Galaxy Watch Ultra in 2025: A Complete Long-Term Review

We’re now in an interesting phase of the year—2025 marks nearly a full year since the release of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. Yet, we’re already hearing whispers and rumors about what’s next: the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and the Galaxy Watch 8 are just around the corner. This naturally raises a pivotal question for anyone eyeing a new smartwatch: is it still worth buying the Galaxy Watch Ultra now, or should you hold out for the next upgrade?

As someone who’s worn the Galaxy Watch Ultra every single day since launch, this isn’t a review based on pulling a device out of storage for a quick nostalgia check. This is a reflection from someone who’s truly lived with the watch—through intense workouts, tracking sleep every night, handling phone calls, and even those unfortunate moments when the watch unexpectedly met a wall (yes, more than once).

And let me be clear: this watch hasn’t just been a gadget on my wrist—it’s been a tool that’s helped transform my health. From better sleep habits to losing 30 kilograms and seeing dramatic improvements in fitness, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has been a key companion.

So, if you’re standing at the crossroads wondering whether the Galaxy Watch Ultra is still a solid purchase in 2025, let’s dive deep into what it’s really like to live with this watch long-term.

Looking Ahead: Should You Wait for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 or Galaxy Watch 8?

One of the first questions on everyone’s mind is whether you should just hold off until the next-generation Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch 8 drops. After all, Samsung has already teased some of the upcoming features at CES 2025. The biggest highlight? A new 4,000-nit display—a significant jump from the already impressive 3,000 nits on the current Galaxy Watch Ultra.

But here’s the thing: while a brighter screen sounds like an obvious upgrade, in practice, the current Watch Ultra is already plenty bright—even under direct sunlight at noon. Personally, I’ve never once struggled to read the screen outdoors. I suspect that pushing brightness to 4,000 nits is more about chasing specs on paper than offering a transformative improvement in daily use. Plus, there’s a tradeoff: higher brightness generally equals more battery drain.

Then there’s talk of solid-state batteries—the future of higher energy density and longer-lasting batteries. That’s exciting, sure. But most reports indicate this tech won’t actually hit wearables until late 2026 at the earliest. In other words, neither the Galaxy Watch 8 nor the Ultra 2 are likely to ship with this breakthrough.

If the upgrades arriving later this year are mostly incremental—a slightly brighter display, minor hardware tweaks—then the Galaxy Watch Ultra we have today is still very competitive.

One potential addition rumored for the Ultra 2 is the return of the rotating bezel, a fan-favorite feature on past Galaxy Watch models. While I personally don’t consider it a dealbreaker, I know plenty of users who loved that tactile control. If that’s something you absolutely need, waiting might be worth it. Otherwise, you’re not missing out on any revolutionary features.

Battery Life: Good, Bad, or Just Fine?

Battery life is always a hot topic when discussing smartwatches, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra is no exception. Critics often point fingers at Samsung’s battery management, while fans defend its day-to-day performance.

Let me give you my real-world experience.

Just yesterday, I had an intense day with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. I logged a 12-kilometer run, kept the screen at maximum brightness, enabled continuous heart rate monitoring, and used the always-on display. Basically, I threw everything at it.

After 24 hours, the battery was sitting at 37%.

At first glance, that might sound disappointing. But here’s the nuance: even with that heavy use, I knew I’d comfortably make it through the rest of the day, and I’d even get another full night of sleep tracking before needing to charge.

Would I call the battery life “great”? Honestly, no. But would I call it bad? Also no.

What I’ve learned is that battery life on the Galaxy Watch Ultra isn’t about raw longevity—it’s about timing your charging habits. If you build a smart charging routine, you’ll never feel like the battery is an issue.

My tip? Charge your Galaxy Watch Ultra in the morning while you’re getting ready, or even better, while sitting at your desk during work hours. This way, you’re not sacrificing valuable tracking time overnight or during workouts.

A word of caution: avoid charging it overnight unless absolutely necessary. Overcharging a battery every night can slowly degrade its long-term health, leading to noticeable drops in battery performance within a year or two. By simply shifting your charging schedule to daytime, you’ll preserve the battery’s longevity.

In the end, I’d sum up the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s battery life as “perfectly usable with the right routine.”

Durability: Built Tough, Mostly

When it comes to durability, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has impressed me more than I expected.

Let’s be real: this is a big watch. It protrudes more from the wrist than other Galaxy Watch models, meaning accidental bumps into walls, desks, and gym equipment are inevitable.

I’ve had my share of cringing moments—those times when I slammed it into a wall and immediately looked down, expecting to see a giant gouge or crack. And yet, every single time, those “scratches” have wiped clean, leaving no visible damage.

That’s a testament to the premium materials Samsung used, particularly the Gorilla Glass protecting the display. After a year of daily wear and tear, my Galaxy Watch Ultra’s screen is still scratch-free.

However, it’s not perfect. The center button feels a little loose compared to the other buttons. It’s not falling off or malfunctioning, but it doesn’t feel quite as solid. Given that this is Samsung’s most expensive Galaxy Watch ever, retailing between $600–$700 at launch, I did expect a bit more polish here.

Interestingly, that center button isn’t used for the body composition sensor like the other buttons—it’s just a shortcut key. Which leads me to a missed opportunity: why didn’t Samsung integrate a rotating crown into this button? Given that previous Galaxy Watches leaned heavily on a rotating bezel for navigation, it feels like a natural evolution that Samsung skipped over.

Still, despite this nitpick, the overall build quality is outstanding. This is a smartwatch that can take a beating and still look premium.

Design: Rugged Yet Refined

I’ll admit—when I first saw the Galaxy Watch Ultra, I wasn’t sure about the design. It blends the rugged outdoor aesthetic with classic smartwatch lines in a way that seemed… unconventional.

But after wearing it for months, the design has really grown on me. It strikes a balance between outdoor adventure watch and modern tech accessory, something neither the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro nor other competitors fully achieved.

One area where Samsung deserves massive credit is the improvement in the strap system. Swapping bands on the Galaxy Watch Ultra is an absolute breeze. I’ve mixed in third-party straps, custom bands, and the entire process is quick and seamless.

Compare that to the frustrating tiny pin system on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro—which felt like wrestling with a paperclip—and the Ultra is worlds ahead in user-friendliness.

Display: Bright, Beautiful, and Big

We can’t talk about the Galaxy Watch Ultra without talking about that stunning 1.5-inch display.

At 3,000 nits of brightness, it’s already one of the brightest screens on any smartwatch, and it shows. Whether I’m glancing at notifications on a midday run or checking stats under blazing sun, the screen is crystal clear without shielding it with my hand.

Honestly? I don’t think the rumored 4,000-nit display on the Ultra 2 is going to make a noticeable difference for most users.

Size-wise, the 47mm case feels just right. Even on smaller wrists, it doesn’t feel overly bulky, and I wouldn’t mind if Samsung had pushed it slightly larger to give even more touchscreen real estate during workouts. But as it stands, it balances size and wearability well.

Performance: The Smoothest Galaxy Watch Yet

In day-to-day use, the Galaxy Watch Ultra delivers the smoothest performance I’ve ever experienced on a Samsung smartwatch.

Apps open quickly. Swiping between widgets is fluid. Notifications arrive instantly. Whether I’m checking fitness stats, responding to messages, or navigating through settings, the watch never feels sluggish.

Samsung’s One UI for Wear OS runs beautifully here. And while it’s not radically different from previous versions, the polish and speed improvements are undeniable.

Final Verdict: Is the Galaxy Watch Ultra Still Worth It in 2025?

After a year of wearing the Galaxy Watch Ultra every single day, putting it through workouts, sleep tracking, phone calls, rough bumps, and daily life, I can confidently say: this is still one of the best smartwatches you can buy in 2025.

Yes, there are minor shortcomings—the loose-feeling center button, no rotating bezel or crown, battery life that requires a bit of planning. But the positives far outweigh the negatives.

From its fantastic display to impressive durability, solid performance, and excellent fitness features, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has proven itself as a reliable, capable, and premium smartwatch.

Unless you’re absolutely set on waiting for a rotating bezel or the speculative minor upgrades of the Ultra 2, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Galaxy Watch Ultra right now. Especially if you can snag it at a discount with newer models on the horizon.

For anyone serious about fitness, health tracking, or simply wanting a smartwatch that can handle the daily grind with style, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is still a worthy investment in 2025.