Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, combining brighter displays, larger batteries, Qualcomm’s new wearable processor and AI-led health insights designed to turn wrist data into practical guidance for sleep, fitness, cardiovascular wellness and recovery.
TL;DR
- Galaxy Watch Ultra2 adds an 800mAh battery, a 5,000-nit display and trail-running and diving tools.
- Galaxy Watch9 focuses on continuous health tracking in lighter 40mm and 44mm designs.
- Both add Snapdragon Wear Elite, Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load and Fitness Index.
- Preorders begin July 22, with general availability from August 7.
Samsung Electronics unveiled the two smartwatches at Galaxy Unpacked in London, positioning them as proactive health companions rather than passive activity trackers. Both models use the BioActive sensor to collect biometric information and convert it into personalized guidance through Samsung Health.
“Samsung is committed to helping people live better,” said TM Roh, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience Division. He said the watches support Samsung’s shift from reactive treatment toward proactive care through timely alerts and actionable insights.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Built For Performance
The 47mm Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is Samsung’s most capable rugged smartwatch. Its 800mAh battery offers 35% more capacity than the previous Ultra, while internal redesigns reduce thickness by 12%. Samsung also equips it with a 1.52-inch Super AMOLED display capable of reaching a localized peak brightness of 5,000 nits.
The Ultra2 adds Trail Run tracking for elevation, climbing progress, cumulative ascent and descent, and terrain impact. Nutrition Alert builds on Sweat Loss by estimating hydration needs relative to body weight, helping runners understand when and how much to drink.
Samsung has also expanded the watch into diving. It carries 10ATM water resistance, IP69K protection and EN13319 certification for diving instruments. The watch can automatically record depth, dive time and water temperature, while an Ultra2 Diving app developed with Mares will add ascent and descent speeds and safe dive limits later in 2026.
Galaxy Watch9: Everyday Health Tracking
Galaxy Watch9 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes with an aluminum case, softer interchangeable bands and a 3,000-nit display. Battery capacity reaches 390mAh on the 40mm model and 445mAh on the 44mm version, supporting daytime activity and overnight sleep monitoring.
Both watches run Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch and Qualcomm’s 3nm Snapdragon Wear Elite platform. Qualcomm says the platform supports on-device AI, higher CPU and graphics performance, improved efficiency and faster charging, although real-world gains will depend on Samsung’s implementation and user settings.
Topics For More Insights
Health Features Move Toward Proactive Guidance
The shared health suite includes Vitals, which compares five overnight signals against a personal baseline, and Heart Health Score, which combines sleep, stress, activity and body-composition information. Daily Cardio Load estimates training volume and recovery needs, while Fitness Index provides a broader view of physical readiness.
An updated Sleep Apnea feature uses new AI algorithms and has received new FDA clearance, while Hearing alerts users to potentially unsafe noise levels. Samsung notes that these functions are intended for wellness and are not substitutes for medical diagnosis or treatment.
“Samsung Health is evolving to connect health data measured by Galaxy Watch with AI-based insights,” said Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Samsung’s Digital Health Team.
In the United States, Galaxy Watch9 starts at $379.99 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 costs $699.99. Samsung opened preorders on July 22, with general availability scheduled for August 7 in select markets.
