Samsung is taking a page out of Apple’s playbook with the latest update to the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Remember when we were all eagerly awaiting the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s release last fall, only to be disappointed by a new color option for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 instead? Well, that’s almost the same scenario with the new Galaxy Watch Ultra.
This time, the new model introduces a fourth color, but very few other upgrades over the first-generation rugged Samsung smartwatch.
This is not the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
In my opinion, it would have made more sense for the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic to be accompanied by a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. But Samsung’s smartwatch branding is as unpredictable as ever, especially when you consider the disappearance of the Pro model after the Galaxy Watch 5 and the absence of a Classic version from last year’s Galaxy Watch 7 lineup.
This time around, the Galaxy Watch Ultra isn’t getting a full sequel, perhaps because the original model was simply too good to justify an immediate upgrade. It remains unclear whether a true Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will arrive next year, but for now, it’s worth noting that the “new” model comes with 64GB of internal storage, doubling the original’s 32GB. While this isn’t groundbreaking, it’s certainly an improvement, and it may be tied to the One UI 8 Watch update Samsung is rolling out. This update, based on Google’s Wear OS 6 (built on Android 16), will be preloaded on the new Galaxy Watch Ultra, with plans for older models to receive it soon as well.
The most noticeable change from a design standpoint is the addition of a Titanium Blue variant to the existing color lineup of Titanium White, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gray. That means there are now four titanium color options to choose from, which is nice, though it’s a bit strange that black is still missing. Beyond that, the hardware remains largely unchanged, with a single 47mm case size and standard 4G LTE connectivity
. The suggested retail price in the US is $649.99, although with no full spec sheet yet, there may be additional tweaks that could be revealed in the coming days.
Should you get the (not really) new Galaxy Watch Ultra?
Probably not, at least not on pre-order for $649.99, especially when the previous model is going for $325 less on Amazon for Prime members. It’s a tough time to release an updated smartwatch, especially when the new Galaxy Watch 8 models feature a more modern “cushion” (squircle) design, making the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s unique look feel less so. However, with Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 approaching and the possibility of the original model disappearing or increasing in price, this new version with more storage and an attractive blue color could be one of the top choices for 2025, especially for outdoor enthusiasts and Android users.
The new Galaxy Watch Ultra is set for commercial release on July 25, 2025, following a pre-order period in select markets worldwide.