The absence of a digital crown on Samsung’s latest smartwatch left this longtime Apple Watch user questioning everything.

After a decade of using and writing about Apple Watch, I finally ventured into the Android smartwatch world with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra. While the watch itself is impressive, boasting rugged design and great features, there’s one glaring oversight that left me stunned: the absence of a digital crown.

Having used the Apple Watch for years, the digital crown became second nature. It’s the tactile, reliable way to scroll through menus, adjust volume, and browse apps, especially in situations where a touchscreen is impractical—like during workouts or when wearing gloves.

When I first started using the Galaxy Watch Ultra, I instinctively reached for the digital crown to scroll, only to realize there was no such feature. Instead, the Ultra uses a touch bezel to navigate, a solution I found frustrating and impractical, especially outdoors when mud, dirt, or water can interfere with the touch screen.

Samsung’s decision to omit the digital crown, despite drawing heavy inspiration from the Apple Watch Ultra in its design, seems like a significant misstep. The digital crown is an essential feature for rugged watches, allowing for precise control in challenging conditions. It’s especially useful when you need to operate your watch in adverse weather or while wearing gloves, like during a hike in the English Lake District.

While the Galaxy Watch Ultra impresses in other areas, such as its vibrant display and solid build quality, its lack of a digital crown has made it hard for me to fully embrace. The touch bezel just doesn’t offer the same satisfying tactile experience.

For future iterations, adding a digital crown would be a game-changer. It’s a simple yet significant feature that could drastically improve the user experience, particularly for those of us who rely on these devices for outdoor adventures. Until then, I’ll be sticking with my Apple Watch.