Samsung is switching the Galaxy Watch 9 to a Qualcomm processor, a move that signals a major shift in how the company handles smartwatch performance. Buyers should care because this change brings dedicated AI hardware and faster processing speeds to the device. The new silicon replaces Samsung's previous in-house chip, aiming to close the gap with competitors in computational power.
New Qualcomm silicon replaces Exynos chip with dedicated AI hardware
The upcoming watch features the Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, which marks the first time Qualcomm has put dedicated on-device AI hardware into a wearable processor. This NPU enables features like smart replies and fitness coaching directly on the wrist without relying on cloud services. The hardware transition represents a significant upgrade from the Exynos W1000 that powered the previous generation.
Galaxy Watch 9 Key Specifications
- Chipset: Snapdragon Wear Elite
- Previous Chipset: Exynos W1000
- Manufacturing Process: 3 nm (TSMC)
- Performance Benchmark: 50% ahead of W1000 on Geekbench
- New Features: Dedicated on-device AI hardware (NPU)
Qualcomm manufactures the Wear Elite on a 3-nanometer process using TSMC's technology, which typically improves efficiency and thermal management. Leaked Geekbench benchmarks from SamMobile suggest the new chip runs roughly 50% faster than the Exynos W1000. These scores come from a pre-release test board, so final retail performance may vary slightly when the device ships.
Samsung will offer the Galaxy Watch 9 in four colorways: white, navy, olive green, and black. The device is expected to launch globally on July 22 alongside the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. We have been tracking Galaxy Watch 9 closely — see our earlier coverage on Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Rumored Battery.
Promotional renders confirm the branding and color options, though Samsung has not yet officially commented on the leaked materials. The July 22 launch date aligns with the expected Galaxy Unpacked event. These details provide the first concrete look at the hardware specifications before the official release.
Source: NotebookCheck
