Which Samsung Galaxy Watch Should You Buy in India? Watch8, Watch9, Classic and Ultra 2 Compared

Samsung sells four Galaxy Watch families in India right now, and the price gap between them is big, from about Rs 33,000 to Rs 65,000. This guide goes through the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and helps you pick one. It is based on the prices and specifications on Samsung India's website, not on our own testing.

Prices at a glance

These are the prices shown on Samsung India's product pages. Two prices are listed where there is a small and a large size. Samsung's main watch page also shows the Watch9 as "starting Rs 33,999", which is probably after offers, so check the checkout price.

LTE versions let you take calls and use data without your phone nearby, and cost about Rs 4,000 more than the Bluetooth ones. All of these watches need an Android phone running Android 12 or later.

Galaxy Watch9: the newest everyday watch

The Watch9 is Samsung's latest regular smartwatch. It uses the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, has a Super AMOLED display and an upgraded BioActive health sensor, and has a bigger battery than the Watch8. The 40mm model has a 390mAh battery and the 44mm model has 445mAh. It also adds new coaching features, such as a running program and a fitness index based on your body composition and workouts. It starts at Rs 37,999 for the Bluetooth version.

Galaxy Watch8: the better value

The Watch8 is one generation older, but it costs Rs 5,000 less than the Watch9 in the same size, which is a good saving. You still get a fast chip, dual-band GPS, ECG, body composition measurement and 32GB of storage. It is built from Armor Aluminum and rated 5ATM and IP68 for water and dust. Its batteries are smaller, at 300mAh and 325mAh. If you do not need the latest chip or the bigger battery, this is the sensible pick.

Galaxy Watch8 Classic: for the rotating bezel

The Classic keeps the physical rotating bezel and adds a quick button, which many people prefer for navigating. It comes in one 46mm size with a 445mAh battery, which Samsung says gives up to 30 hours with the always-on display, and 64GB of storage. It is also the priciest of the three regular watches at Rs 46,999 for Bluetooth, so you are paying for the look and the controls.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: for outdoors

The Ultra 2 is built for hiking, running and diving. It has a titanium body, a rating of 10ATM and IP69K, and EN13319 dive certification down to 40 metres. The 800mAh battery is about twice the size of the others, and Samsung claims up to 60 hours of use. The display reaches up to 5,000 nits, which Samsung calls the brightest ever on a Galaxy Watch. It costs Rs 64,999, and only the LTE version is listed, so it is for people who will use those features.

Side-by-side

Which one should you buy?

• Most people: the Galaxy Watch8 at Rs 32,999 to Rs 39,999 gives the most for the money.
• You want the newest: the Galaxy Watch9, mainly for the bigger battery and the new chip.
• You like a rotating bezel: the Galaxy Watch8 Classic.
• You hike, swim or dive: the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, though it is expensive.

Prices change often, especially during festive sales, so compare Samsung's site with Amazon and Flipkart before you buy.