Samsung galaxy watch ultra 2 review: a revolutionary battery life

After spending 72 hours with Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, it's clear this wearable device is a game-changer. Not only is it thinner and lighter, making it comfortable to wear day and night, but it also boasts an unprecedented 800mAh battery - a whopping 35% increase over its predecessor.

A real-world battery life test

I started the day with 50% battery and ended it at 10pm with 30% remaining, using the always-on display and Info Board watch face. This means a full day of average use drains around 20% of the battery.

During my overnight sleep tracking, I began with 30% battery and woke up to 18% left. This 12% depletion indicates the watch's sleep tracking feature has a moderate impact on the battery life.

After 24 hours of continuous wear, with the always-on display active, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 had consumed approximately 32% of its battery. This translates to a remarkable three days of use before needing a recharge - a significant upgrade from the original Ultra model's two-day lifespan.

However, it's essential to note that these results were achieved without using the GPS for workouts, which typically drains the battery faster. For those who rely on this feature, battery life might be shorter than the estimated three days.

Conversely, if you disable the always-on display and opt for a simpler watch face, you could potentially extend your battery life to nearly four days.

A major setback: charging speed

While the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's massive battery is a triumph, Samsung has not upgraded the charging speed to match its increased capacity. A full charge now takes nearly three hours, a significant drawback for those accustomed to quick 30-minute top-ups.

This slow charging speed is a sore point, especially when compared to Apple Watches and Pixel Watches, which have significantly faster charging times. It's a major shortcoming that detracts from the overall experience of this otherwise impressive smartwatch.