Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Two years after the first Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung's rugged flagship returns as a refinement rather than a reinvention. That suits it well. The headline changes are the ones owners of the original would likely ask for: a slimmer case, more durability, a brighter display and a battery GSMArena puts at 35% larger. On paper, the build is about as premium as smartwatches get, with a titanium frame, a sapphire crystal front and a long list of water- and dust-resistance certifications.

This is a watch for Samsung and Android users who want more than a fitness tracker. It suits hikers, trail runners and divers, and anyone who wants to leave the phone behind thanks to LTE and eSIM. Casual users should look at the Galaxy Watch 9 that launched alongside it. That model starts at £319 and keeps much of the core smartwatch experience, but it gives up the Ultra's large battery, ultra-bright display and advanced tracking such as diving. The Ultra 2 comes in a single 47mm size, so anyone with smaller wrists has no alternative within this model.

Judged on what has been verified, the Ultra 2 looks like a well-executed second generation. It improves the things that matter most on an adventure watch: endurance, toughness and readability outdoors.

• Endurance: GSMArena's 35% battery increase over the predecessor is a meaningful jump. Our supplied information doesn't include tested runtime figures, though, so we can't say how many days it actually lasts.
• Toughness: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810H compliance and EN13319 diving certification give it credible outdoor and underwater credentials. Expanded diving tools and a Trail Run mode suggest Samsung is taking the explorer audience seriously.
• Display: A 5000-nit peak should make the screen easy to read in harsh sunlight.
• Smarts: Raise-to-speak access to Gemini and new health features add everyday usefulness. We have no detail on how accurate or polished those health features are.

The drawbacks are real. At £649 it costs £50 more than the original, which pushes it firmly into premium territory. It does still undercut the £749 Apple Watch Ultra 3. Expert Reviews also flags the lack of a rotating crown or bezel, which matters on a watch you may operate with gloves or wet hands. It describes the charging puck as unstable, a small but recurring annoyance. And at roughly 62g with a 47mm case, it is not a subtle watch.

Overall, it is an easy recommendation for its intended audience, with the caveat that our data lacks hands-on battery and tracking-accuracy results. The rating reflects a strong spec-and-feature upgrade tempered by price and control limitations.