At the Galaxy Unpacked event in London, Samsung officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra2. Both smartwatches feature the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, noticeably brighter displays, and enhanced AI-powered health features. Pre-orders are now open, and the general release is scheduled for August 7, 2026.
It was no longer a secret that both models were coming—we had already reported on the confirmed model names in our preview coverage of the Galaxy Watch Ultra2.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Outdoor Smartwatch with Dive Computer Function
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is the new flagship model in the Samsung Watch series. The 47-mm case is made of titanium and, thanks to a redesigned internal architecture, is 12 percent slimmer than its predecessor—with a case depth of 10.7 mm and a weight of 61.5 grams without the strap.
Display and Battery
The 1.52-inch Super AMOLED display with sapphire glass achieves a peak local brightness of up to 5,000 nits. Samsung cites its own market study from June 2026. The watch is powered by an 800-mAh battery—35 percent more capacity than its predecessor. Fast charging is supported.
Trail Running, Diving, and Certifications
For outdoor athletes, the Watch Ultra2 offers an exclusive trail running feature with detailed elevation data and ascent progress, as well as a hydration alert that provides guidance on water intake during training based on estimated fluid loss.
Diving is supported by a dedicated diving app that Samsung developed in collaboration with diving equipment manufacturer Mares. The app provides real-time data on dive depth, dive time, and water temperature, as well as ascent and descent speeds, right on your wrist. In terms of certifications, the Watch Ultra2 meets the IP69K, 10 ATM, MIL-STD-810H, and DIN EN 13319 standards.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is available in Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9: An Everyday Companion with a New Chip and Longer Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 comes in two sizes. The 40-mm model (31.5 g) features a 1.34-inch Super AMOLED display with 438 × 438 pixels and a 390-mAh battery. The larger 44-mm model (34 g) features a 1.47-inch display (480 × 480 px) and a 445-mAh battery—which represents a 20 percent increase in capacity compared to the 40-mm model’s predecessor. Both models reach a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits.
The aluminum case retains the characteristic cushion shape of the Galaxy Watch series. According to Samsung, the fit on the wrist has been optimized for a snugder fit to enable more continuous sensor tracking. The Watch 9 also supports fast charging.
The Watch 9 is available in 40 mm in Graphite and Cream, and in 44 mm in Graphite and Silver.
AI-Powered Health Features
At the heart of both models are the AI features of Samsung Health, which are designed to translate biometric data into understandable everyday insights. Samsung lists the following features:
- Sleep apnea: Detection of breathing disturbances based on AI-powered algorithms, for adults aged 22 and older over a two-night monitoring period.
- Vital Signs: Analysis of personal baseline values during sleep and alerts for significant deviations (at least 7 days of sleep data required).
- Heart Health: An overview of cardiovascular well-being based on sleep duration, BMI, vascular stress, and activity periods.
- Daily Endurance Load: Assessment of training volume and recovery needs (at least 7 days of activity tracking recommended).
- Fitness Index: Holistic overview of physical performance with personalized goals.
- Hearing: Alerts for high ambient noise levels with detailed analyses.
According to Samsung, none of these health features are intended to replace a medical diagnosis. They require an Android smartphone running Android 13 or later and the Samsung Health app version 7.0 or later.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Specifications | Galaxy Watch 9 (40 mm) | Galaxy Watch 9 (44 mm) | Galaxy Watch Ultra2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 40 mm | 44 mm | 47 mm |
| Display | 1.34″ Super AMOLED, 438 × 438 px | 1.47″ Super AMOLED, 480 × 480 px | 1.52″ Super AMOLED, sapphire glass |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 5,000 nits |
| Battery | 390 mAh | 445 mAh | 800 mAh |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite | ||
| Case Material | Aluminum | Titanium | |
| Weight | 31.5 g | 34 g | 61.5 g |
| Protection class | N/A* | 10 ATM, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H, DIN EN 13319 | |
| Colors | Graphite, Cream | Graphite, Silver | Titanium Silver, Titanium Gray |
| MSRP (BT / without cellular service) | €409 | €439 | – |
| MSRP (LTE) | €459 | €489 | €749 |
* In its latest press release, Samsung does not specify a protection rating for the Galaxy Watch 9. This information will be added once the full spec sheet is published.
Prices, Availability, and Promotions
Pre-orders are now available in the Samsung Online Shop and the Samsung Shop app. The general launch is scheduled for August 7, 2026. Customers who order by August 6 and trade in an old device can save up to 360 euros; there’s also a 30 percent discount on a second watch band. Use the PayPal code PAYPAL8 to get an additional discount of up to 100 euros, limited to 5,000 redemptions. Both watches come with a voucher for two months of iFIT for free.
Context
With the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and the Watch Ultra2, Samsung caters to two distinct user groups: The Watch 9 as a consistently refined everyday companion with a significantly brighter display and the Snapdragon chip, and the Watch Ultra2 as an outdoor device with dive computer capabilities and a considerably larger battery.
Whether the AI-powered health features offer tangible added value in everyday life cannot be conclusively assessed without a hands-on test. For divers and ambitious trail runners, however, the Ultra2 offers features that were previously reserved for specialized devices.
For those looking at alternatives in the premium smartwatch segment: The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected in fall 2026, and the Google Pixel Watch 5 has already received FCC approval. Our guide to the best smartwatches provides an overview of current buying recommendations.
