Samsung Galaxy Watch9 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 lists for about $320 more than the Samsung Galaxy Watch9. With the screen always on, their makers quote 60 h for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and 30 h for the Samsung Galaxy Watch9. Every other published figure for both is in the table, with the rows where they differ tinted.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Android; some features need the maker's own phone
~$380
Samsung's 2026 mainstream watch is the first Galaxy Watch on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, per Samsung, and its 40 mm battery is 20% larger than Galaxy Watch8's.
Best for: Samsung Galaxy phone owners who want a light everyday watch with full health features
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2
Android; some features need the maker's own phone
~$700
An 800 mAh battery, the largest Samsung has put in a Galaxy Watch, gives the Ultra2 a rated 60 hours with the always-on display on, double the Galaxy Watch9.
Best for: Galaxy phone owners who trail run or hike and want multi-day battery on Wear OS
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Watch9 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$380 (40 mm Bluetooth, 'From $379.99 before trade-in' on samsung.com/us) | ~$700 (47 mm LTE (only version sold), $699.99 on samsung.com/us) |
| Type | Everyday smartwatch | Rugged outdoor |
| Platform | Wear OS | Wear OS |
| Case sizes | 40 mm / 44 mm | 47 mm |
| Weight | 40 mm: 31.5 g · 44 mm: 34 g (case and sensors only (Samsung compare page)) | 47 mm: 61.5 g (case and sensors only (Samsung compare page)) |
| Battery, smartwatch mode | 40 h (Samsung spec: 'Usage Time (Hours, AOD Off) Up to 40' (40 mm, 390 mAh; same figure for 44 mm, 445 mAh)) | 3 days (Samsung spec: 'Usage Time (Hours, AOD Off) Up to 80' (800 mAh)) |
| Battery, always-on display | 30 h (Samsung spec: 'Usage Time (Hours, AOD On) Up to 30' (both sizes)) | 60 h (Samsung: 'up to 60 hours of usage with AOD on' (US page); spec: 'Usage Time (Hours, AOD On) Up to 60') |
| Always-on keeps | 75% of the headline figure | 75% of the headline figure |
| Battery, GPS workout | Not published by the maker | Not published by the maker |
| Battery note | Samsung publishes no GPS-workout hours; it says the 40 mm battery is 20% larger than Galaxy Watch8 40 mm | Samsung: 'Route workout with GPS / GPX Up to 16 hrs in Exercise power saving mode'; no standard-mode GPS figure published. Fast charging: 40% in 30 minutes |
| Works with | Android; some features need the maker's own phone | Android; some features need the maker's own phone |
| iPhone | No | No |
| Android | Yes, with limits | Yes, with limits |
| Phone limits | Samsung: 'Newer Samsung watches with Wear OS are not compatible with iOS.' On Android, ECG Monitor, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification, blood pressure, sleep apnea, Energy Score and Vitals need a Samsung Galaxy phone with Samsung Health / Samsung Health Monitor (Android 13+ for several) | Samsung: 'Newer Samsung watches with Wear OS are not compatible with iOS.' On Android, ECG Monitor, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification, blood pressure, sleep apnea, Energy Score and Vitals need a Samsung Galaxy phone with Samsung Health / Samsung Health Monitor (Android 13+ for several) |
| Paid tier | No paid tier sold by the maker | No paid tier sold by the maker |
| What the paid tier gates | Samsung sells no paid tier for watch features; only optional iFit premium workout content in Fitness Index is paid (third-party) | Samsung sells no paid tier for watch features; only optional iFit premium workout content in Fitness Index is paid (third-party) |
| Update years | 5 years, per Samsung | 5 years, per Samsung |
| Cleared health features | ECG Monitor app (FDA), Sleep apnea feature (FDA) | ECG Monitor app (FDA), Sleep apnea feature (FDA) |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | not published | Route line only (Samsung: 'Load a GPX route and follow your pre-planned course turn by turn' (Trail Run); no downloadable topo maps stated) |
| Music on the watch | Yes | Yes |
| LTE | Optional (LTE models need a separate qualifying wireless plan from the carrier and initial pairing with an Android phone (Samsung footnote)) | Optional (LTE models need a separate qualifying wireless plan from the carrier and initial pairing with an Android phone (Samsung footnote)) |
| Water rating | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H | 10ATM + IP69K, MIL-STD-810H |
| Case | Armor Aluminum | titanium |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch9: what it gives up
- No iPhone support at all
- ECG, blood pressure and sleep apnea need a Samsung Galaxy phone, so other Android owners lose them
- Still a 1-2 day charge cycle; the Ultra2 doubles it
- No published GPS-workout battery figure
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2: what it gives up
- No iPhone support
- 61.5 g case is nearly double the Watch9 40 mm
- Single 47 mm size only
- Route following only; no topo maps like a Garmin fenix or Apple Watch Ultra 4's park maps
- Samsung-phone lock for ECG, blood pressure and sleep apnea
Full pages: Samsung Galaxy Watch9 · Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2