Samsung teases key changes coming to the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2

By Polina Kovalakova

Published: Jul 14, 2026, 5:31 AM

Samsung

Galaxy Watch

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Galaxy Watch 9 renders in different colors.

This is what the Galaxy Watch 9 might look like. | Image by OnLeaks / Android Headlines

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We've got just about a week until Samsung unveils its upcoming foldables and wearable devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 have already received plenty of attention, and Samsung is now turning the spotlight toward the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 with its latest teasers.

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Your next AI companion is coming soon

What's coming?: All-new inside | Samsung Samsung

Watch onYouTube

Samsung is hinting at hardware upgrades. | Teaser by Samsung

On July 14, 2026, Samsung shared a press release teasing its upcoming wearables. Although the tech giant doesn't explicitly reveal the models in question, we can pretty much expect them to be the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Watch Ultra 2.

The press release focuses heavily on bringing next-level agentic AI on your wrist to enable a new level of effortless wellness monitoring, while the teaser videos reveal what we can expect from the new timepieces.

In the short clips, Samsung is targeting three distinct changes: an "all-new inside," longer battery life, and new features, possibly related to heart rate tracking.

Which Galaxy Watch upgrade looks most exciting to you?

The longer battery life

66.25%

I'm curious about the Wear Elite and its efficiency

8.56%

I'd like to see what AI features Samsung brings next

7.56%

Honestly, nothing

8.06%

I won't buy a new smartwatch this year

9.57%

397 Votes

Confirming what we already expected

What's coming?: Unstoppable Power | Samsung Samsung

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Will battery life be improved? Sure looks like it. | Teaser by Samsung

You're not alone if you think these teasers show nothing new. They appear to confirm everything we've already expected about the upcoming smartwatches.

We've recently covered rumors regarding the possible chip inside the wearables, which will likely be the Snapdragon Wear Elite. This premium processor emphasizes advanced AI capabilities and significant efficiency, which could improve battery life as well.

Speaking of battery life, previous leaks have also indicated a larger cell inside some of Samsung's upcoming smartwatches, particularly the Watch Ultra 2. That would obviously align with Samsung’s teaser hinting at improved battery life.

As for the short video showing a heart rate symbol, it's likely pointing toward Samsung's upcoming heart health features. The South Korean tech giant has already teased a new metric, called Heart Health Score, which is expected to replace the existing cardiovascular load feature.

Changing direction

What's coming?: Heart racing | Samsung Samsung

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New features are likely coming as well. | Short video by Samsung

The key takeaway from the press release is that Samsung is shifting its focus. Rather than treating the upcoming wearables as an extension of your smartphone, the tech giant seems to provide a completely personalized AI experience directly on your wrist.

In addition, while the Galaxy Watch 9 doesn't appear to be gaining attention, the Watch Ultra 2 will likely be the star of the show. With its premium positioning, rumored larger battery and software improvements, it appears to be the smartwatch upgrade many Galaxy Watch fans are most interested in seeing.

I'm ready for it

While I'm still not convinced whether the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will be an ultimate success, primarily due to the rumored price increase, I can confidently say that I'm ready for what Samsung is bringing on July 22.

As I see it, Samsung's take on the on-device AI wearable experience is becoming too tempting to ignore. Let's just hope that Samsung delivers a truly polished experience instead of a set of AI features that look good on paper but fail to provide meaningful improvements in everyday use.

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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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