COROS just dropped a teaser that has the endurance watch community buzzing, and all signs point to a new Vertix flagship launching at the UTMB ultra trail race in late August 2026.
The teaser, posted across COROS social channels, reads simply: "Coming soon: The same best-in-class performance, with a new look and feel." The silhouette shows a rugged watch with visible screws and an aggressive bezel that matches the Vertix aesthetic, not the sleeker Apex line. On r/Coros, the community has been dissecting every pixel.
Here is what we know, what the leaks suggest, and what to expect from COROS's next flagship.
Why a New Vertix Makes Sense
The current COROS Vertix 2S launched in 2024 as an incremental update to the Vertix 2, not a full generational leap. The "S" naming was deliberate. COROS upgraded the heart rate sensor and GPS antenna algorithms but kept the same core hardware. Battery life actually dipped slightly compared to the Vertix 2 due to the new sensor drawing more power.
The Vertix line is overdue for a true generational refresh. The Vertix 2S is an excellent ultra-endurance watch with 118 hours of GPS battery and titanium construction, but it lacks features that have become standard on competitors. No AMOLED display option. No LED flashlight. No built-in microphone or speaker.
Meanwhile, COROS has been loading those features onto their other watches. The Apex 4 (launched late 2025) got an AMOLED display, a microphone, a speaker, and global maps for $479. The PACE series got Voice Pins for hands-free note-taking. The Vertix line is now the only COROS watch without these features, and that gap is about to close.
The UTMB Timing
COROS consistently launches its biggest watch of the year around the UTMB, the legendary ultratrail race in Chamonix, France that takes place in late August. It is the Super Bowl of trail running, and watch brands treat it as their marquee launch window.
Reddit users on r/Coros have been calling this for months. The community consensus is that a new Vertix will drop for UTMB 2026, continuing the pattern. COROS has not confirmed a date, but the timing of the teaser, roughly four weeks before UTMB weekend, fits the historical launch cadence perfectly.
Expect an announcement in mid-to-late August with availability shortly after.
Expected Features: What the Leaks Suggest
No official spec sheet exists yet, but piecing together the teaser, Reddit leaks, and the COROS product roadmap, here is what the new Vertix is likely to deliver:
Two sizes. This is the most concrete leak. When asked about sizing on Reddit, a COROS community account responded that the new Vertix should be available in two sizes, suggesting something like 46mm and 50mm. The Vertix 2S only comes in one 50.3mm size, which is too big for many wrists. Adding a smaller option would significantly expand the watch's appeal.
AMOLED display. The Apex 4 proved COROS can do AMOLED well. The Vertix has always used a MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) display for maximum battery efficiency, but the teaser silhouette and the competitive pressure from Garmin's AMOLED Fenix 8 suggest a screen upgrade is coming. The question is whether COROS offers both MIP and AMOLED variants, or goes all-in on AMOLED.
LED flashlight. This is now table stakes for any adventure watch. Garmin has it on the Fenix and Instinct lines. Amazfit has it on the T-Rex 3. The Apex 4 does not have one, which has been a consistent complaint. A Vertix without a flashlight in 2026 would be a miss.
Microphone and speaker. The Apex 4 added these for Voice Pins, COROS's hands-free note-taking feature that lets you log nutrition cues or effort feedback mid-workout. Expect the new Vertix to inherit this.
A faster processor. The Vertix 2S's processor is showing its age. Map rendering and route calculation can lag, especially with full global map packs loaded. A new chip would improve the entire UI experience.
More aggressive bezel design. The teaser silhouette shows a more machined, industrial bezel than the Vertix 2S. The light catches it in a way that suggests sharper edges and a more pronounced rugged aesthetic. COROS appears to be doubling down on the tool-watch look rather than softening it.
How It Positions Against Garmin
This is where the new Vertix gets interesting from a competitive standpoint.
The Garmin Enduro 4 is expected to launch in August or September 2026 with a MIP display, solar charging, and extreme battery life. It is the pure endurance play. Maximum battery, minimal flash.
The Garmin Fenix 9 is expected later in 2026 with the full flagship treatment. AMOLED, titanium, every sensor Garmin makes.
The new COROS Vertix needs to compete with both. COROS's traditional advantage has been delivering 90% of Garmin's flagship features at 60% of the price, with a simpler app experience and better battery life. If the new Vertix adds AMOLED, a flashlight, and two sizes while keeping the 118-hour GPS battery pedigree, it could be the most compelling endurance watch on the market.
The Vertix 2S currently costs $599. A new flagship with AMOLED and expanded features could push the price to $649 or $699, which would still undercut a comparably equipped Garmin Fenix by $300 or more.
What We Still Do Not Know
- Official name: Vertix 3? Vertix 4 (skipping 3, as some leaks suggest)? Or something else entirely?
- Pricing: Will it stay at $599 or move up with the feature additions?
- Battery life numbers: Can COROS maintain 118 hours of GPS with an AMOLED display?
- Display strategy: AMOLED only, MIP only, or both options?
- Solar charging: Garmin's Enduro has it. Will COROS match it?
- Exact launch date: UTMB window is likely, but nothing confirmed
The Bottom Line
COROS is about to launch its most important watch in years. The Vertix line is the brand's flagship, the watch that serious ultra runners and adventure athletes look to as the Garmin alternative. A generational refresh with AMOLED, two sizes, a flashlight, and modern internals would address every complaint about the Vertix 2S and position COROS as a genuine threat to Garmin's endurance watch dominance.
The UTMB timing is not a coincidence. COROS knows its audience, and its audience will be watching Chamonix in late August. Expect the full reveal then.
If you have been waiting for a Vertix that feels like a true next-generation watch rather than an incremental update, this looks like the one. We will be tracking every leak between now and launch.