GoKawiilWith less than a week to go until Samsung's next Unpacked event, we're getting a much clearer picture of what the company's next Galaxy watches might look like. Official-looking images of the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 have surfaced alongside the rest of Samsung's upcoming foldable lineup.
First reported by Android Headlines, the latest leak doesn't reveal any new hardware specifications, but it suggests Samsung is taking an iterative approach rather than introducing a dramatic redesign. The Galaxy Watch 9 appears to retain its circular display housed within Samsung's squircle-shaped case, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 sticks with the rugged aesthetic introduced on the original Ultra. The images also show both watches side by side, suggesting a noticeable difference in display size between the two models.
If the rumors are accurate, the biggest change this year (and arguably the most welcome) could be battery life. According to a report from SamMobile, later highlighted by 9to5Google, Samsung's rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 might be getting a massive new battery. If true, the rumored 800-mAh battery would be the largest in the Wear OS ecosystem and could push battery life way beyond the roughly two-day territory occupied by the current Ultra.
As wearables increasingly move toward holistic health tracking that requires overnight monitoring for recovery metrics and deeper health insights, companies such as Google and Whoop have opted for screenless wearables that prioritize battery life over function. The Ultra 2 could represent a middle ground, combining multi-day endurance with the broader functionality of a traditional smartwatch.
Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 design: same old
Last year, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 debuted a somewhat controversial redesign, making the return of the Galaxy Watch Classic and its physical rotating bezel all the more welcome. This year, a new Classic model doesn't seem likely, though another redesign isn't completely out of the question.
The rugged Ultra, which debuted in 2024, got some minor updates in the last cycle, including expanded storage (up to 64GB) and a new color option, but otherwise remained largely unchanged.
That means both the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could be due for a design refresh in response to criticism of the current lineup.
The next Galaxy Watch Ultra could adopt the rotating bezel from the Classic. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
At 47mm, the Ultra is already pushing the limits of wrist real estate (many other smartwatches are 40mm to 44mm, and even the largest sports watches don't exceed 47mm), but a rotating bezel borrowed (from the Classic line) would be an interesting addition. Whether that feature makes sense on a rugged, adventure-focused smartwatch is another question. And based on the latest leaks, that bezel might remain static this time around.
... continue reading