviewers calling out top-notch construction.

Reviewers consistently describe the build as premium, rugged, and performance-oriented, with titanium, sapphire, and protected controls adding confidence.

The Quick Button was often useful, but reviewers repeatedly criticized the missing rotating bezel, absent crown-like control, and limited customization.

Button controls are a practical Ultra advantage, especially the Action Button and gloved-use crown, though one long-term reviewer admits the Action Button never became a habit.

Call handling worked well as a phone-extension feature, with reviewers using or highlighting calls from the wrist.

Call handling gets direct praise for clear and sufficiently loud audio, helped by the Ultra line’s microphone and speaker hardware.

Calorie tracking was present in daily stats and workout targets, but reviewer evidence focused more on availability than accuracy or depth.

Calorie tracking is framed through Apple’s activity rings and standard fitness metrics rather than as a lab-tested calorie measurement system.

Charging convenience was mixed to weak because wireless charging exists, but reverse wireless charging was removed and top-ups still require planning.

Charging is convenient through familiar magnetic charging and occasional iPhone-powered charging, though reviewers still need to charge more often than with sports watches.

Charging speed was a recurring drawback, with reviewers reporting roughly 1.5 to 3 hours for a full recharge.

Charging speed is acceptable, commonly around 0-80% in about an hour and full in roughly 90 minutes, but slower than the faster-charging Series 10.

Coaching support was clearest through Wellness Tips and audio feedback tied to goals, but evidence was narrower than for core tracking.

Coaching improved with Training Load and effort context, but several reviewers still find Apple’s coaching and analysis shallower than Garmin, Whoop, or similar platforms.

Comfort depended heavily on wrist size and use case: several reviewers wore it comfortably, while others found it too large or disruptive for sleep.

Comfort is context-dependent: some reviewers find the Ultra 2 comfortable all day, while others note size, tugging, or crown irritation on smaller wrists.

Samsung Health was praised for useful aggregation and free features, but the broader app setup was criticized for requiring multiple Samsung apps.

Companion app quality is strong, with reviewers praising Apple Watch, Health, and Fitness app integration and easy configuration from the iPhone.

NFC and wallet payments were useful and reliable for several reviewers, though one long-term user disliked the PIN friction.

Contactless payments are a reliable smartwatch strength, with Apple Pay repeatedly cited as part of the platform’s everyday convenience.

Compatibility was a major caveat: the watch is Android-only and many advanced features are best or only available with Samsung phones.

Cross-platform compatibility is poor because the Ultra 2 requires an iPhone and does not work with Android phones.

Customization was a clear strength, covering data pages, complications, watch faces, tiles, and the Quick Button.

Customization is strong across watch faces, complications, utility slots, action button choices, and app-driven personalization.

Display quality was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers praising the AMOLED panel, clarity, size, sharpness, and visual impact.

Display quality is one of the best-reviewed attributes, with multiple reviewers calling it among the best smartwatch screens they have tested.

Durability was widely praised, with evidence around titanium, sapphire, rugged ratings, scratch resistance, and long-term wear.

Durability is a major strength, supported by titanium, sapphire, MIL-STD testing, and reviewers’ reports of wear resistance.

ECG was valued as an advanced health feature, but multiple reviewers noted Samsung-phone or app restrictions.

ECG functionality is well supported and repeatedly mentioned as part of the Ultra 2’s robust health suite, including Afib-related features.

Fit was polarizing because the 47mm body felt comfortable to some but bulky, wide, or wrist-dominating to others.

Fit is mixed: the rectangular case can feel secure, but the single 49mm size can be challenging for smaller wrists.

Fitness accuracy was broadly positive for runs and GPS workouts, but reviewers still reported sport-specific weaknesses and mixed conclusions.

Fitness tracking accuracy is excellent overall, with reviewers praising GPS, heart-rate, and overall workout tracking accuracy against reference devices.

GPS accuracy was one of the product’s clearest wins, with many reviewers finding it accurate, fast-locking, or finally competitive.

GPS accuracy is consistently strong, with dual-frequency/multiband tracking matching or approaching Garmin-class performance in several tests.

Health accuracy was mixed: some scores and sensors seemed useful or consistent, while AGEs, body composition, and broader insights drew skepticism.

Health tracking accuracy is viewed positively for sleep apnea, ECG-adjacent accuracy, and broad health tracking, though some insights still need manual interpretation.

Heart-rate accuracy was usually strong for running and everyday workouts, but reviewers reported weaknesses in cycling, rowing, or certain conditions.

Heart-rate accuracy is one of the strongest measured areas, with reviewers reporting close agreement with chest straps and armband monitors.

LTE was part of the Ultra’s default configuration and supported independent smartwatch use, though reviewers did not deeply stress-test it.

LTE is a core feature because cellular support comes standard, enabling calls, streaming, and messaging away from the iPhone when a plan is active.

Navigation was mixed: GPX, compass, Track Back, and turn-by-turn features helped, but reviewers criticized missing maps and limited routing depth.

Mapping and navigation are useful but frequently caveated: Compass, waypoints, routes, and maps help, yet native GPX and phone-free offline mapping gaps remain.

Materials quality was consistently praised, especially titanium, sapphire crystal, and the more premium feel versus aluminum Galaxy Watches.

Materials quality is high, with recycled titanium, sapphire protection, and premium band hardware recurring across reviews.

Navigation was mixed to weak: touch and touch-bezel controls can work, but reviewers missed a rotating bezel or crown.

Menu navigation is helped by the crown, complications, Modular Ultra, and Smart Stack, which reviewers generally find useful for quick glanceable information.

Music and media controls were useful as a phone-free convenience for pausing, skipping, and playback control.

Music controls work well through Double Tap and the Music app, with speaker playback and wrist controls adding everyday convenience.

Onboard storage is improved to 64GB, giving reviewers more confidence for offline music, podcasts, apps, and media downloads.

The Wear OS 5 and One UI Watch experience was considered modern and capable, with performance and efficiency improvements.

The operating system experience is polished, especially with watchOS 10 and 11 updates adding new watch faces, cycling features, Smart Stack, and Ultra features.

Outdoor visibility was excellent in most situations thanks to the bright screen, though one reviewer noted underwater visibility limits.

Outdoor visibility is excellent, with several reviewers reporting no trouble reading the screen in sunlight or bright reflective conditions.

Pairing was mixed: phone setup could be easy and Samsung integration strong, but cycling power-meter pairing was poor.

Pairing evidence is limited but positive, with one setup transcript saying the familiar Apple pairing flow completed cleanly.

Recovery and readiness insights were useful but uneven, with Energy Score and post-workout recovery data sometimes lacking sensitivity.

Recovery insights are a recurring weakness; reviewers repeatedly say Apple lacks Garmin/Whoop-style recovery, readiness, and performance analysis.

Reliability was mostly positive over time, especially battery health, but reviewers noted isolated workout stoppage and power-warning issues.

Reliability is broadly positive in long-term and battery-use impressions, with reviewers describing stable every-other-day charging and dependable use.

Safety features were a plus, especially the loud emergency siren and outdoor-focused emergency positioning.

Safety features are a standout Ultra trait, including siren, SOS, fall and crash detection, Backtrack, cellular waypoints, and emergency guidance.

Size options were weak because the Ultra only comes in one 47mm case, leaving smaller-wrist users with no Ultra-sized alternative.

Size options are a clear limitation because the Ultra 2 comes only in a large 49mm case.

Sleep tracking accuracy was mixed: several reviewers found sleep/wake times close, while others saw gaps, optimistic scoring, or idle-time confusion.

Sleep tracking is generally accurate but simpler than rival platforms; newer sleep apnea detection adds more health value.

Notifications generally worked well as a phone-extension feature, with reviewers appreciating wrist-based texting and alerts.

Smartphone notifications are handled well, with reviewers praising rich notifications, texting, and responsive notification handling within the Apple ecosystem.

Smartwatch features were broad and capable, with reviewers highlighting Wear OS tools, Samsung ecosystem functions, sports modes, and phone-extension use.

Smartwatch features are outstanding overall, with reviewers treating the Ultra 2 as Apple’s most full-featured wearable and a top true smartwatch.

Software smoothness was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly reporting fast, fluid, lag-free performance.

Software smoothness is strong, with reviewers describing zippy, quick, responsive, and buttery-smooth operation.

Step counting was generally acceptable but not flawless, with reviewers noting close controls in one case and phantom or hand-motion-related steps in others.

Stress tracking was present but weakly reviewed, with one reviewer calling it an afterthought and another simply listing it among Samsung Health tools.

Design was polarizing: some reviewers loved the bold rugged look, while others disliked the squircle body and Apple-like cues.

Style and design are praised for the premium rugged look, especially the black titanium version, though the large look is not for everyone.

Third-party app support was a Wear OS advantage, especially popular apps like Komoot, Strava, Spotify, and broader Wear OS options.

Third-party app support is excellent through the watchOS App Store and helps fill gaps in navigation, fitness, and everyday smartwatch use.

Touch input was fine in dry conditions but a weakness in sweat, rain, or wet sports situations.

Touchscreen responsiveness is excellent on land, with reviewers praising taps and swipes, though touch does not work underwater.

The UI was generally refined and familiar, though some reviewers found Samsung’s watch experience less straightforward than rivals.

The user interface is generally easy and polished, especially for iPhone users, Smart Stack, and redesigned watchOS apps.

Value was a recurring concern because the Ultra costs far more than Watch 7 while sharing many features, despite its rugged advantages.

Value is mixed: the Ultra 2 can justify its price for users who exploit its rugged, cellular, and battery advantages, but reviewers repeatedly note cheaper or more specialized alternatives.

Voice assistant quality improved with on-device Siri, faster commands, better dictation, and less cloud dependence, though a few minor voice quirks remain.

Watch faces were praised for attractiveness, customization, complications, and useful at-a-glance information.

Watch face quality is strong, especially Modular Ultra and complication-rich layouts designed for the large screen.

Water resistance was stronger than standard Galaxy Watches and good for swimming/open water, but reviewers noted it is not a true dive-sports watch.

Water resistance is a major strength, with 100m/WR100 ratings, diving support, and better water credentials than standard Apple Watches.

Wellness insights were promising but mixed: Energy Score and Wellness Tips helped some reviewers, while AGEs and score sensitivity drew criticism.

Wellness insights are broad but uneven: Vitals, Health data, and trends help, but reviewers often want more interpretation and readiness-style guidance.

Wi-Fi setup and connectivity were supported through the Galaxy Wearable flow, but review evidence was limited to basic connection behavior.

Wi-Fi is present as part of the core connectivity package, though reviews discuss it mostly as availability rather than as a tested performance differentiator.

Workout variety was strong, covering multisport, triathlon, gym machines, runs, hikes, swims, rides, and many activity profiles.

Workout tracking variety is strong across running, cycling, hiking, swimming, diving, strength training, structured workouts, and third-party sport apps.