Samsung used its latest Galaxy Unpacked event to unveil two new smartwatches: the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, aimed at different buyers — the Watch 9 as an everyday health companion and the Ultra 2 as a rugged sports performance device. The Watch 9 will be offered in 40mm and 44mm aluminum models priced at roughly $380 and $410 (LTE versions add about $50), while the titanium 47mm Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is positioned at around $699–$700. Both models introduce modest price increases versus their predecessors.
Physically, the Watch 9 looks much like last year’s Watch 8: a slim aluminum body available in cream, silver or graphite and sizes for smaller and larger wrists. The Ultra 2 is a beefier, grade‑4 titanium build in titanium gray or silver, but Samsung says it’s 12% thinner and 25% lighter than the original Ultra. Water resistance differs: the Watch 9 is rated to 50 meters, while the Ultra 2 is rated to 100 meters and carries higher dust resistance.
Display specs separate the two. The Watch 9 comes as a 1.3‑inch (40mm) or 1.5‑inch (44mm) Super AMOLED with 438×438 and 480×480 resolutions respectively and a quoted peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The Ultra 2 uses a slightly larger 1.52‑inch Super AMOLED at 498×498 and ramps peak brightness to 5,000 nits for improved outdoor visibility.
Health and safety suites are similar across both watches, including heart sensors, bioelectrical impedance analysis, gyro, geomagnetic and infrared temperature sensors, sleep and activity tracking, and a skin carotenoid detector. The Ultra 2 adds adventure‑oriented features such as real‑time hydration guidance that estimates sweat loss, a trail‑running mode with downloadable maps and elevation monitoring, and a diving app (not preloaded at launch). Both models support fall detection and emergency SOS, and the Ultra 2 also offers a loud siren.
Battery and performance see notable upgrades. Both watches move to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset. The Watch 9 increases battery capacity (40mm: 390 mAh; 44mm: 445 mAh) with Samsung claiming up to about 30 hours with Always‑On Display enabled (up to ~40 hours with AOD off). The Ultra 2 packs an 800‑mAh cell, promising up to 60 hours in regular use, about 48 hours in a low‑power exercise mode and up to 100 hours in power‑saving mode. Memory and storage are 2GB + 32GB for the Watch 9 and 2GB + 64GB for the Ultra 2.
Software and connectivity are broadly comparable: Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch, Google Gemini voice features, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, optional LTE, GPS, mobile payments via Samsung and Google Wallets, and compatibility with devices running Android 13 and newer. In short, the Watch 9 targets users who want a capable daily health smartwatch in two sizes, while the Ultra 2 is aimed at outdoors and endurance athletes who need tougher materials, longer battery life and adventure‑focused tools.
Original Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/samsung-galaxy-watch-9-vs-galaxy-watch-ultra-2-smartwatch-head-to-head/
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Publish Date: 2026-07-27 01:18:00
