Samsung Launches Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 with Advanced Health Features

Samsung Electronics officially revealed its latest smartwatch offerings, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, at the Galaxy Unpacked event held in London on July 28, 2026. These new devices aim to significantly expand the digital health monitoring capabilities available directly from the wrist, tracking users from their morning wake-up routine through intense workouts and recovery periods.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is engineered for extreme conditions and high-intensity sports, featuring enhanced durability and precise workout tracking. It marks a significant upgrade by being the first Galaxy Watch to utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon® Wear Elite Platform, promising faster performance and more accurate GPS. Its battery capacity has been boosted by 35% to 800mAh, and the display now reaches an unprecedented 5,000 nits of brightness, ensuring readability even in direct sunlight. The watch's design has also been refined for comfort and a slimmer profile, measuring 12% thinner than its predecessor despite the larger battery. The new band utilizes an air pocket structure, making it 26% lighter.

Exclusive to the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, the new 'Trail Run' feature provides real-time elevation data, climbing progress, and cumulative ascent/descent metrics to help athletes manage their pace and intensity. Beyond terrestrial activities, the Ultra2 is now equipped for underwater exploration. It automatically detects when users enter the water, recording depth, dive time, and temperature. Certified with EN13319 for diving instruments and boasting 10ATM water resistance and an IP69K rating, the device is built for safe diving. In collaboration with diving brand Mares, it will offer advanced diving assistance like real-time ascent/descent rates and safety decompression time, with these features expected later in 2026.

Enhanced Health and Fitness Monitoring

Both new Galaxy Watch models integrate closely with Samsung Health, which is presented as an all-in-one health coach. This updated platform consolidates five key areas: Activity, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Sleep, and Vitals. The Vitals section provides an at-a-glance view of key metrics captured during sleep, including heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen saturation. By establishing a personalized baseline, the system aims to highlight significant changes in a user's health. The 'Heart Health Score' offers a simplified assessment of cardiovascular well-being by analyzing activity, sleep, body composition, and stress levels.

For fitness enthusiasts, the 'Fitness Index' uses body composition data and workout history to recommend appropriate exercise volumes and help users set personalized goals. 'Daily Cardio Load' assists in balancing training intensity and determining necessary recovery time after strenuous workouts. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 introduces hydration guidance within its Nutrition Alert feature. This function calculates recommended fluid intake in real-time based on sweat loss and body weight, a critical feature for users engaged in extended physical activities.

The Galaxy Watch9, while sharing the advanced Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and a more robust battery (390mAh, 20% larger than previous models), is positioned as a companion for everyday health management. Its slimmer design and comfortable band make it suitable for continuous all-day wear, from exercise to sleep. The emphasis for the Watch9 is on consistent health monitoring and providing users with actionable insights through the refined Samsung Health app, ensuring users are better informed about their overall well-being throughout the day.

The integration of these hardware and software enhancements across both the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and the everyday Galaxy Watch9 series signifies Samsung's commitment to delivering a more personalized and intelligent health experience. These devices are set to redefine how users interact with their health data, offering deeper insights and more tailored guidance.