After two long years, Samsung appears ready to give its premium smartwatch a proper sequel. But here’s the twist: depending on where you live, that upgrade might look very different.
The Long Road to a True Successor
Back in July 2024, the original Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra made a splash with its rugged design and flagship features. Priced at $649, it was Samsung’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra, and it quickly became a favorite for adventurers and fitness enthusiasts alike.
But when 2025 rolled around, Samsung only gave the watch a minor spec bump – essentially a refresh rather than a true upgrade. The storage got a boost, and a new color option appeared, but the core experience remained largely unchanged.
Now, fast forward to 2026, and the real successor is finally on the horizon. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to make its debut, and early leaks suggest it could be a major leap forward. However, not all markets will get the same device.
Firmware Leak Reveals Two Different Models
According to a detailed report from Dutch tech site GalaxyClub, Samsung’s own firmware servers have spilled the beans. The publication discovered beta firmware for two distinct versions of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2:
- SM-L716 – destined for the USA (and likely South Korea)
- SM-L715F – designated for Europe
For those who follow Samsung’s naming conventions, this is a huge deal. Model numbers ending in “6” typically indicate a 5G modem, while those ending in “5” point to a 4G/LTE modem. In plain English: the US is getting a 5G version, while Europe appears stuck with 4G.
Two Chips, Two Tiers of Performance
The connectivity gap is just the tip of the iceberg. The firmware leak also hints at a deeper hardware divide that could leave European customers with a notably less capable device.
According to Notebookcheck, the US-bound Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset with an integrated 5G modem. Meanwhile, the European version is expected to stick with the older Samsung Exynos W1000 processor – the same chip found in the current Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Both chips share a similar CPU configuration: one ARM Cortex-A78 performance core and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. But that’s where the similarities end.
The Snapdragon Wear Elite pulls ahead in several key areas:
- Higher clock frequencies – noticeably snappier performance
- Wi-Fi 6 support – faster, more stable wireless connections
- Ultra-wideband (UWB) – precise location tracking and digital car key support
- Superior GPU performance – smoother animations and better gaming
- Better power efficiency – potentially longer battery life despite more features
Qualcomm has publicly confirmed that the new Galaxy Watch lineup will use the Snapdragon Wear Elite, touting up to 5x faster single-core CPU performance and up to 7x faster GPU compared to previous-generation Wear chips. That’s a staggering leap that the Exynos W1000 simply can’t match.
Déjà Vu for Samsung Fans
If this sounds familiar, it’s because Samsung has a well-established pattern of region-specific hardware. The company has long used Exynos chips in European Galaxy smartphones while equipping US models with faster Snapdragon processors.
Now, it seems the same strategy is coming to wearables. A German tech blog, Schmidti’s Blog, sums up the frustration: “Samsung traditionally likes to deny European customers the latest hardware in its flagship products”.
What Features Are We Actually Getting?
Despite the regional disparities, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is shaping up to be a genuinely impressive device – at least in its fully-specced form.
Display: Rumors point to a 1.50-inch Super AMOLED screen with a staggering 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it easily readable even under direct sunlight.
Storage: Internal storage is expected to double to 64GB, providing ample space for offline maps, music, and app libraries.
Durability: The watch will likely retain its Grade 4 titanium casing with 10ATM and IP68 ratings, making it suitable for deep diving and extreme environments.
Software: Samsung is expected to launch the Ultra 2 with Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 Watch, featuring deep integration with Google Gemini AI.
Satellite Connectivity: One of the most exciting rumored features is NB-NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) technology, which would allow the watch to send emergency texts via satellite even when outside cellular coverage.
Bluetooth 6.0: The latest Bluetooth standard will likely be supported, offering improved range and lower power consumption.
When Can You Buy It?
Samsung traditionally holds its summer Unpacked event in July, and 2026 is expected to follow the same pattern. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is rumored to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 foldable phones, as well as the standard Galaxy Watch 9.
Multiple sources point to a July 2026 launch date, with retail availability likely following in late July or early August.
What About the Price?
The original Galaxy Watch Ultra launched at $649, and the Ultra 2 is expected to command a similar premium. Given the significant hardware upgrades – particularly the 5G modem and satellite capabilities – some analysts predict a slight price increase over the 2024 model.
However, if the European version ends up using the older Exynos chip and lacks 5G, it’s hard to justify the same flagship pricing. As one tech site notes, “If Samsung really launches the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in Europe with the older Exynos W1000, it’s likely to be a rather modest upgrade compared to the previous model”.
The Bottom Line: A Tale of Two Watches
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 represents a pivotal moment for Samsung’s wearable ambitions. The US version, with its 5G connectivity and Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, promises to be a genuine leap forward – faster, more efficient, and packed with cutting-edge features like Wi-Fi 6, UWB, and satellite messaging.
But the European version, if the leaks are accurate, could be a much smaller step. Sticking with 4G and the Exynos W1000 means European buyers might miss out on many of the headline features that make the Ultra 2 truly “Ultra.”
Of course, none of this is official yet. Samsung hasn’t made any announcements, and the company could still change course before launch. But with beta firmware already sitting on Samsung’s own servers, these regional differences seem increasingly likely to become reality.
For now, if you’re in the market for a premium smartwatch and want the absolute best Samsung has to offer, keep an eye on the US release. And if you’re in Europe? Well, you might want to start learning to live with 4G – or consider importing.
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