Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra are designed to compete with Apple's wearables, and are undeniably excellent. Both wearables launched on July 10 during the Galaxy Unpacked event, with numerous features differentiating them.
The Ultra is more expensive, tougher, and bigger with better water resistance, LTE, and extra sports features. But it's bulkier and less comfortable for sleep tracking. Meanwhile, the Watch 7 costs less, is lighter and smaller, lacks LTE, but still carries most of the same health and fitness features. Here's their difference in detail.
Overview: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 & Watch Ultra differences
| Images: |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Components | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 (3 nm), Penta-core | Exynos W1000 (3 nm), Penta-core |
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB, no card slot | 32 GB, no card slot |
| Display | 1.5 inches, 480 x 480 pixels, Super AMOLED | 1.5 inches, 480 x 480 pixels, Super AMOLED |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE, NFC, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE, NFC, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Battery | 425 mAh, 10W wireless charging | 590 mAh, 10W wireless charging |
| Price | $300 | $650 |
Design
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a durable device with a traditional round design and size options in 40mm and 44mm. It has a sapphire crystal screen, whose material is harder than most, and an Armor Aluminum 2 frame. There's an eSIM slot for connectivity and the watch meets the MIL-STD-810H certification that proves it can endure temperature changes, humidity, and tough environments. It also has an IP68 rating for dust and water, and is submersible in 50 meters of water for about 10 minutes.
On the other hand, the Watch Ultra is more rugged, durable, and built for outdoor enthusiasts. Its titanium frame is stronger, but it uses the same sapphire crystal protection for the front. It also shares the same military-grade durability standards, although its water resistance extends to 100 meters, making it the better option for water sports.
The Watch 7 comes with a fabric band in cream and other colors. You can choose from green or cream for the watch itself. The band fits medium and large sizes, and you can select from three band types while ordering, including Athleisure, Fabric, and Sport. Meanwhile, Watch Ultra comes in three shades of Titanium; Silver, gray, and white. You can choose from different band types, including Marine, Trail, and Peakform, and it’s available in a medium and large sizes.
Display
Although the Galaxy Watch Ultra is larger in size compared to the Galaxy Watch 7, it doesn’t have a significantly larger screen. Both the Ultra and the 44mm Galaxy Watch 7 have a 1.5-inch and 480 x 480 Super AMOLED display, while the 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 has a smaller 1.3-inch, 432 x 432 screen.
The Ultra's screen is much brighter, reaching up to 3,000 nits. It's easier to see in bright sunlight compared to the Galaxy Watch 7 that's capped at 2,000 nits. Both watches support the Always-On Display (AOD) feature.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra have similar performance specs. Both use the Exynos W1000 processor and come with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. The processor is a big upgrade from the W930 chip on the Watch 6. It uses a newer 3-nanometer process, and a powerful Cortex-A78 core with four Cortex-A55 cores. It also has double the storage as rumored at 32GB and better GPS with dual-frequency tracking.
The Watch Ultra has the better battery, and it's not surprising. The capacity is 590mAh, while the Watch 7’s capacity is 424mAh. That's a 38% capacity difference, and the promise of longer usage time between charges on the Watch Ultra. Both batteries support 10W wireless charging (Qi), so the charging speed is the same.
Metric tracking
The Galaxy Watch 7 lets you track health metrics like ECG and blood pressure monitoring. It uses Samsung's BioActive sensor that checks your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, body composition and fat. The sensor also measures advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are compounds that build up in your body as you age or if you have certain health conditions. It's one metric you shouldn't do without if you want to understand how your lifestyle and diet might be affecting your overall health.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra includes everything the Galaxy Watch 7 offers, plus a few extra features. It has a multi-sports tile for tracking all your complex workouts like triathlon training. It will also measure your Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling, and includes an 85dB emergency siren for safety in case you get lost or need help.
Key takeaway
The Galaxy Watch 7 is generally more affordable, starting around $300, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra is positioned as a premium option, starting at approximately $650. You'll get more value for your money if you buy the Watch 7, and only care for everyday use. It's only a slightly watered down version of the Watch Ultra.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch Ultra best fits extreme conditions with a rugged titanium body, better water resistance, and extra fitness tracking features.
