Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra smartwatch review - Over 1000 nits brighter

Samsung continues to rely on a two-pronged approach to operation. The Galaxy Wearable app is installed to set up and configure the smartwatch. If the Galaxy Watch Ultra is detected, the program automatically downloads the corresponding extension. In the test, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is not recognized by Google Fast Pair after being switched on - no pop-up appears on the Galaxy S24 Ultra in the immediate vicinity. However, if you search for a new device in the Galaxy-Wear app, the smartwatch appears promptly and can be connected.

The setup process takes quite a long time and takes place entirely on the smartphone. After pairing and updating the Wear app, a Google account must be linked. This is followed by logging in to the Samsung Smart Switch for data backup, enabling various functions, reading notifications, and introducing new functions. The function of the new quick button can be defined during setup.

This is followed by tutorials for certain functions - such as fall detection, and operation - such as the double-tap gesture. The explanations in the app are followed by a tutorial on the smartwatch itself.

The Galaxy-Wear app has a clear interface; there is only one dashboard with links to the various settings. The app screen, tiles, and short menu can be individually arranged here. Samsung also offers a wide range of free watch faces.

Various smartwatch settings can also be changed in the app, such as which apps are allowed to send notifications, but the ringtone, vibration pattern, always-on display, brightness, and gestures can also be adjusted here. All of these settings are also possible on the smartwatch itself.

An eSIM can be downloaded and music can be saved locally in the "Watch settings" area. It is also possible to create modes, such as for movies, work, and much more. These modes are synchronized between the smartphone and the smartwatch.

All fitness data, on the other hand, is collected and visualized in the Samsung Health app. It is divided into the areas "Home", "Community", "Fitness" and "Profile". "Home" is a dashboard that shows all collected data in tiles. Clicking on a tile opens a corresponding submenu. Content and order can be customized.

"Community" is a way of networking with other users and comparing them in challenges. "Fitness" offers a range of training videos from different areas. The offer ranges from yoga and stretching to endurance training and muscle building. The offers are not only from Samsung but also from third-party providers and some are subject to a charge.

"Profile" lists badges and personal bests. Weekly summaries are also displayed.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is operated via the 1.5-inch display and three buttons. There is no rotating bezel like on the Galaxy Watch6 Classic. Pressing the top button (home button) takes you back to the watch face from any menu. A double press opens the last application used. A long press leads to the stored voice assistant.

The middle button (quick button) takes you to the training overview. Double-tapping is not intended for this button. A very long press starts the siren, which is intended to draw attention in emergency situations. The bottom button (back button) takes you back one step in each menu. Double tapping is also not provided here, long pressing opens Samsung Wallet.

Most of the button functions can be customized. However, the new quick button in particular has a very limited selection. In addition to the exercises, only the stopwatch, flashlight, and water lock are available. A double tap on the home button, on the other hand, can be assigned almost unlimited apps and actions.

Instead of a rotating bezel, Samsung relies on a digital bezel. Movements at the edge of the display are recognized as rotational movements, which can be used to scroll through tiles or menus, for example. The double-tap gesture with thumb and index finger has no fixed assignment; the function changes depending on the selected app. It can be used to end a timer or to pause or resume music playback. If there is a corresponding function in a program, a suitable symbol appears. The command is always reliably recognized in the test.

The smartwatch is usually operated with swipe gestures. A swipe from left to right opens the notification menu. Individual tiles - organized by app - are displayed there. The tiles can be deleted or opened individually. Swiping from right to left takes you through the tiles with information on daily activity, sports programs, energy levels, weather, calendar, and much more. The content and order can be customized.

The short menu with access to various modes, connections, flashlight, and device search is opened with a swipe from top to bottom. Swiping from bottom to top leads to the app overview. Thanks to WearOS, there is a wide range of additional apps that can be downloaded, for example for streaming music or controlling the smart home.

All health functions are collected and displayed in the Samsung Health app. The "Home" section with tiles provides an overview of all collected parameters. The Galaxy Watch Ultra can measure body composition, for example, using the sensors in the buttons.

The measurement stops several times during the test but shows the percentages for skeletal muscle, fat mass, and body water when successful. The basal metabolic rate in kcal per day is also determined.

The smartwatch can also create an AGEs index. This is intended to be an indicator of metabolic fitness. The Watch Ultimate measures advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and the number of AGEs should allow conclusions to be drawn about body age.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra can measure heart rate, oxygen saturation, ECG, and blood pressure. However, ECG and blood pressure measurements only work if the smartwatch is paired with a Samsung smartphone. To do this, the Samsung Health Monitor must be downloaded from the Galaxy store. To measure blood pressure, the Galaxy Watch Ultra must be calibrated every four weeks using a blood pressure monitor.

In order to be able to better classify the measured values of the smartwatch, we compare them with those of reference devices. We have explained what needs to be taken into account when measuring health values with smartwatches here.

For the heart rate measurement, we took the Galaxy Watch Ultra on a bike ride together with a Polar H10 chest strap. At resting heart rate, the two devices are only one beat per minute apart. The difference is greater for the power pulse. On average from three measurements, the difference is 12.5 percent. The values of the smartwatch are always higher than those of the reference device - in extreme cases, the Samsung watch shows 30 beats more than the chest strap.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 also shows deviations in the heart rate measurement in the test, but not to this extent. One reason for the inaccuracy is probably the fit of the larger Watch Ultra. Even with a tight fit of the strap, the smartwatch has play on the relatively thin arm of the tester and can move.

We use a Braun pulse oximeter 1 as a reference device for measuring blood oxygen saturation. The average deviation from three measurements is 5.86 percent. The values of the test device are always below those of the reference device. The maximum deviation is 8 percentage points.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra shows the smallest deviation when measuring blood pressure. However, unlike the Huawei Watch D2, the Watch Ultra - is not a certified medical device.

We use a Braun ExacFit 5 Connect as a reference device for measuring blood pressure. The average deviation from three measurements is 2.39 percent for the systolic value and 1.67 percent for the diastolic value. The maximum deviation for the systolic value is 5 mmHG, for the diastolic value it is 2 mmHG.

Overall, the measured values of the Galaxy Watch Ultra are not bad. However, especially considering the price, there are much more accurate smartwatches in our tests, such as the Huawei Watch D2 and Watch GT 5.