Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy Watch Ultra2 alongside the Galaxy Watch9 at its Unpacked event in London, giving the rugged smartwatch line its biggest hardware jump yet. The announcement brings a larger battery, a brighter screen, and a faster chip to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra lineup. Samsung also confirmed longer software support for both models. The update matters most for outdoor athletes, divers, and anyone tired of watching older smartwatches lose battery life or update support within a couple of years.
What’s New Inside the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The headline change is battery capacity. Samsung packed an 800 mAh cell into the new model, a 35% jump over the previous Ultra generation, while making the case 12% thinner through internal re-engineering. That combination lets the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra run up to 60 hours with the always-on display active, according to Samsung’s specifications.
Display and Processor Upgrades
Screen visibility has also improved. Samsung says the watch reaches 5,000 nits of peak brightness, a first for a smartwatch, making the display readable in direct sunlight during trail runs or open-water swims. Powering all of this is the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, a 3nm five-core chip that Samsung says delivers faster GPS lock and smoother app performance than earlier Ultra models. The extra processing headroom also helps the watch handle continuous sensor readings without draining the battery as quickly as before.
Software Longevity Sets a New Standard
Samsung is pairing the hardware refresh with a meaningful software commitment. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra will now receive five major Wear OS upgrades and five years of security patches, up from the four-upgrade policy that covered watches since the Galaxy Watch4. Based on that schedule, the watch should be in line for its final major operating system update around 2031. Samsung has not said whether older Ultra models will get the same extended timeline, though the company noted it will share more details as the policy rolls out to future devices.
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Health Tracking Gets Smarter and More Personal
Samsung built its AI health platform around the BioActive sensor, which continuously reads biometric signals and turns them into daily guidance rather than raw numbers. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra shares this system with the Watch9, though its larger battery allows more continuous background monitoring during long outdoor sessions. This deeper monitoring is designed to help users catch small changes in their health before they become bigger problems.
Several features are new or expanded for this generation:
- Sleep Apnea detection now carries FDA clearance and uses updated algorithms to flag breathing disruptions during sleep.
- Heart Health Score condenses cardiovascular data into one number with personalized lifestyle tips.
- Daily Cardio Load estimates training volume and recommends recovery time based on recent activity.
- Vitals watches for deviations from a user’s normal sleeping baseline and sends alerts when something looks off.
- Fitness Index gives a broader snapshot of fitness with goals tailored to the individual.
Built for Trail Running and Professional Diving
Samsung positioned the Ultra as the version of the watch meant for people who push past everyday fitness tracking. A new Trail Run mode logs elevation gain, climbing progress, and terrain impact so runners can pace themselves on technical routes. A companion feature called Nutrition Alert estimates sweat loss and suggests when to hydrate during long efforts, drawing on body weight and activity intensity to fine-tune its recommendations.
Dive support is where the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra stands apart from most competitors. Rated IP69K and 10 ATM with EN13319 certification, the watch automatically tracks depth, dive time, and water temperature once it detects submersion. Samsung developed additional dive tools with equipment maker Mares, including ascent and descent speed tracking, through a dedicated app expected later this year. Free features cover basic depth measurement, while advanced dive data will require a subscription once the app becomes available.
How the Ultra Compares to the Watch9
Where the Watch9 focuses on everyday comfort with a lighter aluminum case and a 390 mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra targets endurance athletes who need durability and longer runtime. Both share the same chip and AI health engine, but the Ultra’s titanium casing and higher water-resistance rating set it apart for extreme conditions. Buyers choosing between the two models should weigh daily comfort against ruggedness and battery life before deciding which fits their routine.
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Pricing Availability and Ordering Details
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is priced at $699.99 and comes in a single 47mm size, available in Titanium Silver or Titanium Gray. The Galaxy Watch9 starts at $379.99 for Bluetooth and $429.99 for LTE, offered in 40mm and 44mm sizes. Both watches ship with a selection of interchangeable bands designed for different activities and styles.
Samsung opened pre-orders in the United States on July 22, with general availability beginning August 7. Early buyers of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra get access to a 60-day Strava trial and a two-month iFIT trial through the Samsung Health app, giving new owners extra time to explore the watch’s training and coaching tools before committing to a paid subscription.
