Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: What we know about Samsung’s upcoming smartwatches

Summer is approaching, and so is a new range of Samsung Galaxy products. Leaks point to a doubling down Smart watch Debut: Galaxy Watch 9 and what appears to be a true successor to the Ultra. But if you’re hoping to get a Galaxy Ring 2, don’t hold your breath.

last year, Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 A somewhat controversial redesign has debuted, which makes the return of the Galaxy Watch Classic and its rotating physical bezel all the more satisfying. This year is new Classic model That doesn’t seem likely (although another redesign isn’t exactly on the cards). But there may be another headline ready to steal attention from the flagship once again.

Report from GalaxyClub He cited it Robot body It indicates that Samsung may launch a new device Galaxy Watch Ultra Along with the Galaxy Watch 9, likely in the summer of 2026. And based on recent leaks, this timeline looks increasingly credible. The Galaxy Watch 9 firmware is said to be as well spotted On a US test server by Muhammad Khatri (as mentioned in Telephone square), which indicates that Samsung has moved from development to active testing and indicates that the rumored July launch window is on track.

The rugged smartwatch, which debuted in the summer of 2024, received some updates in the latest cycle, like more storage (up to 64GB) and a new color, but otherwise remains the same.

This year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to stick with a similar design and focus on performance upgrades. At 47mm, it’s already pushing the limits of wrist space, though a rotating bezel (like the one on the Galaxy Watch Classic) could play a role in a sturdy smartwatch.

Unlock new health metrics

More realistically, the Ultra 2 could come with a new processor and upgraded sensors focused on deeper health tracking. The most notable addition last year was Samsung’s antioxidant indicator, which can detect nutrition-related signals through the surface of the skin. This year, Samsung could delve deeper into skin-based detection, with broader nutrition insights and perhaps even non-invasive glucose monitoring — one of the long-standing “holy grails” of wearable health tech that may finally show progress.

Improve communication

Samsung could also take a page from the Apple Watch Ultra playbook by adding 5G connectivity to the Ultra lineup this year. New report from Dutch Galaxy Club website (via SamMobile) indicates that Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers indicating 5G, 4G, and Wi-Fi versions of the next generation. Galaxy Watch Ultra. In this scenario, 5G models will launch in the US and Korea, while other markets will only get 4G and Wi-Fi options.

Battery and processor

One of the biggest advantages of the original Ultra was its battery life, which lasted about 2.5 days versus the 30 to 40 hours of the flagship Galaxy Watch 8.

This year, the Ultra 2 is expected to get a major processor upgrade in the form of… Snapdragon Elite Weara new chip focused on wearables that Qualcomm officially announced at MWC 2026 in Barcelona. Insider report quoted from SamMobile It is suggested that at least one of Samsung’s new smartwatches could include the new processor. Specifically designed to handle on-device AI tasks, this could mean faster, smarter health coaching that doesn’t need to ping a server for thought. Although the standard Galaxy Watch 9 may still use the Exynos chipset like its predecessor, which could mean significant differences in performance and efficiency between the two models.

the The Ultra 2 is also rumored to add 5G connectivity, making it the first of Samsung’s smart watches to have this capability. If you go by industry standards, the 5G model will likely come at a higher price than the standard LTE and Wi-Fi versions. According to Dutch Galaxy Club website (And spotted before SamMobile), Samsung servers may have revealed a series of model numbers that indicate versions that support 5G, 4G, and Wi-Fi networks for the next generation. Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Rumors also point to a potential dual-chip architecture in the Ultra 2, separating high-performance tasks from low-power background processes, similar to what we saw in the OnePlus Watch 3. If Samsung pulls this off, it could bring the Ultra 2 closer to the multi-day endurance of competitors like Huawei watch 5 and OnePlus 3 watch.

More AI, less reliance on the phone

Improved processing power could also unlock more on-device AI features, especially as health coaching and AI-powered insights in wearables continue to evolve. Satellite connectivity is another option, following similar additions on the Apple Watch Ultra and Pixel Watch.

Where is the Galaxy Ring 2?

One notable absence from Samsung’s 2026 wearable conversation: the Galaxy Ring. The original launched in summer 2024 at the height of the smart ring hype, but Samsung has yet to hint at a successor. At this stage of the game, nothing has emerged (in terms of leaks or rumours) pointing to a Galaxy Ring 2 this cycle. It remains to be seen whether this indicates a broader hesitation in the smart ring space or just a temporary prioritization of smart watches. For now, it looks like Samsung only has two tier watch launches for its 2026 wearable lineup: the Watch 9 and Ultra 2.

All of this is still based on leaks and early industry signals, none of which have been confirmed by Samsung. But the pieces are starting to fall into place.