You know what I've been wondering for a few years now? Why do companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google insist on unveiling their latest smartwatches together with new editions of their industry-leading phones?
I know what you're going to say. Smartwatches are companion devices that just about everyone uses in combination with a handset, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to announce an upgraded Apple Watch, for instance, without also taking the wraps off a refreshed iPhone.
But I feel like that tends to take a huge amount of attention away from a product category that's gained immensely in both mainstream popularity and sophistication over the last few years, and that's perhaps never been as abundantly clear as last week, when the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 was unfairly overshadowed by the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: now $250 off with trade-ins
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The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 has just landed at the official store. With a larger battery and a rugged design, this new smartwatch is the ultimate companion for many. Pre-order yours and save up to $250 with a trade-in.
The Galaxy Watch 9 brings improved health and wellness features. It's already available at the Samsung Store, and you can now pre-order it for up to $250 off with a trade-in.
The Galaxy Watch 9 brings improved health and wellness features. It's already available at the Samsung Store, and you can now pre-order it for up to $250 off with a trade-in. This is the 44mm variant with Bluetooth connectivity.
Why am I not that impressed by Samsung's latest (and greatest) foldables?
With a little effort, I think I could write an essay roughly the length of Homer's original "Odyssey" poem to list and justify all of my Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra gripes right now.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra doesn't impress me much. | Image by PhoneArena
Most of my complaints, of course, are not very original, starting with the extravagant price of the higher-end book-style foldable and the underwhelming camera system (and pretty high price point too) of the lower-cost and wider model.
You probably already know I have a big problem with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 duo's overly aggressive marketing as well, especially at the expense of the Z Flip 8... and yes, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. I realize that Samsung must be feeling a lot of pressure to try to turn the Z Fold 7's two sequels into major box-office hits before the iPhone Ultra bursts onto the scene, but the smartwatch market is another place where Apple dominates and the latest Galaxy Watches could close the gap to the world's number one vendor with some effort (and advertising bucks).
Is the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 better than the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is somehow thinner and prettier than its predecessor. | Image by PhoneArena
Now, I could have waited for our comprehensive Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 review to be done before singing this bad boy its praises, but I feel it's important the wearable receives the buzz it probably would have deserved last week (and perhaps the weeks ahead of its official launch, too) as soon as possible.
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Are you as impressed as I am with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2?
The world needs to know that Samsung can still eclipse Apple in key departments like screen quality, battery life, and most likely, raw power as well without giving up its affordability edge. That's right, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 3 while promising (and seemingly delivering) three to four-day battery endurance between charges with "normal" everyday use, sporting an incredibly bright display, and packing a Snapdragon Wear Elite processor that's likely to offer a level of overall performance befitting that name.
Will the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 sell like hotcakes?
I'm afraid not because the tech industry is not always fair... and because it can't be paired to an iPhone. Of course, Apple Watches don't work with Android handsets either, but iPhone users are a lot more disciplined in their "companion" device choices, and let's be honest, not that many Android users can afford to pay $700 for a new smartwatch in this day and age.
That's where the $380 and up Galaxy Watch 9 would come in... if Samsung did a better job of advertising its launch, upgrades over last year's Galaxy Watch 8, and key advantages compared to other Android-compatible wearables in the same price bracket.
If there's any justice left in the tech world, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Galaxy Watch 9 should both become huge hits. | Image by PhoneArena
While admittedly nowhere near as impressive or as sophisticated as the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Samsung's latest non-rugged timepiece looks thin, light, stylish, and powerful enough to help its manufacturer overtake the likes of Imoo (?!), Xiaomi, and Huawei in global smartwatch shipments.
But Samsung needs to believe in these devices more, understand that they have a lot of growth potential (perhaps more than even smartphones), and vastly improve their marketing along with their raw power and battery life. For the time being, I'm left here all alone urging you to have a look at the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in addition to (or even instead of) the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, and maybe try to fit a new smartwatch purchase in your late summer or at least your Black Friday budget in a few months.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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