Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Series 8: A Detailed Comparison

## Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Series 8: Detailed Comparison

It can be hard to choose between the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 8. That’s because both are high-end smartwatches with great features.

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a solid titanium bezel and sapphire crystal display, making them premium and durable. They are slightly larger than the Apple Watch, so they may not fit everyone. Being able to use the old lug straps is a good thing, it’s flexibility in strap choice.

The Apple Watch Series 8, on the other hand, has a sleek, minimalist design with an aluminum case. It’s a comfortable and familiar design, especially for those already in the Apple ecosystem. However, the aluminum screen scratches easily, which is a bit disappointing.

Fitness and Health Tracking

Both watches do a great job with fitness tracking, but with different nuances: the heart rate and GPS tracking on the Galaxy Watch Ultra is incredibly accurate, often matching the readings of my Polar H10 chest strap and in some cases even outperforming the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is a beast for serious athletes, and it also offers advanced fitness tracking with customizable workouts and heart rate zones. Seamless integration with Apple Fitness+ is also available, which is a nice bonus for those invested in the Apple ecosystem. The Series 8 also includes comprehensive health monitoring features such as temperature detection, blood oxygen monitoring, and car crash detection, although some of these features may not be utilized by everyone.

Daily Use and Battery Life

For everyday use, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a reliable partner. The watch’s customizable face is easy to read, and pinch gestures are very handy for turning off alarms and notifications. However, the buttons aren’t optimized for workout navigation, and the marine strap can snag on objects. Battery life is about 2.5 days with an hour-long GPS workout, which isn’t bad but not revolutionary.

The Apple Watch Series 8 has fast charging and an always-on display, which is good for everyday use. However, battery life is limited to about one day of normal use and they need to be recharged daily. Also, the digital crown can malfunction and cause the volume to change unintentionally, which can be annoying.

Pros and Cons

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Pros:

• Very accurate heart rate tracking and GPS, comparable to a high-end fitness watch.
• Comfortable to wear for long periods of time, including while sleeping.
• Flexible strap selection, compatible with older straps.
• Customizable dial with useful information.
• Convenient pinch gesture to turn off alarms and notifications.

Disadvantages of Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra:

• Buttons are not optimized for workout navigation.
• Navy strap snags on objects due to protrusion.
• The strap is difficult to put on and takes more effort than expected.
• Samsung cell phones cannot be used for charging due to the large sensor.

Benefits of Apple Watch Series 8:

• Fast charging allows you to turn the watch on quickly.
• Always-on display provides easy access to information.
• Advanced fitness tracking Customizable workout and heart rate zones.
• Seamless integration with iPhone for notifications, calls and Apple Pay.
• Rugged design with shock, dust and water protection.

Disadvantages of Apple Watch Series 8:

• Battery life is limited to about one day with normal use and requires daily charging.
• The aluminum screen scratches easily and requires a screen protector.
• Digital crown may not work properly, resulting in unintended volume changes.
• Some features, such as blood oxygen level monitoring and vehicle collision detection, may not be available to all users.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 8 are great smartwatches, but they fulfill different needs: the Galaxy Watch Ultra is a rugged and feature-rich choice for Android users who care about fitness tracking and durability. The Apple Watch Series 8 is a simple and convenient option for iPhone users who value integration and health monitoring. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities and ecosystem preferences.