Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 Leak: Codenames Reveal Three Models, Classic Return, and New Features

The Classic Rotating Bezel Is Here to Stay

For fans of Samsung's physical rotating bezel, the "Wise 9" codename is the clearest signal yet that the Galaxy Watch 9 Classic is happening. Samsung revived the Classic designation and its signature rotating hardware control with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, following an earlier generation where the bezel was absent from non-Classic models . The appearance of a third-generation "Wise" device strongly indicates the company plans to retain — not retire — that design language for at least another year .

Live Updates Coming to the Now Bar

One of the more tangible software upgrades expected on the Galaxy Watch 9 series is the arrival of Live Updates, a feature Google has championed on its own Pixel Watch line and which functions similarly to Apple's Live Activities. On Samsung watches, this will surface through the Now Bar, a persistent notification area already available on Galaxy phones that can display glanceable information from compatible apps .

Google announced at I/O 2025 that Live Updates would roll out to Wear OS-based wearables in late 2026, setting the stage for its debut on Samsung's watches . The feature is likely to ship with One UI 8.5 Watch or One UI 9 Watch rather than being available at launch, and it should eventually support third-party apps beyond Samsung's own software .

A New Processor for the Ultra Model

The Galaxy Watch 9 series is rumored to introduce Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, a premium processor that promises up to 30% better energy efficiency compared to the Exynos W1000 used in the Galaxy Watch 8 lineup . The chip is expected to power the top-tier models, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 seen as the most likely beneficiary for its performance gains .

While some initial reports suggest all three watches could use the Snapdragon Wear Elite, it remains possible the standard Galaxy Watch 9 will rely on an updated Exynos W1000 variant instead — a split strategy Samsung has employed before . Testing firmware for the Galaxy Watch 9 family has already appeared on US-based Checkfirm servers, confirming the devices have moved from development to active validation .

London Unpacked Event on July 22

Multiple reports point to July 22, 2026 as the date Samsung will formally announce the Galaxy Watch 9 series at its summer Galaxy Unpacked event . In a departure from recent venues, this year's Unpacked is expected to be held in London, UK .

The time is also cited as 14:00 BST by one countdown tracker . Samsung has not officially confirmed the date or location, but the timeline is consistent with its annual mid-year cadence for launching foldable phones and accompanying wearables .

Other devices expected alongside the watches include:

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8
• A wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 variant
• Samsung's first Galaxy Glasses AR/XR headset

With three distinct models, the return of the physical rotating bezel, an overdue Live Updates feature, and a potential processor overhaul, the Galaxy Watch 9 lineup is shaping up to be Samsung's most ambitious wearable refresh since the platform's move to Wear OS .