Samsung · Reviewed by CNET · Published 2026-07-22
Based on a review by CNET (accessed 2026-07-22).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about 40% increased battery size — just accept did not hit advertised 60-hour battery life during initial heavy usage.
The reviewer concludes that the Galaxy Watch 9 feels like a modest refresh, suggesting current owners of Watch 7 or 8 models might not need to upgrade unless battery life significantly exceeds expectations. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is considered a more meaningful upgrade due to its improved battery, brighter display, new outdoor features, and enhanced hardware, making it a strong contender for those with older Galaxy Watches or active outdoor lifestyles.
This review provides a first look at Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, highlighting under-the-hood upgrades like bigger batteries, faster processors, and new health features. The reviewer examines their design, comfort, outdoor capabilities, and assesses whether the new models justify their higher price points compared to previous generations.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 offers a meaningful upgrade, particularly for active users, thanks to its improved hardware and robust outdoor capabilities. Its battery size increased by 40% and it incorporates a new power-efficient processor, though it didn't reach the advertised 60-hour life during the reviewer's intensive GPS run. The brighter display and redesigned, comfortable bands enhance usability and sensor performance. If you frequently engage in hiking or trail running and need comprehensive outdoor tracking, this watch is a worthwhile investment. However, if your primary need is sports watch-level multi-day battery endurance, its real-world performance may fall short of expectations.
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Samsung increased the battery size by 40% on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and by 20% on the 40mm Galaxy Watch 9. Both watches also get Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Elite processor.
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Samsung rates the Ultra 2 for about 60 hours with the always-on display enabled and the Galaxy Watch 9 is rated for roughly 30 to 40 hours depending on the size.
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After a 3-hour 5-mile run using GPS, live elevation tracking, and LTE without a phone, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 was already down to 70% battery, indicating it won't hit the 60-hour mark with heavy use.
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Raise to Talk with Gemini, allowing hands-free activation without pressing a button, is a much more convenient addition.
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The Ultra 2 has a slightly larger display, but it reduces the overall footprint, making it feel lighter and more comfortable. The reviewer even managed to sleep with it without issue.
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The Ultra 2's display is incredibly bright, and visibility was not an issue during a trail run in direct sunlight.
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The Galaxy Watch 9 display is bright, but not quite as bright as the Ultra 2, and it hasn't changed from last year's model.
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Samsung redesigned the bands on both watches, making them thinner and more breathable. They let the watch sit flatter against the wrist, which Samsung says improves sensor contact, and the clasp mechanism is easier to swap.
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The new clasp mechanism means users are locked into Samsung's proprietary bands, limiting third-party band options.
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The Galaxy Watch 9 has an aluminum case with 5 ATM water resistance, while the Ultra 2 features a titanium build and 10 ATM water resistance, making it more adventure-ready.
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One new Ultra 2 exclusive feature is recreational diving support, which is not intended to replace an actual diving computer and will not be available at launch.
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The Ultra 2 offers trail running features including live climb and elevation data, turn-by-turn navigation for downloaded routes, and an AI algorithm to estimate sweat loss for hydration guidance.
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Both watches receive Samsung's new health platform, which includes vitals tracking, daily cardio load, a heart health score, and personalized AI-generated training plans.
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Samsung is not putting the core health insights from its new health platform behind a paywall, unlike some competitors, though some guided workouts may require subscriptions.
The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 introduce larger batteries, a new Snapdragon Elite processor, and a comprehensive new health platform. The Ultra 2 also boasts a brighter, larger display, a titanium build with higher water resistance, and exclusive outdoor features like diving support and advanced trail running metrics.
Samsung claims a 40% battery size increase for the Ultra 2, rating it for 60 hours with always-on display, and a 20% increase for the Watch 9 (40mm), rated for 30-40 hours. However, the reviewer's initial test on the Ultra 2 showed a 30% drain after a 3-hour GPS run, indicating it might not reach the 60-hour mark with heavy usage.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 features a slightly larger display that actually contributes to a reduced overall footprint, making the watch feel lighter and more comfortable, to the point the reviewer could sleep with it. Its display is also "incredibly bright," ensuring excellent visibility even during outdoor activities in direct sunlight.
Samsung's new health platform, offering vitals tracking, daily cardio load, heart health scores, and personalized AI training plans, does not put its core health insights behind a paywall, unlike some other fitness trackers. Some guided workouts and iFit content may require separate subscriptions, but not the primary health features.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is designed for adventure with its titanium build and 10 ATM water resistance. It offers exclusive features like recreational diving support (though not a replacement for a dedicated computer and not available at launch) and comprehensive trail running capabilities, including live climb/elevation data, downloadable routes, and AI-estimated sweat loss for hydration guidance.
The reviewer views the Galaxy Watch 9 as a modest refresh and suggests current Watch 7 or 8 owners might not need to upgrade unless battery life significantly improves. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, however, is considered a more meaningful upgrade due to its improved battery (supposedly), brighter display, new outdoor features, and hardware, making it a good choice for those with older Galaxy Watches or who frequently engage in hiking or trail running.
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Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, focusing on internal upgrades rather than major design changes. Key improvements include larger batteries, a faster Snapdragon Elite processor, and a new health platform with vitals tracking and AI-generated training plans. The Ultra 2 specifically offers a brighter display, titanium build, 10 ATM water resistance, and advanced adventure features like diving support and trail running metrics. While many health features require several days of data to unlock, core insights are not paywalled. The reviewer advises the Watch 9 is a modest update, while the Ultra 2 provides a more significant upgrade for outdoor enthusiasts or those with older models.
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