I bought Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 – here’s why I have buyer’s remorse

Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely is on sale for $650 in 4 shade choices.
• Its show is vibrant and enormous, the battery lasts by a few days, and LTE is supplied at no further price.
• It is available in a single 47mm measurement, gesture assist is restricted, and exterior sensor connections usually are not supported.

Final 12 months’s Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely was my favourite Google WearOS smartwatch, so once I noticed the 2025 Watch Extremely with its new blue and orange shade scheme that matches my USCG army service colours, I had to purchase it. 

It seems that the brand new shade scheme (and twice the inner storage quantity) are the one {hardware} variations between the 2024 and 2025 Watch Extremely fashions, so if you do not have a burning want for the colour then search for the 2024 mannequin that could be obtainable at a reduced worth.

Additionally: Why I like to recommend this Samsung Galaxy Watch over competing Androids

That being mentioned, there are a handful of latest software program options with Samsung’s new One UI 8 replace, together with Working Coach, Google Gemini (obtainable with a press and maintain of a button), antioxidant measurements from the center price sensor, and vascular load assist. 

Simply be aware that none of those software program options are restricted to the 2025 Galaxy Watch Extremely, so there usually are not many compelling causes to buy the most recent mannequin.

Nonetheless, should you’re in search of extra storage, increasing from 32GB to the brand new mannequin’s 64GB could also be necessary sufficient for some individuals to spring for the brand new watch.   

One purpose I just like the Watch Extremely is the built-in LTE service so I can run safely with out my cellphone and I additionally use the watch to retailer downloaded Spotify music to take pleasure in with bone conduction headsets. With the 2025 Watch Extremely I can now load it up with an enormous assortment of media content material to inspire me to maneuver.  

With the addition of so many new apps for the Watch Extremely, that further cupboard space is perhaps extra beneficial than you’d first suppose. For instance, media playback apps like Spotify are a should for a lot of, whereas health monitoring apps like Strava, Map My Run, or Hole19 are among the most downloaded.

All of those take up area, and the good thing about that further storage finally means extra selections. That is particularly helpful with my new Z Fold 7 that serves as a mini pill whereas the Watch Extremely serves as my communication triage gadget.

I take pleasure in operating and after a few weeks, I discovered the Samsung Working Coach to satisfy my humble wants. I’m not going to win any races, however I just like the audible steering and personalised teaching that this function gives, particularly when it takes me two weeks to finish every week of a coaching plan. The Working Coach does not strain me to run extra usually, however is there to slot in with my schedule and assist my efforts to enhance my efficiency and practice with some variable routines.

Additionally: The most effective Android smartwatches in 2025: Knowledgeable examined and reviewed

Whereas it’s good that each years of the Galaxy Watch Extremely assist the antioxidant index, I’ve but to see any outcome apart from “Low”,  which leaves me to query the utility of this metric. Even once I spend a day consuming salads and fruit, my index worth does not change, and I’m not getting any worth out of this check. 

Vascular load is attention-grabbing to me since I’m now 56 and coronary heart well being is extra necessary now than prior to now. Samsung does a greater job than others at offering you with info on what every metric means and methods in which you’ll be able to enhance for higher well being.

Additionally: My new favourite Android smartwatch rivals Google and Garmin fashions in options and design

When evaluating this watch to others, I attempted out the Galaxy Watch 8 Basic for a few weeks and whereas I like the fluid rotating bezel, the small show and restricted battery life didn’t fulfill me sufficient to surrender the Galaxy Watch Extremely. Samsung made this huge look ahead to individuals like me and the $650 worth remains to be $150 lower than the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Due to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, I’m again to utilizing an Android as my main smartphone and with that transfer, the 2025 Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely is the proper companion. 

The lengthy battery life, correct GPS monitoring and coronary heart price measurements whereas operating, and large watch that matches my wrist effectively signifies that I’ve a mixture to cowl all of my adventures. I do know that the colour of one thing might not be an enormous deal to many individuals, however the truth that I can showcase my faculty and army service colours results in conversations concerning the USCG and wearable expertise.