The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a highly anticipated release, and as an avid smartwatch enthusiast, I'm eager to see what Samsung has in store. While the original Ultra model was a solid debut, it's clear that there's room for improvement, and here's why I won't be upgrading without these five crucial upgrades.
Battery Life: The Ultimate Upgrade
In my opinion, the most significant improvement Samsung needs to make is to the battery life of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. While the current model lasts just under three days, which is respectable, it's not enough to justify the premium price tag. Google's Pixel Watch 4, for instance, can also stretch to roughly three days, and it's not even marketed as an adventure-focused device. Garmin's watches, on the other hand, can last a week or more between charges, setting a high bar for the industry.
If Samsung wants the Ultra moniker to truly mean something, the next generation needs to comfortably exceed the three-day mark without relying on battery-saving tricks or constant settings management. I genuinely don't see myself upgrading unless Samsung makes meaningful strides in this area. A larger battery and a more efficient chipset are the obvious solutions, and I hope Samsung prioritizes this upgrade.
Design: A Case for Circular
The current design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a bit of a mixed bag. While the squircle shape helps it stand out, I personally prefer the classic circular aesthetic that defined many of Samsung's earlier smartwatches. I'd love to see Samsung bring back this design and make it more rugged, similar to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. This would not only address my subjective dislike but also make better use of the watch's size, especially for those with smaller wrists.
The current design leaves unused space around the display, constantly making me wonder if Samsung could have fit a larger screen into the same footprint. A rotating bezel, which already looks like it should rotate on the current model, would also add both functionality and personality to the Ultra lineup, helping it feel more distinctly Samsung.
Heart Rate Tracking: Consistency is Key
For casual workouts and everyday tracking, the current Galaxy Watch Ultra performs well enough, but it can still struggle during certain activities, particularly when heart rate changes rapidly. Google's Pixel Watch 4 has shown just how much room Samsung has to improve in this area, and Apple continues to deliver consistency on the Apple Watch Ultra lineup. For the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to be attractive to me and to be taken seriously as a premium fitness tracker, it needs to close this gap.
More reliable heart rate data doesn't just improve workout summaries; it also feeds most of the wellness tools that make smartwatches so useful. Samsung already offers a robust suite of health features, but those tools are only as valuable as the data powering them. I hope Samsung addresses this issue and ensures that the Ultra 2 provides consistent and accurate heart rate tracking.
Open Health Features: A Step Towards Inclusivity
One thing that immediately stands out is the need for Samsung to open up its health features to a wider audience. Some of the brand's most compelling tools, such as blood pressure monitoring, ECG recordings, and sleep apnea detection, are still exclusive to Galaxy phone owners. This restriction feels increasingly difficult to justify, especially when Google's health features aren't locked to Pixel phones.
Samsung touts the Galaxy Watch Ultra as a premium Android smartwatch, but reserving some of its top tools for Galaxy users undermines this claim. I don't expect Samsung to open every feature overnight, but unless the company offers broader compatibility, I can't see myself investing in another pricey wearable. If I'm paying flagship prices, I want to know that all the headline features work with any smartphone, not just a specific brand.
Price and Accessibility: A More Affordable Option
Speaking of price, the current Galaxy Watch Ultra is competing with some of the most expensive smartwatches on the market at $649. This puts a lot of pressure on the device to deliver premium features and also asks a lot of buyers who don't need LTE connectivity. A Bluetooth-only version of the watch, as rumored, would be a welcome addition, but it also needs to come with a price reduction.
A cheaper, secondary option would make the Ultra lineup easier to recommend to a wider audience and provide a more compelling value proposition for my own watch box. Samsung could offer a more affordable model with limited features, allowing customers to upgrade to the full-fledged Ultra 2 if they desire. This approach would make the brand more accessible and appealing to a broader market.
In conclusion, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 has the potential to be a game-changer, but it needs to address these five crucial upgrades to truly stand out in the market. Samsung has the opportunity to make meaningful strides in battery life, design, heart rate tracking, health feature accessibility, and pricing. If the company can deliver on these fronts, the Ultra 2 could be the smartwatch that justifies the premium price tag and becomes the go-to choice for adventure-seekers and tech enthusiasts alike.
