Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Cream of the smartwatch crop

From a design perspective, the Galaxy Watch carries some resemblance and inherits design cues from the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Samsung has set its sights on a peculiar design that combines a circular display with a "squircle" case, essentially a lovechild of a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and the Apple Watch Ultra. 

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts a titanium squircle case, which is quite similar to what the Galaxy Watch would look like, but the difference is that you get a much more screen real estate thanks to the more efficient use of space.  

The case of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is made of titanium for a lightweight and premium experience, while sapphire protects the screen from scratches. The smartwatch is available in a single 47mm size, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in a slightly larger 49mm case. 

Samsung has thrown in a third button between the traditional two. Called the "Quick Button", this one is customizable, allowing you to map different apps or shortcuts to it, just like the Apple Watch Ultra's Action Button. 

When it comes to bands, Samsung utilizes the same One-Click watch bands that debuted with the Galaxy Watch 6 generation last year. Unlike previous latch mechanisms, the new ones allow you to quickly detach the band by simply pressing a single button, which is quite user-friendly. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, relies on the same tried-and-tested band attaching mechanism that Apple has been using for a decade. A button on the bottom of the Apple Watch lets you quickly unbuckle the band.  

The latter is available with three stock bands: Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band. 

The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with Google's upcoming Wear OS 5. There will be an optional new grid-based app launcher on deck. Users will be able to select media output device with Wear OS 5. Another round of improvements goes to watch faces, which will feature themes, updates to complications, new heart rate data source, and more. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, is currently available with watchOS 10, but will get watchOS 11 this fall. The upcoming software version will arrive with a new health-related metric, dubbed Vitals, which will provide you with a summary of overnight trends for your heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, and sleep duration. 

A new Training Load metric in the Activity app will let you explore the intensity of your workouts and make an informed decision on how to adjust your exercise routine. For the first time on the Apple Watch, you will be able to pause your activity rings in order to save your streak if you're forced to take a break.

You can also customize your activity goals for every day of the week. Enhanced watch face customization is also coming to watchOS 11. 

Aside from those software differences, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has the same selection of health-related features as the previous Galaxy Watch 6 generation. 

The Galaxy Watch Ultra will only work with Android devices, but you will have a limited functionality if you use with a non-Galaxy phone. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also works with iPhones only. 

Charging-wise, the Galaxy Watch Ultra doesn't come with conventional Qi wireless charging support, so you need to use Samsung's proprietary charger. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, takes roughly an hour and a half for a full charge, but a one-hour charge nets you 80% of battery charge, which is plenty.