Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
Galaxy Watch 8 for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
What's expected to change vs Galaxy Watch 8:
- No update in squircle desgin
- AI-driven health monitoring
- Exynos W1000 (3 nm) chip, but some rumors suggest the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip
- About 2% growth in battery capacity for the 44mm version
- 1.47-inch and 1.34-inch display sizes as the ones used on predecessors
- Same 10 W charging as Galaxy Watch 8
Expected release timeline:
- The Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to accompany the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 during a July 22, 2026 Samsung Unpacked event.
Expected price:
- No leaks on pricing yet.
- Could start from $349 as its predecessor.
Jump to:
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 release date
Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy Watch 9 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 in the summer of 2026, potentially on July 22.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series | July, 2023 | August, 2023 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series | July, 2024 | July, 2024 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series | July, 2025 | July, 2025 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 | July 22, 2026* | July or August, 2026* |
* - probable dates
Expect market availability for the Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to follow in about two weeks' time after the announcement.
We've recently had the firmware for the smartwatch spotted online, indicating the timepiece went towards its testing phase on time. Some reports hint that there may be a Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch 9 Classic launched together.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 price
The Galaxy Watch 9's price has not leaked just yet, but a price hike is not out of the question. Its predecessor started at $349. We don't know if the timepiece is going to suffer the same fate as the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy A devices that recently got their prices hiked (and already-released devices got price hikes too).
| Galaxy Watch model | 40/44mm Bluetooth | 40/44mm LTE |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | $299/$329 | $349/$379 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | $299/$329 | $349/$379 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | $349/$379 | $399/$429 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9* | $349/$379 or more* | $399/$429 or more* |
*- anticipated price
It is worth remembering that Samsung already bumped up its prices recently. We saw those price increases land when the Galaxy Watch 8 series hit the shelves.
We are definitely crossing our fingers that Samsung keeps the Galaxy Watch 9 at the same price as the current models. If Samsung manages to do that, the entry-level Bluetooth versions will start at $349 or $379, while the LTE versions will go for $399 or $429.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 design
The Galaxy Watch 9 design is under wraps at the moment and no marketing materials have leaked thus far, but you can safely expect a style similar to the previous generation.
The Galaxy Watch 8 introduced a new "squircle" design, which blends a square outer chassis with a classic circular screen. That design turned out to be incredibly comfortable for everyday wear, featuring a thin profile with a clean aluminum frame.
The Galaxy Watch 8's design, for reference. | Image by PhoneArena
We may see a Galaxy Watch 9 Classic as well this year, and it may come with a similar design to its predecessor. It's a more premium, elegant version of the timepiece, and Samsung is likely following the same strategy this year too.
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, for reference. | Image by PhoneArena
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 display
Leaks are silent thus far on the exact size and other specs of the display, but there's a big chance Samsung might use the same 1.47-inch and 1.34-inch display sizes as the ones used on the previous generation.
For reference, the Galaxy Watch 8 had a screen brightness of 3,000 nits, which is a common standard for top-tier smartwatches right now. Expect a similar brightness this year too.
You can look forward to a resolution of 438 x 438 pixels for the small 40 mm model and 480 x 480 pixels for the larger 44 mm version.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 battery
A fresh leak recently gave us details on the battery size for the 44 mm version of the Galaxy Watch 9. The battery showed up with part number EB-BL355BAY and carries a 435 mAh rated capacity.
It is important to note the difference between a battery's "rated" and "typical" capacities. The rated capacity is the minimum guaranteed baseline for a cell, while the typical capacity is the statistical average. Because the typical number is always higher, a 435 mAh rated capacity suggests the Watch 9 will likely feature a typical capacity of around 445–450 mAh.
To put that into perspective, the Galaxy Watch 8 (44 mm) features a 435 mAh typical capacity, but its actual rated capacity is lower, at around 425 mAh. By comparing the rated numbers directly (435 mAh vs. 425 mAh), we can confirm that the 44 mm Galaxy Watch 9 is indeed receiving a physical battery upgrade over its predecessor.
For reference, in our Galaxy Watch 8 review, we found that the smartwatch does need to be charged every day, which may be a hassle for some users, especially if you want it to monitor your sleep.
Meanwhile, the competition is tough with smartwatches like the OnePlus Watch 3 that can last for up to five days on a single charge.
As for charging, the Galaxy Watch 9 is likely retaining the 10 W charging of its predecessor. Expect the smartwatch to be able to charge from 0% to 100% in around an 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 features and software
Reportedly, the Galaxy Watch 9 may focus on AI-driven health monitoring and efficiency. The smartwatch is expected to come with One UI Watch 9 based on Wear OS 7. We also expect advanced Galaxy AI integration for the timepiece.
We have seen a few rumors online about the Watch 9 adding non-invasive blood sugar monitoring. However, there is no real proof just yet. This feature has been talked about for years without actually happening, so the tech may not be ready quite yet.
On the bright side, all your favorite health sensors are likely to return. You will still be able to check your blood pressure, take an ECG, and track your skin temperature and blood oxygen levels.
We also expect the running coach feature from the Watch 8 to make a comeback. Plus, you will get smart sleep reports with the help of Galaxy AI.
The previous model also introduced an "Antioxidant Index" feature. It is highly likely this tool will show up on the new watch too, though we are still waiting to see if Samsung will upgrade it in any way.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 hardware and specs
The Galaxy Watch 9 may come with the same chip as its predecessor, the Exynos W1000. It's a relatively new silicon that Samsung first introduced back in 2024 on the Galaxy Watch 7, but it's also not an upgrade over last year.
The new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is not coming to the Watch 9, according to rumors. This processor may be reserved for the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
Galaxy Watch 9's expected specs:
- CPU: Exynos W1000 (3 nm)
- Connectivity: LTE, Bluetooth
- Battery life: Around 30 hours with Always-on display
- Materials: Aluminum
- Sizes: 40 mm and 44mm
- Storage: Yes
- Sensors: BioActive, temperature, antioxidant index
In terms of connectivity, we expect two versions – a Bluetooth-only model and one with LTE connectivity, as usual.
Should I wait for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9?
- You should wait for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 if you are upgrading from an older generation (like the Galaxy Watch 6 or earlier) and want a fresh squircle design combined with the upcoming One UI Watch 9 software (built on Wear OS 7). Waiting a couple of months also gets you a slightly larger physical battery cell on the 44 mm model and deeper Galaxy AI health monitoring. If you want the latest Android wearable features and don't mind a potential price hike over last year's models, holding off until the summer launch is the right call.
- You should not wait for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 if you already own the Galaxy Watch 8. Because leaks indicate the Watch 9 will reuse the same 3nm Exynos W1000 processor as its predecessor, day-to-day performance will remain largely unchanged, meaning there won't be enough substantial hardware upgrades to justify the switch. Furthermore, if you want a wearable with multi-day battery life (like the OnePlus Watch) you should look outside of Samsung's upcoming lineup.
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