Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at its summer Galaxy Unpacked event, positioning it as the brand’s flagship rugged smartwatch and a direct challenger to the Apple Watch Ultra.
The headline upgrades: a significantly bigger battery, a brighter display, a faster chipset, and a new dive-tracking system built with scuba brand Mares. Here’s every spec and selling point Samsung highlighted at launch.
Design Specs
- Case size: Single 47mm titanium case (no smaller size option)
- Dimensions: 47.4 x 47.1 x 10.7mm, approximately 61.5g
- Build: Shock-resistant titanium chassis, 12% slimmer than the original Galaxy Watch Ultra
- Signature feature: Retains the orange Action Button from its predecessor
- Durability certifications: IP69K (dust and high-pressure/high-temperature water jets), 10ATM water resistance, MIL-STD-810H
- Colors: Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray
- Connectivity: Built-in LTE (no 5G or satellite connectivity)
The thinner, lighter case addresses one of the original Ultra’s most common complaints — bulk on the wrist — without sacrificing its rugged, adventure-ready build.
Display
- Screen: Circular display with a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, brighter than the standard Galaxy Watch 9’s 3,000-nit panel
- Visibility: Built for high-glare, outdoor conditions like trail running, hiking, and open water
The brightness boost is aimed squarely at outdoor athletes who need a always-legible display in direct sunlight.
Health Tracking Features
- Heart and rhythm monitoring: Continues to support detection of possible sleep apnea signs and other heart irregularities, carried over from the original Ultra
- AI-powered sleep tracking: Learns sleep habits over time for more personalized insights
- Hydration alert: Provides real-time guidance on water intake during training based on estimated fluid loss
- Shared wellness suite: Includes the same Vitals, Heart Health Score, and Fitness Index tools introduced alongside the Galaxy Watch 9
- Not included: Blood glucose monitoring remains unavailable on this generation
Smart Features and Samsung/Android Integration
- Chipset: Powered by the new Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, replacing the Exynos W1000 and delivering roughly 32% faster CPU and 19% faster GPU performance versus the original Ultra
- Software: Launches on One UI 9 Watch
- Google Gemini integration: Built-in AI assistant for voice-driven answers, task management, and cross-app actions
- Samsung ecosystem requirements: Requires a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Samsung Health app, and Samsung account for full functionality
- LTE connectivity: Enables calls, messages, and app usage independent of a paired phone
Sports Tracking and Training Capabilities
- Trail running mode: Dedicated tracking with detailed elevation data and ascent progress
- Dive tracking: Automatic dive detection with real-time depth, dive time, water temperature, and ascent/descent speed readings
- Mares dive computer app: A dedicated diving app developed in partnership with dive-equipment maker Mares, arriving later in 2026 and exclusive to the Ultra 2 for two years; certified to DIN EN13319 for dive-instrument standards, with depth tracking to 40 meters
- Hydration alert: Supports endurance training by flagging fluid intake needs
- Free subscription perks: Includes a two-month iFIT trial at launch
This dive-computer functionality is the Ultra 2’s biggest differentiator, putting it in competition with dedicated dive watches and rugged outdoor devices like the Garmin Fenix series.
Galaxy Watch ultra 2 Battery Life
- Battery capacity: 800mAh, a 35% increase over the original Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 590mAh cell
- Use case: Samsung says the larger cell supports all-day workout tracking alongside GPS, LTE, and continuous health sensor use. Up to 60 hours according to Samsung.
- Charging: Fast charging supported, you get 40% in 30 min.
Battery life was the single biggest criticism of the first-generation Ultra, and this is Samsung’s most direct response — a necessary upgrade given the added demands of real-time dive tracking and LTE connectivity.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Price
- US price: $699.99 (LTE-only, single configuration), matching the original Galaxy Watch Ultra’s price
- EU price: From €749
- Availability: Pre-orders opened July 22, 2026, with general availability beginning August 7, 2026
- Launch incentives: Samsung has offered trade-in credit up to $250 (or up to €360 in the EU) and a $100 instant credit without a trade-in, alongside a two-month iFIT trial
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a focused, needs-driven update rather than a redesign. Samsung solved the original Ultra’s biggest pain point — battery life — while adding real differentiation through Mares-powered dive tracking, a brighter display, and a faster Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset.
If you want something smaller, check out Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 review.
For outdoor athletes, divers, and anyone who found the first Ultra’s battery life disappointing, this is a meaningfully better device — and, at the same $699.99 price as its predecessor, one of the more reasonable premium smartwatch upgrades this year.
