(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 was unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event alongside the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.To read the full lowdown on what you can do with the latest Galaxy Watch model, my wearables expert colleague Dan Bracaglia discusses the 5 things you need to know about the Galaxy Watch 9 in more detail. However, as a trainer and fitness editor, I'm more concerned about whether it's the type of watch I want strapped to my wrist during workouts.Recently, I attended BXR to get first-hand experience with the watch on behalf of Samsung; we hit the treadmills, did some strength training and even stretched it out in a 20-minute yoga class. But for me, that wasn't enough. Thankfully, I got to spend more time with the model, training at home, in the gym and in my yoga classes, to really see what it's about.Here are three things I like so far, and three that I'm really not a fan of if you're looking to purchase one of the best smartwatches in 2026.Like 1: Aesthetics
(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)Retailing at $379 for 40mm (no LTE, which is $50 extra) or $409 for 44mm (no LTE) compared to $349 for the Galaxy Watch 8, the 9 is no doubt a good-looking smartwatch-fitness tracker with a premium price tag.I like how easy it is to set up and pair with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, and the sleek sports strap and screen design are right up my alley; I don't like having garish fitness trackers or fussy smartwatches on my wrist, especially when lifting weights. 40mm is available in Cream or Graphite; 44mm comes in Graphite or Silver.We'll get on to size (one of my dislikes) below, but in terms of design, you get pretty much the same aesthetics, screen brightness and size options as the 8. However, the 9 boasts a faster processor and up to 20% better battery life. You can also customize your sports bands with various color options, too.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.I highly recommend leaving the always-on option enabled so you can glance during workouts. I didn't do this at first and it caused me some very high cortisol levels and extra faff.But let's focus on the real MVP: new health and fitness tracking tools.Like 2: Swipeable health features upgraded
