The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2’s biggest upgrade may not reach most buyers

Samsung is expected to launch its next Ultra-tier smartwatch this year, and an earlier leak suggested it could bring a major connectivity upgrade. However, this improvement may not be available in all regions if a recent report proves accurate.

Is Samsung planning region-specific variants for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2?

Back in February, a Samsung device bearing the model number SM-L716 was spotted in the GSMA IMEI database. Based on the company’s naming conventions, it’s believed to be the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, with the “6” in the model number hinting at possible 5G support.

Now, Galaxy Club has spotted an internal firmware build for a device with the model number SM-L715F. Since Samsung typically uses “0” in the model number for Wi-Fi-only models and “5” for 4G/LTE variants, this newly surfaced device could be a 4G/LTE variant of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The report states that this doesn’t rule out 5G support for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Instead, it points to Samsung preparing two versions of the smartwatch. It adds that the company could limit the 5G variant to South Korea and the US, while offering the 4G/LTE model in other regions.

What’s the likely reason behind this move?

If Samsung does take this route, most buyers globally could miss out on the headline connectivity upgrade, at least initially. And there could be a couple of reasons behind it.

For one, 5G connectivity on a smartwatch could introduce additional challenges, such as increased battery drain, which is already a limiting factor for wearables. Rolling it out in select markets could give Samsung time to optimize performance and efficiency before expanding it globally.

Another reason could be to gauge consumer demand. While 5G is a clear upgrade on paper, its benefits on a smartwatch may be limited compared to smartphones. By restricting availability, Samsung could be testing whether users actually want 5G connectivity on their smartwatch before rolling it out more widely.

Samsung has yet to confirm any details, and little is known about any additional upgrades it may have planned for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 beyond 5G support. Qualcomm has said its new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip will power Samsung’s next premium Wear OS smartwatch, but the company has yet to confirm this.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 later this year, with more details likely to surface in the months leading up to the launch.