Samsung Galaxy Watch Transition: Moving Beyond Exynos to Snapdragon Wear Elite

Samsung is expected to pivot its smartwatch strategy by integrating Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform into its upcoming Galaxy Watch lineup, according to reports from WinFuture. This shift marks the first time since 2018 that the company will move away from its proprietary Exynos processors for its wearable devices, signaling a significant change in hardware architecture.

The Shift to Snapdragon Wear Elite

Unlike the previous Exynos W1000, this new 3nm chip features a big.LITTLE architecture consisting of a high-performance 2.1 GHz core and four 1.95 GHz efficiency cores. According to technical data surfaced by WinFuture, the inclusion of a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) allows the watches to execute AI models locally. This reduces the reliance on a connected smartphone for complex tasks. Qualcomm has stated that the platform aims to deliver a fivefold increase in single-core performance and a 30% improvement in battery efficiency compared to its previous chip for watches.

Battery Capacity and Hardware Specs

While the processor upgrade applies to both the standard and Ultra models, battery enhancements remain tiered. The upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to feature an 800 mAh battery, a significant jump from the 590 mAh found in the current Ultra. Conversely, the standard Galaxy Watch 9 will see more modest power adjustments, with the 40mm model retaining its 325 mAh capacity and the 44mm version receiving a slight 10 mAh increase to 445 mAh.

Technical Comparison of Expected Models

| Feature | Galaxy Watch 8 | Galaxy Watch 9 | Galaxy Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 |
| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 | Snapdragon Wear Elite | Exynos W1000 | Snapdragon Wear Elite |
| Battery | 325/435 mAh | 325/445 mAh | 590 mAh | 800 mAh |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |

Connectivity and Market Pricing

Both new models are expected to support Bluetooth 6.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi, providing faster and more reliable connectivity than the Bluetooth 5.3 standard used in current iterations. Software-wise, the devices will launch with Wear OS 7 and Samsung’s updated One UI 9 Watch interface.

The transition to Qualcomm hardware coincides with a projected increase in consumer pricing. Reports indicate the Galaxy Watch 9 will likely start at 409 euros for the 40mm version and 439 euros for the 44mm version—a 30-euro increase over the Galaxy Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is anticipated to retail for 749 euros, compared to the 699-euro launch price of the first Ultra. Official confirmation of these specifications and pricing is expected during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in London.