Samsung Shrinks the Galaxy Watch Ultra While Adding Dive Certification

A Paradox in Wearable Engineering

Samsung's latest flagship wearable presents an unusual engineering tradeoff: the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is simultaneously 12 percent thinner than its predecessor and significantly more durable. Announced at the company's July Unpacked event, the device targets what Samsung calls "extreme outdoor adventures and high-performance seekers," a category that now explicitly includes recreational divers.

The reduction in thickness came from re-engineering the watch's internal architecture, according to Samsung. Yet the redesign accommodated a substantially larger 800mAh battery, up from 590mAh in the first-generation model. The company projects 60 hours of runtime with the Always On Display active, a claim that, if accurate in field conditions, would place the Ultra 2 near the top of the smartwatch endurance hierarchy.

Dive-Ready Hardware and Certification

The Ultra 2 carries an IP69K rating, the most stringent standard for ruggedized consumer electronics. In practical terms, the watch is fully sealed against dust intrusion and can survive high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. More relevant to its intended use case: a 10 ATM water resistance rating and EN13319 dive compliance certification, meaning the device has been tested against established protocols for recreational dive equipment.

Samsung validated the watch in both 5 percent salt water and chlorinated pool environments. The 10 ATM threshold translates to submersion depths up to 100 meters, well beyond the recreational dive limit of 40 meters but within the range of technical and deep recreational diving.

Real-time dive metrics include depth, elapsed time, and water temperature. A dedicated Ultra 2 Diving app, slated for release later this year, will surface additional data points: ascent and descent rates, no-decompression limits, and safety stop guidance. The app's delayed launch suggests Samsung is still refining the algorithms that translate sensor data into dive computer functionality, a domain where precision and reliability are non-negotiable.

Snapdragon Wear Elite and On-Device AI

The Ultra 2 runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform, a chipset designed to enable on-device AI processing within the thermal and power constraints of a wrist-worn form factor. Samsung has not detailed which AI features will leverage the chip's neural processing capabilities, but the broader industry trend points toward predictive health insights, contextual notification filtering, and adaptive battery management.

The watch ships with 64GB of storage and 2GB of RAM, specifications that align with the upper tier of Wear OS devices. The 1.52-inch Super AMOLED display sits inside a 47mm titanium case, available in Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray. At $700, the Ultra 2 is priced identically to its predecessor at launch.

Positioning Against Apple and Garmin

Samsung's dive certification places the Ultra 2 in direct competition with two established players: Apple's Watch Ultra series, which added depth and water temperature sensors in 2022, and Garmin's Descent line, purpose-built dive computers that have dominated the market for years.

Garmin's advantage lies in its deep expertise in dive algorithms and a user base that prioritizes sensor accuracy over smartphone integration. Apple's strength is ecosystem lock-in and a UI that translates complex dive data into accessible visualizations. Samsung's play appears to be convergence: a device rugged enough for technical use cases but versatile enough for daily wear, running an open OS that supports third-party apps.

The question for Samsung is whether the Ultra 2 will be adopted by serious divers or remain a wrist statement for weekend snorkelers. The EN13319 certification is a meaningful step, but acceptance in the dive community will hinge on real-world reliability and the robustness of the forthcoming Diving app.

Battery Chemistry and Thermal Management

The 35 percent jump in battery capacity within a slimmer case raises questions about cell chemistry and thermal design. Lithium-ion energy density has improved incrementally, but a leap of this magnitude in a smaller volume typically requires either a shift to a different chemistry, more aggressive packaging, or both. Samsung has not disclosed the specifics, but the company's recent investments in solid-state and silicon-anode battery research may be paying dividends in its wearable line.

Thermal management becomes critical when pairing a high-capacity battery with a performance chipset in a sealed, waterproof enclosure. Dive environments introduce additional thermal stress: rapid temperature changes as a diver descends through thermoclines, and prolonged exposure to cold water at depth. If the Ultra 2's battery performance degrades noticeably in sub-15°C water, it will limit the watch's utility for cold-water diving.

Availability and Market Timing

Pre-orders opened in the United States on July 22, with general availability set for August 7. The timing positions the Ultra 2 ahead of the fall outdoor recreation season in the Northern Hemisphere and the summer dive season in the Southern Hemisphere.

Samsung's challenge is differentiation in a market where Apple and Garmin have established technical credibility. The Ultra 2's thinner profile may appeal to users who found the first-generation model too bulky for daily wear, but the dive certification is the feature most likely to attract new buyers. Whether Samsung can translate that certification into market share will depend on execution: sensor accuracy, app stability, and the company's ability to build trust in a category where equipment failure has consequences beyond a missed notification.

The Ultra 2 is a capable piece of hardware. Whether it becomes a credible dive computer remains to be seen.