Samsung usually makes you wait a year between the regular Watch and the Classic version. Not this time.
According to code discovered inside a Wear OS app update, Samsung is preparing to launch three smartwatch models simultaneously this summer: the base Galaxy Watch 9, the Galaxy Watch 9 Classic, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. If the leak holds up, this will be the first time Samsung has refreshed the Classic without making fans wait an extra year.
The code names — Fresh 9, Wise 9, and Project X2 — are about as subtle as a marketing deck, but the implication is real: Samsung is going wider, faster, and all at once.
The bezel is back, and that actually matters
For many users, the Classic is the real face of the Galaxy Watch lineup — not because of looks, but because of the rotating physical bezel. It’s one of the most intuitive navigation methods on any smartwatch, letting you scroll through menus without your finger blocking the screen. Samsung dropped it from the standard model years ago, and a vocal portion of its fanbase has never quite forgiven them for it.
By launching Classic and Ultra simultaneously, Samsung is making an aggressive segmentation play: the base Watch 9 for the mass market, the Classic for people who want a traditional watch aesthetic with proper controls, and the Ultra 2 for those who need maximum durability and battery life. You no longer have to compromise on style to get the features you want — or wait 12 months for the version that actually appeals to you.
Two different chips inside
The Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch 9 Classic will reportedly stick with the Exynos W1000 chip — the same processor already in the current lineup, which handles everyday tasks smoothly without overheating. Solid, if unexciting.
The Watch Ultra 2 is a different story. There’s a real chance it moves to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, which could mean a meaningful jump in power efficiency — critical for a device designed for outdoor and extreme-use scenarios where you can’t always charge on a schedule.
One new trick worth watching
All three models are expected to support a new raise-to-talk feature — lift your wrist toward your face and the voice assistant activates automatically, no wake word needed. It sounds like a small thing, but anyone who’s muttered “Hey Bixby” in a quiet office knows exactly why this is better.
The official announcement is expected on July 22, alongside Samsung’s next foldable smartphones. That’s a packed stage — and with three watches hitting at once, Samsung is clearly betting that more choice beats more waiting.