Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Watch9 now in the Philippines; priced

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, expanding its smartwatch lineup with new AI-powered health features, upgraded hardware, and brighter displays.

Introduced during Galaxy Unpacked in London alongside the latest Galaxy foldables, the new wearables are designed to provide more meaningful health insights while improving comfort, performance, and battery life. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 are now available for pre-order in the Philippines, with retail availability beginning on August 14.

Why it matters: Samsung continues to strengthen its Galaxy AI ecosystem by extending artificial intelligence beyond smartphones and into wearables. With the new Galaxy Watch lineup, the company is focusing on preventive health through continuous monitoring, personalized wellness guidance, and upgraded hardware that supports more accurate tracking throughout the day.

The details: The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 serves as Samsung’s flagship smartwatch for outdoor adventures and high-performance activities. It features a 47mm titanium case, Samsung’s largest smartwatch battery yet at 800mAh, and a Super AMOLED display capable of reaching up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness for improved visibility even under direct sunlight. Samsung says the watch has also been redesigned internally, making it 12% thinner than its predecessor despite housing a battery that is 35% larger.

Powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 introduces new activity tracking capabilities for runners, including Trail Run, which records elevation changes, climbing progress, and terrain impact. A new Nutrition Alert feature estimates sweat loss relative to body weight to provide hydration guidance during supported activities.

Samsung has also expanded the smartwatch’s capabilities for water sports. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 automatically detects when users begin diving and records depth, dive duration, and water temperature. Additional diving tools developed in partnership with diving equipment manufacturer Mares, including ascent and descent speed tracking and safe dive guidance, are expected to become available later this year.

The Galaxy Watch9, meanwhile, is designed as Samsung’s everyday wellness companion. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, it features a lightweight aluminum casing, redesigned construction for improved comfort during extended wear, and Super AMOLED displays capable of reaching up to 3,000 nits of brightness. The 40mm model is equipped with a 390mAh battery, while the larger 44mm variant carries a 445mAh battery.

Both smartwatches run Wear OS Powered by Samsung with One UI 9 Watch and are powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform. They are equipped with Samsung’s BioActive Sensor alongside temperature, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic, and light sensors for continuous health and activity tracking.

Samsung is introducing several new AI-powered health features across both models. Sleep Apnea now uses updated AI algorithms to provide deeper insights into breathing disruptions during sleep. Vitals establishes a user’s overnight health baseline and can notify users when significant changes are detected. Heart Health Score provides a simplified overview of cardiovascular wellness together with personalized recommendations, while Daily Cardio Load helps users better manage workout intensity and recovery. Fitness Index combines several health metrics into a single assessment, while Hearing monitors environmental noise and warns users of prolonged exposure to potentially harmful sound levels.

Samsung says these capabilities transform biometric information collected throughout the day into practical health recommendations, helping users better understand sleep quality, cardiovascular health, physical activity, and overall wellness.

The bigger picture: The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 represent Samsung’s continued push toward proactive health management through wearable technology. Instead of simply collecting fitness data, the company is positioning its smartwatches as everyday health companions capable of delivering personalized recommendations based on continuous monitoring. The adoption of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform also brings improved processing performance, power efficiency, and GPS accuracy across Samsung’s latest wearable lineup.

Between the lines: Samsung has clearly separated the roles of its newest smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 targets athletes, outdoor adventurers, and users who require rugged durability and specialized activity tracking, while the Galaxy Watch9 focuses on users looking for a slimmer, lighter smartwatch for everyday wellness. Despite their different audiences, both models receive the same generation of AI-powered health features, giving buyers access to Samsung’s latest wellness platform regardless of which model they choose.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 Specifications

• Display: 1.52-inch Super AMOLED, 498 × 498 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, Always-On Display, up to 5,000 nits
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform (SDW6100)
• Memory: 2GB
• Storage: 64GB
• Battery: 800mAh
• Charging: High-Frequency Fast Charging (WPC-based wireless charging)
• Operating System: Wear OS Powered by Samsung (Wear OS 7)
• User Interface: One UI 9 Watch
• Connectivity: LTE, Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz + 5GHz, NFC, L1 + L5 Dual-Frequency GPS
• Sensors: Samsung BioActive Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
• Durability: 10ATM, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H, EN13319
• Dimensions: 47.4 × 47.1 × 10.7mm
• Weight: 61.5g
• Colors: Titanium Silver, Titanium Gray

Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Specifications

• Display: 44mm: 1.47-inch Super AMOLED, 480 × 480 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, Always-On Display, up to 3,000 nits
• Display: 40mm: 1.34-inch Super AMOLED, 438 × 438 resolution, Sapphire Crystal, Always-On Display, up to 3,000 nits
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform (SDW6100)
• Memory: 2GB
• Storage: 32GB
• Battery: 445mAh (44mm), 390mAh (40mm)
• Charging: Fast Charging (WPC-based wireless charging)
• Operating System: Wear OS Powered by Samsung (Wear OS 7)
• User Interface: One UI 9 Watch
• Connectivity: LTE, Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz + 5GHz, NFC, L1 + L5 Dual-Frequency GPS
• Sensors: Samsung BioActive Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
• Durability: 5ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810H
• Colors: 44mm: Graphite, Silver
• Colors: 40mm: Graphite, Cream

For Filipinos: Samsung has priced the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 at PHP 44,990. The Galaxy Watch9 starts at PHP 22,990 for the 40mm model, while the 44mm variant is priced at PHP 24,990. Philippine pre-orders begin on July 22 ahead of the August 14 retail launch. Customers who pre-order can take advantage of installment offers through participating banks, Home Credit discounts, trade-in savings of up to PHP 7,000 for eligible Galaxy Watch devices, discounted Samsung Care+ plans, and complimentary subscription trials for Strava and iFIT.

What’s next: The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 will officially go on sale in the Philippines beginning August 14. Samsung also plans to expand the Galaxy Watch Ultra2’s diving capabilities later this year with additional features developed alongside Mares, further strengthening its appeal to diving enthusiasts and outdoor users.

The Bottom Line: Samsung’s newest smartwatches focus on making health monitoring more comprehensive and actionable. By combining upgraded hardware, brighter displays, the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform, and AI-powered wellness features, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 aim to deliver a more capable smartwatch experience for both outdoor adventurers and everyday users.