Is it Time to Upgrade to Galaxy Watch Ultra2?

At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026, Samsung unveiled their most powerful and advanced Galaxy Watch ever: Galaxy Watch Ultra2. It’s designed for users who want to get the most out of life and need a watch that can keep up with them, whether they’re hiking, biking, or trying something new.

Now in its second generation, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds off the legacy of Galaxy Watch to offer innovative wellness features, optimized for those who need top-of-the-line reliability and adventure-ready features.

Who is Galaxy Watch Ultra2 Designed for?

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is designed for those who need a powerful watch and specialized sports tracking features. Outdoor sports enthusiasts can take advantage of the Trail Run[1] feature which tracks detailed elevation, climbing progress, and terrain impact to help reduce the risk of overtraining. It also comes with real-time hydration guidance through Nutrition Alert,[2] which estimates sweat loss relative to body weight — helping you hit your running goals.

How does Galaxy Watch Ultra2 compare to Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch9?

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 was crafted for those that need a watch that can keep up with their active lifestyle. It offers better dust resistance than the previous generation, now delivering an IP69K rating.[3] Plus, it provides users with piece of mind, thanks to its 10 ATM certification[4] for water resistance. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 also stands out from the previous generation and Galaxy Watch9 with its professional diving EN13319 certification[5] alongside the ability to automatically track real-time diving data such as depth, time, and water temperature right from the wrist.

Additional advanced diving features, including ascent/descent speed tracking and safe dive limits are expected to be available later this year through an exclusive Ultra2 Diving app[6]  developed with Mares,[7] the world’s leading diving equipment brand.

Enabling these experiences is the powerful Snapdragon Wear Elite[8] platform, and a massive 800 mAh battery[9] — a 35% increase over last generation. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is also the world’s first smartwatch with up to 5,000 nits of brightness[10], so users can enjoy their favourite features anytime, anywhere.

Is Galaxy Watch Ultra2 only for outdoor enthusiasts?

Everyone can enjoy the benefits of Galaxy Watch Ultra2, whether you’re trying to reach a new personal best, looking to become more active, or interested in tracking certain wellness markers, like sleep quality. It offers a range of powerful features, including:

• Sleep Apnea feature:[11] delivers insights into signs of possible moderate to severe sleep apnea during sleep.
• Vitals:[12] monitors a user’s personal health baseline during sleep and provides seamless alerts for significant deviations.

• Hearing:[13] Helps protect long-term hearing health with alerts for unsafe noise levels.

It’s all about finding the right device for your needs. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 provides rugged and fitness-optimized experiences that keep up with an active lifestyle. At Unpacked July 2026, Galaxy Watch9 was also unveiled, delivering a versatile watch for those focused on tracking their everyday biomarkers in a lightweight design. Both devices now available for purchase.

Learn more about Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 at Samsung.com.

[1] Requires a compatible Android smartphone. Must select map from Samsung Health App or upload compatible GPX file.

[2] Requires initial setup in Samsung Health app, a compatible phone and Samsung account.

[3] Consistent with IP69K rating: highest dust resistance available on IP scale; water-resistance for protection against ingress under high pressure washdown and jets (1,160 to 1,450 PSI). Rinse residue/dry after wet. Water-Resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time.

[4] Consistent with 10ATM water-resistance classification, up to 100m of water for up to 10 minutes. Tested in 5% salty water and 4ppm chlorine water. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Water resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time.

[5] 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 lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes and an IPX9K rating based on 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 conditions. Water resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time. If device has been exposed to seawater, user should 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 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.

[6] Free features are limited to depth measuring, dive timer and ascent rate alarm. Additional features require a subscription fee. To be used for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters; should not be used for diving below 40 meters.

[7] The Mares app is a third-party app, expected to launch in the second half of 2026. Requires download.

[8] Snapdragon^® branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon^® is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

[9] 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.

[10] Based on market research of globally released smartwatches as of June 2026. The 5,000-nit specification refers to the localized peak brightness achieved under high ambient light, and full-screen brightness may differ. Actual brightness may vary or be limited depending on environmental factors, device temperature and usage conditions.

[11] 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.

[12] Requires a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Samsung Health app and Samsung account. Requires initial setup consisting of wearing the watch for 7 out of 28 nights. The Vitals software functions are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease.

[13] Feature must be activated from the Watch to be used (Samsung Health > Hearing > Settings > Sound Monitoring “On”).