Galaxy Watch Ultra2 has been unveiled alongside Galaxy Watch9 at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event in London, introducing major upgrades in battery life, outdoor tracking, health monitoring and wearable performance.
The new watches expand Samsung’s digital health strategy by supporting users throughout the day, from sleep and exercise to recovery and cardiovascular wellness.
While Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is designed for demanding workouts and outdoor activities, Galaxy Watch9 focuses on everyday health management and all-day comfort.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 Targets Outdoor Athletes
Samsung has positioned Galaxy Watch Ultra2 as its most capable outdoor smartwatch.
The device is designed for high-intensity sports, trail running, diving and other activities that require durability and accurate tracking.
It is the first Galaxy Watch powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform. Samsung says the chip supports faster performance and more precise GPS tracking.
The smartwatch comes in a 47-millimeter size and includes an 800mAh battery.
That battery has 35% more capacity than the previous generation, giving users more power for long training sessions, outdoor trips and continuous health monitoring.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 Gets a Record-Bright Display
One of the biggest Galaxy Watch Ultra2 upgrades is its display.
Samsung says the screen can reach up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness, the highest level the company has offered on a smartwatch.
The brighter display is intended to make maps, health information and workout statistics easier to read in strong sunlight.
Actual brightness may vary depending on temperature, surroundings and how the watch is being used.
Samsung has also redesigned the watch body to improve comfort.
Despite carrying a larger battery, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is 12% thinner than its predecessor. Its redesigned band is also 26% lighter and includes an air-pocket structure intended to provide a secure but comfortable fit.
Trail Run Delivers Detailed Elevation Data
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 introduces an exclusive Trail Run feature for users who exercise across hills, mountains and uneven terrain.
The feature provides real-time elevation information, climbing progress and total ascent and descent measurements.
These details can help runners understand the intensity of a route and adjust their pace during training.
Trail Run requires a compatible Android smartphone running Android 13 or later, Samsung Health version 7.0 or newer and a Samsung account.
The feature is limited to Galaxy Watch Ultra2.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 Expands Diving Features
Samsung has also developed Galaxy Watch Ultra2 for underwater use.
The watch can automatically record depth, water temperature and dive duration after the user enters the water.
It has received EN13319 certification, a standard covering depth-measuring diving instruments.
The watch also offers 10ATM water resistance and an IP69K rating for resistance to water and dust.
Samsung is working with diving equipment company Mares to add more advanced diving functions.
Planned features include real-time ascent and descent rates and safety decompression information. They are expected to become available later through a separate application.
Samsung notes that water resistance can weaken over time. Users should rinse the watch with fresh water and dry it after exposure to seawater.
Hydration Guidance Supports Longer Workouts
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 also adds hydration guidance through Samsung’s Nutrition Alert system.
The feature estimates how much fluid a user may need based on sweat loss compared with body weight.
It provides recommendations during supported workouts to help users manage hydration during long or demanding exercise sessions.
Users must enable the Nutrition function within exercise settings, and the tool is only available for selected activities.
Galaxy Watch9 Focuses on Everyday Wellness
Galaxy Watch9 has been designed as a lighter everyday smartwatch for exercise, sleep tracking and continuous health monitoring.
It is available in 40-millimeter and 44-millimeter sizes.
Like Galaxy Watch Ultra2, it uses the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform.
The 40-millimeter version includes a 390mAh battery, which Samsung says offers 20% more capacity than the previous generation.
A slimmer body and lightweight band are intended to make the watch comfortable enough to wear during the day and overnight.
Samsung Health Brings Five Wellness Areas Together
The latest Samsung Health experience is built around five main areas: Activity, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Sleep and Vitals.
Samsung describes the app as an all-in-one health coach that brings key information into a single dashboard.
The platform collects health and activity signals from the watch and presents them in a format designed to help users understand trends over time.
Samsung says the system is intended for general fitness and wellness rather than medical diagnosis or treatment.
Vitals Creates a Personal Health Baseline
Galaxy Watch9 uses Vitals to organize health measurements recorded during sleep.
The tool analyzes heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature and blood oxygen saturation.
It then builds a personal baseline that may help the user notice meaningful changes in their normal patterns.
Vitals requires an Android phone running Android 11 or later, Samsung Health version 7.0 or above and a Samsung account.
The feature is not designed to diagnose or treat medical conditions.
Heart Health Score Simplifies Wellness Data
Samsung has also introduced Heart Health Score as part of its expanded health platform.
The feature combines several factors, including activity levels, sleep, body composition and stress trends.
It then produces a single score that gives users a simplified view of their current cardiovascular wellness.
Samsung says the tool is intended for general health and fitness purposes only.
It should not be used to detect, diagnose or treat heart conditions, sleep disorders or other medical problems.
Galaxy Watch9 Adds Personalized Fitness Guidance
Galaxy Watch9 can also help users create more suitable training goals.
Fitness Index uses body composition measurements and workout history to assess whether a person’s current level of exercise is appropriate.
The feature requires at least one BIA body composition measurement, one VO2Max reading and two days of step and activity records.
Daily Cardio Load provides additional guidance after intense workouts.
It helps users review the balance of their training and estimate how much recovery they may need before exercising heavily again.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 Serve Different Users
Samsung has developed its two new watches for different types of customers.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is aimed at athletes, adventurers and users who need longer battery life, stronger outdoor tracking and specialized diving tools.
Galaxy Watch9 is designed for people who want comfortable, continuous health tracking during exercise, work and sleep.
Both devices use updated hardware and Samsung Health tools to deliver more personalized fitness and wellness information.
With a brighter screen, improved batteries and expanded tracking features, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 represent Samsung’s latest attempt to make smartwatches more useful for both demanding sports and everyday health management.
