Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Upgrade or Not?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra series has long stood at the top of the premium smartwatch market, built for athletes, adventurers, and tech enthusiasts who demand the best in durability, performance, and health tracking. With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025, many users are asking: how much better is it than the 2024 version? Is it really worth the upgrade? While the two models look nearly identical on the outside, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 brings meaningful upgrades in storage, new color options, and some refined software experiences.

If you're considering buying or replacing a high-end Wear OS smartwatch, this Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra comparison will quickly walk you through the key differences - covering performance, battery life, health features, and smart capabilities. Keep reading to discover which model truly fits your needs.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Price and Release Date

In the comparison of Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra, both models maintain consistent pricing and version setups. Both feature a 47mm titanium case with LTE connectivity as standard, and both launched at a retail price of $649.99.

The 2024 model was officially released in July 2024, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 followed with its release in July 2025. The 2024 version came in Titanium Gray, Titanium Silver, and Titanium White colors, whereas the 2025 model adds a more distinctive Titanium Blue option, giving users more variety to choose from.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

Reason: While maintaining the same price and core versions, the addition of the Titanium Blue color and more options makes it more appealing.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Design & Display

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 and the 2024 model share an almost identical appearance - both feature a 47mm titanium case that blends square and round elements, paired with a 1.5-inch sapphire Super AMOLED display. This signature design continues to deliver a rugged yet refined look, perfect for those who prefer large, bold smartwatches with premium appeal.

That said, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 introduces a few meaningful upgrades. It’s slightly lighter thanks to subtle material tweaks, making it more comfortable for all-day wear - especially for users with smaller wrists. More importantly, the display’s peak brightness has been increased from around 2,500 nits to 3,000 nits, greatly improving visibility under direct sunlight - an area where the 2024 model occasionally struggled. You can also check the articles about Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Bands and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 Bands.

In terms of style, the 2025 version debuts a new Titanium Blue colorway paired with a deep blue strap, adding visual variety for fans of darker tones. However, both models retain the same push-button quick-release band system rather than adopting the new dynamic lugs found in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series, ensuring a familiar strap-swapping experience.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

Reason: While the overall design remains largely unchanged, the refined weight, enhanced display brightness, and new color option give the 2025 model a more polished and practical edge in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra comparison.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Hardware & Software

In terms of core hardware, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 and the 2024 model are nearly identical. Both feature the Exynos W1000 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 47mm titanium case, 10ATM water resistance, and military-grade durability. Connectivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC are also consistent, delivering smooth and reliable performance for everyday use.

However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 introduces a few practical upgrades. Most notably, storage has doubled from 32GB to 64GB, giving users more room for offline music, maps, apps, and data. It also comes in an exclusive Titanium Blue finish, offering a new visual option for users who want a standout design.

On the software side, the 2025 model ships with One UI Watch 6.0 (based on Wear OS 5), offering smoother animations and a more refined interface compared to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which originally came with One UI Watch 5. A new feature called the "No Bar" navigation panel allows quick access to timers, media controls, and up to six pinned apps, streamlining day-to-day interaction. The biggest leap comes from the integration of Google Gemini AI, enabling multi-step voice commands - for example, starting a workout and playing a playlist at the same time - directly from your wrist.

If you’re exploring the wider Galaxy Watch lineup, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 offers a lighter and more compact design, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic brings back the fan-favorite rotating bezel with a refined look. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 remains a popular option for users seeking a reliable smartwatch with essential features at an affordable price.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

Reason: With double the storage and a smarter AI-powered software experience, the 2025 model clearly stands ahead in this generation's hardware and software evolution.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Health & Fitness Features

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra, both models share a powerful foundation in health and fitness tracking. They are equipped with Samsung’s advanced BioActive sensor, offering continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO₂ tracking, ECG, blood pressure estimation, body composition analysis, and AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products) detection.

In terms of fitness, both watches support 100+ workout modes, dual-frequency GPS, triathlon mode, personalized heart rate zones, and route navigation - making them top choices for athletes and active users alike.

However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 enhances the experience with more intelligent and personalized features. It introduces two new health metrics:

• Vascular Age Monitoring: Tracks nighttime cardiovascular load to reflect long-term vascular health
• Oxidative Stress Index: Evaluates skin condition to estimate your body’s oxidative stress levels

The 2025 model also debuts Galaxy AI-powered coaching features, including:

• AI Sleep Insights: Recommends optimal bedtime based on historical sleep and heart rate data
• AI Running Coach: Provides live coaching using real-time VO₂ Max and pacing information

While some features may eventually roll out to previous models via software updates, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 offers a complete health experience right out of the box.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

Why: Both models share the same core hardware, but the 2025 version offers smarter, AI-driven coaching and new health metrics that elevate the overall wellness experience.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Battery Life

Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2024 and 2025 models are equipped with a 590mAh battery, offering similar battery life under daily use. With features like Always-On Display, heart rate monitoring, and notification alerts enabled, they can last about two days (around 48 hours). Power-saving mode extends battery life to approximately four days (about 100 hours), meeting the needs of everyday wear and short trips.

However, the 2025 model features hardware and software optimizations. It uses a more advanced 3nm Exynos processor paired with the upgraded One UI Watch 8 system, delivering better power efficiency - especially in power-saving mode. In real-world usage, the 2025 model performs more steadily during intensive activities or prolonged GPS tracking, and charging speed is improved - reaching 50% charge in about 30 minutes, roughly 10 minutes faster than the 2024 model.

Overall, while both watches offer comparable core battery life, the 2025 model has an advantage in fine details and endurance during high-intensity use.

Winner: Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

Reason: More stable battery life and faster charging make it better suited for intense workouts and extended outdoor use.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra - Connectivity and Smart Features

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 share highly consistent basic connectivity and smart features. Both support 4G LTE standalone calling, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, ensuring seamless connection for outdoor and everyday use. They also come with Samsung Pay, Samsung Health monitoring, and voice assistant functions to meet daily smart needs.

However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 offers a noticeable upgrade in smart experience. It features the new Google Gemini AI assistant, delivering smarter and more natural voice interactions, replacing the previous generation’s Bixby assistant. The system is upgraded to One UI Watch 8 based on Wear OS 6, offering a smoother interface and more intuitive operation. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 adds health features like the Antioxidant Index and Running Coach, and doubles storage from 32GB to 64GB to accommodate more apps and data. Bluetooth is also updated to version 5.4, providing lower power consumption and more stable connections.

In summary, if you seek a smarter voice assistant, smoother system, and larger storage, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 holds clear advantages, while basic connectivity and health monitoring are comparable in both.

Winner: Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

Reason: More advanced smart assistant, smoother system experience, and larger storage provide clear upgrade value.

Overall Comparison Conclusion - The Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025

After a thorough comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra 2024, the two models share a very similar design and core hardware. However, the 2025 edition brings significant upgrades in several key areas:

• Storage Doubled: 64GB of space for more apps and media storage
• Upgraded Smart Assistant: Features the advanced Google Gemini for a smarter voice interaction
• Smoother System: Preloaded with One UI Watch 8 based on Wear OS 6, offering a more fluid user experience
• New Health Features: Includes Antioxidant Index and Running Coach for enhanced health tracking and training support
• Bluetooth 5.4 Upgrade: Lower power consumption and more stable connections
• Improved Battery Life: Better endurance especially during intensive use compared to the 2024 model

That said, your final choice depends on your personal needs:

If you already own the 2024 Galaxy Watch Ultra and it meets your daily requirements, there’s no urgent need to upgrade unless you highly value the new AI training and health safety features.

But if you want the most advanced and intelligent wearable currently available, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 stands out as the most powerful flagship from Samsung this year. With larger storage, smarter AI, fresh color options, and a consistent price point around $650, it is poised to lead the smartwatch market in 2025.

Therefore, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 is the clear winner in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra comparison, making it the best all-around choice - especially for first-time buyers or those seeking the latest tech.