Samsung has launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and the Galaxy Watch 9 , both promising effortless fitness tracking.
Software
Samsung has retained the Ultra series’ distinctive look rather than starting over. The edges around the screen and bezel flow more naturally into the case, while the redesigned buttons add a cleaner finish. It still looks rugged, but the design feels less industrial than before. It retains the circular face and rounded-square bezel that Samsung calls its cushion design. Its dynamic lug system keeps the watch close to the skin, while the new lighter bands use air pockets for added comfort. The watch is easy to wear throughout the day without feeling cumbersome. The specification sounds impressive, but the important part is how it performs. The screen remains clearly visible outdoors, even under direct sunlight. Colours are vibrant, text is sharp and the larger panel provides enough space to show multiple pieces of information without looking cluttered. This combination gives them access to a wide range of apps through Google Play, including Maps, Wallet, Gmail and Spotify.
The Ultra 2 pairs a circular display with a cushion-shaped titanium case, giving it a tougher identity than the regular Galaxy Watch range. The Galaxy Watch 9 follows a more familiar formula. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 gets a 1.52-inch Super AMOLED display with a claimed brightness of 5,000 nits. Both watches run Wear OS 7 with Samsung’s One UI 9 interface. LTE is also available on the Ultra 2, allowing calls and messages without keeping the phone nearby.
The Galaxy Watch 9 uses a Super AMOLED panel, available in the 1.34-inch and the 1.47-inch sizes, depending on the variant. The display offers up to 438 x 438 resolution and 16 million colours, along with adaptive brightness. Its 3,000-nit peak brightness is more than sufficient for outdoor viewing.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and performance-driven users, built to survive harsh environments while still delivering accurate tracking, all-day-and-then-some battery life, and uninterrupted health monitoring.
