Samsung Unpacked July 22 Complete Wearable Preview: Galaxy Able, Watch 9, Watch Ultra 2 — Buy Now or Wait? (2026)
Samsung’s official Galaxy Wearable app just spilled the beans. A July 3 update contained hidden references to Galaxy Able open-ear earbuds, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — confirming all three products ahead of the July 22 Unpacked eventin London. Combined with the already-confirmed Galaxy Glasses, this is shaping up to be Samsung’s biggest wearable launch ever.
With 17 days until the event, here’s everything we know about each product, and our buy-now-or-wait verdict for every category.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: The Flagship Smartwatch Gets a Major Upgrade
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is the headliner. Based on FCC filings, app leaks, and supply chain reports, here’s what to expect:
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear Elite — a massive jump from the Exynos W1000 in the current Ultra
- Battery: ~784mAh (up from 590mAh), potentially reaching 3+ days of real-world use
- Connectivity: 5G support confirmed via FCC, plus LTE fallback
- Size: Single size, LTE-only — no Wi-Fi-only option to keep things simple
- Finish: Two titanium colorways (down from three on the current Ultra)
- Price: Expected $699–$749, up from $649 due to the memory crisis
Verdict: Wait. The Ultra 2 is a generational leap in processor, battery, and connectivity. Unless you need a rugged Samsung watch this week, waiting 17 days is the obvious call. The current Galaxy Watch Ultra at $639 will likely drop to $500–$550 after the announcement.
Galaxy Watch 9: The Mainstream Samsung Smartwatch
The Galaxy Watch 9 is the everyday companion to the Ultra 2’s rugged flagship. What we know:
- Sizes: 40mm and 44mm, maintaining the current dual-size approach
- Colors: Limited palette compared to previous generations — likely 2–3 options per size
- Processor: Expected Snapdragon Wear Elite (same as Ultra 2, a first for the standard Watch line)
- Software: One UI 8 Watch with deeper Gemini AI integration
- Price: Expected $299–$349 for 40mm, $329–$379 for 44mm
Verdict: Wait. Same logic as the Ultra 2. If you want a mainstream Samsung smartwatch, 17 days of patience gets you the latest hardware. If you prefer Apple, the Apple Watch Series 11 at $299 is excellent right now.
Galaxy Able: Samsung’s First Open-Ear Earbuds
The Galaxy Able is Samsung’s most surprising product. It’s the company’s first open-ear earbud — a clip-on design that sits outside the ear canal, similar to the Shokz OpenFit or the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
- Design: Clip-on hook that wraps around the ear, with a grille-covered driver and microphone
- Audio tech: Open-ear drivers (not bone conduction, despite early rumors)
- No ANC: Open-ear designs can’t seal the ear canal, so active noise cancellation isn’t possible
- Use case: Running, cycling, office calls — anywhere you need to hear your surroundings
- Launch uncertainty: Multiple reports suggest the Able has been delayed and may NOT launch at July 22 Unpacked
Verdict: Don’t wait.The Galaxy Able’s launch timing is uncertain, and open-ear earbuds are a niche category. If you want open-ear now, the Shokz OpenFit 2 at $135 is proven and available. If you want Samsung earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro at $140 are at their lowest price ever.
Galaxy Glasses: Samsung’s Meta Ray-Ban Competitor
We’ve covered the Galaxy Glasses extensively in our ecosystem deep-dive and specs comparison, but here’s the quick summary:
- Platform: Android XR with Gemini AI
- Camera: 12MP Sony sensor
- Design: Co-designed with Gentle Monster, ~50g frame
- Price: $379–$499, directly competing with Meta Ray-Ban at $379
- Ecosystem: Galaxy Ring gesture controls, Galaxy Watch integration
Verdict: Wait for reviews. Galaxy Glasses are the most exciting product at Unpacked, but Android XR is a brand-new platform. Wait for hands-on reviews before committing. If you want AI smart glasses now, the Meta Ray-Ban at $379 is the proven choice.
The Memory Crisis Factor: Why Every Price Is Going Up
We covered this in our Unpacked pricing analysis— the global memory crisis is pushing all electronics prices 5–10% higher. Samsung’s new wearables will be more expensive than their predecessors across the board. This makes current-gen deals even more attractive if you don’t need the latest features.
Buy Now vs. Wait: The Complete Cheat Sheet
- Galaxy Watch Ultra: WAIT — Ultra 2 with Snapdragon Wear Elite is worth 17 days
- Galaxy Watch 9: WAIT — new processor and software make waiting worthwhile
- Galaxy Able earbuds: DON’T WAIT — uncertain launch date; buy Shokz OpenFit 2 instead
- Galaxy Glasses: WAIT for reviews — exciting but unproven Android XR platform
- Apple Watch: BUY NOW — Series 11 at $299 is at its lowest; Series 12 isn’t until September
- Earbuds: BUY NOW — Galaxy Buds 3 Pro at $140 and AirPods Pro 3 at $199 are at great prices
Compare all options in our comparison hub or browse by category in our smartwatch and earbuds guides.
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
- What wearables will Samsung announce at July 22 Unpacked?
- Based on app leaks and certification filings, Samsung will announce Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm/44mm), Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (single LTE-only size), Galaxy Glasses smart glasses, and potentially Galaxy Able open-ear earbuds. The event will also feature Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 smartphones.
- Should I buy Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra now or wait for Ultra 2?
- Wait if you can. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 brings Snapdragon Wear Elite, a larger ~784mAh battery, 5G, and a new processor — major upgrades worth 17 days. If you need a watch today, the current Ultra at $639 on Amazon will likely drop further after the Ultra 2 announcement.
- What are Samsung Galaxy Able earbuds?
- Galaxy Able is Samsung's first open-ear earbud — a clip-on design that sits outside the ear canal instead of sealing it. Think Shokz OpenFit rather than Galaxy Buds Pro. They won't have noise cancellation but will let you hear your surroundings while listening to audio. Final launch timing is uncertain.
- Will Samsung Galaxy Glasses be available at Unpacked?
- Samsung Galaxy Glasses will likely be announced at Unpacked with pre-orders opening shortly after. They run Android XR with Gemini AI, feature a 12MP Sony camera, and are co-designed with Gentle Monster. Expected retail price is $379–$499, competing directly with Meta Ray-Ban at $379.