Samsung has announced its latest smartwatch offering, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, alongside the standard Galaxy Watch 7 series at its recent Galaxy Unpacked event. The new Ultra model is designed to withstand extreme conditions and cater to outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.
Rugged Design and Durability
The Galaxy Watch Ultra features a distinctive squarish design with a titanium body (Grade 4), setting it apart from its more conventional counterparts. This rugged construction allows the watch to endure temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C and withstand water pressure up to 10ATM (100 meters). The device has also passed MIL-STD 810H testing, further cementing its durability credentials.
Key Specifications
- Display: 1.5-inch (37.3mm) 480x480 Super AMOLED, always-on display
- Processor: Exynos W1000 penta-core chipset (3nm)
- Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
- Battery: 590mAh (up to 80 hours in normal mode)
- Sensors: Samsung BioActive Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
Enhanced Features for Athletes
The Galaxy Watch Ultra introduces several features tailored for serious athletes:
- Multi-sports tile for tracking triathlons and other multi-course workouts
- Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling, measuring maximum power in just 4 minutes
- Improved GPS with L1+L5 dual-frequency support for better accuracy
Safety First
For adventurers venturing into remote areas, the Watch Ultra includes a powerful 86-decibel emergency siren that can be heard up to 180 meters away, activated by long-pressing a dedicated button for 5 seconds.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is priced at $649 and includes both Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity. Pre-orders are currently available in select regions, with general availability starting from July 25, 2024.
While the Galaxy Watch Ultra comes at a premium compared to the standard Galaxy Watch 7 (starting at $299.99), it offers significant upgrades in durability, battery life, and specialized features for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. For those who need a smartwatch that can keep up with extreme activities and environments, the Galaxy Watch Ultra presents a compelling option in Samsung's wearable lineup.