It’s already been a busy year for startups at Samsung, by The launch of the Galaxy S26 and a triple wonder on the books, but the company is warming up. Next would be smartwatches.
Last year, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 introduced a controversial new design, which made replacing the Galaxy Watch Classic with its rotating bezel even more satisfying. This year, a new version of the Classic doesn’t seem likely (although a redesign isn’t completely off the table). But there could be another headline that aims to steal the spotlight from the flagships as well.
A report from GalaxyClub cited by Android Authority suggests that Samsung could launch the new Galaxy Watch Ultra alongside the Galaxy Watch 9, possibly in the summer of 2026.
The active smartwatch, launched in the summer of 2024, received several updates in the last cycle, such as a larger storage (up to 64GB) and a new color, but otherwise it remained the same.
This year’s version, likely to be called the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, may retain the same design. At 47mm, the Ultra is already pushing the limits of handheld hardware. While the rotating bezel borrowed from the Classic line can be interesting, it feels like a tough sell for a rugged, adventure-oriented watch.
The next Galaxy Watch Ultra may use the rotating bezel from the Classic.
Unlocking new health metrics
In fact, the Ultra 2 could bring a new processor and improved sensors focused on deep life tracking. A notable addition last year was Samsung’s “antioxidant” index, which can detect signs of nutrition on the surface of the skin. This year, Samsung can enter the depth of detection based on the skin, with a wide light of nutrition and monitoring of unstable sugar – one of the long-term “holy things” of health technology that may show progress.
Improved connection
Samsung could also take a page from the Apple Watch Ultra playbook by adding 5G connectivity to its Ultra lineup this year. A new report from the Dutch Galaxy Club site (via SamMobile) suggests that Samsung servers could have revealed a series of model numbers that indicate the 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi versions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra. In this scenario, 5G models would launch in the US and Korea, while other markets would only get 4G and Wi-Fi options.
Battery and processor
One of the main advantages of the original Ultra was the battery life, which lasted about 2.5 days per charge, compared to the 30 to 40 hours of the Galaxy Watch 8. Both the Watch 9 and the Ultra 2 are expected to get a new processor, which could mean better performance, longer battery life, or perhaps dual-chip operation from powerful systems like ours. seen on the OnePlus Watch 3. If Samsung pulls that off, it could bring its lineup closer to the multi-day endurance of competitors like the Huawei Watch 5 and OnePlus Watch 3.
AI health coaches are popping up in wearables and could be even more prominent in the next Galaxy Watch.
More AI and less dependence on the phone
Improved processing power could also unlock more AI features for the device, especially as health coaching and AI-driven insights continue to evolve into wearables. Satellite connectivity is another possibility, following similar additions to the Apple Watch Ultra and Pixel Watch.
All of this is speculation at the moment, but it’s exciting to see the next Galaxy Watch series starting to have a design based on the industry’s first benchmarks.
Check this out: Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Classic vs. Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?
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