The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra was released in 2024, and, despite a 2025 refresh coming out, is now highly due for an update. Thankfully, a new version of Samsung’s smartwatch built for more extreme activities is on the way, and according to the latest rumors, a big upgrade has been confirmed.
We can expect the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to be the first Samsung smartwatch with access to 5G networks, a big milestone for the company, according to a report from the ever-reliable folks at GalaxyClub (via SamMobile).
The Ultra 2 will mark two big firsts for Samsung
We reported two weeks ago that Samsung was dropping its own Exynos chip for a Qualcomm processor, a first for the Galaxy Watch lineup. According to a joint press release from Samsung and Qualcomm, the next range of Galaxy Watches would use the Snapdragon Wear Elite processors instead of Exynos silicon — and that has now been confirmed to be the case in the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
GalaxyClub claims to have been given information that confirms the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will use the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, and will use that processor’s built-in 5G modem to connect to the much faster 5G networks.
In addition to the built-in 5G modem, the Wear Elite processor also includes the ability to connect to satellites, though there’s no confirmation whether the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will get that support yet — but it would make a lot of sense for an extreme watch.
The Ultra 2 will definitely benefit from the chip’s other benefits, though. It’s built on a 3nm process, has a five-core CPU, a faster GPU, and a built-in NPU that will help with AI processing times.
It’s fitting that Samsung’s biggest and most extreme smartwatch would be the one to lead the pack in new advances like this, and if the Ultra 2 takes after its predecessor, you can expect to only be able to buy it with a 5G connection. If it’s like the older Ultra, then there won’t be a Bluetooth-only model, unlike other Galaxy Watch models. Again, this fits with the watch’s status as the adventurous one.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to be unveiled at some point in the summer, alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8.
