Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chip looks quite solid on paper. | Image by Qualcomm
According to a fresh report (machine translated) published on July 13, 2026, Samsung won't use an in-house chip for the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Instead, both wearables are rumored to debut with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite.
If the leak is indeed accurate, the Galaxy Watch 9 series could stand out with significantly faster charging, improved performance and efficiency, as well as expanded on-device AI capabilities.
If these leaks turn out to be accurate, what's your plan?
I'll buy the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at launch
38.83%
I'll wait for the next Apple Watch
0.49%
I'll wait for discounts and buy a Galaxy Watch later
36.41%
I'm skipping the Galaxy Watches this year
15.05%
I'll go for an older Galaxy Watch model instead
9.22%
206 Votes
Major battery upgrades
The spicier bit is the expected battery size bump. The report indicates that the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to feature a larger battery: 800mAh. In contrast, the OG Galaxy Watch Ultra came with a 590mAh cell under the hood, suggesting battery life on the upcoming model could be significantly improved.
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As for the Galaxy Watch 9, which is expected to arrive in 40mm and 44mm sizes, Samsung is reportedly keeping things relatively modest. The report suggests the smaller size could debut with the same 325mAh battery as the Galaxy Watch 8.
The Galaxy Watch 9 with a 44mm case, on the other hand, could feature a tiny bump of just 10mAh, bringing it to 445mAh from 435mAh on the previous generation.
Furthermore, the leak points to Bluetooth 6.0 for all models, dual-band Wi-Fi, LTE-ready variants, and a titanium case for "a large portion of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2."
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Apple has emerged as the biggest winner in Q1 2026. | Image by Counterpoint Research
As we reported earlier, the upcoming Galaxy Watches could debut with a higher asking price. Samsung isn't alone in this, though, as recent leaks also suggest Google's upcoming Pixel Watch 5 lineup could also cost more than its predecessor.
As you might imagine, customer response isn't broadly positive. For many fans, a supposed price of €749 (~$857) for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is taking things a step too far.
If the leaked prices are correct, this could result in broader demand for Apple Watch models this year. As a Counterpoint Research report indicates, the global smartwatch shipments grew 4% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, with Apple capturing the largest share of shipments for this period (23%).
Wearable champions... or not so much?
I'm thinking the Galaxy Watch 8 might deliver better value this year. | Image by PhoneArena
Looking at the spec sheet, the upcoming Galaxy Watches, particularly the Watch Ultra 2, are looking like proper wearable champs. But I'm still not sure how successful they'll ultimately become.
It's the leaked price that bothers me the most. Even if the model debuts at around $700 instead of $857 (after direct conversion), I still don't think the Wear Elite chip and the battery size increase are enough to justify the higher price.
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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.
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