Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
Galaxy Watch 8 for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
Galaxy Watch 9: what to expect
What's expected to change vs Galaxy Watch 8:
- Exynos W1000 (3 nm) chip
- Some rumors suggest the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip for the wearable
- Bigger battery size for the 44 mm version
- Likely a similar squircle design, refinements possible
- Similar 1.47-inch and 1.34-inch display sizes as the ones used on predecessors
- AI-driven health monitoring is likely
- The Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to accompany the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 in a summer 2026 release.
Expected price:
- No leaks on pricing yet.
- Could start from $349 as its predecessor.
Jump to:
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 release date
The Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to be unveiled alongside Samsung's foldables in the summer of 2026.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series | July, 2023 | August, 2023 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series | July, 2024 | July, 2024 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series | July, 2025 | July, 2025 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 | July, 2026* | July, 2026* |
* - probable dates
Expect market availability for the Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (potentially) following in about two weeks' time after the announcement.
Leaks and rumors are scarce, but IMEI listings popped up in the beginning of the year. According to records found in the GSMA IMEI database, the company’s new generation standard smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 9, is coming with the model number SM-L345U, which is in line with the previous generation models.
Meanwhile, recently we've had the firmware for the smartwatch spotted online. This indicates Samsung is no longer developing the timepiece but is now testing it, which hints the company's plans are moving according to the rumored timeline.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 price
The Galaxy Watch 9 pricing has not leaked just yet. We don't know if the timepiece is going to suffer the same fate as the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy A devices that recently got their prices hiked (and already-released devices got price hikes too, quietly).
| Galaxy Watch model | 40/44mm Bluetooth | 40/44mm LTE |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | $299/$329 | $349/$379 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | $299/$329 | $349/$379 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | $349/$379 | $399/$429 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9* | $349/$379 or more* | $399/$429 or more* |
*- anticipated price
The economic situation and the rising prices of components are currently driving smartphone prices up. It's not certain if timepieces would be affected.
It's important to note that the South Korean giant already increased the prices for the Galaxy Watch with the Watch 8.
We have our fingers crossed Samsung will keep the price of the Galaxy Watch 9 the same as the previous generation, namely $349/$379 for the 40mm and 44mm Bluetooth models, respectively, and $399/$429 for the LTE versions.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 design
Details about the Galaxy Watch 9 design are still under wraps. As we approach its arrival, we're likely going to see renders and press materials leak, but for now, they are yet to surface online.
Rumors claim that Samsung is keeping a similar design as its predecessor: sleek, modern, and stylish. The Watch 8 came with a new squircle shape, which we found quite practical for daily life. It also sported aluminum for its case material and a slimmer body.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 display
We're likely going to see the same squircle design with the Watch 9, meaning circular displays. Leaks are silent thus far on the exact size and other specs of the display panels. There's a big chance Samsung might use the same 1.47-inch and 1.34-inch display sizes as the ones used on the previous generation.
The Galaxy Watch 8 offered 3,000 nits of brightness, which is now standard across the industry for smartwatches. We may get the same level of brightness or an upgrade in it, but leaks are yet to speak on the matter.
As far as resolution and refresh rate go, we expect them to remain the same as last year: 438 x 438 pixels (~327 ppi density) for the smaller 40 mm model and 480 x 480 pixels (~327 ppi density) for the 44 mm one.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 battery
A recent leak has detailed the 44 mm version of the Galaxy Watch 9's battery size. The battery comes with part number EB-BL355BAY and is said to have a 435 mAh rated capacity. Samsung usually advertises the battery capacity higher than the rated one, so this just about means that, at least, the 44 mm variant may have a bigger battery than its predecessor.
The 40 mm's battery capacity is yet to leak, though.
To put the leaked number in perspective, the Galaxy Watch 8 sported 435 mAh and 325 mAh cells inside the 44 mm and 40 mm models, respectively (keep in mind that's not the rated capacity but the advertised one).
To put the leaked number in perspective, the Galaxy Watch 8 sported 435 mAh and 325 mAh cells inside the 44 mm and 40 mm models, respectively (keep in mind that's not the rated capacity but the advertised one).
With this battery cell, the smartwatch offers more or less 30 hours at best on a single charge.
Obviously, Samsung may need to bring some upgrades in the battery department. In our Galaxy Watch 8 review, we found that the smartwatch does need to be charged every day, which may be a hassle for some users, especially if you want it to monitor your sleep.
Meanwhile, we have competitors like the OnePlus Watch 3 that can go up to five days on a single charge, so there's that.
Charging speeds also need some upgrade. Unfortunately, we are yet to hear if Samsung is bringing a change in this department this time. The Galaxy Watch 8, for reference, was behind Apple Watches and Pixel Watches in terms of charging speeds.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 features and software
Reportedly, the Galaxy Watch 9 may focus on AI-driven health monitoring and efficiency. The smartwatch is expected to come with One UI Watch 9 based on Wear OS 7. We also expect advanced Galaxy AI integration for the timepiece.
Rumors about non-invasive glucose monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 9 have surfaced online, but there's no additional info on them currently. Possibly, the tech will not be ready in time, and it's been rumored for smartwatches for a while now and didn't come, so do keep that in mind.
Further down the line of expected features, the sensor suite is expected to continue supporting blood pressure, ECG, skin temperature, and blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring.
You can safely expect the Watch 8's personal running coach feature to make a return this time too, as well as the Galaxy AI-powered sleep analysis.
The Watch 8 also brought a new feature called Antioxidant Index. This one may also make it to the successor. What improvements it may get are still under wraps though.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 hardware and specs
Curiously enough, it appears that Samsung may have decided to equip the Galaxy Watch 9 with the same chip as its predecessor, the Exynos W1000. Most recent leaks corroborate that information. It's a relatively new silicon that Samsung first introduced back in 2024 on the Galaxy Watch 7.
However, we already have chips like the Snapdragon Wear Elite. It appears that this processor would be reserved for the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Of course, this may be related to efforts to differentiate the Ultra 2 from the Watch 9.
Galaxy Watch 9's expected specs:
- CPU: Exynos W1000 (3 nm)
- Connectivity: LTE, Bluetooth
- Battery life: Around 30 hours with Always-on display
- Materials: Aluminum
- Sizes: 40 mm and 44mm
- Storage: Yes
- Sensors: BioActive, temperature, antioxidant index
In terms of connectivity, we expect the usual two versions – a Bluetooth-only model and one with LTE connectivity, as usual.
Should I wait for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9?
- You should wait for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9if you're on the lookout for the latest and greatest Samsung wearable, and you're prepared to wait a couple of months before pulling the trigger. If you come from an older Galaxy Watch and want to upgrade, the Galaxy Watch 9 is the perfect choice.
- You should not wait for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9if you already own the Galaxy Watch 8, as there probably won't be enough upgrades to justify the purchase. Alternatively, if you're not into Samsung's ecosystem or you want a new smartwatch right now, you should probably look elsewhere.
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