Samsung Galaxy Watch Classic is dead. Long live the Ultra 2.
No Galaxy Watch Classic model number has appeared in FCC or CMIIT filings ahead of the 22 July Unpacked launch event.
FCC and other regulatory filings for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 became public on 15 June 2026. No Classic model number was there.
The Classic has run on a two-year cycle: Watch 4 (2021), Watch 6 (2023), Watch 8 (2025), with a Pro or Ultra filling the alternating years. The Classic model, missing from both databases at this stage, with a reported 22 July Unpacked launch event in London less than a month away, breaks that cycle entirely. A 2026 Classic launch is effectively impossible.
Samsung Ultra 2 Lives On
Samsung is folding Classic’s design language into the Ultra 2. Leaked press renders published by Evan Blass show a squircle case that is boxier than the original Ultra, with 1-12 hour numerals on the bezel, a detail borrowed directly from the Classic. Whether that bezel, the Classic’s most-used interaction feature, rotates is not confirmed in the renders.
The Ultra 2 also substantially upgrades the hardware. Qualcomm confirmed at MWC 2026 that the Snapdragon Wear Elite is heading to the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, and Samsung’s InKang Song also went on record to confirm the partnership. Most credible sources expect the standard Watch 9 to retain the Exynos W1000.
From a commercial perspective, it’s interesting to note that Counterpoint Research recorded a 28% year-on-year decline in Samsung smartwatch shipments in Q1 2026, with market share falling from 7% to 5%. This makes Samsung the only major brand to decline in a market that grew 4% overall.
Samsung Ultra 2 Leaked Specs
- Chip: Snapdragon Wear Elite (3nm), with a dedicated Hexagon neural processing unit capable of running AI models with up to 2 billion parameters on-device. Qualcomm claims 5x CPU and 7x GPU performance over the older W5+ Gen 2.
- RAM: 2GB
- Battery: 784mAh, up from 590mAh in the current Ultra, roughly 33% larger. Charging stays at 10W.
- Case: 47mm, sapphire crystal display cover, 10ATM water resistance. LTE and GPS confirmed from Blass render markings.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB, NB-NTN. 5G RedCap in the US and South Korea; 4G/LTE in Europe.
- Design: Squircle case, boxier than the original Ultra. Numbered 1-12 bezel. Orange-accent side button. Silicone strap, dual-buckle retained.
- Colours: Titanium Grey confirmed in renders. The black/blue band, the silver/green band, and the beige band also leaked.
- Launch: Reported 22 July 2026, Samsung Unpacked, London. Retail likely early August.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Classic discontinued?
Samsung has not officially confirmed discontinuation. However, no Classic model number had appeared in the FCC or CMIIT regulatory databases before the reported 22 July 2026 Unpacked event. At this stage in the launch cycle, that absence makes a 2026 launch effectively impossible. Whether Samsung revives the line in 2027 remains open.
What chip is in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2?
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite was confirmed on record by both Qualcomm and Samsung at MWC 2026. It is a 3nm processor with one high-performance core and four efficiency cores, plus a dedicated neural processing unit. Most credible leaks suggest the standard Galaxy Watch 9 retains the Exynos W1000, though Samsung has not confirmed the chip allocation between models.
How much bigger is the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 battery?
Leaked specifications put the Ultra 2 battery at 784mAh, compared to 590mAh in the current Galaxy Watch Ultra, an increase of roughly 33%. Charging speed remains unchanged at 10W, per regulatory documents.
Last Updated on 25 June 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cables tidy. Essential for race day. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The Blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.
Support the site: Follow (free, fewer ads) · Subscribe (paid, ad-free) · Buy Me A Coffee ❤️
All articles are written by real people, fact-checked, and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
