Samsung’s next premium smartwatch is shaping up to be a top contender in the rugged wearable market. Newly leaked renders, shared by a reliable industry tipster, offer the most comprehensive look yet at the upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The images reveal a refined design with robust features, confirming that Samsung is doubling down on its strategy to compete with premium outdoor-focused smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra.
The renders, which appear to be official Samsung marketing materials, show the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from every angle. The most striking element is the use of a squircle shape—a rounded square that has become the signature look of the Galaxy Watch Ultra line. This design language debuted last year with the original Galaxy Watch Ultra and was well-received for its tough, masculine aesthetic. The new model retains that core shape but introduces subtle refinements that signal an evolution rather than a revolution.
Design and Build
The leaked images depict at least two color options: a sleek black variant and a greenish finish that closely resembles the Graphite colorway seen on the upcoming standard Galaxy Watch 9. These color choices mark a departure from earlier rumors, which suggested Titanium Gray and Titanium Silver options. The discrepancy hints that Samsung may be finalizing its color palette closer to launch, or that multiple versions will be available in different regions.
The back of the watch is especially revealing. Engraved markings confirm a 47mm case size, making it slightly larger than the original Galaxy Watch Ultra (which was 47mm as well) and similar in footprint to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm). Other engravings indicate the use of sapphire crystal protection for the display, LTE connectivity for standalone cellular use, GPS for precise location tracking, and a 10ATM water resistance rating—meaning it can withstand water pressure up to 100 meters, suitable for scuba diving and high-speed water sports.
On the right side of the watch, Samsung has maintained its familiar three-button layout. A large circular action button sits in the center, featuring an orange accent ring that adds a pop of color and aids in quick identification. Above and below it are two elongated metallic buttons, which likely serve as customizable shortcuts. Button placement mirrors the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, ensuring continuity for users upgrading from the previous generation.
Rotating Bezel: A Lost Classic Returns?
One of the most debated features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra series has been the presence – or absence – of a rotating bezel. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra had a fixed bezel with engraved markings, but the renders of the Ultra 2 show a raised bezel with minute-style markings and numerals at intervals, including an orange triangular marker at the 12 o’clock position. This is strikingly similar to the rotating bezel found on last year’s Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. With rumors suggesting Samsung will not launch a new Classic model this year, it is plausible that the company is bringing that iconic navigation feature to the Ultra line.
The rotating bezel has been a beloved feature of Samsung’s smartwatches since the Gear S3 series. It allows precise scrolling through menus and apps without smudging the touchscreen. If confirmed, this addition would set the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 apart from the Apple Watch Ultra, which relies entirely on touch and a digital crown. The integration of a physical rotating bezel in a rugged watch could be a significant competitive advantage for Samsung, especially among outdoor enthusiasts who often use gloves that make touchscreen interaction difficult.
Internal Specifications and Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to be a powerhouse. Samsung has already confirmed that its upcoming smartwatch lineup will utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform. This chipset, based on a 4nm process, offers significant performance and efficiency improvements over previous generations. It features a dedicated AI engine that can handle advanced health tracking algorithms without draining the battery. The Snapdragon Wear Elite also supports always-on display (AOD) with minimal power consumption, which is critical for a rugged watch intended for extended outdoor use.
Battery life has always been a concern for smartwatch users, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 aims to address that with a rumored 784mAh cell. This is a substantial increase from the original Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 590mAh battery (based on the 47mm version). The larger capacity, combined with the efficiency of the new chipset, could deliver multi-day battery life even with continuous health monitoring and GPS tracking enabled. In comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers up to 36 hours of normal use and 72 hours in low-power mode. Samsung’s offering could potentially surpass that, giving it a strong selling point for hikers, runners, and travelers.
Storage is also expected to see a bump. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra came with 16GB of internal storage, but the Ultra 2 might double that to 32GB, allowing users to store more offline music and navigation maps directly on the watch. RAM is likely to remain at 2GB, which has been sufficient for smooth performance on Wear OS.
Samsung’s Rugged Watch Lineage
The Galaxy Watch Ultra series represents Samsung’s answer to the growing demand for outdoor-focused smartwatches. While the company has long offered durable watches under the “Active” and “Active 2” lines, the Ultra series was the first to explicitly target the premium rugged segment. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra, launched in 2024, featured a titanium case, sapphire crystal display, and MIL-STD-810H certification for military-grade durability. It also included advanced health sensors such as a temperature sensor, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for body composition, and an improved heart rate monitor.
The Ultra 2 builds on that foundation. The leaked renders confirm the use of sapphire crystal, which is highly scratch-resistant and ideal for outdoor activities where the watch may come into contact with rocks, tools, or other abrasive surfaces. Titanium remains the likely case material, though official confirmation is pending. The 10ATM water resistance rating is a step up from the 5ATM rating found on many standard smartwatches and matches the Apple Watch Ultra 2, making it suitable for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters.
Software and Health Features
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will almost certainly run Wear OS 4.5 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 6 overlay. This software combination offers seamless integration with Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as well as broad compatibility with Android devices. Key features expected include advanced sleep tracking with sleep apnea detection (where approved), stress monitoring, body composition analysis, and an enhanced workout tracker that automatically detects activities like swimming, running, and hiking.
Samsung has been investing heavily in health analytics, and the Ultra 2 could introduce new metrics specifically tailored for outdoor enthusiasts. For example, a “Trail Run” mode might provide real-time elevation gain, pace zones based on heart rate, and a route-back feature that guides users to their starting point. The watch is also expected to support dual-frequency GPS for improved accuracy in challenging environments like dense forests and urban canyons.
Market Positioning and Competition
The smartwatch market for rugged devices has grown rapidly in recent years, driven primarily by the Apple Watch Ultra series. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is positioned to challenge Apple’s dominance in this segment, offering a more Android-friendly ecosystem with similar or superior specs. The inclusion of a rotating bezel, larger battery, and Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset could sway users who prefer Google’s Wear OS over watchOS.
Pricing is expected to be competitive. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra launched at $799, undercutting the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s $799 starting price. Given the upgrades, the Ultra 2 may see a slight increase, but Samsung will likely keep it under $900 to maintain its value proposition. The watch will be available in multiple band options, including a D-Buckle Sport Band and a Trail Loop, which are common for rugged watches.
One potential drawback is the continued emphasis on cellular-only models. The renders confirm LTE branding on the back, and rumors suggest there will be no Wi-Fi-only variant. This limits the watch’s appeal to users who do not want an additional cellular line or those in regions where eSIM support is limited. However, for the target audience—outdoor enthusiasts who want to stay connected without their phone—cellular capability is a must.
What About the Galaxy Watch 9?
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Watch 9 alongside the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at its July Unpacked event. The standard model will likely come in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with a focus on fitness and style rather than ruggedness. The Watch 9 is rumored to use the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset but with a smaller battery and lower water resistance (5ATM). It may also lack the sapphire crystal and titanium construction of the Ultra 2, keeping its price lower.
The diversification of Samsung’s smartwatch lineup mirrors Apple’s approach with the Apple Watch SE, Series 9, and Ultra 2. By offering a standard model and an ultra model, Samsung caters to both mainstream consumers and power users who demand maximum durability and performance. This strategy has proven successful for Apple, and Samsung is likely to follow suit.
Conclusion
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As the July event approaches, more details will almost certainly surface. For now, these leaked renders provide a tantalizing preview of what could be one of the best rugged smartwatches of the year. With its refined design, powerful internals, and thoughtful feature set, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is poised to make a significant impact on the wearable market.
Source:Android Authority News