(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

Samsung’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra series, the uniquely named Galaxy Watch Ultra, debuted almost two years ago exactly, and if recent Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 rumors prove to be true, we should get our first look at its successor in just a few weeks; Samsung has a Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for July 22nd.The original Galaxy Watch Ultra remains one of the best smartwatches for Android users in 2026. It’s the leader of the pack in display size, battery life, and durability, but there is room for improvement.I’ve tested both the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 3 extensively, including in a head-to-head fitness-tracking showdown. OS and holistic tech aside, I prefer the design of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to the Galaxy Watch Ultra for several key reasons.With that in mind, here are three improvements that would make the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 more competitive against — and even beat — the Apple Watch Ultra 3.1. Slim down the case size

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is one chunky smartwatch. While the specs would lead you to believe it’s essentially the same thickness as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (~12 mm), that official measurement isn’t telling the whole story.Sure, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is about 12 mm thick at the very edge of the case; I just measured it using a caliper. However, at the center of the case, where the sensor array protrudes, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is closer to 16 mm thick. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, meanwhile, measures a little over 14 mm thick at the center of the case.Both watches weigh about the same, but the Galaxy Watch Ultra wears significantly larger on my 6.5-inch wrist. This is not only due to the extra ~2 mm of thickness but also to its square case shape, which makes it roughly 3 mm wider than the Ultra 3. That said, the Apple is a little taller.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Ultimately, a slimmer, narrower case design would go a long way toward convincing me to consider the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 over the Apple Watch Ultra 3; shave off a little weight, and I’m even more sold.2. Bump up battery life to three days or more