Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Everything we know so far
Samsung plans to unveil a "premium" Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra this summer alongside two other Samsung Galaxy 7 Watch models, with images of the device's design leaking, along with a potential launch price.
A Samsung press release on first quarter 2024 results all but hinted at the Galaxy Ultra's forthcoming debut. And, despite an early leak referring to the watch as the Galaxy Watch X, the final name will almost certainly be the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
So yeah, Samsung's premium smartwatch is a lock for 2024, which is great news for Android users. While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is one of the best smartwatches available — the Classic is a personal favorite thanks to its nifty rotating bezel — a Galaxy Watch Ultra could easily steal the crown, becoming our defacto top pick. That is if the Google Pixel Watch 3 doesn't do it better.
When will we officially get to lay eyes on the new device, what features is it tipped to offer and what will it cost? We've been monitoring all the rumors so far. Here's what we know (and think we know).
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra cheat sheet: Biggest rumors
Release date prediction: July 10, 2024 launch, August 2024 release
Price prediction: ~$700 or higher
Design: A large (likely MicroLED) round screen, square case, big 100-hour battery and rugged build
Chip prediction: May sport the new Exynos W940 processor (based on Exynos 5535)
Features: Possible blood sugar monitoring, compatibility with Samsung Galaxy Ring
Software: Possibly Wear OS 5
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Possible price and availability
The Samsung Unpacked event is scheduled for July 10.
There, we'll likely see the latest line of Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 devices debut, along with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Ring.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is tipped for a launch price of $700, according to a report on 91Mobiles. That makes it just $100 less than the Apple Watch Ultra series and by far Samsung's priciest smartwatch, ever.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Design
According to the known leaker, Tim Tom O, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra will feature a square case with a circular display protected by sapphire glass. There's additionally a possibility that the Galaxy Watch Ultra will sport a next-gen microLED screen, which is brighter, crisper, and more saturated than its OLED counterpart, not to mention, more power efficient. Maximum brightness could be as high as 3,000 nits.
The most recently leaked images show a black and grey watch case on a bright orange rubber sports band. The square design marks a shift in Samsung's design away from purely rounded cases. The last time the brand launched a square smartwatch was 2014's Galaxy Gear 2.
Moreover, we know that Samsung had been toying with a square smartwatch design — and that the concept was "enthusiastically being considered internally." So, it's cool to see it actually come to fruition.
Beyond the shape, the Galaxy Watch Ultra may come in two styles, black and grey or silver and white, and could be constructed of titanium. The left side of the case appears to offer a trio of physical control points, including what might be a rotating orange crown.
The case size is rumored to be 47mm, which would give the Galaxy Watch Ultra slightly less screen real estate compared to the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra series.
The site Techmaniacs claims that the Galaxy Watch Ultra / Galaxy Watch X will be water resistant to up to 100 meters. That would make it a great partner for diving and match the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Features
All of the new Samsung Galaxy Watch devices will presumably get an updated chipset, leading to faster processing and better power efficiency, i.e. battery life.
More specifically, according to the reliable tipster, Roland Quandt, these devices are likely to sport the new Exynos W940 processor, which is said to be 50% more efficient and 30% faster than the previous generation chipset.
Mediocre battery life is one of our biggest complaints about the Galaxy Watch 6 series and any improvements in this department would be welcomed with arms wide open. In fact, the site Techmaniacs claims that the Galaxy Watch X/Ultra will offer up to 100 hours of battery life on a charge.
These new devices may also be the first smartwatches to run the new Wear OS 5, which is based on Android 14, according to 9to5Google.
On the health side of things, the introduction of sleep apnea detection on the next-gen Galaxy Watches has all but been confirmed via a Samsung press release published earlier this year. Not yet confirmed: a blood sugar monitoring feature. But boy, would it be a major breakthrough.
Samsung has long talked about including this tech in one of its products. And according to the Korean language publication, Pulse, it could potentially arrive in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series based on quotes in a recent Samsung press release.
But take this rumor with an enormous grain of salt because non-invasive, wrist-based blood sugar monitoring is something of a holy grail for smartwatch manufacturers.
And if/when blood-sugar monitoring does debut, assuming the feature is accurate, the tech could be life-changing for the diabetic community, replacing or supplementing disposable monitors.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Compatibility with Samsung Galaxy Ring
With the Samsung Galaxy Ring set to launch at the same time as the Galaxy Watch Ultra, we fully expect the two devices to be compatible with one another right out of the gate.
What will this look like? For one, the Samsung Galaxy Ring will likely supplement the health and fitness monitoring data of the watch, which could lead to better accuracy and greater holistic insights for users.
A report in ETNews suggests that the Galaxy Ring might even be able to monitor blood flood and blood oxygen saturation, along with performing ECGs. Samsung has also hinted that its forthcoming smart ring will be able to control other Galaxy devices including, presumably, the new crop of Galaxy 7 Watches.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Outlook
Ultimately, the debut of a truly premium, modern Samsung Galaxy Ultra smartwatch this summer has the potential to shake up the smartwatch market big time, especially if it can compete with the Apple Watch Ultra series.
Will the Galaxy Watch Ultra's possible larger/brighter screen, improved battery life, new health tech and compatibility with the Galaxy Ring be enough to prompt Galaxy Watch 6 owners to upgrade and/or attract Pixel 2 Watch users over to the Samsung camp? We should find out soon.
