Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Review: Incremental Updates, Data Overload
A capable smartwatch with expanded health metrics, but battery and usability concerns remain.
1Modest hardware upgrades
The Galaxy Watch9 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, offering improved CPU/GPU performance. Battery capacity increased to 390mAh (40mm) and 445mAh (44mm), though real-world usage still averages 25 hours with Always-On Display. The watch maintains Samsung's distinctive 'squircle' design with IP68/5ATM water resistance and MIL-STD-810H durability certification, unchanged from previous models.
2Disappointing battery performance
Despite larger batteries, the Watch9 delivers only 25 hours of typical use - falling short of Samsung's 30-hour claim. Charging takes approximately 100 minutes, significantly slower than competitors like the Pixel Watch 5's 45-minute full charge. The expanded health features appear to consume the additional battery capacity without extending practical usage time between charges.
3Expanded health tracking suite
New metrics include Hearing Protection, Vitals monitoring, FDA-cleared Sleep Apnea detection, Daily Cardio Load, and Fitness Index. The watch establishes baselines over 7 nights for vital signs like SpO2, HRV, and skin temperature. While comprehensive, some features like Heart Health Score require separate blood pressure cuff calibration - a barrier most users won't overcome compared to Apple/Oura's cuffless solutions.
4Useful but overwhelming metrics
The Vitals system effectively flags deviations from personal baselines, matching Apple Watch and Pixel Watch accuracy. However, the Fitness Index requires 2+ days of data collection including workouts, sleep tracking, and body composition measurements. These aggregated scores may provide long-term trends but offer questionable immediate diagnostic value according to reviewer testing.
5Wear OS 7 improvements
The update brings customizable widgets and live app updates. Notably, it introduces raise-to-talk for Google's Gemini AI - a feature previously exclusive to Pixel Watches. Physical controls remain responsive but some interactions, like workout termination requiring multiple button presses, prove cumbersome during active use compared to touchscreen alternatives.
6Display and durability
The unchanged AMOLED screen reaches 3,000 nits brightness, performing well in sunlight. It retains military-grade durability certifications while offering three band options: silicone Sport, two-tone Misty, and nylon Fabric. The Sport band tested effectively for workouts, maintaining secure fit and sweat resistance during intense activity.
7Sleep tracking refinements
Sleep monitoring remains reliable, delivering morning scores with AI-powered Sleep Coach analysis. The FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection uses proprietary algorithms to identify breathing disturbances. However, the reviewer suggests Samsung should focus on improving existing feature accuracy rather than adding new metrics that risk becoming data noise.
8Target audience considerations
The Watch9 presents a strong option for first-time Galaxy Watch buyers or those deeply invested in Samsung's ecosystem. However, Watch8 owners gain little from upgrading, as health feature expansions come at the cost of battery life. The review questions whether more metrics equal better health insights, suggesting users carefully evaluate which features they'll actually use.
Original article: Wired — Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Review: Incremental Updates, Data Overload