Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Ultra: Which Smartwatch Reigns Supreme?

The Galaxy Watch series offers some of the most advanced health and fitness capabilities integrated with the Samsung ecosystem.

The Galaxy Watch 7 is a premium smartwatch, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra focuses on a rugged design, a titanium case, sapphire crystal protection, and advanced health monitoring.

Keep reading to learn how the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra compare.

Overall Findings

Although both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra perform exceptionally well running Samsung's Wear OS, we prefer the 7 for daily fitness tracking and the Ultra for extreme sports and outdoor adventures.

The Watch 7 emphasizes fitness and health tracking notifications, whereas the Ultra's advanced health metrics monitor your vitals in greater detail.

Additionally, the Ultra excels with its GPS capabilities. Its multi-band GPS supports major systems (e.g., GPS and Galileo) and features a built-in barometric altimeter, which tracks elevation changes during hiking or mountain traversing. It offers a complete set of advanced health metrics, e.g. heart rate to blood oxygen saturation, for a quick health overview.

Design and Durability: Watch 7 Is Sleek; Ultra Is Rugged

If you prefer a clean, minimalist look with lighter weight and durable casing, go for the Galaxy Watch 7. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, it offers a larger face for viewing advanced health metrics, GPS data, and more (though it might feel bulky on smaller wrists).

For extreme environments with high heat and water resistance, choose the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Its military-standard construction (MIL-STD-810H) and scratch-resistant flat sapphire crystal display make it ideal for virtually any water activity, including swimming, diving, and deep water activity.

Apart from its physical construction, both the 7 and the Ultra offer several customization options. For example, you can get new watch faces through the Galaxy Wearable app, directly on the watch, or via the Galaxy Store.

Other elements you can customize include Always On Display (AOD) mode, the ability to add or remove detailed information like heart rate and weather alerts, and widgets for one-tap access to your favorite news, sports, and more.

Performance: Choose the Ultra for More Storage and Battery Life

Although both the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra perform well, the Ultra has superior specs. The Ultra’s 2GB RAM and 32GB storage surpasses the 7’s 1.5GB RAM and 16GB storage. Additionally, it boasts a longer battery life of up to 72 hours, reducing the frequency of charging. The Ultra also includes advanced health tracking features like blood oxygen level monitoring and ECG measurement.

Adventure-related sensors such as barometers and altimeters help track elevation and weather changes.

In summary, the Ultra offers the ultimate performance, while the 7 is ideal for general fitness tracking and daily use.

Health: General vs. 'Extreme' Fitness Tracking

The Galaxy Watch 7 provides comprehensive health and fitness tracking, offering an overview of key metrics like heart rate, sleep patterns, and body composition. It supports multiple workout modes, optimizing feedback based on activity, such as strength training or rowing.

In turn, the Galaxy Watch Ultra takes it even further with a military-grade construction, environmental sensors (e.g., barometric pressure), and advanced health metrics like ECG readings and heart rate variability. It also features outdoor-specific capabilities, including hydration level insights and more.

Battery Life: Ultra Has The Edge

The Galaxy Watch Ultra excels in battery life, offering up to 72 hours compared to the 7’s 40 hours. Its charging speed, reaching 50% in less than an hour, is also impressive.

We also love the Ultra's various battery modes to optimize performance based on activity, such as "Expedition Mode," which minimizes downtime during long expeditions by allowing rapid recharging between sessions.

The Ultra also supports wireless charging using compatible Qi chargers. It's a convenient feature that eliminates the need to carry a watch-centric USB cable. Plus, the dedicated charging dock not only looks stylish but also makes it very easy to charge the device.

Final Verdict: Ultra Is The Pick

The Galaxy Watch 7 is best for general fitness tracking, health monitoring, and intelligent notifications.

Get the Galaxy Watch 7 on Amazon:

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its rugged military-grade construction, advanced GPS tracking, and additional sensors for detailed environmental data. In other words, if you're looking to push your limits, go with the Ultra.

Get the Galaxy Watch Ultra on Amazon:

Ultimately, both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra excel in health and fitness tracking. If you can stomach the Ultra's huge price difference and like its bulkier look, it's the clear winner.