This week's biggest tech launches include the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, an AI-powered smartwatch with a genuinely huge battery upgrade, alongside Dell's newest XPS 13 configurations rolling out with Intel's latest Panther Lake chips. Both stories have dominated tech coverage over the past several days, and both give buyers a real reason to pause before picking up last year's model. Below, you will find the full rundown of the best new gadgets launched this week, including specs, pricing, and a straightforward buyer's guide to help you decide what is actually worth your money right now.
Quick Summary Table — This Week's Top Gadget Launches
Gadget | Category | Price | Key Highlight | Launch Date |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | Smartwatch | $699.99 | 800mAh battery, Snapdragon Wear Elite chip | Announced on 22 July, on sale 7 August |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 | Smartwatch | From $379.99 | Heart health score, ultra-wideband support | Announced on 22 July, on sale 7 August |
| Dell XPS 13 (Panther Lake) | Laptop | From $699 | New Intel Core Ultra Series 3 configurations | Rolling out through late July |
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — Smartwatch with On-Device AI
Key Features
The Watch Ultra 2 runs on Samsung's new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, a genuine jump from the older Exynos setup, and Samsung is pitching it as roughly 30% more power-efficient as a result. Its headline upgrade is a much bigger 800mAh battery, a 35% jump over the original Ultra, paired with a 3,000-nit display that stays readable even in direct sunlight. It also adds a few experimental health sensors, tracking things like vascular load and antioxidant levels, alongside the dive-rated durability the Ultra line is known for. On-device processing handles most of this health analysis directly on the watch itself, rather than leaning entirely on cloud syncing, which should mean quicker readings and better battery efficiency day to day.
Price and Availability
It is priced at $699.99 in the US. Pre-orders opened on 22 July, with general retail availability starting 7 August 2026.
Who Should Buy It
This one makes the most sense for anyone who found the original Ultra's battery life frustrating, or for hikers, divers, and endurance athletes who genuinely need a rugged watch that survives more than a single day of heavy use. If you are coming from an older Galaxy Watch and battery anxiety was your main gripe, this is exactly the upgrade Samsung built for you.
2. Dell XPS 13 — New Launch Details
Specifications
Dell's 2026 XPS 13 first launched back in June with entry-level Intel Core Series 3 chips, an ultra-thin 2.2-pound aluminium chassis, and a 13.4-inch 2.5K display running at 120Hz. The configurations rolling out through late July bring in Intel's newer Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors, aimed at buyers who want a genuine performance step up rather than the base model. The chassis itself stays unchanged, so you are really paying for more processing headroom and a stronger NPU for on-device AI tasks, rather than a whole new design.
Price and Variants
The entry-level Intel Core 5 configuration starts at $599 for students and $699 for everyone else. The newer Panther Lake variants, arriving later this summer, carry a higher price point that Dell has not fully confirmed yet, though early coverage suggests a noticeable jump over the base model.
Performance Highlights
Beyond raw chip speed, the XPS 13 stands out for its 26-hour battery claim, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and a 1080p Windows Hello webcam, all packed into one of the lightest premium Windows laptops Dell has shipped in years.
3. Other Big Names Worth Watching
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9, announced alongside the Ultra 2, deserves its own mention too. It starts at $379.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth model, adds ultra-wideband support for more precise device tracking, and introduces a new heart health score alongside hearing monitoring, all while running the latest One UI 9 Watch software on Wear OS 7. It shares the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chip as its pricier Ultra sibling, so a good chunk of the performance gains trickle down to the cheaper model too, which is not always the case with Samsung's line-up.
Comparison — Which Gadget Should You Buy This Week?
Budget pick: The Dell XPS 13's entry-level $599 student configuration is hard to beat if you just need a reliable, lightweight Windows laptop, and it still gets you a 120Hz display and all-metal build that would have felt premium at twice the price a few years ago.
Best AI feature: The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leans hardest into on-device intelligence, from smarter health scoring to more accurate activity detection powered by its new chip, and its expanded sensor suite genuinely feels a generation ahead of the original Ultra.
Best performance: The Panther Lake-equipped Dell XPS 13 configurations, once fully priced, are shaping up to be the strongest pick for anyone who wants genuine processing headroom rather than just the base spec, particularly for creative or multitasking-heavy workloads.
Other Notable Launches This Week
- Xiaomi Watch S5 (46mm) — A striking AMOLED smartwatch with a 21-day battery claim under light use, four distinct case styles including titanium and ceramic options, and a display that hits 2,500 nits at peak brightness.
- DJI Mic Mini 2S — A compact wireless microphone launched in China on 2 July, though a US price and FCC clearance are both still pending, making it one to watch rather than buy just yet.
What's Coming Next Week?
Keep an eye out for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9 actually landing in stores on 7 August, alongside Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, which was teased at the same Unpacked event. We will update this page as soon as full reviews and real-world battery tests start rolling in.
Conclusion
This week's standout launches lean heavily toward two things: smarter batteries and smarter chips. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 finally addresses the one complaint everyone had about its predecessor, while Dell continues rolling out fresh XPS 13 configurations to chase both budget and performance buyers at once. Whichever one fits your needs, both are worth watching closely as full reviews land in the coming weeks, and neither feels like an upgrade you would regret making right now.
FAQs
What is the best AI smartwatch launched this week?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 takes that title, thanks to its new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip and expanded health-tracking features.
Is the new Dell laptop worth buying?
The entry-level Dell XPS 13 is a strong pick for budget buyers, starting at just $599 for students, while the newer Panther Lake configurations suit anyone wanting extra performance, though final pricing on those is still being confirmed.
What is the price of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in the US?
It is priced at $699.99, with the standard Galaxy Watch 9 starting significantly lower at $379.99.
When will the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 be available for purchase?
Pre-orders opened on 22 July 2026, with general retail availability beginning on 7 August 2026.
Is the Dell XPS 13 a good MacBook alternative?
Yes, particularly at its $599–$699 starting price, which undercuts most comparable premium Windows or macOS ultrabooks while still offering a 120Hz display and all-metal build.
