First look with the Galaxy Watch 9: I took it on a run in London - here's what I learned
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Tech Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Close Home Tech Wearables Smart Watches First look with the Galaxy Watch 9: I took it on a run in London - here's what I learned Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 is light and comfortable, with helpful nudges to hydrate as you exercise. Written by Nina Raemont, Editor, Wearables & Health TechEditor, Wearables & Health Tech July 24, 2026 at 2:15 a.m. PT Nina Raemont/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET's key takeaways I went for a run with the Galaxy Watch 9 while visiting London. Samsung added several helpful features, such as hydration tracking. Ultimately, it's an intelligent workout companion that's lighter (and classier) than the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. As a tourist, there's one thing I try to do on each trip I go on -- go for a run to see some sights (and get in a few hours of exercise). So, of course, while I was in London for Galaxy Unpacked, I decided to go on a run with the Galaxy Watch 9, Samsung's newest smartwatch it unveiled on Wednesday. I had been testing the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for around a week before I got my hands on the Galaxy Watch 9. While I enjoyed the rugged design of the Watch Ultra 2, I'll be honest, it is a honker of a smartwatch, and its chunky build doesn't necessarily work with my wardrobe or vibe. The Watch 9, though? Well, it's a match. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, and smart glassesFor starters, it's smaller and more comfortable to wear. The white band and silver case look great, and it's just the type of exercise smartwatch I want, something that's style-minded but still functional as a workout companion. Here are my thoughts as I wore it on my run around Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. ZDNET RECOMMENDS Galaxy Watch 9 Samsung's new smartwatch gets a bigger battery life and some health feature upgrades in the Samsung Health app. details View at Amazon.co Best smartwatch deals of the week Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi, Matte Black): $300 (save $50) Garmin Venu Sq 2 GPS Smartwatch (Shadow Gray): $150 (save $100) CMF Watch 2 Pro Smartwatch (Blue): $49 (save $30) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band): $339 (save $60) Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth, Graphite Band): $280 (save $70) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. This thing is light Samsung created this smartwatch to be more comfortable to exercise, sleep, and live in, and that was certainly accomplished with the Watch 9. It's pleasant to run and work in for long periods of time. Nina Raemont/ZDNETI've worn two generations of both the Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch now, and one thing I prefer on the Galaxy Watches is the flattened watch display. Viewing information -- whether 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 flatter display makes the watch look a tad classier than the Pixel Watch. Hydration guidance is a nice touch It's July, so during my run through Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, I naturally started to get hot. 40 minutes into the run, I got my first hydration alert through the nutrition function. It told me that I had lost 0.5% of water during my workout, and I should rehydrate with one cup of water. Also: Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: I've compared both models, here's my adviceRehydrating after a sunny, outdoor workout is not rocket science, and drinking one cup of water after a 40-minute run is nearly intuitive. However, for marathon trainers who are running for hours on end, or cyclists biking 50 miles out in the sun, those hydration alerts could more accurately supplement 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 on a Samsung AI health coach Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Galaxy Watch 9 so far. But if we're comparing the Pixel Watches to the Samsung Galaxy Watches, I'd be remiss to not mention Google's AI health coach. I can see all the puzzle pieces for a Samsung AI health assistant coming together on the Samsung Health app -- and even an opportunity to beta test an AI health coach coming soon. Nina Raemont/ZDNETThe watch monitors more biomarkers than ever, with new scores for heart health, cardio, blood pressure, and more. An AI health coach could fit into that equation of data with context and plain language explanations, alongside an opportunity for users to ask health questions and contextualize their wellness 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 as to not provide uninformed users with wrong information -- or abuse the health data users provide. Also: I wore the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for a week - it's a true Apple Watch Ultra 3 rivalI'll get more in depth with the Galaxy Watch 9 soon -- particularly to test how it compares with the new flagship, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and its previous-gen counterpart, the Galaxy Watch 8. 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