Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Early Reviews: Thinner, Brighter, and Samsung's Best Smartwatch Yet

The first wave of Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 reviews and hands-on impressions are in, and the consensus is clear: this is Samsung's best smartwatch ever. Multiple publications — T3, The Shortcut, Trusted Reviews, Stuff — give it top marks for design, display, and performance improvements over the original Ultra.

Key Review Highlights

• 12% thinner at 10.7mm — "noticeably more comfortable," especially for sleep tracking
• 26% lighter — the titanium case and sapphire crystal are refined but still rugged
• 5,000-nit peak brightness — brighter than any smartwatch on the market, including the Apple Watch Ultra 3's 3,000 nits
• Snapdragon Wear Elite chip — "the biggest wearable chip upgrade in three years," with apps opening noticeably faster
• 800mAh battery — 35% larger than the original Ultra, with early testers reporting multi-day battery life
• Three experimental health sensors — AGEs, Antioxidant, and Vascular Load — that no other consumer smartwatch offers

Compared to Apple Watch Ultra 3

Reviewers specifically note the Ultra 2 "finally stands toe-to-toe with the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and in some key areas, outright surpasses it." The 5,000-nit display, 5G RedCap connectivity, and experimental health sensors are advantages Apple can't match. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 counters with better iPhone integration, a more mature app ecosystem, and satellite SOS.

Pre-Order Deals Available

Samsung is offering up to $250 in trade-in credit and a $100 instant credit without trade-in. Amazon includes a $100 gift card with pre-orders. Bundling with a Galaxy Z Fold 8 can save up to $300. Shipping begins August 7.

What This Means for Buyers

At $699, the Ultra 2 is $60 more than the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $640 on Amazon. But with the pre-order deals, you can effectively get it for $449–$599. If you're an Android user who wants the most advanced smartwatch available, this is the one. Read our full pre-order buying guide and compare all options in our smartwatch guide.