The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 that I reviewed previously may be the model that attracts more attention for its specialised outdoor features – such as diving and trail running. The regular Galaxy Watch9, on the other hand (see what I did there?), is a smartwatch that most people can comfortably wear throughout the day and, perhaps more importantly, through the night.
Samsung sent over the 44mm non-LTE model in Graphite, which comes with a S$568 SRP in Singapore. Design wise, it retains the same look as last year’s Watch8, and I can also quickly add that battery life remains its most obvious weakness. But the Watch9 is also lighter and more comfortable to wear as a sleep tracker compared to the Ultra2, and for an everyday smartwatch, that could be more appealing for most people.
Article Content List
1. Familiar design but noticeably better comfort2. Health tracking is great3. Battery life is still the catch4. Final thoughtsFamiliar design but noticeably better comfort
The Galaxy Watch9 44mm is actually just an atom heavier than the Watch8 44mm, at 0.3g.
Photo: HWZ
Samsung has retained the “squircle” design it introduced with the Watch8 series, placing a circular display inside a softly squared aluminium case. I know the look continues to divide opinion, particularly among those who prefer a conventional round watch, but after wearing it for a few weeks, I have to admit the Watch9 has sort of grown on me.
The 44mm version weighs only 34g without its strap and measures 8.6mm thick. It is not a particularly small watch, but in my opinion its low weight and slim case stop it from feeling cumbersome. The supplied band is also soft enough to wear for long periods without weighing you down.
This became more important when I wore it to bed. I have mild sleep apnoea and have spent quite a bit of time testing Samsung’s sleep features on the Watch8 Classic and, more recently, the Ultra2. Both were noticeable in bed, whereas the Watch9 felt less intrusive – it’s arguably Samsung’s most “unnoticeable” watch to use as a sleep tracker.
The 1.47-inch Super AMOLED display also feels like the right size. There is enough room to read notifications, navigate apps and check workout information without making the watch look cumbersome. Its peak brightness of 3,000 nits may not be the same as the Ultra2’s, but it is still bright enough to keep the screen legible even under the afternoon sun. But like the Ultra2, the Watch9 also use scratch-resistant sapphire crystal to protect the display as well as an IP68 rating (for dust resistance and protection against continuous submersion in water). Water resistance (ATM) is rated at 5ATM compared to the Ultra2’s 10ATM.
And like the Ultra2, the more important change lies inside the watch. Samsung has replaced its Exynos processor with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. This certainly made the Watch9, like the Ultra2, very responsive – apps opened quickly and moving between notifications, widget tiles and workout screens felt responsive during my time with it. The Watch8 handles everyday apps pretty well as it is, but the Watch9 will feel slightly faster and smoother.
Health tracking is great
The Galaxy Watch9’s sensors are able to collect 5 measurements while you sleep.
Photo: HWZ
Samsung Health is, without a doubt, probably the standout feature in the Watch9 – if you can do without the extra functions that comes with the Galaxy Watch Ultra2. Besides steps and workouts, the Watch9 can also monitor sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, skin temperature and body composition. ECG and blood-pressure monitoring are also available, although this only works when paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone.
The new Vitals feature is one of the additions I can see myself checking regularly. Rather than presenting another isolated score, it brings together five measurements collected while you sleep – heart rate, heart rate variability, breathing rate, skin temperature and blood oxygen. After at least seven nights, it establishes a personal baseline and will flag readings that fall outside your usual range.
To be sure, these should not be treated as a diagnosis (and the app will warn you just as much), but it can prompt you to pay closer attention to how you feel or whether something in your routine has changed. That gives the individual measurements some useful context instead of leaving you to work out what each number means on its own.
My view of Samsung’s broader sleep tracking has not changed much since I tested the Watch8 Classic. The Sleep and Energy scores provide a convenient summary each morning, while the timeline shows sleep stages, interruptions and total time asleep. I find the records useful when I wake up feeling unusually tired, although I still treat them as estimates rather than medical conclusions.
Samsung’s sleep apnoea feature is intended to flag possible signs in people who have not already been diagnosed, rather than monitor an existing condition such as mine. For me, the ordinary sleep records and how practical the watch is to wear every night remain more useful.
For runners, cyclists and gym rats, the Watch9 covers the essentials too. But honestly, if you’re already using the Watch8 then there’s very little reason to have to upgrade to the Watch9 as its dual-frequency GPS still uses both L1 and L5 signals, which I have to add, is already pretty good at positioning around tall buildings and other hard-to-reach places.
Battery life is still the catch
The 44mm Watch9 contains a 445mAh battery (the 40mm version uses a 390mAh battery, so take note), and Samsung rates it for up to 40 hours of use. In my time with it, I found it sufficient for a full day followed by a night of sleep tracking, but reaching well into the second day depends heavily on how the watch is typically used.
With the always-on display enabled, regular notifications and GPS workouts, this is realistically still a watch that you should expect to charge every day. Turning off the always-on display and cutting back on power-hungry apps can stretch it a wee bit more, but if battery life is a primary concern for you, then the UItra2 might be the better choice.
And herein lies the awkward part: charging it overnight means losing the very sleep data that features such as Vitals depend on. I found it more practical to top up the watch while showering or sitting at my desk. Charging is not particularly fast either, so this needs to become part of your routine rather than something a quick ten-minute charge before bed will solve.
Final thoughts
Like all Samsung Galaxy smartwatches, the Watch9’s full features are unlocked when paired with a compatible Galaxy smartphone.
Photo: HWZ
At S$568 without LTE, the 44mm Galaxy Watch9 sits squarely in premium-smartwatch territory. If you already own a Watch8, I really do not think there is enough here to justify replacing a watch that is only a year old. The faster processor and new health measurements are certainly welcome additions, but you’re not getting much more.
The argument becomes stronger if you are using an older Galaxy Watch or buying a Samsung smartwatch for the first time. The Watch9 is comfortable enough for overnight use, responsive when using apps and capable of collecting a broad range of health and fitness data without placing its more detailed insights behind a subscription wall. Bonus if you’re a Galaxy phone owner too, as you’ll also get access to its complete set of health features.
That said, battery life remains an awful compromise. I wished Samsung had given the 44mm model enough endurance to make two full days without charging routine. But the Watch9 gets the more fundamental part right, and for my money, it is without a doubt the best smartwatch for Samsung users and arguably a top mainstream pick too.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch9 is available in 40mm and 44mm at Samsung webstore and official retailers:
40mm Bluetooth: S$518 (Graphite, Cream)40mm LTE: S$618 (Graphite, Cream)44mm Bluetooth: S$568 (Graphite, Silver)44mm LTE: S$668 (Graphite, Silver)
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.