Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra: All the differences

Intro

After ruffling the feathers of the Android smartwatch community with its excellent but not terribly original Galaxy Watch Ultra last year, Samsung just released a new  release an updated version of its Apple Watch Ultra rival this July. 

The new Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) is shaping to be a minor refresh of its predecessor, without any major changes to the design language, the overall feature set, or the functionalities on deck. 

This is pretty much the norm these days when it comes to intergenerational improvements. Granted, the original Galaxy Watch Ultra doesn’t feel outdated in any way shape or form, so no major changes were necessary in the first place, anyway. 

Still, we can’t have a new device release without any changes whatsoever. 

 

Trade-in

Pre-order Galaxy Watch Ultra for up to $250 off

$399
99

$649
99

$250 off (38%)

Samsung announced its latest Galaxy Watch Ultra model, offering improved durability, a better-looking display, and more features. You can pre-order the smartwatch at Samsung for up to $250 off with eligible trade-ins. There’s an extra $50 Samsung credit available for those who reserved a unit.

Pre-order at Samsung

Trade-in

Pre-order Galaxy Watch 8 Classic for up to $250 off

$299
99

$549
99

$250 off (45%)

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is also available for pre-order at the official store. The new Classic model has an upgraded design and offers improved battery life. Pre-order yours and save $250 at the Samsung Store.

Pre-order at Samsung

Trade-in

Pre-order Galaxy Watch 8 at Samsung for up to $200 off

$229
99

$429
99

$200 off (47%)

The Galaxy Watch 8 is here, packing more features and a modern-looking design. The smartwatch is already available for pre-order at the official store. You can save up to $200 with trade-ins for a limited time.

Pre-order at Samsung

Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Galaxy Watch Ultra: differencesNew Titanium Blue color64GB vs 32GB storageGemini AI, Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index coming to the older Galaxy Watch UltraSame price as before ($650)

Table of Contents:

Design & SizesThe Ultra blueprint 

As already mentioned, the latest version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra has scored no visual changes in comparison with its predecessor, save for a new Titanium Blue color. 

This means we get the same large and imposing smartwatch, with a rugged and pretty distinct titanium squircle case but a circular sapphire display with a slightly raised bezel on top. Unlike the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, the bezel here doesn’t double as a hardware input to navigate the interface. 

Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) in Titanium Blue

The device has three buttons on the right-hand side: the standard top and bottom navigation buttons are joined by a large customizable button in the middle, which can enable different features and functionalities. On the left-hand side of the case, we will likely get the large dual slits for the loudspeakers. At the bottom, Samsung’s all-encompassing BioActive sensor will reign supreme.

In terms of size, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in a single 47mm size with a flat 1.5-inch sapphire screen, like its predecessor. Both support IP68 water- and dust-resistance, enhanced waterproofing up to 100 meters (10ATM), and also feature MIL-STD-801H shockproofing. 

As mentioned, the new version of the smartwatch comes in Titanium Blue color, joining the already available Titanium Silver, Titanium. Gray, and Titanium White colors.

BandsSingle-button detachment, what’s there not to like?

The Galaxy Watch 8 series scores yet another new band attachment mechanism, called Dynamic Lug System, which ensures for a snug fit and reportedly more accurate health monitoring. 

This new band attachment system is not coming to the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), which still relies on the previous push-button mechanism. 

The Titanium Blue version comes with a rich, deep-blue band, which definitely looks super-appealing in renders, and hopefully looks even better in real-life. 

Software & Features

New AI and health features incoming on both

Samsung and Google’s partnership in terms of software carries on, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) will arrive with Wear OS 5 running beneath a refreshed One UI Watch 8 wrapper. 

The new interface is slightly redesigned, with the Now Bar from Samsung’s One UI 7 flagships available on the watch. It shows relevant information like timers and media controls straight on your watchface. Notifications from each app now occupy a single page, giving you richer context and providing with more relevant actions at the bottom. You can also set up to six apps to be featured at the top of the app drawer for quick access. 

A great addition here is Google Gemini, providing you with access to one of the most useful AI assistants straight on your wrist. It can execute multistep actions straight on your watch: you can ask it to start a 5K run and play your workout playlist simultaneously.

Both smartwatches have the same BioActive sensors, supporting ECG, heartrate monitoring, VO2, blood pressure, skin temperature, and more. The Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) and the Galaxy Watch 8 Series arrive with two new health features, called Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index. The former aims to gauge the vascular load on your circulatory system while you’re asleep and provide you with ways to improve it. It tracks your sleep habits, exercise load, and stress levels to determine your vascular load. The other new feature uses sensor data to determine the levels of antioxidants accumulated in your skin. It also gives you recommendations on how to lower your antioxidants.

Other improvements include a new Bedtime Guidance feature that will use Galaxy AI to determine the best times to hit the hay at night, based on your heart rate variability, heart rate, and previous sleep data.

Another new activity-based feature called Running Coach will provide guidance and motivation to runners, give motivational messages, insights, and real-time feedback.

The original Galaxy Watch Ultra should also support all of these once it receives the One UI Watch 8 update.

Battery and ChargingNo changes

No changes in the battery area, so the same 590mAh battery is still used across the line, and the chipset inside remains the same (Samsung’s 3nm Exynos W1000 chip). No changes, indeed. This means the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) boasts the same battery life as its predecessor, likely two to three days based on the usage. 

Charging-wise, it’s the same 10W wireless charging again. 

Both smartwatches are available in a single 47mm size, and you can only have either one with cellular connectivity, which simplifies your choices. 

The price continues to be $649.99 for the standard Galaxy Watch Ultra and the new color version. 

SpecsGalaxy Watch Ultra (2025)Galaxy Watch Ultra Models
47mm
Wi-Fi + Cellular versions
Models
47mm
Wi-Fi + Cellular versionsProcessor
Exynos W1000 chip 3nmProcessor
Exynos W1000 chip 3nmSoftware
WearOS 6, One UI Watch 8Software
WearOS 5, One UI Watch 7 (upgradable to WearOS 6, One UI Watch 8)Battery
590 mAh
10W wireless chargingBattery
590 mAh
10W wireless chargingSensors
BioActive, HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, water/skin temperature
Sensors
BioActive, HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, water/skin temperature
Key features
10ATM, MIL-STD-810H
Gemini AI
Vascular Load, Antioxidant IndexKey features
100ATM, MIL-STD-810H
Gemini AI
Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index (might arrive OTA) 

This year’s refresh of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a pretty minor one, comparable to Apple’s similar refresh of the Apple Watch Ultra a year after its arrival. 

We get a new color, which looks pretty decent actually, more storage, as well as Gemini AI, some neat new health features, as well as a redesigned interface. 

However, most of those features are coming to the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, so aside from the new coat of paint and the extra storage, you won’t get much by upgrading. 

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