Samsung's galaxy watch ultra 2: a battery beast with a charging curse

Samsung's latest Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a powerhouse of a smartwatch, boasting an impressive 35% bigger battery at 800mAh. However, this size increase comes with a major drawback: an agonizingly slow charging time.

Three days of battery life, but at what cost?

While the extended battery life is undoubtedly a major selling point, Samsung's decision to cram this larger battery into a thinner body has resulted in a charging speed that's nothing short of frustrating.

Our testing revealed that the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 took a staggering four hours to fully charge from a dead battery using Samsung's official 25-watt charger and magnetic puck. This is particularly egregious given the watch's intended 24/7 use as a health companion and activity tracker.

A smartwatch that can't spare a few minutes?

Apple and Google have wisely focused on delivering faster charging speeds for their smartwatches, recognizing the importance of short top-up sessions throughout the day. With the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, even a 30-minute charge only yields 18% battery life, whereas the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can recover between 55-60% in the same time frame.

This disparity becomes even more glaring when considering a full hour of charging. After an hour, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 manages a paltry 30% recharge, while the Galaxy Watch 9 40mm achieves 48%. The Pixel Watch 4 and Apple Watch Series 11 can both deliver 80% of their battery in the same timeframe.

In essence, Samsung has solved the battery anxiety problem but introduced a new, equally frustrating concern: charging anxiety.