Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra

The new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a lot of resemblance to the Apple Watch Ultra (2). It's clear that Samsung has taken many aspects of the Apple Watch Ultra. That's why it's the perfect opportunity to compare the two. Which one is best to buy: The Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra?

Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra: Specifications

We'll start with the specs of both watches. You'll be able to see the differences between the two watches in one go. Apart from differences in specs, there's more contrast in the design and how the watch works with your phone. More on that later on in the blog post.

The specs of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in comparison to the Apple Watch Ultra are as followed:

Wear OS vs WatchOS

The biggest difference between the two watches is the operating system. The Samsung smartwatch uses Wear OS, and is suitable to use in conjunction with Samsung and Android phones. The Apple Watch uses WatchOS, and is only suitable for use with an iPhone.

If you are the owner of a Samsung or Android phone, it's not possible to sync your data from an Apple Watch Ultra. Vice versa, as iPhone user it's not possible to sync your data from a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Which phone you are currently using is thus very important in making your decision between the Apple watch Ultra vs Galaxy Watch Ultra. The two smartwatches are very similar otherwise, so this is the biggest deciding factor between them. 

Samsung vs Apple price

It's not surprising that the price of the Apple Watch Ultra (2) is higher than the price of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. The price of Apple products is usually higher than those of Samsung. The prices are as followed:

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 price: £ 799.-
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra price: £ 599.-

You'll end up paying £ 200 more for the Apple Watch Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. The price of the Galaxy Watch Ultra might drop later on, just as the price of the Apple Watch Ultra dropped after its second iteration.  

Design

Both Ultras are tough sport and outdoors focussed smartwatches with many functions and sensors. The Apple Watch Ultra was first released last year. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra proves that Samsung wants to enter into the same high end smartwatch market as Apple. Even the name of the watch has been copied.

The design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra (2) is comparable in many aspects. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra straps share a large resemblance to the Apple Watch Ultra straps. Even the accent colour of bright orange has been copied over from the Apple Watch Ultra to the Samsung.

The Apple Watch Ultra is only available in one colour: Titanium. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in three colours: Titanium White, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Grey.

Round display vs square display

A design like the Galaxy Watch Ultra is something we've never seen before. The case of the Ultra is square, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra. However, the display itself is still round, similar to other Samsung watches. This all gives the Samsung Galaxy Watch a very unique appearance.

The Samsung loses quite some display surface compared to the Apple Watch Ultra, which has a display that perfectly fills up the case. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has an awkward user experience and frankly a weird look to it, given that it's a round display stuffed into a square case.

The side of both smartwatches feature buttons and a 'digital crown', which is a twistable dial that controls the smartwatch. Samsung appears to have copied these buttons over from the Apple Watch Ultra, and indirectly from the regular Apple Watch, which has been using this setup for years now.

Diving with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra is one of the first smartwatches ever with specific design choices for divers. The watch is not only fully waterproof, but it also features a depth guage to use while diving.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is not suitable to be used while diving. You can swim with or submerge the smartwatch, but Samsung confirms it's not suitable for diving or high pressure water sports. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra does not feature a depth guage for this reason.

Galaxy Watch Ultra scores some points

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra does come with a few unique functions which are missing on the Apple Watch Ultra. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra allows you to measure your blood pressure, something the Apple Watch Ultra can not do. In reality, using the blood pressure meter requires frequent calibration, but at least it's there.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra also comes with a Body Composition function. It measures the percentage of body fat and muscle mass in your body. It's a perfect feature for gymgoers, and one that's missing from the Apple Watch Ultra. It's not a perfect feature however, as the data can be quite inaccurate.

In summary

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is clearly inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra. Both watches share many similarities, which means the most important factor in choosing one is which smartphone you've got. Do you own an iPhone? Than the Apple Watch Ultra is a great compagnion. Own a Samsung or Android phone? You'll be better off with the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better Apple Watch or Samsung Watch
To put it simply the Apple Watch is best used in combination with an iPhone. A Samsung Galaxy Watch is best used in combination with a Samsung or Android phone.

Can you use an Apple Watch with a Samsung phone?
The Apple Watch is specifically designed to be used with an iPhone. You can't connect an Apple Watch directly to your Samsung phone.

Does Samsung have an Apple Watch Ultra alternative?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the 'Android alternative' for the Apple Watch Ultra. You can find the Galaxy Watch Ultra in stores starting from the 19th of June 2024.