Samsung has a strong presence in the smartwatch market with its Galaxy Watch series, which includes the Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The company is expected to launch the Galaxy Watch 7 later this year. Rumors also suggest 2024 will be the year we see a brand new type of Samsung smartwatch — the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.
From the expected release date and price to the design and more, here’s everything we know so far about the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: release date
Based on recent history, Samsung is expected to unveil new smartwatches this summer. Last year, the Galaxy Watch 6 was announced on July 26 during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event and released on August 11. The previous year, the Galaxy Watch 5 was unveiled on August 10 and released on August 26. Due to this year’s Paris Olympics, which kick off on July 26, Samsung is expected to hold its summer press event earlier than usual. Rumors now suggest the company will reveal new products, including the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphones and new watches, on Wednesday, July 10.
Samsung will undoubtedly release the new products around the time the Olympic games begin and advertise them throughout the two-week event.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: price
With a name like “Galaxy Watch Ultra,” we can probably expect a high price, right? Yes, though maybe not quite as expensive as you may initially think. According to a new leak, the Galaxy Watch Ultra could start at $700 due to a number of factors, including design, features, and materials. This one is supposed to compete with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is $799. So, a $700 starting price for the Galaxy Watch Ultra would undercut the Apple device and possibly be more appealing to potential consumers.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: design
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra will have a more rugged design than the Galaxy Watch 7. There were some official renders that leaked, which seem to corroborate rendered mock-ups that we reported on before. The Galaxy Watch Ultra could have a circular bezel and watch face enclosed in a rounded square case. This would already be different from the main Galaxy Watch 7, which is expected to retain an overall round design.
It may have some inspiration from the Apple Watch Ultra 2, though. It has an orange-colored crown flanked by two buttons, all enclosed on the side of the case. As far as sizes go, the Galaxy Watch Ultra may just have one 47mm size, but it could be made with titanium and come in white and gray. With this new design comes a change in the strap design as well. It seems that the Galaxy Watch Ultra will have bands that blend in more seamlessly, similar to Apple’s. Samsung did change the strap lock last year, so we could see more improvements with this design, too.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: health-tracking features and specs
Whether you’re talking about the Galaxy Watch 6, Apple Watch Series 9, or another current-generation smartwatch, companies are mostly on the same page when it comes to health- and fitness-tracking features. These watches do everything from measuring heart rate and sleep to step counting and activity tracking to blood oxygen monitoring. Some also include an ECG app and monthly menstrual cycle monitoring.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra will undoubtedly offer all of these features, along with some new tricks. Rumors have suggested that the Galaxy Watch Ultra will have a new sensor setup, which would include the standard PPG and blood oxygen sensors and a temperature sensor. It could also have a new sensor for noninvasive blood sugar monitoring, though this may only arrive after getting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
In terms of specs, the Galaxy Watch Ultra could have 32GB storage and reach 3,000 nits of peak brightness on the display. The durability rating should be IP58, and it may come with a 3nm Exynos W1000 chip for speedy and powerful performance. It should also run Samsung’s One UI for Wear OS 5.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: battery life
Reports have suggested that the Galaxy Watch Ultra could have a 578mAh battery. When combined with the power efficiency in the new Exynos W1000 chip, this could mean some big gains in battery life. After all, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can get around 36 hours of battery life on a single charge and almost double that when in Low Power Mode. If the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a direct competitor for the Apple Watch Ultra, we could see similar battery life here. And since the 47mm size of the Galaxy Watch Ultra would have more room for a larger battery than the rest of the Galaxy Watch 7 lineup, this seems logical.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: what we’d like to see
In addition to what’s been leaked about the Galaxy Watch Ultra, there are a few other things we’re really hoping to see. First, bring us blood sugar monitoring on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, and imagine a world where millions of folks no longer need to prick themselves several times a day. Also, we’d like to see the new watch arrive with improved battery life. Even increasing the limit to 50 hours between charges would allow it to best the time on current smartwatches. Finally, let’s see Galaxy AI pick up a new feature or two on the new watch. Samsung is promising big things to come for its mobile devices and AI, and maybe it will deliver with the Galaxy Watch Ultra in just a few weeks.
