GoKawiilZac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority
Samsung has a duo of new Galaxy Watches out for 2026, and one of them is the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. It’s been just about two years since the first Watch Ultra was announced, and for the second model, Samsung has made some pretty impressive upgrades.
Remember how thick the original Watch Ultra was? The Watch Ultra 2 is much thinner. The Watch Ultra 2 is more durable than its predecessor, features a slightly larger (and significantly brighter) display, a much newer chipset, and a considerably larger battery. Add it all together, and the Watch Ultra 2 sounds pretty great.
So, what’s the problem? The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 costs $700. That’s a huge chunk of money to spend on a new smartwatch, regardless of how good it is. If you’re second-guessing whether the Ultra 2 is truly worth it, here are a few alternatives you should consider before buying.
Which Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 alternative would you choose? 23 votes Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 35 % Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 13 % Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 13 % Amazfit Balance Ultra 17 % Garmin Venu 4 22 % Other (let us know in the comments) 0 %
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
Paul Jones / Android Authority
If you want Samsung’s newest smartwatch model, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 isn’t your only option. Alternatively, you could also pick up the Galaxy Watch 9. The big draw here is that the Watch 9 is powered by the exact same Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset inside the Ultra 2. Both watches also have 2GB of RAM, so you’re getting the same performance as the Watch Ultra 2 but in a significantly smaller and lighter package with the Watch 9.
The Galaxy Watch 9 also ships with the same One UI 9 Watch software you’ll find on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, giving you almost all of the same features. Other than a Trail Running Mode that’s exclusive to the Watch Ultra 2, the Watch 9 shares everything else — including Samsung’s new Fitness Index score, Daily Cardio Load, and Raise to Talk feature for Gemini voice commands.
What makes the Galaxy Watch 9 so tempting next to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is its price. The 40mm Watch 9 starts at $380, while the 44mm model starts at $410. No matter which one you choose, you’re spending so much less than the Watch Ultra 2. Of course, you are settling for less storage, a smaller screen, and a less impressive battery, but are those things worth an additional $300? I’m not so sure.
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