TechRadar Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 Makes Health Data Actionable, but Battery Life Lags

TechRadar said the Galaxy Watch 9 ties into recent Samsung Health changes. Workouts and body data are condensed into a Fitness Index, which compares a user’s wellness in several departments with the average of other Samsung users and suggests ways to expand an exercise regimen. Sleep schedule, daily cadence and heart rate feed an Energy Score, which is meant to help a user understand whether and when to work out. The review said the device is more useful than most wearables it has tested because it makes the data mean something.

The review found the watch reliable for tracking workouts, lightweight and thin, and full of useful tools, though some tools work better than others. TechRadar said the Galaxy Watch 9 is not aimed at the most prolific exercisers, who already know how to use their data, but it may suit an average person who cares about health and has not yet examined fitness data in detail.

Criticisms include battery life. TechRadar said the watch lasts about a day on a single charge, or less if the user does multiple exercises per day, and described battery life as unimpressive. The specification table in the review lists battery life of up to 30 hours for the 40mm model and up to 40 hours for the 44mm model. The review also said navigation and information locations within the user interface can feel counterintuitive, and the watch will easily pick up scuffs and marks over time.

TechRadar said some features are only available if the user owns a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. It called those tools more minor but said it is a shame that not all buyers get the same smartwatch. The review described the watch as one of the most accessible smartwatches in terms of feature set and performance, and said it is worth buying for people who like the idea of a smartwatch but have never felt they justify themselves.

The Galaxy Watch 9 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes. The 40mm model measures 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm and weighs 30g, while the 44mm model measures 46.0 x 43.7 x 8.6mm and weighs 34g. Both use an Armor Aluminum case and bezel. The 40mm model has a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED display, and the 44mm model has a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display. Both support GPS, Glonass, Beidou and Galileo, Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth 6.0, and both have 5 ATM water resistance.

TechRadar reported conflicting starting prices. An early section of the review said the 40mm Bluetooth model starts at $349.99 / £319 / AU$649 and the 44mm model starts at $399.99 / £349 / AU$699. The specification table and a later price table in the same review list the 40mm Bluetooth model at $379.99 / £349.99 / AU$647 and the 44mm Bluetooth model at $409.99 / £379.99 / AU$697. The later table also lists LTE variants: $429.99 / £399.99 / AU$747 for the 40mm and $459.99 / £429.99 / AU$797 for the 44mm.

The review said the watch slightly undercuts the Apple Watch Series 11, noting that Apple’s sizes are slightly bigger, but it is slightly more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch 9 was unveiled on July 22, 2026, alongside the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. TechRadar also listed a July 9 pre-order date, while the same article says the watch was unveiled on July 22, 2026.

Editor's Summary

TechRadar’s review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 says the watch’s main appeal is its ability to turn health and workout data into Fitness Index and Energy Score advice, with reliable tracking and a thin design. It also reports weak battery life, a high price relative to the Galaxy Watch 8 and some features locked to Samsung phones. The review lists 40mm and 44mm models with up to 30 or 40 hours of battery life, alongside conflicting starting prices in different sections.