Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025): Everything you need to know

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) is the official name for the second generation of Samsung's flagship watch. Compared to the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, it's more expensive and loses the rotating bezel, but has several perks like enhanced battery life to justify the price.

This watch isn't especially different from last year's Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024), but it's also not identical! There are slight specs changes and a new Titanium Blue color option to tempt you.

Here's everything you need to know about the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025).

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) price and launch

At the summer Galaxy Unpacked on July 9, Samsung revealed that the Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and Watch Ultra (2025) would all ship on July 25.

While the Watch 8 series got a significant price bump, the Galaxy Watch Ultra kept the same price as last year: $649. The price gap between the Watch 8 ($350) and Ultra is still wide, but the Classic ($499) is only $150 cheaper — or $100 cheaper with LTE added to match the Ultra.

If you buy the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) from Samsung, you'll find a pre-order trade-in bonus credit to make the price more accessible. For example, trading in a Watch 6 Classic or Watch 5 Pro will bring the price down to $400. Unfortunately, there isn't an option to trade in the Ultra (2024) yet.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) design and specs

The Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) will look familiar because it's virtually unchanged from last year's model, from the 1.5-inch AMOLED display to the squircle titanium case. It's the other Watch 8 models that have now morphed to look more like the Ultra, only smaller and lighter.

The Ultra (2025) measures 47.4 x 47.1 x 12.1 and weighs 60.5g without the case; these stats exactly match last year's model. The same applies to its durability rating (10ATM, MIL-STD-810H) and battery capacity (590mAh).

The only noticeable hardware difference is that the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) offers 64GB of storage for music and apps, double what the 2024 model offered. It'll have 50GB available out of the box, subtracting predownloaded software.

Compared to the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, the Watch Ultra is thicker but slightly lighter, with a larger display (1.5 inches vs. 1.34) and a battery capacity boost (590mAh vs. 445mAh). The core performance is the same, and both devices have three buttons with the added Quick Button. But the Ultra still relies on the digital bezel, while the Classic has the benefit of rotating bezel controls.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) software

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The Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) will launch with One UI 8 Watch, with health features like the Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, Bedtime Guidance, and Vascular Load. These features will do everything from judge the carotene levels in your body from fruits and veggies to warn you how much stress your heart is under or create a running training plan based on your abilities.

Samsung and Google have also confirmed that Gemini will replace Google Assistant on Wear OS 6 watches. Gemini will require an internet connection, but not necessarily a phone; if you set up the Ultra (2025) to use its built-in cellular data, it should be able to deliver answers without your phone nearby.

The Watch Ultra (2025) should get four years of One UI Watch version and security updates through 2029, whereas last year's Ultra loses support in 2028. But we're still waiting for official confirmation on this.

Should you buy the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)?

If you already own a Galaxy Watch Ultra, there's very little reason to buy the new one. Samsung's site doesn't show an option to swap the 2024 model for the 2025 one. You'd have to pay full price just to get the stylish Titanium Blue and some extra music playlist space, along with One UI 8 Watch features that the 2024 model will get in a few months.

But if you're a long-time Galaxy Watch fan considering an upgrade, the Ultra is compelling for the same reason as last year: You get a significant battery life boost over the Watch 8 series to spare you frequent charging. The built-in LTE is nice if you like to leave your phone at home, and the titanium case looks sleek.

Still, even if the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) will be one of the best Android watches on the market, it's as expensive as ever! So don't upsell yourself into buying one unless you're sure you can accept things like the heavy weight and lack of rotating bezel. Ideally, you'll have a Galaxy Watch to trade in and make the price more accessible.