Galaxy Watch 9: Minor Upgrade, Major Price Hike?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 was announced on July 22, 2026, and is now available globally. This latest iteration offers a faster processor and introduces the Gemini AI voice assistant, accessible via a new wrist raise gesture. Key health features have been enhanced with a new Vitals dashboard, consolidating metrics like heart rate, HRV, Sp02, and body temperature. A new Heart Health score and Fitness Index score provide deeper insights into user well-being and physical condition.

Despite these upgrades, the design and display of the Galaxy Watch 9 remain unchanged from its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 8. Notably, Samsung has discontinued the 'Classic' model with the clicky bezel, though the Watch 8 Classic will continue to be sold. Battery life sees no improvement, with the 40mm model rated at 30 hours and the 44mm at 40 hours, falling short of some competitors. Prices have also increased by $50 across all models compared to the Galaxy Watch 8.