Last updated: July 22nd, 2026 at 17:34 UTC+02:00
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Brighter days ahead.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile
The original Galaxy Watch Ultra from 2024 was the first model to exceed 2,000 nits of peak brightness and hit 3,000 nits. That became the standard across Samsung's entire 2025 smartwatch lineup, but it's time to raise the bar again. This time, up to a whopping 5,000 nits!
The new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 boasts Samsung's brightest smartwatch display ever, rated for 5,000 nits. That's not a step forward compared to the 2025 models; it's a leap.
And it's not just for show. A brighter display on a smartwatch like the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which loves the outdoors, is a most welcome upgrade.
One of the most frustrating shortcomings of any mobile device is a screen that can't get bright enough when you need it most in direct sunlight. If your smartwatch display is difficult to read while you're out jogging, you're missing out on insights you may want to check mid-workout.
Samsung clearly wanted to avoid those unpleasant situations. On paper, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's 5,000-nit Super AMOLED display looks genuinely impressive, but we'll reserve final judgment until we've spent more time with it.
In theory, a brighter display is a perfect fit, considering the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 encourages outdoor activities with features like Trail Run. The latter is an Ultra 2-exclusive that offers real-time hydration guidance and tracks detailed elevation, terrain impact, and climbing progress.
The brighter display should also improve visibility underwater, which suits the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 perfectly because it's Samsung's first dive-ready, IP69K, EN13319-certified smartwatch. It's not just water-resistant, but tested against powerful water jets and certified for diving.
Samsung partnered with Mares, the world's leading diving equipment brand, to develop a new app exclusive to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. It's called Diving, and Samsung expects it will arrive later in 2026. Either way, the brighter 5,000 nits screen should also be a blessing for users who like to go underwater, with or without the Diving app.
All things considered, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 sounds like an excellent smartwatch for active lifestyles. But it's not cheap, and its price has been readjusted for current market conditions.
At €749, it's €50 more expensive than the 2024 and 2025 Galaxy Watch Ultra models were at launch. But it's also a genuinely better smartwatch for multiple reasons. The brighter display just happens to be among them.
First Samsung device: SGH-A800
Mihai is a blogger and column writer at SamMobile. His first Samsung phone was an A800 which took a lot of beating, and a part of him still misses the novelty of the clamshell design. In his free time, he enjoys watching shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy; listening to music, taking walks, and occasionally playing old(er) video games.
