GoKawiilKaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Rumors are heating up around Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch Ultra, with the rugged flagship expected to return this summer. I’ve tested the Galaxy Watch Ultra since its launch and compared it against just about every major smartwatch competitor along the way. There’s a lot to like about Samsung’s first rugged flagship, and overall, the watch made a strong debut. It also revealed a few opportunities for improvement, especially as competitors like Google continue to push ahead in areas like health tracking and overall refinement.
With the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 expected soon, these are the upgrades I’d most like to see Samsung bring to the table. Some, like the overall design, are fairly subjective. Others feel like dealbreakers if Samsung wants to get me to upgrade.
What improvements do you need to see to upgrade to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2? 19 votes Better battery life 68 % A redesigned case 16 % Improved heart rate accuracy 0 % Broader compatibility for advanced health features 11 % A more affordable price 0 % Other (let us know in the comments!) 5 %
1. A major battery upgrade
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
If Samsung only fixes one thing on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, it needs to be battery life. Recent rumors point to both a larger battery and a more efficient chipset, and that combination should be Samsung’s biggest priority this year.
To be clear, the current Galaxy Watch Ultra doesn’t have bad battery life; it regularly lasts just under three days. But Google’s 45mm Pixel Watch 4 can also stretch to roughly three days in the right conditions, and that’s not even marketed as an adventure-focused device. If Samsung wants the Ultra moniker to mean something, the next generation needs to comfortably clear the three-day mark without battery-saving tricks or constant settings management.
Garmin is still a leading brand when it comes to adventure wearables, and the brand’s watches can last a week or more between charges. I don’t expect Samsung to close that gap overnight, but moving closer would help justify the Ultra’s branding (and pricing). I genuinely don’t see myself upgrading if the new generation doesn’t make meaningful strides.
2. A redesign
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