Ahead of a July Unpacked rumor, leaks point to 5G connectivity, a possible glucose sensor, and a chip decision that could well set the two models apart.
Vanessa Main Orellana Senior Editor
Vanessa is a senior editor at CNET, reviewing and writing about the latest smartwatches and fitness trackers. She first joined the brand as an on-camera reporter for CNET’s Spanish-language site, then moved to the English side to host and produce some of CNET’s YouTube videos and series. When she’s not testing smartwatches or dropping a phone, you can catch her hiking or trail running with her family.
Skill Consumer technology, smart home, family, apps, wearables
Samsung’s summer Unpacked event is fast approaching, and the wearable picture is getting clearer by the week. Leaks and GSMA database entries confirm what most observers had already assumed: the Galaxy Watch 9 and a true successor to the Ultra are both on the way, likely in late July or early August alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.
But what becomes more interesting than their expected arrival is the gap between them: on one side, a standard watch designed for everyday use and biometric reliability, and on the other, a flagship pursuing 5G, possible blood sugar monitoring and four-day battery life.
Last year, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 debuted a slightly controversial redesign, making the return of the Galaxy Watch Classic and its physical rotating bezel all the more satisfying. This year, a new Classic model doesn’t seem likely (although another redesign isn’t completely ruled out). But there may be another headliner ready to take the spotlight away from the flagship once again.
A report from GalaxyClub cited by Android Authority suggests that Samsung could launch a new Galaxy Watch Ultra alongside the Galaxy Watch 9, likely in summer 2026. And based on recent leaks, that timeline is looking increasingly credible. Galaxy Watch 9 firmware was reportedly spotted on a US test server by Mohammed Khatri (as mentioned in Phone Arena), suggesting that Samsung has moved from development to active testing and signaling that the July launch window is on track.
The rugged smartwatch, which debuted in summer 2024, received a few updates last cycle, such as larger storage (up to 64GB) and a new color, but otherwise remained the same.
This year’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to retain a similar design and focus on improving performance. At 47mm, it already pushes the limits of wrist space, although a rotating bezel (like the one on the Galaxy Watch Classic) could be used for the rugged smartwatch.
The next Galaxy Watch Ultra could adopt the rotating bezel of the Classic.
Vanessa Main Orellana/CNETUnlock new health metrics
More realistically, the Ultra 2 could bring a new processor and improved sensors focused on deeper health tracking. Last year’s most notable addition was Samsung’s Antioxidant Index, which can detect nutrition-related signals on the skin’s surface. This year, Samsung could delve deeper into skin sensing, with broader nutritional information and potentially even non-invasive blood sugar monitoring – one of the long-standing “holy grails” of wearable health technologies that could finally show progress.
Improved connectivity
Samsung could also take a cue from the Apple Watch Ultra playbook by adding 5G connectivity to its Ultra lineup this year. A new report from Dutch site Galaxy Club (via SamMobile) suggests that Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers pointing to the 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi versions of the upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra. In this scenario, 5G models would launch in the United States and Korea, while other markets would only get 4G and Wi-Fi options.
The original Galaxy Watch Ultra is expected to get an upgrade in 2026.
James Martin/CNETBattery and processor
One of the biggest advantages of the original Ultra was the battery life, which lasted about 2.5 days on a charge, compared to 30 to 40 hours of the flagship Galaxy Watch 8.
This year, the Ultra 2 is expected to get a significant processor upgrade in the form of the Snapdragon Wear Elite, a new wearables-focused chip that Qualcomm officially announced at MWC 2026 in Barcelona. An insider report cited in SamMobile suggests that at least one of Samsung’s new smartwatches could include the new processor. Designed specifically to handle on-device AI tasks, this could mean faster, smarter health coaching that doesn’t need to ping a server to think. Although the standard Galaxy Watch 9 could still use an Exynos chipset like its predecessor, which could lead to significant differences in performance and efficiency between the two models.
The Ultra 2 is also rumored to add 5G connectivity, making it Samsung’s first smartwatch with this capability. If it meets industry standards, a 5G model would likely cost more than the standard LTE and Wi-Fi versions. According to Dutch website Galaxy Club (and spotted by SamMobile), Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers pointing to the 5G, 4G, and Wi-Fi editions of the upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Rumors also point to a possible dual-chip architecture on the Ultra 2, separating high-performance tasks from low-power background processes, similar to what we saw on the OnePlus Watch 3. If Samsung pulls it off, it could bring the Ultra 2 closer to the multi-day endurance of competitors such as the Huawei Watch 5 and OnePlus Watch 3.
AI health coaches are emerging in wearables and could become more prominent on the next Galaxy Watch.
Celso Bulgatti/Cole Kan/Fitbit/CNETMore AI and less phone dependency
Improved processing power could also unlock more AI capabilities on devices, especially as health coaching and AI-based insights continue to evolve in wearable devices. Satellite connectivity is another possibility, following similar additions on the Apple Watch Ultra and Pixel Watch.
Where is the Galaxy Ring 2?
A notable absence in the conversation about Samsung wearables of 2026: the Galaxy Ring. The original launched in summer 2024, at the height of the smart ring hype, but Samsung has yet to hint at a successor. At this point in the game, nothing has surfaced (in terms of leaks or rumors) pointing to a Galaxy Ring 2 this cycle. Whether this signals a broader hesitancy when it comes to smart rings or just a temporary focus on smartwatches remains to be seen. For now, Samsung appears to have only released two watches for its 2026 wearable lineup: the Watch 9 and the Ultra 2.
This is all still based on leaks and early signals from the industry and none of this has been confirmed by Samsung. But the pieces are starting to fall into place.
Watch this: Galaxy Watch 8 vs Classic vs Ultra: Which Should You Buy?
Vanessa is a senior editor at CNET, reviewing and writing about the latest smartwatches and fitness trackers. She first joined the brand as an on-camera reporter for CNET’s Spanish-language site, then moved to the English side to host and produce some of CNET’s YouTube videos and series. When she’s not testing smartwatches or dropping a phone, you can catch her hiking or trail running with her family. See full bio
