I liked the $650 Galaxy Watch Ultra when it launched, but it was too expensive to recommend to most people. However, if you’re a fitness enthusiast looking for an Android alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra, this Black Friday sale is the perfect excuse to treat yourself with Samsung’s flagship smartwatch.
A big 33% has been knocked off the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in titanium gray, taking the price to just $435. That’s more than $200 in savings over its typical price and, more importantly, the lowest price we have on record for the smartwatch since this particular model was released.
Black Friday Apple Watch Deals
Apple Watch deals are few and far between, but our shopping experts have found some Black Friday treats to share.
A couple of other variations like the titanium silver for $461 and titanium white at $460 have also been dropped by large amounts. All of these deals on the latest tech from major brands like Samsung rarely last for long, so we’d definitely recommend jumping on this offer sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Why I like the Galaxy Watch Ultra
I like the Galaxy Watch Ultra for three reasons. First, I love the fact that I don’t need to charge my smartwatch every day. It lasts me up to two days, including regular use, sleep tracking, and a 30-minute workout. And I can charge it while I get ready for the day.
Second, the software both on the smartwatch and Samsung’s app on mobile are intuitive and easy to use. The gesture support on the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s has come in handy. For instance, you can use the double pinch gesture to answer calls, turn off alarms, move through notifications, or control music playback. Or you can use the knock-knock gesture with your fist to launch an app, like to trigger the flashlight.
Third, the display is big and bright. It can go up to 3,000 nits in brightness, which helps if you’re on a hike or kayaking to catch the sunset. It might seem bulky, but I got used to wearing the Galaxy Watch Ultra in a week. Now it feels comfortable. My fashion advice: If you’re buying the Galaxy Watch Ultra, go for the White or Silver variants. The Orange feels too loud.
Watch this: How to Shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals Like a Pro
In our tests, the average heart rate calculation was within one beat per minute of the strap, which is a good result. Samsung users also get the benefits of Galaxy-exclusive features like Sleep Apnea Detection. If you wear the Watch Ultra to sleep, it can detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. As a Galaxy phone user, you also get support for Energy Score, gestures, suggested replies, irregular heart rhythm notifications and ECG.
Black Friday is the perfect excuse to get a Galaxy Watch Ultra
At $215 off, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the perfect smartwatch to pick as a fitness enthusiast if you have a Samsung smartphone. The Titanium White costs a bit more at $460 but it’s worth the price. This is definitely one of the best Galaxy Watch deals available right now if you’re not looking for a trade-in deal.
This isn’t the only excellent early Black Friday deal you’ll find at Amazon. Check out our full roundup for even more savings on headphones, laptops and even some other smartwatches to find a great way to treat yourself or someone close this holiday season.
CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page, and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.