Samsung's Galaxy Watch9 gets Snapdragon Wear Elite, and new Vitals health tracking

Samsung unveils the Galaxy Watch9 in 40mm and 44mm sizes. The 44mm model comes in Graphite and Silver, while the 40mm model comes in Graphite and Cream.

The Watch9 keeps the same lightweight aluminum case and dimensions as its predecessor, but introduces a redesigned silicone band with an air pocket structure, 17% lighter and softer compared to the Galaxy Watch8's 40mm band. The 44mm model measures 46 x 43.7 x 8.6mm and weighs 34g; the 40mm model measures 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm and weighs 31.5g.

Both sizes use a 44mm or 40mm sapphire crystal Super AMOLED display, up to 3,000 nits for better visibility in direct sunlight., with Always On mode. The watch runs on the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chip as the Watch Ultra2, paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage.

Battery capacity rises to 445 mAh on the 44mm model and 390 mAh on the 40mm, a 20% increase over the Watch8 40mm's cell, rated for up to 40 hours with Always On Display off. The watch supports standard fast wireless charging, and carries a 5ATM and IP68 water resistance rating alongside MIL-STD-810H certification.

The Watch9 gets its own new band lineup, including the Sport Band, a thin, soft everyday strap; the Misty Band, a two-tone silicone band aimed at a more polished, all-day look; and the Fabric Band, a breathable strap Samsung says is comfortable enough to wear while sleeping. They are all priced at €49.99.

On the health side, Samsung introduces Vitals, a new early-warning system that tracks heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, blood oxygen, and respiratory rate during sleep and issues proactive alerts when readings deviate significantly from a user's personal baseline. Vitals requires at least seven nights of sleep data to establish that baseline, as well as Android 11 or later, Samsung Health version 7.0 or higher, and a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring worn while sleeping. Samsung notes that Vitals is not intended for diagnosing or treating medical conditions. Vitals is also coming to the Watch Ultra2.

Samsung is also launching a new Fitness Index feature, shared with the Watch Ultra2, that scores users across body composition, cardio, strength, flexibility, and endurance using VO2 max, bioelectrical impedance analysis, heart rate, step count, and activity duration data. The feature displays current and target scores on a radar chart and can be set to a specific training focus, such as running, with weekly workout recommendations.

The Watch9 adds a hands-free "Raise to Talk" feature, letting users check messages, manage schedules, and control music through Google Gemini without first pressing a button. The feature is exclusive to the Watch9 series and Watch Ultra2 and requires users to select Gemini rather than Bixby as the wake-enabled assistant. Samsung is positioning the watch within its broader Galaxy ecosystem, with data synchronized through the Samsung Health app across phones, watches, and Galaxy Buds, including sleep-based bedtime guidance relayed to earbuds.

The new Galaxy Watch 9 run on Wear OS 7 with the One UI 9 Watch interface, support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and dual-band GPS, and optional LTE. It is compatible with smartphones running Android 13 and above. The Galaxy Watch9 is available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. The Bluetooth-only variants cost €409/379$ and €439/429$ respectively, while adding LTE brings the price to €459/409$ and €489/459$ and is available for preorder starting today, July 22, in select markets, with general availability beginning August 7, 2026, with a €100 off pre-order deal in the EU.