TheSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultrais a lot of watch.
At certain times when using it, I thought it may have beentoo much watch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
It’s a solidly-built watch whose giant display will kindly the statistic-obsessed athletes.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a very customizable with dizzying number of options for complications.Photo: Artem Golub / Gizmodo
Samsung named it to propose anAndroid alternative to Apples rugged and expensive sports watch.
Im an active guy.
I practice historical swordsmanship twice weekly and walk, bike, and hike whenever and wherever possible.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Still, Im not going to start training for a triathlon or aquathlon anytime soon.
Id suggest looking at the Trail or Peakform bands instead, though I havent tested either of those options.
More than that, the rugged and durable Watch Ultra is made to hound you about your health data.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
I wouldnt go as far as to call it a hypochondriacs paradise.
I like the Ultra-exclusive watch face designs.
I enjoy having so much data up-front in such a customizable way.
Photo: Artem Golub / Gizmodo
And yet, I desperately wish Samsung included some analog control mechanism on this $650 watch.
TheGalaxy Watch Classichas that famed rotating bezel, and damn me if I miss its absence here.
Whats here is still a very good sports watch.
Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Its strong battery life lasts well past a full day and multiple workouts.
I wouldnt call the watch pillow-like, but its relatively comfortable.
I could find a snug fit with the base and only wristband option that wasnt too tight or loose.
Its still a big watch.
While the face is an already large 47mm, the chassis feels bigger than that.
I have some rather average-sized wrists, and the Ultra takes most of that diameter.
I dont imagine getting any less clumsy with it, even after several more weeks of use.
If theres one thing Samsung should have stolen from Apple, its the digital crown.
The rim even looks like it should rotate.
Instead, its stuck to touch controls.
At the very least, it looks like the part.
I kept the standard Ultra Analog but switched up the colors for classy red on black.
The exclusive night mode is also very attractive in its deep neon red.
The automatic brightness detection was good enough for direct sunlight or dimly lit rooms, and it was solid.
Plus, it now has a handy programmable Quick Button.
Lets get those exclusives out of the way.
Im a pretty active person, but thats not something I require in my day-to-day life.
I do enjoy the odd day of cycling when I can manage it.
The Ultra supports Functional Threshold Power tracking based on your heart rate.
It measures the power a rider can maintain for peak performance over an hour.
That also requires an extra power meter compatible with a Galaxy phone.
Those cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Thats more than enough for most casual bikers.
Theres also an Ultra-specific tile for multi-sports.
The rest you’ve got the option to get on the Ultra is also on the Watch 7.
The same goes for heart rate or ECG monitoring.
There are times when the watch is slightly off the mark.
The GPS still isnt perfect for city parameters.
That dual-band GPS is meant to track your whereabouts better.
Finally, you have a few additions that come from the update to WatchOS 5.
That Tiles interface is still imperfect.
After using it, I can say that battery size makes a big difference in longevity.
That was all without needing to turn on regular or exercise power-saving mode.
Compared to past Galaxy watches, theres no more reverse wireless charging from a Samsung phone.
The company claims this is due to the redesigned BioActive Sensor, so it no longer sits flat.
I initially didnt think it would be an issue for me.
The watch has an operating temperature between -4 degrees and 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
I couldnt just wear the watch and forget it was there.
It buzzes routinely to tell me to stand up from my desk.
It gets caught on my clothes when I put them on.
Its bright display glows with puppy-like glee after I pay it a bare glance.
I appreciate thatits still slightly cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra, but that doesnt mean its cheap.
Its a watch that will take over your wrist andif you let ityour life.
If thats what youre after, then the Ultra and its massive watch face fits the bill.
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