[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] SamsungElectronics(005930)Samsung Electronics plans to reduce charging burdens and enhance AI-powered health management features in its next-generation Galaxy Watch. The company aims to expand the device’s role from one that simply tracks heart rate and sleep duration to a “health coach on your wrist” that interprets changes in various biometric indicators to provide guidance on exercise and rest.

According to industry sources on the 19th, SamsungElectronics is expected to unveil the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at “Galaxy Unpacked 2026,” taking place at 10 p.m. (KST) on the 22nd in London, UK. SamsungElectronics recently teased that the next-generation Galaxy Watch will feature new internal components, an improved battery, and AI-based health insights.

The devices’ designs were first spotted in a collaborative video between SamsungElectronics and the movie “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Overseas users speculated that the watch worn by Ned Leeds in the video is likely the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

While some noted that the so-called “Circle on Squeakle” design—where a round display is encased in a nearly square case—is similar to the existing Ultra, others commented that the minimal changes to the exterior reduce the need for an upgrade. In its official materials, SamsungElectronics referred to the product featured in the video simply as the “Galaxy Watch” without specifying a model name.

Based on renderings leaked so far, the Watch 9 is expected to be released in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. It is projected to retain the circular screen and “Square-on-Circle” case design, with color options such as Cream, Green, and Graphite to differentiate the models. The Ultra 2 is also highly likely to continue the basic design of its predecessor, featuring a 47mm titanium case, a circular screen, and three physical buttons.

The change drawing more attention than the design is the battery. The Ultra 2 is expected to be equipped with an 800 mAh battery, representing an increase of approximately 36% over its predecessor. There are expectations that it will last more than three days without charging even under typical usage conditions. However, with the increased battery capacity, attention is focused on how the device’s thickness and weight will change, as well as the power efficiency of the new processor and the official battery life.

The battery improvements for the standard Watch 9 are expected to be relatively modest. The 40mm model is rumored to have a 325mAh battery—the same as its predecessor—while the 44mm model is said to feature a 445mAh battery, a 10mAh increase over the previous model.

With predictions that both the Watch 9 and Ultra 2 will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite processor instead of Samsung’s Exynos, actual battery life may depend more on the power efficiency of the processor and operating system than on battery capacity alone.

The increased battery capacity enables users to wear the watch consistently day and night, allowing for the uninterrupted collection of health data such as sleep and heart rate. SamsungElectronics’ AI health management features use this long-term data to establish personalized benchmarks and detect any changes from normal patterns.

The “Vitals” feature, which SamsungElectronics is prioritizing for its next-generation watches, exemplifies this approach. When a user wears the watch and sleeps for more than a week, the device analyzes five metrics—heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen saturation—to establish personalized baseline values. It then alerts the user if any changes from these baseline values are detected.

A new “Heart Health Score” is also introduced. It combines sleep, activity levels, body composition, and vascular stress into a single score to illustrate how lifestyle habits affect cardiovascular health. By analyzing recent exercise levels, it advises whether the user should exercise more or rest, and compares metrics such as heart rate and maximum oxygen consumption with peers to indicate current fitness levels and areas for improvement.

The Galaxy Watch’s competitive edge now hinges on how effectively it can translate data into easily understandable insights. While the number of measurable metrics—such as blood pressure, ECG, body composition, and sleep—has already increased, it is not easy for users to interpret each individual number. SamsungElectronics plans to use AI to analyze complex biometric data and transform it into actionable insights for users.

Price remains a variable. According to leaked information, in Europe, the Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to start at 409 euros (approximately 697,000 won) for the 40mm model and 439 euros (approximately 748,100 won) for the 44mm model. The Ultra 2 is projected to cost 749 euros (approximately 1,276,400 won), a price increase of about 50 euros (approximately 85,200 won) compared to its predecessor.

Given the limited changes to the design and battery life compared to the standard Watch 9, the AI health features and new processor must deliver a noticeable experience that justifies the price increase.

The success of the next-generation Galaxy Watch hinges on whether users can wear it day and night without worrying about charging and apply the insights provided by AI to their daily lives. If the Ultra 2’s high-capacity battery and the Watch 9’s AI health features work in tandem, the Galaxy Watch could establish itself not merely as a smartphone accessory, but as a device that closely monitors a person’s daily health.