It was one of those gray, late-November mornings, when the air smells like coffee and deadlines, and every tech website is glowing with flashing red banners that scream: “Cyber Monday. Don’t Miss This.” I wasn’t really in the market for a smartwatch. My wrists had been bare for months, maybe even longer, after I’d grown tired of the usual suspects in wearable tech—products that all felt like slight variations of the same idea. But then I stumbled across the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.
And something clicked.
Maybe it was the name—“Ultra” always gets my attention—or maybe it was the brutal, chunky design, so unapologetically bold that I couldn’t look away. Maybe it was the price, temporarily cut down during Cyber Monday, which took the \$650 retail sticker and slashed it to a place where I could say “yes” without having to debate myself in three different tabs.
Whatever the reason, I bought it. And a few weeks later, I’m still thinking about that decision, because this isn’t just another smartwatch. This is the first one in a long time that feels like it was made for someone who doesn’t just want notifications on their wrist. This thing wants to be worn. It wants to be noticed. And despite its flaws, I can’t stop loving it.
A Bold Look That Dares to Be Different
I didn’t expect to fall for the way it looks. Most smartwatches, even expensive ones, try to blend into your wrist, quietly pretending to be analog timepieces or fitness trackers. The Galaxy Watch Ultra doesn’t pretend. It announces itself.
The watch case is boxy and industrial, like someone shrunk a piece of military hardware and strapped it to your arm. The contrast between the squared-off body and the circular AMOLED screen sounds awkward on paper, but on my wrist, it feels sharp, modern, and just plain cool. It’s got a distinctiveness that’s hard to put into words, but the moment I saw it on my wrist, I knew this wasn’t a clone of anything. It’s its own thing.
I wore it to a dinner party recently. Someone stopped me halfway through the night just to ask what it was. That hasn’t happened since I wore the original Moto 360 back in 2014.
Comfortable Despite Its Size
Don’t get me wrong: this is a large watch. If you’re used to something light and slim like the Galaxy Watch 6 or Apple Watch SE, the Ultra might feel intimidating at first. It’s heavier, more assertive. But I found that I adjusted within a couple of days. It’s the kind of weight that feels intentional, not burdensome. The strap is soft but sturdy, easily adjustable, and made to withstand workouts, weather, and everything in between.
Even with the size, it never felt awkward or cumbersome during the day. I wore it while typing, while sleeping, while lifting weights at the gym, and even during a light run through wet December streets. It stayed snug, never irritating, and always easy to glance at for info without breaking pace.
A Screen That’s Bright Enough to Burn Through the Clouds
The display is the first thing most people notice, and with good reason. At 1.5 inches, the AMOLED screen is massive and vivid. What stunned me wasn’t just the color reproduction—which is excellent—or the clarity—but the brightness. It maxes out at 3000 nits. That number didn’t mean much to me until I stepped outside at noon on a cloudless day and could still read every word on the screen like I was indoors.
For everything from navigating with Google Maps to quickly checking Spotify while squinting against winter sunlight, this screen performs beautifully. Samsung nailed this part. It’s what premium should feel like.
All-Day Performance and Solid Battery Life
I’ve worn smartwatches that died halfway through the day. I’ve also worn those that lasted long but looked like plastic toys. The Galaxy Watch Ultra strikes a near-perfect balance.
On a full charge, I consistently get around two full days of battery life. That’s with the always-on display enabled, regular heart-rate tracking, sleep monitoring, a couple of workouts, and notifications constantly buzzing through. I could probably stretch it further if I disabled some features, but honestly, I don’t want to. I bought this watch to use it.
Charging is the only area where I wanted more. It takes about 90 minutes to go from nearly empty to full. That’s not slow, but it’s also not what I’d call “fast charging.” I often wish I could just top it off during a 15-minute coffee break, but that’s not quite realistic yet.
I use a fast USB-C charger from BestBuy.com, one of those compact GaN bricks, and it helps keep things efficient. You can also find a wide range of Samsung-compatible chargers on Amazon.com and Newegg.com, both of which had decent Cyber Monday bundles this year.
Health and Fitness Features That Actually Matter
Here’s where this watch went from “nice gadget” to “daily essential.”
Samsung packed the Galaxy Watch Ultra with nearly every health metric you could want: heart rate, sleep tracking, SpO2, ECG, stress levels, body composition, and—maybe the most important for some—sleep apnea detection. That last one hit home for me.
I’ve always suspected I had sleep issues but never enough to go through the hassle of getting tested. The Galaxy Watch Ultra flagged multiple nights of poor oxygen saturation. That pushed me to schedule a sleep study. It’s not dramatic to say this watch might have just saved my long-term health.
Workout tracking is just as robust. It has built-in GPS that locked in faster than any Garmin or Apple Watch I’ve tried. I took it on a trail hike in Marin County, and the route mapping was spot-on. It even told me how “ready” my body was for exercise each morning based on sleep, activity, and heart variability. I’ve seen similar features on the Whoop Band and Garmin Fenix, but never this well integrated into a general-purpose smartwatch.
Software That’s Finally Worth the Hardware
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs Wear OS, customized with Samsung’s One UI Watch skin. It’s responsive, fluid, and more stable than I expected. I’ve used older versions of Wear OS and found them clunky or battery-hungry. This feels like a mature, thought-out system.
Apps like Google Assistant, Spotify, Google Maps, and Samsung Health work seamlessly. I especially appreciate how smooth notifications are, and how easy it is to reply with quick messages or voice dictation.
And the new “Quick Button”? Absolute gold. You can assign it to trigger workouts, flashlight mode, or anything else. I use it to start my morning run with a single press.
Compatibility Caveats
Now, there’s one big thing you should know: the Galaxy Watch Ultra does not work with iPhones.
This is a big shift. Older Galaxy Watches at least offered limited compatibility. Not anymore. This is a strictly Android-only affair. So if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, you’re out of luck. That’s a shame, because I know a few iPhone users who would love the design and features.
If you’re on Android—especially if you’re using a Samsung phone—you’re going to have the smoothest, most integrated experience possible. Fast pairing, deep system access, and support for Samsung Pay and Health mean it just works without friction.
Alternatives That Might Tempt You
If the Galaxy Watch Ultra feels like too much—whether it’s the price, the size, or the aggressive design—there are a few excellent alternatives worth considering.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 – It shares a lot of the same features but comes in a smaller, more traditional design. Still IP68 rated, still packed with health sensors. You can pick one up from Walmart, Samsung.com, or Target with regular discounts.
- Google Pixel Watch 2 – Sleeker, rounder, and more understated. It lacks some of the Ultra’s fitness-tracking depth but nails the smart features. Available from Google Store, Best Buy, and Amazon.
- Garmin Venu 3 – If you’re all about fitness, the Venu 3 is incredibly powerful. It doesn’t match the Ultra’s smart capabilities, but as a health tracker, it’s elite. Grab one from B\&H Photo or Adorama.
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 – If you’re in the Apple world, this is the only real competitor. It has a similarly bold design and fitness focus, though I find the Galaxy Watch Ultra more visually interesting. Find it through Apple.com or Verizon Wireless.
Why This Was The Cyber Monday Deal for Me
We all have different triggers when it comes to impulse tech buys. For me, it’s usually a mix of curiosity, FOMO, and the fantasy of a better version of my daily routine. Most Cyber Monday deals give you a slight discount on something you’re not entirely sure you need. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, though, felt like something I wanted to need.
And once it arrived, I realized it wasn’t a fantasy at all.
It helped me track real health data. It motivated me to move more. It fit my style. It gave me quick access to things that matter. And it did it all in a way that felt cohesive, polished, and powerful.
I still wear it every day. Every time I glance at it, I remember that perfect blend of form and function that only comes along every few years. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best Cyber Monday deals aren’t the cheapest—they’re the ones that genuinely enhance your life.
Where to Buy One Now
If you missed Cyber Monday, don’t panic. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is still available—and depending on the day, you might find another solid deal:
- Amazon.com – Frequent flash deals and bundle discounts, especially around shopping holidays.
- BestBuy.com – One of the most reliable for fast shipping, easy returns, and open-box options.
- Samsung.com – Always worth checking for enhanced trade-in offers, financing plans, and exclusive colors.
- Walmart.com – Offers solid pricing and often includes free 2-day shipping.
- B\&H Photo – Great for tech enthusiasts and professional support.
I also recommend signing up for price-drop alerts on Slickdeals.net or installing the Honey browser extension to catch coupons automatically when shopping online.
So yeah—this was the one for me. Among all the deals, discounts, and digital clutter of Cyber Monday, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra stood out like a beacon on my wrist. And if you’re thinking about getting one, just know you’re not buying a trend—you’re buying something that actually lives up to the hype.
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