How I came to adore the impressive Galaxy Watch Ultra.

      I put the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra back on while beginning my review of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it has largely remained on my wrist since. Initially, I intended to test the Galaxy AI’s Now Brief feature, but I've emerged truly enamored with Samsung’s most impressive smartwatch. Here’s how it unfolded.

      I missed the other Ultra

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Upon embracing my new affection for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, I reflected on the origins of this infatuation and recalled a significant moment. When I purchased my titanium Apple Watch Series 10, I traded in the original Apple Watch Ultra to mitigate the hefty price. I was aware that I would miss the Apple Watch Ultra, but the fantastic Apple Watch Series 10 quickly made me forget that sorrow.

      While I wore the Galaxy Watch Ultra for some time in mid-2024, I was primarily captivated by the stunning Ultra Analog watch face and didn't delve too deeply into the watch itself. In hindsight, I wonder if part of the reason was that I still had the Apple Watch Ultra available as an option when I wanted a large, bold, slightly eccentric smartwatch. Today, that’s simply not the case.

      Another factor contributed to this change. At the end of last year, I bought a new strap for my Oris Aquis GMT watch, which happened to be orange, drastically changing its appearance, and I absolutely love the bright orange strap. My Galaxy Watch Ultra now sports Samsung’s orange Marine Band, and I’ve seized every chance to showcase it. My appreciation for the Galaxy Watch Ultra has undoubtedly been enhanced by the Oris. Everything coincided to ensure that this time, when I donned the Galaxy Watch Ultra, it would be hard to resist.

      Such a statement

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      I’m drawn to watches that command attention. This is why I am fond of Casio G-Shock watches, especially the vividly colored Frogman dive models, and why I was initially captivated by the Apple Watch Ultra. The Galaxy Watch Ultra certainly makes a statement. While you likely recognize its size—a substantial 47mm wide and 12.1mm thick—the measurements alone don’t capture the whole experience.

      The last time I wore the Galaxy Watch Ultra was during summer; now, I’m using it in winter and am dressed in hoodies and jackets. Any watch I wear needs to slide comfortably under cuffs without being a hassle. The Watch Ultra craves the spotlight and isn’t content to be concealed; its presence is felt and seen constantly. It can be somewhat uncomfortable as the rubber strap clings to fabric, twisting everything when I move.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Nonetheless, I haven’t minded. I’ve proudly worn it with my cuff pushed back from the robust case, embracing its size and color. When I first tried the Galaxy Watch Ultra, I compared its circle-in-a-square design to certain creations from watchmaker Bell & Ross, and now that I have one of its pilot's watches, I intend to fully enjoy its striking appearance.

      What about functionality?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      While it's great to love the design, I also needed to consider its performance. The One UI Watch 6.0 software features a logical, user-friendly layout unique to Samsung's smartwatches, although it can be intricate and demands attention during the initial days of use. This includes ensuring it tracks all your health metrics, installing necessary apps on your phone, or setting up applications like WhatsApp on the watch itself.

      Even after investing time to set everything up, it doesn’t always guarantee functionality. Sleep tracking worked initially but then abruptly ceased, and I have no explanation. I have yet to get it operational again. While this isn’t a major issue—since the Galaxy Watch Ultra can be worn overnight, its size makes it quite noticeable. Notifications can be sporadic, but this is a broader issue with Google's Wear OS rather than an inherent flaw in the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The Ultra is intended for sports enthusiasts, and although I don’t push its capabilities to the limits, I do appreciate features like the efficient automatic workout tracking. It syncs with Samsung Health on your phone. While the app is well-designed, it doesn’t seem to cater particularly to intense athletes who might prefer Garmin smartwatches. For me, as a casual exerciser at best, it serves its purpose well.

      One to buy in 2025?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The Galaxy Watch Ultra currently stands as Samsung's premier smartwatch, and we don’t anticipate its replacement until late 2025. What Samsung will offer as a successor is uncertain; the brand has varied its strategy for its higher-end smartwatches with different models like Pro, Classic, and Ultra over the years. What they will develop this year is anyone's guess, and you shouldn’t hesitate to buy the Ultra fearing the launch of an Ultra 2.

      However, the price tag