The Ultra 2 is 10.7 mm thick and definitely feels lighter on your wrist | Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

While the ‘Ultra’ moniker in the smartphone space usually refers to a premium flagship, the same Ultra suffix for smartwatches has come to be associated with a rugged form factor. The two best-known Ultra smartwatches from Apple and Samsung are not just the priciest in their respective lineups; they are also pitched as durable wearables that are ready for all your outdoor and underwater adventures.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 debuted alongside Samsung’s 2026 foldables at the Galaxy Unpacked event in July 2026. It’s been two years since Samsung’s first Ultra smartwatch made its appearance in 2024, and the 2026 Ultra has certainly been worth the wait. It comes with a whole bunch of upgrades. Does this consolidate its position as the Wear OS smartwatch to beat?

Design

Squircle is probably the best description of the unique form factor of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. This wearable is crafted with gritty materials that are designed for the elements. You get a sapphire crystal panel that combines with a ceramic and sapphire back panel, along with a grade 4 titanium frame. The slight protrusion of the static bezel adds to the scratch-free appeal of the display. Although the bezel doesn’t rotate, it’s a feature I miss from earlier Samsung Galaxy smartwatches. You get three physical buttons that simplify the navigation process, along with touchscreen navigation. The ‘Quick Button’ that we saw on the first Samsung Ultra smartwatch is part of this three-button setup.

One of the significant improvements over the first edition of the Galaxy Ultra Watch is the overall design. The Ultra 2 is 10.7 mm thick (its predecessor was 12.1 mm thick). The Ultra 2 definitely feels lighter on your wrist, even though it’s about the same weight (just above 60 gm). This is despite having a larger battery. However, it’s rather bulky for those with small wrists. It’s the rugged form factor that sets the Ultra 2 apart from other Wear OS contenders like the Google Pixel Watch 5. The Ultra 2 comes in a choice of two colour options – Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray (with a smoky grey chassis). You can swap the bands with Samsung original bands or third party straps. If you would like to use conventional 22mm wristwatch straps, look for the lug connector on online platforms that you can attach to the watch.

Performance

There are three key improvements that suggest the two-year gap between the first and second generation Ultra smartwatches was well-timed. The first is the chipset. The Watch Ultra 2 (and the Galaxy Watch 9 that debuted along with the Ultra 2) become the first Samsung smartwatches to be kitted with a Qualcomm chipset. This one is powered by a Snapdragon Wear Elite (SW6100) chipset, marking a significant shift for Samsung smartwatches that were previously powered by Exynos processors. It’s not a difference you’re likely to notice, especially if you’re stepping up from the 2024 Galaxy Ultra Watch. This one is ultra smooth; Samsung promises a 32 per cent improvement in CPU and a 19 per cent jump in GPU performance, respectively.

The device is easy to set up (I paired it with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8), and the improved processing power makes navigation a breeze. It also impacts battery performance and GPS accuracy. One difference you’re likely to notice is the display. Samsung has increased the peak brightness from 3,500 nits on the 2024 Ultra to 5,000 nits on the Ultra 2. It’s easily one of the best displays on any smartwatch right now, with excellent visibility under direct sunlight—just what you need on an outdoor run on a sunny day.

Battery life is the other big win. The Ultra 2 comes with an 800 mAh battery under the hood, a substantial jump from the 590 mAh battery in its predecessor. I set the brightness levels to 90 per cent with the always-on display activated. I still managed close to three days of battery life with an hour a day of workout tracking during this period. That puts the Ultra 2 in a very special league of smartwatches in terms of battery performance. If there’s one crib, it’s the charging speed. The Ultra 2 can take up to two hours to go from empty to 100 per cent.

User experience

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is powered by Samsung’s One UI 9 (based on Wear OS 7). The overall user experience continues to improve with every iteration. One UI 9 is largely clutter-free and easy on the eye. It works best with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, with quite a few wellness features (like ECG) restricted to the Galaxy ecosystem. That’s a trend we’re seeing across brands. There’s a plethora of wellness features that can border on overwhelming. With smartwatches clearly pivoting towards wellness and health, we’re seeing more and more advanced wellness features on our wrist. Like all smartwatches and trackers, this comes with the usual health advisory—check with your medical expert for exact data.

The data on the Samsung Health app is quite comprehensive. I tracked data like blood oxygen, the fitness index was quite insightful too. You can also set up the blood pressure feature (which I didn’t try out), but it needs calibration with a traditional upper-arm blood pressure cuff. Sleep tracking was quite accurate (I used the Watch Ultra 2 along with a fitness ring), and the workout tracking features worked quite well too. Running enthusiasts can take advantage of a new comprehensive Trail Running feature. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 covers enough bases on the wellness front and also comes with 5 years of major OS upgrades.

Verdict

If durability and a rugged build are key purchase drivers for you, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 makes a strong case. The 4G capability makes it convenient and offers it an edge over fitness-focused options from brands like Garmin. It’s one of the best Wear OS smartwatches you can buy right now and it is easy to recommend if you use a Samsung smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Price: ₹64,999

Pros: Rugged build, bright display, excellent battery life, array of wellness features

Cons: Some features restricted to Samsung smartphones, battery charging speed

Published on September 9, 2026