Another week, another Galaxy Watch leak. This time, the focus is on design refinements, new colorways, and a notable absence—the Galaxy Watch Classic. A prominent leaker, Galaxy Techie, has shared detailed information and software renders on X, shedding light on what Samsung has in store for its next-generation smartwatches. According to the post, both the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will come with new band designs, updated watch faces, and a fresh palette of colors. But the biggest talking point is the redesign of the Watch Ultra 2, which appears to borrow heavily from the now-defunct Classic line.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra series was introduced last year as Samsung’s answer to rugged, adventure-focused smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra. The first model featured a squircle shape, a titanium case, and a customizable Action button, but it lacked the physical rotating bezel that had become a signature of the Classic series. The new leak suggests that Samsung is now blending the Ultra’s rugged DNA with the Classic’s iconic design language. The Ultra 2 will reportedly adopt a boxier silhouette with thinner bezels, a numbered bezel ring, and improved side buttons. The quick button—likely the Action button—will now feature an orange outline for easier visibility.

The question on many fans’ minds is whether the new bezel will be rotatable. The Watch 8 Classic offered a fully rotating bezel for navigation, while the standard Watch models rely on touch and digital crown. The leak does not explicitly confirm rotation, but the numbered bezel and design cues strongly hint at mechanical interaction. If Samsung brings back the rotating bezel on the Ultra 2, it could differentiate the device from competitors and appeal to users who prefer tactile controls.

New Colors and Band Designs

According to the leaked details, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will be available in several new color combinations. Two likely options are black with a bluish band and silver with a green band. Additionally, a beige color variant may be exclusive to the base Galaxy Watch 9. These colors suggest Samsung is focusing on outdoor and lifestyle aesthetics, moving away from the more muted tones of previous generations. New band designs could include sport loops, trail bands, or woven nylon options, similar to Apple’s lineup.

The leaker also shared software renders showing the compass app, app drawer, and watch face selection screen. These renders indicate that Samsung is refining its Wear OS interface with cleaner typography and more customizable widgets. The compass app, in particular, will be useful for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts—a demographic the Ultra series targets.

Specs and Performance Upgrades

We already know several key specifications for the upcoming watches. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is rumored to pack a larger 784mAh battery, up from the 590mAh cell in the original Ultra. The Galaxy Watch 9 will likely see a modest increase to 382mAh, compared to the Watch 8’s 300mAh. Despite the larger batteries, regulatory filings suggest charging speeds will remain unchanged—likely still supporting 10W wireless charging. This could mean longer charging times, but users will benefit from extended battery life, especially with the Ultra 2’s power-hungry display and sensors.

Under the hood, Samsung has confirmed that the next Galaxy Watch will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite platform. This chipset is expected to deliver significant performance gains over the Exynos processors used in previous models, with better efficiency for GPS, heart rate monitoring, and always-on display features. The Snapdragon Wear Elite also supports faster LTE connectivity and improved machine learning for health tracking.

Health features will likely remain a core focus. Samsung’s BioActive sensor—which combines optical heart rate, electrical heart, and bioelectrical impedance analysis—is expected to return with upgraded algorithms. Blood pressure monitoring, ECG, and sleep apnea detection are also likely to be enhanced. The Ultra 2 may include exclusive outdoor-optimized modes, such as multi-band GPS and a built-in siren for emergencies.

The End of the Classic Line?

Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that Samsung will not launch a Galaxy Watch 9 Classic this year. The Classic series has long been a favorite among users who prefer a traditional watch aesthetic and the tactile feedback of a rotating bezel. With the Ultra 2 adopting these design cues, Samsung may be consolidating its lineup. Instead of offering multiple distinct models—standard, Classic, and Ultra—the company could streamline to two: the Galaxy Watch 9 for general use and the Watch Ultra 2 for premium/rugged use. This move would simplify production and reduce fragmentation, but it may disappoint purists who want a less bulky alternative to the Ultra.

Rumors of a new Classic had circulated earlier this year based on alleged FCC filings, but the leaker explicitly states that no Classic is coming. This decision aligns with market trends: premium smartwatches are increasingly leaning toward outdoor and fitness features rather than fashion-forward designs. The Apple Watch Ultra, for example, has outsold the Hermès and Edition models. Samsung appears to be following a similar strategy.

Competitive Landscape

Samsung faces stiff competition from Apple, Google, Garmin, and OnePlus in the smartwatch space. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 already offers a rugged design, a large display, and advanced health sensors. Google’s Pixel Watch 2 focuses on Fitbit integration and health tracking. Garmin dominates the dedicated fitness watch segment. Samsung’s advantage lies in its integration with Android phones (especially Galaxy devices) and its strong track record of iterative improvements.

The redesigned Ultra 2 could help Samsung capture more of the premium smartwatch market. If the rotating bezel returns, it would be a unique selling point—no other major smartwatch offers it. The larger battery and Snapdragon chip also address common complaints about battery life and performance.

For the Galaxy Watch 9, the focus will likely be on refining what works: a bright AMOLED display, robust software, and comprehensive health tracking. The new colors and bands may attract users upgrading from older models.

Launch Timeline and Expectations

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 at its next Galaxy Unpacked event, rumored to be held on July 22 in London. The event will likely also feature the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, along with new Galaxy Buds. Pre-orders may start immediately after the event, with shipments following in early August.

Given the leaks, the official announcement is unlikely to surprise many, but the details about the Ultra 2’s design and the absence of a Classic model have sparked strong reactions online. Some fans are excited about the boxier look and potential bezel, while others lament the loss of a dedicated Classic.

As more information emerges, we will continue to update our coverage. For now, it appears Samsung is taking a bold step by merging its most popular design elements into a single Ultra flagship—and betting that consumers will embrace the change.

Source: Android Authority News