As a longtime Samsung user and fitness enthusiast, I was immediately drawn to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025—not just for its robust health tracking or WearOS flexibility, but for its striking blue and orange colorway that echoes my U.S. Coast Guard service. After weeks of testing, however, the watch reveals itself as a near carbon copy of 2024’s acclaimed model, raising questions about the value of upgrading.

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Main article image showing the 2025 Galaxy Watch Ultra in blue and orange (Credit: ZDNET)

Hardware Déjà Vu

At $650, the 2025 iteration retains the 47mm titanium case, vibrant 1.5-inch AMOLED display, and LTE connectivity that made its predecessor ZDNET’s top WearOS pick. The sole hardware upgrades? A jump from 32GB to 64GB of storage and those new coastal-inspired hues. For context, that storage bump allows roughly 15,000 songs offline—handy for runners like me who pair bone-conduction headphones with Spotify downloads. Yet, as Matthew Miller notes in his ZDNET hands-on, this hardly justifies the cost when the 2024 model often sells below $600.

Software: New Tricks, Old Hardware

Samsung’s One UI 8 update brings features like Running Coach—a personalized trainer that adapts to missed workouts without guilt-tripping—and vascular load monitoring for cardiovascular health insights. Crucially, these aren’t exclusive to the 2025 hardware. Antioxidant measurements, while novel, consistently returned "Low" readings in my tests, even after dietary tweaks, casting doubt on their utility. Gemini AI integration (activated via button press) adds convenience but mirrors Google’s broader WearOS rollout.

The Storage Conundrum

Is 64GB essential? For power users juggling apps like Strava, Hole19, and media libraries, yes. But as Miller observes, the 2024 model’s 32GB already handles most needs comfortably. When compared to rivals, the Ultra’s battery life (2+ days) and rugged build outshine the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic’s elegant bezel but smaller screen. Still, at $150 less than Apple’s Watch Ultra 2, Samsung’s offering resonates with Android loyalists—especially those invested in its ecosystem, like users of the new Z Fold 7.

The Verdict: Color Isn’t Enough

Innovation shouldn’t be measured in gigabytes or paint jobs. While the 2025 Ultra excels as a standalone communicator and fitness hub, its minimal upgrades make last year’s model the wiser investment. For developers, this underscores a trend: wearable evolution is increasingly software-driven, with hardware iterations offering diminishing returns. As for me? I’ll keep sporting my blue-and-orange tribute—but I’d advise friends to hunt for 2024’s version. After all, true value lies not in novelty, but in enduring performance.

Source: ZDNET | Author: Matthew Miller