What you need to know
- A new leak claims Samsung is skipping the Classic model and shifting focus to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
- The Galaxy Ultra 2 is rumored to feature a boxier body, slimmer display bezels, and a numbered outer ring.
- Leaked renders also point to a revamped Samsung Health app, a new watch face picker, and a dedicated compass interface.
If you were expecting a brand-new Samsung smartwatch with a clicky, physical rotating bezel this year, you’re out of luck. A new leak suggests Samsung is scrapping the rumored Galaxy Watch 9 Classic and is instead focusing its efforts on a revamped Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
The latest rumor from tipster GalaxyTechie on X suggests your dreams of a 2026 Classic model with a mechanical ring are officially on ice, but you might get a more premium Ultra model with thinner bezels to make up for it (via 9to5Google). That’s a setback for early regulatory chatter and FCC docs that had fans hoping for a big dual-release this year.
‼️Watch 9 & Ultra 2 comes with new band designs + colours, watchfaces and features as part of One UI 9 Watch. The ultra variant is slightly more boxier with Classic-like numbering (1-12), thinner bezels, better side buttons area, quick button colour reduced to an orange outline.June 19, 2026
Additionally, the rumor claims the Watch Ultra 2 will combine rugged durability with a much “boxier” chassis than its predecessor.
No rotating bezel comeback yet
The screen is also said to have thinner bezels, and the outer ring will reportedly have the numbers 1 to 12 stamped onto the surface. But don’t get your hopes up for a mechanical dial just yet — the leak hasn’t confirmed if this ring actually turns.
Samsung also appears to be fixing one of the most divisive design choices from last generation: buttons. The middle “Quick button” is said to lose its solid, toy-like orange coat. Otherwise, the rumor suggests you could get a wider, more flush button with a subtle orange outline accent.
The hardware itself is apparently getting a glow-up, too. The leaked renders give a good look at what is coming inside One UI 9 Watch. Samsung’s existing tracking menus aren’t the most organized, but an enormous overhaul could be coming to Samsung Health to help tidy up your daily metrics. The leak also reveals a brand new watch face picker and a dedicated compass interface, specifically designed to work with the new side button.
Samsung’s flip-flopping between the Classic and Ultra lines is getting exhausting. The constant shift between the highly functional mechanical bezel and the top-notch internal hardware every other year gives the impression that the company is experimenting with design.
For those of you who like to personalize their tech, the colors are looking pretty sharp this year. Both the standard Galaxy Watch 9 and the Ultra 2 will apparently be available in a clean beige option. You could also grab a black version that comes with a deep bluish strap or a silver one that goes well with a green band.
We won't have to wait long to see if these leaks prove true. At the next Galaxy Unpacked event, which could happen sometime in late July, Samsung will probably unveil the whole 2026 mobile ecosystem.
