A flagship phone needs a flagship watch as well. Samsung also introduced the new Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch 9 during the Galaxy Unpacked event. It was quite obvious during the event that they didn’t make any big flashy hardware changes, but they added more features that are meaningful and useful for day-to-day activities.

One slide during the presentation summed up Samsung’s direction over the years. The company traced its wearable journey from the original Gear Series, which primarily focused on activity tracking, to today’s Galaxy Watch lineup that now acts as what Samsung calls a “Personal Health Coach.”

While AI was mentioned throughout the presentation, the improvements shown weren’t just about adding another AI label. Many of the new features rely on data collected from the watch’s sensors and present that information in a way that’s easier to understand.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 remains the flagship.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 continues to sit at the top of Samsung’s smartwatch lineup.

Compared to the previous Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung says the Ultra2 comes with a significantly larger 800mAh battery, representing around a 35% increase in capacity. For users who spend days outdoors or frequently track workouts, battery life has always been one of the biggest concerns, so this is one of the more practical upgrades.

Performance also gets a bump thanks to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear Elite platform. According to Samsung, CPU performance is up by 32%, while GPU performance improves by 19%, resulting in faster app launches and smoother overall operation.

Outdoor visibility also receives an upgrade with a display capable of reaching 5,000 nits of peak brightness. The screen now measures 1.52 inches, making it slightly larger and easier to read under direct sunlight.

Samsung also made some small but better changes to the design. The Ultra2 still has its titanium body, but it is 12% thinner at 10.7mm, while the strap is 25% lighter compared to its predecessor. During the presentation, Samsung explained that it used computational modeling and biometric data to improve how the watch sits on the wrist, aiming for better comfort during extended wear.

More than just another fitness watch

Sports tracking remains one of the biggest highlights of the Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Samsung showcased a new Trail Run mode designed for trail runners. Besides navigation, it can provide elevation guidance, estimated completion time, and even hydration reminders based on real-time body water loss estimates.

Another cool feature presented during the event was Diving Mode, which is co-developed with Mares, a diving equipment manufacturer. The watch can detect when you are diving automatically and track some information like depth, water temperature, and dive time.

These features clearly target users who are likely enthusiasts of outdoor adventures rather than people who just use their smartwatches for step count.

Galaxy Watch9: for those who need something smart for everyday use

The Galaxy Watch9 is targeted to users who just want a device that can help them manage their health.

The design remains familiar but has been refined. The aluminum body is lighter, and Samsung introduced an air-pocket band structure that helps improve comfort during all-day wear. According to Samsung, the Watch9 is 25% lighter than its predecessor.

Inside, the Watch9 also adopts the new Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, paired with a 390mAh battery and a display capable of reaching 3,000 nits for improved outdoor visibility.

Rather than trying to compete with the Ultra2’s rugged capabilities, the Watch9 focuses on making health tracking more accessible.

Health tracking takes center stage.

Most of the presentation revolved around Samsung’s new health features.

One of the biggest additions is Vitals AI, an intelligent monitoring system that establishes a personal baseline over several nights before tracking changes in key health metrics, including

• Heart rate
• Blood oxygen
• Skin temperature
• Respiratory rate

Health features take the spotlight.

If there was one thing Samsung kept going back to throughout the presentation, it was health monitoring.

Rather than simply adding another workout mode or sensor, Samsung spent a good amount of time explaining how the watch can turn the data it collects into something that’s easier to understand.

One of the new additions is Heart Health Score, which combines different health metrics into a single score. This feature will give you the overall result of the readings, like heart rate or sleep, and show you how you can improve them by giving you some suggestions.

Another feature is the Vitals AI. This feature will set a baseline of your normal readings for a couple of nights. Once it establishes your baseline, it can monitor changes in heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and respiratory rate while you sleep. The idea is simple: instead of comparing you to everyone else, it compares you to yourself.

Samsung also introduced Daily Cardio Load, which launched Daily Cardio Load, targeting more at runners and active users. It looks at your workout intensity together with your recovery and suggests whether it’s a good day to push harder or whether your body might need some rest. It seems like a useful feature for those who train regularly instead of just exercising occasionally.

Galaxy AI is making its way to the wrist.

Awesome Intelligence wasn’t limited to Samsung’s smartphones. The Galaxy Watch lineup is also getting smarter through deeper integration with Google Gemini.

One feature Samsung demonstrated on stage was Raise to Talk. Instead of pressing a button or opening an app, you simply raise your wrist and start talking to Gemini. It’s a small convenience feature, but one that could make interacting with the watch feel more natural.

Samsung also showed how the watch fits into the Galaxy ecosystem. From checking messages and schedules to controlling music or switching between Galaxy devices, the watch is becoming more of an extension of your phone rather than just another accessory.

More band options this year

Samsung is also introducing several new official watch bands.

For the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, there are three options depending on how you plan to use the watch:

Galaxy Watch Ultra2	Galaxy Watch9
Marine Band	Sport Band
Built for water activities and extreme conditions.	Designed as an all-around band for everyday use.
Peakform Band	Misty Band
A premium hybrid band that balances comfort and durability for both workouts and daily wear.	Features a softer material for improved comfort during extended wear.
Trail Band	Fabric Band
Designed for outdoor adventures and trail activities.	A lightweight fabric option intended for all-day comfort and everyday use.

Pricing and availability in the Philippines

Samsung announced that pre-orders for both smartwatches will start on July 23.

Model	Size	Price (PHP)
Galaxy Watch Ultra2	47mm	₱44,990
Galaxy Watch9	44mm	₱24,990
Galaxy Watch9	40mm	₱22,990

During the event, Samsung also highlighted several launch offers:

Promotion	Details
Bank Offers	Up to 15% off with participating banks, plus 0% installment for up to 36 months.
Samsung Finance+ / Home Credit	Up to ₱14,000 off with 0% installment for up to 24 months.
Trade-in Program	Save up to 50% with trade-in, including up to ₱16,000 guaranteed for Galaxy Z8 Series and up to ₱7,000 guaranteed for Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9.
Samsung Care+	Up to 36% off on device protection, including unlimited repairs (up to 2 years), device replacement (up to 2x), global coverage in 55 countries, and free nationwide pick-up and delivery.