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- I’m going for a run with the Galaxy Watch 9 while visiting London.
- Samsung has added several useful features, such as hydration tracking.
- Finally, a smart workout companion that’s simpler (and better) than the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
As a tourist, there’s one thing I try to do on every trip I go on — run to see some things (and get a few hours of exercise). So, of course, while I was in London for Galaxy Unpacked, I decided to run with Galaxy Watch 9Samsung’s new smartwatch launched on Wednesday.
I had been testing the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for about a week before I got my hands on it. Galaxy Watch 9. While I enjoyed the rugged design of the Watch Ultra 2, I’ll be honest, it’s a luxury smartwatch, and its chunky design doesn’t work with my wardrobe or my vibe. The Watch 9, though? It’s a game.
Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New folders, smartwatches, and smart glasses
First, it is small and comfortable to wear. The white band and silver case look great, and it’s just the kind of fitness smartwatch I’m looking for, something that’s stylish but still works as a workout companion. Here are my thoughts as I wore it and ran around Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park.
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This is simple
Samsung created this smartwatch to be more comfortable to exercise, sleep, and sit on, and that was definitely achieved with the Watch 9. It’s fun to run and work for a long time.
I’ve worn two generations of both the Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch now, and one thing I prefer about the Galaxy Watches is the flat watch display. Viewing information — whether it’s a text message or my pace per mile — is easy to see on the watch, thanks to the 3,000 nits super AMOLED display. Also, in my opinion, the flat display makes the watch look more premium than the Pixel watch.
The hydration guide is a nice touch
It’s July, so when I ran past Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, I started to get hot. 40 minutes into the run, I got my first hydration warning for the nutrition function. It told me that I lost 0.5% of water during exercise, and that I should rehydrate with one cup of water.
Also: Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: I compared both models, here is my advice
Rehydrating after a workout in the sun, outside is not rocket science, and drinking one cup of water after a 40-minute run is probably reasonable. However, for marathon runners who run for hours on end, or cyclists who ride 50 miles in the sun, those hydration alerts can be a very accurate addition to watch users’ training — especially if you’re pushing yourself to the limit. You can configure this setting in the watch app, so be sure to enable it if you want these alerts.
I’m still waiting for the Samsung AI health coach
Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the Galaxy Watch 9 so far. But if we’re comparing Pixel Watches to Samsung Galaxy watches, I’d be remiss not to mention Google’s AI health coach. I can see all the pieces of the Samsung AI health assistant puzzle coming together in the Samsung Health app — there’s even an opportunity to beta test the AI health coach coming soon.
The watch monitors more biomarkers than ever before, with new results for heart health, heart rate, blood pressure, and more. An AI health coach can tap into that data analytics with context and plain language explanations, alongside users’ opportunity to ask health questions and optimize their health journey.
Samsung seems to be taking its time with this feature, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. AI-powered health devices must be clinically tested and rigorously developed, so they don’t provide uninformed users with incorrect information — or abuse user-provided health data.
Also: I’ve been wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for a week – it’s a real competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra 3
I’ll get more in-depth with the Galaxy Watch 9 soon — specifically to test how it compares to the new flagship, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and its previous-generation counterpart, the Galaxy Watch 8.
