Samsung debuts Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 featuring enhanced displays and FDA-cleared apnea tracking

Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at the same event as its latest foldable phones. Both devices rely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform to enable ongoing health tracking that reportedly targets a move toward preventive rather than reactive wellness.

TM Roh outlines the watches' preventive health focus. TM Roh, president and head of the device division at Samsung Electronics, described the new models as tools “to help consumers shift from reactive to preventive care.” He added that they “serve as a kind of personal assistants that vigilantly track vital health metrics and provide proactive insights.”

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 gains brighter screen, larger battery and slimmer design. The Ultra 2 reaches a peak brightness of 5,000 nits and packs an 800mAh battery, representing a 35% capacity gain over the prior Ultra. Even with the bigger cell, an updated internal layout makes the watch 12% thinner than its predecessor while encasing it in a tough titanium shell built to withstand impacts.

Ultra 2 adds trail running and professional diving capabilities. A new Trail Run mode on the Ultra 2 evaluates how terrain and elevation changes affect performance and adds a Nutrition Alert that draws on sweat-loss information to suggest tailored hydration and fluid intake. The device also operates as a dive computer, holding EN13319, 10 ATM and IP69K certifications that allow automatic logging of depth, dive duration and water temperature upon submersion. Samsung plans to release a dedicated Ultra 2 Diving app later this year in partnership with equipment maker Mares; the software will monitor ascent and descent speeds along with safety time limits.

Galaxy Watch 9 receives hardware upgrades and shared health features. The standard Galaxy Watch 9 offers a 3,000-nit display paired with either a 390mAh battery in the 40mm model or 445mAh in the 44mm edition, all inside a lightweight aluminum body. Both watches share fresh capabilities driven by the BioActive sensor and AI processing. Central among them is a Sleep Apnea detection feature that has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance and delivers analysis of breathing interruptions during rest.

New metrics track heart health, recovery and environmental risks. The Vitals tool watches overnight baseline readings and notifies wearers of meaningful shifts. Additional cardiovascular and training indicators include a Heart Health Score assessing cardiac and vascular condition plus a Daily Cardio Load value intended to guide post-exercise recovery. A Hearing function tracks dangerous sound levels in the surroundings and generates timely warnings, while the Fitness Index supplies an overall performance summary.

Support hub, new straps and global availability complete the launch. A new management hub inside One UI 9 Watch on the connected phone simplifies Samsung Care+ warranty tasks with self-diagnostic checks and repair requests. Strap choices expand to suit varied activities: the Ultra 2 offers Marine silicone, PeakForm hybrid and Trail fabric bands; the Watch 9 includes slim sport bands, a Misty wraparound silicone option and a daily-use Fabric band. Pre-orders open today, July 22, and the devices reach stores on August 7.