Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 Classic Confirmed: Rotating Bezel Returns at July 22 Unpacked With Watch Ultra 2

Samsung is bringing back the Galaxy Watch Classic for 2026, confirming a three-watch lineup at the July 22 Unpacked event in London: Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch 9 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

Galaxy Watch 9 Classic: Rotating Bezel Returns

After skipping the Classic variant in the Watch 8 lineup, Samsung is reviving the physical rotating bezel that many fans missed. The Classic has traditionally appealed to users who prefer a more traditional watch aesthetic with tactile navigation — and its absence in the Watch 8 generation was a frequent complaint.

Galaxy Watch 9: Bigger Battery, Same Core

• Battery: 382mAh in the 40mm model — a 23% increase over the Galaxy Watch 8, potentially enabling two-day battery life
• Chip: Snapdragon Wear Elite with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.0, and ultra-wideband
• Display: Expected 3,000-nit peak brightness
• OS: Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch and Gemini AI

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: The Flagship

• Battery: 800mAh — 35% larger than the original Ultra's 590mAh
• Connectivity: Possible 5G via Snapdragon Wear Elite's NB-NTN satellite support
• Colors: Simplified to Titanium Gray — down from four options on the original
• Price: Expected at $649+ — matching the current Ultra's launch price

Should You Wait or Buy Now?

With Unpacked just 25 days away, the smart move is to wait unless you find a clearance deal on the current Galaxy Watch Ultra. The current Ultra hit $449 during Prime Day (now expired), and similar clearance pricing may return as the Ultra 2 launch approaches. Compare smartwatches in our smartwatch guide.