Exclusive: Here’s Your First Look at the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

Next month, Samsung is expected to hold its Unpacked event, where we typically see several new foldable devices. And we typically get a couple of new watches at that event as well. This year, we’re expecting to see the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Ultra 2. Today, we can share with you press images of the upcoming Galaxy Watch 9, and they really don’t look all that surprising.

The design of the Galaxy Watch 9 is virtually identical to the Galaxy Watch 8 that was released last year. That’s with a rounded display sitting on a squircle body. After using the Galaxy Watch 8 for a few months, this design has actually grown on me. It’s uniquely Samsung, and it does make the watch more durable while also allowing it to sit flatter on your wrist for more accurate readings.

Even the sensors underneath the watch look to be identical to last year’s model. So what’s the big upgrade this year? Well, Samsung has already confirmed that it will be using the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset that was announced at MWC in March. Jumping over from an Exynos chipset back to Snapdragon this year. Which could change performance, but Qualcomm is really focused on the AI capabilities you’ll have on your wrist.

Galaxy Watch 9 will come in two colors and two sizes

As we’ve seen over the past few years, Samsung is going to offer the Galaxy Watch 9 in two sizes. That’s going to be 40mm and 44mm. It will also come in two colors each. The 40mm model will come in Cream or Graphite colors, with the 44mm being available in Silver or Graphite. A bit different from the Galaxy Watch 8, which had the same colors for both sizes.

Once again, Samsung is going to sell both in a Bluetooth or an LTE configuration. A bit surprising that they are not jumping on board with 5G on the wrist just yet, when Apple’s latest Watches all use 5G instead of LTE.

There will be a number of color bands available, too, including the green one in the pics below.

Expect a price increase

While we do not have pricing for either model yet, and we did see a price increase last year, we fully expect to see another price increase this year. Among the Wear OS watches, Samsung actually offers one of the cheaper models. The Pixel Watch 4 also starts at $349. I’d fully expect to see a $50 price increase here, pushing the watches to $399 and $429, respectively. And that’s all due to the current RAM shortage, which is also affecting other components now.

Unpacked is expected to take place in London this year, towards the end of July. So we still have a few weeks to learn more about the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. As well as the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8, all of which are expected to be announced at this event.