Compare Withings ScanWatch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)

Reviewers found auto-detection useful in concept but inconsistent in practice, with some praising automatic walking/running recognition and others reporting flaky, false, or missing detection.

Workout auto-detection is broadly useful, with reviewers citing automatic workout detection and reliable walk detection, though manual starts remain better for some activities.

The broader ecosystem is strongest for people already using Withings or health-platform integrations, though app changes and paid layers made the experience less universally satisfying.

The app ecosystem is a strength: reviewers mention many available apps, Google Play access, and expanded usefulness from the extra storage.

Band impressions were split: several reviewers liked the fluoroelastomer or silicone strap, while others found it itchy, slippery, or poorly fitted enough to replace.

Band feedback is mostly positive for comfort, stability, and easy removal, though one reviewer noted dirt collecting in the strap holes.

Battery life was the most consistently praised attribute, with reviewers regularly getting multiple weeks and sometimes close to a month between charges.

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, often described as the best in Samsung’s lineup, though heavy GPS or always-on use can reduce it.

Blood oxygen support was widely noted as a useful health feature, though reviewers varied from calling readings accurate to noting occasional inconclusive or basic behavior.

Blood oxygen tracking is present across the health sensor set, but one long-term reviewer found SpO2 readings routinely low.

Bluetooth-connected use is functional for phone pairing and connected GPS, but the watch depends on the phone/app rather than offering a fully independent connection experience.

Bluetooth support is present, including Bluetooth 5.3 mentions, but external sensor connections were criticized or described as unavailable.

Brightness was generally adequate and sometimes praised, but one reviewer found the small screen harder to see in bright light.

Brightness earns strong praise, with reviewers citing high nits, bright AMOLED output, and easy readability.

Build quality was a clear strength, with repeated praise for the stainless case, solid feel, and premium analog-watch construction.

Build quality is consistently praised through the rugged titanium case, durable chassis, and robust construction.

The crown-based controls were usually seen as simple and tactile, though the one-button design can feel limiting compared with touch-first smartwatches.

Button controls are mixed: reviewers like the Quick/action button and programmable shortcuts, but one long-term reviewer disliked accidental presses and limited workout button behavior.

Call handling is minimal: reviewers repeatedly noted that the watch can show or alert for calls but cannot take or answer them from the wrist.

Call handling is supported through Bluetooth calling, speaker/mic use, and smartwatch features for calls and texts.

Calorie data appears as part of workout or activity summaries, but reviewers treated it as basic supporting information rather than a standout coaching metric.

Calorie tracking is included as part of the activity metrics, but the evidence is limited to feature availability rather than deep accuracy testing.

Charging convenience was mixed: the newer cradle is more secure for some reviewers, while others found the proprietary dock flimsy, fiddly, or clunky.

Charging is wireless and reasonably convenient, but one reviewer criticized the missing wall charging block.

Charging speed was consistently acceptable, with reviewers generally reporting roughly 90 minutes to two hours for a full charge.

Charging speed gets limited but positive evidence, with one review reporting a full charge in about 95 minutes.

Coaching features mostly live in the app or Withings+; reviewers liked some gentle prompts and sleep tips but often questioned the subscription's value.

Coaching features are a real addition, especially Running Coach, with reviewers describing personalized plans and guidance.

Comfort was usually good for all-day wear, helped by the lighter hybrid design, though sleep comfort and strap fit were not consistent for everyone.

Comfort depends on wrist and expectations: some reviewers found it comfortable, while others felt the weight or bulk.

The companion app drew mixed reviews: it can show detailed health data and reports, but reviewers also criticized glitches, busy layout, and unclear insights.

The companion app setup is useful but split, with health and smartwatch settings divided between Samsung Health and Galaxy Wearable.

Contactless payments are effectively absent, with multiple reviewers explicitly noting no payment support.

Contactless payments are supported through Samsung Wallet or Samsung Pay shortcuts.

Cross-platform support is a strength, with reviewers citing iOS, Android, Apple Health, Google Fit or Health Connect compatibility.

Cross-platform compatibility is limited: reviews say it works with Android but not iPhone, with the best experience tied to Samsung phones.

Customization is decent for bands, sizes, colors, menus, and app-controlled screens, but limited for watch faces and deeper interface changes.

Customization is strong across programmable buttons, widgets, tiles, colors, and watch-face data.

Display quality is sharp and readable for its size, but the tiny grayscale screen remains a major limitation for messages and rich fitness data.

Display quality is a major strength, with repeated praise for the large, vibrant AMOLED display.

Durability was praised thanks to sapphire glass, stainless steel, water resistance, and reports of no visible scratches after use.

Durability is a standout, backed by titanium construction, MIL-STD claims, scratch protection, and reviewer reports of little damage.

ECG functionality was one of the strongest health features, repeatedly described as medical-grade, easy to use, FDA-approved, or shareable with doctors.

ECG functionality is widely listed as part of the health feature set, though one review notes Samsung-phone pairing requirements for ECG and blood pressure.

Fit depended heavily on wrist size and strap choice: some reviewers found it lighter and comfortable, while others found the case or supplied strap awkward.

Fit is polarizing: it can fit some larger wrists well, but reviewers also note the single 47mm size and large wrist footprint.

Fitness tracking accuracy was mixed, with some strong heart-rate and pace comparisons but enough missing, incomplete, or high-intensity issues to keep it from sports-watch territory.

Fitness tracking accuracy is generally good for everyday and running use, though scientific testing places it below the top alternatives.

GPS was a recurring weakness because most reviewers reported no built-in GPS and reliance on phone-connected GPS, despite some acceptable connected-GPS results.

GPS accuracy is good in several reviewer tests and supports dual-frequency GPS, but scientific testing found some route deviation.

Health tracking accuracy was broadly promising for core metrics, but confidence varied due to sleep, heart-rate, and app-data inconsistencies.

Health tracking is feature-rich but mixed in accuracy, with strong sensor coverage offset by questionable antioxidant, HRV, and some sleep-stage findings.

Heart-rate accuracy was inconsistent: some tests matched straps or other devices closely, while others found daytime, swim, or high-intensity readings unreliable.

Heart-rate accuracy is strongest in running evidence, with one reviewer matching a Polar strap closely, while scientific testing calls it good rather than elite.

LTE is a consistent advantage because it is standard or broadly available, though one reviewer notes carrier setup can cost extra.

Navigation support is useful through offline maps, Google Maps routing, and GPS widgets, but one reviewer notes no built-in maps on-watch.

Materials quality was consistently strong, with repeated praise for stainless steel, sapphire glass, premium build materials, and high-grade construction.

Materials quality is strong, centered on titanium, sapphire/robust design references, and corrosion-resistant claims.

Menu navigation was understandable once learned, but reviewers often described scrolling, submenus, or crown-only navigation as clunky or tedious.

Menu navigation is mostly straightforward through swipes, app drawers, digital bezel haptics, and simple operation.

Music controls are absent, and reviewers repeatedly mentioned the lack as part of the watch's limited smartwatch feature set.

Music features are useful for downloaded Spotify, streaming, media tiles, and larger storage for music.

Onboard music storage is not supported; the only direct reviewer mention grouped offline music among missing smartwatch features.

Onboard storage is a clear 2025 upgrade, repeatedly described as 64GB and useful for music, apps, and offline maps.

The HealthSense software platform was presented as modern and health-focused, supporting the newer temperature and wellness tracking features.

The operating system experience benefits from One UI 8/Wear OS updates, Gemini, Now Bar, and refreshed interface features.

Outdoor visibility was serviceable overall, with some reviewers calling the display readable outdoors and others finding bright-light viewing harder.

Outdoor visibility is excellent, with multiple reviewers saying the bright display remains readable in sunlight.

Pairing and connection reliability were praised in the reviews that discussed setup, including instant pairing, straightforward setup, and a rock-solid app connection.

Pairing and setup reliability are positive where tested, with instant recognition and quick setup noted.

Recovery insights are a meaningful upgrade, especially through HRV and temperature tracking, though some recovery-related features or analysis remain basic or subscription-tied.

Recovery-style insights are mixed: vascular load interests some reviewers, while HRV and related metrics draw skepticism.

Reliability was a concern in several reviews, especially around app syncing, missed notifications, sleep misclassification, and confidence in sensor output.

Reliability is mostly acceptable but not flawless, with one review noting brief display interruptions and another calling performance not horrible rather than perfect.

Safety features are a strength, with reviewers citing temperature alerts, overheating warnings, sleep-apnea detection, AFib/ECG support, and related health alerts.

Safety features include fall detection, emergency siren references, sleep apnea alerts, and related health/safety setup options.

Size options were well covered, with repeated mentions of 38mm and 42mm cases, though reviewers differed on which size best fit smaller wrists.

Size options are limited by the single large 47mm format, though the band can fit a range of wrists and the screen size appeals to some users.

Sleep tracking accuracy was mixed: some reviewers found it comparable or useful, while others reported missed sleep, overestimates, or poor handling of wake periods.

Sleep tracking is useful and improving, but reviewers disagree on sleep stages and awake-time accuracy.

Smartphone notifications are limited by the small scrolling display and inconsistent delivery, useful for quick glances but poor for long messages or interaction.

Smartphone notifications are well supported, with reviewers noting detailed notification views and suggested replies.

Smartwatch features are intentionally sparse, with reviewers repeatedly describing the ScanWatch 2 as more watch or tracker than full smartwatch.

Smartwatch features are broad, including LTE, calls, texts, Gemini, Now Bar, storage, and Samsung’s full watch software stack.

Software smoothness received limited direct evidence, with one reviewer finding the app decent but inconsistent enough to need fixes.

Software smoothness is generally good, with smooth app launches and more functional One UI behavior, despite occasional reliability caveats.

Step counting was generally acceptable but not perfectly aligned with other devices, with reviewers describing it as precise, conservative, or occasionally uneven.

Step counting is positive in basic walking tests, but one reviewer notes accuracy drops when arms are not swinging.

Stress tracking is indirect rather than a full stress platform, relying on HRV, recovery, and breathing data while lacking richer readiness-style stress features.

Stress tracking is included in Samsung’s health sensor set, though the reviews provide feature evidence more than accuracy testing.

Style and design were the strongest consensus positives, with reviewers repeatedly praising the traditional analog look, premium elegance, and subtle hybrid design.

Style is divisive: some reviewers like the rugged, colorful, stylish look, while others find it bulky or not pretty.

Third-party app support is essentially absent on the watch itself, even though the phone app can share health data with outside platforms.

Third-party app support is solid through Google Play, fitness apps such as Strava and Map My Run, and a growing Wear OS app selection.

Touchscreen responsiveness scores low because the ScanWatch 2 does not have a touchscreen; interaction relies on the crown and small display.

Touchscreen responsiveness and gesture operation are described as intentional and straightforward in the long-term review evidence.

The user interface is simple and elegant for basic health data, but constrained by the small screen and crown-only interaction.

The user interface is improved and functional, though some reviewers dislike parts of the visual layout.

Value for money was mixed to weak: reviewers liked the premium health-watch concept but often questioned the price versus smarter or cheaper alternatives.

Value for money is the main weak point because reviewers repeatedly question the high price and minimal 2025 hardware changes.

Voice assistant quality is a strength with Gemini, which reviewers describe as convenient, useful, and directly available on the wrist.

The watch face quality was praised for its traditional analog appearance, secondary step dial, and discreet hybrid integration.

Watch faces are a strength, with reviewers praising quantity, customization, and Samsung’s polished face designs.

Water resistance is a clear plus, with reviewers repeatedly citing 5ATM protection, swimming, shower, or 50-meter suitability.

Water resistance is a strong feature, with reviews citing 5ATM/10ATM ratings, IP68 claims, and pool/rain/snow use.

Wellness insights are broad and health-focused, but reviewers split on whether the free app and Withings+ make the data actionable enough.

Wellness insights are useful but uneven: sleep coaching and vascular load get interest, while energy score and antioxidant index receive skepticism.

Wi-Fi support is present across connectivity mentions, including LTE/Wi-Fi model references.

Workout variety is respectable for casual users, with 30 to around 50 activities mentioned, but the depth and athlete-focused metrics remain limited.

Workout variety is strong, with reviewers citing many tracked activities, multisport/triathlon capability, and broad exercise lists.