Get the latest tech news

Samsung's Apple Watch Ultra clone forgot to copy the most important thing

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a rugged design and ultra-bright display, but a $650 watch should have better controls.

And all of its key upgrades — the high-grade titanium built to withstand altitude and diving, an emergency siren, extra button shortcuts, a 3,000-nit display, similar sporty bands, and the overall squircle shape — are inspired (if not copied) from Apple. Swiping on a touchscreen works perfectly well in normal circumstances, and the lack of an elevated rotating bezel ensures your finger doesn't feel hemmed in. So for Samsung to design its expensive Galaxy Watch Ultra with free-spending athletes in mind, without giving them reliable controls during workouts, feels like shooting themselves in the foot.

Get the Android app