The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of the best smartwatches for Android, but it's nearly two years old. Will 2026 deliver a replacement? Leaks and rumors suggest the answer is yes. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could arrive as soon as the end of July.
As TG's resident smartwatch expert, I've sifted through all the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 gossip and insider reports so far so that you don't have to. Here's what you can likely expect from the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, from cost to features, design tweaks to battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Price and launch predictions
Samsung tends to hold a "Galaxy Unpacked" launch event annually toward the end of July, and this year should be no different. In terms of wearables, I expect to see a Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 debut; a Galaxy Ring 2 seems much less certain.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra launched in late summer 2024 for $649, which is $159 less than the Apple Watch Ultra 2/3. However, the Galaxy Watch Ultra frequently goes on sale for $100 off or more.
I expect the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to either cost the same as its predecessor, $649, or see a modest price increase of $50. Might it see a greater hike than that? With all this talk of inflation, it's possible. However, it seems highly unlikely that the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will cost as much as its nearest Apple Watch counterpart.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Design rumors
Regular tech gadget leaker Evan Blass just shared a set of Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 renderings that appear to be the real deal. That said, as with anything leaked, it's best to take these developments with a grain of salt.
Nevertheless, changes to the design of Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 appear to be minimal. The case shape and button placement all match the current model. However, a new blue colorway could be added to the fold.
Upgrades to the display, from an increased refresh rate to improved brightness, are possible, but given the Galaxy Watch Ultra already sports one of the brightest displays of any smartwatch out there, maxing out at 3,000 nits, it's far from guaranteed.
I'd personally like to see the case design slimmed down slightly. Of all the smartwatches I've tested (dozens upon dozens), it's among the chunkiest and heaviest.
Another possible design upgrade: improved water resistance. While the current Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts 100 meters of water resistance, Samsung advises against scuba diving with it. It'd be nice to see this warning disappear with the debut of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Other possible upgrades
It seems likely that the Galaxy Watch Ultra will make use of the latest Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, which should make it both faster and more power-efficient than its predecessor (more on that below).
I also expect improvements to the onboard Gemini AI voice assistant and likely an expansion of the health tracking tools and AI-backed wellness insights. However, this is just speculation. As of writing, concrete details on new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 features are few and far between.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Battery rumors
Okay, here's where you can get excited. With battery life being the number one thing holding back full-featured smartwatches in 2026 (IMHO), any advancements in longevity will be greatly appreciated.
According to a report from SamMobile, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could sport a massive 800 mAh battery, a serious upgrade over the Galaxy Watch Ultra's 590-mAh battery. In our testing, the Galaxy Watch Ultra lasts a respectable two days per charge.
If the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 battery rumors turn out to be true, it could potentially offer as much as three days per charge, especially when you factor in a more efficient processor. Now that's a big deal!
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Outlook
Ultimately, it sounds like the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will look the same as its predecessor. However, under-the-hood improvements to processing efficiency and speed, along with battery capacity, could make it a meaningful overall upgrade over the original Galaxy Watch Ultra.
We should know more in 30 days or less. Stay tuned.
More from Tom's Guide
- Your Samsung Galaxy Watch now supports blood pressure tracking — but it’s not the same as Apple’s Hypertension Alerts
- 5 reasons why I sometimes still wear a 'dumb' watch
- Snapdragon Reality Elite is here, and I’ve already tested it without realizing in Xreal’s Project Aura — its a giant step towards the future of smart glasses
