[Galaxy Unpacked July 2026] A First Look at Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9

At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026 in London, Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, expanding the digital health experience on the wrist. From the moment users wake up to the time they finish a workout and begin recovery, a smartwatch stays in contact with the body throughout the day.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is built for precise workout tracking and structured training in demanding environments. And the Galaxy Watch9 is designed for everyday health management spanning sleep, cardiovascular health, exercise and recovery.

▲ (From left) Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9

Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Adventure Without Limits

Combining top-tier performance with exceptional reliability, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is optimized for high-intensity sports and outdoor activities.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is the first Galaxy Watch powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon® Wear Elite Platform[1], delivering fast performance and precise GPS tracking. Its 800mAh battery offers 35% more capacity[2] than the previous generations. The display reaches up to 5,000 nits of brightness — a first for a smartwatch — making on-screen information easy to read even under bright lighting.

▲ Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is available in a 47-millimeter size.

Comfort has also improved. The cushion design seamlessly integrates the display, bezel and body. Despite its larger battery, the watch is 12% thinner than the previous generation thanks to component optimization and an internal redesign. The band is also 26% lighter with a new air pocket structure, providing a secure yet comfortable fit.

▲ A slim profile provides lasting comfort.

Trail Run[3], a new feature exclusive to Galaxy Watch Ultra2, offers real-time insights including detailed elevation data, climbing progress and cumulative ascent and descent distance. With this information, users can gauge workout intensity and adjust their pace accordingly.

▲ Trail Run

Galaxy Watch Ultra2’s capabilities now extend beneath the surface. From the moment users enter the water, it automatically records depth, dive time and water temperature. Backed by EN13319 certification for diving instruments, along with 10ATM water resistance and an IP69K rating for dust and water resistance[4], the device is engineered to support safe underwater activities. Furthermore, in collaboration with global diving equipment brand Mares, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 will support advanced diving features — including real-time ascent and descent rates as well as safety decompression time.[5]

During workouts, users can take advantage of hydration guidance, newly added to Nutrition Alert. Based on sweat loss relative to body weight, it calculates recommended fluid intake in real time to help users stay hydrated during extended exercise sessions.

▲ Hydration guidance

Galaxy Watch9: A Companion for Everyday Health

Galaxy Watch9 is designed to be an everyday companion for continuous health management. Compared to the previous generation, its slimmer body and band with a new air pocket structure fit comfortably and securely around the wrist, making it ideal for all-day wear — from workouts to sleep.

Powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, Galaxy Watch9 features a 390mAh battery[6] with 20% more capacity than the previous generations to support fast performance and consistent health monitoring throughout the day.

▲ (From left) Galaxy Watch9 comes in 40- and 44-millimeter sizes.

The Galaxy Watch series’ digital health experience is centered around the updated Samsung Health app, an all-in-one health coach that brings together five core pillars — Activity, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Sleep and Vitals — in one place. By capturing signals from the body and presenting them at a glance, the app helps users stay ahead of their health.

Sleep is the foundation of health management. The upgraded Sleep Apnea[7] feature analyzes the number of breathing disruptions per hour using an AI algorithm and categorizes them into three levels.

▲ Sleep insights

Key health metrics measured during sleep can be viewed at a glance in Vitals[8]. Using heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, Galaxy Watch9 establishes a personalized baseline to help identify meaningful changes in health.

Heart Health Score[9] provides an easy-to-understand snapshot of cardiovascular health by combining factors such as activity level, sleep, body composition and stress trends into a single score representing the user’s current condition.

Workout plans can also be tailored to fitness levels. Fitness Index [10]uses body composition and workout history to assess whether a user’s current exercise volume is appropriate, helping set individualized goals. On days with more intensive workouts, Daily Cardio Load[11] helps users assess training balance and determine how much recovery time they need.

▲ Heart Health Score

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 excels in high-intensity training, while Galaxy Watch9 supports everyday health management. Together with enhanced hardware and Samsung Health, the next-generation Galaxy Watch series delivers a smarter, more personalized health experience.

[1] Snapdragon and Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

[2] Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device model or the battery manufacturer. Typical value tested under third party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Typical capacity is 800 mAh (35 % increase compared to previous Galaxy Watch Ultra). Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

[3] Trail run on Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is available on Android phones (Android 13 or above) and requires the Samsung Health app (v7.0 or above). Samsung account login required. Service only available with Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

[4] Galaxy Watch Ultra2 has a water resistance rating of 100 meters according to the ISO22810 standard. The test was conducted in 5 % salt water and 4 ppm chlorine water. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is also water resistant with an IPX8 rating based on the lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes and an IPX9K rating based on the lab test conditions for water resistance against powerful water jets. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 has obtained EN13319, which is a standard applicable to instruments measuring water depth by the environmental pressure as used by divers and also the dive time in certain condition. Water resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time. If it’s been exposed to seawater, rinse it in freshwater and dry after use. Refer to the user manual for further information, including care/use instructions. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is dust resistant with an IP6X rating based on the lab test conditions by a third party: 2 kg of talc powder (max. diameter of 0.05 mm) per cubic meter was blown into a test chamber housing the device (air pressure within device kept below surrounding air) for 2 hours. Dust resistance may vary by actual usage conditions. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 withstands temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C while being worn on the wrist, based on results from internal lab tests conducted by Samsung. Actual performance may vary depending on the environment where it is used. In very high or low temperatures, charging may be blocked, certain functions may be automatically terminated or unavailable, or the watch may shut down automatically for safety. Additionally, battery performance can be adversely affected at low temperatures.

[5] Available later this year with a separate app download required.

[6] Typical capacity is 390 mAh (20 % increase compared to previous Galaxy Watch8 40 mm) for 40 mm size, 445 mAh (10 mAh increase compared to previous Galaxy Watch8 44 mm) for 44 mm size. Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device models or the battery manufacturer.

[7] The Sleep Apnea is available on Android phones (Android 13 or above). The Sleep Apnea Feature is an over-the-counter (OTC) software-only, mobile medical application operating on a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and Phone. It is intended for on-demand use, to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions over a two-night monitoring period. Not intended for use by people under 22 years or, or who have previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea, are pregnant, or have any of the following conditions: Parkinson’s, tremor, Periodic Leg Movement During Sleep, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or pulmonary fibrosis. Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment, and the data provided by this feature is not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders. Results displayed are for informational purposes only. Please consult a medical professional for advice. UI may vary depending on the software version, country, or region. For full terms and conditions of use, please refer to the Instructions for Use on your device.

[8] Vitals on Galaxy Watch9 is available on Android phones (Android 13 or above) and requires the Samsung Health app v7.0 or above. Samsung account login required. Vitals requires at least 7 nights of sleep data, and wearing a Galaxy Watch during sleep is necessary. Vitals is for wellness only, not for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you’re concerned about your health, be sure to see a medical professional.

[9] Heart Health Score on Galaxy Watch9 is available on Android phones (Android 13 or above) and requires the Samsung Health app v7.0 or above. Samsung account login required. To calculate Heart Health Score, data on related lifestyle factors — including sleep time, BMI, vascular load and moderate to vigorous activity time — must be collected. Heart Health Score is for fitness and wellness only. If you’ve been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or are recovering from surgery, be sure to follow your healthcare professional’s treatment plan.

[10] Fitness Index on Galaxy Watch9 is available on Android phones (Android 13 or above) and requires the Samsung Health app v7.0 or above. Samsung account login required. To use the feature, BIA and VO2Max each need to be measured at least once, along with 2 days of activity records and step count data.

[11] Daily Cardio Load on Galaxy Watch9 is available on Android phones (Android 13 or above) and requires the Samsung Health app v7.0 or above. Samsung account login required. To use the feature, at least 7 days of activity records are required, while 28 days of continuous wear is recommended for optimal accuracy. Please note that values may increase in daily situations where heart rate rises, such as during tension, anxiety or stress.