Imitation in Tech: The Galaxy Watch Case

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When Companies Copy Each Other...

Marques Brownlee

Jul 23, 2024

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Science & Technology

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra mimics Apple Watch Ultra

  1. The Apple Watch Ultra is positioned at the top of the Apple Watch lineup, featuring a larger battery and ruggedized features for enthusiasts willing to pay a premium price.
  2. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is introduced at the top of the Galaxy Watch lineup, also featuring a larger battery and ruggedized features for enthusiasts at a premium price.
  3. There is a history of mutual copying between Samsung and Apple, but the Galaxy Watch Ultra's similarities to the Apple Watch Ultra are particularly striking.
  4. The Galaxy Watch Ultra mimics the Apple Watch Ultra in several aspects, including the name, product concept, and durability specifications such as titanium build, 100-meter water resistance, and sapphire glass displays.
  5. Both watches share similar on-paper specifications, including dual-frequency GPS for high accuracy and extra bright displays with 3,000 nits for outdoor visibility.
  6. The Apple Watch Ultra offers three default bands: Ocean Band, Trail Loop, and Alpine Band. Samsung's Watch Ultra also launches with three bands, including a Marine Band and a Trail Band, which are similar to Apple's offerings.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra mimics Apple Watch Ultra

  1. The Peakform Band and other bands like the Ocean Band and Marine Band are very similar to Apple's bands, with minimal changes to avoid obvious copying.
  2. Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra have three buttons, including a customizable orange button. Apple's is called the Action Button, while Samsung's is the Quick Button, both defaulting to a workout selector.
  3. Samsung's watch face design heavily borrows from Apple's, featuring complications around the corners and a monochrome Night Mode, similar to Apple's flagship watch face.
  4. Both watches share the same method for changing watch faces: holding down the face and swiping to customize complications or watch faces.
  5. The app navigation on both watches uses a blob of icons and includes a double-pinch gesture, a feature Apple introduced and Samsung adopted.
  6. Despite the similarities, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra looks mostly different from the Apple Watch Ultra at a glance.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra lacks rotating bezel

  1. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra features a fully circular watch face with a large, titanium body, which the reviewer calls a cushion design.
  2. The watch feels bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra but is not huge compared to other watches, with a screen size similar to a large Watch7.
  3. Unlike the Watch6 Classic, the Galaxy Watch Ultra does not have a physically rotating bezel, which was a popular feature for fitness enthusiasts.
  4. The watch relies entirely on a touchscreen, which can be problematic during workouts due to issues like sweat, sleeves, gloves, and underwater use.
  5. The absence of a rotating bezel is likely due to the watch's 810H military-grade certification, which requires durability against drops, dust, and extreme temperatures.
  6. The reviewer believes that most users would prefer the rotating bezel over the military certification and suggests that Samsung should have included it.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is impressive

  1. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is designed to work with Android phones, not iPhones.
  2. Wear OS on the watch performs smoothly and is highly customizable and functional.
  3. The full-size keyboard on the watch is easier to type on due to larger letters and a secondary menu for symbols.
  4. The battery life of the watch meets its claims, often surpassing the Apple Watch Ultra in standby time by about 25%.
  5. With light use, the watch can last two full days, and with heavy use, it can last a solid day and a half.
  6. The watch features a 3,000 nit Super AMOLED Display, which is highly impressive.
  7. Samsung has copied many features from the Apple Watch Ultra, but the result is still a great product.
  8. The updated Watch7 by Samsung has similar features but is more affordable, making the Galaxy Watch Ultra harder to recommend.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra mimics competitors

  1. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is noted for its ruggedized features, which are designed to appeal to users willing to spend $650 on a durable smartwatch.
  2. The lack of a rotating bezel is highlighted as a missed opportunity to differentiate the Galaxy Watch Ultra from its competitors.
  3. The review suggests that the Galaxy Watch Ultra draws heavy inspiration from other products, implying a lack of originality in its design.
  4. The reviewer predicts that this trend of companies copying each other will continue in the tech industry.