Samsung Galaxy Watch9 development may already have been completed — and after last year's 'triumph', I'm convinced it'll be a Garmin-beater

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It's reportedly in the testing stage

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Garmin Venu X1 worn during run on separate wrists
(Image credit: Future)
  • A leaker has spotted a serial number he believes corresponds to the Galaxy Watch9 on a US testing server
  • If they're correct, the watch has completed development and is now in the testing stage
  • I predict it won't be a drastic departure from the Watch8, which was a big redesign that I called a 'triumph' in my review

It's not even April at the time of writing, but the July / August release crop of Samsung wearables are already starting to show their (watch) faces.

That's according to leaker Mohammed Khatri (via Sammobile). Posting on X, Khatri spotted a number he believes corresponds to the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 on a US-based testing server known as Checkfirm.

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Checkfirm is a program designed to check for new firmware updates for Samsung devices, so this likely indicates both that the Galaxy Watch9 exists, and that it's able to run Samsung's existing software, even in testing.

If true, the watch has completed the first stage of its development process, and is well on its way to a July or August launch at Samsung's biannual Galaxy Unpacked product showcase.

Similar to the Watch8?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 on a desk

(Image credit: Samsung)

I loved the Galaxy Watch8 when I tested it, and I gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars in my Samsung Galaxy Watch8 review, calling it "a triumph". Its new design compared to the Watch7 ensured that the watch sat closer to the wrist for more accurate recording of your metrics during exercise, while making for a sleeker look in general.

The squircle-shaped cushion, which I found quite fat and 'busy' looking on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, looks great on the Watch8. But it was the AI-powered running-coach feature that stood out for me, with Samsung taking the fight to the best Garmin watches.

With the range seeing a radical redesign last year, Samsung is unlikely to reinvent the wheel this time around, and if you're after the perfect balance between a high-powered, communication-focused smartwatch and a running watch, the Galaxy Watch9 might be just the watch for you this year.

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Matt Evans
Matt Evans
Senior Fitness & Wearables Editor

Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech.

A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

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