Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. OnePlus Watch 2: Which smartwatch is right for you?
Two of the most popular names in consumer technology, Samsung and OnePlus go head-to-head with their latest smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, released recently, and the OnePlus Watch 2, already out for a few months, both offer a ton of features. Despite their similarities, there are key differences that will influence your choice. Which one should you buy?
Let’s take a deep dive and see how they stack up against each other!
Design, Display, and Hardware Comparison
These two smartwatches couldn’t be more different visually. The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a “cushion design” meant for extra protection. The titanium case also features a new “Dynamic Lug System” for easier band swaps.
Conversely, the OnePlus Watch 2 has a stainless-steel case with a classic round design. Its standard 22mm lug width offers better band compatibility.
While the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 1.47-inch display is slightly larger than the OnePlus Watch 2’s 1.43-inch screen, both are high-quality circular AMOLED panels with nearly identical pixel densities and Sapphire Crystal protection.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra uses a 3nm Exynos W1000 chipset, promising efficiency. The OnePlus Watch 2 features a 4nm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC, but also incorporates a secondary BES2700 processor for battery life optimization. However, both wearables offer 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, ensuring you can comfortably multitask and install apps.
Health and Fitness Features
Equipped with a comprehensive array of sensors, both the Galaxy Watch Ultra and OnePlus Watch 2 aim to compete with the top fitness smartwatches. They track metrics such as sleep quality, calories burned, heart rate, and automatically log various workouts.
While the Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts dual-band GPS, OnePlus Watch 2 has shown to be unreliable in tracking fitness metrics.
Software, Other Features, and Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs Wear OS 5, the latest version of Google’s wearable software. Samsung’s One UI 6 Watch overlay introduces “Galaxy AI,” which analyzes health data to provide an “Energy Score” for personalized insights.
The OnePlus Watch 2 operates on Wear OS 4, but includes a proprietary RTOS for handling lightweight tasks like notifications, resulting in impressive battery life. While both wearables offer basic connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC), the Galaxy Watch Ultra features LTE, whereas the OnePlus Watch 2 doesn’t have this option.
The OnePlus Watch 2 is renowned for its outstanding battery life, reaching up to three days on a single charge thanks to its dual-OS architecture. Fast charging capabilities allow for a full charge in about an hour.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a large 590mAh battery with a long estimated runtime (up to 100 hours in energy-saving mode), aided by its efficient hardware. It also supports fast wireless charging.
Conclusion: Which One Wins?
The Galaxy Watch Ultra and OnePlus Watch 2 represent two excellent Wear OS smartwatches with top-notch features and build quality.
However, their strengths cater to different user profiles.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out as a premium smartwatch for adventure enthusiasts and endurance sports lovers, particularly due to its rugged design, emergency siren, track back feature, and money-is-no-object pricing.
The OnePlus Watch 2 is an overall well-rounded smartwatch for everyday use. Its powerful battery life makes it ideal for those who aren’t willing to compromise on lasting power. The lack of reliability in fitness tracking might be a deciding factor, but its affordable price tag might make it a more attractive option for budget-conscious users.
Ultimately, your choice boils down to your specific needs, budget, and the sh… (and more )