Samsung returns to its high-end wearables with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, featuring a slimmer design, doubled battery capacity, and enhanced outdoor capabilities, aiming to rival rivals like the Apple Watch Ultra.
Samsung has returned to its high-end wearables with a less apologetic version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra, turning what was once a divisive design exercise into a more polished outdoor device. The company’s first Ultra model drew comparisons with Apple’s rugged smartwatch and was criticised for its cushion-like case, but its practical value became clearer once it was used in rough terrain, where its durable chassis, precise dual-frequency GPS and bright screen proved genuinely useful.
The new model, unveiled on 22 July 2026, keeps the same rugged brief but pares back some of the visual awkwardness. Samsung says the case is now slimmer, with the body reduced to 10.7mm from 12.1mm, while retaining the titanium construction and outdoor-first layout. The familiar orange Quick Button remains, but the overall shape is more restrained and, according to Samsung, easier to wear for long periods.
Battery life is the most significant hardware change. Samsung has fitted an 800mAh cell, almost doubling capacity, and claims up to 60 hours of use with the always-on display enabled. Charging has also been shortened to about 90 minutes. Android Central reported that the larger battery has not come at the cost of bulk, which is important for a watch intended for trail running, diving and multi-day trips away from a charger.
The display has also been upgraded. The 1.52-inch Super AMOLED panel now reaches 5,000 nits, which should make it easier to read in direct sunlight. Tom’s Guide, after testing the watch on a 10K run, said the screen was easier to read than the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s, and that Samsung’s haptics were stronger for workout alerts. That review also noted, however, that Apple’s Digital Crown remains the more practical control when hands are wet, cold or gloved.
Inside, Samsung has moved to the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, paired with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The watch runs Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch, and Samsung is layering on more wellness and outdoor tools, including a vitals dashboard, trail running and diving modes, nutrition alerts and expanded health tracking. The company is also promising five major OS upgrades, which gives the Ultra 2 more software runway than many rivals. At $699, it is still a premium product, but Samsung is now pitching it less as a stylistic statement and more as a serious alternative for users who want a tough Android watch with real endurance.
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