Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 & Ultra 2 Debut with AI Health Features

Samsung officially announced its latest smartwatch lineup at its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, introducing the new Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. While a new Galaxy Watch Classic model was absent this year, the two revealed devices bring significant upgrades, including advanced AI features for health monitoring. The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $379.99 for the Bluetooth version and $429.99 for the LTE model. The more rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is priced higher, beginning at $699.99.

The Galaxy Watch 9 will be available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, succeeding the Galaxy Watch 8. This year, Samsung equipped the larger Watch 9 model with an upgraded 445mAh battery, while the 40mm variant features a 390mAh cell. A substantial battery improvement is seen in the Watch Ultra 2, which boasts an impressive 800mAh cell, promising up to 60 hours of usage on a single charge. Both new models are powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, come with 2GB of memory, and offer storage options of 32GB for the Watch 9 and 64GB for the Ultra 2.

The display on the Ultra 2 is notably brighter, reaching 5,000 nits, making it exceptionally suitable for outdoor visibility, a significant upgrade from the Watch 9's 3,000-nit display. For fitness enthusiasts, the Ultra 2 introduces specialized outdoor sports tracking, including a 'Trail Run' feature to monitor metrics like terrain impact and elevation for hiking. It also includes a 'Nutrition Alert' that works with the existing Sweat Loss tracker to advise on hydration needs.

Enhanced Durability and Diving Capabilities

Designed for adventurers, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 meets EN13319 standards, signifying its readiness for diving. Samsung confirmed that detailed dive tracking will be integrated via a dedicated Diving app later in 2026. The watch has undergone pressure chamber testing to accurately detect diving depth and duration. In a strategic partnership with scuba equipment manufacturer Mares, the Ultra 2 will offer exclusive diving-specific features, further enhancing its appeal to underwater explorers.

A major highlight across both the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 is the integration of new AI-powered health features. These onboard capabilities leverage the devices' sensors to deliver personalized wellness insights. Users can expect detailed analysis of sleep patterns, including breathing disruptions, tracking of vital sign deviations, recommendations for daily cardio load, and alerts for dangerously high noise levels to help protect hearing. These features aim to provide a more comprehensive and proactive approach to user health management.

While these new Samsung smartwatches may not represent a radical departure from existing designs, the combination of hardware advancements and sophisticated AI-driven software promises to elevate their performance as effective health and fitness companions for a wide range of users. The watches will be available with a variety of band options, catering to both athletic and casual wear, with specific water-resistant bands offered for the Ultra 2.