Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is shaping up to be two different watches depending on where you live. The company is working on a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-only version of the Ultra 2 for European markets, according to GalaxyClub. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra launched exclusively with LTE connectivity, meaning there was no way to buy a cheaper model without cellular hardware.
That changes with the sequel.
European buyers would choose between a standard LTE variant and the lower-cost Bluetooth model. US customers likely won't get that option.
Instead, Samsung is reportedly preparing a 5G variant of the Ultra 2 for the US and South Korea, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. A firmware build for a device with model number SM-L715F was spotted on Samsung's servers last month, pointing to the 5G version. The regional split means Samsung is tailoring its smartwatch lineup to market-specific carrier infrastructure. Europe gets a budget-focused Bluetooth option, while the US gets faster cellular connectivity. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will debut alongside the standard Watch 9 at Samsung's next Unpacked event, likely on July 22 in London. The showcase will also include the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8.
Qualcomm confirmed its partnership with Samsung earlier this year, announcing the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform will power the next generation of Galaxy Watches.
