Samsung reveals the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 tomorrow, and the leaks aren’t slowing down. In the last 24 hours, well-known tipster Evan Blass posted a batch of marketing images for both smartwatches through his newsletter. They line up with what earlier leaks told us, and they fill in a few gaps on colors, chips, and health features.
Unpacked happens on July 22 in London. Samsung will show its new foldables at the same event, but the two watches are getting plenty of attention on their own. Here’s everything we know so far from the freshest round of leaks, plus the pricing and release details that surfaced over the past couple of weeks.
TL;DR
- Packed with the Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, the Galaxy Watch 9 will be offered in Cream, Silver, and Graphite finishes.
- Key specs for the Watch Ultra 2 include a giant 800mAh battery, IP69K dust and water resistance, and a display that reaches a blistering 5,000 nits of peak brightness.
- Leaked marketing assets for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 give us our clearest look yet at both flagships.
What the newest Galaxy Watch 9 leak shows
The latest Galaxy Watch 9 leak comes from Evan Blass, who shared marketing images in his newsletter roughly a day before launch. The images point to a Snapdragon Wear Elite chip inside the standard watch, and they show three color options: Cream, Silver, and Graphite. Several band colors appear alongside them, according to Android Authority.
The chip detail matters. For weeks, there was back-and-forth over whether the regular Watch 9 would get Qualcomm’s new silicon or stick with Samsung’s Exynos W1000. This leak backs up an earlier report that both watches move to the Snapdragon Wear Elite. We’ll come back to that debate later, because the sourcing isn’t fully settled.
The design itself looks familiar. If you’ve seen the Galaxy Watch 8, the Watch 9 won’t surprise you. Earlier renders shared by SamMobile suggested Samsung is keeping the same overall shape, which is fine given how the Watch 8 turned out.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 gets the bigger upgrades
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is where the interesting changes are. According to the same Blass leak, it’s built from titanium, comes in around 12% thinner than the first Ultra, and carries an 800mAh battery. It’s also rated IP69K and reaches up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness. Those are real jumps over the 2024 model.
For context, the original Galaxy Watch Ultra shipped with a 590mAh battery and a 3,000-nit display. So the Ultra 2 isn’t a minor refresh on paper. Here’s how the key upgrades break down.
Battery and durability
The battery is the headline. Moving from 590mAh to 800mAh is roughly a 35% bump, and the first Ultra was known for lasting only a day or two under heavy use. A cell this size gives Samsung room to stretch that, though real battery life depends on the new chip too. We won’t know the actual runtime until reviews land.
Durability also steps up. The Ultra 2 reportedly carries an IP69K rating, per Engadget, which is a notch above the IP68 rating on the 2025 model. That rating covers resistance to high-pressure, high-temperature water. For a watch aimed at divers and trail runners, it fits.
Display and build
The 5,000-nit peak brightness is a big claim. Earlier reports had floated 4,000 nits, so this figure is higher than some expected. Brighter screens help most in direct sun, which is exactly where a rugged watch earns its keep.
The titanium build and thinner profile round out the package. 9to5Google notes that a slimmer case, paired with the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, makes battery estimates hard to pin down until someone actually tests it. That’s a fair warning. A bigger battery and a new chip can push runtime in either direction.
New health and software features leaking out
Blass’s marketing images also show off software. The leaked screens include Sleep Apnea detection, an Energy Score, a Sleep Score, a Vitals panel, and a Running Coach. Most of these tie into Samsung’s health push, and they’ll likely arrive as part of the One UI 9 Watch update.
Earlier reporting from Notebookcheck added more. According to Notebookcheck, One UI 9 Watch may let Samsung generate tiles using AI, and Gemini can reportedly be triggered by raising the watch toward your mouth. There’s talk of workout intensity recommendations and expanded sleep analysis too.
The Ultra 2 is said to get a couple of sport-specific modes. One is a trail run mode that shows elevation gain. Another is a diving mode that switches on once you hit a certain depth. Treat the finer details with some caution, since features can shift between a leak and the final software. Still, the direction is clear enough.
Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 price and release date
Leaked pricing puts the Galaxy Watch 9 at €409 for the 40mm Bluetooth model and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at €749. Pre-orders reportedly open on July 22, right after Unpacked, with retail availability on August 6. A separate leak listed a US price of around $699 for the Ultra 2.
The European figures come from Billbil-kun, a leaker with a strong track record, as reported by PC Guide. The Watch 9 44mm Bluetooth version is said to cost €439, with the LTE variants running a bit higher. That’s a roughly €30 to €50 increase over the Watch 8 and the first Ultra, according to Smartwatch Insight.
Here’s how the two watches compare, based on current leaks.
| Spec | Galaxy Watch 9 | Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | Aluminum | Titanium |
| Sizes | 40mm / 44mm | 47mm |
| Battery | Up to 445mAh (44mm) | 800mAh |
| Peak brightness | Standard | Up to 5,000 nits |
| Water/dust rating | 5 ATM | IP69K |
| Chip | Snapdragon Wear Elite (reported) | Snapdragon Wear Elite |
| Starting price | ~€409 | ~€749 |
| Pre-order / on sale | July 22 / August 6 | July 22 / August 6 |
All of these numbers come from leaks, so wait for Samsung’s official specs before you treat them as final. Prices can also vary by region, and US figures rarely match a straight euro conversion.
How the Watch 9 and Ultra 2 compare
The split between these two watches is clear. The Galaxy Watch 9 is the everyday pick: two sizes, an aluminum body, and a lower price. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is the rugged flagship, with titanium, a much bigger battery, and a brighter screen for outdoor use. If you swim, dive, or run trails, the Ultra 2 is the one built for it.
One thing worth flagging is the chip question. Most outlets now report both watches using the Snapdragon Wear Elite. But a Notebookcheck leak earlier in the cycle suggested the standard Watch 9 might keep the Exynos W1000, with only the Ultra 2 moving to Qualcomm. Samsung’s own wording added to the confusion by referring vaguely to the “next Galaxy Watch.” The freshest marketing leak sides with Snapdragon for both, so that’s where the evidence points right now. Tomorrow’s reveal will settle it.
What to expect at Unpacked
The leaks have covered a lot of ground, and three details stand out. The Ultra 2’s 800mAh battery and 5,000-nit display are the clearest wins over the last generation. The Watch 9 looks like a steady update rather than a redesign. And the price creep of €30 to €50 means Samsung is asking a little more across the board.
We’ll get the official word tomorrow, July 22, when Samsung takes the stage in London. Follow TcolTech for live Unpacked coverage and our hands-on take once the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 are official.
FAQ
When do the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 launch?
Samsung announces both watches at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, 2026, in London. Pre-orders are expected to open the same day, with retail availability rumored for August 6.
How much will the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 cost?
Leaks point to roughly €749 in Europe and around $699 in the US for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. That’s about a €50 increase over the first Ultra. Final pricing comes at Unpacked.
What’s the biggest upgrade on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2?
The 800mAh battery is the standout, up from 590mAh on the original. The Ultra 2 also reportedly adds a 5,000-nit display, an IP69K rating, and a titanium build that’s about 12% thinner.
Does the Galaxy Watch 9 use the new Snapdragon chip?
The latest marketing leak points to a Snapdragon Wear Elite chip in the Watch 9. Earlier reports were split on whether it might keep the Exynos W1000, so wait for Samsung’s confirmation on July 22.
What colors will the Galaxy Watch 9 come in?
Leaked marketing images show three options: Cream, Silver, and Graphite. Several band colors appear alongside them, though Samsung may adjust the final lineup by region.