Which Galaxy Watch Is Best For Runners?

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Roughly 25 years ago, runners wearing watches were primarily tracking their performance time. However, when the first watches that included GPS capabilities appeared on the market in 2003, the technology unlocked some new options for tracking distances. Early models were huge and didn't look much like a watch, though. Fast forward to today, and modern smartwatches for running look just like a normal watch and offer the latest tech. If you're a fan of Samsung-branded units, among the best modern watches for runners is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra ($379 at Best Buy).

The Galaxy Watch Ultra, which was introduced in 2024, gives you good value compared to the recently released Ultra2, which costs $699 at Best Buy, yet it offers many of the same basic features. The Ultra2 certainly has some enhanced features for runners compared to the Ultra, such as being slightly thinner without sacrificing durability, having a noticeably brighter screen, and delivering a new trail running mode. However, any Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review shows that it's still a powerful model for runners.

The Ultra2 is a great model, but as someone who enjoys running and tracking performance, I have a hard time justifying spending almost $700 to use it primarily for running. It's much easier to justify using the previous version of the tech and saving nearly 50%. If I were someone who primarily ran unpredictable mountain trails and wanted maximum accuracy, though, the Ultra2's trail mode would probably be worth it.

Although I don't run on mountain trails, I do enjoy running in rural areas and away from well-traveled roads and streets, even though it's easier in the city to approximate distances while running. However, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, running particular distances in unfamiliar or rural locations is easy to do accurately. It makes use of dual-frequency GPS technology to ensure the highest level of accuracy. It measures both the L1 and L5 frequencies, which gives the Galaxy Watch Ultra two distinct points of reference, creating a more accurate measurement of your route. When introduced in 2024, it was the first Galaxy smartwatch to offer the dual-frequency technology, and the Ultra2 is still delivering this same feature.

Because I run primarily during the day, a bright screen that's easily visible in sunlight is important. Although the Ultra2 has a significantly brighter screen than the Ultra, the Ultra screen has enough brightness to be seen clearly during the middle of a sunny day. 

I run in both summer and winter, so I also appreciate the Ultra's ability to operate in widely varying temperatures (minus 4 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit) while being worn on the wrist. (Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 offers the same temperature range for operation.)

If you're just starting with running or have hit a plateau and want to break through, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra gives you access to Samsung's Running Coach feature. Open the Samsung Health app on the watch and select Exercise. You can then pick Running Coach as one of the workout options. The app will ask you to enter information about your running capabilities and experience. You'll then perform a 12-minute test run to set a baseline for the app to measure your capabilities. It then develops a training plan that's personalized to your capabilities and fitness level. Some people find Running Coach to be a helpful feature because it actually develops a plan that's specific to you, and some people find it helpful for making improvements to their running performance. (Ultra2 also provides access to Running Coach.)

If you're someone like me who is not diligent about regularly charging smartwatches, a strong battery life is important. You don't want a low battery to prevent you from operating GPS or managing your music playlist during a long run. Galaxy Watch Ultra users on Reddit claim to receive between one and three days of battery life under typical use. When using GPS tracking with the watch for all-day hiking or training, up to 15 hours of battery life is possible. Others say they have no problem with battery life when training, even when playing music.