GoKawiilIt's already been a busy launch year for Samsung, with the Galaxy S26 launch and a surprise trifold in the books, but the company's just warming up. Next up could be smartwatches.
Last year, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 debuted a slightly controversial redesign, making the return of the Galaxy Watch Classic and its physical rotating bezel all the more satisfying. This year, a new Classic model doesn't seem likely (though another redesign isn't completely off the table). But there may be another headliner ready to steal attention from the flagship once again.
A report from GalaxyClub cited by Android Authority suggests Samsung may launch a new Galaxy Watch Ultra alongside the Galaxy Watch 9, likely in the summer of 2026.
The rugged smartwatch, which debuted in summer 2024, received a few updates in the last cycle, such as larger storage (up to 64GB) and a new color, but otherwise remained the same.
This year's version, likely to be called the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, may keep a similar design. At 47mm, the Ultra is already pushing the limits of wrist real estate. While a rotating bezel borrowed from the Classic line would be interesting, it feels like a tough sell for a rugged, adventure-focused watch.
The next Galaxy Watch Ultra could adopt the rotating bezel from the Classic. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
Unlocking new health metrics
More realistically, the Ultra 2 could bring a new processor and upgraded sensors focused on deeper health tracking. Last year's most notable addition was Samsung's antioxidant index, which can detect nutrition-related signals through the skin's surface. This year, Samsung could go deeper into skin-based detection, with broader nutrition insights and potentially even noninvasive glucose monitoring -- one of the long-standing "holy grails" of wearable health tech that may finally be showing progress.
Improved connectivity
Samsung could also take a page from the Apple Watch Ultra playbook by adding 5G connectivity to its Ultra lineup this year. A new report from Dutch site Galaxy Club (via SamMobile) suggests Samsung's servers may have revealed a series of model numbers pointing to 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi versions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra. In this scenario, the 5G models would launch in the US and Korea, while other markets would get 4G and Wi-Fi options only.
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