Hands-on review: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Even though I'm in my 30s, I'm old enough to remember that watches used to tell the time only. While my Mum and sister liked to wear analogue watches, I always preferred digital watches because I wanted to know the exact time the school bell rang. 

By the time I left school in 2007, the smartphone era arrived and everything started to feature a touchscreen. A few years after that, technology companies started to finally make smartwatches and these devices did way more than just telling the time. 

Usually, I'm a video game reviewer so this is the first time I have ever experienced playing around with a smartwatch. This is because Samsung was kind enough to let Techday NZ borrow its latest Galaxy Watch Ultra device. 

The first thing you will have to know about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is that it has a very high price tag much like the company's other premium devices. For tech lovers living in New Zealand, a Samsung Galaxy Ultra will cost you around $1,199.00 from most retailers that are selling the item. 

Before I was able to turn the thing on, the device wanted me to pair it up with an existing Samsung device. Since I was reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 at the same time, I paired up the watch with that phone. Pairing up the watch with the phone allows you to customise things such as changing the watch's display and tinkle with its existing apps. 

Another thing that you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is that the strap isn't connected to the display piece when you receive it in the box. The strap comes in two pieces and they easily attach themselves to the display piece using magnets. My strap was orange, but I believe you can also get it in black and white too. 

The watch also comes with its own wireless charger out of the box. You will need a USB-C charger to plug it in because it only comes with a cable and a small dongle. You charge the watch itself by placing it over the circular dongle and it charges really quickly. Samsung claims the watch has 100 hours worth of battery life, but from my experience, this is much shorter than advertised.  

The watch also has what Samsung calls a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED screen, and this thing is gorgeous to look at despite its small size. Aside from being a touchscreen, the display is bright enough for you to see even if you're outside in bright sunlight. It's the type of screen I wished the original Game Boy Advance had back in 2001!

As I already aforementioned, the Samsung Watch allows you to customise the clock face choosing from a variety of different presets. You are able to change the colour of the numbers as well as the clock hands. Owners of the watch are also able to even purchase newer clock designs if they feel like paying more money. 

When you pair the watch with a compatible smartphone, you can configure the settings of some apps like the measuring body fat app and more. There are several features and apps that are available on the watch and pairing it up with a phone is the best way to use it. 

Some of the apps that I used for this review included apps that measured my heart rate, body fat percentage, stress level, and even weather temperature. If you want to stay healthy, this watch shows you many ways you could improve your physique. 

I also used the built-in fitness app that you can use for running, walking, swimming, and other exercises. It even measures how many steps you walk in a day and the number of calories that you have lost. I'm not really a fitness guy, but this would be useful to make sure I'm getting enough exercise each day. 

The last thing I tested out was the GPS system. Since I live in Auckland I never get lost in the city, but I do feel the watch would have been helpful when I visited Sydney for the first time in February. I went to Sydney to see Taylor Swift and the city is much bigger and crowded compared to Auckland. The watch would have helped me navigate the city a little better. 

Anyway, if you aren't heavy on exercising, I don't think the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is for you. Not to mention the price might scare away potential customers too. I feel this device is only good for fitness gurus and for people who have money to spend over $1000 on a watch.