Imitation in Tech: The Galaxy Watch Case
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When Companies Copy Each Other...
Marques Brownlee
Jul 23, 2024
·
Science & Technology
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra mimics Apple Watch Ultra
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Both watches share the same method for changing watch faces: holding down the face and swiping to customize complications or watch faces.
- The app navigation on both watches uses a blob of icons and includes a double-pinch gesture, a feature Apple introduced and Samsung adopted.
- 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
- The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra features a fully circular watch face with a large, titanium body, which the reviewer calls a cushion design.
- 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.
- Unlike the Watch6 Classic, the Galaxy Watch Ultra does not have a physically rotating bezel, which was a popular feature for fitness enthusiasts.
- The watch relies entirely on a touchscreen, which can be problematic during workouts due to issues like sweat, sleeves, gloves, and underwater use.
- 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.
- 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
- The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is designed to work with Android phones, not iPhones.
- Wear OS on the watch performs smoothly and is highly customizable and functional.
- The full-size keyboard on the watch is easier to type on due to larger letters and a secondary menu for symbols.
- The battery life of the watch meets its claims, often surpassing the Apple Watch Ultra in standby time by about 25%.
- With light use, the watch can last two full days, and with heavy use, it can last a solid day and a half.
- The watch features a 3,000 nit Super AMOLED Display, which is highly impressive.
- Samsung has copied many features from the Apple Watch Ultra, but the result is still a great product.
- 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
- 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.
- The lack of a rotating bezel is highlighted as a missed opportunity to differentiate the Galaxy Watch Ultra from its competitors.
- The review suggests that the Galaxy Watch Ultra draws heavy inspiration from other products, implying a lack of originality in its design.
- The reviewer predicts that this trend of companies copying each other will continue in the tech industry.
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