Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra waterproof?

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most rugged, durable watch in the company's line to date.

Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra waterproof?

Best answer: Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has an incredible water-resistance rating of 10ATM as well as IP68. This means you can safely swim with it down to depths that are twice as deep as with most other standard smartwatches. Combined with ultra-rugged materials, it’s one of the most durable smartwatches you can buy.

What is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra's waterproof rating?

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra meets a 10ATM water resistance rating. This means you can swim down to as far as 100 meters with it for up to 10 minutes. The IP68 rating also means you can swim down to six feet for up to 30 minutes. It’s also protected from dust, though Samsung advises that you should rinse any residue from the Watch after it gets wet.

The Watch is ultra-durable, made with a Titanium Grade 4 frame and Sapphire Crystal display, so it’s built to withstand not only swimming but also other intense activities. This is also thanks to the MIL-STD-810H rating. This rating from the U.S. Department of Defense Test Method Standard, Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests confirms that it can operate at extreme altitudes and in high and low temperatures, and can withstand temperature shock, rain, humidity, sand and dust, vibrations, and more. 

Indeed, the Watch is rated to function at a wide range of altitudes, from 500 meters below sea level to 9,000 meters high. 

Keep in mind that as with any water-resistant device, the rating pertains to freshwater sources. You should heed caution if you plan to wear the watch in a heavily chlorinated pool or in the saltwater ocean. No water-resistant device is recommended to be used in such scenarios. If you do go for a quick dip, either remove the watch first or make sure to rinse it immediately with fresh water and dry it off to keep it running in optimal shape.

Also, note that water resistance degrades over time with any device. So, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is poised to become one of the best WearOS watches, is ultra-durable and boasts double the water resistance of most standard smartwatches, you’ll still want to take extra care, especially as it gets older. Consider a waterproof casing for an added layer of protection and additional peace of mind.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra - Titanium Gray

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

It’s ultra-rugged

As Samsung’s most rugged smartwatch to date, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra can be worn down as far as 500 meters for up to 10 minutes, or six feet for up to 30 minutes. Safely enjoy a swim, track laps in the pool, run in the rain or go for a ski without worry. This is a serious athlete’s smartwatch.

Christine Persaud
Christine Persaud
Contributor

Christine Persaud has been writing about tech since long before the smartphone was even a "thing." When she isn't writing, she's working on her latest fitness program, binging a new TV series, tinkering with tech gadgets she's reviewing, or spending time with family and friends. A self-professed TV nerd, lover of red wine, and passionate home cook, she's immersed in tech in every facet of her life. Follow her at @christineTechCA.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Mike Dee
    AC News said:
    You can wear the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra while you do just about anything and go just about anywhere thanks to its ultra-durable design.

    Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra waterproof? : Read more
    Why are you mixing the terms waterproof and water resistant?
    Reply
  • Golfdriver97
    I read a snipped here: https://grayton-watches.com/blogs/urban-diaries/water-resistant-vs-waterproof-watches
    They note this:
    364191
    I'd be inclined to think that SmartWatches are no different.
    Reply
  • Laura Knotek
    From this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.crownandcaliber.com/what-does-water-resistance-in-watches-mean/
    'Older, vintage watches may say “waterproof” on the back. However, around 1990, ISO 22810:2010 prohibited the use of the word “waterproof” when used with watches. They did so to clarify that no watch is truly “waterproof.” With sufficient pressure, every watch will leak. Water resistance itself is a measurement of static pressure at a specified depth. A 30-meter or 3-Bar watch is the minimum standard to receive a label of “water-resistant.” In the real world, this means that water shouldn’t get inside of a watch during a normal day.'
    Reply
  • Golfdriver97
    Laura Knotek said:
    From this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.crownandcaliber.com/what-does-water-resistance-in-watches-mean/
    'Older, vintage watches may say “waterproof” on the back. However, around 1990, ISO 22810:2010 prohibited the use of the word “waterproof” when used with watches. They did so to clarify that no watch is truly “waterproof.” With sufficient pressure, every watch will leak. Water resistance itself is a measurement of static pressure at a specified depth. A 30-meter or 3-Bar watch is the minimum standard to receive a label of “water-resistant.” In the real world, this means that water shouldn’t get inside of a watch during a normal day.'
    I think people are getting carried away with using waterproof/resistant interchangeably. I have a Citizen watch that is quite old. It's an Eco-Drive when Eco-Drive was fairly new. WR100 is on the face. When it was new, I would have never taken it to 100 meters. Now even less so, because I am fairly certain that age has taken it's toll on the effective water resistance.

    Even when smartphones started coming with water resistance, I only viewed it as an extra layer of protection in case I was caught in a sudden downpour and it would take me a several seconds to a minute to get under some shelter. I could never understand when people would take their new phones into pools for pictures....
    Reply
  • Laura Knotek
    Golfdriver97 said:
    I think people are getting carried away with using waterproof/resistant interchangeably. I have a Citizen watch that is quite old. It's an Eco-Drive when Eco-Drive was fairly new. WR100 is on the face. When it was new, I would have never taken it to 100 meters. Now even less so, because I am fairly certain that age has taken it's toll on the effective water resistance.

    Even when smartphones started coming with water resistance, I only viewed it as an extra layer of protection in case I was caught in a sudden downpour and it would take me a several seconds to a minute to get under some shelter. I could never understand when people would take their new phones into pools for pictures....
    I will never go scuba diving, but I have three watches with screw down crowns rated to 300 meters. Those are the only ones that I'd be comfortable using in a lake or ocean. I wouldn't use any watch in a pool.
    Reply