Samsung’s next rugged smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, has surfaced in a fresh set of official-looking renders just days before the company’s Galaxy Unpacked event. The images, shared by veteran leaker Evan Blass, show the device from multiple angles and confirm several specifications that had been rumored for weeks.
Samsung is set to hold Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, 2026, in London, where the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is widely expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip8, and the Galaxy Watch 9 series. Pre-orders are reportedly set to open the same day, with the watch going on sale August 5, 2026.
Familiar Design, Refined Details
The renders show Samsung sticking closely to the design language of the original Galaxy Watch Ultra. The new model keeps its rugged titanium body, a circular display set inside a squircle-shaped frame, and the same three-button layout, including the signature customizable Quick Button. Rather than a full redesign, the Ultra 2 appears to bring smaller refinements — reportedly including a numbered bezel detail that nods to Samsung’s rotating-bezel Classic watches.
Notably, regulatory filings suggest Samsung may skip a Galaxy Watch 9 Classic model entirely this year, with no rotating-bezel device showing up in FCC or CMIIT certification databases so far.
Thinner Body, Brighter Display
Leaks indicate the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will be about 12% thinner than its predecessor. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra measures 12.1mm thick, so a reduction of that size would bring the new model down to roughly 10.6mm.
Despite the slimmer profile, the display is getting brighter, not dimmer. The Ultra 2 is tipped to feature a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED panel with up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness, a major jump from the original’s 3,000-nit screen and a change that should noticeably improve outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
Snapdragon Wear Elite and an 800mAh Battery
The biggest upgrade appears to be under the hood. Leaked marketing materials confirm the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, marking the first time Samsung has moved away from its in-house Exynos processors for a Galaxy Watch. The move is expected to extend across the entire 2026 watch lineup.
The Snapdragon Wear Elite is built on a 3nm process and uses a big.LITTLE-style layout with one performance core clocked at 2.1GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.95GHz, alongside a dedicated NPU for on-device AI tasks. Qualcomm has said the chip offers roughly 30% better battery efficiency than its predecessor.
Paired with that chip is a battery rated at 800mAh — internally closer to 784mAh, according to some reports — up from the 590mAh cell in the first Galaxy Watch Ultra. That’s roughly a 35% capacity increase, and combined with the more efficient processor, some leaks suggest the Ultra 2 could deliver up to three days of battery life on a single charge, though real-world performance will only be confirmed after launch. Charging speed itself is expected to remain at 10W, based on recent certification filings.
Stronger Durability Rating
Durability also gets a boost. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to carry an IP69K rating for dust and water resistance, an upgrade over the IP68 rating on the original model. IP69K certification specifically protects against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, making the watch more resilient for demanding outdoor and workout conditions.
Other leaked details point to continued titanium construction, 10ATM water resistance, and sapphire crystal glass protecting the display. Reports suggest the watch will be offered in at least two color options — a titanium finish with an olive-green band and an all-black version — both featuring an orange accent ring around the crown.
Price and Availability
While Samsung has not confirmed final specifications, some reports peg the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2’s starting price at $699, matching the original Galaxy Watch Ultra. Pre-orders are expected to open on July 22 alongside the Unpacked announcement, with a retail launch on August 5, 2026.
What’s Still Unconfirmed
Samsung has officially confirmed the July 22 Unpacked date but has not acknowledged any specifications for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. All details — including exact battery capacity, pricing, and color options — remain unofficial leaks until Samsung’s own announcement. Rumors of non-invasive glucose monitoring have also circulated for months but have not appeared in any regulatory filing or official confirmation, so buyers shouldn’t factor that feature into a purchase decision yet.
With Galaxy Unpacked just days away, official confirmation of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2’s full specifications is expected imminently.
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