Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 review

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Introduction and specs

Exactly two years after the original, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, and honestly, that's the perfect upgrade roadmap. The two years between the releases has meant the company is able to introduce some seriously meaningful hardware upgrades with the Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

The new Ultra is now thinner, but tougher; it has a brighter and a tad larger display, a more powerful chipset, a 35% larger battery and supports a host of new health-related features and functionalities, including a raise-to-speak option that connects you directly to Gemini.

Since it's an Ultra watch, it doesn't come without some niceties for the extreme explorers. The device has Android Wear with the latest Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, eSIM support, a Trail Run mode and expanded diving functionalities - the combination of which makes the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 quite a rare breed of smartwatch.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 specs at a glance:

• Body: 47.4x47.1x10.7mm, 62g; Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame (grade 4); IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 100m/10ATM for 10 min), MIL-STD-810H compliant, ECG certified, 40m swimproof/diving (EN13319).
• Display: 1.52" Super AMOLED, 5000 nits (peak), 498x498px resolution, 327ppi.
• Chipset:Snapdragon SW6100 Wear Elite (3 nm).
• Memory: 64GB 2GB RAM.
• OS/Software: Android Wear OS 7, One UI Watch 9.
• Rear camera: No.
• Front camera: No.
• Video capture: Rear camera: No.
• Battery: 800mAh; 10W wireless.
• Connectivity: LTE; eSIM; Wi-Fi 4; BT 6.0; NFC.
• Misc:  Raise to Talk with Gemini, accelerometer, gyro, barometer, altimeter, compass, temperature (body), temperature (water), BioActive sensor: heart rate, heart rate variability, SpO2, ECG, bioelectrical impedance, Sleep Apnea risk.

And yes, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is one of the first devices to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset - which is a stark departure from the Exynos used in the previous generation. The new chipset is supposedly more powerful and energy efficient. Samsung says it improves GPS accuracy, too.

But as is always the case with the Ultras, especially in the smartwatch domain, the launch price is the toughest part to swallow. On paper, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is one of the most advanced, feature-rich smartwatches right now, but it will have to convince you that it deserves your hard-earned money. Let's check it out.

Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 comes in a few retail boxes fitting in one another, but you only get the default straps inside and a wireless charger with the USB-C connector. The charger is rated at 10W, and you need to provide your own source of power for it.