Smartwatches were once fitness first, health second. OK, I lied. Most high-end smartwatches are actually both fitness- and health-first. But for the successors to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch8—the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9—Samsung is marketing them as “your health companion on the wrist.” Why? Well, the new smartwatches now tout deeper insights, more accurate tracking, and AI in the mix to help you turn daily data into actionable guidance. And so, yes, the Ultra has returned after a year’s hiatus.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2
Built for the outdoors, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 returns with a rugged 47 mm titanium case, a larger 800 mAh battery, and a display capable of blasting out 5,000 nits of brightness. That’s bright enough that even the sun has to squint.
The new smartwatch introduces Trail Run mode for runners tackling uneven terrain, complete with elevation tracking and climbing statistics. Divers also get expanded support with automatic depth, dive time, and water temperature tracking, while Nutrition Alert estimates hydration needs based on sweat loss. Powering everything is Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform, alongside Samsung’s growing collection of AI-powered health tools.
Galaxy Watch9
If mountaintops and dive sites are not your thing, the Galaxy Watch9 is aimed squarely at everyday life. Available in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes, it features a slimmer design, a lighter air-pocket strap, and a larger battery for longer wear.
It shares the same new chipset and Samsung Health upgrades as its bigger sibling, including Heart Health Score, Fitness Index, Daily Cardio Load, expanded Vitals tracking, and improved AI-assisted sleep analysis. In other words, it spends the day collecting data so you can decide whether to hit the gym or convince yourself that tomorrow is a better day.
Pricing and availability
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 will be offered in a single 47 mm size and two titanium finishes: Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch9 comes in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes. The smaller model is available in Cream and Graphite, while the larger version comes in Graphite and Silver.
Both smartwatches are available for preorder in select markets as we speak, with general availability beginning on August 7. As for the damage to your wallet, the Galaxy Watch9 starts at US$379.99, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 starts at US$699.99.
Images: Samsung.
