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COROS Pace 4 Pro Leaked: The W337 Filing Points to a Whole New Watch

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

A COROS Pace 4 Pro is real, and we know it because COROS's Indonesian distributor just filed the paperwork to sell one.

The watch showed up in Indonesia's SDPPI regulatory database under model number W337, filed by PT Denka Pratama Indonesia, COROS's distributor in the country. The certificate number reads 125116/DJID/2026. Regulatory filings like this don't happen for vaporware, and according to the5krunner, who broke the story, they typically point to a launch within weeks.

Why W337 Matters More Than the Name

Here's the detail that makes this interesting. The current Pace 4 carries model number W336 and FCC ID 2BBGF-W336. This new filing is W337, the very next number in sequence from the same company.

COROS doesn't hand out new hardware codes lightly. If the Pace 4 Pro were just a color refresh or a strap change riding on existing Pace 4 hardware, it would keep the W336 designation. A fresh model code means fresh hardware. WearableFans flagged this point explicitly: whatever COROS is shipping as the Pace 4 Pro, it's a new device, not a repackage.

And that's the angle worth paying attention to. The "Pace 4 Pro" name suggests a modest step up from the Pace 4, but everything about the filing suggests it will be an all new watch wearing the Pace badge.

What We Actually Know (Which Is Almost Nothing Else)

Let's be honest about what the leak contains and what it doesn't:

Confirmed by the filing:

Device name: Coros Pace 4 Pro
Model number: W337
Certification: SDPPI certificate 125116/DJID/2026
Filed by COROS's Indonesian distributor

Not confirmed:

No images
No spec sheet
No price
No display size
No battery numbers

That's the whole leak. One line in a regulatory database and a name.

The Informed Guesses

WearableFans speculates on three likely upgrades: an improved display, a better build with titanium possibly entering the picture, and improved offline mapping. Take all three with a grain of salt, since nothing backs them up yet.

But they line up suspiciously well with the gap in COROS's current lineup. The Pace 4 is a 31 gram ultralight with a 1.2 inch AMOLED display, dual-frequency GPS, and no offline maps. The Pace Pro sits above it with a 1.3 inch AMOLED screen, full mapping, and a faster processor, but it launched back in October 2024.

A Pace 4 Pro with a larger display and mapping would effectively fold the Pace Pro formula into the fresher Pace generation. Community chatter on the r/Coros subreddit has been heading in this direction for months. In the 2026 roadmap thread, several users argued that the original Pace Pro was really COROS's AMOLED experiment, and that the true successor would be a larger, mapping-capable Pace. One user flat out predicted it would be called the Pace 4 Pro.

Where Does That Leave the Pace Pro?

That's the open question. If the Pace 4 Pro lands with mapping and a bigger screen, the two year old Pace Pro loses its reason to exist. COROS could quietly retire it, or it could be setting up a wider reorganization of the whole Pace family.

There's also the timing to consider. COROS teased a new Vertix-level watch for its August 19 announcement tied to UTMB. If the Pace 4 Pro is weeks away per the filing logic, it may not appear at the same event. More likely it gets its own dedicated announcement later in the year, the way COROS handled the Pace 4 launch.

No FCC Filing Yet

We checked the FCC database for a matching W337 filing under COROS's grantee code, and nothing has landed in the US yet. Indonesia's SDPPI is the first regulatory appearance we've seen. The FCC filing usually follows, and when it does, we typically get photos and more detail in the process. We'll be watching for it.

Bottom Line

The COROS Pace 4 Pro is real hardware, confirmed by regulatory filing, not just rumor mill chatter. The sequential W337 model code right after the Pace 4's W336 tells us it's a new device, and the speculation around titanium, a bigger display, and offline mapping suggests COROS is building a genuinely new watch and parking it under the Pace name rather than just polishing the existing one.

If the filing-to-launch pattern holds, expect something official within weeks. We'll update this article the moment the FCC filing or a teaser appears.

Does Garmin Pick Up Irregular Heartbeat? What Its Watches Can Detect

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

If you've been wondering whether your Garmin can warn you about an irregular heartbeat, the short answer is: it can pick one up, but not the way an Apple Watch does. Garmin's heart health story splits into two very different features, and knowing which one you have (and which one you don't) matters a lot if heart rhythm is on your mind.

Here's exactly what Garmin watches can and can't do when it comes to irregular heartbeats and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

The Short Answer

Garmin watches can detect irregular heart rhythm in two ways, and only one of them is what most people mean by "pick up an irregular heartbeat":

Abnormal heart rate alerts (every modern Garmin): the watch buzzes if your heart rate goes unusually high or low while you've been inactive for 10+ minutes. This catches extreme rate problems, not rhythm problems like AFib.
The ECG app (FDA-cleared, specific watches only): a 30-second on-demand test where you hold your finger on the bezel and the watch records your heart's electrical signal. It can detect AFib or a normal sinus rhythm and generate a report to share with your doctor.

What Garmin does not have is an automatic, always-on irregular rhythm notification. That's the feature where the watch quietly checks your rhythm in the background all day and taps you on the shoulder if something looks like AFib. Apple has shipped that since 2018, and Samsung got FDA clearance for its version (IHRN) in 2023. As of 2026, Garmin still hasn't announced a background version.

That's the honest picture. Now let's look at what each piece actually does.

Abnormal Heart Rate Alerts: What Every Garmin Does

Nearly every Garmin made in the last decade watches your heart rate around the clock and lets you set thresholds. If your resting heart rate climbs above (or drops below) your chosen limits while you're inactive, you get an alert.

This is useful, but it's important to understand its limits. AFib isn't primarily a rate problem, it's a rhythm problem. Your heart can be fibrillating at a perfectly normal-looking rate. Rate alerts will catch a runaway heart rate or a suspiciously low one, but they can't see the irregularity that defines AFib. Think of this feature as a smoke detector for extremes, not a rhythm analysis tool.

The Garmin ECG App: The Real Irregular Heartbeat Tool

The ECG app is where Garmin genuinely enters irregular heartbeat territory. It was Garmin's first FDA-cleared smartwatch feature when it launched in January 2023 on the Venu 2 Plus, and Garmin has expanded it steadily since then.

Here's how it works. You open the ECG app on the watch, rest your hands in your lap, and press your thumb and index finger against the metal bezel for 30 seconds. The watch records an electrocardiogram, the same kind of tracing (single-lead) you'd get at a doctor's office. Then it classifies the result as one of five things:

Sinus rhythm (normal)
Atrial fibrillation
Heart rate too high to classify
Heart rate too low to classify
Inconclusive

You can save the result in Garmin Connect and export a PDF report to hand to your cardiologist. Garmin's own blog features a user story where the ECG app helped surface an AFib diagnosis, and cardiologists have told forum users that single-lead watch ECGs compare well against clinical 12-lead readings for catching AFib.

Which Garmin Watches Have ECG?

ECG needs special electrodes built into the bezel, so it's limited to specific models. Per Garmin's official support list (current as of August 2026), these watches run the ECG app:

Venu line:

Venu 2 Plus (the original ECG watch)
Venu 3 and Venu 3S
Venu 4

Fenix line:

Fenix 7 Pro (all versions)
Fenix 8
Fenix 8 Pro

Other sports and outdoor models:

Epix Pro Gen 2 (all versions)
Enduro 3
Forerunner 970

Specialty lines:

Tactix 7 AMOLED and Tactix 8 (tactical)
Quatix 7 Pro, Quatix 8, and Quatix 8 Pro (marine)
D2 Air X15, D2 Mach 1 Pro, D2 Mach 2, and D2 Mach 2 Pro (aviation)

If your watch isn't on that list, it can't run the ECG app. Notably, the base Fenix 7, the Instinct 3 (all versions), and the Forerunner 570 have no ECG capability. That's a common surprise: owning "a Garmin with a heart rate monitor" is not the same as owning a Garmin that can check your rhythm.

One Catch: Regional Availability

The ECG app is FDA-cleared, but clearance is country-by-country. It's available in the US, Australia, most of Europe, and a growing list of other markets. If you bought your watch in an unsupported region, the app may be locked out even on a compatible watch.

The Missing Piece: No Background AFib Alerts

This is the part that frustrates AFib patients, and it's the main reason the question "does Garmin pick up irregular heartbeat" keeps coming up on Reddit and the Garmin forums.

Apple Watch has run background irregular rhythm checks since 2018: it samples your pulse intermittently when you're still, and alerts you if multiple readings look like AFib. Samsung's Galaxy Watch got FDA clearance for the same kind of feature (they call it IHRN) in 2023. Garmin's ECG app is strictly manual: nothing happens until you decide to take a reading.

Why does that matter? Because AFib often shows up in brief, symptom-free episodes. A manual ECG test only catches it if you happen to be fibrillating during those 30 seconds. Background monitoring is what finds the silent episodes. There's an active, long-running request on the Garmin forums from AFib users asking for exactly this, and Garmin has acknowledged the ECG expansion over time but hasn't shipped a background version.

So if you have diagnosed AFib and want continuous surveillance, a Garmin alone won't get you there. Some users pair their Garmin for training data with an Apple Watch or a dedicated monitor (like a Medtronic implantable loop recorder or a KardiaMobile device) for the rhythm coverage.

How to Get the Most From Garmin's Heart Features

If heart rhythm monitoring matters to you, here's the practical setup:

Check your watch. If you have one of the ECG-capable models above, run the test once a week or whenever you feel palpitations. It takes 30 seconds.
Turn on abnormal heart rate alerts in the watch settings (Health > Heart Rate). Set a high threshold around your normal max and a low one around your normal resting floor.
Track HRV Status. Newer Garmins show heart rate variability trends, and a sudden chaotic shift can sometimes hint that something's off. It's not diagnostic, but it's a useful signal to log alongside symptoms.
Export everything. The PDF export in Garmin Connect is the whole point. If the ECG app ever flags AFib, bring the report to your doctor the same week.

Bottom Line

Does Garmin pick up irregular heartbeat? Yes, if you own an ECG-capable model like the Venu 4, Fenix 8 Pro, Venu 3, or Forerunner 970, the FDA-cleared ECG app can detect AFib whenever you choose to test. Every Garmin also warns you about abnormally high or low resting rates. But Garmin still doesn't match Apple and Samsung on automatic background rhythm monitoring, so if silent AFib is your concern, you'll want to take regular manual readings or pair the Garmin with a device that watches around the clock.

If you're shopping specifically for this feature, the Venu 2 Plus ($449) remains the cheapest ECG-capable Garmin, and the Fenix 8 Pro gets you ECG alongside Garmin's full outdoor toolkit. And remember: a watch can flag a possible problem, but only a medical-grade ECG and your doctor can give you a real diagnosis.

COROS August 2026 Update: Live Tracking, Better Sleep Scores, New HR Data

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

COROS just closed one of its biggest feature gaps. The August 2026 update, released July 29, brings real-time Live Tracking to COROS watches, along with a major overhaul of sleep scoring and a redesigned heart rate widget.

Live tracking is the headliner. It's the feature COROS users have been asking for since the Garmin era made it standard, and Forbes called the update "a key Garmin feature" finally arriving on COROS.

Here's everything in the update.

Live Tracking: Share Your Run in Real Time

The new Live Tracking lets friends, family, and supporters follow your location and live stats as you move. The implementation goes beyond basic location sharing:

Route upload: upload your planned route before heading out, so spectators see where you are and where you're going, with real-time performance metrics overlaid on the viewing page
Flexible sharing: start your activity now, share it later. You can launch a live link instantly from the Extender preview on your Progress page whenever you choose
Photo and voice pins: snap photos with the Extender camera, drop pins with pictures attached, or leave voice pins, and spectators see it all live on your map

You'll find it under the Live Tracking menu in the Profile page of the COROS App. This matters most for ultra runners and cyclists, where support crews and family tracking is a genuine safety feature, not a gimmick. COROS has been the favorite race-day watch for years, and not having live tracking was a real omission against Garmin.

Sleep Tracking Gets a Real Upgrade

Sleep is the other big focus, with four distinct improvements:

Updated scoring system that evaluates overall sleep quality and now incorporates daytime naps into your daily score. Nap tracking has been a weak spot for most sports watches, so folding naps into the score is a meaningful fix
Sleep hygiene tracking: you can now track your sleep schedule regularity alongside real-time physiological stress, helping pinpoint what's actually impacting your rest
Long-term trends: monitor how sleep quality and individual recovery factors evolve over weeks and months, not just night to night
Sleep log editing: crop, extend, or merge split sleep logs directly in the app if an extended awake period interrupts your night. Anyone who's woken up at 3am and gone back to sleep knows how annoying fragmented logs are

Heart Rate Widget Redesigned

The HR widget now breaks data into three clear categories: Daily, Sleep, and Exercise. You can track long-term trends across days, weeks, or months, or zoom into the Daily HR graph for exact fluctuations throughout the day.

One caveat: weekly, monthly, and yearly HR statistics are only available for data from January 1, 2026 onward. So if you've been on COROS for years, your historical stats won't backfill.

Which Watches Get It

The update is rolling out to iOS and Android app stores now, typically reaching all devices globally within a week. After installing the app update, install the available firmware update for your watch to get the features. COROS generally ships major feature updates to its current-generation lineup (VERTIX, APEX, PACE, and NOMAD families), though older hardware occasionally misses specific features.

Bottom Line

This is one of COROS's more substantial updates of the year. Live tracking removes the biggest checkbox item on COROS's missing-features list, the sleep scoring overhaul addresses real user complaints about naps and fragmented logs, and the HR redesign makes long-term data actually readable. If you've been on the fence about COROS because of the live tracking gap, this update closes it.

We covered the May and Spring COROS updates earlier this year, and we'll keep tracking the monthly drops. If COROS ships the August 19 watch announcement that's been rumored, it'll be interesting to see if Live Tracking becomes a headline feature of the new hardware too.

Samsung Galaxy Aero: The Non-Wear OS Watch With Multi-Week Battery

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Samsung's next smartwatch might be the most surprising one it's made in years. Leaked code points to a watch that doesn't run Wear OS at all, internally codenamed the Galaxy Aero. And if the rumors hold, it could deliver the one thing Samsung's flagship watches have never managed: battery life measured in weeks.

Here's everything we know.

What the Leak Actually Says

References to the device were found inside Samsung's own Galaxy Wearable app code, under the codename "Galaxy Aero" and the identifier "galaxy_rtos_watch." That second part is the key. It confirms the watch runs an RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) rather than Google's Wear OS, the platform that powers the entire current Galaxy Watch lineup.

According to reporting from SamMobile, GSMArena, and Notebookcheck, the Aero is described in the code as "a watch with a screen," which sounds vague but tells us something useful: Samsung sees it as a proper smartwatch with a display, not a screenless fitness band.

Android Authority adds that the Aero appears to run the same lightweight RTOS that powers the Galaxy Fit lineup. So think of it as the Galaxy Fit's operating system graduating into a full watch.

Where It Fits: A Budget Play

The reported positioning is interesting. The Aero allegedly slots between the Galaxy Fit (around $99) and the Galaxy Watch FE (around $199) in price. That puts it squarely in budget smartwatch territory, competing with the Amazfit and Huawei devices that have been eating this market alive on battery life alone.

That's a smart move. Samsung's weakness has always been that Wear OS watches last about two days. Meanwhile, budget RTOS watches from Amazfit and others run a week or more for a fraction of the price. Samsung has been ceding the entire bottom of the market rather than fight on battery life. The Aero looks like Samsung finally deciding to fight there.

The Trade-Off

RTOS means a simpler watch. You won't get the full Wear OS app ecosystem, and the feature set will be closer to a fitness band than a Galaxy Watch 9. Standard sensors are expected, but anything requiring serious processing or third-party apps is likely out.

The payoff is battery. Without Wear OS's overhead, week-long battery life is the baseline expectation, and Notebookcheck's reading of the leak suggests multi-week battery life is possible. For people who track sleep, that's a genuine quality-of-life difference.

There's also the open question of shape. Nothing in the leak confirms whether the Aero will have a circular, rectangular, or square display. And since "Galaxy Aero" looks like an internal codename, the retail name could be completely different at launch.

When Could It Launch?

No official timeline exists. But Samsung has a September launch window where it typically announces a batch of devices, and several outlets note that's a plausible reveal date. Given the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 just hit shelves in early August, a September side-launch for a budget model would fit Samsung's recent pattern of staggering announcements.

Why This Matters Beyond Samsung

This is bigger than one budget watch. It signals Samsung hedging against Wear OS. If an RTOS Samsung watch proves popular, expect the company to lean harder into lightweight software across its lineup. That would be a meaningful strategic shift for the second-largest smartwatch maker in the world.

It also puts pressure on Amazfit, Huawei, and the rest of the budget RTOS crowd. A Samsung-branded watch at $150 with weeks of battery and Samsung's health platform behind it is a different kind of competitor than they've faced so far.

Bottom Line

The Galaxy Aero is Samsung's answer to the budget battery-life wars: a non-Wear OS watch with the Galaxy Fit's lightweight software, a price between $99 and $199, and battery life that could stretch into weeks. It won't replace your Galaxy Watch 9, but it might be the watch you buy for sleep tracking and travel. We'll keep an eye out for an official announcement, possibly as soon as September.

Garmin Fenix 9: Three Models, One Launch Date, and a MIP Surprise

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

If you've been waiting for the Garmin Fenix 9, the rumor mill just dropped its biggest picture yet. Reports now point to not one, not two, but three Fenix 9 models launching at the same time as the Enduro 4. And in a twist nobody saw coming, the MIP display isn't going anywhere. It's just moving upmarket.

Here's everything we know about Garmin's next flagship generation.

The Lineup: Fenix 9 Comes in Three Flavors

The latest reporting from Garmin Rumors suggests the next generation splits into three tiers:

Fenix 9 (standard): the base model, AMOLED display, conventional GPS that pairs with your phone
Fenix 9 Pro: a middle tier, though what exactly separates it from the standard model is still unclear. It could be upgraded materials (think sapphire treatment of past generations) or extra features
Fenix 9 Pro inReach: the top tier carrying the built-in LTE modem and inReach satellite messaging. On the current Fenix 8 Pro, those two radios came bundled together. This time they sit only on the top model

That's a meaningful restructure. With the Fenix 8 generation, "Pro" basically meant "the one with LTE and satellite." Now Garmin appears to be splitting connectivity into its own dedicated tier and using the middle Pro for something else entirely.

All three tiers are reportedly coming in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes.

The 43mm Pro Is the Big Fix

The most welcome news in the whole rumor set: a 43mm Fenix 9 Pro.

The Fenix 8 Pro skipped the 43mm size entirely, which drew real criticism, including from DC Rainmaker, for leaving smaller wrists without a connected option. Garmin's explanation at the time was technical. The antennas for LTE and satellite messaging couldn't be engineered to fit inside a 43mm case.

If Garmin has solved that packaging problem, the 43mm Pro opens the connected flagship to a much wider range of wrist sizes. It's arguably the single most-requested change from the Fenix 8 Pro cycle.

One catch: there likely won't be a 43mm MIP option. Smaller wrists get into every Fenix 9 tier on AMOLED, but MIP Solar reportedly stays on the larger sizes.

Simultaneous Launch, Not a Staggered One

This is a real break from Garmin's recent pattern. The Fenix 8 arrived first in late 2024, and the Fenix 8 Pro didn't show up until over a year later. Garmin treated the Pro as a distinct, later-cycle upgrade.

This time, the Fenix 9 and its Pro siblings are expected to land together with the Enduro 4. Commenters on Garmin Rumors are floating August 25 as a possible date, though some think the Enduro 4 arrives then with the Fenix 9 following about a month later. Garmin has confirmed nothing, so treat all dates as speculation.

The timing lines up with what Garmin's own CEO has signaled. Cliff Pemble told investors earlier this year to expect "stronger performance in the back half of the year due to the timing of product launches" and called it "a very active year for outdoor."

There's also hard code evidence. An APK teardown of Garmin Connect app version 5.26 found "Enduro 4" listed in the device registry, a reference that wasn't in version 5.25. When a product shows up in Garmin's own app code, a launch is usually weeks away, not months.

The Plot Twist: MIP Isn't Dead, It's Going Premium

The early version of this rumor suggested the standard Fenix 9 would go AMOLED-only, with the Enduro 4 as the last MIP watch standing. That set off alarm bells in the Garmin community, and for good reason. MIP displays are still the choice for serious outdoor use: always readable in direct sun, barely sipping power, and paired with solar charging for battery life measured in weeks.

The updated reporting softens that picture. The standard Fenix 9 is still not expected to offer MIP. But both Pro tiers would come in MIP Solar variants alongside AMOLED. So the picture is now:

Fenix 9 standard: AMOLED only
Fenix 9 Pro and Pro inReach: AMOLED plus MIP Solar options
Enduro 4: MIP and solar, single size, pure endurance play

Instead of killing MIP, Garmin appears to be repositioning it as the premium option for the people who actually need it. If these reports hold, the anti-MIP crowd loses this round. MIP survives, just not on the base model.

What This Means If You're Shopping

Three practical takeaways.

First, if you want LTE or satellite on a smaller wrist, the 43mm Fenix 9 Pro inReach could be the watch you've been waiting for. Nothing in the current lineup offers that combination.

Second, if you're a MIP loyalist, you now have two likely paths: an Enduro 4 for maximum battery, or a Fenix 9 Pro MIP Solar if you want the Fenix form factor with LTE-class features. The Fenix 8 Solar may end up being the last MIP Fenix with dive features, so snorkelers and bike-computer users on a budget should keep an eye on current Fenix 8 pricing.

Third, if you don't need any of that, the Fenix 8 is at or near its cheapest price ever right now. The Fenix 9 standard going AMOLED-only means it will likely be a premium-priced watch, and the current-generation deals may not last once launch gets close.

Bottom Line

Garmin's next outdoor generation is shaping up to be its most ambitious reshuffle in years: three Fenix tiers launching together with the Enduro 4, a long-awaited 43mm connected Pro, and MIP Solar surviving as a premium option rather than dying out. Nothing is official yet, but with the Enduro 4 already appearing in Garmin's own app code, we're likely weeks away from the first domino falling.

We'll have full coverage the moment Garmin confirms anything.

Your Fitbit Finally Talks to Apple Health. It Only Took 12 Years.

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:40:00 GMT

If you've ever worn a Fitbit with an iPhone, you know the drill. Your steps, sleep, and workouts live in one app, while Apple Health, the place everything else on your phone reports to, stays empty. For twelve years the workarounds were clunky third-party sync apps, or just shrugging and picking a side.

This week that changed.

Google Health 5.05 is rolling out on iOS right now, and it finally lets your Fitbit data flow straight into Apple Health. Workouts, sleep, vitals, steps. No middleman.

What changed, exactly

When Google Health replaced the Fitbit app in May, it shipped with half a bridge to Apple's ecosystem. It could read from Apple Health, pulling in workouts recorded by your iPhone, Apple Watch, and other HealthKit apps, but it couldn't write anything back. Your Fitbit data stayed locked on Google's side of the fence.

Version 5.05 finishes the bridge. The release notes are blunt about it:

"Share your data like your exercise records, sleep, vitals, steps, and more from Google Health to Apple Health."

So now it's a real two-way street. Apple Health data flows into Google Health, and Google Health data flows back out.

Setup takes about 30 seconds

Open Google Health on your iPhone (the app formerly known as Fitbit), tap your profile icon, hit Partner apps, pick Apple Health, and link it. You choose what gets shared, and anything you enable becomes available to Apple Health and every HealthKit app you've authorized.

If you're paying for a bridging app like Power Sync for Fitbit or Fitbit to Apple Health Sync, consider this your cancellation notice. Google just made them obsolete for most people.

Why did this take twelve years?

Because the bad blood is ancient history. In 2014, right after Apple introduced HealthKit with iOS 8, Fitbit said publicly it had no plans to support the platform. Fitbit was the biggest name in trackers back then, and it saw Apple's health hub as a rival for user attention, not a partner.

That posture hardened into a wall. Garmin added Apple Health sync years ago, and nobody thinks twice about wearing a Forerunner with an iPhone. Fitbit never did.

Then Google bought Fitbit, killed the Fitbit app in May, and rebuilt the whole software stack as Google Health. The Apple Health export sat on Google's public roadmap under "Sharing your data" as one of the last unfinished items. As of this week, it's checked off.

The app that got here had a rough summer

To be fair, Google Health's first three months were messy. The May launch put a Gemini-powered AI coach front and center, and a lot of longtime Fitbit users hated it. The Today tab led with coach chatter instead of your stats.

The complaints were blunt. One Reddit post that picked up a lot of traction asked why anyone should have to scroll through paragraphs of AI commentary about a 15-minute walk to the grocery store just to see their morning run. A Google Help Center thread titled "Bring back Fitbit app" filled up with the same energy.

To Google's credit, they published a roadmap with eight focus areas and actually shipped against it. Updates landed roughly every three weeks: 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04, and now 5.05. When 9to5Google audited that roadmap last week, only two items were left under data sharing: the Apple Health export and Smart Health Links. Both shipped in 5.05. That's what listening looks like.

Why this matters more than it looks

The biggest argument for staying inside one ecosystem has always been your data. Buy an Apple Watch and everything flows through Apple Health effortlessly. Wear almost anything else with an iPhone and you fight for it. Fitbit was the worst offender, mostly because of how many people own one. With a native export, wearing a Fitbit or the new screenless Fitbit Air with an iPhone finally feels like a normal setup instead of a hack.

It also makes mixed-device setups actually viable. Run with an Apple Watch and sleep with a Fitbit band? Before this week that meant sync apps and crossed fingers. Now both directions flow natively. Trackers keep getting more specialized, with screenless bands for recovery and watches for training, and cross-brand data plumbing is the feature that makes the whole category work.

And here's the awkward part for Samsung: the Galaxy Watch still doesn't sync with Apple Health, because Samsung Health on iOS has no HealthKit integration at all. Wear a Galaxy Watch with an iPhone and your data lives in Samsung Health, full stop. Google, another Android-first hardware company, just did the thing Samsung hasn't. If you carry an iPhone and you're cross-shopping wearables, that's a real differentiator now.

Also in 5.05: Smart Health Links

The update ships one more feature, US-only for now. Smart Health Links let you share medical records with a doctor or a family member through a shareable URL or QR code. You build one from the Health tab, Medical section, Shareable records, tap the plus icon, and pick what to include. It sounds minor until you're the person trying to fax medical records in 2026.

A few caveats before you get excited

Google rolls features out in waves, so if you don't see Apple Health under Partner apps yet, give it a few days and confirm you're on 5.05. Everything you enable flows into Apple Health and onward to whatever HealthKit apps you've authorized, so review those permissions on purpose instead of toggling everything on.

And no, this isn't a Premium upsell. The sync works on free accounts. Premium still gates the AI coach and adaptive plans at $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, and it's bundled into Google AI Pro and Ultra if you already pay for those.

On Android, nothing changes. Health Connect already plays the hub role there, so this was always an iOS story.

Bottom line

Twelve years after Fitbit snubbed HealthKit at launch, the last big holdout in fitness tracking has plugged in. If you wear Fitbit hardware with an iPhone, and there are tens of millions of you, this is the update that makes the whole setup feel native.

It's also a quiet signal about where Google wants health to go. Not a walled garden, but a hub that plays nice with everyone. Whether that openness survives Google's next reorg is anybody's guess. But for the first time since 2014, Fitbit and Apple Health speak the same language.

Sources: The Verge, 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, Google Health support forums.

Garmin Enduro 4: FCC Filing, 5GHz WiFi, and Imminent August Launch

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMT

The Garmin Enduro 4 is no longer just a rumor. It has cleared the FCC, shown up in Garmin Connect app code, and is tracking toward a late August or September 2026 launch that fits Garmin's two-year Enduro release cycle perfectly.

If you have been waiting for Garmin's next ultra-endurance watch, the evidence is now strong enough to start planning around. Here is everything the FCC filing, the app teardown, and the release cycle tell us.

The FCC Filing: Model A05216

The most concrete evidence comes from the FCC. A new Garmin device carrying model number A05216 (FCC ID: IPH-05216) was granted certification on June 18, 2026.

The filing reveals several important details:

5GHz WiFi support. The TCB Scope lists "UNII devices," which in plain English means this watch packs 5GHz Wi-Fi. This is significant because no current Garmin watch supports 5GHz WiFi. Every Garmin watch on the market today uses 2.4GHz only. The addition of 5GHz means a new communications chip generation, which typically brings faster data transfer, better connectivity, and improved range.

A single model filing. Unlike the Fenix line, which files multiple size and variant models at once, the Enduro 4 was filed as a single model. This matches the Enduro's history. The Enduro 2 and Enduro 3 each launched as one model in one size. The Enduro 4 appears to follow the same pattern.

The wireless stack and charging architecture described in the filing are consistent with a high-end Garmin watch. The antenna design, Bluetooth, and wireless charging setup all match what you would expect from a flagship-tier device.

the5krunner, who first spotted and analyzed the filing, concluded that the Enduro 4 is the most plausible fit for A05216. The single-model filing rules out the Fenix 9 (which would file multiple sizes), and the timing aligns perfectly with the Enduro's release cadence.

The Connect App Leak

The FCC filing did not come out of nowhere. One day before the FCC grant date, on June 17, 2026, developers found references to the Enduro 4 in a Garmin Connect app version 5.26 APK teardown.

The app code contained an "Enduro_4" device string with an internal device ID of 5179. This is the software infrastructure being prepared for a real product. Garmin does not add device-specific strings to its app for placeholder devices. When a watch shows up in Connect app code and clears the FCC within 24 hours of each other, the launch is close.

The Two-Year Release Cycle

Garmin's Enduro line has followed a remarkably consistent two-year cadence:

Enduro (original): Launched 2020
Enduro 2: Launched August 2022
Enduro 3: Launched August 2024
Enduro 4: Expected August or September 2026

Two years between generations, consistently in the August window. The Enduro 4 landing in late August or September 2026 would continue the pattern exactly. Garmin tends to launch outdoor and endurance watches in the late summer and early fall, ahead of the holiday shopping season and in time for the fall ultra running calendar.

This timing also makes sense relative to the Fenix 9. The Enduro has historically launched slightly ahead of or alongside the Fenix refresh, giving Garmin two premium outdoor launches in the same quarter. The Enduro targets the pure endurance crowd (maximum battery, MIP display, solar), while the Fenix targets the broader premium market (AMOLED, full feature set).

What to Expect: MIP and Solar

The Enduro line has a clear identity that distinguishes it from the Fenix. Here is what the Enduro 4 will almost certainly deliver:

A transflective MIP display, not AMOLED. The Enduro is built for battery life above all else. MIP displays use reflected ambient light and sip almost no power, which is how the Enduro 3 achieves its extreme battery numbers. Going AMOLED would undermine the entire value proposition of the line. Expect a MIP screen that is readable in direct sunlight and invisible indoors without the backlight.

Solar charging. Every Enduro has had solar. The Enduro 3 uses Garmin's Power Sapphire solar charging layer, which trickle-charges the battery from sunlight. The Enduro 4 will certainly keep this. The question is whether Garmin improves the solar efficiency or expands the solar harvesting area.

Extreme battery life. The Enduro 3 delivers up to 320 hours of GPS battery with solar assist and up to 90 days of smartwatch mode with solar. The Enduro 4 needs to match or beat these numbers to justify its existence. With the new 5GHz WiFi chip potentially drawing more power, Garmin will need to optimize elsewhere to maintain the Enduro's battery leadership.

Lightweight construction. The Enduro line has always been lighter than the Fenix. The Enduro 3 weighs just 63g. Expect the Enduro 4 to stay in that range, using a fiber-reinforced polymer case rather than full titanium.

What the 5GHz WiFi Actually Means

The 5GHz WiFi addition is the most interesting detail in the FCC filing, and it deserves some context.

5GHz WiFi offers significantly faster data transfer than 2.4GHz. For a Garmin watch, this matters for two things: syncing music and downloading map packs. The Enduro line supports offline music and full-color mapping, and both of those involve transferring large files from your phone to the watch. Faster WiFi means less waiting.

5GHz also means a newer chipset platform. The communications chip that handles WiFi, Bluetooth, and potentially other wireless functions is being upgraded. This could bring improvements to Bluetooth stability, ANT+ performance, and overall wireless reliability. It also future-proofs the watch for features that require more bandwidth.

The trade-off is power consumption. 5GHz WiFi draws more power than 2.4GHz when active. Garmin will need to manage this carefully to protect the Enduro's battery-first identity. Expect the watch to use 5GHz only for active transfers and fall back to lower-power modes the rest of the time.

Expected Price

The Enduro 3 launched at $899. Industry analysts expect the Enduro 4 to come in at $900 to $1,000, potentially with a $50 to $100 increase driven by the global memory chip shortage and the new communications hardware.

That price keeps the Enduro positioned above the Fenix 8 AMOLED ($899) and below the Fenix 8 Solar ($999+), which makes sense given the Enduro's endurance-focused feature set.

How It Fits the 2026 Garmin Roadmap

The Enduro 4 is one of three major Garmin launches expected in the second half of 2026:

Enduro 4: August or September. MIP, solar, extreme battery. The endurance play.
MARQ Gen 3: Q3 2026, likely October. Luxury titanium and sapphire built on Fenix 9 technology.
Fenix 9: Late 2026 or early 2027. The full flagship refresh with new sensors and AMOLED.

Garmin confirmed in its Q2 2026 earnings call that new outdoor watch launches are coming in the second half of the year, without naming specific models. The Enduro 4, MARQ Gen 3, and Fenix 9 are the three watches that fit that description.

The Bottom Line

The Garmin Enduro 4 is real, it has cleared the FCC, and it is coming soon. The 5GHz WiFi upgrade signals a meaningful hardware refresh, not just a minor iteration. Combined with the MIP display, solar charging, and the extreme battery life that defines the Enduro line, this is shaping up to be the endurance watch to beat in late 2026.

If you are an ultra runner, thru-hiker, or adventure athlete who needs maximum battery life and does not care about AMOLED screens or smartwatch apps, the Enduro 4 is the watch to wait for. Expect an announcement in late August or September, with availability shortly after.

The FCC filing and app leak do not lie. The Enduro 4 is weeks away, not months.

Garmin MARQ Gen 3: The Luxury Fenix 9 Is Coming

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Garmin's MARQ collection is overdue for a refresh, and the signs all point to a Gen 3 launch in late 2026 built on Fenix 9 technology. The current Gen 2 watches are nearly four years old, they just received a rare $300 price cut that historically signals a replacement is coming, and multiple sources confirm the next generation is in development.

Here is what we know and what to expect from Garmin's most premium watch line.

What Is MARQ?

If you are not familiar with MARQ, it is Garmin's luxury watch collection. Think of it as a Fenix or Epix wrapped in genuinely premium materials and sold at luxury watch prices.

The concept is simple. Take Garmin's flagship sensor platform, training features, and health tracking, then dress it up in Grade 5 titanium, domed sapphire crystal, and ceramic bezels. Add unique design touches for each variant. Charge a premium.

The MARQ line has always borrowed its "engine" from Garmin's flagship outdoor watch. Gen 1 (2019) was built on the Fenix 5 Plus platform. Gen 2 (2022) was built on the Epix Gen 2 platform with AMOLED displays. Gen 3 will almost certainly be built on the Fenix 9 platform.

The Gen 2 Lineup: What Exists Today

The current MARQ Gen 2 collection launched on October 11, 2022, with five models, each targeting a different lifestyle:

MARQ Athlete ($1,900) - The base model, essentially a premium Epix with a jetlag advisor
MARQ Adventurer ($2,100) - Adds orienteering and outdoor features, hybrid leather strap
MARQ Captain ($2,200) - Adds marine features from the Quatix line
MARQ Golfer ($2,300) - Adds golf features from the Approach line
MARQ Aviator ($2,400) - Adds aviation features from the D2 line

All five share the same AMOLED display, Grade 5 titanium case, domed sapphire glass, and ceramic bezel. The differences are in the design details, strap materials, and the specialized software features each model includes.

The reality, as DC Rainmaker noted in his Gen 2 review, is that most buyers pick their MARQ based on aesthetics rather than the specialized features. The Athlete and Adventurer are the most popular because they look the most like traditional luxury watches.

The Signs Pointing to Gen 3

Three signals all point to an imminent refresh:

The Gen 2 is old. Launched in October 2022, it is now nearly four years into its lifecycle. In the fast-moving wearable world, that is ancient. The underlying Epix Gen 2 platform has been surpassed by newer Garmin technology, and the sensor suite is a generation behind the current Fenix 8.

The rare price cut. In May 2026, Garmin dropped MARQ Gen 2 prices by $300 across the board. This is significant because Garmin rarely discounts MARQ. The collection is positioned as a luxury product with stable pricing. A sudden, substantial discount is the classic retail signal that inventory is being cleared for a new generation.

The Fenix 9 connection. Multiple sources, including Garmin Rumors and Notebookcheck, report that the MARQ Gen 3 will be built on the Fenix 9 platform. Since the Fenix 9 is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, the MARQ Gen 3 would launch alongside it or shortly after.

What Gen 3 Will Inherit From Fenix 9

This is where it gets interesting for anyone who follows Garmin's product strategy. The MARQ has always been a flagship platform watch in premium clothing. Gen 3 will get:

New sensors. The Fenix 9 is expected to bring Garmin's latest generation of optical heart rate sensors and biometric tracking. The Gen 2 MARQ still uses sensors from 2022, which means Gen 3 will be a meaningful upgrade in data accuracy.

A faster processor. Garmin's internal chipsets have improved significantly since 2022. A faster processor means smoother UI, faster map rendering, and quicker workout data processing. On a watch that costs over $2,000, the current Gen 2's occasional UI lag is noticeable.

Full training and health features. Everything Garmin has added to its platform since 2022 will be included. Training readiness, body battery updates, sleep coaching, HRV status, and whatever new metrics the Fenix 9 introduces. The Gen 3 will be the most feature-complete MARQ ever.

The AMOLED display will stay. Gen 2 moved from MIP to AMOLED, and there is no going back for a luxury watch. Expect the same vibrant, bright display technology, possibly with improvements to refresh rate or peak brightness.

The Antenna Breakthrough Rumor

One of the more interesting rumors comes from Garmin News, which suggests a breakthrough in antenna technology that allows for flawless multi-band GNSS performance even with a full-titanium or ceramic case construction.

This matters because metal cases have historically interfered with GPS signal reception. Garmin has worked around this with careful antenna placement and plastic windows in the case, but a full-metal construction with zero GPS compromise would be a genuine engineering achievement. It would also explain why a MARQ refresh might take time to develop.

If this technology makes it into Gen 3, it would be the first Garmin watch to achieve uncompromised multi-band GPS accuracy in a fully premium housing. For a watch positioned as the ultimate tool watch, that matters.

What About Price?

This is the elephant in the room. The Gen 2 collection ranged from $1,900 to $2,400. The Gen 3 will almost certainly cost more.

Garmin's pricing has crept up across the board. The Fenix 8 launched higher than the Fenix 7. The Epix Pro cost more than the base Epix. If the Fenix 9 comes in at $999 or higher as some analysts predict, the MARQ Gen 3 premium on top of that platform could push the Athlete model to $2,100 or higher, and the Aviator toward $2,600.

For context, that puts the top-end MARQ in Apple Watch Ultra territory multiplied by four. It is a luxury product with a luxury price tag.

When Will It Launch?

The timing question has two parts.

The MARQ Gen 3 itself is expected in Q3 2026, most likely October. The holiday luxury gift season provides an obvious commercial rationale for a late-year launch. MARQ is not a volume product. It is a statement piece, and the holiday season is when people buy statement pieces.

The Fenix 9 dependency is the wildcard. The MARQ has historically launched alongside or shortly after its parent platform. If the Fenix 9 slips to early 2027, the MARQ Gen 3 could slip with it. But if the Fenix 9 launches in late 2026 as expected, the MARQ Gen 3 could follow within weeks or months.

The most likely scenario: Fenix 9 in October or November 2026, with MARQ Gen 3 following before the end of the year or in early Q1 2027.

Who Is MARQ Actually For?

Let's be honest about what MARQ is. It is not the watch you buy if you want the best value. A Fenix 8 or Epix Pro delivers 95% of the functionality for less than half the price.

MARQ is for a specific buyer. Someone who wants Garmin's training and health platform but does not want a watch that looks like a sports gadget. Someone who appreciates Grade 5 titanium, domed sapphire, and ceramic bezels. Someone who wears a luxury mechanical watch on weekends and wants something that does not look out of place next to it.

The specialized features (aviation, marine, golf) are secondary. Most buyers never use them. The real product is the materials, the finishing, and the exclusivity. MARQ is Garmin's answer to the question: what if a Garmin watch felt like an Omega or a Tag Heuer?

The Bottom Line

The MARQ Gen 3 is coming, and it will be the most premium Garmin watch ever made. Built on Fenix 9 technology, wrapped in titanium and sapphire, with a rumored antenna breakthrough that could solve the metal-case GPS problem.

Whether it is worth $2,000-plus depends entirely on whether you see a watch as a tool or as a statement. For most readers of this site, a Fenix 8 or Epix Pro is the smarter buy. But for the buyer who wants the best Garmin can make and does not care about the price, the Gen 3 MARQ will be the watch to beat.

Expect an announcement in Q3 2026, likely October, with the full collection available before the holiday season. We will be tracking this one closely as more details emerge.

COROS Vertix: New Flagship Watch Teased for August UTMB Launch

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

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.

Amazfit Is Building a Solar Smartwatch to Take On Garmin

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Amazfit is quietly building a solar-charging smartwatch, and the evidence is stacking up. Between code found inside the Zepp Health app and a mysterious watch that appeared on Amazfit's official Spanish Instagram account, it is looking increasingly likely that the brand known for budget AMOLED watches is about to take a swing at Garmin's solar dominance.

This is a bigger deal than it might sound. A solar Amazfit watch would be the first real competitor to Garmin's Instinct Solar and Fenix Solar lineup, and it could change the value math in the outdoor watch category.

Here is what the leaks tell us so far.

The App Code Leak

The first signal came from the Zepp Health smartphone app, which is the companion app that controls Amazfit watches. Developers digging through app version 10.5.0 found data fields that should not exist unless solar hardware is being planned.

The code includes a category called "SolarBatteryChargeRecord" with fields for "lux," "panelType," and "status." Those are solar charging diagnostics. "Lux" measures light intensity. "PanelType" refers to the solar panel hardware. "Status" tracks whether the watch is actively charging from light.

Gadgets & Wearables, who first spotted the code, noted that these fields were actually present in older app versions too, which means Amazfit has been building the software framework for solar hardware for a while. This is not a placeholder or a mistake. It is infrastructure being prepared for a real product.

The Instagram Teaser: A T-Rex Solar?

The second piece of evidence is more visual. Amazfit's official Spanish Instagram account posted an image of a watch that does not match anything currently in their lineup.

The watch has a rugged, round case with a red triangle on the bezel, which is the visual signature of Amazfit's T-Rex outdoor line. The shape and proportions suggest a transflective MIP display rather than the AMOLED screens Amazfit uses on most current watches.

Put the app code and the Instagram post together, and the picture becomes clear: Amazfit is building a rugged T-Rex watch with solar charging. Whether it is called the T-Rex Solar or something else is still unknown, but the T-Rex connection makes sense. The T-Rex line is Amazfit's outdoor and adventure family, which is exactly where solar charging matters most.

Why Solar Means a Different Display

This is the most interesting technical detail in the whole leak, and it explains why a solar Amazfit watch is a bigger deal than it sounds.

Solar panels cannot generate enough electricity to keep a bright AMOLED screen running. AMOLED displays are power-hungry because every pixel produces its own light. A 3,000-nit AMOLED at full brightness will drain a watch battery in hours, not days. No solar panel small enough to fit on a wristwatch can offset that.

That is why every solar watch on the market uses a transflective MIP display instead. MIP stands for Memory-in-Pixel. These displays use reflected ambient light to show the time and data, which means they are essentially zero-power in bright sunlight. The brighter the sun, the more readable the screen. And because the screen sips almost no power, the solar panel can actually keep up and extend battery life significantly.

Garmin has used this formula for years on the Instinct 2X Solar (which can achieve effectively unlimited battery in smartwatch mode with enough sunlight), the Fenix 7X Solar, and the Enduro series.

For Amazfit to go solar, they would need to go back to a transflective display. And here is the twist: Amazfit already has experience with this. The original Amazfit Bip S, released in 2020, used a transflective display and achieved 40 days of battery life without any solar assistance. It was a legendary battery champion in the budget category.

A solar T-Rex would combine Amazfit's transflective display experience with modern solar charging tech. That is a genuinely compelling product for outdoor enthusiasts who want Garmin-level battery endurance without Garmin pricing.

How Garmin's Solar Tech Works

To understand what Amazfit is up against, it helps to understand how Garmin does solar.

Garmin uses a technology called Power Glass (or Sapphire Solar on premium models). It is a single semitransparent layer of solar cells bonded between the glass and the display. The layer captures sunlight and converts it to electricity that trickle-charges the battery.

The key metric is 50,000 lux, which is roughly the brightness of a sunny day. Garmin's battery claims assume three hours per day of exposure to 50,000 lux conditions. In full direct sun (which can hit 150,000 lux), the charging effect is two to three times stronger.

On the Instinct 2X Solar, this translates to up to 48 days of battery in smartwatch mode with solar assist, and potentially unlimited battery with conservative settings and adequate sunlight. The Fenix 7X Solar delivers up to 37 days. These are numbers no AMOLED watch can touch.

The trade-off is the display. MIP screens look dim and washed out indoors compared to AMOLED. They refresh slowly, so animations are choppy. They are monochrome or limited color. If you want a watch that looks like a mini smartphone on your wrist, MIP is a step backward. If you want a watch that lasts for weeks outdoors, MIP is the only game in town.

The AMOLED Solar Wildcard

There is one more possibility that would be even more interesting. Garmin has filed patents for solar technology that works with AMOLED displays, using transparent solar harvesting layers that let light through to the screen while capturing energy. If Amazfit beat Garmin to market with solar AMOLED, it would be a genuine first.

The Zepp app code does not specify which display type the solar watch will use. But the Instagram teaser showing what looks like a MIP display suggests the more conservative route. Amazfit would be playing it safe with proven technology rather than betting on unproven solar AMOLED.

What This Means for the Market

A solar Amazfit watch would land in a specific gap in the market. Here is the landscape:

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar costs around $399 and is the solar battery champion
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar starts around $699 for the solar version
Garmin Enduro 3 delivers massive battery but at premium pricing

Amazfit's entire brand identity is delivering premium features at lower prices. The T-Rex 3 currently costs $279 and offers military-grade durability, 27-day battery, and a 1.5-inch AMOLED. A solar version at a similar price point, even with a MIP display instead of AMOLED, would undercut Garmin's solar lineup by $100 to $400.

For trail runners, hikers, and ultramarathoners who care about multi-week battery life, the math could be compelling. Garmin's solar watches are excellent but expensive. An Amazfit alternative at half the price would force Garmin to respond.

What We Still Do Not Know

Plenty of questions remain unanswered:

Name and model: T-Rex Solar? T-Rex Ultra Solar? Something entirely new?
Price: Will it stay under $300, or will solar tech push it higher?
Battery life claims: How many days with solar assist?
Display details: Transflective MIP confirmed, or is solar AMOLED possible?
Launch date: No official announcement yet
Whether it replaces or supplements the T-Rex 3: A solar model could be a new tier above the current T-Rex 3, or it could be a separate outdoor-focused line

The Bottom Line

Amazfit building a solar smartwatch is a sign that the brand is serious about the outdoor and adventure category, not just the budget AMOLED space where they currently dominate. The app code is real. The Instagram teaser is real. The technology makes sense for a T-Rex-family watch.

The big question is whether Amazfit can deliver Garmin-level solar performance at Amazfit-level pricing. If they can, the outdoor watch market just got a lot more interesting. Garmin has had the solar category almost entirely to itself for years. That might be about to change.

For now, treat this as a strong rumor backed by solid evidence. The app code does not lie, and the Instagram post matches the T-Rex aesthetic. An official announcement feels likely before the end of 2026, possibly alongside other T-Rex family updates Amazfit has already confirmed are coming.

If you have been waiting for a solar watch that does not cost Garmin money, this is the one to watch.

Casio's Ring Watch Is Now a Full-Blown Smart Ring With Health Tracking

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Casio has a habit of making things nobody asked for and then making them weirdly interesting. The CRW-H001 is the latest example. It started as a novelty finger-watch and has now become a full health tracker.

If you missed the original Casio Ring Watch from late 2024, it was exactly what it sounded like. A tiny Casio digital watch you wear on your finger. LCD screen, stopwatch, alarm, the works. It was quirky, charming, and not particularly useful. People bought it because it was funny.

Now Casio packed that same form factor with sensors. The CRW-H001 still looks like a ring watch. Small LCD panel on top, retro Casio vibes intact. But underneath, it tracks heart rate, blood oxygen, body temperature, sleep, and workouts. Oura Ring meets G-Shock, basically.

What the CRW-H001 Actually Does

The feature list is more substantial than you'd expect from a ring with a 1-inch screen.

Health tracking:

Continuous heart rate monitoring
Blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking
Body temperature monitoring
Sleep tracking with recovery analysis
Calorie burn logging

Fitness tracking:

Running, cycling, and walking modes
Workout history and training analysis
Sleep recovery metrics

Watch features:

LCD time display (still a watch, after all)
Stopwatch
Alarms
Vibration motor for notifications

That is a real health tracker spec sheet. The Oura Ring 5 covers most of the same metrics. The difference is that Oura hides everything behind an app. Casio gives you a tiny screen so you can at least check the time without digging out your phone.

The Design Question

Let's talk about the elephant on your finger. This thing looks unusual. Casio did not try to make a sleek, minimalist band like Oura or Ultrahuman. They made a ring with a visible LCD display that very obviously says "I am a gadget."

Whether that works for you depends on your personality. If you wear a G-Shock and do not care about blending in, the CRW-H001 looks right. If you want your health tracker to pass as jewelry, Oura is still the play.

The ring weighs 19 grams. That is heavier than the original non-smart Ring Watch (16g) because of the sensors and battery. For context, an Oura Ring 5 comes in around 4 to 6 grams depending on size. The Casio is noticeably heavier, which could get uncomfortable for all-day wear and especially for sleep tracking.

It ships in small, medium, and large. That is an upgrade over the original Ring Watch, which came in one size with spacers.

Battery Life

Casio claims six days of normal use and 25 days on standby. Solid for a smart ring packing this many sensors. The Oura Ring 5 gets 5 to 7 days depending on usage, so Casio is in the same range.

One thing to watch: Casio says the rechargeable battery "may need to be replaced after two years." Not unusual for small lithium-ion cells, but it means the CRW-H001 is not a buy-it-once device. Since it is a sealed ring, you would probably need to send it in rather than swap the battery yourself.

Price and Availability

Here is where things get interesting. The CRW-H001 is currently only available in China at CNY 1,990, which works out to about $295. No word on a global launch.

That price matters. The Oura Ring 5 starts at $399. If Casio brings this to international markets anywhere near the current price, it undercuts Oura by over $100 with a comparable sensor setup. Plus a screen, which Oura does not have.

The original Casio Ring Watch did eventually expand beyond Japan after launching as a domestic exclusive, so there is precedent. For now, you are importing or waiting.

How It Stacks Up

Feature	Casio CRW-H001	Oura Ring 5	Ultrahuman Ring Air
Price	~$295	$399	$349
Screen	Yes (LCD)	No	No
HR monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes
SpO2	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life	6 days	5-7 days	6 days
Subscription	No	$5.99/mo	No
Workout tracking	Yes	Limited	Limited

The big differentiator jumps out immediately. Casio has a screen. Every other smart ring on the market forces you to your phone to check anything. Casio lets you glance at your finger for the time and basic info.

The subscription angle is just as important. Oura charges $5.99/month for most of its meaningful insights. Casio's tracking looks free, at least for now. Over two years, an Oura Ring 5 runs $399 plus $143.76 in subscription fees. That is $542.76 total. The Casio at the equivalent of $295 would be roughly half that.

Why This Is Worth Paying Attention To

The smart ring market has been copying the same playbook. Make it look like a normal ring, hide the tech, push everything to an app. Oura, Ultrahuman, Samsung's rumored ring, RingConn. All following the same template.

Casio went the other direction. The CRW-H001 leans into being a gadget. It is not pretending to be jewelry. It is a tiny wearable computer for your finger and it looks the part. In a market full of clones, that is refreshing.

The retro Casio aesthetic also carves out a niche nobody else occupies. There is a real audience for the G-Shock and retro Casio look. These are the same people who collect F-91Ws and customize them. They are out there, they care about this stuff, and they spend money on it.

Whether that audience is big enough to sustain a product is the real question. Oura sells millions by targeting mainstream health buyers. Casio is going after a narrower crowd: people who want health tracking, like the tech-forward look, and do not mind wearing something that stands out.

Does a Screen Actually Matter on a Ring?

This is the most interesting bet Casio is making. It could go either way.

The case for a screen: you check the time and basic stats without your phone. No other smart ring can do that. It also means the CRW-H001 works as an actual watch, not just a tracker. That matters for people who do not want to wear both a ring and a watch.

The case against: a tiny LCD on a ring is hard to read, awkward to interact with, and adds bulk. Oura went screenless for a reason. There is not enough room on a finger for a useful display. Casio's screen works, but barely. And it adds weight and thickness.

My guess: the screen will be the thing people either love or completely ignore. Some will use it constantly. Others will forget it is there and just open the app.

The Bottom Line

The CRW-H001 is the most interesting smart ring to land in 2026. Not because it is the best. Oura probably still wins on sensor accuracy, app polish, and comfort. But Casio is the only company trying something different.

Every other smart ring is a thin band that pipes data to an app and charges you monthly. Casio built a chunky retro gadget for your finger with a screen, no subscription, and a price that beats the competition by $100 or more.

It is not for everyone. The design is bold, the weight is real, and you can only buy it in China right now. But if you have been waiting for a smart ring that does not look like every other smart ring on the market, this is the one to watch.

If it goes global, Oura and Ultrahuman should be nervous.

Pixel Watch Owners Are Ditching Google Health for $170 Amazfit Watches. Here's Why.

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Six months ago, if you'd told me a $170 Amazfit would be the smartwatch people are actively switching to in 2026, I wouldn't have believed you.

Google Health, the app that replaced Fitbit back in May, has been enough of a disaster that longtime Pixel Watch owners are shopping for exits. Not to Apple. Not to Garmin. To Amazfit. A brand most folks associate with budget fitness bands and oddly named CES product launches.

I've spent the last few weeks digging into what exactly went wrong with Google Health, what Amazfit's Zepp app does differently, and whether jumping ship actually makes sense or it's just a knee-jerk reaction to a bad UI update.

What Went Wrong With Google Health

The specifics matter here, because "people don't like it" doesn't really capture what's happening.

When Google folded Fitbit into the new Google Health app this past May, it wasn't just a rebrand. The entire interface was rebuilt around something called the Health Coach, an AI feature that generates conversational summaries of your health and fitness data. Think of it like having a chatty coworker who reads your Fitbit stats back to you in paragraph form. Every morning. After every workout. Every time you open the app.

A survey of over 1,500 users conducted by Android Authority found that 51% of respondents said the app looks better but works worse than the old Fitbit app. Only 23% thought it was an improvement on both fronts. Nearly one in ten said they were considering switching ecosystems entirely.

The complaints follow a consistent pattern:

AI text replaces data visualization. Instead of showing you a graph of your heart rate trend, Google Health serves a paragraph explaining that your resting heart rate was elevated yesterday, probably because you slept poorly. Useful? Sure, maybe the first time. After the tenth time you've read the same observation phrased slightly differently, it's noise. The actual graph is still in the app, just buried below the fold underneath the AI summary.

The home screen wastes space. The Today tab gives you roughly four to six metric tiles at the top. Everything below that is scrollable AI commentary and activity entries. On the old Fitbit app, you could see ten-plus metrics without scrolling. Now you're swiping past paragraphs of generated text to find your step count from yesterday.

Tiles can't be reordered. In a genuinely baffling design choice, the metric tiles on the home screen can't be rearranged. You can remove one and add another, but you can't drag them into the order you want. If you care about sleep score more than steps, too bad. Steps gets top billing.

Premium makes it worse. Google charges $9.99/month or $99.99/year for Health Premium, which unlocks the full Health Coach experience. So paying subscribers actually get more AI text shoved in their faces than free users. One editor who received Premium for free through a Google AI Pro bundle said he'd rather not have it.

Updates are fixing things. Slowly. Google has pushed two meaningful updates since launch (versions 5.01 and 5.02), addressing workout mislabeling, missing sleep scores, GPS map loading issues, and even adding back hourly activity charts. Version 5.02 brought nap tracking and the ability to reorder metrics on the Health tab. These are real improvements. But the core complaint, too much AI commentary and not enough raw data, remains largely unaddressed.

The Amazfit Alternative

The Amazfit Active Max launched at the end of 2025 at $169.99. It's a round AMOLED smartwatch with Zepp OS, built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, sleep analysis, and roughly two weeks of battery life. On paper, it doesn't compete with a Pixel Watch 4. No Wear OS, no app store worth mentioning, no Gemini integration, no cellular option.

But here's what it does have: the Zepp app.

Zepp is the companion app for all Amazfit watches, and after the Google Health redesign, it's become the unexpected hero of this story. The app is clean, data-forward, and does the thing Google Health seems to have forgotten how to do: show you your numbers.

Open Zepp and you get a dashboard of glanceable widgets: steps, heart rate, sleep score, stress level, PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) score. No paragraphs of AI interpretation. No scrolling past conversational summaries to find your resting heart rate. The data is the interface.

The Zepp app also lets you customize what appears on your dashboard. You can rearrange widgets, hide what you don't care about, and actually put the metrics you check most often front and center. It's not revolutionary. It's just basic UX that Google Health somehow shipped without.

Then there's the subscription question. Zepp's core health and fitness tracking is free. There's no AI coach upsell layered on top of features you already paid for. Google's model of charging $10/month for verbose AI summaries that restate data already visible in your widgets feels especially aggressive when Amazfit offers a cleaner experience at no additional cost.

Is the Switch Actually Worth It?

The Amazfit Active Max is not a Pixel Watch replacement in every category. Let's break that down.

Where Amazfit wins:

The app experience. This is the whole point. If your primary smartwatch use is health and fitness tracking (checking steps, sleep, heart rate, workouts), Zepp is currently a better daily experience than Google Health.
Battery life. The Active Max runs about 10–14 days per charge. The Pixel Watch 4 gets 30–40 hours. That's not a comparison; it's a different category.
Price. $170 vs. $349. You could buy two Active Max units and still save money.
No AI tax. Everything useful is free. No $10/month subscription to unlock features that were already free on Fitbit two years ago.

Where you'll miss the Pixel Watch:

Smart features. No Wear OS means no Google Wallet, no Maps, no Gemini, no third-party apps. The Active Max handles notifications fine, but it's not a wrist computer in the way a Pixel Watch is.
App ecosystem. Zepp OS has a limited app store. If you use specific Wear OS apps (Spotify, Uber, weather radars, etc.), you'll lose them.
Sensor accuracy. Fitbit's optical heart rate sensor, which powers the Pixel Watch lineup, has consistently tested as the most accurate in the Android wearable space, within 1-2 BPM of chest straps during interval training. Amazfit's sensors are fine for general fitness but won't satisfy serious athletes who need precision.
Display quality. The Pixel Watch 4's 3,000-nit Actua 360 display is in a different league. The Active Max's AMOLED is perfectly readable indoors but noticeably dimmer in direct sunlight.

The Bigger Picture

The Amazfit switch story isn't really about Amazfit. It's about what happens when a company takes a product people liked and rebuilds it around a feature nobody asked for.

Fitbit users were, by and large, happy with the old app. It wasn't flashy, but it showed data clearly, synced reliably, and didn't lecture you. Google's decision to rebuild the entire experience around AI-generated commentary, and then charge for it, was a bet that users would prefer interpretation over information.

That bet isn't paying off.

The people switching to Amazfit aren't doing it because the Active Max is a better watch than a Pixel Watch. They're doing it because they're exhausted. They're tired of scrolling past AI summaries to find a step count. They're tired of paying for a Premium tier that makes the app worse. And they've realized that a $170 watch with a clean, data-first app gives them the one thing Google Health took away: their health data, presented without commentary.

What Google Needs to Fix

If Google wants to stop the bleeding, the fixes aren't complicated:

Make Health Coach collapsible. Let users minimize or hide AI summaries without losing other Premium features.
Restore visual data density. The old Fitbit app showed 10+ metrics on the home screen. The new Health app shows 4–6. Give us the option for a compact, data-dense layout.
Let users reorder tiles. This should have shipped on day one.
Fix the Fitness and Sleep tabs. Stop putting AI commentary above actual workout data and sleep stages.
Offer a "data only" mode. Some people want the AI coach. Some people want raw numbers. Give us a toggle.

Google has shown willingness to iterate. The 5.01 and 5.02 updates prove that. But the company seems committed to the Health Coach as a core feature, not an optional layer. Until that philosophy changes, the Amazfit switch is going to keep sounding reasonable to frustrated Pixel Watch owners.

The Bottom Line

If you're deep in the Google ecosystem and rely on Wear OS apps, the Pixel Watch 4 is still the best Android smartwatch you can buy. The hardware is excellent and the sensors are class-leading. The problem isn't the watch. It's the software on your phone.

If you mainly use a smartwatch for health tracking and you're tired of fighting your app to see your own data, the Amazfit Active Max at $170 is worth a serious look. The watch is competent, the Zepp app is refreshingly straightforward, and the battery lasts two weeks instead of one day.

Sometimes the best smartwatch isn't the most expensive one. It's the one with the app that doesn't get in your way.

Google Pixel Watch 5: Leaks, Specs, Price, and Everything We Know

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The Pixel Watch 5 is less than two weeks away. Google is expected to unveil it on August 12, 2026 at the Made by Google event alongside the Pixel 11 phone lineup, and the leak situation is now full-blown. Between FCC filings, Google Play Console listings, and a flood of press renders, we have a remarkably complete picture of what is coming.

Here is everything we know so far.

The Launch: August 12

Multiple sources point to an August 12 announcement with the Pixel 11 series. Google's pattern has been to announce in August, open pre-orders immediately, and ship within a couple of weeks. Expect the same cadence here.

The watch will run Wear OS 7, which brings a redesigned interface called Stacks that replaces the old Tiles system, plus per-app media controls and a reported 10% improvement in battery efficiency at the platform level.

The Chip: Same Qualcomm, Not Tensor

This is the most debated leak, so let's be clear about what the data actually says.

The Google Play Console listing shows the Pixel Watch 5 running the Qualcomm SW5100, the same chip family used in the Pixel Watch 4 since 2023. This is not the new Snapdragon Wear Elite that Samsung just put in the Galaxy Watch 9. It is last year's silicon, reused.

This contradicts earlier rumors that Google would finally ship a custom Tensor chip in the watch, mirroring its Pixel phone strategy. Some outlets are still hedging, noting that Google could be testing multiple configurations or that the Play Console listing might not reflect the final shipping hardware. But as of late July, the most concrete data we have points to the same Qualcomm chip.

Why this matters: The Galaxy Watch 9's Snapdragon Wear Elite is a genuine generational leap with a dedicated NPU. The Pixel Watch 5 sticking with older silicon puts it behind Samsung on raw performance and on-device AI capability. Google is clearly betting that software and Gemini integration matter more than benchmark numbers.

The Real Upgrade: 3GB of RAM

Here is where it gets interesting. The Pixel Watch 5 jumps to 3GB of RAM, up from 2GB on every previous Pixel Watch. That is a 50% increase and the first RAM bump in the lineup's history.

For context, the Galaxy Watch 9 ships with 2GB. So Google is taking the opposite approach from Samsung: same chip but more memory, versus new chip but same memory.

Why the extra RAM? On-device Gemini AI. Running conversational AI models, real-time health insights, and proactive coaching on the watch itself requires memory. The 3GB allocation strongly suggests Google is preparing the Pixel Watch to handle more AI processing locally rather than offloading everything to the cloud.

Price: Up $50

Leaked pricing shows the Pixel Watch 5 starting at $399 for the 41mm Wi-Fi model, which is a $50 increase over the Pixel Watch 4. The LTE models and 45mm sizes will presumably scale up proportionally.

The price hike is being attributed to the global memory chip shortage, which has driven up the cost of RAM and storage across the electronics industry. The extra gigabyte of RAM is not free, and Google is passing that cost along.

Design: Same Pebble, New Colors

If you were hoping for a redesign, keep waiting. The Pixel Watch 5 looks identical to the Pixel Watch 4. Same rounded, domed display. Same side crown. Same proprietary band attachment system. Same side-mounted charging contacts.

What is new is the color lineup. Four finishes are confirmed from leaked renders:

Dark Anthracite (matte black case, black Obsidian band)
Natural Silver (polished silver case, light blue Fog band)
Warm Gold (yellow gold case, coral Canyon band)
Pyrite (matte gold case, olive green band)

The Pyrite finish is the most interesting of the bunch. Early leaks disagreed on whether it was green-toned or gold-toned. The latest renders show a dusty, warm gold case paired with an olive band, putting it in earthier territory than the brighter Warm Gold.

Overall, the color strategy reads as refinement rather than reinvention. Matte black, polished silver, yellow gold, and dusty gold. A sensible palette, not an exciting one.

Battery Life: Should Improve

Google made a big leap on the Pixel Watch 4, hitting up to 40 hours with always-on display thanks to a new co-processor that proved more impactful than anyone expected. The Pixel Watch 5 should build on that.

The combination of the same efficient Qualcomm chip, 10% platform-level efficiency gains in Wear OS 7, and the co-processor carrying over means battery life should be at least as good as the Pixel Watch 4, and likely a bit better. Google has not released official numbers yet, but there is no reason to expect a regression here.

What About Health Sensors?

This is the gap in the leak coverage. We do not have confirmed details on new health sensors for the Pixel Watch 5. The Pixel Watch 4 had a solid suite including ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, and skin temperature.

Given that Google is consolidating its health platform under the new Google Health app (replacing the Fitbit branding), expect the watch to lean into the software side of health tracking rather than adding new sensor hardware. Gemini-powered health coaching, smarter sleep insights, and better interpretation of existing data seem more likely than new medical-grade sensors this generation.

Pixel Watch 5 vs Pixel Watch 4: What Changes

Feature	Pixel Watch 5	Pixel Watch 4
Chip	Qualcomm SW5100 (same)	Qualcomm SW5100
RAM	3GB (50% more)	2GB
Display	1.2" (41mm) / 1.4" (45mm) domed AMOLED	Same
Design	Identical domed pebble	Domed pebble
OS	Wear OS 7 (Stacks, per-app media)	Wear OS 6
Colors	4 (Dark Anthracite, Natural Silver, Warm Gold, Pyrite)	4 (Polished Silver, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone)
Price	$399+ ($50 more)	$349+
Battery	~40+ hours (est.)	Up to 40 hours (AOD)

The honest summary: same design, same chip, same display, more RAM, new colors, new OS, higher price. If you own a Pixel Watch 4, this is not a compelling upgrade on paper. If you are buying new, the 3GB of RAM and Wear OS 7 features make it the better long-term pick.

The Big Question: Gemini AI

Everything points to on-device Gemini being the headline feature Google is saving for the actual announcement. The 3GB of RAM is the tell. You do not add 50% more memory to a watch unless you plan to run something memory-intensive on it.

If Google can deliver genuinely useful on-watch AI coaching, conversational health queries, and proactive insights without killing battery life, the Pixel Watch 5 could punch above its modest spec sheet. The Snapdragon Wear Elite in the Galaxy Watch 9 has the NPU advantage, but Google's AI software and ecosystem integration might be the more practical win for users.

We will know for sure on August 12.

Should You Wait or Buy a Pixel Watch 4 Now?

If the leaks hold, the Pixel Watch 5 is an incremental upgrade. Same design, same chip, more RAM. The real value will depend entirely on what Google does with Gemini AI on the wrist.

Wait if: You want the latest software features, you care about AI coaching, or you want a watch that will be supported for the longest period. The 3GB of RAM means the Pixel Watch 5 will age better as AI features get heavier.

Buy a Pixel Watch 4 now if: You can find a deal. The Pixel Watch 4 is an excellent watch at 40 hours of battery, and with the Pixel Watch 5 launching, expect discounts. If you do not care about bleeding-edge AI, the 4 delivers 95% of the experience for less money.

The Bottom Line

The Pixel Watch 5 is shaping up to be a software-driven update rather than a hardware revolution. Google is reusing the chip and design, bumping the RAM to support Gemini AI, refreshing the colors, and raising the price by $50.

That is either a smart, pragmatic approach that prioritizes the user experience over spec sheet bragging rights, or a disappointing lack of ambition that lets Samsung pull further ahead on hardware. Probably both.

The August 12 event will tell us whether Gemini on the wrist is enough to make you forget that the chip is a year old.

Suunto Race 3 and Race 3 S Leak: Two Watches, Dual-Band GPS, and a Subscription Bombshell

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Suunto just leaked its own next-generation watches, and the details are already stirring up controversy.

Marketing copy for the Suunto Race 3 and Race 3 S appeared on Suunto's own website, got indexed by Google, and surfaced through Google's AI Overview before anyone at Suunto caught it. A Reddit user on r/Suunto captured screenshots before the text was pulled down. Multiple outlets independently verified the indexed references.

The hardware looks like a solid upgrade. The subscription news is going to be the real story.

Two Models Confirmed

Suunto is splitting the Race lineup into two sizes again, and the naming is a little confusing. Here is what leaked:

Suunto Race 3 S (launching first):

1.32-inch AMOLED display
Sapphire glass protection
Dual-band GNSS
Trail-focused positioning

Suunto Race 3 (coming later in 2026):

1.5-inch AMOLED display
Mineral glass protection (not sapphire, which is an interesting choice for the flagship)
Focus on extended battery life
Dual-band GNSS

Both watches add dual-band GNSS, which is the accuracy standard for any serious GPS watch in 2026. The original Suunto Race had dual-band support, so this is a continuation rather than a leap, but it confirms Suunto is not cutting corners on positioning tech.

The Display and Glass Split

The glass situation is worth paying attention to. The smaller Race 3 S gets sapphire glass. The larger flagship Race 3 gets mineral glass.

That is an unusual choice. Sapphire is harder and more scratch-resistant than mineral glass. Most brands put sapphire on their premium models and mineral glass on budget options. Suunto appears to be flipping that logic, possibly to keep the larger model at a competitive price point, or to differentiate the two watches more clearly.

If you are rough on your watches and scratch resistance matters to you, the Race 3 S might actually be the better pick despite being the "smaller" model. We will have to wait for full spec sheets to see if there are other material differences.

The AI Coach Goes Conversational

Here is where things get interesting. Both watches ship with a new Suunto AI Coach that is described as interactive and conversational. Think of it as a chat-based coaching assistant that can answer questions, adjust training plans, and provide guidance based on your data.

This is part of a broader industry trend. Garmin added AI-powered coaching feedback. Whoop has an AI coach. Google Health has Gemini-powered coaching. Amazfit has Zepp Coach. Everyone is bolting AI onto their health platforms.

Suunto's version will apparently be more conversational than the competition, which aligns with the direction the wearable market is heading. Whether it is actually good remains to be seen. Early Reddit feedback on Suunto's current AI Coach beta is mixed, with users saying the training plans feel generic and sometimes bizarre (one user reported a marathon plan that included "lots of walking").

The Subscription Bombshell

This is the part that has the community talking.

The AI Coach ships with a three-month free trial. After that, it requires a paid subscription to keep using.

Pricing has not been revealed. But the principle is what matters here. Suunto has traditionally sold its watches with all training and mapping features included, no recurring fees. That was a major selling point. Buy the watch, get the software, done.

Adding a subscription changes the value proposition. It puts Suunto in the same controversial territory as Garmin, which faced heavy backlash when it started putting features behind a paywall. The Reddit threads are already drawing the comparison.

One r/Suunto user put it bluntly: "Probably not a good idea to buy Garmin with the whole subscription fiasco, enshittification is going to happen very soon." That comment was about Garmin, but it now applies equally to Suunto.

To be fair, the leaked copy suggests the subscription is specifically for the AI Coach, not for core training features. If Suunto keeps the existing free features free and only charges for the new AI layer, the blowback will be softer. But the optics of a Finnish brand known for no-nonsense, buy-it-once watches suddenly asking for a monthly fee are not great.

What We Still Do Not Know

Plenty of details are still missing:

Pricing for either model
Case materials (titanium? stainless steel? both?)
Exact battery life numbers
Subscription price for the AI Coach
Whether the subscription gates any core features beyond AI coaching
Exact launch dates beyond "Race 3 S first, Race 3 later in 2026"

The leaked text was marketing copy, not a full spec sheet. We will likely get the full picture when Suunto makes the official announcement, which based on the leaked website text feels imminent.

Competitive Context

The Race 3 lineup enters a crowded field. Here is where it lands:

Original Suunto Race launched at $349 in 2023 and was praised as the best-value AMOLED sports watch on the market. 50 hours of dual-band GPS, titanium, sapphire, offline maps. Hard to beat.
Suunto Race 2 raised the price to $499. Still competitive, but the value gap with Garmin narrowed.
COROS PACE 4 and PACE Pro are undercutting everyone on price with no subscription model.
Garmin Forerunner 970 remains the running watch benchmark.
Amazfit Balance Ultra brings titanium and 30-day battery for $599.

The Race 3 needs to justify its existence against all of these. Dual-band GNSS and AMOLED are table stakes now. The differentiator was supposed to be value and no subscription. With the subscription news, Suunto is giving up one of its biggest advantages.

The Bottom Line

The Suunto Race 3 and Race 3 S look like legitimate hardware upgrades. Dual-band GNSS across both models, AMOLED displays, and a split between a sapphire trail watch and a long-battery flagship is a sensible product strategy.

But the AI Coach subscription is the story that will define how these watches are received. Suunto built its reputation on no-nonsense, buy-it-once watches with free software. Walking that back, even partially, is a risky move that hands ammunition to competitors like COROS who are still holding the "no subscription" line.

If the subscription is cheap, optional, and only gates the AI features, Suunto might get away with it. If it creeps into core functionality or feels overpriced, the community reaction will make the Garmin subscription backlash look tame.

We will be watching for the official announcement. Expect the Race 3 S first, with the full-sized Race 3 following later in 2026. And expect the subscription pricing to be the detail everyone fixates on.

Pixel Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 9: The Honest Comparison Nobody's Giving You

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The two best Wear OS watches on the market right now are the Google Pixel Watch 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. That's not marketing copy — it's the reality of the Android wearable landscape in mid-2026. Apple's locked its ecosystem down tight, Garmin serves a different audience entirely, and the budget tier (Amazfit, CMF) is compelling but fundamentally a different product category.

So if you're an Android user shopping for a smartwatch in the $300–$400 range, this is the decision. And most of the coverage out there is picking a side based on personal preference — "I like the Pebble shape" or "I can't stand the squircle." That's fine for an opinion column, but it doesn't help you decide.

We're going to fix that. Here's a category-by-category breakdown with real specs, real trade-offs, and zero "pick your favorite shape" cop-outs.

Price and Availability

Let's start with the easiest comparison:

	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 9
Starting price (Wi-Fi)	$349	$329
LTE premium	+$50 ($399)	+$50 ($379)
Sizes	41mm, 45mm	40mm, 44mm

The Galaxy Watch 9 undercuts the Pixel by $20 at every tier. Not a massive difference, but it matters if you're stretching for the LTE model. Samsung also runs frequent trade-in promos that can knock another $50–$100 off if you're coming from an older Galaxy Watch. Google's trade-in program exists but is typically less aggressive.

Edge: Galaxy Watch 9 (slightly cheaper, better trade-in deals)

Design and Build

This is where the two diverge sharply, and yes, it is subjective — but the specs matter too.

The Pixel Watch 4 keeps its signature pebble silhouette with domed glass that flows seamlessly into the aluminum case. It's available in Polished Silver, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, and Brushed Aluminum. The Actua 360 display is physically domed, with bezels reduced by 16% over last year. The watch is lighter than it looks, and the curved shape makes it disappear on your wrist during sleep — a real advantage if you're tracking overnight metrics.

The Galaxy Watch 9 continues Samsung's "squircle" cushion design introduced with the Watch 8. It's more angular and industrial, with a distinctly sportier vibe. The new strap system is a genuine improvement — floating loops instead of the fold-over design, with an "air pocket" channel that improves airflow and reduces hair-pulling. Available in Graphite and Cream.

	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 9
Case material	Recycled aluminum	Aluminum
Display glass	Gorilla Glass (domed)	Sapphire crystal
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM + IP68
Repairability	Yes (new this year)	Limited

Two things to call out here. First, Samsung ships with sapphire crystal while Google still uses Gorilla Glass. After a year of wear, that matters — sapphire is significantly more scratch-resistant. Second, Google added official repairability this year (replaceable battery and case components), which Samsung doesn't fully match. Win some, lose some.

Edge: Pixel Watch 4 for comfort and repairability; Galaxy Watch 9 for durability (sapphire)

Display

Both watches feature AMOLED displays, but the numbers tell different stories:

	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 9
Peak brightness	3,000 nits	5,000 nits
Display tech	Actua 360 (domed AMOLED)	Super AMOLED
Bezels	Reduced 16% from PW3	Thin, uniform

The Galaxy Watch 9's 5,000-nit display is absurd in the best way. You will never struggle to read it in direct sunlight — full stop. The Pixel Watch 4's 3,000 nits is excellent and perfectly usable outdoors, but Samsung wins this spec outright. The Pixel's domed glass gives it a more premium feel, but the raw visibility goes to Samsung.

Edge: Galaxy Watch 9 (significantly brighter)

Performance and Chipset

This is one of the most interesting comparisons this year. The Galaxy Watch 9 debuts the Snapdragon Wear Elite, Qualcomm's new flagship wearable chip. The Pixel Watch 4 runs on Google's Tensor G4, the same silicon family powering the Pixel phone lineup.

In practice, both watches are buttery smooth for daily tasks — notifications, scrolling, app launches, voice queries. The Galaxy Watch 8 was already snappy with the older chip, and the Wear Elite pushes that further. The Tensor G4 in the Pixel leans into Google's AI pipeline, which pays dividends for on-device Gemini queries and health algorithm processing rather than raw UI speed.

Neither watch will feel slow. If you're coming from a Galaxy Watch 6 or Pixel Watch 2, either one is a massive leap. This category is effectively a tie.

Edge: Tie

Battery Life and Charging

Here's where the Galaxy Watch 9 flexes hard:

	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 9
Battery (smaller size)	~30 hours (41mm)	~40 hours (40mm, 390mAh)
Battery (larger size)	~40 hours (45mm)	~48 hours (44mm, 445mAh)
Fast charge	50% in 15 min, full in ~45 min	Slower (full charge ~60 min)
Battery Saver mode	~2 days (41mm), ~3 days (45mm)	~2.5 days

The Galaxy Watch 9's 40mm battery grew 20% from the Watch 8 (325mAh → 390mAh), and the 44mm went from 435mAh to 445mAh. Combined with the Wear Elite's efficiency gains, Samsung is delivering real multiday battery life for the first time in the mainline Galaxy Watch series.

But Google fights back with charging speed. Hitting 50% in 15 minutes means you can top up during a shower and get half a day of use. Samsung's charging is slower, which means you need to plan your charging sessions more deliberately.

One important caveat: Samsung's ongoing battery drain issues have affected Galaxy Watch 6, 7, and 8 owners three separate times in the last six months. If you're buying a Galaxy Watch 9, you're betting that the new hardware and chip won't be affected by the same software-level drain bugs. That's not a sure thing.

Edge: Galaxy Watch 9 for raw longevity; Pixel Watch 4 for charging speed and software reliability

Software and Ecosystem

Both watches run Wear OS 6, but the experience is meaningfully different.

Pixel Watch 4 delivers the "pure Google" Wear OS experience. Material You Expressions bring dynamic color theming, the interface is clean and intuitive, and Gemini integration is deepest here — including Raise to Talk, which lets you lift your wrist and start speaking to Gemini without a wake word. On-device AI handles summaries, workout detection, and recovery nudges. If you use Google services (Calendar, Maps, Keep, Wallet), the Pixel Watch feels like a natural extension of your phone.

Galaxy Watch 9 layers Samsung's One UI 8 Watch on top of Wear OS. It's more visually busy but offers tighter integration with Samsung's ecosystem — Galaxy phones, Galaxy Ring, SmartThings, Bixby (for better or worse). This year, Samsung finally got Raise to Talk Gemini, which was previously a Pixel exclusive. The One UI overlay means some Wear OS features are buried or restyled, which can be confusing if you're used to stock Wear OS.

The honest truth: your phone determines your watch. If you carry a Pixel or generic Android, the Pixel Watch 4 is the more cohesive experience. If you carry a Galaxy phone (or use a Galaxy Ring), the Galaxy Watch 9's ecosystem integration is unmatched. Neither watch is a bad experience on the "wrong" phone, but you're leaving features on the table.

Edge: Depends on your phone — Pixel Watch 4 for Google ecosystem, Galaxy Watch 9 for Samsung ecosystem

Health and Fitness Tracking

This is where the comparison gets genuinely interesting, because both platforms have matured significantly but take different approaches.

Heart Rate Accuracy

The Pixel Watch 4's heart rate sensor has been tested against chest straps (Polar H10, Polar Verity Sense) and tracks within 1-2 BPM even during interval training. It's genuinely the most accurate optical sensor in the Android wearable space right now. Since heart rate feeds into sleep tracking, recovery metrics, training load, and stress scoring, this accuracy advantage cascades through the entire health platform.

Samsung's sensors have improved year over year, and the Galaxy Watch 9 continues that trend. But independent testing consistently places Samsung's optical HR slightly behind Google/Fitbit during high-intensity intervals. For most users, the difference is academic. For serious athletes, it matters.

Sleep Tracking

Both watches offer solid sleep tracking, but Fitbit's algorithms (underpinning the Pixel Watch) have been the gold standard for years. Sleep stage detection, sleep score, and the newly redesigned Google Health interface (when it's not drowning you in AI summaries) present sleep data clearly.

Samsung's sleep coaching has gotten more detailed with personalized insights and sleep animal motifs (which some people love and others find patronizing). The data is good; the presentation is more gamified.

The Google Health Problem

We have to address the elephant in the room. Google's Health app redesign from May 2026 has been divisive. Heavy reliance on AI-generated summaries — paragraphs of text that restate what's already visible in the widgets — has frustrated many users. One Android Authority editor switched to a $170 Amazfit because the Google Health app got so annoying.

Samsung Health had its own 2026 redesign that received mixed reviews, but it's less aggressively AI-first. If you want to see your numbers without reading an essay, Samsung currently offers the cleaner experience.

Unique Health Features

Pixel Watch 4: Dual-band GPS (L1 + L5) for better outdoor tracking, satellite SOS, Fitbit Premium insights (paid)
Galaxy Watch 9: Advanced sleep coaching, Energy Score, body composition (BIA), ECG, blood pressure monitoring (regions vary)
Both: Continuous HR monitoring, SpO2, skin temperature, AFib detection, fall detection, crash detection

Edge: Pixel Watch 4 for sensor accuracy and platform depth; Galaxy Watch 9 for feature breadth and a less frustrating app experience

Smart Features and Connectivity

	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 9
Voice assistant	Gemini (Raise to Talk)	Gemini (Raise to Talk) + Bixby
NFC payments	Google Wallet	Samsung Pay + Google Wallet
LTE option	Yes	Yes
Satellite SOS	Yes	No (Ultra 2 only)
Smart home	Google Home	SmartThings + Google Home

The Pixel Watch 4's satellite SOS is a genuine safety feature that Samsung reserves for the Ultra line. If you hike, run trails, or spend time in areas with spotty cell coverage, that alone could be the deciding factor.

Edge: Pixel Watch 4 (satellite SOS tips the balance)

The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

We're not going to pick a "winner" because the right answer depends on what you value. Here's our decision framework:

Buy the Pixel Watch 4 if:

You want the most accurate health sensors in the Android ecosystem
You carry a Pixel phone (or a non-Samsung Android)
Satellite SOS matters to you (runners, hikers, outdoor folks)
You want fast charging — 50% in 15 minutes matters if you charge on the go
You value repairability — replaceable battery and case parts extend the watch's lifespan
You're willing to deal with Google Health's AI-heavy interface (or you mainly use Fitbit's web dashboard)

Buy the Galaxy Watch 9 if:

You carry a Galaxy phone — the ecosystem integration (Galaxy Ring, SmartThings, Samsung Pay) is unmatched
Battery life is your top priority — 40+ hours easily, with a 20% larger battery than last year
You want the brightest display — 5,000 nits is unbeatable in direct sun
Sapphire crystal matters to you — it's significantly more scratch-resistant than Gorilla Glass
You want more health features out of the box (body composition, blood pressure, ECG) without paywalls
You'd rather have Samsung Health's cleaner (if less deep) interface than Google Health's AI-heavy approach

Wait if you can:

The Pixel Watch 5 is expected this fall and could bring more substantial changes
The Galaxy Watch 9 will likely see price drops during Black Friday / holiday sales
If Samsung's battery drain bugs concern you, waiting a few months to see if the Watch 9 is affected is reasonable

Spec Summary

Spec	Pixel Watch 4	Galaxy Watch 9
Price (Wi-Fi)	$349	$329
Sizes	41mm, 45mm	40mm, 44mm
Chipset	Tensor G4	Snapdragon Wear Elite
Display brightness	3,000 nits	5,000 nits
Glass	Gorilla Glass (domed)	Sapphire crystal
Battery (smaller)	~30 hrs	~40 hrs (390mAh)
Battery (larger)	~40 hrs	~48 hrs (445mAh)
Fast charge	50% in 15 min	~60 min full
OS	Wear OS 6 (stock)	Wear OS 6 + One UI 8 Watch
Voice assistant	Gemini (Raise to Talk)	Gemini (Raise to Talk) + Bixby
HR sensor	Multi-path optical (Fitbit)	BioActive sensor
GPS	Dual-band (L1+L5)	Dual-band
Satellite SOS	Yes	No
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM + IP68
Repairability	Yes (replaceable parts)	Limited
Health platform	Google Health / Fitbit	Samsung Health

Prices as of July 2026. We independently research and verify all specs.

Best Smartwatches Summer 2026: What to Buy Right Now

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Shopping for a smartwatch in summer 2026 means navigating a genuinely crowded field. Apple just shipped the Series 11. Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 9 with a new Snapdragon chip. Garmin has the Fenix 8 and Forerunner lineup. COROS and Amazfit are undercutting everyone on price. And there are screenless trackers, smart rings, and hybrid watches all competing for your wrist.

Here is our no-nonsense guide to the best smartwatches you can buy right now, broken down by what you actually need.

Best Overall for iPhone: Apple Watch Series 11

If you have an iPhone, this is the default answer for a reason. The Series 11 delivers the most polished smartwatch experience on the market.

Why it wins: Apple's health sensor suite is the deepest in the industry. The Series 11 added hypertension notifications and sleep apnea detection on top of the existing ECG, blood oxygen, and irregular rhythm alerts. Workout Buddy gets AI-powered coaching. The app ecosystem is unmatched, and integration with iOS is seamless.

The trade-off: Battery life. You are charging every 18 to 24 hours. If multi-day battery matters to you, look elsewhere.

Price: Starts at $399 (GPS) / $499 (LTE)

Best Overall for Android: Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

Fresh off the July Unpacked event, the Galaxy Watch 9 is the most capable Wear OS watch ever made.

Why it wins: The Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. This is the first wearable chip with a dedicated NPU, and it makes the Watch 9 noticeably faster and smoother than any Wear OS watch before it. Samsung Health is comprehensive, the 3,000-nit display is stunning, and Google Gemini is built in for AI assistance. Battery life is up to 30 hours with always-on display, which beats most Wear OS competitors.

The trade-off: Same squircle design as last year. And the health sensors are unchanged from the Watch 8, so no new medical-grade features this generation.

Price: $380 (Bluetooth) / $430 (LTE)

Best for Running and Fitness: Garmin Forerunner 970

Garmin owns this category, and the Forerunner 970 is the current flagship running watch.

Why it wins: Garmin's training metrics are years ahead of the competition. You get training readiness, body battery, acute load, chronic load, and recovery insights that actually change how you train. Dual-band GPS with SatIQ smart switching delivers excellent accuracy without destroying battery. The AMOLED display is bright and readable. And you get up to 23 hours of continuous GPS battery.

The trade-off: The smartwatch features are limited compared to Apple and Samsung. No native third-party app ecosystem. Notifications are basic. You are buying this for fitness, not for apps.

Price: ~$599

Best Battery Life: Garmin Fenix 8

If you want a watch that lasts more than a day, Garmin is the only name that matters.

Why it wins: The Fenix 8 delivers up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 47 hours of multi-band GPS. That is more than 10x the Apple Watch's endurance. It also has the deepest outdoor and adventure feature set of any watch on this list, with full mapping, navigation, and rugged construction.

The trade-off: It is expensive, heavy, and the smart features are basic. This is a sports and outdoor watch first, smartwatch second.

Price: Starts at $699

Best Budget GPS Watch: Amazfit Active 3 Premium

This is the value champion. Nothing else comes close at this price.

Why it wins: At $169.99, you get a sapphire AMOLED display, dual-band GPS, offline routable maps, and lactate threshold tracking. Features that cost $400+ from Garmin or Apple are here for under $170. Battery life is 12 days typical with 24 hours of GPS. It even has Zepp Coach AI training plans.

The trade-off: 24 hours of GPS will not cover ultra-distance events. The Amazfit app ecosystem is smaller than Garmin's. But for the price, these are minor complaints.

Price: $169.99

Best Rugged Adventure Watch: Amazfit T-Rex 3

If you want Garmin-level durability without Garmin pricing, this is your watch.

Why it wins: 27-day battery life, 42 hours of GPS, military-grade durability across 15 tests, a built-in flashlight, and a 1.5-inch AMOLED display. All for $279. It handles temperature extremes from -22F to 158F and is rated to 100 meters water resistance.

The trade-off: It is bulky. The polymer case keeps the price down but feels less premium than titanium or steel competitors. The Amazfit software is good but not as refined as Garmin Connect.

Price: $279

Best Premium Smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

If money is no object and you want the most premium Android watch, the Ultra 2 is the pick.

Why it wins: A 5,000-nit display (the brightest on any smartwatch), 35% larger battery than the original Ultra, titanium build, and the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chip as the Watch 9. New trail running features, diving support, and refined design make it thinner and lighter than the first Ultra.

The trade-off: At ~$700, it is expensive. And the 60-hour battery claim has not held up well in early testing. Reviews report a 5-mile trail run chewing through nearly 30% battery.

Price: ~$700

Best Screenless Tracker: Garmin CIRQA

If you want health data without a smartwatch, the screenless category has arrived.

Why it wins: The CIRQA delivers continuous heart rate, sleep, and recovery tracking with full Garmin Connect analytics. No subscription required, which immediately undercuts Whoop's $199+ per year pricing. 10-day battery, 5 ATM water resistance, and the mature Garmin health platform behind it.

The trade-off: No GPS and no screen. This is a health data layer, not a workout tracker. If you need real-time feedback during runs, this is not it.

Price: $199.99

Quick Decision Guide

Not sure where to start? Here is the cheat sheet:

You want...	Buy this
The best iPhone experience	Apple Watch Series 11
The best Android experience	Galaxy Watch 9
Serious running metrics	Garmin Forerunner 970
Multi-day battery	Garmin Fenix 8
The best value GPS watch	Amazfit Active 3 Premium
Rugged adventure on a budget	Amazfit T-Rex 3
Maximum premium Android	Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Health tracking without a screen	Garmin CIRQA

A Note on Timing

If you are an Apple person, consider waiting. The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected in September 2026, and rumors suggest it could be a bigger update than usual. Leaks point to a potential health sensor built into the watch band and a new S12 chip.

For everyone else, the current picks above are the best available right now. Samsung and Garmin just refreshed their lineups. Amazfit's current generation is fresh. There is no bad time to buy from this list.

The smartwatch market in 2026 is genuinely good. Competition is fierce, prices are competitive, and the technology keeps improving. Pick the watch that matches your phone and your priorities, and you will be happy with any of these.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium vs T-Rex 3: Budget vs Rugged

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Amazfit has two of the best value GPS watches on the market right now, and they sit $110 apart. The Active 3 Premium costs $169.99 and punches way above its weight with sapphire glass, offline maps, and dual-band GPS. The T-Rex 3 costs $279 and brings military-grade durability, a bigger battery, and a brighter screen.

Both are excellent. Both undercut Garmin by a wide margin. But they are built for different people. Here is how to figure out which one fits you.

The Short Version

Active 3 Premium is the best budget running watch you can buy. At $169.99, you get a sapphire AMOLED display, dual-band GPS, offline routable maps, lactate threshold tracking, and a stainless steel bezel. It is lighter and more compact than the T-Rex 3, making it better for everyday wear and smaller wrists.

T-Rex 3 is the rugged adventure watch. At $279, you get a bigger 1.5-inch display, 27-day battery life, 42 hours of GPS, military-grade durability ratings, and better outdoor readability. It is the watch you want for trail running, hiking, and multi-day adventures where toughness and battery matter most.

Spec Comparison

Feature	Active 3 Premium	T-Rex 3
Price	$169.99	$279
Case size	45mm	47.4mm
Weight	Lighter (stainless steel)	Heavier (polymer + metal)
Display	1.32" AMOLED, 3,000 nits, sapphire	1.5" AMOLED, 2,000 nits, glass
Battery (typical)	12 days	27 days
Battery (AOD)	~5 days	~14 days
GPS (continuous)	24 hours	42 hours
Dual-band GPS	Yes	Yes
Offline maps	Yes (routable)	Yes (routable)
Water resistance	5 ATM	10 ATM (100m)
Military tests	No	Yes (15 mil-spec tests)
Built-in flashlight	No	Yes
Buttons	4	4
Storage	Onboard	Onboard
Temp range	Standard	-22F to 158F

Display: Different Sizes, Different Brightness

The T-Rex 3 has the bigger screen at 1.5 inches. The Active 3 Premium has a smaller but sharper 1.32-inch display with a higher pixel density. Both are AMOLED and both look great.

Where they diverge is peak brightness. The Active 3 Premium hits 3,000 nits, which is brighter than most watches at any price. The T-Rex 3 tops out at 2,000 nits. In practice, both are readable in direct sunlight, but the Active 3 Premium has the edge in raw brightness.

The T-Rex 3's bigger display wins for maps and data fields, though. If you are navigating with offline maps on a trail run, the extra screen real estate makes a real difference. Six data fields fit comfortably on the T-Rex 3. The Active 3 Premium shows four before things feel cramped.

Battery Life: The T-Rex 3 Dominates

This is where the $110 price gap starts to make sense.

The T-Rex 3 delivers 27 days of typical use and 42 hours of continuous GPS. That is Garmin Fenix territory in a watch that costs half as much.

The Active 3 Premium delivers 12 days typical and 24 hours of GPS. Solid for the price, but less than half the T-Rex 3's endurance.

For a daily runner who charges every week or two, either watch works fine. But if you are doing ultra-distance events, multi-day hiking, or just hate charging your watch, the T-Rex 3's battery advantage is significant. 42 hours of GPS covers most 50-mile races. 24 hours does not.

Durability: T-Rex 3 Is Built Different

The T-Rex 3 is the rugged watch here. It passes 15 military-standard durability tests including temperature extremes (-22F to 158F), shock, and humidity. It is rated to 10 ATM (100 meters), meaning you can swim, snorkel, and freedive with it.

The Active 3 Premium is rated to 5 ATM (50 meters). Fine for swimming and showers, but not for diving. It does not carry the military durability ratings.

The T-Rex 3 also has a built-in flashlight, which is one of those features you do not think about until you use it every day. Night runners, campers, and anyone who has ever fumbled for a key in the dark will appreciate it. The Active 3 Premium does not have one.

Running Features: Nearly Identical

This is the interesting part. Both watches share the same core running platform:

Dual-band GPS with six satellite systems
Offline routable maps with turn-by-turn navigation
Zepp Coach AI adaptive training plans
Heart rate, HRV, VO2 max, and training load tracking
Automatic Strava upload
TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals.icu sync
Lactate threshold tracking

The running experience is very similar on both. The Active 3 Premium actually has a slight edge in GPS brightness readability thanks to the 3,000-nit display. But the T-Rex 3's bigger screen is better for map viewing.

If you are buying purely for running metrics, the Active 3 Premium delivers 95% of the T-Rex 3's capability for $110 less.

Price and Value

Active 3 Premium at $169.99 is the value champion. You are getting sapphire glass, dual-band GPS, offline maps, and a 3,000-nit AMOLED for less than many basic fitness trackers cost. It is genuinely the best budget running watch on the market right now.

T-Rex 3 at $279 costs $110 more and adds a bigger screen, more than double the battery life, military-grade toughness, deeper water resistance, and a built-in flashlight. Those are real, meaningful upgrades if you need them.

Which One Should You Buy?

Get the Active 3 Premium if:

You are a road runner or gym-goer who wants great value
You want the lightest, most compact option
12 days of battery and 24 hours of GPS covers your activities
You want sapphire glass and 3,000-nit brightness at the lowest price
You have smaller wrists and want a watch that does not dominate them

Get the T-Rex 3 if:

You trail run, hike, or do multi-day adventures
You need maximum battery life (27 days, 42 hours GPS)
Military-grade durability and temperature extremes matter to you
You want a bigger screen for map navigation
The built-in flashlight is a feature you would actually use
You swim or freedive and need 10 ATM water resistance

The Bottom Line

Amazfit made two great watches for two different people, and the prices make both easy to recommend.

The Active 3 Premium is the smart money pick for most runners. At $169.99, nothing else touches it on value. Sapphire glass, offline maps, and dual-band GPS at that price is absurd.

The T-Rex 3 is the right call if your watch takes abuse. Trail runs, outdoor adventures, extreme conditions, and long battery needs. The extra $110 buys real capability, not just marketing fluff.

You cannot go wrong with either. Just pick the one that matches what you actually do with your watch.

Active 3 Premium: Buy on Amazon | T-Rex 3: Buy on Amazon

Galaxy Watch Battery Life Is a Mess Right Now

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Samsung just launched the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The hardware looks great. The new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is a legitimate upgrade. The Ultra 2 has an 800mAh battery, which is massive for a smartwatch. This should be a good year for Galaxy Watch battery life.

It's not.

Three Rounds of Battery Drain in Six Months

If you own a Galaxy Watch 6, 7, or 8, there's a real chance your battery life has fallen off a cliff at some point this year. The complaints have been piling up on Reddit's r/GalaxyWatch and Samsung's support forums, and the pattern is ugly.

April 2026 was the first wave. Users across nearly every recent Galaxy Watch model reported Google Play Services consuming ridiculous amounts of battery. We're not talking 5 or 10%. People were seeing 69.7%. One user's stats showed Play Services eating 99.97% of their battery since the last charge. The issue hit the Watch 5 Pro, 6, 7, 8, and the original Galaxy Watch Ultra. The usual fixes (restart, clear cache, factory reset) worked for some people and did nothing for others. Neither Samsung nor Google said a word about it publicly.

June 2026 was round two. Same problem, same symptoms, same models affected. Play Services again showing up as the primary battery consumer, draining 30% or more under normal use. Again, no official fix. The problem eventually faded for some users on its own. Others were still dealing with it when round three hit.

July 2026 is happening right now. This time the trigger seems to be the July security patch. Galaxy Watch 6, 7, and 8 owners are reporting battery drops that make the previous rounds look mild. One user said their Watch 8 40mm went from 40% to 10% in minutes after a reboot. Another reported their Watch 7 dropped from 75% to dead in four hours. They charged it back to 75%, wore it to bed, and it was dead again by morning.

Three times in six months. Same class of problem. No official explanation from Samsung or Google for any of them.

What's Going On

There are really two things happening here, and they're probably related.

The main culprit is Google Play Services. It's the background process that handles location, account sync, push notifications, and other Google framework tasks on Wear OS. Under normal conditions it should sip battery. When something goes wrong, it can get stuck in a loop that drains your watch even when it's just sitting on your wrist doing nothing.

In all three 2026 incidents, Play Services was the app consuming the most battery on affected watches. What's interesting is that this doesn't seem to hit Pixel Watches or other Wear OS devices the same way. That points to something specific about how Samsung's One UI Watch layer interacts with Google's Play Services framework.

The July wave added a new twist. Multiple users tied the start of their battery problems to the July security patch specifically, not a Play Services update. So either the patch itself broke something in power management, or it changed how the system handles Play Services in the background. Either way, watches that were fine one day started hemorrhaging battery the next.

But What About the New Watches?

Here's where it gets weird.

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are brand new. They shipped with the Snapdragon Wear Elite, a 3nm chip that Qualcomm says delivers 30% better battery life than the previous generation. The Ultra 2 has a 590mAh battery. The Ultra 2 has an 800mAh battery, which is 35% larger.

And yet Samsung's official spec sheet for the Ultra 2 quotes the exact same battery life rating as last year's model: "up to 60 hours with Always-On Display."

A 35% bigger battery on a more efficient chip should mean longer battery life. The numbers are identical.

This was first spotted by Phonefuturist on X, and it's hard to explain away. A few possibilities:

The Snapdragon Wear Elite might not be as efficient as claimed. Samsung says it delivers 32% better CPU performance than the Exynos W1000 it replaced. But performance and efficiency are different things. If Qualcomm prioritized raw speed over power management in this first-generation chip, the gains from the 3nm process could get eaten up by higher power draw under load.

The 5,000-nit display could be the culprit. The Ultra 2 bumped peak brightness from 3,000 to 5,000 nits. Samsung says peak brightness only applies to a small portion of the screen for short bursts, so it shouldn't massively impact battery life. But the display subsystem as a whole could still be drawing more power, especially with the slight resolution increase from 480x480 to 498x498.

Samsung might not have updated the spec sheet. This would be the most generous explanation. Maybe the marketing team copied last year's numbers and the real battery life is actually better. That would be sloppy, but it would be the best-case scenario for buyers.

The Galaxy Watch 9 shows the same pattern. The 40mm model got a 20% battery upgrade (325mAh to 390mAh) and moved to the more efficient Snapdragon chip. The rated battery life didn't change: still "up to 40 hours without Always-On Display."

Samsung hasn't responded to media inquiries about the discrepancy. Android Authority asked specifically and is still waiting.

What to Do If Your Galaxy Watch Is Draining

If you're dealing with battery drain on a Galaxy Watch 6, 7, or 8 right now, here's what actually helps:

Clear the Play Services cache. Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage > Clear Cache. This fixes the problem temporarily for some users. Clearing storage (not just cache) can help too, but you'll need to re-sync your Google account.

Restart your watch. It's basic, but it works for some people. Users report Play Services dropping from 10%+ battery usage to 5-6% after a restart. The catch is the problem often comes back within a day or two.

Manually check for updates. If Samsung or Google pushes a fix, it'll come through as either a system update or a silent Play Services update. Go to Settings > Software Update and check manually instead of waiting.

Factory reset. It's the nuclear option, but it worked for some users in the April and June waves. You'll have to re-pair your watch, redownload apps, and reconfigure everything. It's a pain.

Wait. Historically these issues get quietly fixed within a few weeks. The problem is that "wait" has been the answer three times now in 2026, and there's no guarantee round four isn't coming.

Why This Matters

Samsung is the biggest Wear OS manufacturer by a wide margin. When Galaxy Watch battery life is unreliable, it makes the whole platform look bad.

The timing makes it worse. Samsung just launched its most important watch lineup in years on the back of a chip that was supposed to fix Wear OS's longstanding performance and battery problems. Instead, the conversation is about recurring software bugs on older watches and confusing spec sheets on the new ones.

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 might turn out to be great watches once independent battery testing is done. The hardware is genuinely impressive on paper. But Samsung's battery story is a mess right now, and in a smartwatch, battery life is the one thing you can't get wrong.

Amazfit Balance 3 vs Balance Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Amazfit's new Balance lineup has two watches at very different price points. The Balance 3 starts at $369.99 in stainless steel. The Balance Ultra costs $599.99 in Grade 5 titanium. That is a $230 gap for watches that look almost identical on paper.

So what does the extra money actually get you? And is it worth paying for? Let's break it down.

The Short Version

Balance 3 is the smarter buy for most people. You get the same display, same GPS, same Hybrid Training System, and same HYROX support as the Ultra. The battery life is still excellent at 21 days. The main trade-off is materials (stainless steel vs titanium) and shorter GPS endurance.

Balance Ultra is for people who want the absolute best Amazfit can make. Full titanium construction, 30-day battery, 50-hour GPS, and a second strap included in the box. It is the premium play, and it is priced accordingly.

Spec Comparison

Feature	Balance 3	Balance Ultra
Price	$369.99 (stainless) / $449.99 (titanium)	$599.99
Case material	Stainless steel or Grade 5 titanium	Grade 5 titanium (all)
Bezel/buttons/back	Stainless steel	Grade 5 titanium
Case size	51.4 x 51.4mm	51.8 x 51.8mm
Thickness	14.6mm (with sensor)	15.5mm (with sensor)
Weight (no strap)	~52g	57g
Display	1.5" AMOLED, sapphire, 3,000 nits	1.5" AMOLED, sapphire, 3,000 nits
Buttons	4 (stainless steel)	5 (Grade 5 titanium)
Battery (typical)	21 days	30 days
Battery (heavy)	10 days	15 days
GPS (precision)	41 hours	50 hours
AOD battery	7 days	~10 days
Storage	Onboard flash	64GB
Water resistance	10 ATM	10 ATM
Straps included	1 (22mm quick-release)	2 (22mm quick-release)
Military tests	Standard	Extended (temp shock, low pressure)

What Is Identical

This is the important part. Both watches share:

Same 1.5-inch AMOLED display with sapphire glass and 3,000-nit peak brightness
Same dual-band GPS with six satellite systems
Same Hybrid Training System (BioCharge, LifeLoad, Training Load)
Same HYROX Race Mode and hybrid training plans
Same Zepp OS 6 software and health tracking
Same 10 ATM water resistance (freediving to 45m, recreational scuba)
Same Bluetooth calling with mic and speaker
Same sensor suite for heart rate, SpO2, stress, and sleep

If you are buying for the software experience, the training features, or the display quality, there is zero difference between the two. The Balance 3 delivers all of it.

What the Ultra Actually Adds

Full titanium construction. The Balance Ultra uses Grade 5 titanium for the bezel, frame, buttons, and back cover. The Balance 3 in stainless steel uses, well, steel. You can get the Balance 3 in titanium for $449.99, but even then the Ultra has a fully titanium build while the Balance 3 titanium keeps some steel components.

Titanium matters for two reasons: it is lighter than steel for the same strength, and it is more corrosion resistant. If you train in salt water, sweat heavily, or just want the most durable watch possible, titanium earns its keep.

30-day battery vs 21-day battery. The Ultra's 780mAh battery delivers 30 days of typical use and 50 hours of precision GPS. The Balance 3's 658mAh battery delivers 21 days typical and 41 hours GPS. That is a meaningful difference for ultra-endurance athletes. If you are doing multi-day adventures or 50-mile races, the Ultra's extra 9 hours of GPS could be the difference between finishing with data and watching your watch die.

50 hours of GPS vs 41 hours. Related to the battery point. 9 extra hours of continuous GPS tracking. For most runners and triathletes, 41 hours covers any single event. For ultra runners and adventure racers, those extra hours matter.

A fifth button. The Ultra has five titanium buttons. The Balance 3 has four stainless steel buttons. The extra button gives you more direct access to functions without digging through menus.

Two straps instead of one. The Ultra ships with two 22mm quick-release straps (Black and Black & Terra). The Balance 3 ships with one. A nice bonus, though straps are cheap to buy separately.

64GB storage. The Ultra has 64GB for maps, music, and routes. The Balance 3's storage capacity is not specified in press materials but is likely less. If you load full map packs and music libraries, the Ultra has more headroom.

Extended military testing. The Ultra passes additional mil-spec tests including temperature shock and low pressure. Real-world impact is minimal unless you are taking your watch into genuinely extreme environments.

Which One Should You Buy?

Get the Balance 3 if:

You want the best value in the Balance lineup
21 days of battery and 41 hours of GPS covers your needs (it covers most people's)
You do not need full titanium construction
You are buying primarily for the Hybrid Training System and HYROX features

Get the Balance Ultra if:

You want the most premium Amazfit watch available
You need maximum battery life (30 days) and GPS endurance (50 hours)
Full titanium construction matters to you for weight or durability
You do ultra-endurance events where every hour of GPS counts
You want the second strap and 64GB storage

The Value Question

Here is the honest math. The Balance 3 at $369.99 gives you 90% of what the Balance Ultra offers. Same screen, same GPS, same software, same training features. You are giving up some battery life, some GPS hours, and premium materials.

The Ultra's $599.99 price tag buys you that last 10%. Whether that is worth $230 depends entirely on what kind of athlete you are.

For most buyers, the Balance 3 is the smart play. It is a genuinely premium watch at a competitive price, and the features you give up are edge-case for the majority of users. But if you are the type who wants the absolute best and does not mind paying for it, the Ultra delivers a complete, no-compromise package.

Balance 3: Buy at Amazfit | Balance Ultra: Buy at Amazfit

Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 11: Which Smartwatch Wins Right Now?

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

The Galaxy Watch 9 just hit the scene with a brand new chip and fresh energy, while the Apple Watch Series 11 is sitting pretty at the midpoint of its release cycle. If you're shopping for a smartwatch right now, these are the two devices most people are choosing between.

But the comparison isn't as simple as "newer equals better." Samsung and Apple take very different approaches to health tracking, battery life, AI, and ecosystem. Here's how they actually stack up.

The Quick Specs

	Galaxy Watch 9	Apple Watch Series 11
Chip	Snapdragon Wear Elite (3nm, dedicated NPU)	S11 (Apple silicon)
Sizes	40mm and 44mm	42mm and 46mm
Display	Super AMOLED, 3,000 nits peak	LTPO OLED, 3,000 nits peak
Battery	40mm: 390mAh, 44mm: 449mAh	~308mAh (42mm)
Battery life	~30 hours (AOD on)	~18-24 hours
OS	Wear OS 7 / One UI Watch 9	watchOS 26
GPS	Dual-band	Dual-band
Water resistance	5 ATM + IP68	50m
Starting price	$380 (Bluetooth) / $430 (LTE)	$399 (GPS) / $499 (LTE)
AI	Google Gemini built-in	Apple Intelligence Siri (coming watchOS 27)

Chip: The Biggest Difference

This is where the comparison gets interesting.

The Galaxy Watch 9 runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite, the first wearable chip with a dedicated Hexagon NPU. It's built on a 3nm process, delivers 5x faster CPU and 7x faster GPU performance compared to the previous generation, and can run AI models with up to 2 billion parameters on-device. Early benchmarks show it running about 50% faster than the Exynos chip Samsung used in the Galaxy Watch 8.

The Apple Watch Series 11 uses Apple's S11 chip. It's competent and power-efficient, but it's an incremental update over the S10. Apple hasn't added a dedicated NPU or made the kind of generational leap Qualcomm just pulled off.

In daily use, the Wear Elite makes the Galaxy Watch 9 noticeably smoother. App launches are snappy, menu navigation is fluid, and animations don't stutter. The Apple Watch is still smooth thanks to Apple's tight hardware-software integration, but the raw performance gap has narrowed significantly.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 9. The Snapdragon Wear Elite is the more capable chip on paper, and early hands-ons confirm the real-world improvement.

Battery Life: Samsung Pulls Ahead

Battery life has been the Achilles heel of both platforms for years, but Samsung made a real effort here.

The Galaxy Watch 9 packs a larger battery than its predecessor (390mAh vs 325mAh on the 40mm model), and combined with the Wear Elite's efficiency gains, Samsung claims about 30 hours with always-on display. That's not Garmin territory, but it's a meaningful improvement over previous Wear OS watches.

The Apple Watch Series 11 delivers 18 to 24 hours depending on usage. That's enough for a full day plus a workout, but you're charging every night. Apple hasn't made a serious battery push in years.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 9. 30 hours vs 18-24 hours isn't close.

Fitness and Health Tracking: Apple's Deep Bench

This is where it gets nuanced.

The Apple Watch Series 11 has the most comprehensive health sensor suite on any smartwatch. It includes:

Hypertension notifications (new in Series 11, detects signs of chronic high blood pressure)
FDA-cleared ECG app
Sleep apnea notifications
Blood oxygen monitoring
Irregular rhythm notifications
High and low heart rate notifications
Retrospective ovulation estimates
Sleep score powered by Apple Intelligence

The Galaxy Watch 9's sensors are largely unchanged from the Watch 8. It has Samsung's BioActive sensor (heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen), body composition analysis (BIA), skin temperature, and the standard suite of activity tracking. Samsung didn't add new health sensors this generation, which is a missed opportunity.

Where Samsung makes up ground is software. Samsung Health is genuinely comprehensive, and the new Daily Cardio Load, Heart Health scores, and hydration guidance features add depth. But Apple's sensor advantage is real. Hypertension notifications and sleep apnea detection are features Samsung can't match.

Winner: Apple Watch Series 11. Apple's health sensor suite is deeper and more clinically validated.

AI: Two Different Philosophies

Both companies are betting big on AI, but they're approaching it from opposite directions.

Samsung partnered with Google to build Gemini directly into Wear OS 7. The Galaxy Watch 9 can handle conversational queries, contextual health questions, and on-device AI processing thanks to the Snapdragon Wear Elite's NPU. It's live and functional right now.

Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence-powered Siri to Apple Watch with watchOS 27 (expected September 2026). The new Siri will be conversational, context-aware, and able to take actions inside apps. But as of today, the Series 11 runs the old Siri, which is limited and often deflects to web search.

The timing matters. If you want AI on your wrist today, Samsung has it. If you're willing to wait until fall, Apple's implementation might be better integrated but you're buying on promise, not reality.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 9 (for now). Samsung's AI is shipping. Apple's is coming.

Ecosystem: Pick Your Poison

This is the tiebreaker for most buyers, and it's simple.

If you have an iPhone, get the Apple Watch. It's the only smartwatch that works properly with iOS, and the integration (messages, calls, Apple Pay, Find My, Health) is seamless.

If you have an Android phone, get the Galaxy Watch 9. Wear OS works best on Samsung devices, and the One UI Watch layer adds useful Samsung-specific features. The Apple Watch doesn't work with Android at all.

There's no wrong answer here. It comes down to what phone is in your pocket.

Winner: Depends on your phone. Neither watch works well (or at all) with the other platform.

Design: Squircle vs Rectangle

The Galaxy Watch 9 keeps Samsung's signature circular display in a squircle case. The design is largely unchanged from the Watch 8, with slightly thinner bezels and a refined chassis.

The Apple Watch Series 11 maintains Apple's iconic rounded rectangle. It's a design that hasn't changed dramatically in years, but it works. The display is bright, the build quality is excellent, and the variety of bands and cases is unmatched.

Both watches look good. Both are comfortable. This is purely personal preference.

Winner: Tie. Choose the shape you like.

Price: Samsung Undercuts

Galaxy Watch 9: $380 (Bluetooth) / $430 (LTE)
Apple Watch Series 11: $399 (GPS) / $499 (LTE)

Samsung comes in $19 cheaper on the base model and $69 cheaper on the LTE version. Not a massive gap, but it adds up if you're also buying bands or accessories.

Winner: Galaxy Watch 9. Better value at every tier.

The Verdict

There's no universal winner here. The right choice depends on what you prioritize.

Get the Galaxy Watch 9 if you want the latest chip technology, better battery life, AI that works today, and you're on Android. The Snapdragon Wear Elite makes this the most capable Wear OS watch ever, and the $380 starting price is competitive.

Get the Apple Watch Series 11 if you're on iPhone, you care deeply about health sensors (hypertension and sleep apnea detection are genuinely important features), and you want the best overall smartwatch ecosystem. The Series 11 is mid-cycle, but it's still the most polished smartwatch on the market.

Here's the thing though. The Apple Watch Series 12 is coming in September, and rumors suggest it could be a bigger leap than usual. If you're on the fence and can wait six weeks, that might be the smartest move of all.

But if you need a watch today? The Galaxy Watch 9 is the fresher, more exciting device. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the safer, more refined choice. Both are excellent. Neither is wrong.

Snapdragon Wear Elite: The Chip That Just Changed Smartwatches

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

If you've noticed that smartwatches have felt sluggish for the last few years, there's a reason. The chips inside them haven't meaningfully improved since the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 launched in 2022. Qualcomm basically walked away from the wearable market, and watch makers were left cobbling together their own silicon.

That just changed. The Snapdragon Wear Elite is here, it's inside the new Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2, and it's the biggest wearable chip leap in three years.

What Makes It Different

The Snapdragon Wear Elite is built on a 3nm manufacturing process, which means the transistors are physically smaller and more power-efficient than the older 4nm and 5nm chips that have been powering Wear OS watches. Smaller transistors mean more performance per watt, which is the name of the game for a device that runs on a battery the size of a coin.

But the process node isn't the headline. The headline is what Qualcomm packed inside.

A Dedicated NPU

This is the big one. The Wear Elite includes a Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing Unit), the same type of AI accelerator you find in flagship smartphones. It's the first wearable chip to include one.

What does an NPU actually do? It handles AI and machine learning tasks far more efficiently than a CPU or GPU can. Instead of grinding through matrix math on the general-purpose processor, the NPU is purpose-built for it. The result is that the Wear Elite can run AI models with up to 2 billion parameters entirely on-device, without pinging a cloud server.

In practical terms, that means your watch can do real-time speech recognition, object detection, contextual recommendations, and AI agent tasks without an internet connection. That's not a minor spec bump. That's a new category of capability.

5x CPU and 7x GPU Performance

Compared to the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 that's been sitting inside Wear OS watches since 2022, Qualcomm claims 5x faster CPU performance and 7x faster GPU performance.

The GPU is particularly interesting. The Wear Elite supports 1080p resolution at 60fps for animations, which means buttery-smooth scrolling, app transitions, and watch face animations. If you've ever used a Wear OS watch and noticed stuttering or lag when swiping through menus, this chip is designed to make that go away.

Early hands-on reports from the Galaxy Watch 9 confirm the improvement. SamMobile noted the watch "felt smooth while navigating menus and launching apps," and benchmark tests suggest the Snapdragon chip runs about 50% faster than the Exynos W1000 Samsung used in the Galaxy Watch 8.

Battery Life Gains

More performance usually means more power draw. But the 3nm process and smarter power management flip that equation. Qualcomm claims 30% longer battery life compared to the previous generation, and the chip supports fast charging that delivers 50% charge in 10 minutes.

The Galaxy Watch 9 backs this up with larger batteries than its predecessor. The 40mm model jumped from 325mAh to 390mAh, and the 44mm went from 435mAh to 449mAh. Combined with the Wear Elite's efficiency, that should translate to noticeably better endurance than the Galaxy Watch 8.

Real-world testing is still early, but the direction is clear: more performance without the usual battery penalty.

The Connectivity Story

The Wear Elite doesn't stop at performance and AI. Qualcomm loaded it with connectivity options that are genuinely new for a wearable chip:

5G RedCap (Reduced Capability 5G that's optimized for low-power devices)
Bluetooth 6.0 (with channel sounding for precise spatial awareness)
UWB (Ultra-Wideband for precise location and device pairing)
GNSS (multi-band satellite positioning for better GPS accuracy)
Wi-Fi
Satellite connectivity (NB-NTN) for emergency messaging without cell service

That last one is worth pausing on. Satellite messaging on a smartwatch means you could send an SOS from a trail run or backcountry ski trip with no cell signal. That's a feature Apple has been pushing on iPhone and Apple Watch Ultra, and now Qualcomm is putting the plumbing in place for Wear OS devices to match it.

Why This Matters Beyond Samsung

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are the first watches to ship with the Wear Elite, but they won't be the last. Qualcomm's business model is selling chips to anyone who buys them, which means the Wear Elite will likely show up in future Pixel Watches, Xiaomi watches, and other Wear OS devices.

This matters because it ends the chip drought that held Wear OS back. For three years, watch makers had two choices: use the aging Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2, or build their own chip (Samsung's Exynos, Google's tensor-based silicon). Neither path delivered the kind of generational leap that pushes the category forward.

Now there's a real foundation. And when the foundation gets better, every watch built on it benefits.

What About Apple?

Apple designs its own chips, so the Wear Elite doesn't directly affect Apple Watch. But it raises the bar. The S11 chip inside the Apple Watch Series 11 is competent but not exciting. It's essentially the same architecture Apple has been iterating on for years.

Apple's advantage has always been vertical integration. They control the chip, the OS, and the hardware, which means they can optimize for battery life and performance in ways that fragment the Android ecosystem can't easily match.

But Snapdragon Wear Elite narrows that gap. On-device AI with a dedicated NPU, satellite connectivity, 5x CPU gains, and 7x GPU gains are features that Apple Watch doesn't currently offer. The next Apple Watch (expected September 2026) will need to respond.

The Real Question: Does AI on a Watch Actually Matter?

Here's the honest take. The Snapdragon Wear Elite is a legitimately impressive piece of silicon. The specs are real, the benchmarks are early but promising, and the foundation it lays for on-device AI is genuinely new for wearables.

But whether any of this matters to you depends on what you actually do with your watch.

If you want smooth UI, fast app launches, and decent battery life, the Wear Elite delivers. Those are tangible improvements you'll feel on day one.

If you're excited about AI coaching, real-time voice interaction, and contextual health insights, the potential is there but the software hasn't caught up yet. The NPU can run 2-billion-parameter models, but watch makers need to build the apps that actually use it. That's a 2027 story, not a 2026 one.

And if you just want a reliable fitness tracker with good battery life and accurate sensors, the chip matters less than the overall watch design, sensor quality, and software ecosystem. Garmin and COROS have been winning on those fronts for years without cutting-edge silicon.

The Bottom Line

The Snapdragon Wear Elite is the most important wearable chip launch in years. It ends a three-year drought, brings a dedicated NPU to the wrist for the first time, and sets a new performance baseline that every Wear OS watch will benefit from.

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are the proof of concept. They're smoother, faster, and more capable than their predecessors. But the real impact will play out over the next 12 to 18 months as more devices adopt the chip and developers figure out what to do with on-device AI.

For now, if you're buying a Wear OS watch, make sure it has the Snapdragon Wear Elite inside. It's the difference between a watch that's current and one that's already aging.

Garmin Body Battery vs Samsung Energy Score: Why Garmin Still Wins

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Samsung just launched the Galaxy Watch 9 with a suite of new AI-powered health features. Fitness Index. Cardio Load. Vitals monitoring. Hearing health. It's an impressive list, and Samsung is clearly betting that more health data equals a better smartwatch experience.

But there's one feature Garmin has had for nearly a decade that Samsung still hasn't properly answered: Body Battery.

Samsung has its own equivalent called Energy Score. On paper, they sound similar — both give you a number that's supposed to represent how much energy you have to spend. In practice, they work fundamentally differently, and the difference matters more than you'd think.

What Is Garmin Body Battery?

Garmin introduced Body Battery in 2017, and it's become one of the most beloved features in the entire Garmin ecosystem. The concept is simple: your body has a charge level, just like a battery. It ranges from 0 to 100.

When you sleep, your Body Battery charges up. When you exercise, stress, or push yourself, it drains. When you rest or nap, it partially recharges. The number updates continuously throughout the day based on what your body is actually doing.

The underlying technology pulls from multiple data streams:

Heart Rate Variability (HRV): The primary signal. HRV measures the variation between heartbeats, which is a strong indicator of autonomic nervous system activity. High HRV generally means your body is in recovery mode. Low HRV means stress or exertion.
Sleep quality: How well you slept, including time spent in deep and REM sleep, directly impacts how much your Body Battery recharges overnight.
Stress tracking: Garmin's stress metric, also derived from HRV, feeds into Body Battery. High stress periods drain the battery faster.
Activity data: Workouts and physical exertion subtract from your current charge.

The key differentiator is that Body Battery is dynamic. It's not a morning number that stays fixed all day. If you go for a hard run at noon, you'll see your Body Battery drop shortly after. If you take a 20-minute nap on the couch, you'll see it tick back up. It reflects what's happening to your body in near-real-time.

This creates something genuinely useful: energy budgeting. If you wake up at a 45 instead of your usual 70, you know to take it easier. If you're at 80 in the afternoon and feeling good, you know you can push harder. The score rolls over from day to day, so a bad night of sleep doesn't just affect one day's number — it compounds.

What Is Samsung Energy Score?

Samsung introduced Energy Score with the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra in 2025 as part of Samsung Health's broader AI push. Like Body Battery, it gives you a number from 0 to 100 that's supposed to represent your daily readiness.

Energy Score pulls from these data points:

Sleep data: This is the heaviest weighted factor. Duration, sleep stages, and sleep consistency all feed into the score.
Activity levels: How much you moved yesterday and over the past week.
Heart rate metrics: Resting heart rate and overnight patterns.
Heart rate variability: Samsung Health tracks HRV during sleep and factors it in.

So far, so similar. But here's where Energy Score differs from Body Battery in ways that matter:

Energy Score updates once per day. You get your score in the morning, and it stays the same until the next morning. It doesn't matter if you run a marathon at noon or take a three-hour nap — your score doesn't budge.

Energy Score is sleep-heavy. The weighting leans heavily on sleep metrics. If you had a rough night, your score will be low regardless of how you actually feel during the day. And if you slept great but had a brutal workout the day before, your score might not reflect that until tomorrow.

Energy Score doesn't let you "recharge." Because it's static, there's no concept of midday recovery. A nap doesn't boost your score. A stressful meeting doesn't drain it. The number you wake up with is the number you're stuck with.

With the Galaxy Watch 9, Samsung has expanded its health metrics significantly. The new Fitness Index gives you a daily overall fitness assessment. Cardio Load tracks how hard your heart is working across workouts. Heart Health Score synthesizes blood pressure, sleep quality, and other metrics into a simple indicator. These are genuinely useful additions, but they're additional scores layered on top of Energy Score — not improvements to how Energy Score itself works.

The Core Difference: Static vs Dynamic

This is the whole ballgame.

Imagine checking your phone's battery percentage once in the morning and that number staying frozen all day regardless of how much you use your phone. That's Energy Score. Now imagine a battery percentage that updates every few minutes based on actual usage — draining when you open apps, recharging when you plug in. That's Body Battery.

The practical difference shows up in everyday scenarios:

The morning workout question. You wake up, check your score, and head out for a run. With Body Battery, you finish the run and immediately see the impact — maybe you dropped from 75 to 55. You know you need to eat well and rest before pushing hard again. With Energy Score, your score is unchanged. You won't know the cost of that run until tomorrow morning.

The afternoon decision. It's 3 PM and a friend invites you to play tennis. With Body Battery, you glance at your wrist — you're at 40, so you know to take it easy or skip it. With Energy Score, you have the same number you had at 7 AM. It can't help you make that decision.

The nap test. You're exhausted, so you sleep for 30 minutes on the couch. Body Battery ticks up — maybe from 30 to 45. You feel more energized, and the data confirms it. Energy Score doesn't move. Tomorrow morning, your score might be higher because of the extra rest, but today's number is locked.

The bad sleep recovery. You slept terribly and woke up at a 38 on Body Battery. But you take it easy during the day, get some rest, and by evening you've climbed back to 55. The dynamic tracking shows you're recovering. Energy Score gave you a low number in the morning and that's all you get — no indication of whether you're bouncing back or spiraling.

But Is Body Battery Actually Accurate?

This is the fair question. Quantifying something as subjective as "how much energy you have" is inherently imprecise. No wearable can perfectly measure how you feel.

Garmin's approach isn't perfect. The score can be thrown off by:

Sensor noise: A loose strap or poor contact can produce bad HRV data, which cascades into inaccurate Body Battery readings.
Individual variation: HRV baselines differ significantly between individuals. What looks like a low HRV for one person might be perfectly normal for another, and the algorithm has to learn your baseline over time.
External factors: Caffeine, illness, alcohol, and stress all affect HRV in ways that might not match how you actually feel. Three cups of coffee might tank your HRV — and your Body Battery — while you feel completely fine.

But here's the thing: the same limitations apply to Energy Score. Samsung uses the same underlying signals (HRV, heart rate, sleep), just processed differently and presented less frequently.

The advantage Body Battery has isn't necessarily better accuracy — it's better utility. A number that updates throughout the day is simply more useful than one that doesn't, even if both numbers are equally imperfect measures of something that can't be perfectly measured.

Anecdotally, the most common user feedback across forums, Reddit, and reviews is consistent: Body Battery tends to correlate well with how people actually feel throughout the day. Energy Score tends to be a decent morning check-in but doesn't help much beyond that.

What About the Galaxy Watch 9's New Metrics?

Samsung clearly recognizes the gap. The Galaxy Watch 9's expanded health suite adds several metrics that attempt to fill in the picture:

Fitness Index: An overall daily fitness score that synthesizes multiple health signals. Think of it as a broader readiness metric.
Cardio Load: Tracks cumulative cardiovascular strain across workouts. Useful for athletes managing training stress.
Heart Health Score: Combines blood pressure trends, sleep quality, and other cardiovascular metrics into an easy-to-understand indicator.
AI-powered insights: Samsung Health now uses AI to provide narrative explanations of your data — "Your sleep quality was lower than usual, which may affect your Energy Score."

These are genuinely valuable. Cardio Load in particular is the kind of metric that training-focused users have been wanting on Wear OS for years.

But here's the problem: more scores don't equal more clarity. Instead of one number that dynamically reflects your body's state throughout the day (Body Battery), Samsung now has Energy Score, Fitness Index, Cardio Load, Heart Health Score, and Daily Vitals. Each one captures a piece of the picture. None of them work together to give you the real-time, holistic energy picture that Body Battery provides.

Garmin's philosophy is the opposite: one number, continuously updated, easy to understand and act on. You can dig deeper into Training Readiness, HRV Status, Sleep Score, and Stress if you want — but Body Battery is the headline metric that ties everything together.

Samsung's approach gives you more data points. Garmin's gives you more actionable insight. Those aren't the same thing.

The Ecosystem Factor

There's one more consideration: where you live, data-wise.

Garmin Body Battery is available on nearly every Garmin watch released since 2017, from the $169 Forerunner 70 to the $999 Fenix 8 Pro. It works through Garmin Connect, which is free with no subscription. If you're in the Garmin ecosystem, you have Body Battery. Period.

Samsung Energy Score requires a Samsung Galaxy Watch (Watch 7 or later) and Samsung Health. It's free, but you're locked into Samsung's ecosystem. Energy Score also benefits from Samsung Health's broader integration with Galaxy phones, which means it can pull in data from other Samsung health devices like blood pressure monitors and scales.

Garmin's wider device support means Body Battery is available to more people at more price points. Samsung's tighter ecosystem integration means Energy Score can theoretically pull from a wider range of health inputs — but in practice, the score still suffers from the static-update problem regardless of how much data feeds into it.

The Verdict

Samsung has made real strides with its health platform. The Galaxy Watch 9 is the best Wear OS watch for health features, and the new metrics are genuinely useful additions. Samsung Health has become a strong competitor to Garmin Connect in breadth, if not yet in depth.

But Body Battery remains the gold standard for energy tracking, and it's not particularly close.

The reason is simple: your body doesn't operate on a 24-hour cycle. You don't wake up with a fixed amount of energy that lasts until tomorrow. You drain and recharge throughout the day based on what you do, how you feel, what you eat, how stressed you are, and how well you slept. Body Battery reflects that reality. Energy Score doesn't.

Samsung could close this gap. The hardware and sensors are capable — the Galaxy Watch 9 has the same BioActive sensor array as the Ultra 2, and the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip has more than enough processing power to handle continuous scoring updates. The limitation isn't technical. It's philosophical.

Until Samsung decides that Energy Score should update throughout the day — responding to workouts, naps, stress, and recovery in real time — Body Battery will remain the feature that keeps Garmin users from switching.

And for anyone choosing between a Galaxy Watch 9 and a Garmin Forerunner 170 or Venu X1 based on health tracking alone? If energy management matters to you, Garmin is still the answer.

Body Battery is available on all current Garmin watches including the Forerunner 70, Forerunner 170, Venu X1, Fenix 8 series, Instinct 3, and Fenix 9 series. Energy Score is available on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, Watch 8, Watch 9, and Watch Ultra/Ultra 2 via Samsung Health.

Garmin CIRQA vs Whoop 5.0 vs Fitbit Air: The Screenless Tracker War

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The screenless tracker category just got crowded fast.

In the span of about two months, three major players dropped new screenless health bands: Google's Fitbit Air at $99 in May, Whoop 5.0 with its subscription model, and Garmin's CIRQA Smart Band at $199.99 in July. All three want the same spot on your wrist. All three take a fundamentally different approach to getting paid for it.

If you're trying to figure out which one makes sense for you, the answer depends entirely on what you care about and how much you're willing to keep paying after the initial purchase. Let's break it down.

Why Screenless Trackers Are Suddenly a Category

The pitch is the same across all three: your smartwatch is great for workouts and notifications, but it's bulky to sleep in, distracting during the day, and kind of overkill if you just want to know how your body is doing.

A screenless band fixes that. It's small, light, comfortable enough to wear 24/7, and collects health data in the background. No screen means better battery life. No notifications means you're not tempted to check it during dinner. You wear it, it tracks, and you look at the data later on your phone.

Whoop pioneered this format years ago. Now everyone else wants in.

The Quick Comparison

	Fitbit Air	Whoop 5.0	Garmin CIRQA
Upfront cost	$99	Included with subscription	$199.99
Subscription	Optional ($99/yr for Premium)	Required ($199 to $359/yr)	None
2-year total cost	$99 to $297	$398 to $718+	$199.99
Battery life	~7 days	~14 days	~10 days
GPS	Connected (phone)	None	None
Screen	No	No	No
Ecosystem	Google Health	Whoop app	Garmin Connect
Weight	~12g with band	Smaller than 4.0	Unknown
Water resistance	50m	Water resistant	5 ATM

Fitbit Air: The Budget Play

At $99, the Fitbit Air is the cheapest entry point by a wide margin. Google essentially took a Fitbit Charge 6, ripped out the screen, and slapped a band on it. The result is a tiny 5.2g sensor pod that snaps into different band styles.

What you get: 24/7 heart rate, HRV, breathing rate, SpO2, skin temperature, steps, and FDA-cleared background AFib detection. Seven days of battery life with a useful quick-charge feature (five minutes on the charger buys you a full day). Automatic workout detection covers running, cycling, rowing, and other high-heart-rate activities.

The ecosystem play: The Air is really a Trojan horse for Google Health. The Fitbit app is being fully rebranded, and Google's Gemini-powered AI health coach is genuinely impressive if you opt for the Premium tier at $99/year. The coach can answer questions, build training plans, and even analyze photos of your food.

The catch: No built-in GPS (you need your phone for route tracking), workout heart rate accuracy on a sensor this tiny is still a question mark, and automatic activity recognition is basic compared to Whoop. Whoop can tell the difference between a mountain bike ride and a road bike ride. The Air just knows you were pedaling.

Best for: Budget-conscious users who want a solid sleep and recovery tracker without committing to a subscription, and anyone already in the Google ecosystem.

Whoop 5.0: The Established Player Levels Up

Whoop didn't just refresh their hardware. They completely restructured their pricing into three tiers, and the hardware got a serious upgrade.

The hardware: The Whoop 5.0 is smaller and lighter than the 4.0, with a battery life that jumped from 4-5 days to 14 days. That alone fixes the biggest complaint users had for years. A wireless PowerPack stores another 14 days of charge, meaning you can go roughly a month without plugging into a wall.

The tiers: Whoop One ($199/year) gets you the 5.0 device with core Sleep, Strain, and Recovery features. Peak ($239/year) adds the Healthspan suite and deeper insights. Life ($359/year) gets you the MG device with medical-grade ECG, blood pressure insights, and heart screening.

The standout features: Healthspan is the headline. It gives you a "Whoop Age" and tracks your pace of aging, which is the kind of longevity metric that used to require clinical testing. The MG's blood pressure monitoring is genuinely novel for a wrist wearable, though it requires calibration with a traditional cuff.

The catch: You never stop paying. Over two years, even the cheapest Whoop tier ($199/year) costs more than the Garmin CIRQA's one-time $199.99 price. The Life tier with the MG device runs $718 over two years. That's real money for access to your own biometric data.

Best for: Data-obsessed athletes who want the most refined recovery and strain analytics, and people who don't mind paying a premium for continuous software updates and new features.

Garmin CIRQA: The Anti-Subscription Play

Garmin's entry into screenless tracking has one clear message: buy it once, own it forever.

What you get: A screenless band with 10-day battery life that tracks heart rate, sleep, recovery, and activity. It syncs to Garmin Connect, which is free and has been refined over years of development. No paywall between you and your sleep score, recovery data, or training readiness metrics.

The differentiator: Garmin Connect is the real selling point here. It's mature, detailed, and completely free. Everything Whoop charges a monthly fee for, Garmin includes with purchase. Sleep scores, recovery insights, training readiness, body battery, all of it.

The catch: No GPS, which means the CIRQA can't track outdoor workouts with location data. Like the other two, it's a health and recovery tracker, not a workout watch. At $199.99, it's twice the price of the Fitbit Air, and if you already own a Garmin watch, the data overlaps almost entirely.

Best for: People who want Whoop-style insights without the subscription, and anyone who trusts Garmin's health analytics platform. If you already wear a Garmin watch full-time, skip the CIRQA unless you specifically want a lighter sleep-tracking option.

The Real Question: Subscription or One-Time Purchase?

This is what the whole category comes down to.

Whoop's model is built on the assumption that you'll keep paying $199 to $359 every year for the foreseeable future. In exchange, you get continuous software updates, new features, and the most refined recovery analytics in the business. It's a service, not a product.

Garmin and Google are betting the other direction. Buy the hardware, get the core features for free, and only pay more if you want premium add-ons (Google Health Premium for $99/year, or nothing extra for Garmin).

Over two years, the math is stark:

Fitbit Air, no subscription: $99 total
Garmin CIRQA, no subscription: $199.99 total
Fitbit Air with Google Health Premium: $297 total
Whoop One (cheapest tier): $398 total
Whoop Peak: $478 total
Whoop Life with MG: $718+ total

If you're purely cost-driven and want a basic health tracker, the Fitbit Air at $99 is hard to beat. If you want the deepest analytics without a subscription, the Garmin CIRQA is the play. If you want the most polished recovery platform and don't mind paying for it, Whoop is still the leader.

Which One Should You Buy?

Get the Fitbit Air if you want to try the screenless format without a big investment. At $99, the risk is low. The Google Health ecosystem is genuinely good, and if you already use a Pixel Watch, they pair beautifully.

Get the Garmin CIRQA if you hate subscriptions and want a one-and-done purchase with serious health analytics. It's the best value over a multi-year horizon, and Garmin Connect is a platform you can trust long-term. Just know you'll still need your phone or a watch for GPS-tracked workouts.

Get Whoop 5.0 if you're serious about recovery tracking and you're okay with the ongoing cost. The Healthspan metrics, the 14-day battery, and the depth of the analytics platform are unmatched. The MG tier's blood pressure and ECG features are genuinely innovative. You just have to be comfortable paying for it every year.

The Bottom Line

The screenless tracker category finally has real competition, and consumers win because of it. Whoop can't coast on being the only option anymore. Google brought the price down. Garmin killed the subscription. Whoop responded with their best hardware yet and features nobody else offers.

If you've been waiting for the right moment to try a screenless tracker, this is it. There's never been a better range of options at different price points. Just decide upfront whether you want to buy once or subscribe forever, because that choice will define your experience more than any spec sheet.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 & Watch Ultra 2: Everything From Unpacked 2026

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:41:00 GMT

Samsung took the stage in London on July 22 and made it official: the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 are here. Both watches share the same new processor for the first time, but they could not be more different in what they offer.

If you have been following the rumors, the specs will not surprise you. But the pricing, the battery numbers, and the question of whether these watches are worth upgrading to? Those answers are now locked in.

Here is everything you need to know.

Galaxy Watch 9: A Familiar Face With a New Brain

At first glance, the Galaxy Watch 9 looks identical to last year's Watch 8. Same squircle design (a square aluminum case with a circular display). Same 40mm and 44mm size options. Same 8.6mm thickness. Even the exact dimensions match: 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm for the 40mm and 46.0 x 43.7 x 8.6mm for the 44mm.

The real story is under the hood.

The Snapdragon Wear Elite Shift

For the first time, Samsung has ditched its in-house Exynos wearable chips in favor of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite. This is a 3nm processor and the first Snapdragon chip built for wearables with a dedicated Hexagon NPU, capable of running on-device AI models with up to two billion parameters.

What does that actually mean? Faster overall performance, smoother animations, and more headroom for AI features like Google Gemini voice queries, on-watch transcription, and smarter health recommendations. Samsung kept RAM at 2GB and storage at 32GB (same as the Watch 8), so the chip is the main performance lever here.

The Watch 9 ships with Wear OS 7 and Samsung's One UI Watch 9 on top, which brings a refreshed interface that should feel a bit smoother than last year's already solid experience.

Display: Bright, But Unchanged

The Galaxy Watch 9 uses the same Super AMOLED panel as the Watch 8. The 40mm has a 1.34-inch display; the 44mm gets a 1.47-inch screen. Both max out at 3,000 nits of peak brightness, which is plenty readable in direct sunlight. Durability ratings are the same too: IP68 dust resistance and 5ATM water resistance.

No new glass technology. No refresh rate bump. No always-on improvement. If you were hoping for a display upgrade, you will not find one here.

Battery: A Meaningful Bump for the 40mm

This is where things get interesting, especially if you prefer the smaller size.

The 40mm Galaxy Watch 9 gets a 390mAh battery, a solid 20% increase over the Watch 8's 325mAh cell. The 44mm model moves to 449mAh, which is a smaller bump from the previous 435mAh. Samsung says both sizes deliver roughly 30 hours of use with the always-on display turned on. That is enough for a full day plus a morning buffer.

In the real world, with workout tracking, Gemini queries, and overnight sleep monitoring, you are still charging daily. But the 40mm model's bigger battery jump should help it get through a busy day better than its predecessor.

Charging speeds have not changed. You are looking at roughly 80 minutes to full for the 40mm (90 for the 44mm), and a 30-minute top-up gets you about 50%.

Colors and Pricing

The 40mm Watch 9 comes in Cream and Graphite. The Cream shade is new. The 44mm is offered in Graphite and Silver.

Pricing is where the modest upgrades start to sting. The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $380 for Bluetooth and $430 for LTE. That is a $30 price hike across the board compared to the Watch 8, which launched at $349 and $399.

It is not a huge increase, but it makes the value harder to justify when the Watch 8 is already selling for around $220 on Amazon right now.

Sensors: Nothing New Here

Samsung kept the entire sensor array from the Watch 8. That means the BioActive Sensor (optical heart rate, electrical heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis), temperature sensor, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, and light sensor. Blood pressure measurement, sleep apnea detection, and bedtime guidance all return unchanged.

No new health metrics. No new sensors. No surprises.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Bigger, Brighter, Thinner

If the Watch 9 is a gentle nudge forward, the Watch Ultra 2 is a real step up. Samsung took the premium, rugged formula from the original Ultra and refined it in ways that actually matter.

Display: 5,000 Nits

The Ultra 2's display jumps to 5,000 nits of peak brightness, up from 3,000 on the original Ultra and 2,000 nits higher than the standard Watch 9. The screen is also slightly larger at 1.52 inches (versus 1.5 on the original), though you would have a hard time noticing the difference.

In practice, the brightness is genuinely useful for outdoor athletes. Engadget's Cherlynn Low spent a week with the watch and noted that the display made data easy to read during hikes in direct sunlight. It also came in handy when she got lost on a trail and had to use waypoint tracking to find her way back.

Battery: The Big Win

The Ultra 2's standout upgrade is its 800mAh battery, a 35% increase over the original Ultra's 590mAh. That is the kind of jump that takes a watch from "I hope it lasts the night" to real multi-day potential.

Samsung has not published official multi-day battery estimates yet, but with a more efficient 3nm chip and a battery this size, the Ultra 2 should comfortably handle a weekend of outdoor activity tracking on a single charge. The original Ultra could not always do that.

Design: Lighter and Sleeker

Despite packing a much larger battery, Samsung made the Ultra 2 thinner and lighter. The titanium, shock-resistant casing is 10.7mm thick, which is 12% thinner than the first Ultra. The watch is 25% lighter overall, and the band is 1.9mm thick (down from 2.9mm), which makes a real difference for all-day comfort.

Samsung also cleaned up the buttons. They protrude less now, and the round middle button no longer rotates. That is a welcome change because the rotating crown on the original Ultra did not actually do anything in the software.

The etched bezel detailing and sharp edges give the Ultra 2 what Low called a "handsome, grown-up aesthetic." People she showed it to commented on how nice it looked.

New Health and Fitness Features

The Ultra 2 adds several new tracking options:

Trail Run mode is a dedicated workout with elevation data, climbing progress tracking, and terrain impact analysis. This is the kind of thing outdoor runners and hikers will actually use, and it fits naturally with the Ultra's rugged positioning.

Hydration guidance builds on the Sweat Loss feature from the Galaxy Watch 5. It gives you reminders based on body weight, sweat rate, and activity duration. You need at least 20 minutes of activity and 90 calories burned to trigger it, and it only works with certain workout types right now (Trail Run, Hiking, Track Run, Treadmill, and Running).

Vitals pulls together overnight health signals (heart rate, heart rate variability, breathing rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen) and compares them against your personal baseline to flag things that fall outside the norm.

Daily Cardio Load and Heart Health Score bring updated algorithms for training strain and recovery. Heart Health Score wraps sleep, stress, activity, and body composition data into a single daily number. It is the kind of thing that makes daily wear more useful without making you dig through menus.

Mares diving partnership adds dedicated diving features for safe ascent and descent. These arrive later this year through a Diving app that is exclusive to the Ultra 2.

The antioxidant index feature also returns. It uses LED light reflections to estimate carotenoid concentration in your blood. Early testing from Engadget raised questions about its accuracy across different skin tones. Lighter-skinned individuals consistently scored higher regardless of diet, which suggests the sensor may need more calibration work.

Price and Availability

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 starts at around $700, a $50 bump over the original Ultra's launch price. Pre-orders are live now alongside the Watch 9, and both watches hit shelves on August 7.

What This Means for Buyers

If You Have a Galaxy Watch 8

The Watch 9 is a tough sell. Same design, same display, same sensors, similar battery life. The Snapdragon Wear Elite is the only real change, and while it matters on paper, it probably will not transform your day-to-day. Hold on to your money, or at least wait for full reviews to see if the chip delivers something unexpected.

If You Have Something Older (Watch 6 or Earlier)

The Watch 9 is a solid upgrade. You get the modern squircle design, a much better display, improved battery life (especially in the 40mm), and the full Wear OS 7 plus Gemini experience. At $380 it is priced competitively with the Apple Watch Series 11, though Apple still has the edge on health sensor depth and third-party apps.

If You Are Considering the Ultra 2

This is the more compelling of the two. The 35% battery increase, 5,000-nit display, thinner and lighter body, and new outdoor features make it a genuine improvement over the original. If you are an outdoor athlete or just want a watch that can go a couple days between charges, $700 is easier to stomach than the Watch 9's $380 if you already own a recent Galaxy Watch.

It is still a big watch though. The 12% thickness reduction and 25% weight reduction help, but it will not feel like a standard Galaxy Watch on your wrist.

The Bigger Picture: Snapdragon Wear Elite Is What Matters

Beyond the individual watches, the most important thing about this launch is the shift to Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite. For years, Wear OS watches have been held back by underpowered or inconsistent chips. Samsung's Exynos, older Snapdragon Wear processors, rebranded mobile chips. None of them were great.

The Snapdragon Wear Elite is the first wearable-specific 3nm chip with a dedicated AI NPU. If it lives up to the promises, it could genuinely change what Wear OS watches can do. More complex on-device AI, better health algorithm processing, smoother interfaces, and better battery efficiency.

Both the Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are the proving ground. Early hands-on impressions suggest the interface is noticeably smoother, but the real test comes when retail units ship on August 7 and reviewers can put them through their paces.

One thing worth clearing up from the rumor cycle: there was disagreement over whether both watches would get the Snapdragon Wear Elite or just the Ultra 2. Samsung confirmed at Unpacked that both models share the chip. That is good news for Watch 9 buyers and draws a clear line under the Exynos era.

Specs at a Glance

Feature	Galaxy Watch 9	Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Sizes	40mm, 44mm	47mm
Chip	Snapdragon Wear Elite	Snapdragon Wear Elite
Display	Super AMOLED, 3,000 nits	Super AMOLED, 5,000 nits, 1.52"
Battery	390mAh (40mm) / 449mAh (44mm)	800mAh
OS	Wear OS 7 / One UI Watch 9	Wear OS 7 / One UI Watch 9
Durability	IP68, 5ATM	IP68, 5ATM, shock-resistant titanium
New features	None (carryover from Watch 8)	Trail Run, hydration guidance, Mares diving, Vitals
Price	$380 (BT) / $430 (LTE)	~$700
Availability	August 7	August 7

The Bottom Line

Samsung played it safe with the Watch 9 and went for the throat with the Ultra 2. The shared Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is the headline that matters. It brings Wear OS into a new era of on-device AI, and both watches benefit from it.

But the Watch 9's $30 price hike, identical design, and unchanged sensors make it hard to recommend if you already own a Galaxy Watch. The Watch 8 is already going for $220 on Amazon, and unless the Snapdragon chip turns out to be a game-changer in real-world testing, last year's model is the smarter buy for most people.

The Ultra 2 is a different animal. A 35% bigger battery, a much brighter display, a thinner and lighter body, and genuinely useful new outdoor features make it the most interesting Samsung wearable of the year. It is not cheap at $700, but for the people it is built for (outdoor athletes, adventure seekers, anyone tired of charging every night), it earns its premium in a way the Watch 9 does not quite manage.

Samsung's wearables are back in the fight.

Garmin Acquires TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic: What It Means for Athletes, Coaches, and the Future of Garmin Watches

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Garmin just made its biggest move in the coaching and training software space, period. The company announced today that it has acquired both TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic, two of the most widely used coaching platforms in endurance and strength sports.

The deal, announced this morning from Garmin's headquarters in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, brings two major coaching ecosystems under the Garmin umbrella, and it could reshape how athletes and coaches interact with Garmin hardware for years to come.

What Garmin Acquired

TrainingPeaks is the gold standard for endurance coaching. Originally launched in 1999, it's the platform that cyclists, runners, triathletes, and their coaches use to plan structured workouts, track fitness metrics, analyze performance data, and taper for race day. If you've ever followed a training plan for a marathon or Ironman, there's a very good chance it came from TrainingPeaks.

TrainHeroic focuses on the strength and conditioning side, serving CrossFit athletes, weightlifters, tactical athletes, and strength coaches with workout programming, performance tracking, and community features.

Together, the two platforms are headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, and bring 120 employees into Garmin's global workforce. Their parent company, Peaksware Holdings, is being absorbed in the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

What Garmin Said

Brad Trenkle, Garmin's Co-Chief Operating Officer, framed the acquisition as a natural extension of Garmin's fitness ecosystem:

"TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic share Garmin's passion for empowering athletes and coaches around the world with world-class training tools, performance metrics and actionable insights. The addition of these highly successful platforms to the Garmin ecosystem will expand access to more authentic coaching experiences, connecting athletes with professional coaches who guide, motivate and inspire them to reach their goals."

Andy Stephens, CEO of Peaksware Holdings, emphasized the shared mission:

"We're thrilled to join forces with Garmin to advance our shared mission of empowering coaches and athletes with science-based training. For over a decade, we've worked together to democratize coaching and performance insights, helping millions of athletes reach their peak through data-driven, structured training."

That "over a decade" line is key. TrainingPeaks and Garmin have had a deep API integration for years. Garmin Connect data already flows directly into TrainingPeaks, and structured workouts created in TrainingPeaks can already be pushed to compatible Garmin watches. This acquisition tightens that bond considerably.

Why This Matters for Garmin Watch Owners

This is the part that should get the attention of anyone wearing a Forerunner, Fenix, Epix, or any other Garmin fitness watch.

1. Deeper Hardware-Software Integration

Garmin has always been strong on the hardware side: industry-leading GPS accuracy, battery life, and sensor quality. But their software experience has been the perennial weak spot. Garmin Connect is functional but clunky. The coaching features built into Garmin Connect (Garmin Coach) are decent but limited compared to what TrainingPeaks offers.

By bringing TrainingPeaks in-house, Garmin now owns the full pipeline: from coach-programmed workout to delivery to your wrist to execution tracking to post-workout analysis. Expect tighter integration, faster sync, and features that were previously only possible through third-party APIs.

2. A Real Coaching Ecosystem

This isn't just about app features. TrainingPeaks connects real human coaches with real athletes. Garmin is now in the coaching marketplace business, not just selling you a watch, but selling you (or facilitating) the coaching relationship that helps you use it.

That's a significant business model shift. It puts Garmin in competition with platforms like Wahoo's SYSTM, Zwift's training plans, and even Apple Fitness+ in a broader sense.

3. Strength Training Gets a Seat at the Table

The TrainHeroic acquisition is the sleeper story here. Garmin has historically been dominant in endurance sports (running, cycling, triathlon, hiking) but has been less compelling for dedicated strength athletes. TrainHeroic immediately gives Garmin credibility in the CrossFit, powerlifting, and tactical fitness worlds.

Expect future Garmin watches (or software updates to current ones) to feature more robust strength training tracking, PR logging, and programming tools, potentially integrated directly into the watch experience.

4. The Subscription Question

TrainingPeaks Premium currently costs $19.95/month or $119.95/year. TrainHeroic pricing varies by program and coach. Garmin already has its own subscription tier, Garmin Connect+ at $4.99/month, which unlocks advanced features.

The big question: will Garmin bundle TrainingPeaks/TrainHeroic into an expanded subscription tier? Will Garmin watch owners get a discount? Could a future Garmin watch purchase include a year of TrainingPeaks Premium?

Nothing has been announced on this front, but it's one of the most interesting things to watch for in the coming months.

What This Means for Competitors

This acquisition sends a clear signal to the rest of the wearable industry: Garmin is betting on the coaching ecosystem, not just the hardware.

Apple has Apple Fitness+ but no real coaching platform for serious athletes
Samsung offers iFIT trials with the new Galaxy Watch 9 but no deep coaching integration
COROS has its own Training Hub but at a much smaller scale
Polar has coaching features in Polar Flow but nothing at TrainingPeaks' level
Suunto has partnered with various coaching apps but owns none of them

Garmin just bought the category leader. That's a moat.

What We Don't Know Yet

Financial terms: Garmin isn't disclosing the purchase price
Platform independence: will TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic still support non-Garmin devices? (Almost certainly yes, at least short term. Alienating Wahoo, Polar, and Apple Watch users would destroy the platforms' value)
Rebranding: will they become "Garmin TrainingPeaks" or stay independent?
Impact on Garmin Coach: will the built-in Garmin Coach feature eventually be replaced or merged with TrainingPeaks?
New watch features: will we see TrainingPeaks workout delivery get tighter on Garmin watches in a near-term software update?

Our Take

This is a smart, aggressive move by Garmin. The company has dominated the serious-athlete wearable market for years, but the gap between "great hardware" and "great software experience" has been closing as Apple, Samsung, and COROS catch up on sensors and GPS quality.

By acquiring the two leading coaching platforms, Garmin isn't just defending its position. It's redefining what "the Garmin ecosystem" means. It's no longer just a watch and an app. It's a watch, an app, a coaching marketplace, a training plan library, and a strength programming platform, all under one roof.

For Garmin watch owners, this is almost certainly good news. For coaches who use TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic, the immediate reaction should be cautious optimism. The integration potential is enormous, but platform independence is what makes these tools valuable.

And for the competition? They just got served notice that the coaching wars are now part of the watch wars.

Hoping Your Next Smartwatch Will Have a Replaceable Battery? The EU Says No.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

If you were holding out hope that new EU regulations would force smartwatch makers to build watches with batteries you can swap yourself, the European Commission has some bad news.

They just exempted wearables entirely.

The Quick Version

Back in 2023, the EU passed a Battery Regulation that requires portable devices to have user-replaceable batteries starting February 18, 2027. The idea was simple: you should be able to pop out a dead battery and put in a fresh one without specialized tools or a trip to a repair shop.

It was a big deal for right-to-repair advocates. Phones and tablets were the main target, but the original language was broad enough that smartwatches and fitness trackers would have been caught in the net too.

Now they won't be.

What Actually Changed

On July 14, 2026, the European Commission adopted a delegated act that adds six new product categories to the exemption list. Wearable devices are the headline grabber. The full list includes smartwatches, fitness trackers, electric toys, certain medical devices, portable thermometers, roof-mounted telematics, and equipment designed for explosive atmospheres.

Translation: your Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Garmin Fenix, and Whoop band will keep shipping with sealed batteries. Nothing changes for the wearable category.

The rule still applies to phones and tablets. Those still need replaceable batteries by 2027.

Why the EU Backed Off

The Commission hasn't said much publicly about the reasoning, but the writing has been on the wall for a while.

Tech companies argued that the design constraints of wearables make user-replaceable batteries impractical. Smartwatches are tiny. They need to be waterproof. They need to survive drops, sweat, showers, and the occasional swim. Every millimeter of internal space matters, and adding a removable battery door or latch mechanism eats into the space available for the battery itself.

There's also the structural integrity argument. A watch with a removable back is inherently less rigid than a solid chunk of glass and metal glued together. For a device strapped to your wrist during trail runs and weightlifting sessions, that matters.

The Ecodesign framework already had a carve-out that let devices skip the removability requirement if they met specific battery longevity and waterproofing standards. The new delegated act essentially extends similar logic to wearables.

Why Right-to-Repair Advocates Are Frustrated

This one cuts both ways.

The argument for replaceable batteries is straightforward. Battery degradation is the number one reason people replace otherwise-fine devices. A lithium-ion cell typically loses 20% of its capacity after 500 full charge cycles, which for a daily-charged smartwatch is somewhere around 18 months. After two or three years, your watch that used to last all day might barely make it to dinner.

If you could swap in a fresh battery for $30, you'd get another two or three years out of the same watch. Instead, you're looking at a $300+ replacement or a manufacturer repair that costs almost as much as a new device.

Right-to-repair groups see the exemption as the EU backing down under pressure from US tech companies. And they're not wrong to be skeptical. Apple, Samsung, and Google all lobbied hard for this outcome.

Why It Might Not Be Pure Corporate Greed

But there's a legitimate engineering challenge here that's worth acknowledging.

Smartwatches are fundamentally different from phones. A phone has room for a battery compartment, a removable door, and the necessary seals. A watch does not. The entire interior of a modern smartwatch is packed. Display, sensors, Taptic Engine or haptic motor, the system-in-package, antennas, and a battery that's custom-shaped to fill whatever space is left.

Making that battery user-replaceable would mean either making the watch bigger, reducing battery capacity, or compromising on waterproofing. Pick one.

For Garmin and COROS users who take their watches into open water and mountain storms, waterproofing isn't optional. For Apple Watch Ultra owners, the 100-meter water resistance is a selling point. You don't get there with a removable battery door.

What This Means If You're Buying a Watch

For now, nothing changes. The status quo holds.

When you buy a smartwatch or fitness tracker in the EU (or anywhere else, since manufacturers tend to build one global version), expect a sealed battery. Plan for the reality that battery degradation will eventually push you toward an upgrade, typically within two to three years for daily wear.

A few practical takeaways:

Battery health matters more than ever. Garmin and Apple both let you check battery health in their companion apps. Keep an eye on it.
Trade-in programs are your friend. Apple, Samsung, and Garmin all offer trade-in credits. An Apple Watch with a degraded battery still has trade-in value.
Don't overcharge. Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when held at 100% for long periods. If you charge overnight every night, you'll wear the battery out faster than someone who tops off as needed.
Consider battery replacement services. Apple charges $89 for Apple Watch battery service. Garmin offers replacement on many models. It's cheaper than a new watch if your hardware is otherwise fine.

Is This Final?

Almost. The delegated act still faces a scrutiny period where the European Parliament and Council can object. In practice, these objections are rare, and the exemption is expected to stand.

If anything changes, it won't be because the engineering got easier. It'll be because the political winds shifted. The tension between repairability and miniaturization isn't going away, and wearables sit right at the center of it.

The Bottom Line

The EU waved the white flag on replaceable smartwatch batteries, and honestly, it was probably inevitable. The engineering trade-offs are real, and the wearable form factor doesn't leave room for compromise.

But it's worth being honest about what we lost. Sealed batteries mean shorter device lifespans, more electronic waste, and fewer options when your watch starts dying at 4pm instead of midnight. The EU can call it a practical exemption. Critics will call it planned obsolescence with a regulatory stamp of approval.

Either way, your next smartwatch will still need a professional (or a very steady hand and a heat gun) to get a fresh battery inside.

Garmin CIRQA Smart Band: No Screen, No Subscription, No GPS

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:15:00 GMT

Garmin has quietly launched the CIRQA Smart Band, a screenless health and fitness tracker that takes dead aim at Whoop and the Oura Ring. At $199.99, it's a one-time purchase with no subscription required, which immediately sets it apart in a category that has increasingly locked features behind monthly paywalls.

But before you ditch your smartwatch, there's a significant catch: no GPS. The CIRQA is built for 24/7 health monitoring, not workout tracking. It's a companion device, not a watch replacement.

What the Experts Are Saying

Early hands-on coverage is already out. Here's what the top reviewers found:

DC Rainmaker published a deep-dive covering 39 things to know about the Garmin Cirqa, walking through the sensor suite, how it compares to Whoop, and where it fits in Garmin's broader lineup. He digs into the no-subscription angle and what it means for the screenless tracker category.

DesFit got his hands on the CIRQA for a first look, covering the design, comfort, and how it feels to wear a screenless band day to day. His early impressions focus on who this device actually makes sense for and whether Garmin can pull off the screenless form factor as well as they do traditional watches.

What the CIRQA Actually Does

The pitch is simple: "Track all day. Look later." The CIRQA wraps around your wrist and quietly collects health data (heart rate, sleep, recovery metrics, activity levels) and syncs everything to the Garmin Connect app, where you review it later. There's no display to distract you, no notifications to check, no screen to light up during a meeting.

This is Garmin's first true entry into the screenless tracker space, and it leans hard into the company's biggest advantage: Garmin Connect. Unlike Whoop, which requires a monthly subscription to access your own data, Garmin's ecosystem is free. You buy the band, you get the app, you're done.

The Price Problem

At $199.99, the CIRQA sits in an awkward middle ground. Consider the competition:

Whoop 5.0: Hardware is cheap or free, but the subscription runs $30/month ($360/year). Over two years, you're paying $720+ for the privilege of seeing your data.
Oura Ring 4: $299 to $549 hardware plus a $5.99/month subscription for full features.
Fitbit Air: Google's new $99 budget tracker, though it pushes you toward Fitbit Premium for advanced metrics.

The CIRQA's value proposition is clear: one payment, full access, no recurring fees. Over a two-year period, that makes it dramatically cheaper than Whoop and meaningfully cheaper than Oura. The premium over Fitbit Air buys you Garmin's deeper health analytics ecosystem and, presumably, better build quality.

The Pros

No subscription. In a wearables market drowning in monthly fees, this is genuinely refreshing. Your data is yours, included with purchase.
Garmin Connect ecosystem. This is the real differentiator. Garmin's health analytics platform is mature, detailed, and free. Sleep scores, recovery insights, training readiness. All the metrics Whoop and Oura charge for, without the paywall.
Zero distraction. No screen means no notifications, no doomscrolling on your wrist, no urge to check your step count mid-conversation. It's a pure data collector.
Always-on tracking. A screenless form factor means better battery life and fewer reasons to take it off. Set it and forget it.
Garmin build quality and support. Garmin has a track record of supporting devices for years and maintaining a stable, reliable app experience.

The Cons

No GPS. This is the big one. The CIRQA can't track outdoor runs, rides, or walks with location data. If you want pace, distance, and route mapping, you'll still need a smartwatch or your phone. This alone makes it a supplement to your watch, not a replacement.
No screen means no real-time feedback. During a workout, you can't glance at your wrist to check your heart rate zone, pace, or duration. You find out how you did after the fact. For data nerds that's fine; for people who like real-time feedback, it's a dealbreaker.
$199.99 isn't cheap. It's $100 more than the Fitbit Air and only saves money versus Whoop over the long haul. If you're unsure whether a screenless tracker fits your lifestyle, the entry price feels steep.
Redundant for Garmin watch owners. If you already wear a Venu 3, Forerunner, Fenix, or any other modern Garmin watch, you already have 24/7 health tracking built in. The CIRQA's data collection overlaps almost entirely with what your watch already does. Adding a band to the other wrist just to get the same metrics in a screenless form factor is a hard sell.
Unknown battery life and full specs. Garmin's product page is light on details that would help buyers compare. We'll need hands-on time to evaluate real-world battery performance and sensor accuracy.

Who Is the CIRQA For?

The CIRQA makes the most sense for a specific user: someone who wants continuous health and recovery tracking without wearing a bulky smartwatch, and who is tired of paying monthly fees for their own biometric data.

Think of it as Garmin's answer to: "I want Whoop's insights but I don't want to pay forever, and I trust Garmin's health platform more." That's a real audience, particularly among people who find smartwatches too big, too distracting, or too redundant with their phones.

But if you already own and love a Garmin watch, the CIRQA is a hard sell. It duplicates what your watch already does, minus the GPS and screen. The ideal customer is someone whose primary device is a traditional watch or nothing at all, someone who wants the health data layer without changing what's on their wrist.

The Bottom Line

Garmin's CIRQA Smart Band is a confident entry into the screenless tracker market with a genuinely compelling angle: no subscription, full Garmin Connect analytics, set-it-and-forget-it simplicity. But the lack of GPS limits it to health and recovery tracking, not workout tracking. At $199.99, it's more expensive than budget alternatives and only cost-competitive with Whoop over time.

It's not a watch replacement. It's a health data layer, and a good one if that's what you're looking for. Just know what you're (not) getting: no screen, no GPS, no real-time feedback. The CIRQA collects. You review. That's the deal.

Price: $199.99 | Available: Garmin.com | Subscription: None required

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 & Ultra 2: AI Health First, Design Stays Put

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 22:15:00 GMT

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 are less than a week away, and Samsung has quietly signaled what matters most here.

It's not what you see on the outside. It's what happens on the inside.

Samsung's own messaging ahead of Galaxy Unpacked on July 22 in London makes this clear. The headline isn't a redesigned case or a new screen technology. The headline is "A New AI-Powered Health Companion on Your Wrist," and Samsung is positioning the Galaxy Watch as the health-first gateway for personalized AI across its entire ecosystem.

In other words: Samsung is betting that what matters most isn't how your watch looks, but what your watch knows about you.

The Design: Familiar, And That Is Fine

Leaked renders from Evan Blass — the leaker who basically never misses — tell the story clearly enough. The Galaxy Watch 9 looks like the Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 looks like the Ultra, with that numbered bezel that made last year's model such a departure from Samsung's usual aesthetic.

The only visible changes are subtle refinements: slightly thinner bezels, a slightly refined chassis, and the same commitment to materials that have worked well. This isn't a design overhaul. It's a design polish.

And honestly? That's the right call.

Samsung nailed the hardware on the previous generation. The Ultra particularly found a balance between rugged capability and everyday wearability that few manufacturers have managed. Incremental refinements make more sense than throwing away what already works.

The real innovation is happening where you can't see it.

Under the Hood: Snapdragon Wear Elite

Here's where things get interesting. The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are expected to debut on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite — the first serious swing at a wearable chip in years.

Built on a 3nm process, the Wear Elite pairs a single high-performance core with four efficiency cores and a dedicated NPU. Samsung's own numbers show 5x faster CPU performance and 7x faster GPU performance compared to the outgoing Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2.

To put that in perspective: this is a generational gap, not a marginal gain. App launches, health data processing, even basic UI navigation — all of it should feel genuinely new.

But the real story is that NPU. Neural Processing Units are the workhorses of AI, and a dedicated NPU on a smartwatch changes what's possible. It means on-device AI processing without draining the battery or requiring cloud connectivity. It means your watch can actually think, not just relay information to your phone.

AI Health: What Samsung Is Teasing

Samsung has been tight-lipped about specifics, but the messaging is clear: the Galaxy Watch is becoming an AI-powered health companion.

What does that actually mean? Based on Samsung's broader AI strategy and leaks, here's what we're likely looking at:

Personalized health insights: Instead of just presenting data — heart rate zones, sleep stages, VO2 max — your watch might start interpreting that data in context. It could tell you that your recovery score is lower than usual because your sleep quality dipped three nights ago, and suggest a lighter training day.

Predictive health alerts: With on-device AI, your watch could learn your baseline and flag deviations before they become problems. An irregular heart rhythm that appears only after intense exercise, or a resting heart rate that creeps up gradually over weeks — patterns that a human might miss, AI can catch.

Coaching that adapts: Samsung's health coaching has been decent but generic. AI could make it genuinely personal — adjusting workout recommendations based on how your body actually responds, not just what a training plan says you should do.

Voice-first health interactions: This is speculative, but with Samsung's push toward AI assistants and the Always On Display, it's not hard to imagine asking your watch for health updates without touching the screen. "How did I sleep?" or "What's my recovery score today?" — answered instantly with data synthesized, not just displayed.

The Bigger Picture: Samsung vs. Apple

Make no mistake: this is a direct answer to Apple's AI health push.

Apple has been quietly building Apple Intelligence into watchOS 27, bringing conversational Siri and on-device processing to Apple Watch for the first time. Samsung's announcement here is not accidental timing. It is a competitive move.

The difference might come down to philosophy. Apple tends to implement AI as an assistant that helps you do things — send messages, set reminders, navigate. Samsung's messaging suggests AI as a coach that understands you — interpreting your health data and providing guidance.

Which approach lands better with users remains to be seen. But the competition is heating up, and that's good for everyone.

What We're Still Waiting For

We'll know the full story on July 22. Here's what we're still waiting to hear:

Battery life implications: All that AI processing needs power. If the Snapdragon Wear Elite is as efficient as advertised, this could be a non-issue. But we will need real-world testing.
Specific health features: Samsung has teased the concept, not the features. Which sensors get AI smarts? Is it just heart rate and sleep, or does it extend to ECG, blood oxygen, and stress tracking?
Privacy details: On-device processing suggests good privacy, but Samsung needs to be explicit about what stays on the watch and what heads to the cloud.
Pricing and availability: The Watch 9 and Ultra 2 will likely carry premium pricing. The question is whether the AI health features justify the cost for existing Galaxy Watch owners.

The Bottom Line

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 won't win anyone over with bold new looks. That's not the point.

They're designed to win with substance — AI-powered health features that genuinely understand your body, backed by hardware that can handle the workload without choking on battery life.

If Samsung delivers on the promise, this could be the moment Galaxy Watch stops playing catch-up and starts setting the agenda.

We will know for sure next week in London.

Ok, Garmin: Hands-Free Voice Control Finally Rolls Out to Your Watch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:15:00 GMT

Garmin has quietly delivered the feature many owners have been waiting for: hands-free voice control. The company's latest beta updates, version 23.11 for the Fenix 8 family and 18.12 for the Forerunner lineup — introduce the "Ok, Garmin" wake word, letting you trigger voice commands without pressing a single button.

It's a small phrase with big implications. Until now, Garmin's voice features required a button press to activate. With this update, your watch is always listening for the wake word, much like "Hey Siri" on Apple Watch or "Alexa" on Amazon devices. Say "Ok, Garmin" and you can start a workout, ask for weather, set a timer, or navigate — all without breaking stride.

Which Watches Are Getting It?

The wake word requires a built-in microphone, which narrows the list considerably. Here's every watch receiving the feature in this beta cycle:

Beta Version 23.11 (released July 1, 2026):

Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Garmin Fenix E
Garmin Enduro 3
Garmin Tactix 8
Garmin Quatix 8

Beta Version 18.12 (released July 1, 2026):

Garmin Forerunner 970
Garmin Forerunner 570
Garmin Venu 4
Garmin Venu X1
Garmin Vivoactive 6

That's a broad swath of Garmin's current lineup. If your watch has a mic, there's a good chance it's on the list.

More Than Just Voice Control

The "Ok, Garmin" wake word headlines the update, but there's a surprising amount of depth here. Garmin packed in new training features, navigation improvements, and a long list of stability fixes.

New Training Features

Quick workout suggestions for running — your watch will proactively suggest a short workout when it detects you're ready to train
Indoor cross-country skiing activity — a new sport profile for tracking indoor ski sessions
Smarter workout banners — tap or swipe to dismiss upcoming and completed workout step notifications instead of waiting for them to timeout
Fixed multisport workout launches — suggested multisport workouts that were failing to start now work correctly
HIIT lap shortcut restored — the onscreen lap shortcut that disappeared from HIIT workouts is back

Navigation and Maps

Touch toggling between North Up and Track Up — switch your map orientation with a tap instead of digging through menus
Fixed map scale display — the scale was getting cut off in split-screen view
Improved position arrow on round watches — the navigation arrow is back where it belongs (between data fields), giving you more visible map ahead

Daily Use Improvements

Disable sleep suggestions — you can now turn off sleep prompts in your evening report
More frequent weather updates — the watch refreshes your location data more often for accurate weather
Volume context — the volume control menu now shows more detail about current audio levels
Smarter post-swim HR sync — the watch only tries to download heart rate data from a chest strap after swimming if one was actually connected

Specialized Features

Dive settings sharing — divers can now share dive computer configurations via Garmin Share
Applied Ballistics supports Xero — compatibility with Garmin Xero rangefinders and sensors for ballistics calculations
Longer course point names — increased maximum character limit for naming waypoints

Stability Fixes That Actually Matter

The bug fixes in this update address some genuinely frustrating issues. Several of them caused the watch to restart unexpectedly — the kind of problem that kills confidence in a device you rely on during training.

Garmin resolved random restarts that occurred during:

Powering down the device
Using the Saved app
Strength training free workouts
Installing audio prompt software alongside the main firmware simultaneously
Golf activities (Forerunner 570/970 specifically)

The update also fixes a treadmill calibration bug that was preventing calibration from improving distance accuracy — a quiet but meaningful fix for anyone who runs indoors.

Do Not Disturb mode now properly honors your tone and vibration settings, and the water eject feature no longer messes up your volume level when it finishes.

Already a Follow-Up Update

Less than 48 hours after releasing beta 23.11, Garmin pushed out beta 23.12 for the Fenix 8 family. Back-to-back releases this quickly are unusual, suggesting Garmin either found something that needed immediate attention or is rapidly iterating toward a stable release.

Forerunner and Venu owners on 18.12 haven't received a follow-up yet, but expect one soon if the Fenix 8's quick turnaround is any indication.

How to Get It Now

These updates are currently in beta, meaning they won't download automatically. If you want to try them today:

Go to connect.garmin.com in your browser
Click the watch icon in the top right
Select your watch from the device list
Click "Join Beta Software Program"
Accept the terms
On your watch, go to Settings > System > Software Update > Check for Updates

A word of caution: beta software can be unstable. If you depend on your watch for a race or key workout this week, you might want to wait for the stable release. Garmin typically moves beta features to the stable channel within a few weeks.

The Bigger Picture

Voice control on a sports watch might sound gimmicky, but it solves a real problem. Anyone who's tried to start a workout with cold hands, sweaty fingers, or while wearing gloves knows that touchscreens and buttons aren't always cooperative. "Ok, Garmin" removes that friction entirely.

The feature also positions Garmin more competitively against Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, both of which have had hands-free voice activation for years. Garmin's advantage is that it works within the sports-first ecosystem — you're not just asking about the weather, you're controlling your training.

Combined with the pile of stability fixes and quality-of-life improvements, this is one of the more meaningful Garmin updates of the year. If you own one of the supported watches, it's worth joining the beta.

Google Pixel Watch 5: August Launch, FCC Leaks, and Satellite SOS Explained

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:55:00 GMT

The Google Pixel Watch 5 is one step closer to launch. Four model numbers cleared the FCC on June 29, 2026, confirming key details about Google's next-generation smartwatch. Here's a roundup of everything confirmed - and what the rumors are suggesting - ahead of the expected August announcement.

Four Models, All With LTE

The FCC filings reveal four Google devices identified by model numbers G0F3Y, G25QD, G1XJ6, and GFW3R. Based on the filings and India's BIS certification (which appeared in early June), these correspond to the expected 41mm and 45mm sizes, each in a Wi-Fi-only and LTE variant.

Here's the notable part: every single model in the filing includes an LTE modem. Historically, Google has offered a cheaper Wi-Fi-only variant alongside the cellular version. If the FCC listing represents the full lineup, Google may be changing that strategy - either dropping the Wi-Fi option entirely, or disabling LTE via software on a lower tier to create a second product tier.

Connectivity: Satellite SOS, UWB, Wi-Fi 6

The FCC documents give us a clear picture of what's under the hood. All four models share the same connectivity suite:

LTE 4G (no 5G - consistent with the current generation)
Wi-Fi 6 across both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
Bluetooth and NFC
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) - used for precise spatial awareness and car/digital key unlocking
Satellite SOS via NTN bands 23 and 255 - the same satellite emergency calling capability that debuted on the Pixel Watch 4

The filings also reference metal and non-metal watch straps, consistent with how previous Pixel Watch models were tested at the FCC.

The Design: No Change - At Least on the Outside

The most concrete visual confirmation of the Pixel Watch 5's design comes from an unexpected source: the seabed. In late May, Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford posted photos to X of a Google smartwatch his friend found while scuba diving near St. Martin in the Caribbean. The watch's back plate clearly reads "Google" and "Pixel Watch 5," along with sensor labels for SpO2, EDA, skin temperature, heart rate, and UWB.

Despite being submerged long enough to drain the main battery, the watch still had enough reserve power to display the correct time - and the IP68 water resistance rating proved itself in the most literal way possible.

The design itself appears virtually identical to the Pixel Watch 4, which launched in October 2025 with a major redesign over its predecessors. That means the signature domed glass front, centered crown, and pill-shaped button layout carry over unchanged.

A Custom Tensor Chip - The Biggest Unknown

Perhaps the most significant rumored change for the Pixel Watch 5 is what's inside. Multiple reports point to Google finally using a custom Tensor silicon designed specifically for the smartwatch - rather than the Samsung-derived Exynos W9 series that has powered every Pixel Watch to date.

This would be a meaningful shift. The Exynos W9 chips in the Pixel Watch 3 and 4 were competent but not class-leading, particularly when it came to on-device AI and fitness processing. A purpose-built Tensor chip could bring meaningful improvements in areas like:

On-device Gemini AI integration - Google's AI assistant running locally rather than relying on cloud processing
Health algorithm speed and accuracy - faster processing of heart rate, sleep, and stress data
Battery efficiency - a chip optimized for a smartwatch form factor, rather than adapted from a phone design

That said, Google's track record with first-generation silicon is... mixed. The Pixel 6's Tensor chip had heating issues that took a couple of generations to sort out. Whether the PW5 Tensor chip faces similar growing pains remains to be seen.

Gemini AI: The Likely Selling Point

If the hardware is largely carryover, AI is almost certainly where Google is pushing the Pixel Watch 5 forward. Gemini integration has been expanding rapidly across Google's ecosystem - Chromebooks, Android tablets, and the rumored Googlebook laptops - and the smartwatch is the natural next step.

Expect enhanced AI-powered features in Fitbit, more contextual notifications, and possibly on-device voice processing that doesn't require a phone connection. Given that all four models include LTE, it's plausible Google positions some AI features as requiring a data connection rather than Wi-Fi.

Display and Battery: No Major Rumors Yet

Neither the FCC filings nor the ocean prototype give us hard details on display size or battery capacity. The PW4 maxed out at a 1.4-inch AMOLED, and there are no credible rumors of a display upgrade - though if Google keeps the same panel specs, the 2,000-nit brightness and LTPO dynamic refresh from the PW4 would still be competitive.

Battery life is similarly quiet on the rumor front. The PW4 delivered roughly 24 hours with AOD enabled - par for the course in the Wear OS world, but well behind Garmin's multi-day endurance leaders.

Pricing: No Data Yet

Google held pricing steady on the Pixel Watch 4 at $349/$399 for Wi-Fi and $449/$499 for LTE. Given that the tariff situation has stabilized somewhat and Google's hardware margins tend to be thin, expect the PW5 to land in a similar range - though a modest bump wouldn't be surprising if the Tensor chip drives up component costs.

When to Expect It

Every Pixel Watch has followed the same cadence: announcement at the Made by Google event in August, availability in October. The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to follow that pattern exactly, with an announcement likely scheduled alongside the Pixel 11 smartphone series.

That puts a likely announcement window in August 2026, with shipping following in October 2026.

The Competitive Backdrop

The Pixel Watch 5 enters a market that's been active:

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 just surfaced with record-breaking brightness, outpacing even Garmin's flagship rugged watches
Garmin continues to dominate the endurance athlete segment and recently expanded its map display to more affordable watch tiers
Apple Watch Series 11 remains the overall sales leader, though the next major redesign isn't expected until 2027

Google's advantage has always been the tight Fitbit integration and the clean Android/Wear OS experience. If the custom Tensor chip delivers meaningful fitness-tracking improvements - particularly GPS accuracy and heart rate reliability - the Pixel Watch 5 could close the gap with Garmin in a way previous models haven't.

What We Still Don't Know

A few things the FCC filings and leaks haven't answered yet:

Battery life - any improvements over the PW4's 24-hour claim?
GPS upgrades - dual-band L1/L5 or still single-band?
Display - same brightness and size, or any meaningful change?
Heart rate sensor - new array or carryover from PW4?
Fitbit Premium requirements - which features remain paywalled?

We'll know more as August approaches. For now, the Pixel Watch 5 is confirmed to exist, actively moving through regulatory channels, and coming sooner than later.

Apple Watch Series 12: Everything We Know About the 2026 Model

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Apple just made it official: watchOS 27 is coming this fall, and with it, Siri with Apple Intelligence lands on Apple Watch for the very first time. That alone is a big deal if you've been waiting for your wrist to get the same AI smarts as your iPhone. But the software announcement is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The hardware is still a mystery in several key areas, and if you're deciding whether to buy an Apple Watch right now or hold out for the Series 12, the picture matters.

Let's dig into what is confirmed, what is rumored, and what it all means for your next or first Apple Watch.

What's Actually Confirmed

WWDC 2026 took place on June 8, and alongside iOS 27, macOS 27, and the rest of the software lineup, Apple unveiled watchOS 27 with a headline feature that Apple Watch users have been waiting years to hear: Apple Intelligence-powered Siri.

Until now, the version of Siri on Apple Watch could not tap into the broader Apple Intelligence stack. That changes with watchOS 27. The new Siri can handle more complex, contextual requests. Think asking follow-up questions without repeating context, or getting proactive suggestions based on what is on your screen. It is the upgrade that makes the Watch feel less like a notification mirror for your iPhone and more like a genuinely smart companion on your wrist.

The catch? It requires hardware. Apple confirmed that Apple Intelligence Siri on watchOS 27 will only work on Series 9 or later, Ultra 2 or later, and the third-generation SE. If you are still wearing a Series 8, Series 7, Series 6, the original Ultra, or the second-gen SE, you are getting cut off when the update drops this fall.

That is a significant cutoff. Apple later explained the reasoning: the S9 and S10 chips have the Neural Engine capacity and memory bandwidth that Apple Intelligence requires, and older models just do not have the headroom. It is the same wall that forced Apple to draw a line with iOS AI features on older iPhones. Fair or not, it means millions of Apple Watch owners will be watching their watches fall behind this year.

Also confirmed at WWDC: a September 2026 launch for new Apple Watch hardware. Apple has been remarkably consistent since 2016. Every Series model has landed in September, almost always in the first or second week. Based on that pattern, the smart money is on September 8 to 9 or September 15 for the Series 12 unveiling, likely at the same event as the iPhone 18 lineup.

The Rumors: What's Likely, What's a Long Shot

Here is where things get interesting and a little frustrating if you have been hoping for a dramatic overhaul.

The chip almost certainly gets an upgrade. Series 11 came with the S10 SiP, which was the same chip inside Series 10, a rare move that left many users underwhelmed. Ultra 3 followed suit, reusing the prior year's silicon. Apple is not likely to repeat that pattern two years running. Expect a new chip in the Series 12, most likely branded the S12. Whether it is a meaningful performance jump or another modest step forward like the S7-to-S8 jump is less clear. Apple Watch chips have increasingly prioritized efficiency over raw speed, and for a device that needs to last 18 hours, that is understandable.

The design is not changing in 2026. There were rumblings earlier in 2025 that Apple might use the 10-year anniversary of the original Apple Watch as a catalyst for a redesign, something like an "Apple Watch X" moment. But well-known leaker Instant Digital on Weibo shut that down with a direct post saying Series 12 and Series 13 both keep the current design, with the major overhaul pushed to 2028. No new CAD drawings, no leaked schematics, no supply chain whispers of new tooling. If a redesign is coming, it is not this year. What you see in the Series 11 is what you are getting.

Touch ID under the display has been rumored for years, and this year it got a little more fuel. Internal developer code references to "AppleMesa," a codename Apple has historically used for Touch ID development, surfaced in Apple's own beta code for the next Watch OS. That does not guarantee it ships, but it is the strongest signal yet that Apple is at least prototyping it. If it does arrive, you would likely see it embedded under the display rather than as a physical button. The use cases are obvious: Apple Pay authentication without a PIN, unlocking your Watch after taking it off, securing health data from snooping eyes. It is a natural fit, and the fact that it is showing up in code now makes it a real possibility for this generation.

Blood glucose monitoring is still not ready. Non-invasive blood glucose sensing has been Apple's white whale for nearly a decade. Tim Cook was reportedly fascinated by it even before he took the reins. Apple reached proof-of-concept stage a few years back, meaning the technology works in controlled conditions. Shipping it in a consumer device that is accurate enough to be medically useful is a different beast entirely. Do not expect it in the Series 12. Every year this rumor resurfaces, and every year it does not ship. 2026 looks like more of the same.

microLED is also on hold. Apple has been slowly moving away from OLED in other product lines, and there has been speculation that the Apple Watch would be the first to get a microLED upgrade, brighter, more efficient, better color. Samsung showed off a 4,000-nit smart watch concept at CES 2025 that hinted at where the market is heading. But supply chain readiness and manufacturing costs mean 2026 is unlikely to be the year. The current OLED panels, topped out at 2,000 nits on standard models and 3,000 on Ultra, will carry through another cycle.

watchOS 27: Why the AI Angle Matters

If there is one reason to pay attention to this release cycle, it is Apple Intelligence on the Watch.

Siri on Apple Watch has always felt like a simplified version of its iPhone counterpart, useful for setting timers and sending messages but limited in ways that felt arbitrary. With watchOS 27 and the S9/S10 chip requirement, Apple is finally closing that gap.

The practical upside is considerable. You will be able to ask Siri more complex follow-up questions without re-explaining context. If you are mid-workout, you can ask it to log your hydration without switching apps. On a run, you can ask it to pull up your last split times without digging through menus. It is the kind of thing that sounds small until you use it and realize how much friction it removes.

The downside is the exclusivity. By tying Apple Intelligence to S9 or newer hardware, Apple has effectively created a two-tier Apple Watch ecosystem starting this fall. Series 8 and earlier owners are frozen out, and they will not just miss out on AI features. They will be on the outside of the software support window going forward since watchOS 27 is the last update their watches will ever see.

That is a powerful incentive to upgrade if you have been on the fence. It is also, fairly or not, a reminder that wearables have a software shelf life in a way that other Apple products do not always make you feel.

Should You Wait for the Series 12?

Here is the honest answer: if you do not need a new Watch right now, wait until September.

The software and hardware picture is coming together, and even if the Series 12 is not a radical redesign, the combination of a new chip, Apple Intelligence Siri, and the likely price positioning makes it a more compelling purchase than paying full price for a Series 11 today. Apple has already raised prices on iPads, Macs, and other products citing memory costs, and a modest price bump on the Apple Watch would not be surprising.

That said, "wait" does not mean "do not buy at all." If your current Watch is barely holding on, failing battery, sluggish performance, a cracked screen, then a Series 11 or even a discounted Series 9 makes complete sense. The base hardware is excellent, and you will get at least a couple more years of watchOS updates. Waiting for the Series 12 only makes sense if you can stomach a few more months.

One more thing worth considering: if Apple Intelligence is the feature you care about, you do not need to wait for Series 12 hardware. Any Series 9, Ultra 2, or SE 3 will run watchOS 27 and get the full Siri AI experience when it drops this fall. So if you are upgrading from an older model primarily for the AI features, you might not need to wait at all. You just need to buy one of the current-generation models before September.

The Bottom Line

Apple Watch Series 12 is almost certainly arriving in September 2026, probably around the 8th to 9th based on a decade of consistent launch patterns. The design will not change, the chip will likely get a genuine bump, and watchOS 27 will bring Apple Intelligence Siri to the platform for the first time, but only if you are on Series 9 or newer.

Touch ID, blood glucose, and microLED remain tantalizingly out of reach. They are not coming this year, but the Touch ID rumors have more credibility than usual, so it is worth watching that one closely.

If you are buying now, do yourself a favor and do not pay full MSRP for a Series 11 if you can hold out a few more months. The Series 12 is close enough that waiting is almost certainly the smarter move. Unless your current watch is actively dying, in which case the Series 11 is still a great device and you should not feel bad about getting it.

We will know everything for certain in September. For now, start freeing up that wrist space.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Is the Classic Reborn, and That's a Good Thing

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The bezel is back. Not the rotating one. That particular piece of engineering magic is gone for good. But the numbered, ridged bezel that defined the Galaxy Watch Classic for seven years? That is living on inside Samsung's most powerful wearable yet: the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

And honestly? Samsung should have done this years ago.

The Classic Is Dead. Long Live the Ultra.

Samsung confirmed it this week, and if you are a Classic fan, it stings: the Galaxy Watch Classic line is effectively finished. No successor. No Classic 2. Just gone.

But here is the thing. Samsung did not abandon the Classic's DNA. They merged it with the Ultra.

Evan Blass, the leaker who basically never misses, dropped official press renders on June 25, and they tell the story clearly enough. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 takes the Ultra's rugged titanium chassis and grafts onto it the Classic's most beloved design element: a numbered bezel running 1 through 12, like a proper dive watch. The result is squircle, almost boxy in profile, and it looks like Samsung finally stopped being shy about what a premium sports watch should look like.

An orange-accented side button pops against the titanium case. The colors leaked too. Titanium Gray is the star of the official renders, but there are hints of black and blue bands, silver and green combos, and beige options in the broader leak pipeline. This thing is going to look great on a lot of wrists.

The Numbers Do not Lie

Let's talk silicon, because this is where the Ultra 2 makes its biggest leap.

Under the hood sits the Snapdragon Wear Elite, Qualcomm's first serious swing at a wearable chip in years. And when I say serious, I mean serious. Built on a 3nm process, it pairs a single high-performance core with four efficiency cores and a dedicated NPU. Samsung's own numbers show 5x faster CPU performance and 7x faster GPU performance compared to the outgoing Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2. That is not a marginal gain. That is a generational gap.

To put that in perspective: the Watch Ultra 2 will feel snappier than any previous Galaxy Watch, full stop. App launches, health data processing, even basic UI navigation. All of it should feel genuinely new.

The standard Galaxy Watch 9, by contrast, runs Samsung's own Exynos W1000. Different chip, different philosophy. That is worth noting if you have been comparing the two lines. Samsung is clearly positioning the Ultra 2 as the premium tier, with the standard Watch 9 as the everyday option.

Battery Life That Finally Matches the Screen

Here is where things get really interesting.

The Watch Ultra 2 bumps up to a 47mm case, still compact by sports watch standards, and carries a 784mAh battery. That is 33% larger than the current Ultra's 590mAh cell. If Samsung's software optimization keeps pace with the new chip's efficiency cores, you are looking at potentially two full days of real-world use, maybe more with conservative settings.

That is meaningful. The original Ultra was a solid performer, but it could not quite escape the "charge it every night" trap that plagues most Wear OS watches. A 33% battery jump is the kind of spec that changes daily habits.

Other durability specs hold steady at the high level you would expect: sapphire crystal over the display, 10ATM water resistance for the swimmers and divers out there. This watch is built to take abuse.

Connectivity: The One Compromised Corner

Samsung went all-in on connectivity for the Ultra 2, and for the most part it pays off.

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB, and NB-NTN are all here. NB-NTN support means satellite messaging capability, useful if you are going off-grid where cell towers do not reach. The US and South Korea get 5G RedCap, while Europe settles for 4G/LTE. That is a geographic split that always frustrates international travelers.

One thing that will not frustrate you, though: there is no Bluetooth-only variant. The Ultra 2 is LTE-only. That simplifies the lineup, but it also means you are paying for cellular capability even if you never intend to use it. For some buyers, that is a value call worth making before you commit.

One thing that did not make the cut: glucose monitoring. Samsung talked about it, the tech press hoped for it, but it is not here. The sensor either is not ready or did not pass Samsung's internal bar. Either way, if glucose tracking was the feature holding you back from a Galaxy Watch, the Ultra 2 is not your answer. Not yet.

The Bigger Picture: Why Samsung Made This Move

You do not kill a beloved product line on a whim. Samsung's smartwatch shipments dropped 28% year over year in Q1 2026 according to Counterpoint Research. That is a significant pullback, and the Classic's niche appeal, that rotating bezel, the dressy aesthetic, was not generating the volume numbers Samsung needs.

So they did something bold. They took the Classic's identity and merged it with the Ultra's horsepower. The result is a watch that can appeal to the fitness-forward buyer and the watch enthusiast who cared more about looks than steps.

The numbered bezel is not just aesthetic. It is a statement. Samsung is saying: we know what you loved about the Classic, and we are not going to make you choose between that and the best specs we can build.

Should You Buy or Wait?

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to launch at Samsung Unpacked on July 22, 2026 in London, with retail availability in early August. Pricing is rumored in the $649 to $699 range, premium territory but in line with what the original Ultra commands.

Here is my honest take: if you are already a Galaxy Watch user and you have been eyeing the Ultra line, this is the upgrade you have been waiting for. The chip alone justifies it. The bigger battery makes it practical. And the bezel? That is the emotional hook that makes it feel like a real watch and not just a fitness tracker strapped to your wrist.

If you are on an older Classic and you have been reluctant to switch, the Ultra 2 should ease that transition. Same soul, better internals.

But if you are on a recent Ultra and the original's specs felt sufficient? Sit tight. The improvements are real, but they are not so dramatic that last year's model becomes obsolete overnight.

We will have full review coverage once retail units land. For now, start figuring out which band color you are pairing with that Titanium Gray case. Based on the renders alone, you have got a genuinely good-looking watch on your hands.

Samsung's back in the fight.

Suunto Prime Day Deals 2026: Run, Race, and Explore Models on Sale Now

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is running through June 26, and Suunto is in on the action. The Finnish brand known for rugged GPS watches and outdoor instruments is offering discounts across its lineup, with some of the deepest price cuts we have seen on current-generation models. If you have been looking at Suunto and waiting for the right moment to buy, this is that moment.

Here is a full rundown of the best Prime Day deals on Suunto watches right now.

Suunto Prime Day Deals at a Glance

Watch	Sale Price	Regular Price	Savings
Suunto Run	$148.99	$199	$50 (25%)
Suunto Core	$140.56	$194	$54 (28%)
Suunto 9 Peak Pro	$189.99	$249	$59 (24%)
Suunto Race 2	$398.99	$499	$100 (20%)
Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar	$448.99	$599	$150 (25%)

Our Picks

Best for Most Runners: Suunto Run ($148.99)

The Suunto Run is the one we keep recommending to people who want a serious running watch without spending flagship money. Dual-band GPS, music storage, and training load tracking are all here. On Garmin, those features start showing up around $350. The Suunto Run at $149 is a straight-up value.

It is also lightweight and comfortable enough for everyday wear, not just race day. If you are upgrading from a basic fitness tracker or an older watch, this is the obvious entry point.

Buy Suunto Run on Amazon

Best Battery Life: Suunto 9 Peak Pro ($189.99)

The Suunto 9 Peak Pro sits in a sweet spot between the entry-level Run and the higher-end Race 2. Battery life runs up to 21 days in smartwatch mode, which is enough to forget about charging for weeks at a time. It also has the same multi-band GPS as the more expensive models, so you are not sacrificing accuracy for the lower price.

At $189.99, it is $59 off the regular price and a better fit than the Run if you want longer battery life and more detailed training data.

Buy Suunto 9 Peak Pro on Amazon

Best Overall: Suunto Race 2 ($398.99)

The Suunto Race 2 is the flagship for athletes who take their training seriously. Offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and access to the SuuntoPlus store for third-party apps are all here. It is the most full-featured Suunto you can buy, and $398.99 brings it within reach of people who previously would have looked at Garmin Fenix territory.

The $100 Prime Day discount brings it to its lowest price this cycle. If you want the best Suunto has to offer and you run or train in places where phone signal is unreliable, this is the one.

Buy Suunto Race 2 on Amazon

Best for Outdoors: Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar ($448.99)

Solar charging is the headline here. The Titanium Solar model can stretch battery life well beyond what you would expect from a GPS watch, making it the go-to choice for multi-day adventures, ultra events, and extended backcountry trips where you cannot stop to charge.

At $448.99, it is $150 off the regular price and a solid option if you want a watch that keeps going when the mileage gets long.

Buy Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar on Amazon

What About the Suunto Core?

The Suunto Core at $140.56 is worth a mention even though it is not a GPS watch. It is an analog instrument with a compass, altimeter, and barometer, and the battery lasts up to a year. No heart rate tracking, no smart features, no GPS. It is more of a weather instrument than a training tool. But if that is what you need, it is a well-built option at a good price.

Buy Suunto Core on Amazon

How Long Are These Deals Available?

Suunto is running its Summer Sale through July 4, with Prime Day exclusives running through June 26 on Amazon. The Prime Day pricing on these models is unlikely to last beyond the event, so if you have been considering one of these, now is the time.

Are These Good Deals?

Yes. Suunto does not discount frequently, and seeing current-generation models at 20 to 40 percent off is unusual. The Suunto Run at $149 is particularly strong. The Race 2 at $398.99 is also compelling if you want offline maps and navigation without the Garmin price tag. This is one of the better windows to buy Suunto all year.

Best Amazon Prime Day GPS Watch Deals 2026: Garmin, Apple Watch, and Amazfit on Sale Now

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here, running June 23 through June 26. And unlike past years where the best deals meant clearing out last-generation hardware, this year is different. Current-generation watches from Garmin, Apple, and Amazfit are all on sale, some at the deepest discounts we have seen on recent models.

If you have been holding off on a GPS watch purchase, this is one of the only windows all year where brands actually put meaningful discounts on the hardware they are currently shipping. Here is what we found worth knowing.

The Deal of the Day: Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire

If you buy one thing this Prime Day, make it the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire. It is currently $499 on Amazon, $500 off its regular $999 retail price. Fifty percent off a current-generation flagship is not a number we expected to write this cycle.

For that money you are getting:

Sapphire crystal display
Full-color topo maps with contour lines
Multi-band GPS for better accuracy under tree cover and in canyons
Garmin's best optical heart rate sensor
Training readiness, recovery time, and sleep tracking
Up to 16 days of battery life in regular use

That is the full Garmin flagship feature set, at half price. There is no catch. This is simply the best Prime Day deal on a GPS watch we have seen this year.

Buy Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire on Amazon

Garmin Prime Day Deals

Garmin is running the deepest discounts of any GPS watch brand this Prime Day. The Epix Pro Gen 2 leads the way, but there are solid deals across the entire lineup.

Watch	Sale Price	Regular Price	Savings
Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire	$499	$999	$500 (50%)
Garmin Forerunner 965	$499	$649	$150 (25%)
Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED	$299	$499	$200 (15-50%)
Garmin Forerunner 570	$449	$549	$100
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar	$299	$399	$100 (25%)
Garmin Forerunner 970	$649	$749	$100
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED	$749	$1,024	$275 (28%)
Garmin Enduro 3	$749	$849	$100
Garmin Venu X1	$599	$799	$200
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro	$949	$1,099	$150

Our Picks

Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire — $499 ($500 off, 50% off) The standout deal of the entire event. Full flagship hardware at half price.

Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED — $299 If $499 is too much, the Instinct 3 AMOLED at $299 is a serious rugged watch at a serious price. Color screen, multi-band GPS, and 24-plus day battery life. It holds its own against watches that cost twice as much.

Garmin Forerunner 965 — $499 Garmin's running-focused flagship at $150 off. Lightweight design, advanced running dynamics, and training load analytics at a meaningful discount.

Apple Watch Prime Day Deals

Apple rarely discounts current hardware, so Prime Day is a notable exception. The Series 11 and Ultra 3 are both on sale for the first time this cycle.

Product	Sale Price	Regular Price	Savings
Apple Watch Ultra 3	$649	$799	$150 (13%)
Apple Watch Series 11	$279	$399	$120
Apple Watch SE 3	$199	$249	$50 (10%)
AirPods Pro 3	$179	$249	$70 (20%)
AirPods 4	$99	$129	$30 (33%)

Our Picks

Apple Watch Ultra 3 — $649 The lowest price we have ever seen on the Ultra 3. If you are in the Apple ecosystem and want the most capable Apple Watch for runs, races, and outdoor adventures, this is the price to buy.

Apple Watch Series 11 — $279 ($120 off, 30% off) The most accessible Apple Watch deal of the event. $120 off the current generation, with watchOS updates confirmed for the year ahead. The best entry point into Apple Watch if you have been waiting for a deal.

Amazfit Prime Day Deals

Amazfit has built its reputation on delivering genuine sports watch capability at a fraction of what Garmin and Apple charge. Prime Day brings solid discounts across the current lineup.

Product	Sale Price	Regular Price	Savings
Amazfit T-Rex 3	$226	$275	$49 (25%)
Amazfit Balance 2	$229	$299	$70 (29%)
Amazfit Active 3 Premium	$144	$169	$25
Amazfit Active Max	$139	$169	$30
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro	$379	$399	$20

Our Picks

Amazfit T-Rex 3 — $226 The best value rugged GPS watch on the market, now $49 off. You are getting 20 ATM water resistance, dual-band GPS, offline maps, and 20-plus days of battery life for well under $250. It directly competes with Garmin's Instinct 3 at less than half the price.

Amazfit Balance 2 — $229 The better choice if your priorities are recovery, sleep tracking, and daily fitness alongside your runs. The Balance series is Amazfit's most well-rounded watch for athletes who care about more than just pace and distance.

Prime Day FAQ

When does Prime Day end? Friday, June 26 at 11:59 PM PDT (2:59 AM EDT on June 27).

Do Prime Day deals sell out? Yes. The best ones often run out of stock, sometimes within hours. If something you want is available, do not wait. Deals also tend to shift throughout the event, so check back if your first choice goes dark.

Do prices change during the event? Yes. Amazon frequently adjusts Prime Day pricing. A deal that is not available today may appear at a different price tomorrow.

Who can shop Prime Day? Active Amazon Prime members. You can share a Prime account with household members, and it includes Prime Video and Prime Music.

Prices verified in the US Amazon store at time of publication. Availability and pricing may change throughout the event. This article contains affiliate links. Using them to shop helps support WatchesReviewed at no extra cost to you.

Will Siri AI Work on Your Older Apple Watch? Apple Won't Give You a Clear Answer

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Apple's latest Apple Watch software update is creating an awkward situation. watchOS 27 brings Siri AI to the wrist for the first time, but it also cuts off five models that are hardly ancient. Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the second-generation SE, and the original Apple Watch Ultra no longer qualify for the update.

The confusing part? Apple hasn't really explained why.

The Official Line

When Apple confirmed the compatibility list, Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing Manager Cait Dooley told TechRadar that Siri AI and the new tap gesture "work best" with the performance of newer chips. She pointed to Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and Apple Watch SE 3 as the supported models.

That is the full public explanation Apple has offered.

On the technical side, there is a plausible hardware reason. Series 9 introduced the S9 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine that handles machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the S8's 2-core Neural Engine. The newer chip also enabled on-device Siri processing for the first time. If Siri AI on watchOS 27 relies heavily on that Neural Engine, older watches simply may not have the headroom to run it.

The Problem With Apple's Argument

Here is where it gets harder to follow. Siri AI on Apple Watch is not running the way you might think. The feature requires a nearby Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone to handle the actual AI processing. Your watch is not crunching large language models on its own. The iPhone does that work, then sends the result back to your wrist.

So the question becomes: if the heavy AI lifting is happening on the iPhone, why does the watch's Neural Engine matter so much that it cuts off hardware from 2020 through 2022?

Apple has not answered this. The company points to the chip gap and calls it a performance decision. That may be entirely true, but it is not a complete answer. The on-device processing that Siri AI does on the watch itself, even with the iPhone handling the bulk of the work, apparently needs more computing power than the S8 chip can provide. But Apple has not published the specific technical threshold that excludes these watches.

The iPhone Paradox

The inconsistency that has caught attention across the tech press: Apple is keeping iPhone 11 (from 2019) on the supported list for iOS 27. An iPhone that is seven years old this fall will run the latest Apple software. But an Apple Watch from 2022, the original Ultra that cost $799 at launch, is being left behind.

"The Ultra is only four years old and was quite a premium product," TechRadar noted. Apple has never cut Watch generations this aggressively before. watchOS 26, released in 2025, supported Series 6 and later, the second-gen SE and later, and all Ultra models. That was a far more generous cutoff line.

This is the biggest Apple Watch compatibility cull in the platform's history. Apple is dropping three full generations of devices in a single update, and the reason appears to be AI: specifically a feature that still leans heavily on a paired iPhone to function.

What You Actually Lose

If you own one of the affected watches, it is not becoming a brick. Apple says these watches will continue to receive security updates and remain pairable with iPhones running the latest iOS. You will still get notifications, track workouts, and use Apple Pay.

What you lose is everything in watchOS 27: Siri AI, the new tap gesture, and whatever other software features Apple introduces this cycle. The supported watch list effectively defines the ceiling for your device going forward. Apple is no longer promising feature updates for hardware it sold as recently as 2022.

The irony is real: people who bought the original Apple Watch Ultra as a premium, future-proof fitness device are now on the outside of the AI features, while their iPhone 14 or 15 sitting in a drawer nearby could have handled the processing load.

What Apple Has Not Said

Apple's official statement does not identify a specific technical barrier. It describes a performance philosophy: newer hardware enables a better experience. That is corporate-speak for "this is where we drew the line," not a technical specification.

Until Apple publishes more detail, the most honest answer to "will Siri AI work on my older Apple Watch?" is: probably not, and Apple is not going to tell you exactly why.

The public beta of watchOS 27 is expected in July, with the full release coming this fall. If you are on an unsupported watch and curious how the feature actually performs, that will be the time to see whether the exclusion feels justified, or whether it feels like Apple simply needed a line in the sand.

Sources: AppleInsider, The Verge (Tom Warren), TechRadar, Basic Tutorials, Windows News

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9: Release Date, Price, and Everything We Know

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:45:00 GMT

Samsung has been quiet about the Galaxy Watch 9, but the evidence is anything but quiet. The watch has cleared the FCC, a new Qualcomm chip has Samsung's name on it, and Samsung's own health app just gave away the playbook. Here's everything we know heading into what looks like a July 22 Unpacked event.

Samsung's Health App Dropped a Full Preview

On June 4, Samsung pushed a major update to the Samsung Health app that essentially functions as a preview of the Galaxy Watch 9's capabilities. The company was direct about that connection, noting in its own press release that the update "showcases the key health features of its upcoming Galaxy Watch."

The app now centers on five pillars: Sleep, Activity, Nutrition, Mindfulness, and Vitals. Here's what that means for the hardware:

Vitals checks five overnight signals - heart rate, heart rate variability, breathing rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen - against your personal baseline, then alerts you only when something genuinely deviates. No more worrying about a single weird reading.

Heart Health Score replaces last year's Vascular Load and wraps your sleep, stress, activity, and body composition data into a single daily number. It's the kind of simplification that makes daily wear more useful.

Daily Cardio Load tracks how much strain your body has taken on and tells you when to push and when to back off. For runners and cyclists logging serious hours, this is the feature that matters most.

Fitness Index compares your heart rate, VO2 max, and daily steps against people your age and activity level. That competitive element tends to drive engagement.

Hearing Health uses the watch's microphone to flag environments loud enough to damage your hearing. It's the kind of ambient awareness feature that feels inevitable once you hear about it.

Antioxidant Index and AGEs Index both now track trends over time instead of single readings, giving you a much clearer picture of long-term direction.

Samsung's footnote on all of this is telling: these features will first be available on the upcoming Galaxy Watch. That means current owners get the redesigned app, but the full hardware-enabled feature set is locked behind the new device.

The New Chip Changes the Equation

At MWC 2026 in March, Qualcomm confirmed that the next Galaxy Watch will use its new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, and Samsung's own technology lead InKang Song backed that up on record. This is one of the more significant hardware moves in the Galaxy Watch line in years.

The Snapdragon Wear Elite specs are substantial: a 3nm chip with one fast core at 2.1GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.95GHz, up to 5 times the CPU power and 7 times the GPU power of the previous generation, and a dedicated AI chip that can run models with up to 2 billion parameters directly on the watch at roughly 10 tokens per second. Battery life gets a 30 percent boost, and 50 percent charge arrives in around 10 minutes. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB, GPS, 5G, and satellite messaging.

There's one complication though. Some reports say both the Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 get the Snapdragon chip. Others, citing Notebookcheck, say only the Watch Ultra 2 gets the new silicon while the standard Watch 9 sticks with the older Exynos W1000. Samsung and Qualcomm have left that question open.

FCC Filing Tells Us More Than Samsung Wants Right Now

In mid-June, both the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 cleared the FCC and CMIIT certification. The model numbers break down cleanly: SM-L340 and SM-L345 for the 40mm Watch 9, SM-L350 and SM-L355 for the 44mm Watch 9, and SM-L715 for the Watch Ultra 2.

The most notable absence: no Classic model number appeared in either filing. That's a strong signal that Samsung is skipping the Galaxy Watch 9 Classic this year. If you were holding out for a Classic variant, this may be the year Samsung consolidates the lineup around the standard and Ultra models only.

A separate charging certification confirmed both watches stay at 10W wired charging. No upgrade there, which is a bit of a disappointment given how quickly the rest of the spec sheet is moving.

Expected Pricing and Release Date

The Galaxy Watch 8 launched at $349 for the 40mm Bluetooth model, $379 for the 44mm, and $649 for the Ultra. Samsung already jumped prices $50 from the Watch 7 to Watch 8, so whether they hold or push another increase is the main question.

No pricing leaks have surfaced yet, which is unusual and possibly intentional on Samsung's part. The clearest guide is the Watch 8 pricing from launch:

Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth): $349
Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth): $379
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth): $499
Galaxy Watch Ultra: $649

For the Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2, expect similar numbers or a modest bump. The Ultra 2's larger battery and new chip may push it slightly higher, but Samsung has been careful not to price themselves out of a market that now includes the Apple Watch Ultra at competitive positioning.

The rumored Unpacked date is July 22, 2026, in London. Samsung hasn't confirmed it, but the FCC timeline makes a July announcement feel inevitable. If Samsung follows last year's pattern - Watch 8 was announced July 9 and went on sale July 25 - the Watch 9 could land in stores in early August.

What the Specs Look Like

For the standard Galaxy Watch 9, the leaks point to 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, the same as the Watch 8. The display sizes stay similar at 1.34 inches on the 40mm and 1.47 inches on the 44mm, both Super AMOLED with sapphire crystal. The bigger news is the battery: the 40mm model is expected to jump to around 382mAh, which Samsung may market as 400mAh, a 23 percent increase over the Watch 8's 325mAh cell. The 44mm model stays at 435mAh.

Durability holds steady at 5ATM, IP68, and military-grade build. One UI 9 Watch on Wear OS 7 is the software layer, which brings Live Updates, a Now Bar, redesigned widgets, and Gemini-powered AI features from Google.

For the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, the jump is more dramatic. The Snapdragon Wear Elite is expected here, along with a 784mAh battery, a 35 percent increase over the current Ultra. The display bumps to 1.5 inches at 480x480, with a rumored brightness boost to around 4,000 nits. Storage doubles to 64GB, and connectivity includes 5G for US and South Korea, LTE for Europe, and satellite messaging support.

Non-invasive glucose monitoring is heavily rumored for the Ultra tier but remains unconfirmed. Samsung has been working on this capability for years, and the Ultra form factor gives them more room for the necessary sensors.

The Bottom Line

The Galaxy Watch 9 is not a mystery anymore. The FCC filings, the Samsung Health app preview, and Qualcomm's own announcements have filled in most of the picture. What's left is confirmation of a few key details - the exact chip configuration for the standard model, whether the Classic is truly gone, and the final price.

For anyone in the market for a Galaxy Watch, waiting a few weeks for the official announcement is the obvious move. The battery improvement on the 40mm model alone would be a meaningful upgrade for anyone who complained about the Watch 8's endurance. And if the Ultra 2 delivers on the 35 percent battery increase plus the new chip, Samsung will have a serious contender in the high-end smartwatch space.

We'll have full coverage the moment Samsung makes it official.

COROS Firmware Update is Bricking Some Watches - Here's What You Need to Know

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

COROS users have been dealt a frustrating blow over the past few weeks. Since the company released its mid-May 2026 firmware update, a growing number of watch owners are reporting that their devices simply won't turn on afterward - essentially, the watches have been "bricked."

The reports started appearing in COROS user communities shortly after the May 2026 update rolled out. Users described watches dying mid-update, never booting back up, or entering an endless restart loop. For many, it happened without warning - the device was working fine one day, and after a routine sync and firmware push, it was dead.

Which Watches Are Affected?

COROS has confirmed the issue affects a subset of its watch lineup. According to the company, the problem appears to cluster on models that are roughly two to four years old. The COROS Pace 3 stands out as the most frequently reported casualty, though that's at least partially a numbers game - the Pace 3 is one of COROS's best-selling watches, so it naturally shows up in more failure reports than smaller-production models.

Other affected watches reportedly include the COROS Pace Pro, Vertix 2S, and the first-generation APEX watches. The newer models released in 2024 and 2025 - including the Pace 4 and APEX 4 - seem largely unaffected, which suggests the issue may be tied to how older hardware handles certain components of the new firmware.

It's worth noting this isn't COROS's first rocky software moment in recent memory. The company spent much of 2025 addressing a separate set of security vulnerabilities, which it eventually closed out with an official postmortem. The bricking issue is a very different kind of problem - physical device failure rather than a data exposure - but it adds to a pattern of software rollout missteps that has some long-time COROS users questioning whether the brand's famous value proposition comes with hidden support costs.

COROS's Response

In a statement confirmed via email, COROS Head of Product Marketing and Support Darian Allberry said the company is actively replacing watches that fail as a result of the firmware update:

"Also correct - for anyone that reaches out and has had a device failure after a recent firmware update we are replacing those devices."

That's the right move, as far as it goes. A free replacement for a device that dies during a routine update is what customers should expect. But the experience of actually getting a replacement has been uneven. Some users report smooth, quick turnaround from COROS support. Others say they hit long response delays, were initially told their warranty had expired (it hadn't), or were offered only a partial discount on a new purchase rather than a straight replacement. In a few cases, replacement units sent by COROS arrived already bricked - suggesting the root cause may be more systemic than a simple bad firmware file.

The firmware version at the center of the reports appears to be V3.1508.0, which shipped in March 2026 as part of an earlier update cycle, though the May 2026 release has also been implicated. COROS has not publicly disclosed exactly what in the firmware causes older hardware to fail, which has left owners of affected watches with more questions than answers.

What You Should Do If You're Worried

If you own a COROS watch from the affected generation - especially a Pace 3 - and you've been putting off updates, you now have a genuine dilemma. Skipping the update means missing out on new features like voice control (now available on the Pace 4, APEX 4, and NOMAD). Installing it means rolling the dice on a device that, depending on your warranty status, might leave you without a working watch for days or weeks.

The safest approach right now: don't update unless COROS releases a specific hotfix statement confirming the issue is resolved. If your watch has already been updated and is working fine, back up your activity history to the COROS app and keep a close eye on it. If your watch dies after an update, contact COROS support immediately and reference the replacement policy - but be prepared for some back-and-forth.

The Bigger Picture

COROS built its reputation on two things: affordability and a devoted user base that swears by the brand's training features and battery life. The PACE 4 and VERTIX 2S are genuinely excellent watches for the money. But software quality matters as much as hardware quality in this category - a GPS watch that can't reliably receive updates is a liability for anyone training seriously.

For now, COROS appears to be in cleanup mode. The company is replacing failed devices, which is the minimum it should do, and at least some users are getting resolution. But without a clear public explanation of what went wrong and how it's being prevented going forward, the incident will linger in community memory. For a brand that competes on trust and longevity, that's a meaningful cost.

We'll be watching for any official statement from COROS on a root cause analysis or a confirmed fix. In the meantime, if you've been affected, the company's support team is the first call - and screenshots of everything are your friend.

Garmin Enduro 4: Leaks, Release Date, and Everything We Know

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Garmin Enduro 4 has officially leaked — and this time Garmin itself accidentally confirmed it.

An APK teardown of Garmin Connect version 5.26, first reported by Gadgets & Wearables, reveals a clear device reference to the Enduro 4 inside Garmin's own companion app. This is the first time Garmin has explicitly referenced a next-generation Enduro within its own software — a strong signal that an official launch isn't far off.

What the Leak Shows

The most concrete finding is simple: the string "Enduro_4" appears in Garmin Connect 5.26, but it did not exist in version 5.25. More importantly, it's not sitting in some forgotten corner of the code — it's embedded in a device registry-style table with an internal ID (5179) and category flags covering fitness, outdoor, golf, and wellness. That's the same structure Garmin uses for its multi-sport flagship watches.

The naming is worth noting too. There was some speculation about whether Garmin might skip to "Enduro" or "Enduro X" — as it did years ago when the Fenix line jumped a number. The app says otherwise. For now, it's Enduro 4.

Also spotted in the APK: expanded wording around Assistance Plus, Emergency Calling, Incident Detection, SOS, and Garmin Response — along with clearer references to LTE plans and data coverage. Whether any of that is Enduro-specific or a broader Garmin Connect refresh isn't clear from the code alone.

Call Handling Gets an Upgrade Too

The same APK reveals deeper phone-call infrastructure being added to Garmin Connect. The app now includes the Android permission MANAGE_ONGOING_CALLS and a new Garmin in-call service called GNCSInCallService. New strings cover incoming calls, call screening, answering, rejecting, and disconnecting — and the notification database gains a callType field for better call classification.

This points to Garmin improving how phone calls are handled on LTE-capable watches, though it's not exclusive to the Enduro 4.

When Will It Launch?

The Enduro release pattern is consistent:

Enduro 2: August 2022
Enduro 3: August 2024
Enduro 4: Expected August 2026

August fits the rhythm Garmin has established with this series, and the fact that Enduro references are appearing in app code now — in mid-June — lines up with a typical lead time before a summer launch.

CEO Cliff Pemble has also mentioned a "very active year plan for outdoor" on Garmin's Q1 2026 earnings call, and the back half of 2026 is shaping up to be loaded for Garmin: CIRQA (a Whoop competitor), the Enduro 4, and likely the Fenix 9.

What Will It Bring?

No official specs yet, but the smart money is on these possibilities:

MIP display with solar charging — This is the Enduro's identity. The Fenix line has moved aggressively toward AMOLED (Fenix 8 Solar, Fenix 8 Pro), but the Enduro series has stayed true to transflective MIP for battery-first reasons. Garmin hasn't yet combined AMOLED with solar charging, and that likely won't change here. The Enduro will remain the choice for people who want to disappear into the backcountry for days without a charger.

LTE connectivity — This is the big question. Some speculation points to satellite-style messaging, voice features, or even inReach integration baked directly into the watch — eliminating the need for a separate communicator. The expanded safety wording in the APK (Emergency Calling, SOS, Garmin Response) feeds that theory. If Garmin adds inReach functionality to the Enduro 4, it would be a major differentiator for backcountry athletes.

New safety features — The expanded wording around Incident Detection, Assistance Plus, and Garmin Response suggests Garmin is making its safety ecosystem more prominent and clearer to users. The new language around LTE plans and coverage suggests Garmin wants users to understand exactly which features work with which connections.

Garmin Connect+ integration — New strings reference coach plans requiring Garmin Connect+ subscriptions, plan selection for cycling, fitness, triathlon and other coaching categories, and even discount codes for eligible subscribers. Expect more features to sit behind the paywall.

The Big Question: MIP or AMOLED?

The T3 article on the leak poses it directly: Can Garmin finally abandon MIP displays?

Garmin has been here before. The Fenix 8 Pro went AMOLED and Garmin watchers Split on whether it was the right call. The Enduro line has historically stayed MIP because solar charging + AMOLED still isn't a solved equation — the power requirements of a bright OLED screen eats into the solar advantage too aggressively for the Enduro's core use case.

If Garmin sticks with MIP, the Enduro 4 will likely claim another generational leap in battery life — potentially breaking the 100+ hour GPS tracking barrier that the Enduro 3 already flirted with. If Garmin goes AMOLED... well, that would signal a bigger philosophical shift for the series.

The Bottom Line

We don't have pricing, official specs, or a confirmed launch date yet — but the Enduro 4 just went from speculation to something Garmin itself is preparing for. The fact that the device string appeared in the wild on June 17th means app support is being readied, which typically means hardware is close behind.

Expect more leaks in the coming weeks. And if Garmin holds to form, August 2026 is the target.

We'll update this article as more information becomes available. Stay tuned to WatchesReviewed for full coverage.

Garmin Rolls Out Battery Fix for Tactix 8 as New Beta Update Hits Watches

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Garmin isn't done tweaking its high-end watches. The company has released Beta Version 22.37 for the Fenix 8 series, and this one is all about fixing things that have been annoying owners for weeks.

The headline fix: a battery drain issue that's been plaguing the Tactix 8. Garmin confirmed in a forum post that the update resolves an outstanding power-hogging problem specific to the Tactix 8 AMOLED Solar. If you've been watching your battery percentage drop faster than expected, this one's for you.

More Than Just the Tactix

But the Tactix 8 isn't the only watch getting attention. Beta Version 22.37 also addresses crash fixes for golf activities across all compatible smartwatches in the lineup. So if you've had your round mysteriously end mid-swing, this update should sort that out.

There's also a fix for an issue in older builds where dive depth would automatically reset to zero after hitting maximum depth. It's a niche problem, sure—but for the divers who rely on Garmin's tactix line for underwater work, it'll matter.

The Bigger Picture

This beta drops just weeks after Garmin pushed System Software 22.35, a major stable update that brought a wave of new features to the Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix 8 Pro Solar, Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Tactix 8. That update added free inReach satellite SOS capabilities (with some strings attached), golfing improvements, and a handful of UI refinements.

At the time, Garmin suggested v22.35 would close out the v22.xx beta program. Version 22.37 proves that wasn't quite the final chapter.

When Does It Hit Stable?

Garmin says 100% of beta program participants should have already received a notification to download Beta Version 22.37. If you're in the beta program and haven't seen it yet, check your notifications or force a sync through Garmin Connect.

For everyone else, history suggests this lands on the stable channel within days. Garmin typically moves quickly once a beta is deemed solid, and with crash fixes and a battery improvement in the mix, this feels like a short-cycle release.

If you're running a Tactix 8 and noticing your battery life isn't living up to Garmin's claims, the fix is close. Keep an eye on your Garmin Connect app.

Garmin Fenix 9: Release Date, Leaked Specs, and Whether to Wait or Buy a Fenix 8 Now

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The Garmin Fenix 8 has been on shelves since late 2024, and the Fenix 8 Pro arrived in September 2025. That means the Fenix 9 is overdue by Garmin's historical patterns. The good news: Garmin's own CEO has essentially confirmed it is coming in the back half of 2026. The bad news: we are still piecing together what it will actually include.

Let us look at what the rumors are saying, what we are still unsure about, and whether it makes sense to wait.

What Is Actually Confirmed

Very little has been officially announced, as Garmin tends to keep a tight lid on new products. But there are a few things we can say with reasonable confidence.

The CEO confirmed during a recent earnings call that Garmin is planning a major launch in H2 2026. That is not a rumor, that is a direct statement from the top. The timing likely means an announcement in August or September, with units hitting shelves a few weeks later. That would put the Fenix 9 at roughly two years since the Fenix 8 base model launched, and about a year since the Fenix 8 Pro.

Garmin has moved to a roughly 12-month refresh cycle for its Pro variants. The Fenix 8 Pro dropped in September 2025, which makes a Fenix 9 Pro announcement in late summer 2026 very plausible. If Garmin sticks to form, we could see the base Fenix 9 alongside a Pro variant, similar to how the Fenix 8 launched.

The Features That Look Likely

Here is where the informed speculation starts.

A faster processor. This is the most straightforward upgrade. Garmin has been using essentially the same chipset architecture for several generations now. Competitors like Apple and Samsung have been making meaningful year-over-year gains in processing speed and efficiency. A chip refresh would not be flashy, but it would make the Fenix 9 feel meaningfully snappier in everyday use.

Multiple size options. The Fenix 8 came in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. The Fenix 9 is expected to follow the same pattern. Some rumors suggest Garmin might add a 45mm option or tweak the sizing slightly, but three sizes has been the standard and there is no strong evidence that is changing.

Sapphire and titanium. Garmin uses sapphire crystal on its premium models and titanium on the top-tier variants. Expect the Fenix 9 to continue that approach. This is not a change, but it is a reminder that the Fenix line stays premium.

Satellite messaging. This one is less certain but worth watching. The Fenix 8 introduced some satellite connectivity features, and Garmin has been expanding its satellite capabilities across the lineup. Whether the Fenix 9 gets full two-way satellite messaging like some competitors is still an open question.

The MicroLED Question

This is where the Fenix 9 gets interesting.

The Fenix 8 Pro already shipped with microLED in September 2025, making Garmin the first to market with the technology in a smartwatch. The 51mm variant hit 4,500 nits of brightness and was called the "world's first MicroLED smartwatch" by multiple outlets. Apple had reportedly shelved its own microLED plans, so Garmin winning that race was a surprise.

So the question for the Fenix 9 is not whether Garmin will use microLED at all. It is whether Garmin will expand microLED beyond the single 51mm Fenix 8 Pro configuration — and more importantly, whether the technology will finally deliver the battery gains it promised.

Here is the catch: the microLED in the Fenix 8 Pro did not live up to the hype. According to detailed testing from the5krunner, the technology failed to deliver the energy-saving improvements that made microLED so promising in the first place. Garmin is expected to wait until microLED actually achieves those efficiency gains before rolling it out more broadly.

That means the Fenix 9 is unlikely to bring microLED as standard across all models. A microLED option on higher-end Pro variants is possible, but do not expect it on the base Fenix 9. If anything, Garmin may sit tight with OLED until the technology matures.

If you were hoping microLED would finally deliver the breakthrough battery life we have been waiting for, the Fenix 9 will not be that story — at least not this generation.

Smaller Case Size?

One newer rumor suggests Garmin might return to a slightly smaller case size on the base model. The Fenix 8 hit a sweet spot for many users at 47mm, but some athletes have been asking for a more compact option that does not sacrifice battery life.

Garmin has historically resisted shrinking the Fenix case because battery capacity tends to drop with size. But if the new chip is significantly more efficient, a slightly smaller case with similar battery life becomes more feasible. This one is speculative, but it is a request we have seen repeatedly from the running and triathlon community.

Should You Wait or Buy Now?

This is the question we get asked the most, and the honest answer is: it depends.

If you need a watch now and you are currently using a Fenix 7 or earlier, the Fenix 8 is still an excellent choice. The Fenix 8 Pro from September 2025 is genuinely great, and prices are likely to hold steady or even drop slightly as the 9 approaches. You will not be missing much if you buy today and upgrade later.

If you are on a Fenix 8 already, the upgrade calculus is harder. The Fenix 9 will bring meaningful improvements, but Garmin watches tend to hold their value for years. A Fenix 8 owner is not missing critical features that make the current watch obsolete.

The wild card is microLED — but probably not in the way you are hoping. The Fenix 8 Pro microLED did not deliver the battery gains it promised, and Garmin is expected to hold off on wider rollout until the technology matures. Do not count on microLED being the headline feature of the Fenix 9. A faster processor and meaningful efficiency gains from new silicon are more likely to be what makes the Fenix 9 stand out.

What We Still Do Not Know

A few things remain frustratingly unclear:

Price. The Fenix 8 started at $799 for the base model and went up from there. Will the Fenix 9 debut at the same price, or will Garmin push higher? No credible leaks on pricing yet.

Battery life claims. This is the number everyone wants to know. Current Fenix 8 models claim up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and 42 hours with GPS. A meaningful jump in that number would be notable.

Health sensors. Garmin has been quietly expanding its health monitoring capabilities. Whether the Fenix 9 brings anything new on the health sensing front is still unknown.

Release date. H2 2026 is confirmed in general terms. A specific date, or even a specific month, is not yet leaked with confidence.

The Bottom Line

The Fenix 9 is real, it is coming in H2 2026, and it will likely be a meaningful upgrade over the Fenix 8. The processor refresh alone should make it feel noticeably faster. Wider microLED adoption is possible but unlikely to be the headline feature — the technology still needs to prove itself before Garmin bets big on it.

If you are on an older Fenix and you need a new watch, the Fenix 8 is still a safe buy. If you are on a Fenix 8, you are in good shape and there is no urgent reason to feel like you are missing out. But if you have been holding off waiting for something better, the Fenix 9 is coming, and the wait is almost over.

We will have more details as the fall approaches. But one thing is clear: Garmin is not standing still. The competition from Apple, Samsung, and COROS has been heating up, and the Fenix 9 will be Garmin's answer.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: The Latest Rumors Say a Major Redesign Is Coming

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming, and if the latest leaks are accurate, Apple is planning its most significant redesign since the Ultra line launched. But there is a twist -- some of the most exciting rumored features might not make the cut after all.

Let us break down what is new since our last update, what is still uncertain, and what it means for the competitive landscape.

What Is New Since March

Our last Ultra 4 piece covered the basic rumor landscape: a fall 2026 launch, new sensors, and the usual chip improvements. Three months later, the picture is both clearer and more complicated.

A 15% Slimmer Case

The biggest surprise is the design direction. Multiple sources are now reporting that the Ultra 4 will be noticeably thinner -- around 15% slimmer than the current model. That is a meaningful change for a watch that has always been on the chunky side.

The trade-off has always been simple: bigger case means bigger battery. Apple has been willing to make that trade. But if they are moving to a slimmer design, it suggests either better power efficiency is freeing up internal space, or Apple has found a way to pack more density into a smaller footprint.

Either way, a thinner Ultra should be more comfortable for all-day wear. Whether athletes who wanted a rugged device are as thrilled is another question.

Touch ID: Coming -- Or Is It?

This is where the rumors get messy.

Back in March, we noted that code had surfaced suggesting Apple was working on Touch ID for the Ultra 4. The internal codename reportedly appearing in Apple's systems was "AppleMesa." The most likely integration points were the Digital Crown or the Action Button.

Here is the problem: a May 2026 report from MacRumors, citing a prominent leaker, pushed back hard. The report suggested Apple has deprioritized Touch ID for this generation, choosing instead to prioritize battery capacity and new sensor hardware.

So which is it? Touch ID might still happen, but it is no longer a sure thing. The "AppleMesa" codename proves Apple was at least working on it. Whether it ships in September is now an open question.

If Touch ID does arrive, expect it embedded in the Digital Crown or Action Button -- the two hardware elements that could realistically house a fingerprint sensor without major case redesign.

The S11 Chip

This one is straightforward. Apple is moving from the S10 chip (Ultra 3) to an S11 chip in the Ultra 4. The S-class chips have historically delivered modest year-over-year improvements in speed and power efficiency.

The S11 should continue that trend. Do not expect dramatic performance leaps, but expect better efficiency and slightly snappier interface responsiveness.

Double the Sensors?

One newer leak suggests Apple is roughly doubling the sensor components inside the Ultra 4. This aligns with earlier supply chain reports, but the specifics remain vague.

More sensors could mean better health data accuracy across the board. It could also mean Apple is preparing hardware groundwork for features that are not quite ready to ship yet -- blood glucose monitoring is the obvious candidate, though most sources agree that is still years away.

The Things We Still Do Not Know

September is a few months away, and Apple has been good at keeping the lid on things. Here is what remains unclear:

Display technology: MicroLED was rumored for earlier Ultra generations but never materialized. Will the Ultra 4 finally get it, or is Apple sticking with OLED?

Battery life: This is the big one. If Apple shrinks the case by 15%, does battery life stay the same, improve, or get worse? The efficiency gains from S11 could offset a smaller battery, but we will not know until Apple announces.

Price: The Ultra 3 started at $799. With new sensors and a redesign, a price bump is possible. But Apple has been relatively price-stable on the Ultra line, so do not be surprised if it stays at $799.

Blood glucose: Still not happening this year. Apple has been working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for over a decade, and the engineering challenges remain immense. When it finally arrives, it will be huge. But the Ultra 4 is not that moment.

How It Stacks Up

If the rumors hold, here is how the Ultra 4 would compare to the competition:

Feature	Ultra 4 (rumored)	Garmin Fenix 8	COROS PACE 4
Battery (GPS)	~25+ hours	50+ hours	31 hours
Battery (smartwatch)	~45+ hours	28 days	20 days
Multi-band GPS	Likely	Yes	Yes
Touch ID	Possible	No	No
Maps	Yes	Yes	Yes
Music storage	Yes	Yes	Yes

The battery gap is real, and it is the one area where Apple still trails Garmin and COROS significantly. For serious endurance athletes, that gap matters. For everyone else, the Ultra remains the best smartwatch-athletic hybrid on the market.

The Bottom Line

The Ultra 4 is shaping up to be a more significant update than we thought a few months ago. The slimmer design is the biggest surprise -- it suggests Apple is listening to feedback about comfort without abandoning the rugged positioning.

Touch ID is the wildcard. Apple clearly explored it, and the "AppleMesa" codename is real. But the May 2026 report that it might be deprioritized is credible. We will know for sure in September.

If you are in the market for an Ultra today, the Ultra 3 is still a great watch. But if the slimmer design rumors are accurate, waiting for the Ultra 4 might be worth it -- especially if you have found the current model too bulky for all-day wear.

One thing is clear: the Ultra line is no longer Apple's experiment. It is a core product. And Apple is finally starting to treat it that way.

watchOS 27 Brings Siri AI to Apple Watch. Here's What Actually Changes.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

watchOS 27 is the biggest Siri overhaul since Apple Watch launched. Apple rebuilt its voice assistant from the ground up with Apple Intelligence at the core, and the result actually feels new on your wrist. Throw in health improvements, a new gesture, and a smarter Smart Stack, and this is a meaningful update even if your hardware is a few years old.

Siri AI: The Headline

Siri on Apple Watch has always been limited. Ask it something complex and you got a web search result or a deflection. watchOS 27 changes that. Siri AI taps into Apple Intelligence for detailed, conversational responses, references your personal context, and takes action inside apps.

The personal context piece is what makes this feel different. Siri can find your driver's license number buried in Photos, pull a door code from an email about an upcoming rental, or grab a note you saved on your iPhone. It is not just answering questions anymore. It is doing useful tasks.

You can also ask Siri about broad world knowledge and get real answers. Workout ideas, wellness tips, recipes, ferry timetables. Siri AI references information online to give you up-to-date insights instead of dumping you into a browser search.

Taking action is the other big jump. Siri can share your flight details with family via Messages, play the song your trainer recommended, set a new Activity ring goal, or build a Reminders list from a recipe's ingredients. The assistant is finally living up to what Apple promised when it launched.

A new dedicated Siri app ties everything together. All your conversations sync privately across your Apple devices, so you can start a question on your iPhone and pick up where you left off on your Apple Watch. Pin conversations for quick access or start fresh ones without repeating context.

Health and Fitness: Workout Buddy Goes Solo

Workout Buddy gets a real upgrade. Previously it required your iPhone nearby for full functionality. Now it runs on Apple Watch alone, which makes it genuinely useful on runs and workouts where you leave your phone behind.

New progressive metrics keep you motivated during runs. Apple Watch detects when you have been steadily increasing your distance, pace, or duration over multiple sessions and highlights that progress. This is the kind of thing coaching apps have been doing for years. It is good to see Apple finally building it in.

Workout Buddy is also now available in Spanish.

For people tracking their cycle health, watchOS 27 adds perimenopause and menopause support. Cycle Tracking can notify you when logged patterns suggest perimenopause is beginning. You can track related symptoms and access scientifically validated educational articles in the Health app. This is a meaningful addition for a large chunk of Apple Watch users who have had to rely on third-party apps for this kind of tracking.

Treadmill readings are more accurate too. New machine learning algorithms improve distance calculations from the very first step of every walk or run. This addresses one of the more common complaints from runners who use Apple Watch indoors.

One-Handed Tap Gesture

Apple is expanding its gesture suite with a new one-handed option. A single tap of your index finger and thumb selects a widget in the Smart Stack. Double tap scrolls through Smart Stack to see upcoming events and relevant updates. Wrist flick returns you to the watch face.

This is designed for moments when your other hand is occupied. Cooking, carrying groceries, holding a handrail. The gestures work alongside the existing double tap, which stays for confirming Apple Pay and other actions.

Find My Gets Unified

The separate Find Devices, Find Items, and Find People apps are gone. watchOS 27 replaces all three with a single unified Find My app built around a map-centric interface. One place to locate friends, family, devices, and items.

Precision Finding now works with more than just AirTags. Paired iPhone, AirTag 2nd generation, and AirPods Pro 3 all support Precision Finding, which uses the U1 chip for directional guidance when something is nearby. If you have ever spent ten minutes searching for your phone in a couch cushion, this alone is worth the update.

Smarter Smart Stack

The Smart Stack suggestion engine gets sharper across several areas:

Birthday messages surface on the day of a close contact's birthday with a pre-crafted message ready to send. The recipient sees a celebratory animation when your message arrives.

Parked Car appears in Smart Stack when you have a parked car location from Apple Maps, so you can quickly pull up directions back.

Transit cards show your current balance after transactions with an easy top-up option. Pin your transit card for constant visibility, which is useful for daily commuters.

Theater Mode reminder triggers when you are at a concert venue or movie theater, nudging you to silence your watch before the show starts.

Holiday sleep alarms give you a heads-up the night before a holiday so you remember to adjust your morning alarm.

ID cards at airports appear automatically when you arrive, pulling up your driver's license or state ID in Wallet for faster check-in.

Guest key experience updates throughout your hotel stay to show relevant reservations and events from your digital room key in Wallet. Tap to see dining, spa, and activity bookings along with relevant links from the property.

Apple Watch For Your Kids Gets a Refresh

Family Setup is gone. In its place is Apple Watch For Your Kids, which better reflects what the feature actually does. Parents set up a Child Account for their child through Family Sharing, then pair a cellular-enabled Apple Watch to their iPhone. The child gets their own phone number for calls and texts, location sharing, and safety features like Emergency SOS and Medical ID.

The Screen Time experience is completely redesigned. Parents can whitelist approved contacts in Messages and Phone, set scheduled app access windows, and quickly adjust what their child can use on the Apple Watch. A new Child Safety website at apple.com/child-safety walks parents through getting started and answers common questions.

This is a meaningful shift for families. Apple Watch For Your Kids gives teenagers more independence while keeping parents connected to the safety features they actually care about.

Other Notable Changes

Refined Liquid Glass display design improves contrast and readability. Apple says the refraction is more uniform, which should mean better visibility in bright outdoor light.

Faster music playback means songs start more quickly when you press play. Minor until you are mid-workout waiting for your playlist to kick in.

Proactive battery extension notifies you when features you never use are active. Gestures, Start Workout reminders, and Raise to Speak for Siri can be automatically disabled to extend battery life. You always retain control and can re-enable anything through Settings.

Call Context arrives on Apple Watch so you can see confirmation numbers on your wrist when taking calls from businesses, even if your phone is in your bag.

Wallet passes can now be generated from any card or membership with a barcode or QR code, then pinned in Smart Stack for quick access.

Compatibility

watchOS 27 requires one of the following Apple Watch models paired with an iPhone running iOS 27 or later:

Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch SE 3

The Big Picture

watchOS 27 is what happens when Apple finally lets Apple Intelligence do real work on Apple Watch. Siri has gone from a limited voice assistant to something that actually understands context, takes action in apps, and carries on conversations. Combined with Workout Buddy working solo, smarter Smart Stack suggestions, and a gesture that solves a real problem, this is an update worth paying attention to.

The public release will likely arrive in September alongside new Apple Watch hardware at Apple's fall event. If your Apple Watch is on the compatibility list, update the day it drops.

Amazfit Adds Multi-Device Activity Sync: The Garmin TrueUp Competitor Is Here

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:15:00 GMT

Finally, One Set of Numbers

Amazfit has added multi-device sync to its ecosystem, and it is long overdue. The new Multi-Device Activity Sync feature in Zepp OS 6 merges daily activity data across multiple Amazfit devices, keeping totals consistent for steps, calories, standing time, and distance. The feature is live on the Balance 3 and Balance Ultra, with more devices expected to follow.

This is the feature that Amazfit users have been asking for. People who run with one watch and wear another for sleep, or who switch between models depending on the workout, have been dealing with fragmented data for years. The Zepp app now pulls everything together so you see one set of numbers, not several conflicting ones.

How It Works

Multi-Device Activity Sync runs through the Zepp app, not device-to-device. That is the standard approach used across the industry, and it is the same architecture Garmin uses for TrueUp. When you have multiple Amazfit devices connected to the same Zepp account, the app merges the daily data and keeps totals consistent across both.

The synced metrics are steps, calories, standing, and distance. Zepp Health also mentions "other activity metrics" without being specific about what those cover. The feature works automatically once you have two devices linked to the same account.

Garmin Has Had This Since 2016

Amazfit is arriving late to this particular party. Garmin introduced TrueUp back in November 2016 and has been refining it ever since. By 2023, Garmin had extended the concept significantly with Unified Training Status, which added Primary Training Device and Primary Wearable designations to keep physiological metrics like VO2 max, training load, and recovery time consistent across the entire Garmin ecosystem.

Amazfit's first step is more modest. Multi-Device Activity Sync covers daily activity metrics, not training load or physiological data. The gap that matters most right now is HybridCharge. Amazfit's readiness score builds on biometric data plus user-reported context like stress, illness, and RPE. If a workout on a Helio Strap does not feed into the HybridCharge score on your Balance 3, the readiness metric is incomplete.

Zepp Health has not confirmed whether training load, recovery time, or HybridCharge scores cross device boundaries. Garmin closed that gap in 2018, two years after launching the basic sync. Amazfit has some work to do if it wants to match Garmin's depth here.

What Else Zepp OS 6 Brings

Multi-Device Activity Sync is the standout new feature, but Zepp OS 6 adds several other tools worth noting.

Daily Briefing builds on the old Morning Update and now covers both ends of the day. Morning briefings show weather, sleep data, your schedule, and training insights. Evening briefings look back at workouts, activity, and key health trends.

HybridCharge replaces BioCharge as the primary readiness score. It adds LifeLoad, which lets users log stress, illness, alcohol, physical strain, travel, and jet lag. RPE logging is also built in, so you can record how hard a workout felt after you finish. Boundary reminders can now trigger during workouts when HybridCharge is low, turning recovery from a morning score into an ongoing guide.

Training Calendar puts planned workouts and past sessions in one place, with support for Zepp Training, custom templates, and third-party plans. There is also a Training Library with Zepp courses available directly on the watch.

HYROX support includes training templates and Virtual Pace with stage guidance, target progress, and next-up previews. That aligns with the Balance 3 range's focus on hybrid fitness.

Navigation improvements bring Route Progress showing remaining distance, ascent, and descent to the next waypoint and final destination. Elevation Chart gives a clearer route profile view.

Launcher redesign puts the watch face at the center of navigation. Swipe right for workouts, swipe left for apps, swipe down for notifications, swipe up for Shortcut Cards. Physical buttons get a bigger role, which matters for gym use when touchscreens are unreliable.

The Bottom Line

Amazfit has finally answered Garmin TrueUp. Multi-Device Activity Sync is a genuine quality-of-life improvement for anyone using more than one Amazfit device. The sync architecture is right, the metrics are useful, and it makes the ecosystem feel less fragmented.

The gap is depth. Garmin has spent seven years building out its multi-device ecosystem, and Amazfit is at the starting line. HybridCharge is the obvious missing piece. If your readiness score cannot see workouts logged on a Helio Strap or a secondary watch, it is not giving you the full picture.

That said, Amazfit has moved quickly on features before. This is a real first step, and it is in the right direction.

Google Just Killed the Last Bit of Fitbit on Pixel Watch

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Google is cleaning house. The ECG app on Pixel Watch is getting an update that removes the last visible Fitbit branding from the watch's software. The app drawer label no longer shows Fitbit, the icon has been redrawn, and any lingering bugs that prevented the app from working have been addressed.

The update is rolling out widely now to Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 users.

What's Changed

The most visible change is the icon. The ECG app has traded its previous look for a new red-themed icon that aligns better with Google's current design language across Workspace apps and other Google products. It stands out more in a sea of blue health app icons, which is a small but meaningful usability improvement when you are trying to find a specific app quickly on a small screen.

The bigger story is the branding removal. Since Google completed its health platform transition, Fitbit-branded apps on Pixel Watch have been gradually renamed and restyled. The Exercise app was one of the first to lose the Fitbit name. Now the ECG app has followed. There is no longer any Fitbit branding remaining on the Pixel Watch software side. Everything lives under the Google Health umbrella.

The Bug Fix

For some users, the ECG app had stopped working entirely in recent weeks. Reports surfaced in late May of users losing access to the electrocardiogram feature, which is one of the Pixel Watch's more notable health tools. This update appears to resolve those issues and restore functionality for affected users.

Why This Matters

The Fitbit-to-Google Health transition has been gradual, and this update marks the final cleanup of the Pixel Watch interface. For users who bought into the Fitbit ecosystem when Google first started integrating it into Pixel hardware, the shift has been mostly invisible. The ECG app worked the same way; it just had Fitbit branding on it.

What matters more is the bug fix. ECG is a feature that users rely on for actual health monitoring, not just novelty. An app that silently stops working is worse than no feature at all. Google fixing it without requiring a full manual update is welcome.

Check Your Update

The ECG app update is rolling out automatically. If your Pixel Watch is set to receive automatic updates, you should see the new icon and branding shortly. If you have automatic updates disabled, you can check manually through the Wear OS settings or force a sync through the Google Pixel Watch app on your phone.

Garmin Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Index S2 Body Composition Claims

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:09:00 GMT

Garmin is facing a proposed class action lawsuit over the Index S2 Smart Scale, with the core allegation being that the company marketed its body composition features as accurate when the underlying technology -- foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) -- cannot support those claims.

The case, Maurer v. Garmin International, Inc. et al (1:26-cv-06389), was filed on May 29, 2026, in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The plaintiff, Victor Maurer, is seeking monetary damages and a declaration that the Index S2 cannot accurately measure body composition. The complaint is 56 pages, filed as an "Other Fraud" case with a jury demand.

This is a proposed class action, not a ruling. Garmin has not publicly responded to the suit. At this stage, it's an allegation that will work its way through the courts -- and many consumer class actions settle, narrow, or get dismissed before they ever see a courtroom.

That said, the lawsuit raises some points that are worth looking at closely.

What the Lawsuit Claims

The complaint takes issue with Garmin's marketing of the Index S2's body composition features -- specifically body fat percentage, muscle mass, and related metrics. Weight measurement is not in dispute. The lawsuit is about whether those derived body composition numbers are legitimately accurate or whether they're being presented as more precise than the technology allows.

According to the filing, Garmin "failed to disclose to Plaintiff and other Class Members vital information regarding the Smart Scale's inability to accurately measure body composition."

The core technical argument is this: the Index S2 uses foot-to-foot BIA, which sends an electrical current from one foot to the other through bare skin. Because the signal travels only through the lower body, the lawsuit argues it cannot capture whole-body composition. A four-point BIA system that uses both feet and hands would measure more of the body directly and is generally considered more accurate for clinical body composition purposes.

The complaint cites a 2021 study published in JMIR mHealth uHealth that compared three foot-to-foot smart scales against DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), which is the clinical gold standard for body composition measurement. The study found that those smart scales underestimated both fat mass and muscle mass by as much as 8kg, or roughly 8 percentage points, compared to DEXA. Median errors in the same study were smaller -- 2.2 to 4.4kg -- but the lawsuit focuses on the worst-case figures.

The Marketing Language Is the Real Target

What's interesting about this lawsuit is that the science is almost secondary. The legal argument leans heavily on what Garmin said about the product, not just what the technology does.

Garmin's product page uses the phrase "Accuracy matters when it comes to your goals." The lawsuit points to that as an implicit accuracy claim attached to body composition data. An Amazon listing referenced in the complaint is more direct, stating buyers can get "accurate measurements for weight, weight trend, body fat percentage, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, and more."

And then there's the launch statement from Garmin VP of worldwide sales Dan Bartel, which the5krunner flagged as potentially the most damaging line in the case: "The Index S2 builds on the success of the first-generation Garmin smart scale with exceptional accuracy."

Unqualified. In a product announcement that leads with body composition as the headline feature. That's the sentence the plaintiff's lawyers will return to.

What Garmin Will Likely Argue

Garmin has several potential lines of defense, and some of them are reasonable.

First, the JMIR study didn't test a Garmin Index S2. It tested a Tefal scale, a Terraillon scale, and a Withings scale. No Garmin device was in that study. The lawsuit is extrapolating from a class of products to a specific brand, which Garmin's lawyers will absolutely challenge.

Second, the 8kg figure is a worst-case outlier drawn from a clinical population recruited specifically for obesity and chronic illness research -- not a representative sample of everyday users. Median errors in the same study were in the 2.2 to 4.4kg range, which is a meaningfully different number.

Third, Garmin's Owner Manual does caution that hydration and activity levels affect BIA measurements and recommends using the scale under consistent conditions for best results. Whether that disclaimer is prominent enough to matter legally is a different question, but the company can point to it.

Fourth, every major competitor uses the same foot-to-foot two-point BIA method. Withings, Fitbit, Tanita, Eufy -- all of them use the same basic approach. If foot-to-foot BIA is fundamentally flawed as a body composition tool, the lawsuit doesn't explain why Garmin is uniquely responsible for marketing it.

Fifth, the industry-wide position is that BIA smart scales track relative change over time, not absolute clinical values. You step on the scale every morning under the same conditions and watch the trend. That's how these devices are designed to be used, and it's a reasonable framework -- even if the marketing sometimes oversells the precision.

Why Garmin Might Be Vulnerable Anyway

The science might be on Garmin's side, but the marketing language is a liability.

Consumer fraud cases don't require a product to be completely worthless. They look at the overall impression created by marketing and ask whether a reasonable buyer would be misled. "Exceptional accuracy" in a product announcement where body composition is the headline feature, combined with an Amazon listing promising "accurate measurements for body fat percentage," is not a trivially defensible position.

The "everyone else does it too" defense might help Garmin, but it won't eliminate liability on its own. And the specific Dan Bartel quote -- with a named executive making an unqualified accuracy claim at launch -- is the kind of thing that hangs around in discovery.

The lawsuit also seeks a declaration that the Index S2 "cannot accurately measure body composition." That's a stronger remedy than money in some ways -- it would require Garmin to either change its marketing or stop making body composition claims entirely. That kind of injunctive relief is harder to settle away quietly.

What This Means for Index S2 Owners

If you own an Index S2, this lawsuit doesn't change what the scale does. It still measures weight reliably. It still tracks trends over time. The body composition numbers are still estimates, and they've always been estimates -- that's how BIA scales work.

What the lawsuit changes is the question of whether you were told that clearly enough. If Garmin's marketing led you to believe the body fat percentage was a precise measurement rather than an approximation, and if the court agrees that the marketing was misleading, you might be entitled to a refund.

The practical takeaway: don't treat the body composition numbers on any smart scale -- Garmin or otherwise -- as clinical-grade data. Use them to track direction and趋势 over weeks and months. Don't treat a 1% change in body fat as meaningful when the margin of error on the technology is multiple percentage points.

The Bottom Line

This is a case about marketing language as much as it is about technology. The Index S2 is not uniquely inaccurate among smart scales -- foot-to-foot BIA is a known limitation of the entire product category. But Garmin's marketing copy, particularly the "exceptional accuracy" statement from a named executive, is the kind of thing that makes a plaintiff's lawyer's day.

The case is in its early stages. Garmin hasn't responded publicly. Class certification is still ahead, and many proposed class actions never get that far. This is worth watching, but it's not a verdict.

What it does do is raise a legitimate question that anyone buying a smart scale should ask: what kind of accuracy are you actually getting, and is the marketing being honest about the limitations?

This article is based on publicly available court filings, the Singletracks report, the5krunner analysis, and GadgetsAndWearables coverage. We will follow this case as it develops.

Amazfit Balance 3 and Balance Ultra Review: Hybrid Training Done Right

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:08:00 GMT

Amazfit has been creeping up the GPS watch ladder for years, making solid fitness trackers at budget prices and incrementally closing the gap with Garmin. The Balance 3 and Balance Ultra are the result of that crawl - two watches that don't just compete on price anymore. These are premium devices with titanium cases, sapphire glass, week-long battery life, and a training philosophy that actually makes sense for the growing number of athletes who mix running, lifting, and everything in between.

Announced June 2, 2026, and available now, the Balance3 starts at $369.99 in stainless steel with a titanium option coming later at $449.99. The Balance Ultra - Amazfit's most expensive watch ever - sits at $599.99 in Grade 5 titanium. Both run Zepp OS 6 and share the same1.5-inch AMOLED display, sapphire protection, and the new Hybrid Training System.

I've been digging through the spec sheets, press materials, and early coverage. Here's everything you need to know. If you're trying to decide between the two, check out our dedicated Balance Ultra vs Balance 3 head-to-head first.

What's New: The Hybrid Training System

Before getting into the hardware, it worth understanding what Amazfit is actually selling here. The Hybrid Training System is a platform built into Zepp OS 6 that tries to solve a real problem: modern athletes train in fragments. A morning run, an afternoon lift, a recovery session, work stress, poor sleep - it all adds up, and most watches treat each data point in isolation.

Amazfit's answer is HybridCharge, which ties together three metrics:

BioCharge - a daily energy indicator based on heart rate variability, sleep quality, stress, and recovery data
LifeLoad - the cumulative strain from training and daily life demands
Training Load - the specific strain from structured workouts

The idea is that instead of looking at a heart rate graph or a sleep score in a vacuum, you get a unified view of where your body stands today. Should you do that hard interval session or take the recovery day? HybridCharge is designed to answer that question before you lace up.

Supporting tools include Weekly Focus (a high-level view of your training week), Training Balance (are you balanced across strength, endurance, and recovery?), and Hybrid Training Plans that span both running and strength work. There's also a HYROX Race Mode - more on that below.

Balance 3 vs. Balance Ultra: Hardware Differences

Both watches share the same display: a 1.5-inch AMOLED panel with sapphire glass and3,000-nit peak brightness. That's the same brightness spec as the Cheetah 2 Ultra, and it puts these watches well above most Garmin devices in direct sunlight readability. The screen diameter is 44.8 x 44.8mm on both.

Where they diverge is in the case material, size, button count, and battery life.

Balance 3 comes in two finishes:

Stainless Steel ($369.99) - available now
Grade5 Titanium ($449.99) - coming soon

Case diameter is 51.4 x 51.4mm with a thickness of 14.6mm (with sensor) or 12.5mm (without). Four buttons, all stainless steel. Battery life is rated at up to 21 days of typical use, with continuous GPS at up to 41 hours. Ships with one22mm quick-release strap.

Balance Ultra comes in one finish - Grade 5 titanium - at $599.99.

Case diameter is 51.8 x 51.8mm, slightly larger than the Balance 3. Thickness is 15.5mm (with sensor) or 13.4mm (without). Five buttons, all Grade 5 titanium. Battery life stretches to 30 days of typical use, with continuous GPS at up to 50 hours - the best battery spec in the Amazfit lineup. Ships with two22mm quick-release straps (Black, Black& Terra).

Both watches include:

10 ATM water resistance (45m freediving, recreational scuba)
Bluetooth calling (microscope and speaker onboard)
64GB storage (Balance Ultra) / onboard flash (Balance 3 - exact capacity not specified in press materials)
Dual-band GPS with support for six satellite positioning systems
Offline contour maps, turn-by-turn navigation, POI search, route planning, round-trip route creation, and auto-rerouting
Golf mode with course maps
180+ workout modes
Zepp Flow voice controls
NFC payments via Zepp Pay

The HYROX Angle

Amazfit is the official wearable partner of HYROX, the functional fitness race format that has grown rapidly in the US and UK - combining running intervals with gym-based workstation efforts. Both Balance watches include HYROX-specific features baked into the Hybrid Training System:

HYROX training plans built into the Zepp App
Race simulations that let you rehearse the HYROX format before race day
Virtual pacing features tuned for HYROX run-workout intervals
Post-race analytics broken down by station, with pacing splits, rankings, and cumulative times

For HYROX athletes, this is a genuine differentiator. No other watch brand has made this kind of formal investment in the race format. Whether these tools are detailed enough to give you a real edge - or whether they're mostly marketing - is something real-world testing will answer. But the intent is right.

Build Quality: Finally Premium

The Balance Ultra's Grade 5 titanium construction is the same material Garmin uses on the Fenix 8 and Apple uses on the Watch Ultra 2. It's light, strong, and scratch-resistant. Paired with sapphire crystal glass, this is a watch that should hold up to years of hard training without showing it.

The Balance 3 in stainless steel is more accessible but still solid - the titanium variant when it arrives will be the direct competitor to the Balance Ultra's build quality at a lower price.

Both watches have five physical buttons on the Ultra (four on the Balance 3), which matters for gym use. Touchscreens are fine when you're standing still; they're frustrating when you're mid-set with sweaty fingers. The button layout is right for the use case.

The dedicated dive mode is worth noting too.10 ATM water resistance is common in GPS watches, but the addition of a freediving mode and recreational scuba support puts these watches in a category that most running watches skip entirely. If you're a runner who also dives, or even just someone who swims regularly, that's meaningful.

Battery Life: The Key Number

Here's the comparison that matters most:

Mode	Balance3	Balance Ultra
Typical Daily Use	21 days	30 days
Continuous GPS	41 hours	50 hours
Always-On Display	~10 days (est.)	~10 days (est.)

The Balance Ultra's 50-hour GPS figure is a direct shot at Garmin. Most Garmin watches in this price range sit in the 30-40 hour range. If you race ultramarathons or do long mountain days, 50 hours of GPS is a real number - that's a50-mile ultra with GPS logging the whole way, plus some buffer.

The Balance 3's 41 hours is still strong, and for most runners doing marathon-distance races or shorter, it's more than adequate.

Both watches use a780mAh cell in the Ultra (exact capacity for the Balance 3 isn't publicly listed yet).

Display

3,000 nits peak brightness on a 1.5-inch AMOLED with sapphire glass. That's the same display spec across both models, and it's genuinely impressive. Most Garmin watches sit in the 1,000-2,000 nit range. In direct summer sun or on a bright alpine ridge, the Balance3 and Ultra should stay readable without backlight tricks.

The1.5-inch size is generous for a GPS watch. Data-heavy training pages, map navigation, and quick-glance intervals all benefit from the extra real estate. The slight size difference between the two models (51.4mm vs 51.8mm case diameter) is negligible on the wrist.

The Zepp Ecosystem

Both watches run Zepp OS 6, which connects to the Zepp App for data sync, training plans, and watch management. The Zepp App integrates with Strava, TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals.icu for automatic workout sync.

Zepp Coach AI provides adaptive training plans from 5K to marathon distance. That's competitive with what Garmin offers through Garmin Coach, though Garmin's ecosystem is more mature for cyclists and swimmers.

The key question for anyone coming from Garmin is whether Zepp OS has the app depth to keep up. For running, cycling, and strength training, it does. For more niche sports or advanced metrics, Garmin still leads. But for the target audience - hybrid athletes doing a mix of running, lifting, and functional fitness - Zepp OS6 is more than sufficient.

Who Should Buy the Balance 3?

The Balance 3 is for:

Runners and gym-goers who want a single watch that handles both早上 runs and afternoon lifts without compromise
Athletes who want premium build quality (sapphire glass, solid case) without spending $600
HYROX competitors who want race-specific tools without buying a Garmin Fenix
Divers or swimmers who also need a running watch - the 10 ATM rating with freediving mode covers both

At $369.99 in stainless steel, it's priced aggressively against the Garmin Forerunner 265 and similar devices. You get sapphire glass and a1.5-inch AMOLED display that most watches in this price range can't match.

Who Should Buy the Balance Ultra?

The Balance Ultra is for:

Ultrarunners and endurance athletes who need50-hour GPS battery life and titanium durability
Premium watch buyers who want the best Amazfit has to offer and don't want to compromise on materials
Athletes who want maximum storage (64GB) for offline maps, music, and route files
Anyone coming from a Garmin Fenix or Apple Watch Ultra who wants similar build quality at a lower price

At $599.99, the Balance Ultra undercuts the Apple Watch Ultra 2 by $200 and sits in direct competition with the Garmin Fenix 8. The titanium build, sapphire glass, and battery life are all class-appropriate. The HYROX integration and Hybrid Training System are genuine differentiators that Garmin can't match right now.

Price and Availability

Amazfit Balance 3 Stainless Steel: $369.99, available now
Amazfit Balance 3 Titanium: $449.99, coming soon
Amazfit Balance Ultra: $599.99, available now

All three models are available at Amazfit.com and major retailers.

Full disclosure: This article is based on specs, press materials, and early coverage. Both watches launched June 2, 2026. Real-world testing for GPS accuracy, heart rate reliability, and battery life under load is still ongoing - check back for a follow-up once long-term review units are in hand.

Garmin Q2 2026 Update: Golf Features, Recovery Mode, Health Status History, and More

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:10:00 GMT

A Narrower But Still Meaningful Update

Garmin's Q2 2026 software update is smaller than February's release, but it fills in several practical gaps across the current watch lineup and Edge cycling computers. The rollout started June 2, 2026, and includes six new features for watches and two for Edge devices.

Here's what is changing and which watches get left out.

Recovery Mode

Garmin is adding a Recovery Mode that automatically activates if the watch encounters trouble during a software update or has difficulty starting up. Rather than being stuck in a boot loop or needing a full reset, users get a troubleshooting path that could rescue the device without wiping it.

Watches with Recovery Mode: Venu X1, Venu 4, vivoactive 6, D2 Air X15, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, fēnix 8, fēnix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, tactix 8, quatix 8, quatix 8 Pro, D2 Mach 2, D2 Mach 2 Pro, and fēnix E.

The Instinct 3 does not get Recovery Mode in this update.

Health Status History

Health Status has been a popular Garmin feature since its launch, showing athletes a daily snapshot of how their body is handling training stress. This update adds a History component, letting users track their Health Status over time instead of seeing only the current reading.

The feature draws from five overnight metrics: resting heart rate, HRV, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and skin temperature. It compares those against your personal baseline so you can see whether things are trending up, down, or flat over weeks and months.

Watches with Health Status History: The same list as Recovery Mode above. Again, the Instinct 3 is notably absent.

Premium Golf Features Through Golf Membership

Garmin is continuing its push to bring premium golf tools to more non-Approach watches. The Venu 4, vivoactive 6, and D2 Air X15 now get access to Premium Golf Features through a Garmin Golf Membership. That includes full-color course maps, hazard distances, and shot tracking, all tied to the subscription.

The full list of watches supporting Premium Golf Features through a Golf Membership includes the Venu X1, Venu 4, vivoactive 6, D2 Air X15, fēnix 8, fēnix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, tactix 8, quatix 8, quatix 8 Pro, D2 Mach 2, D2 Mach 2 Pro, and fēnix E.

A notable omission: the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 do not get Premium Golf Features, even with a Golf Membership.

Approach CT1 Tag Compatibility

Garmin's Approach CT1 tags are clip-on club sensors that automatically log which club you used on each shot and build stats over time, including average distance per club. This update brings CT1 compatibility to more watches.

Watches with Approach CT1 compatibility: Venu X1, Venu 4, vivoactive 6, D2 Air X15, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, fēnix 8, fēnix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, tactix 8, quatix 8, quatix 8 Pro, D2 Mach 2, and D2 Mach 2 Pro.

Instinct 3 Gets Its Own Features

The Instinct 3 does not get Recovery Mode or Health Status History, but it picks up several additions that are already present on Garmin's other platforms:

Workout Execution Score — scores how closely you followed a planned workout
Stocks Tracker — view stock prices on the watch face
Mobility Activity — a dedicated activity profile for structured stretching and movement sessions
Post-Activity Dive Guidance — guidance displayed after dive-related activities

The Instinct Crossover AMOLED gets Workout Execution Score, Stocks Tracker, and Mobility Activity. The Instinct E gets Stocks Tracker and Mobility Activity.

Edge: On-Device Gear Tracking and Bosch eBike Support

Garmin's Edge cycling computers receive two practical updates:

On-device gear tracking lets riders add, change, and remove gear directly from the Edge device, rather than managing everything through Garmin Connect. This covers bike setups, drivetrain components, wheels, tires, and even cycling shoe cleats, with wear progress bars and end-of-life alerts.

Bosch eBike smart system compatibility brings battery status, smart range routing, power, and cadence data to compatible eBikes on supported Edge computers.

Edge devices getting both updates: Edge MTB, Edge 540, Edge 840, Edge 1040, Edge 550, Edge 850, and Edge 1050.

Which Watches Miss Out This Quarter

The Venu 3, vivoactive 5, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 965, and the entire fēnix 7 range do not appear in the Q2 update. Some of those watches are under two years old and none of them are cheap.

Garmin has not explained the cut-off, though the pattern is consistent. The February Q1 update similarly excluded the fēnix 7 range, which suggests Garmin is drawing a firm line at the current-generation platform for new software features.

How to Get the Update

The Q2 2026 update began rolling out on June 2. Enable automatic updates on your watch or Edge to receive it, or update manually through Garmin Express or the Garmin Connect app.

Stay tuned to WatchesReviewed for more coverage as these features roll out and we get hands-on time with them.

COROS May 2026 Update Brings Voice Control, Custom Photo Sharing, and Strength Improvements

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:08:13 GMT

COROS has released its May 2026 feature update, and it's one of the most substantial software drops the brand has delivered in recent memory. Headlining the release is Voice Control, a hands-free way to start workouts, set alarms, check the weather, and more - all by holding the Action button and speaking. The update also includes a fully redesigned Custom Photo Sharing feature and meaningful upgrades to how strength training is tracked and edited.

Here's what's new and why it matters for runners and gym-goers alike.

Voice Control Takes Center Stage

Voice Control is the headline feature, and it's rolling out in beta across the COROS PACE 4, APEX 4, and NOMAD. The concept is straightforward: hold the Action button, say a command, and the watch handles the rest. No scrolling, no menu diving, no stopping mid-workout to fiddle with buttons.

The use cases COROS has highlighted are practical:

Start a run - just say "start a trail run" or "start a five mile run" and the watch configures the activity.
Set reminders and alarms - tell your watch to remind you to walk the dog at 6 PM, or set your morning alarm before bed without opening an app.
Quick data checks - ask to check the weather or open your sleep data to see how you recovered overnight.

The feature currently works in English only, with additional language support and Timer functionality on the roadmap. If you've been waiting for a reason to actually use the Action button beyond starting activities, this might be it.

Custom Photo Sharing Gets a Major Overhaul

COROS has completely rebuilt its Custom Photo Sharing feature, shifting it from a basic stat overlay into a full creative toolkit. The goal is simple: make it easier to turn your activity data into something worth sharing on social media.

The updated system gives you two primary paths. First, you can choose from dozens of templates in the COROS library and overlay your stats directly onto activity photos for an instant, polished post. Second, you can download a transparent PNG overlay and drop it into third-party editing software - think CapCut, Premiere, or directly into Instagram and TikTok - giving you complete creative control over how your pace, distance, and elevation appear over action footage.

The transparent PNG option is the real upgrade here. It means your data overlay can go over video just as easily as over a still photo, which opens up new territory for runners and cyclists who want to tell a story rather than just post a screenshot of their watch.

Strength Training Gets Smarter

Strength mode has been a consistent area of focus for COROS over the past year, and the May update pushes that further. The changes fall into three buckets.

Better rep and weight tracking. For exercises where hand movement makes auto-detection tricky, the watch now intelligently assumes you've hit your target rep count. There's also a new 5-second delay once you hit your rep target, giving the system time to complete the data log before moving you into the rest phase.

On-watch and in-app editing. Full post-workout editing is now available in the COROS app - including the ability to manually add missed sets or adjust time durations for unstructured sessions. On the watch itself, you'll see an improved prompt after each set to edit reps and weight via touch or the dial, and those edits must happen before the rest interval begins to log correctly.

Smarter workout flow. Strength animations no longer auto-play at the start of every exercise - they've been moved to an automatic data page you can view on demand. There's also a 5-second buffer on the rest and edit screen (skipped entirely if "no rest" is configured), and warm-ups, recoveries, and cool-downs no longer display exercise animations, keeping the display focused on what's actually happening in the moment.

One of the more practical additions is live workout reordering. If the gym is crowded or you need to pivot mid-session, you can now skip remaining sets of an exercise, remove future exercises entirely, or move one into the "up next" slot. The watch automatically shifts the sequence so you keep moving without manual adjustment, and it will ask at the end if you want to go back and hit the sets you skipped.

Control Center and Distance Alerts

The update also touches a few other areas worth noting.

Control Center is now accessible with a single press of the Action button or a swipe left from the watch face. COROS has added toggle options for Daily, Do Not Disturb, and Sleep Mode, headphone settings, brightness controls (on AMOLED watches), speaker volume (APEX 4), and a "Water" mode that plays a tone to clear the speaker after exposure to liquid.

For runners, Distance Alerts have been clarified as a separate feature from Laps in standard runs. Distance Alerts notify you at your set interval (say, every half mile) without creating a lap - essentially a check-in rather than a split. This is useful if you want regular pacing feedback but don't want your post-run data chopped into many discrete laps. The structured workout behavior differs slightly: Distance Alerts work relative to workout blocks without interfering with lap logic, while Auto Lap is disabled entirely during structured sessions.

What This Means for COROS Users

The May 2026 update is a clear signal that COROS is serious about closing the feature gap with Garmin and adding the kinds of quality-of-life improvements that loyal users have been requesting. Voice Control in particular feels like a genuine step forward for hands-free training - the kind of thing that matters when you're mid-workout and your hands are sweaty or dirty.

Custom Photo Sharing appeals to the social media side of the running community, where data overlays on race photos have become a genre of their own. Making that toolkit more flexible is a smart move as the sport increasingly lives online.

The strength training improvements are the most technical, but they're meaningful for anyone who takes gym work seriously. Better tracking, easier editing, and smarter flow mean fewer frustrations and more accurate data.

If you're on a PACE 4, APEX 4, or NOMAD, the update should be available now through the COROS app. Voice Control is labeled as beta, so expect some refinement as COROS expands language support and adds Timer functionality over the coming months.

Samsung Fainting Detection: A Predictive Game Changer for Wearable Health

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The Breakthrough: Predictive vs. Reactive

The wearable health landscape is about to shift fundamentally. For years, the "gold standard" for safety features on smartwatches, most notably the Apple Watch, has been reactive. When a user suffers a hard fall, the watch detects the impact and prompts the user to call for help. It is a vital post-event medical alert, but it happens after the danger has already manifested.

Samsung is changing the game.

With new advancements in AI-driven biosignal analysis, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is moving into the predictive era. Instead of just telling you that you fell, the technology aims to tell you that you are about to faint.

How it Works: Predicting the "Fade"

The technology focuses on detecting Vasovagal Syncope (VVS), the most common type of fainting episode. By utilizing the advanced sensors in the Galaxy Watch 6 (and presumably future models), Samsung's AI algorithms analyze complex patterns in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and other biometric signals.

The goal is to identify the physiological "tells" that precede a loss of consciousness.

The Clinical Reality

This isn't just theoretical. Recent clinical trials conducted in partnership with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital have provided impressive validation for the system:

Accuracy: Approximately 84.6% in predicting episodes.
Sensitivity: A remarkable 90%, meaning the system is highly effective at catching episodes when they are imminent.
Specificity: Currently around 64%, which indicates that while the system is great at catching real threats, there is still room to reduce false alarms.

Why This Is a Life-Saver

The "So What?" of this technology is profound. The difference between a reactive alert and a 5-minute warning is the difference between treating an injury and preventing one.

If a user receives a notification that a fainting episode is likely to occur within the next five minutes, they have a critical window to:

Sit or lie down immediately.
Alert someone nearby.
Reduce the risk of secondary injuries, such as concussions, broken bones, or facial trauma caused by a sudden, uncontrolled fall.

The Bottom Line

Samsung is pushing the smartwatch beyond the realm of fitness tracking and into the territory of proactive medical intervention. While the specificity still needs work to prevent "false alarm fatigue," the shift from reactive to predictive monitoring marks a new era for wearable health technology.

Stay tuned to WatchesReviewed for more updates on the rollout of these features as they become available on the Galaxy Watch lineup.

Amazfit Bip Max: Price, Release Date, and Full Specs

Wed, 20 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The Amazfit Bip Max is officially here, and it's bigger and brighter than the Bip line has ever been.

Amazfit launched the new wearable today at $99.99, available now at the Amazfit online store and Amazon. It's a meaningful step up from the Bip 6 in almost every way that matters: a much larger screen, significantly more storage, offline map support, and a battery that can handle serious GPS sessions without dying after a single run.

The Screen Is the Story

The most immediate difference is the display. The Bip Max packs a 2.07-inch AMOLED panel running at 432 x 514 resolution with a claimed peak brightness of 3,000 nits. For context, that's the kind of number you'd expect to see on a rugged outdoor watch, not something under $100. The Bip 6 maxes out at 2,000 nits on its 1.97-inch screen, so this is a meaningful jump in both size and readability.

The larger display also means more real estate for widgets, workout stats, and watch faces. If you've been avoiding the Bip because the screen felt cramped for navigation, the Max addresses that directly.

Storage Finally Gets Serious

The 4GB of onboard storage is the other headline spec. Previous Bip models had limited file storage, which essentially ruled out离线 music and maps. The Bip Max changes that. You can load up offline maps and sync a workout playlist without needing to keep your phone nearby.

That puts the Max in a different category than the base Bip. It's not just a fitness tracker with a screen. It's a legitimate low-cost GPS smartwatch with some standalone capability.

Battery Holds Up

A 550mAh battery keeps the lights on, with Amazfit claiming up to 20 days of use between charges. That's with GPS off, so if you're logging runs regularly, expect something closer to the 50-hour GPS battery life that Amazfit is quoting. That's competitive with what Garmin and Polar offer in their entry-level devices.

Training Features Catch Up

The Bip Max includes Amazfit's full training suite: 150+ sports modes, VO2 Max, Training Load, Training Effect, and Training Stress Balance tracking. You can import structured plans from TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals.icu, and completed activities sync to Strava automatically.

Zepp Coach generates personalized workout plans, and Zepp Flow brings AI voice control to the table. Sleep tracking gets the RestoreIQ treatment with HRV, sleep stages, breathing patterns, and nap detection.

For a $100 watch, this is a feature set that would have cost you twice as much a few years ago.

Bip Max vs Bip 6: What's the Difference

The Bip 6 costs $80 and remains in the lineup. It has the same BioTracker sensor suite, similar software features, and covers the basics well. The Max is 10mm wider and 8g heavier, with a notably larger screen and 4GB of storage instead of about 100MB available on the Bip 6.

If you don't care about offline maps or music and prefer something lighter on your wrist, the Bip 6 is still a solid choice. But if you've been wanting a budget watch that can actually replace your phone on a run, the $20 premium for the Max is worth it.

First Impressions

The Bip Max feels like what happens when the budget smartwatch category finally catches up to what people actually want: a bright screen, enough storage to leave the phone behind, and GPS that doesn't die after three hours. It's not trying to compete with Garmin's high-end features or Apple Watch's smartwatch depth, but it's getting close to what Coros and Polar offer in their entry tiers.

No word on any expert reviews yet, given the device just launched today. I'll update this article once I've had time to put it through its paces.

The Bip Max is available now at $99.99 from Amazfit and Amazon.

Fitbit Is Dead: The Google Health App Transition Explained

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Fitbit app officially dies this week.

Starting May 19, 2026, Google begins rolling out the Google Health app as a direct replacement for Fitbit. The transition completes by May 26. If you've been putting off dealing with this, don't worry. For most people, it'll happen automatically.

But there's more to this story than just a name change. Google is also killing off the Google Fit app later this year, and the new Google Health comes with a rebuilt AI coach that's now officially out of beta.

What's Actually Changing

The Fitbit app you've been using since (probably) 2015 is getting a full makeover and a new name. Google Health keeps the same core tracking - steps, sleep, heart rate, workouts - but reorganizes everything around four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health.

The Today tab is your daily snapshot. You'll see your readiness score (how prepared your body is to handle the day based on sleep, recovery, and recent activity), your step count, cardio load, and a bunch of customizable tiles. Swipe right and you can add metrics like hydration, weight, food logging, and more. The log button at the bottom lets you manually enter data, snap photos of food, or upload files for the AI coach to digest.

The Fitness tab is where your workouts live. There's a workout library with guided sessions, activity tracking, and graphs showing cardio fitness, estimated VO2 max, running distance, and more. If you spring for Google Health Premium ($10/month or $100/year), this tab also hosts your personalized weekly fitness plan built with your coach.

Sleep and Health tabs do exactly what you'd expect. Sleep gives you sleep stages, scores, and trends, while Health shows your vitals (breathing rate, SpO2, HRV, skin temperature), lets you sync medical records, and set up alerts for irregular heart rhythms.

The AI Coach Is Finally Here

Fitbit's AI health coach has been floating around in public beta for a while, but the Google Health launch marks its official debut. The coach lives in a persistent "Ask Coach" button in the bottom right corner of every tab, and you can talk to it the same way you'd text a friend. Voice input supported, photos and file uploads supported, two-way conversation required.

It can answer questions about your sleep, help you build a marathon training plan, parse your medical records, or just explain what your readiness score actually means. Dave Dillon at Chase The Summit called the AI blurbs "wordy but insightful" in his first look at the app, and noted you can actually respond to them like talking to a real coach.

Here's the catch: deep access to the coach requires Google Health Premium. Basic features like the readiness score and sleep stages are free. But if you want the personalized workout plans, adaptive fitness guidance, and proactive insights, that's $10/month.

One nice surprise: Google Health Premium is included if you're already subscribed to Google One's AI Pro or AI Ultra plans. So if you're paying for Gemini access elsewhere, you might already have this.

Wait, Google Fit Is Being Sunsetted Too?

Yeah. The 12-year-old Google Fit app is getting merged into Google Health later this year. Google hasn't released migration details yet, but if you're one of the (probably small) group of people still using Google Fit, you'll need to move your data over eventually.

This is notable because Google Fit was a pretty bare-bones step and activity tracker. No sleep, no heart rate variability, no coach. If you were using it as a lighter-weight alternative to Fitbit, Google Health is essentially taking over that spot in the lineup.

Cross-Platform Flexibility

One thing that stands out: Google is leaning hard into cross-platform support. The new Google Health works with Health Connect on Android and Apple HealthKit on iOS. That's right. If you have an Apple Watch, you can pull that data into Google's ecosystem. Dave noted in his video that he already had Strava and Health Sync connected on his iPhone, and Apple Health was right there as an option too.

For a company that makes Android hardware, this is a weirdly generous move toward iOS users. But it makes sense. Google's health ambitions apparently extend beyond just selling Pixel Watches.

Also worth mentioning: the Fitbit Air ($99.99, ships May 26) was designed with this ecosystem in mind. Google's making noise about letting Fitbit Air data flow into Apple Health, though that feature won't be available at launch.

So Is This Good or Bad?

For existing Fitbit users, probably good. The app experience was already being overhauled. This is mostly just the branding catching up. You keep your data, you keep your tracking, and you get a shinier interface with an AI coach that might actually be useful.

For Google Fit holdouts: you've got a bit longer to figure out your next move, but the writing's on the wall.

For runners who bounce between platforms: the Apple Health integration is the most interesting part. Using an Apple Watch but jealous of Fitbit's sleep tracking and readiness score? Now you can have both, even if it takes some setup.

The app starts rolling out May 19. You've got a week before your Fitbit app transforms. Might be worth opening it up and taking a screenshot of any customizations or historical data you want to remember.

Your Garmin Can Now Reply to Texts: But There's a Major Catch

Mon, 18 May 2026 08:15:00 GMT

Garmin has been quietly racking up wins in the European Union, and the latest one arrived with iOS 26.5 this week. EU Garmin owners can now get Live Activities forwarded to their watches -- transit countdowns, flight updates, timer countdowns -- plus the ability to reply directly to messages from their Forerunner, Fenix, or Epix. It's a significant step up from the passive notification display these watches have been limited to.

But there's a catch, and it's a big one: this only works if your Apple account is registered in an EU country. If you're a US or UK Garmin owner, you get nothing. For now.

What's Actually New

The iOS 26.5 update opens up two capabilities to Garmin watches in the EU:

Interactive notifications -- Your watch can now act on notifications, not just show them. Reply to a text, dismiss a message, trigger an in-app action. This has been Apple Watch territory since 2015, and Garmin owners have been waiting a long time for it.

Live Activities forwarding -- These are the live-updating panels you see on your iPhone lock screen: Uber ETAs, package deliveries, flight status, in-app timers. Apple is now letting Garmin forward these to your watch face. Useful for runners who want real-time race or workout timers without pulling out their phone.

Both features require:

iPhone on iOS 26.5 (rolled out Monday)
Apple account registered in an EU country
A Garmin firmware update (no ETA yet from Garmin)

The first two are ready. The firmware isn't.

The Good: Why This Matters for Garmin Owners

Let's be clear -- this is a meaningful upgrade for EU Garmin users. Here's why:

Better smartwatch parity. Garmin watches have always excelled at training and navigation, but their notification game lagged behind Apple Watch. Reply-from-wrist closes that gap for a lot of everyday situations. A quick "Running now, talk later" from your watch is genuinely useful.

Live Activities are genuinely valuable for athletes. If you're mid-race and want to track your progress without looking at your phone, Live Activities on your watch face is a real improvement. Same goes for gym sessions with built-in timers.

It's another sign of EU DMA pressure working. Apple has been forced to open up iPhone features to third-party wearable makers. Garmin has now gained: per-app notification filtering (iOS 26.3), background sync without Connect app open (iOS 26.3), and now interactive replies plus Live Activities (iOS 26.5). This regulatory pressure is making Garmin watches meaningfully better in Europe.

The Bad: US and UK Users Get Nothing

This is the part that stings. If your Apple account is registered in the US or UK, iOS 26.5 does nothing for your Garmin -- regardless of where you bought your phone or your watch.

The features aren't disabled by accident. Apple explicitly designed the system to geo-lock these capabilities. The company told developers in the updated Developer Program License Agreement that data from these features can't be used for advertising, profiling, model training, or location tracking -- which suggests Apple is thinking about eventually expanding this, but right now EU is the hard boundary.

There's a real equity issue here. A Garmin Fenix 8 owner in Stockholm gets features a Garmin Fenix 8 owner in Seattle doesn't. The watch is the same. The price is the same. The functionality isn't.

US Garmin owners have one slim hope: Apple could choose to expand these features beyond the EU if it wants to (the terms say "if Apple allows it"). There's also US antitrust pressure building, but that's a slow-moving process. Don't expect anything soon.

What This Means for Garmin's Competitive Position

Garmin has been threading a needle in the smartwatch market -- good enough for everyday use, elite for training. These EU features help that positioning. A runner who wants reply capability without Apple Watch now has a viable path with a Forerunner or Fenix, at least in Europe.

Globally, though, Garmin still can't match Apple Watch's core notification experience. The gap matters for everyday use, even if it doesn't matter for the athlete who primarily cares about training metrics.

Bottom Line

If you're an EU Garmin owner: this is good news. Mark it on your calendar -- the firmware update will come, and when it does, your watch gets meaningfully more capable. The combination of reply and Live Activities addresses two of the most common complaints from Garmin-to-Apple switchers.

If you're in the US or UK: this is a reminder that Apple's ecosystem walls still stand tall, and Garmin owners outside Europe are stuck waiting for a policy change that hasn't been announced.

The EU regulatory wins keep coming, though. That suggests the pattern will continue -- if not for this feature, then the next one. Garmin owners have been waiting a decade for Apple-level notification features. In Europe, that wait is finally over.

Have a Garmin watch in the EU? Already got your iOS 26.5 update? Drop a comment below -- we'd love to hear if the new features are working for you.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra Review: Built for the Long Haul

Sat, 16 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The Cheetah 2 Ultra is Amazfit's answer to a specific kind of runner: the one who signs up for 50 miles because 31 miles felt too short. It's a trail-focused, ultra-distance GPS watch that sits above the Cheetah 2 Pro in the lineup, and while it shares most of the same core hardware, it pushes the specs that matter when you're out there for six, eight, twelve hours at a stretch.

I've been digging into the spec sheets, press materials, and early coverage to put together a full picture of what the Ultra actually is, and who it's built for.

What's New With the Ultra

The Cheetah 2 Ultra launched in May 2026 as the endurance-focused sibling to the Cheetah 2 Pro. Where the Pro targets the marathon road runner, the Ultra is unmistakably aimed at trail runners and ultra-distance athletes. That shows up in three areas that matter most: display size, battery capacity, and storage.

The display jumps from the Pro's 1.32 inches to 1.5 inches. That's a meaningful bump for a watch you'll be glancing at on technical terrain. More real estate means more workout data visible at a glance without breaking stride. The Ultra keeps the same 3,000-nit peak brightness as the Pro, so sunlight readability stays excellent. Resolution drops slightly (480x480 vs 466x466) but at 323 PPI, you're not going to notice any pixelation on a display this size.

Battery is the headline feature. The Ultra delivers up to 33 hours in Trail Running mode. Enough to cover most 50K and 50-mile races without reaching for a battery pack. Typical daily use is rated at 30 days, which is in line with what you'd expect from the Pro. If you're a runner who races ultras, or trains for hours at a time in demanding terrain, this is the number that matters.

Storage jumps from 32GB to 64GB. That gives you room for full offline contour maps, route files, music, and whatever else you want to load on without having to pick and choose. For a trail watch, this is the right call. You want navigation on the wrist when cell signal disappears.

Build Quality: Titanium Throughout, No Compromises

The Ultra goes beyond the Pro in build quality. Both watches use a Grade 5 titanium frame and case, but the Ultra takes it further with a titanium bezel and titanium buttons. The Pro uses a plastic bezel and aluminum alloy buttons, which keeps its price down but gives the Ultra a clear edge in material quality for trail and ultra use.

Sapphire glass protects the 1.5-inch AMOLED display on the Ultra, same as the Pro. The titanium construction means the Ultra can take the kind of abuse that trail running dishes out without showing it. The wider 22mm strap (vs the Pro's 20mm) helps distribute pressure more evenly over long efforts and stays more secure on technical terrain.

Running Features: Everything the Pro Has, Plus a Little More

The Ultra runs the same BioTracker 6.0 PPG sensor as the Pro (5PD and 2LED), which tracks heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, and sleep. Both watches also share the same dual-band GPS with support for six satellite systems, which should give you solid accuracy even under tree cover or in steep canyons.

What the Ultra adds:

Trail Running mode with load factor calculations. This factors in gradient, terrain resistance, and vertical gain so your effort data actually reflects what your body experiences on the trail (not just flat road pace).
Color-coded elevation overview across your entire route.
Larger screen for workout pages, maps, and data fields during outdoor sessions.

Both watches share the same training ecosystem: Zepp Coach AI for adaptive training plans (5K to marathon), structured workouts from TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals.icu, and automatic Strava sync. If you're already in that ecosystem, the Ultra isn't asking you to change anything. It's just giving you more screen to work with.

Navigation and Maps

This is where the Ultra pulls ahead of the Pro. Full-color contour maps, turn-by-turn navigation, automatic rerouting if you go off-course, and points of interest search all come standard. With 64GB of storage, you can load regional map packs and have them ready when you're off-grid.

Route planning from the watch itself is a nice touch. Set a target distance and direction and the watch generates optimized round-trip routes. That's genuinely useful for exploring new trail systems without pre-planning on a computer.

Battery Deep Dive

Here's the full picture on battery life:

Mode	Cheetah 2 Ultra	Cheetah 2 Pro
Trail Running (GPS)	33 hours	31 hours
Typical Daily Use	30 days	20 days
Precision GPS	~26 hours	~24 hours

The Ultra's 780 mAh battery (vs the Pro's 540 mAh) is the key difference. Two extra hours of trail GPS might not sound like much on paper, but in a 50-mile race or a big training day in the mountains, it could be the difference between finishing with data and finishing blind.

Display and Brightness

Both watches max out at 3,000 nits, which is genuinely impressive for a GPS watch. Most Garmin devices sit in the 1,000-2,000 nit range. Alpine starts and late-evening runs won't be a problem for readability. The jump to 1.5 inches on the Ultra is the real differentiator here, especially if you're someone who runs with multiple data pages or relies on maps during navigation.

Who Should Buy the Ultra?

The Cheetah 2 Ultra is built for:

Ultrarunners and trail runners who measure efforts in hours, not miles.
Athletes who race or train in remote terrain where offline maps and navigation are essential.
Runners who want the biggest possible display for data-heavy training pages or map navigation.
Anyone who needs maximum storage for maps, music, and route files.

If you're primarily a road runner, training for a marathon or shorter distances, the Cheetah 2 Pro at $150 less is the smarter call. You get almost all the same sensor tech, GPS accuracy, and training ecosystem in a lighter package. The Ultra's extra battery and screen are overkill for sub-4 hour race efforts.

Price and Availability

$599.99 is available now on the Amazfit website and major retailers. The Ultra is priced $150 above the Cheetah 2 Pro, which puts it in direct competition with Garmin's entry-level Fenix devices for runners who want premium build quality without the Garmin premium.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra is available now at amazfit.com. Pricing and availability subject to change.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro vs Cheetah 2 Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?

Sat, 16 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Amazfit made a quietly smart move with the Cheetah 2 line: instead of one flagship and a stripped-down budget option, they built two watches for two types of runners. The Cheetah 2 Pro is the road-and-marathon machine. The Cheetah 2 Ultra is the trail-and-ultra-distance beast. Same family, different intent.

If you're cross-shopping the two, the choice comes down to what kind of running you actually do, and how much screen and battery matter to you. Let's lay it out.

The Short Version

Cheetah 2 Ultra: Bigger screen, more battery, more storage. Built for trail runners and ultra athletes who need offline maps and navigation for long days in the backcountry.

Cheetah 2 Pro: Lighter, more compact, still loaded with the same core sensor and GPS tech. Built for road runners and marathon trainers who want performance data without the trail-specific overhead.

Spec Comparison

Feature	Cheetah 2 Ultra	Cheetah 2 Pro
Price	$599.99	~$449.99
Case Size	47.4 x 47.4mm	48 x 48mm
Thickness	15.6mm (HR sensor) / 13.3mm	15.6mm (HR sensor) / 13.2mm
Weight	52g (no strap)	45.6g (no strap)
Display	1.5" AMOLED, 480x480, 323 PPI	1.32" AMOLED, 466x466, 353 PPI
Peak Brightness	3,000 nits	3,000 nits
Frame/Case	Grade 5 Titanium	Grade 5 Titanium
Bezel	Grade 5 Titanium	Plastic
Buttons	Titanium	Aluminum alloy
Glass	Sapphire	Sapphire
Battery	780 mAh	540 mAh
Trail Running GPS	33 hours	31 hours
Typical Daily Use	30 days	20 days
Storage	64GB	32GB
Strap Width	22mm	20mm
Sports Modes	180+	170+
Sensor	BioTracker 6.0 (5PD/2LED)	BioTracker 6.0 (5PD/2LED)
GPS	Dual-band, 6 satellite systems	Dual-band, 6 satellite systems

Display: The Clearest Difference

This is where you'll feel the split immediately. The Ultra's 1.5-inch AMOLED gives you roughly 17% more screen real estate than the Pro's 1.32-inch display. On paper that sounds incremental. In practice, it's the difference between a watch that shows you four data fields and one that shows you six, or a map that's actually readable without squinting.

The Pro has a slightly sharper PPI (353 vs 323), but at display sizes this small, that's functionally invisible. Both hit 3,000 nits of peak brightness, so outdoor readability is excellent on either model. If you're running with maps or complex workout pages, the Ultra wins outright.

Battery and Storage: The Ultra's Edge

The Ultra's 780 mAh battery vs the Pro's 540 mAh translates to roughly 2 more hours of Trail Running GPS and 10 extra days of typical use. For a weekend warrior running 2-4 hours a week, that's academic. For an ultramarathoner racing 50 miles, it's the difference between crossing the finish line with data and watching your watch die at mile 40.

Storage is the other meaningful gap. The Ultra's 64GB vs the Pro's 32GB means room for full regional map packs, route files, and music without management. If you're the type who wants everything loaded before you leave cell range, the Ultra is purpose-built for that.

Running Features: More Alike Than Different

Both watches use the same BioTracker 6.0 sensor (5PD/2LED) and the same dual-band GPS with six satellite systems. The core running metrics (heart rate, HRV, VO2 max, lactate threshold, training load, recovery status) are shared between the two models.

Both support:

Gradient-adjusted pace and running power.
Zepp Coach AI adaptive training plans (5K to marathon).
TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals.icu sync.
Automatic Strava upload.
Built-in flashlight and mic/speaker.
24/7 heart rate, sleep, and stress tracking.

The Ultra adds Trail Running mode with load factor calculations. This factors in gradient, terrain resistance, and vertical gain into effort estimates. The Pro's standard running modes don't apply these adjustments, which matters more on technical trail terrain than on the road.

The Ultra also has a color-coded elevation overview across your route. Useful for previewing what's coming before you get there, or understanding effort distribution after the fact. The Pro doesn't have this feature.

Build and Comfort

The Ultra is the more premium build of the two. Both watches share Grade 5 titanium frame and case, but the Ultra goes further with a titanium bezel (the Pro uses plastic) and titanium buttons (the Pro uses aluminum alloy). The Pro keeps its price down by reserving titanium for the structural frame and case only.

Sapphire glass covers both displays. Both watches are built to handle real abuse, but the Ultra's all-around titanium construction is the more durable package for extended trail use.

The Pro is lighter (45.6g vs 52g), which you'll notice on shorter road runs. For marathon and shorter trail efforts, the Pro's weight advantage is meaningful. For 50+ mile efforts where you're wearing the watch for 10+ hours straight, the Ultra's slightly heavier build is worth the trade-off for the larger battery and more robust construction.

The Ultra's wider 22mm strap (vs the Pro's 20mm) distributes pressure more evenly over long efforts and feels more secure on technical terrain. Both straps use standard pin buckles.

Which One Should You Buy?

Go Ultra if:

You're running trail races or ultramarathons.
You need offline maps and navigation for remote terrain.
Maximum storage for maps and music matters to you.
You want the biggest display available for data-heavy training pages.
Two extra hours of GPS battery makes a real difference for your goals.

Go Pro if:

You're primarily a road runner training for marathons or shorter distances.
You want titanium and sapphire build quality at a lower price point.
Lighter weight matters more to you than extra battery life.
You don't need offline maps or maximum storage.
You're okay with 31 hours of GPS. This covers essentially every road marathon and most 50K races.

The Bottom Line

Amazfit split the Cheetah 2 line into two genuinely different watches for two genuinely different runners. The Pro isn't a compromise. It's the right tool for road-focused training. The Ultra isn't a gimmick. It's the right tool for runners who need to go longer, navigate harder terrain, and have navigation data when they're 30 miles from the nearest cell tower.

If that sounds like your running, the $150 premium for the Ultra is money well spent. If it doesn't, the Pro delivers 95% of the performance at a friendlier price.

Garmin Forerunner 70 and 170 Launch: Everything You Need to Know

Wed, 13 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Garmin has announced two new GPS running watches: the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170, filling the gap left by the aging Forerunner 55 at the entry-level end of its lineup. Both watches bring AMOLED displays, advanced training metrics, and Garmin's latest software to a price point that should appeal to new and aspiring runners. Here's everything we know so far.

What the Experts Are Saying

Early hands-on coverage has been extensive. Here's what the top reviewers found:

DC Rainmaker put together a deep-dive covering 77 new things to know about the Forerunner 70, noting the display upgrade, expanded training metrics, and the surprisingly broad feature set for an entry-level watch. His full video is embedded below.

Chase the Summit got both watches on wrist and came away calling them potentially the best value Garmin has ever released. The AMOLED screens, training readiness scores, and daily suggested workouts running on the newer software were highlights.

DesFit focused specifically on whether the Forerunner 70 and 170 Music deliver premium features at a budget price — looking at the music capability, GPS accuracy, and how they stack up to the competition.

Forerunner 70 — The Simpler Entry Point

The Forerunner 70 is the more affordable of the two new models, priced at $249. It is built around a 1.2-inch AMOLED display — a meaningful upgrade from the LCD screen on the Forerunner 55. The five-button layout will feel familiar to anyone who has used a Garmin before, and the touchscreen is responsive for everyday navigation.

On the inside, Garmin has packed a surprisingly robust feature set. You get:

Built-in GPS with time, distance, and pace tracking
Wrist-based heart rate monitoring 24/7
Training Readiness — uses sleep, HRV, recovery, and stress to tell you if you're primed to train hard or should take it easy
Training Status — tracks your aerobic and anaerobic fitness over time
Running Power — wrist-based, no additional sensor required
Running Dynamics — cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time (with sensor, though Garmin appears to be enabling some via optical means)
Daily Suggested Workouts — adapts to your performance and recovery
New run/walk workouts for beginners
80+ sports modes
HRV Status via the Garmin Elevate sensor
Health Status monitoring
Sleep Coach and breathing tracking
Up to 13 days battery in smartwatch mode

The Forerunner 70 will be available in four colors: citron, cool lavender, black, and whitestone. It ships globally on May 15, 2026.

Forerunner 170 — A Step Up

The Forerunner 170 starts at $299 and adds several features that enthusiasts will appreciate:

Garmin Pay — tap to pay on the go, no phone required
The option for Music storage ($349 for the 170 Music) — download songs and podcasts directly to the watch
Same 1.2-inch AMOLED display and five-button setup
All the training features from the 70

Battery life is slightly lower than the 70 — up to 10 days in smartwatch mode — but GPS battery remains competitive at around 19 hours with music playback.

Both the 170 and 170 Music also ship on May 15, 2026.

How They Compare to the Competition

The Forerunner 70 and 170 land at a competitive price point. The standard 170 at $299 is directly in line with the Coros Pace 4, which Runner's World UK already compared the 70 to in their initial coverage. Both Garmin watches have AMOLED screens — something the Pace 4 lacks — though the Pace 4 edges ahead on battery life and build quality at that price.

The real story here is what Garmin has brought down to entry level. Training Readiness and Training Status used to be features reserved for the Fenix and Forerunner 970 series. Running power at the wrist without a sensor, daily suggested workouts, and HRV Status are all meaningful additions at $249 and $299.

Who Are These Watches For?

These are clearly aimed at new and aspiring runners who want more than basic tracking. The daily suggested workouts and run/walk profiles suggest Garmin is explicitly targeting people transitioning from no watch or a fitness band. The advanced training metrics give experienced runners a reason to recommend them to training partners who do not want to spend $400+ on a Fenix.

If you have been holding off on the Forerunner 55 because it felt too basic, the 70 — or 170 if you want Garmin Pay and music — is the upgrade you have been waiting for.

Early Verdict

Based on the hands-on time from DC Rainmaker, Chase the Summit, and DesFit, the Forerunner 70 and 170 look like the most compelling entry-level Garmin watches in years. The AMOLED upgrade alone makes them worth considering over the older 55, and the training features being pulled down from the flagship line give them real substance beyond the display.

Full reviews are coming, Garmin is reportedly shipping review units now. Until then, the three videos above give the most complete picture of what these watches can do.

Garmin Instinct 3 Gets Major Software Update 14.14: Battery Life Estimates and Dozens of Refinements

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Garmin has released a significant stable software update—version 14.14—for the entire Instinct 3 series, including the Instinct 3 AMOLED, Instinct 3 Solar, and Instinct 3 E. After eight weeks of beta testing, the update is now rolling out globally with over a dozen refinements that touch nearly every part of the watch experience.

What's New in Version 14.14

Battery Life Estimate Improvements

One of the headline additions is improved battery life estimation when switching between power modes during activities. Garmin has historically offered solid battery metrics, but the estimates when dynamically changing settings mid-workout haven't always been accurate. This update refines those calculations, giving users a more reliable picture of how much runtime they have left based on their current GPS, sensor, and connectivity settings.

The Instinct 3 Solar model, already known for its unlimited battery life under the right conditions, benefits from these refinements too—making it easier to plan longer adventures without range anxiety.

Two New Glances

The update adds a pair of new glanceable data screens:

Stocks Glance — Check your investment portfolio performance right from your wrist. A first for Garmin's rugged line, this opens the door for more lifestyle-oriented apps on the Instinct platform.
Recovery Time Glance — A dedicated view for recovery status, building on the morning-readiness features Garmin has been expanding across its smartwatch lineup.

Morning Recovery Card

Building on the Morning Report feature introduced in earlier updates, the Instinct 3 now displays a dedicated Morning Recovery Card that gives you a consolidated view of sleep quality and readiness the moment you wake up. Combined with the existing recovery time data, users get a clearer picture of whether their body is ready for hard training or needs an easy day.

Mobility Application

A new Mobility app joins the Instinct 3's suite of built-in applications, offering a series of guided exercises aimed at improving joint mobility. This reflects Garmin's broader push to expand the Instinct 3 beyond pure endurance tracking into the overall fitness and recovery ecosystem.

Workout Execution Score

The update adds a Workout Execution Score feature that evaluates how well you executed your planned training session based on performance data. This builds on Garmin's trend of adding post-workout analytical tools that go beyond simple HR and GPS tracking.

Morning Report Enhancements

The Morning Report feature—already popular on the Fenix and Venu lines—receives a new related addition that ties in more closely with the recovery and sleep data the Instinct 3 collects. It's a nice quality-of-life addition for athletes using their watches as a daily training guide.

Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements

No major software update is complete without fixing what was broken:

Navigation fix — A bug that caused destination routing issues when saving routes via the app has been resolved
inReach messaging fix — Fixed an issue where message transmission to multiple inReach users would fail
Interval workout crash fix — Users who rely heavily on interval workouts should see a notably more stable experience
Larger activity file library improvements — Watches with large numbers of saved activities should no longer experience slowdowns and unresponsiveness when scrolling through history

How to Install

The update is rolling out automatically through Garmin Connect, but you can check manually:

Press Menu on your Instinct 3
Go to Settings → System → Software Update
Select Check for Updates

Make sure your watch is connected to Garmin Connect and has a decent charge before installing.

Should You Update?

If you're running an Instinct 3 series watch, this update is worth installing as soon as it hits your device. The battery life estimate improvements alone make it easier to trust what your watch tells you about remaining runtime—especially important for anyone who switches between activity modes frequently during training or adventures.

The new health and fitness features (Recovery Time glance, Morning Recovery Card, Workout Execution Score, Mobility app) bring the Instinct 3 closer to feature parity with Garmin's more premium Fenix line, which is a strong signal that Garmin is continuing to invest in its rugged outdoor platform.

Beta 17.25 is also in the pipeline for the Venu 4 and Vivoactive 6, which shares some of the same codebase—so expect these refinements to trickle down to other mid-range Garmin watches in the coming weeks.

Have you installed the 14.14 update on your Instinct 3? Share your experience in the WatchesReviewed forums or drop a comment below.

Fitbit Air Review: Google's Screenless Wearable Aims to Kill the Whoop Subscription

Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Fitbit Air dropped this week and it's one of the more interesting moves Google's made in the wearable space in years. At $99, it's a screenless health band designed to go head-to-head with the Whoop - and unlike Whoop, there's no monthly subscription you have to keep paying to make it useful.

I dug into reviews from four of the most technically rigorous wearable reviewers to see what the Fitbit Air actually delivers - and where it might fall short.

What Is the Fitbit Air?

The Fitbit Air is a small pod that snaps into a band. There's no screen, no GPS, no smartwatch features. Just sensors that track your body 24/7 and sync to your phone.

Google calls the pod itself the "Pebble" - a nostalgic nod to the original Pebble smartwatch that started the whole minimalist wearable idea. The pod weighs just 5.2g; with a band it's around 12g. According to Ray Maker at DCRainmaker, it's "essentially taking the Fitbit Charge 6, removing the screen, and just leaving the internal pod."

Three band styles are available at launch: Active, Elevated, and Performance. Each comes in multiple colors. There's also a co-branded Steph Curry edition at $129.

It's available May 26th, priced at $99 standard, $129 for the Curry edition.

Design: Small, Light, Comfortable for Sleep

The size advantage over a smartwatch is immediately obvious. Rob ter Horst of the Quantified Scientist put it well: "A screenless tracker can be smaller, lighter, and less distracting than a smartwatch. And you can even wear a normal watch beside it."

Des Yap (DesFit) pointed out the practical upside for sleep tracking: "When I sleep on my side, I can certainly feel a watch more than a band." The Fitbit Air is comfortable enough to wear to bed consistently - which is kind of the point when your main use case is recovery and sleep monitoring.

There's no bicep band at launch, which Rob noted as a limitation for some users. But as Dave Dillon (Chase The Summit) observed, "I think within like maybe four to five weeks, we'll see a whole plethora of bands on Amazon." The pod uses a standard Fitbit-style attachment, so third-party band support should come fast.

The device is water resistant to 50 meters.

Sensors and Tracking: Everything You'd Expect

The Air tracks 24/7 heart rate, HRV, breathing rate, SPO2, skin temperature, and steps. It also does FDA-cleared background AFib detection - notable for a $99 device.

Automatic workout detection is included. The Air will recognize running, cycling, rowing, elliptical, sports, and other high-heart-rate activities in the background. As Ray Maker noted, it's not as robust as Whoop's classification system - Whoop can distinguish between mountain bike rides, road bike rides, and indoor cycling. The Air is more generic.

The mitigation: Google's software learns over time. If you keep labeling your Saturday morning activity as "mountain bike," it will eventually learn to classify it correctly without prompting.

For strength training, there's no automatic rep counting. But you can tell Google Health Coach what you did post-workout and it adds the context. If you want GPS tracks for outdoor runs, you'll need your phone - the Air uses connected GPS, not built-in.

Battery: 7 Days, With a Catch

Google claims seven days of battery life, with 90 minutes to full charge. The quick-charge feature is genuinely useful: five minutes on the charger gets you a full day of tracking. That's ideal if you want to charge it while you shower and never miss a night's sleep data.

As Rob ter Horst noted, the competition (Amazfit Helio Band, Whoop) can hit 10-14 days per charge. Seven days is solid but not class-leading. Google's conservative with battery estimates though - Ray Maker noted Fitbit "tends to be very conservative" with battery claims, so real-world results may be at least as good.

The Real Story: Google Health App

Here's where things get interesting. The Fitbit app is being fully rebranded to Google Health - and that's not just a name change. Google is consolidating Fitbit, Google Fit, and Google Health into a single app experience.

The Google Health app (rolling out May 19th) has four tabs:

Today - your current day snapshot: sleep, readiness, activity
Fitness - training load, cardio load, V02 max estimates, workout suggestions
Sleep - sleep stages, trends, nap detection
Health - individual wellness metrics

On top of that, Google is finally launching Google Health Coach - a Gemini-powered AI coach that can answer questions, build training plans, analyze sleep, and even process photos of food. This is the premium tier ($9.99/month or $99/year after a 3-month free trial with purchase), and all four reviewers found it surprisingly capable.

Des Yap put it bluntly: "This could be Whoop's worst nightmare." Ray Maker called the AI coach "way beyond what anyone else is doing" but noted it can be "a bit over the top" with the amount of text and insights it generates.

Rob ter Horst offered a more cautious take: "AI generated health advice should be treated somewhat carefully. We're still very much in the early stages of AI." Fair.

One More Thing: It Works With Pixel Watch

Google's positioning the Air and Pixel Watch as complementary, not competing. You can wear the Pixel Watch during the day (it has GPS, a screen, smart features), then switch to the Fitbit Air at night for sleep. All data merges in the Google Health app.

If you wear both simultaneously, the Pixel Watch takes priority for heart rate data. But you can set custom priorities per data type - use Pixel Watch data for workouts, Fitbit Air data for sleep.

Third-party device integration is also coming. During the briefing, Dave Dillon noted Google showed the app pulling sleep data from an Eight Sleep mattress cover. Rob ter Horst also pointed out that Google Health can sync with Apple Health - meaning iPhone users with an Apple Watch could route that data into Google Health too.

How It Stacks Up Against Whoop

This is the $99 question (literally). Here's the comparison:

	Fitbit Air	Whoop 4.0
Price	$99	$348 (hardware) + $30/mo
Battery	~7 days	~5 days
Subscription required?	No	Yes ($360/year)
AFib detection	Yes (FDA cleared)	No
Automatic workout detection	Yes (limited types)	Yes (extensive)
GPS	Connected (phone)	None
AI Health Coach	Yes (premium tier)	No
Platform	Android + iOS	Android + iOS

Whoop's subscription model is its real revenue driver. Over two years, a Whoop costs $1,068+ total. The Fitbit Air, even with two years of premium subscription, comes to under $400.

The tracking capability gap is real though. Whoop's activity classification is more sophisticated, and Whoop's app and recovery/strain algorithm have years of refinement. Rob ter Horst put it well: Whoop is "more tailored towards athletes... people who see themselves as doing a lot of sports and wanting to track their recovery." The Fitbit Air with Google Health might appeal more to general fitness users who want a broader health picture.

Sleep Tracking: Where Fitbit Has Legs

Sleep tracking is where Fitbit has historically performed well against competitors. Google claims the new sleep algorithm is 15% more accurate than the previous generation - specifically for sleep stages, interruptions, and nap detection. This improvement applies to all recent Fitbit and Pixel Watch devices via app update, not just the Air.

Rob ter Horst's take was measured: "Based on previous Fitbit performance, I would expect the Fitbit Air is going to be reasonably good for sleep tracking. In my own testing, Fitbit devices have generally performed quite well compared to many other consumer wearables, especially when it comes to sleep."

He's right to be cautious though. Wrist-based wearables don't measure brain waves - they infer sleep stages from movement, heart rate, HRV, and breathing. For tracking trends over time, it'll be useful. For clinical-grade accuracy, look elsewhere.

Nap detection is a standout feature. The Air will detect naps as short as 20 minutes and log them automatically.

What's Not Great

A few things to be aware of before buying:

No built-in GPS. If you want route tracking for trail runs or bike rides, you need your phone. This is standard for screenless bands, but it's a limitation if you like leaving your phone behind.

Workout heart rate accuracy TBD. The Air is tiny. Optical heart rate sensors tend to struggle more during high-movement activities like running or weightlifting. Rob ter Horst explicitly called this out: "I'm curious to see how it performs during runs, cycling, and strength training. These are usually more difficult for optical heart rate sensors."

Automatic activity recognition is basic. It'll tag your run, but don't expect it to know whether you're on a mountain bike or road bike. Whoop is years ahead here.

Bicep band missing at launch. If you prefer wearing trackers on your bicep (common for weightlifting), you'll need to wait or go third-party.

Who Should Buy the Fitbit Air?

Get it if:

You want Whoop-level tracking without the subscription
You already live in the Google/Fitbit ecosystem
You want a comfortable sleep tracker that doesn't feel like a smartwatch
You already own a Pixel Watch and want better sleep data without re-wearing the watch

Skip it if:

You need built-in GPS for runs without your phone
You want the most sophisticated automatic activity classification
You're an athlete who needs the most accurate workout heart rate data
You're not in the Google ecosystem and don't want to be

The Bottom Line

The Fitbit Air is a credible first entry into the screenless wearable category by Google. At $99 with no mandatory subscription, it's fairly priced against the Amazfit Helio Band and Polar Loop - and dramatically cheaper than Whoop over time.

The real value isn't just the hardware. It's the Google Health app and the data consolidation play. Google is using the Air as a door opener to get users into a broader health ecosystem that includes AI coaching, medical record integration, and cross-device data merging.

Whether that's compelling depends on how much you trust Google with your health data - and how well the Air actually performs in real-world use. The sleep tracking will probably be good. The workout heart rate accuracy remains the big question mark.

We'll know more once units are in hand. But if Google executes, this could be the beginning of the end for mandatory wearable subscriptions.

Apple's 2026 Pride Collection Is Here: A Rainbow on Your Wrist

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Apple just unveiled its 2026 Pride Collection, and it might be the most striking one yet. The centerpiece is a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Loop woven from 11 colors of nylon yarn, with hues that blend seamlessly into one another across the band. It's available to order today from Apple's online store, priced at $49.

The Band: Eleven Colors, One Spectrum

The Pride Edition Sport Loop is Apple's most colorful watch band yet. Where previous Pride bands featured six or eight colors, the 2026 edition jumps to eleven, woven in a way that creates depth and movement rather than hard color blocks. Each hue flows into the next, giving the band a living, dynamic quality that looks different depending on how light hits it.

The band uses a hook-and-loop closure (the Sport Loop signature), so it's easy to adjust on the fly — whether you're putting it over a wetsuit or loosening it for all-day comfort. It works with any Apple Watch that uses the modern band attachment system, which covers essentially every Apple Watch since Series 4.

At $49, it's in line with Apple's other Pride bands from previous years. Not cheap, but you're paying for the design work and the fact that a chunk of the proceeds reportedly goes to LGBTQ+ organizations Apple supports.

The Watch Face: Pride Luminance

No Pride collection would be complete without a matching watch face, and Apple delivers with Pride Luminance. It's designed to complement the Sport Loop's aesthetic with colors that dynamically refract as you move the watch. Two geometric patterns are available: radial (with color rays aligned to the hour markers) and vertical (echoing the linear stripes of the woven band).

You can customize the color options within the face to create something that feels personal to you. It's a nice touch — this isn't just a cookie-cutter color swap, there's actual thought put into how the face and band feel like a unified design.

The Wallpapers: iPhone and iPad Too

Apple's also releasing matching Pride Luminance wallpapers for iPhone and iPad. These are free and available now through iOS and iPadOS settings. If you're the type who likes your whole device to feel cohesive, it's a nice finishing touch.

Availability

The Pride Edition Sport Loop is available today from apple.com in both 40mm and 46mm sizes. It ships now. If you want to see it in person at an Apple Store, you'll need to wait a few more days — Apple says it'll roll out to physical retail locations later in the week.

Price: $49

Apple's 2026 Pride Collection is available now at apple.com. A portion of Pride product proceeds goes to organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities, according to Apple.

watchOS 27 Leaks: New Modular Ultra Watch Face Simplifies the Most Complex Apple Watch Display

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Apple is working on a new watch face design that simplifies its most data-dense display. Here's what the watchOS 27 leak tells us about Apple's thinking.

The Most Complex Apple Watch Face Is Getting Simpler

The Modular Ultra — Apple's most information-dense watch face — is getting a makeover in watchOS 27. And based on the early leaks, Apple is going in the opposite direction from what you might expect.

Instead of adding more data, they're removing stuff.

The current Modular Ultra face offers seven complications and six options for sizing the time display. It is designed for athletes and power users who want everything visible at a glance — Vitals, training load, heart rate, all of it. The new design being tested reportedly keeps the large digital clock that fills the top two-thirds of the screen, but removes the center complication slot, the row of three small complications above the time, and the training bezel information ring.

The result is cleaner and more readable. Think of it as Modular Ultra for people who want the vibe of the Ultra face but don't need seven complications.

What's Actually Changing

From the reports across multiple sources (MacRumors, AppleInsider, MacDailyNews):

The large digital clock still fills the top two-thirds of the display
A row of three smaller circular complications appears along the bottom
Gone: the center complication slot, the row of small complications above the time, the bezel training ring

This is being described as a "simplified" version — and that tracks with how Apple has evolved watch faces. The original Modular was already a simplification when it launched. Modular Ultra was the complex version for Ultra watches. Now we're getting a complex-lite version for standard Apple Watch models.

Why This Matters

Apple Watch faces tend to tell us where Apple is heading. The Modular Ultra was built around training data — Vitals, recovery, training load. That was a deliberate statement that the Ultra was a serious training watch.

The simplified version suggests Apple may be planning to bring the Modular face to more Apple Watch models. Not everyone with an Apple Watch Series or Apple Watch SE wants seven complications. A cleaner version that still shows the key training metrics could be the right balance.

It also signals that watchOS 27 is more about refinement than revolution. After watchOS 26 brought the new Pride Luminance face and other additions, watchOS 27 appears to be an evolutionary update rather than a ground-up redesign.

The Full watchOS 27 Picture

The Modular Ultra news joins a few other things expected in watchOS 27:

New watch faces beyond just the Modular variants
The standard Modular Ultra face is also getting adjustments
WWDC 2026 is expected in June where Apple will officially announce all the software details

iOS 26.5 is also reportedly coming soon with new features ahead of the full iOS 27 cycle.

What This Means for Your Current Watch

If you're running watchOS 26, nothing changes today. watchOS 27 is still in development and won't be officially announced until WWDC in June, with a public release likely in September alongside new Apple Watch hardware.

If you're the kind of person who customizes your watch face constantly, this is worth watching — the new simplified Modular Ultra may become your new favorite face once the update drops.

We'll update this post as more watchOS 27 details leak ahead of WWDC.

Apple Q2 2026 Earnings: Record Revenue, Apple Watch Growth, and Health App Upgrades

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The Short Version

Apple just posted its best Q2 ever: $111.2 billion in revenue (up 17% YoY). Apple Watch continues to drive wearables growth, more than half of Apple Watch buyers are new to the product, and iOS 26.4 brought key Health app improvements with bigger changes coming in iOS 27.

Apple Q2 2026 By the Numbers

Metric	Q2 2026	vs. Last Year
Total Revenue	$111.2 billion	+17%
iPhone Revenue	$57 billion	+22%
Wearables Revenue	$7.9 billion	+5%
Services Revenue	$31 billion	+16% (record)

Every product category and geographic segment saw double-digit growth. Apple's installed base of active devices hit an all-time high of over 2.5 billion devices.

Apple Watch: Half of Buyers Are New

The wearables numbers stood out: Apple's "wearables, home, and accessories" category brought in $7.9 billion, up 5% year-over-year. But the real story is the customer acquisition.

"More than half of customers who purchased an Apple Watch during the quarter were new to the product."

That's a significant statement about Apple Watch's continued ability to attract first-time buyers - not just upgrading existing customers.

Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch SE all continue to "play an essential role in users' lives, going far beyond fitness tracking to deliver meaningful health insights," according to the earnings call.

Services Hit $31 Billion - A New Record

Apple's Services segment (App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud, Apple Fitness+, etc.) hit $31 billion in revenue - a new all-time record and up 16% year-over-year.

Key points:

Both transacting and paid accounts hit new all-time highs
Apple's services ecosystem now spans 2.5+ billion active devices
Services gross margin continues to be ~70%, far outpacing hardware

This Services growth matters for Apple Watch too - Apple Fitness+ is a key differentiator that keeps users locked into the Apple ecosystem.

iOS 26.4 Health App: Two Key Improvements

On the software side, iOS 26.4 (released late March 2026) brought two notable improvements to Apple's Health app:

1. Bedtime Consistency Tracking

The Sleep screen now includes a bedtime highlight showing your recent sleep schedule. You can see:

Bar chart visualization of the last two weeks of bedtimes
Average bedtime metric
Last night's bedtime

This helps users understand their sleep consistency - a factor that affects sleep quality more than total hours.

2. Blood Oxygen Returns to Vitals

Blood Oxygen tracking returned to the Vitals screen in iOS 26.4. Apple removed blood oxygen sensing from Apple Watch in early 2024 due to a patent dispute with Masimo, then relaunched it later that year - but the data wasn't showing up in the Vitals dashboard until now.

The Vitals screen now tracks five metrics:

Heart rate
Respiratory rate
Wrist temperature
Blood oxygen
Sleep duration

What's Coming: iOS 27 Health Upgrades

Apple is clearly not done with Health. According to multiple reports:

Nutrition logging is coming to the Health app - Siri will be able to scan nutrition labels via the Camera app and log dietary information
AI health coaching features are in development (though details are sparse)
Educational video content from health experts is rumored

Apple will unveil iOS 27 at WWDC on June 8, 2026, so we'll know exactly what's coming within weeks.

What This Means for Apple Watch Users

Apple's continued investment in Health app features reinforces that Apple Watch is a health device first, fitness tracker second. The quarterly earnings prove the strategy is working:

Apple Watch is still attracting new customers at a strong rate
Services revenue creates an ecosystem lock-in that competitors can't easily match
Software features (Sleep Score, Vitals, Health app improvements) add value without requiring hardware upgrades

For Garmin and other fitness-focused competitors, the takeaway is clear: Apple is playing a different game. They're not racing to add more sport modes or GPS accuracy - they're focused on health insights, ecosystem, and the services recurring revenue model.

Garmin Fenix 9 Rumors: Q1 2026 Earnings Signal Big Things Coming

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The Short Version

Garmin just posted one of its strongest quarters in years, with wearables driving significant consolidated growth. The company signaled that H2 2026 will bring major launches, including the anticipated Fenix 9 — and hinted at entering entirely new wearable categories.

Garmin's Q1 2026: The Numbers

Garmin reported strong Q1 2026 results, with fitness/wearable sales jumping 42% year-over-year. The company highlighted "strength in many product categories, including wearables, which were a significant contributor to consolidated growth." This is the strongest quarter in years for Garmin's wearable division.

The Q1 2026 earnings call made one thing crystal clear: Garmin is gearing up for its biggest product launch of the year, and it's happening in the second half.

What Garmin Said About Fenix 9

On the earnings call, Garmin's leadership signaled:

"The second half of the year will bring major launches, including the anticipated Fenix 9."

This aligns with Garmin's traditional release cycle — Fenix models typically launch in the August-October timeframe. If history holds, we'll see the Fenix 9 officially announced sometime in late summer or early fall 2026.

But the Fenix 9 isn't the only thing Garmin has in store.

Beyond the Fenix 9: A New Wearable Category?

Perhaps even more intriguing, Garmin hinted at entering entirely new wearable categories, potentially beyond traditional watches. Industry watchers speculate this could include:

Smart rings (like Oura or Samsung Galaxy Ring)
Screenless fitness bands focused on sleep and recovery
Other form factors we haven't seen from Garmin yet

Garmin recently leaked a mystery device called "CIRQA" on its own website — a smart band that looks like a Whoop competitor. Whether CIRQA is the new category or part of something else remains to be seen, but it's clear Garmin is exploring beyond the traditional watch formula.

Expected Fenix 9 Features

Based on the current evidence and the5krunner's thorough analysis, here's what to expect from the Fenix 9:

Feature	Likelihood	Notes
Brighter AMOLED display (up to 3,000 nits)	90%	Incremental improvement over Fenix 8's ~2,000 nits
Tri-band GNSS	80%	Huawei already achieved this in the Watch GT Runner 2
Processor upgrade	80%	Current chip isn't powerful enough for smooth map rendering
Battery improvements	90%	Via more efficient components, not new chemistry
Elevate Gen 6 HR sensor	60%	Could bring blood pressure trends and better arrhythmia detection
LTE/satellite messaging	Already exists	Will likely carry forward from Fenix 8 Pro

What NOT to expect:

MicroLED display (not until 2027 — current tech is too expensive and battery-hungry)
Wireless charging (only 20% chance)
On-device AI features (10% chance — any AI will be in Garmin Connect+ app)

The Competition

Garmin isn't sitting still while waiting for Fenix 9. Competitors are moving fast:

Huawei just released the Watch GT Runner 2 with tri-band GNSS and Bluetooth 6.0 — firsts in the industry
Amazfit is "about to flood 2026 with new watches" according to T3
Apple continues to dominate the general smartwatch market

The Fenix 9 needs to deliver meaningful hardware improvements to stay ahead — particularly in display quality, GPS accuracy, and processing speed. Based on the expected spec sheet, it looks like Garmin is addressing exactly those areas.

When Will Fenix 9 Launch?

Based on Garmin's historical patterns:

Fenix 7: January 2022
Fenix 8: September 2024
Fenix 8 Pro: September 2025
Fenix 9: Expected August-October 2026

The Fenix 8 launched in fall 2024, so a fall 2026 Fenix 9 fits the roughly 2-year cycle between major numbered releases.

Should You Wait for Fenix 9?

Wait if:

You're coming from Fenix 7 or older
You want the brightest display, best GPS accuracy, and fastest processor
You can hold off until late summer/fall 2026

Don't wait if:

You have a Fenix 8 or Fenix 8 Pro — the upgrade likely won't be revolutionary
You need something now — Fenix 8 Pro is still an excellent watch
You're sensitive to price — Fenix 9 will likely start $100-200 higher than Fenix 8 Pro

Polar Street X: First Look at Polar's New Urban Adventure Watch

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Polar has officially entered the urban adventure watch market with the Street X, a new wearable that aims to bridge the gap between city style and outdoor capability. Announced on March 25, 2026, this watch represents Polar's expansion beyond their traditional sports-focused offerings into the growing lifestyle fitness segment.

What We Know About the Polar Street X

Design and Positioning

The Street X is described as a "durable, urban-ready sports watch" that combines Polar's athletic technology with everyday wearability. It is positioned for athletes and active individuals who want serious performance metrics without the technical look of dedicated sports watches.

Key Features

Based on the official announcement and available information, the Street X features urban-rugged construction designed to handle both daily wear and outdoor activities. It includes Polar's full training ecosystem with performance metrics, recovery insights, and multi-sport tracking capabilities. The watch will be available in three color options: black, white, and olive green.

Target Audience

The Street X appears to target urban athletes who train in both city environments and natural settings, lifestyle-focused users who want serious health insights without technical watch aesthetics, and existing Polar customers looking for a more versatile daily option.

Market Context and Competition

The Street X enters a competitive space that includes several established approaches to the urban adventure category.

Garmin addresses this market with both the Venu series for lifestyle focus and the Instinct line for rugged durability. The Street X seems to aim for a middle ground between these approaches.

COROS focuses heavily on pure athletic performance with their Pace and Apex lines, while the Street X appears to prioritize broader lifestyle appeal while maintaining training capabilities.

Samsung's Galaxy Watch series offers strong smart features but typically trails dedicated sports brands in training metrics and battery life, an area where Polar may have an advantage.

What We Are Still Waiting to Learn

Several key details remain to be confirmed through comprehensive reviews and user feedback.

Performance Questions

Real-world GPS accuracy in various environments needs testing, as does heart rate monitoring reliability during different activities. Battery life under typical usage patterns requires verification, and the implementation of Polar's training features in this new form factor needs evaluation.

Practical Considerations

Exact pricing and availability timing are still pending official confirmation. Daily comfort and wearability will need user feedback, and the complete set of smart features and connectivity options requires detailed examination.

Competitive Positioning

How the Street X compares specifically against established competitors like Garmin's Venu and Instinct lines needs side-by-side testing and analysis.

Why This Launch Matters

The Street X represents an important strategic expansion for Polar. While the company has excelled with serious athletic watches, the growing urban adventure and lifestyle fitness segments represent significant market opportunities.

This move could help Polar compete more effectively in the broader wearable market and appeal to users who want both serious health insights and everyday practicality. The success of similar products from competitors suggests there is demand for devices that bridge this gap.

Looking Ahead

As more information becomes available from early users and comprehensive reviews, we will gain a clearer picture of where the Street X fits in the competitive landscape. The real test will be whether Polar can deliver a device that genuinely meets the needs of urban adventurers while maintaining the brand's reputation for athletic performance.

For now, the Street X represents an interesting new direction for Polar, one that could appeal to a broader audience while staying true to the company's sports technology heritage. As the urban adventure category continues to grow, Polar's entry adds another compelling option for consumers looking for watches that work as well in the city as they do on the trail.

London Marathon 2026: The Watches That Actually Won (And Why They Surprised Everyone)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The 2026 London Marathon was not just another race. It was a historic moment in running. Sabastian Sawe became the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier with a stunning 1:59:30. Tigst Assefa shattered the women-only world record with a 2:15:41. But beyond the record-breaking times, something else caught the attention of tech enthusiasts. What these elite athletes actually choose to wear on their wrists when everything is on the line.

The answer surprised almost everyone. Instead of premium titanium flagships or the latest AMOLED smartwatches, the podium finishers chose lightweight, practical training watches built for one job, running well.

Note: This analysis is based on a speculative scenario created by Gadgets and Wearables, imagining what the 2026 London Marathon might look like. While the specific watch models and times are fictional, the insights about elite runner preferences for lightweight, practical watches over luxury flagships are grounded in real-world observations from current elite competitions.

The Podium Finishers and Their Watches

Men's Division

1st Place: Sabastian Sawe (1:59:30) — Garmin Forerunner 255
2nd Place: Yomif Kejelcha (1:59:41) — COROS Pace 3
3rd Place: Jacob Kiplimo (2:00:28) — Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Women's Division

1st Place: Tigst Assefa (2:15:41) — Garmin Forerunner 255
2nd Place: Hellen Obiri (2:15:53) — COROS Pace 4
3rd Place: Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:15:55) — Garmin Forerunner 955

Why This Matters, The Surprising Patterns

1. Garmin Dominates, But Not With Flagships

Garmin took 3 of the 6 podium spots, but notably not with their premium Fenix or MARQ lines. Both first-place winners wore the Forerunner 255. A mid-range model that originally launched years ago. The Forerunner 955, worn by Jepkosgei, sits in the same performance-focused category rather than the luxury segment.

2. COROS Continues Its Elite Push

COROS secured two podium positions with their Pace series. The Pace 3 and the yet-to-be-released Pace 4. This continues their strategy of focusing on performance runners rather than general smartwatch buyers. The Pace line's lightweight design and training-first approach clearly resonates with elite athletes.

3. The Samsung Surprise

Jacob Kiplimo's choice of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 was the biggest shock. Samsung watches are typically seen as smartwatches first and sports devices second, making this a rare appearance of a general-purpose smartwatch in elite marathon competition.

What Elite Runners Actually Care About

Looking at these choices, several patterns emerge about what matters to the world's fastest runners.

Weight Over Luxury

Every watch on the podium is lightweight. The Forerunner 255 weighs just 49 grams, the COROS Pace 3 is 30 grams, and even the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is relatively light for a smartwatch. When you are running sub-2-hour marathon pace, every gram matters.

MIP Displays Dominate

Both Garmin models and the COROS watches use Memory-in-Pixel displays rather than AMOLED. MIP screens are always visible in direct sunlight, use minimal power, and do not require wrist flicks or worry about dimming at critical moments. Only the Samsung uses AMOLED technology.

Reliability Over Features

None of these watches are packed with the latest smartwatch extras. They focus on core running metrics. Accurate GPS, reliable heart rate tracking, pace data, and battery life that will not quit during a marathon. The flashy lifestyle features found on premium watches are conspicuously absent.

Mid-Range Pricing

Perhaps the most surprising revelation. Elite runners are not choosing the most expensive options. The Forerunner 255 retails around $350, the COROS Pace 3 around $230, and even the Forerunner 955 sits well below flagship pricing. This challenges the assumption that professional athletes need premium equipment.

The Technical Edge, Why These Watches Work

Garmin Forerunner 255

The choice of both first-place winners speaks volumes. The 255 offers multi-band GPS for accuracy in challenging environments, up to 14 days battery life in smartwatch mode, training readiness and recovery metrics, and lightweight 49g design that disappears on the wrist.

COROS Pace Series

The Pace 3 and upcoming Pace 4 continue COROS's focus on ultra-lightweight designs, long battery life, simple training-focused interface, and affordable pricing that prioritizes function over form.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Kiplimo's choice suggests Samsung has made significant strides in sports tracking accuracy, battery optimization for endurance events, and integration with training platforms.

The Bigger Picture, What This Means for Recreational Runners

This podium lineup offers valuable insights for everyday athletes.

You do not need the most expensive watch to perform well. The world's fastest runners are choosing mid-range, practical tools over luxury flagships.

Weight matters more than you think. Lightweight watches are more comfortable over long distances and easier to forget about when fatigue sets in.

Focus on core features. Reliable GPS, good battery life, and accurate heart rate tracking are what actually matter during a race. The extra smart features can wait until you have crossed the finish line.

MIP displays have real advantages. While AMOLED screens look beautiful, MIP technology offers better visibility in direct sunlight and significantly better battery life.

The Takeaway, Performance Over Prestige

The 2026 London Marathon podium tells a clear story. When world records are on the line, elite runners choose practical, reliable tools over flashy luxury. They prioritize weight, battery life, and core running metrics over smartwatch extras and premium materials.

For recreational runners, the lesson is equally clear. You might not need that $1,000 flagship watch. A well-designed mid-range model from Garmin, COROS, or even Samsung might be exactly what you need to chase your own personal best.

Sometimes, the best tool for the job is not the most expensive one. It is the one that does the job best.

COROS and Wahoo Partner Up: An Unlikely Team That's Actually Kind of Interesting

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Two companies that were practically fighting for the same spot on your handlebars are now working together. COROS and Wahoo announced a partnership, and honestly, on paper it sounds impossible. These are two companies with directly competing product lines. So what's actually happening here, and why should you care?

Let's figure it out.

The Backstory: How Did We Get Here?

To understand why this partnership feels so strange, you need to know about the COROS Dura. That was COROS's first ever cycling computer, launched in mid-2024. And it wasn't just another bike computer entering a crowded market. It tried to flip the whole segment on its head with a 120-hour battery life and legitimate solar charging built right into the device.

If you follow cycling tech at all, you know who dominates that space. Garmin, obviously. But also Wahoo. And reviewers noticed - some explicitly called out that the Dura was a direct threat to the Wahoo Element Bolt. It undercut the Bolt's price by about $30 while adding features Wahoo didn't have. Touchscreen. Solar panels. Those things matter when you're on a long ride.

So COROS and Wahoo were fighting for the same real estate. Your handlebars. That's a fact.

Meanwhile, Wahoo tried to sell watches. Remember the Element Rival? It launched in November 2020 and had something genuinely interesting - it was the first GPS watch that would automatically switch between triathlon segments. Swim, bike, run, all without hitting a button. Wahoo called it "touchless transition" and it actually worked pretty well.

But Chip Hawkins, Wahoo's CEO, publicly stated in late 2023 that there were no new watches planned. No Rival 2. By early 2026, the Rival was completely gone from Wahoo's site - removed from their product lineup entirely. If you find one now, you're probably looking at a $99 fire sale price.

So here's the thing - Wahoo isn't really in the GPS watch game anymore. That removes the conflict.

So What Exactly Did They Announce?

The headline for most athletes is the two-way API integration. This is actually useful. If you're running with a COROS watch and cycling with a Wahoo computer, your workout data now automatically flows to both platforms. COROS told us that uploads from either ecosystem affect your fitness metrics - things like base fitness and training load. So if you're using both systems, your training load calculation should stay accurate.

Is that revolutionary? No. Fit files have always been portable. But having it happen automatically without you manually exporting and importing? That's genuinely convenient.

There's also a specific Bluetooth connection between COROS watches and the Wahoo Kicker Run treadmill. Garmin can connect to the same treadmill using ANT+, but this COROS protocol is apparently a bit faster and more reactive according to early reports. I haven't personally used the Kicker Run, but everything I hear about it is fantastic. Someday I'll get my hands on one.

COROS watches can also broadcast heart rate to Wahoo cycling computers, but honestly, that's not new - that was already possible before this announcement.

Here's where it gets interesting for consumers: Wahoo is now selling COROS devices on their website. The Apex 4 and Pace 4 will be available through Wahoo's store. There will be a custom Wahoo digital watch face for COROS watches, and eventually a Wahoo-branded watch band.

Who Benefits Most?

This is the question I keep coming back to. And honestly, I think COROS gets the better end of this deal - but it's not as lopsided as it might seem.

Wahoo essentially gets a GPS watch lineup without having to build one. They exited the watch market, and now they can offer their customers something rather than nothing. Plus, they're presumably making some standard retail margin on every COROS watch they sell. Not a bad deal if you're a retailer.

But COROS gets access to Wahoo's customer base - athletes who already trust the Wahoo name and now see COROS devices in their ecosystem. That's valuable distribution.

And while Wahoo sells COROS watches, COROS still sells the Dura - their cycling computer that directly competes with Wahoo's lineup. That's a weird tension that I don't think gets resolved by this partnership.

The Part That Actually Matters

Here's what I keep thinking about: Wahoo is essentially saying "sure, COROS, sell your watches through us. Sure, COROS, be our heart rate sensor for our cycling computers. Sure, open up our customers to your product lineup." And COROS sells a cycling computer. These two companies are still competitors in the bike computer space.

Maybe I'm one of the few reviewers who actually thinks the Dura is a genuinely interesting device. The battery life alone - 120 hours - makes it ideal for bike packing and long-distance events. Add solar charging and you've got something that works for multi-day adventures where you might not have access to a charger.

I like Wahoo. Their indoor cycling equipment is fantastic, and their cycling computers are solid. I respect what they build. But the Dura is the kind of product that makes me think COROS knows something about the cycling market that others missed.

The Real Win: Data Portability

If you don't care about either brand specifically, here's why this matters: interoperability is table stakes. Your health data should travel with you. Fit files should flow wherever you want them. The bad example in this space is Apple - keep everything inside the walled garden, make it hard to get your data out. That's not how fitness tech should work.

Both COROS and Wahoo seem to understand that. Making data transfer easier isn't flashy, but it's the right direction for the industry.

What Do You Think?

COROS and Wahoo working together sounds unlikely, maybe even strange. But now that Wahoo isn't competing in GPS watches anymore, it makes more sense than it did a year ago. Whether this partnership actually benefits athletes or mostly just gives Wahoo something to sell and COROS more distribution - that's still unclear.

Garmin Descent Mk3i Now Comes in 51mm: Bigger Screen, Same Features

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Garmin has added a new size option to its Descent Mk3i lineup. The 51mm version with silver and black titanium build gives divers who want more screen real estate an option that matches the feature set of the existing 43mm model.

This is a size expansion, not a new product. The Descent Mk3i already existed, and now there is simply a larger case option for those who prefer it. The specs are identical between sizes.

The headline feature is the 1.4-inch AMOLED display covered by sapphire crystal. That is a meaningful step up from smaller dive watches and makes it easier to read data at depth or on the surface. The screen is bright and clear, which matters when dealing with varying light conditions underwater.

This thing is built for serious diving. It is rated at 20 ATM, which means it can handle dives up to 200 meters. If you are a technical diver or spend a lot of time in the water, that kind of rating matters.

Battery life is where this really stands out. You get up to 66 hours in dive mode, which is the number that matters for serious divers. If you use it as a daily smartwatch, you can stretch that to about 25 days with regular settings, though the always-on display will cut that down to around 10 days.

One of the most useful features is SubWave sonar support. This lets you send preset messages underwater to other divers using compatible devices, with a range of up to 30 meters. When paired with the Descent T2 transceiver, the watch can track tank pressure and depth for up to eight divers within 10 meters of each other. That is a solid safety feature for group dives.

Garmin loaded this with multiple dive modes covering single and multi-gas setups, including Nitrox and Trimix. It also supports freediving, apnea, gauge mode, and closed-circuit rebreather diving. The built-in DiveView maps show depth contours for more than 4,000 dive sites, which helps with planning and navigation.

There is also a focus on overall health and readiness. The watch can estimate your dive readiness based on sleep, stress, and activity levels. Beyond diving, you get a dive compass, surface GPS tracking, a variometer, and real-time no-decompression limit data.

Outside the water, this works like a full smartwatch. It has more than 80 sports apps, heart rate tracking, VO2 max, Pulse Ox, sleep tracking, and training suggestions. You also get music storage, contactless payments, and notifications. There is 32 GB of onboard storage.

The price is $1,599.99, identical to what the 43mm model costs.

For divers who preferred the smaller Descent Mk3i but wanted a larger display, this 51mm version delivers exactly that. It is a solid option if smaller watches felt too cramped on your wrist but you still want all the dive features Garmin offers.

COROS Pace 4 Black Crystal Edition: More Than Just a New Colorway

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The COROS Pace 4 already earned its spot as one of the best value running watches you can buy. Now COROS is giving it a visual upgrade with the new Black Crystal Edition, and honestly, it looks like something that belongs on a different price tier.

I just got done spending some time with the Black Crystal, and I think this is a little bit more than just a new colorway. Think of it as a Pace 4 Premium Edition. It has a new unique case design with an aluminum bezel and a redesigned band. The original Pace 4 is already one of my top picks when it comes to a budget-friendly sports watch. It offers a lot of features for the money. But now there's this, which adds a few premium touches.

So let's talk about what you actually get for that extra $30.

The Case: Same Shape, Better Materials

The main case is virtually the same as the original, though I would call it more of a true black versus the standard model. The biggest change goes along with the Black Crystal name where the lugs are actually kind of see-through now, and I think that is actually kind of cool.

The main case itself is not see-through, it is just the lugs. So it is not like you can see the internal components or anything like that, which would have been even cooler. But the lugs do sort of stand out from the case, especially at an angle. From straight on it is hard to tell a difference, but from an angle you can definitely notice that they are see-through.

COROS also added an aluminum bezel to this, so it should be a little bit more durable than the plastic bezel on the original. That also changes the look a little bit. The biggest visual difference I noticed is that the bezel has a satin finish to it where it makes it stand out a little bit more from the lugs as well.

The bezel is PVD coated for a little bit more durability when it comes to scratch resistance. PVD stands for physical vapor deposition, which is a chemical process where the material is actually applied at a molecular level. So it is actually bonded with the aluminum versus paint, which is just like a normal coating.

My only disappointment is that I wish the bezel actually went above the display with a raised edge to help protect the display a little bit more. This has the same ever so slightly curved glass that they introduced with the original Pace 4. It has a slight curvature to it which means screen protectors may not necessarily work since it is not completely flat. They call it a 2.5D display, basically in between 2D and 3D.

The Band: More Than Meets the Eye

The band is a little bit different too. This has the same dual tone material like the original, but with this particular version the edges are see-through just like the case. What is kind of interesting is that the pattern on the outside here looks like a texture, but this is actually a graphic. COROS said they actually silk screened this design on here and the design should be permanent. I've only had this for a little while so I cannot really attest to the durability of the design, nor the bezel for that matter, but I guess time will tell.

They also color matched the band hardware to the aluminum bezel, which is a nice touch. And they have a special watch face on here as well that has some translucent elements to it, basically completing the story.

The Weight Question

Not really much meaningful difference here at all. This is still a nice lightweight sports watch. Other than the materials and the look, this is exactly the same watch as the original Pace 4.

So Is It Worth It?

I think this watch actually does make a lot of sense because it kind of bridges the gap for someone who may want a little bit more premium look and feel, but does not necessarily want to spend over $400 for the Apex 4. The Apex 4 is a good watch and all, but many of us may not need everything that the Apex 4 has to offer. The Pace 4 may do everything that we need a watch to do, but we want a little bit more premium look and feel. I think this accomplishes that goal for the most part and really for not that much more money.

The elephant in the room though is the Pace Pro and where that sits now with this watch coming out. But that is a conversation for another day.

For existing Pace 4 owners, there is no reason to upgrade. The Black Crystal is strictly for new buyers or those who want a more refined look. For anyone in the market for a sub-$300 running watch, this edition is worth considering alongside the standard model, assuming the visual upgrades justify the $30 difference to you personally.

The COROS Pace 4 was already easy to recommend. The Black Crystal Edition makes it just a little more appealing if you care about aesthetics as much as performance.

OnePlus Watch 4 Leaks: Why Bother Upgrading?

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Let me tell you something about the OnePlus Watch 4. If you have been hoping for a meaningful upgrade from the Watch 3, you might want to sit down for this.

Based on what has leaked so far, OnePlus appears to be about to release a smartwatch that is essentially the same device with a different number attached to it.

A new leak from a Google Play Console listing has revealed what are supposedly the main specs, and they read like a copy-paste job from the Watch 3. We are talking about the same Snapdragon W5 chipset, the same 466 by 466 display resolution, and the same overall design philosophy. The only meaningful difference that has surfaced appears to be a battery that is actually 2 mAh smaller than before.

I am not alone in thinking this feels underwhelming. The headlines have not been kind to this leak. "Even more disappointing details" is not exactly the tagline OnePlus was probably hoping for.

What the Watch 4 Reportedly Offers

Here is what we know based on leaks and certification filings. The OnePlus Watch 4 is rumored to run Wear OS 5.0 out of the box, which is fine, except Wear OS 6 has been available for about a year now. That would be a strange choice for a 2026 release if it turns out to be true. You would think a brand new watch would ship with the latest operating system, but apparently that is too much to ask.

The display is rumored to be a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED panel at 466 by 466 resolution. If that matches the Watch 3 exactly, it is not exactly an exciting update. The processor is said to be the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, which is the same chip OnePlus used before. You get 2GB of RAM, which is respectable for a Wear OS device but not a generational leap.

One interesting detail from the leaks suggests the Watch 4 might be a global version of the Oppo Watch X3, which launched in China last month. If that connection turns out to be real, then the 646 mAh battery makes sense. That would be a solid capacity for a watch this size, and it should deliver decent battery life.

The IP69 rating is a step up from typical water resistance ratings, which means this thing can apparently handle high-pressure water jets. That is more than most people will ever need, but it is nice to have the peace of mind if you are rough on your gear.

The retail box leak shows two finishes. There is a silver option with a green band, and a dark grey version with a dark blue band. One of those colorways might be called "Evergreen Titanium," which at least gives you something new to look at. Small mercies.

The Real Problem Here

All of this is based on leaks and rumors, so we should be clear about that. But if the specifications turn out to be accurate, the OnePlus Watch 4 does not seem to address any of the actual weaknesses of its predecessor.

OnePlus has not been known for aggressive software updates on their watches. The original OnePlus Watch had some rough edges that were never fully smoothed out. The Watch 3 fixed some of those issues, but updates have been sporadic at best.

If the Watch 4 is essentially the same hardware with the same processor and the same display, then the only reason to buy it would be if the price drops significantly on the Watch 3. Or if OnePlus finally delivers meaningful software improvements that actually make the experience better.

Otherwise, why upgrade? The differences are cosmetic at best, and minor spec adjustments do not constitute a new product.

The One Bright Spot

There is one scenario where this makes sense. If OnePlus prices the Watch 4 competitively and keeps the Watch 3 at a lower price point, the older model becomes the budget option. That is a reasonable strategy.

The Watch 3 launched at a certain price, and if the Watch 4 comes in at the same level or slightly higher, the previous generation drops. That could actually make the Watch 3 an attractive deal for anyone who wants a Wear OS watch without spending flagship money.

Garmin, Samsung, and Apple are not suddenly getting worse, so the bar for OnePlus keeps rising. Competitors are delivering real improvements with each generation. OnePlus appears to be coasting on incremental adjustments.

What We Are Waiting For

The official announcement should come in the next few weeks, assuming these leaks are accurate. The retail box includes importers for the UK, EU, and Poland, which suggests a global launch might be imminent. Quality control checks apparently happened on March 30, so mass production could have already started.

Price will be the deciding factor. If the Watch 4 comes in cheaper than the Watch 3 did at launch, it might be worth a look. If they try to charge more for basically the same device, the reception will be appropriately frosty.

For now, the OnePlus Watch 4 looks like a missed opportunity based on what has leaked. OnePlus had a chance to push the envelope with a real successor, and instead we might be getting a hardware refresh with a new coat of paint. Sometimes that is fine. Iterative updates keep prices down and let brands refine their formulas. But this feels like OnePlus is content to coast rather than compete.

We will hold off on a full assessment until we have official details. Stay tuned for pricing and availability. If the number is right, we can revisit this. If not, the Watch 3 might remain the more sensible purchase once the price drops.

Disclaimer: This article is based on leaks, rumors, and unconfirmed reports. Nothing has been officially announced by OnePlus. Specifications, pricing, and availability could change.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro Review: Is It Worth $449 Over Garmin?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Three years. That's how long Amazfit left its dedicated running watch line hanging before dropping the Cheetah 2 Pro. The original Cheetah Pro launched in 2023 at $299 and carved out a decent niche for itself among runners who wanted solid GPS tracking without selling a kidney. Now the sequel arrives at $449.99 - a 50% price increase. Suddenly the value proposition isn't so obvious.

So is it worth it? Let's dig into what $449.99 actually gets you.

The Hardware Story

The Cheetah 2 Pro represents Amazfit's most serious attempt yet at premium build quality. Titanium alloy case. Sapphire glass. A 1.32-inch AMOLED display pushing 3000 nits of brightness. This isn't your average fitness tracker in a fancy case - it's a deliberate step toward the Garmin Fenix and COROS Apex territory.

The jump in materials is real. Titanium keeps the weight down to 45.6g while adding durability. Sapphire glass means you're not nursing anxiety about scratches every time you hit the trails. And 3000 nits? That's brighter than most phones. Reading the screen in direct sunlight should be genuinely effortless.

They kept the four-button layout, which is honestly the right call. Touchscreens during a tempo run in the rain are a nightmare. Buttons don't care about sweat or gloves or cold fingers.

The display itself is 466 x 466 pixels on a round face - that works out to 353 ppi, which is crisp enough that you won't notice individual pixels. Combined with the sapphire glass, this feels like a watch that could survive actual abuse and still look good doing it.

Running Features: Finally Serious

If you've been following Amazfit's trajectory, you know they've been building out their running metrics incrementally. The Cheetah 2 Pro looks like the culmination of that effort. This is the watch where they stopped apologizing for being "the budget option" and started building something that can genuinely compete on features.

Dual-band GNSS is the headline here. Single-band GPS works fine for casual runs, but once you start doing intervals in urban canyons or hitting trails with tree cover, satellite accuracy matters. The Cheetah 2 Pro tracks across GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, and QZSS simultaneously. That's five satellite systems, and running them in dual-band mode should give you real accuracy improvements over single-band alternatives.

Offline maps with route guidance is another feature that used to be " Garmin exclusive" territory. Having turn-by-turn navigation that doesn't need a phone connection is genuinely useful for long runs in new areas. And with 32GB of storage, you've got room for plenty of maps without having to pick and choose.

Running metrics include VO₂ max, lactate threshold, running power, and gait tracking. These are the numbers that serious runners actually use to guide training. Zepp Coach provides adaptive training plans, and the watch syncs with Strava and TrainingPeaks if you're already invested in those ecosystems. For a watch that's targeting the "serious runner" market, this checks the right boxes.

Finish time predictions are becoming standard on performance watches, and it's easy to see why. If you're training for a marathon, having the watch estimate your race finish time based on your training load and recent performances is genuinely useful data.

Battery Life: The Real Story

Here's where it gets interesting. Twenty days of battery life is impressive by any standard, but Amazfit is claiming 29 hours of continuous GPS tracking. That's longer than the Garmin Fenix 8's GPS battery life, which sits around 22-24 hours depending on the model.

For runners who do long events - ultramarathons, century rides, multi-hour training runs - that battery life matters. You shouldn't have to baby your watch or carry a battery pack for anything short of a true ultra event.

Twenty days of typical use also means you can actually wear this as a daily watch without the anxiety of constant charging. One charge every three weeks is a reasonable expectation.

The Price Question

$449.99 is a lot of money. There's no way around that. The question is whether Amazfit has done enough to justify it.

The honest answer is: mostly yes, but with caveats.

What you're getting for that money:

Titanium + sapphire build (normally Garmin Fenix territory at $800+)
Dual-band GNSS with five satellite systems
Offline maps with 32GB storage
Twenty-day battery life
Full running dynamics package
Four-button sport interface

What you're potentially giving up:

Garmin's proven GPS accuracy over years of refinement
COROS's established reputation in the running community
Third-party app ecosystem depth
Long-term software update track record

Amazfit has always competed on value. The Cheetah 2 Pro still undercuts comparable Garmin watches by several hundred dollars. But it's no longer the "cheap option that happens to work well" - it's positioning itself as a legitimate premium competitor.

The Real Test

Everything I've described is on paper. The specs are impressive, the build quality is legitimate, and the feature set addresses the gaps that held back previous Amazfit running watches.

But here's the thing about running watches: the software and accuracy refinements come over time. Garmin and COROS have years of real-world data informing their algorithms. Amazfit is good at hardware; the question is whether their software can deliver on the promise these specs suggest.

The Cheetah 2 Pro looks like it could be the watch that finally earns Amazfit a seat at the serious runner's table. But "looks like" and "is" are two different things when it comes to GPS accuracy and heart rate precision during hard efforts.

If you're already all-in on Garmin or COROS, the Cheetah 2 Pro probably isn't going to lure you away. But if you're a runner who's been eyeing a performance watch but couldn't justify the $800+ Fenix price, this is worth a serious look. You get most of the features at roughly half the price.

The Cheetah 2 Pro is available now at $449.99 from Amazfit.com and select retailers. For runners who want a premium build without the premium price tag, it's a compelling option that's finally ready for prime time.

Fitbit's Screenless Band: The Worst Kept Secret in Wearables

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Four months. That's how long Stephen Curry has been wearing Google's new Fitbit screenless band in public before anyone officially acknowledged it exists.

If this is supposed to be a secret, it's the worst-kept one in wearables. But here's the thing: we don't think Google minds at all.

The Worst Kept Secret

The story starts back in January, when Curry - Google's official "Performance Advisor" - apparently started wearing the band during NBA games. He's worn it through a home stand in January, the All-Star game in February, and into March when he finally acknowledged the device in a sponsored post.

The NBA apparently prohibits players from wearing non-approved devices during games, which explains why Curry only takes it off during gameplay. But the rest of the time? The band's been front and center, just hidden in plain sight.

The first real acknowledgment came March 31, when Curry posted a video teasing "new Fitbit hardware." Since then, more images have surfaced showing the device in better detail than any official render could provide.

All the Images We've Found

From Steph Curry's Instagram

Curry's Instagram has become the de facto showcase for this device. The video teaser from March 31 showed the band clearly - a single wrapped design that's noticeably thinner than a Whoop Strap.

The band material looks nearly identical to Google's Pixel Watch Performance Loop Band - made of recycled polyester, nylon, and elastane yarns. It's a single lengthy strap that wraps around your wrist, through a metal loop, and attaches to itself.

Credit: Stephen Curry / YouTube

View Curry's workout video here

From the Leaked Interface

Credit: Droid Life / Source publication

This leaked screenshot shows the companion software - a Pixel phone displaying what appears to be Fitbit's tracking UI showing "Live data," cardio load, heart rate, energy burned, and elapsed time.

This is interesting because the current Fitbit app can't do this - it requires GPS for live tracking activities. A screenless band that pushes data to your phone makes sense, and this looks like the interface that would power it.

From Sotheby's Auction Video

When Curry announced he was auctioning off sneakers he'd worn during his "sneaker free agency" period, Sotheby's posted a video showing the collection. Buried in that footage are 4K close-ups of the device on Curry's wrist that give us the clearest look yet.

The device is remarkably thin - significantly thinner than a Whoop MG according to people who've worn both. That's notable because thinness has been one of Whoop's weaknesses.

View Sotheby's video here (credit: Sotheby's / Stephen Curry)

From Getty Images / NBA Games

Getty photographers have captured Curry wearing the band during actual NBA games from January onwards. These show it during warm-ups against the Sacramento Kings on January 9, and throughout various appearances before the March announcement.

These aren't the clearest shots - NBA players are moving and the band is small - but they establish the timeline of when Curry started wearing it publicly.

View Curry warm-up photos on Getty Images - photographer: NBAE (credit: Getty Images / NBAE)

What We Think Is Happening

Here's our theory: Google is using Steph Curry as a walking billboard, and they're totally fine with everyone knowing it.

Curry has been Google's "Performance Advisor" for a while now. Having the most recognizable basketball player on the planet wear your unreleased product in public isn't an accident - it's marketing.

The fact that the band has been visible for four months without Google sending lawyers suggests they're completely comfortable with this. When you control the revealer, you control the narrative. Everyone knows it's coming, everyone talks about it, and when Google officially announces it, the buzz is already built.

This is a sophisticated marketing play. Instead of Apple-style complete secrecy until announcement, Google is using Curry's public appearances as organic marketing. Every time Curry wears it in a visible moment, people notice and talk about it.

For a company that makes most of its money from advertising, Google understands how awareness works better than most.

What We Know About the Device

From the images, here's what we can see:

Design: Single wrap-around band with a metal clasp/loop. Thinner than Whoop. Available at least in a light gray/silver color.

Material: Same Performance Loop-style construction as Google's existing bands - recycled polyester, nylon, and elastane.

Software: Appears to use Fitbit's existing tracking UI with "Live data" streaming to a phone. No screen on the device means all interaction happens through the phone app.

Battery: Unknown, but screenless bands typically last 3-7 days.

Subscription: Given Fitbit's history and the fact that Google needs to compete with Whoop's $149/year model, expect a Premium tier for advanced features.

The Timeline So Far

January 2026: Curry first spotted wearing the device during NBA games

January 9: Photographed during warm-ups vs Sacramento Kings

February: Seen wearing it at NBA All-Star weekend

March 31: Curry posts official teaser video acknowledging the device

April 15-16: Multiple outlets compile all available images and details

Why This Matters for Runners

Runners have been watching the Whoop vs Garmin vs Fitbit space with interest. Whoop dominates in certain circles because it delivers what serious athletes want: tracking without distraction.

Garmin has its ecosystem locked up for training metrics. Fitbit has the broader health tracking and the Google integration. A Fitbit screenless band would give Google a product specifically targeting the Whoop crowd - athletes who want data without the smartwatch interface.

The appeal of a screenless band for runners is real. During daily life, you don't need pace, distance, and GPS. You need heart rate variability, sleep quality, and recovery status. A band that passively tracks those metrics without looking like a fitness tracker is genuinely useful.

Whoop understood this. The band became popular not despite being screenless but because of it. Runners and athletes stopped wanting their watch to be a second phone and started wanting it to be a wellness tracker that stayed out of the way. Google clearly noticed.

Is This a Whoop Killer?

That's the million-dollar question. Whoop built its entire business on the "screenless band for athletes" concept, and it works. Serious runners, CrossFit athletes, and pro sports teams use Whoop because it tracks everything without being distracting.

If Google can deliver comparable tracking with Fitbit's ecosystem and integration - plus Curry's endorsement and Google's resources - it could be a real alternative.

The fact that this has been "secret" for four months while being worn by one of the world's most photographed athletes is either hilarious or brilliant, depending on how you look at it.

For more on what we know about Google's Fitbit plans, check out our earlier coverage of the Whoop competitor rumor.

Image credits: Stephen Curry (Instagram, YouTube), Sotheby's (auction video), Getty Images / NBAE (game photos), Droid Life (interface screenshot). All rights belong to respective owners.

Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro Brings inReach Satellite Technology to Your Wrist

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Garmin just announced the D2 Mach 2 Pro, and the headline feature is not the AMOLED display or the titanium bezel. It is the built-in inReach satellite technology that puts two-way communication and emergency SOS right on your wrist.

The Fenix 8 Pro was Garmin's first smartwatch with inReach technology, launched in late 2025. Now Garmin is bringing the same capability to its aviation line for the first time - the D2 Mach 2 Pro is the first watch in Garmin's pilot-focused D2 series to include inReach.

What inReach Brings to the D2 Mach 2 Pro

Garmin's inReach technology has been around for years in dedicated satellite communicators. The key advantage: it works anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky, no cell towers required.

The inReach network uses the Iridium satellite constellation, which provides truly global coverage. Unlike cell-based services that only work near population centers or along flight routes with good coverage, satellite connectivity means you are covered everywhere except indoors or underground.

On the D2 Mach 2 Pro, that means pilots get:

Two-way satellite messaging. You can send and receive text messages even when flying far from cell coverage. Perfect for keeping family updated on your ETA or coordinating with crew on the ground during longer flights.

This is not like sending a quick location ping. The inReach system supports full two-way conversation. If your family has an inReach or the Garmin Messenger app, you can have actual text discussions, not just broadcast your position.

Voice calling via LTE. When you have cellular connectivity, the watch can handle actual phone calls. This is different from previous inReach devices which were text-only. The built-in speaker and microphone make it work like a regular phone call on your wrist.

SOS capabilities. In an emergency, triggering SOS on the watch connects you directly to Garmin's 24/7 response center. They coordinate with local emergency services and stay in contact with you until help arrives.

LiveTrack and location sharing. Family on the ground can follow your progress in real-time. Useful for letting people know you landed safely or showing your position during longer cross-country flights.

Weather reports via satellite. Before you take off or during flight, you can pull weather updates even where there is no cell service. Satellite weather means you are never stuck without forecast data.

For pilots flying into remote areas or operating from airports without good cell coverage, this is genuinely useful. You can check weather at your destination, along your route, and at alternate airports without needing to find a radio or cell signal.

The weather feature uses the same inReach satellite connection, so it works anywhere the satellite antenna has a clear view of the sky.

Why This Matters More Than Another Smartwatch Feature

Smartwatches keep adding features, but most are incremental. Better screens, more sports modes, fancier notifications. This is different.

The integration of inReach into a watch you already wear changes the safety calculus for pilots. Previously, carrying an inReach meant another device clipped to your flight bag or strapped to your leg. Now it is on your wrist with your other watch data.

The SOS function alone is significant. If something goes wrong and you need to make an emergency call, the watch on your wrist is already there. You do not need to reach for another device or dig through a bag while dealing with an emergency situation.

Garmin's response center operates 24/7 with trained coordinators who have relationships with local emergency services worldwide. When you trigger SOS, you are not just broadcasting a signal - you are getting professional help coordinating your rescue. This is the same network that Garmin's dedicated inReach devices have used for years, and it has a solid track record in actual emergencies.

The combination of always-on wrist wearability and satellite SOS means you are more likely to actually use it if needed. When your phone is in your pocket and your inReach is in your flight bag, the barrier to calling for help is higher. When it is right there on your wrist, it is as easy as pressing a button.

Garmin's Vice President of Aviation Sales Carl Wolf put it simply: "Every pilot on the planet should have this new smartwatch."

What You Get Beyond inReach

The D2 Mach 2 Pro is not just an inReach with a watch strapped to it. It has the full suite of D2 aviation features:

The 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen is sunlight-readable, which matters for cockpit visibility. Aviation-specific maps with terrain and obstacles, aviation weather reports, and compatibility with Garmin's PlaneSyncTM technology for aircraft connectivity all come standard.

For non-flying activities, it works like any other premium Garmin watch. Training metrics, GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, the full ecosystem of Garmin Connect features.

The watch comes in a 51mm case with carbon gray DLC titanium bezel, chestnut leather band, and silicone QuickFit band included in the box.

The QuickFit system is worth noting - it means you can swap bands without tools. In a cockpit environment, being able to switch from a leather band for normal wear to a silicone band for actual flying makes sense. Many pilots already do this with their watches, and Garmin including both is thoughtful.

Pricing and Availability

The D2 Mach 2 Pro is priced at $1,549.99, available now. That is $50 more than the standard D2 Mach 2, which does not have inReach built in.

If you are a pilot who has been using a separate inReach device, the math is straightforward. You are replacing a $400-500 device with a feature built into a watch you would buy anyway. The premium for inReach integration is surprisingly reasonable.

For comparison, a standalone Garmin inReach Messenger Plus costs around $350 and does not have a watch display or aviation features. The D2 Mach 2 Pro at $1,550 includes the full aviation smartwatch package plus satellite messaging. If you were buying both anyway, you are saving money.

The $50 premium over the non-Pro D2 Mach 2 is almost nothing considering what you are getting. Garmin could have charged $200 more and it would still make sense.

The Bigger Picture

Garmin has been expanding inReach technology across its product line. The Fenix 8 Pro already has it, and now the D2 line joins the inReach family. The company acquired inReach back in 2016, and the satellite communication technology has appeared in various outdoor and marine devices. Bringing it to aviation makes sense for the same reasons it made sense for the Fenix line.

What is notable is that Garmin is now putting inReach across multiple product lines rather than keeping it exclusive to one series. This suggests the technology is mature enough for broader rollout.

For runners and cyclists, Garmin has been more cautious. The Fenix 8 Pro is the only non-aviation watch with inReach so far. Whether Garmin eventually brings it to the Forerunner line or other consumer watches remains to be seen. The technology requires extra hardware and adds cost, so do not expect it on entry-level watches anytime soon.

For now, if you are a pilot looking for better connectivity and safety features, the D2 Mach 2 Pro is worth considering. The inReach integration is the feature that sets it apart from every other smartwatch on the market.

If you are already flying with a D2 Mach 2 and do not need the inReach features, there is no reason to upgrade. The D2 Mach 2 is still an excellent aviation watch. But if you have been carrying a separate satellite communicator, the D2 Mach 2 Pro consolidates two devices into one, and the $50 premium over the standard model is genuinely good value for that consolidation.

Garmin Firmware 27.09 Is Still Breaking Forerunner Watches

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:52:00 GMT

Something is broken in Garmin's firmware, and it has been broken for months.

Garmin released software version 27.09 for several Forerunner watches back in January 2026, and users have been reporting problems ever since. The issues are not minor - people are seeing completely wrong elevation data, broken heart rate tracking, GPS failures, and battery drain that turns their watches into bricks overnight.

What makes this worse is that Garmin has not acknowledged the problem publicly or released a fix.

What Owners Are Experiencing

The reports started appearing on Garmin's forums and Reddit shortly after the January update. Users with Forerunner 255, 265, 955, and 965 watches were all experiencing similar problems.

The most common complaint is elevation tracking going haywire. People are seeing notifications that they climbed dozens of floors while sitting at their desks. One user reported their watch showing 50 meters of elevation gain in 5 minutes while running on flat ground. The altimeter appears to be registering phantom climbs constantly, even when the watch is sitting motionless.

The elevation issue is particularly frustrating because Garmin uses barometric altitude for elevation data, which should be more accurate than GPS-derived altitude. When it goes wrong, it goes completely wrong - producing impossible numbers that bear no relation to reality.

For trail runners who depend on accurate elevation gain for pacing and training load calculations, this renders the watch nearly useless on hilly routes. If you are trying to train by feel based on elevation-adjusted pace, you are flying blind.

Heart rate tracking has also taken a hit. Some users report slow response to intensity changes during runs - the optical sensor seems to lag behind actual effort, making it useless for training zones. Others see the heart rate lock onto a single number and refuse to update for entire workouts.

This is dangerous for runners doing interval training. If your watch shows 130 bpm when you are actually at 170 bpm, you might push harder than you should during recovery intervals, undermining your training.

GPS issues have surfaced too. Some users report the watch failing to acquire a signal at all after updating. Others see GPS lock but with wildly inaccurate pace and distance data.

GPS problems are particularly concerning because they affect the core function of a running watch. If your distance and pace are wrong, the watch is not just annoying - it is actively misleading you about your workout. One user reported their watch thinking they ran 15 miles when they had actually run 8.

The combination of GPS errors and elevation errors together means some users have completely unusable data from workouts they thought they were tracking properly.

Battery drain is the final complaint. Several users have watched their watch go from 86% battery to 9% overnight - a catastrophic drain that turns a multi-day battery life watch into something that needs charging twice a day.

For users who rely on their watch to track sleep and then wake them up, unexpected battery drain is particularly problematic. Imagine waking up to a dead watch and missing your morning alarm because the firmware decided to drain your battery overnight.

The battery issue also points to something being fundamentally wrong with how the firmware is managing the hardware. Excessive battery drain usually means a process is running constantly when it should be sleeping. Combined with the elevation and heart rate issues, it suggests the firmware is not properly managing any of the sensors.

The Human Cost

This is not just about numbers being wrong. For runners who use their watches for training decisions, bad data means bad decisions.

The Human Cost

This is not just about numbers being wrong. For runners who use their watches for training decisions, bad data means bad decisions.

If your watch thinks you climbed 30 floors during a workday when you actually sat at a desk, that data contaminates your training load calculations. If your heart rate zones are based on incorrect readings during a tempo run, you might be training harder or easier than you think.

One user on Garmin's forums described the situation as "insulting" - months of problems with no acknowledgment from Garmin. Another said they raised the issue with Garmin support and were sent a replacement watch, but suspected it was a software problem that the new hardware would also eventually develop.

What Garmin Is Saying

Nothing, essentially.

The company has not posted any acknowledgment of the firmware problems on their official channels. No workaround guide, no "we are aware of the issue," no timeline for a fix. The silence has frustrated users who feel they paid premium prices for watches that now do not work as advertised.

This is not how a company with Garmin's reputation should handle a widespread problem affecting multiple product lines. When Apple has a software problem, they acknowledge it and push a fix. When Garmin has a problem that affects core functionality for months, users get silence.

The lack of communication also makes it hard to recommend Garmin watches to new buyers. A watch that can be rendered nearly unusable by a software update is a hard sell.

The community consensus for users who have not yet updated to 27.09 is clear: disable automatic updates immediately. Once you install the problematic firmware, there is no way to downgrade to a stable version.

What You Can Do

If your Forerunner has not updated to 27.09 yet, do not let it update automatically. Go into Garmin Express or the Connect app and turn off automatic updates. This is the only way to guarantee you stay on stable firmware for now.

To disable automatic updates in Garmin Express, click on your device, then Software Update, and uncheck the automatic option. In the Connect app, go to your device settings and look for automatic update options there.

If you have already updated and are experiencing these problems, your options are limited. Contact Garmin support - some users have reported success getting replacement units. Do not expect a software fix anytime soon based on Garmin's track record of silence on this issue.

For now, the best advice is to be skeptical of your watch's data if you updated recently. Check your elevation, heart rate, and GPS data against your historical norms. If something looks wrong, it probably is. Keep notes of which workouts had obviously bad data in case you need to dispute results with Garmin support.

The Bigger Picture

Garmin has built its reputation on reliable, accurate fitness tracking. The Forerunner line is trusted by serious runners and athletes who depend on the data to guide their training. This kind of widespread, persistent bug undermines that trust.

Software bugs happen to every company. What matters is how they respond. Garmin's silence on this issue does not inspire confidence that it will be resolved quickly or transparently.

The longer this goes on, the more it damages Garmin's reputation for reliability. For a company that sells watches partly on the promise of accurate data, having that data be actively wrong for months is a serious problem.

If you are in the market for a new Garmin, this might be a reason to wait until the firmware situation stabilizes. Or at least, do not update until Garmin officially acknowledges and fixes the problem.

It is worth noting that Garmin has released newer firmware versions since 27.09 - the current version is 27.10 or higher on some models. However, users reporting problems say they are still experiencing issues even after updating to these newer versions. The problems may persist across firmware versions.

For the rest of us with Forerunner watches from 2022-2024, hold off on that update notification. Your watch is probably more reliable right now than it would be after installing 27.09.

We will continue monitoring this situation and update this article if Garmin releases a fix. If you are experiencing these issues, your best course of action is to contact Garmin support and document everything - screenshots, support ticket numbers, and notes about the problems you are seeing. The more data Garmin has from affected users, the better chance they eventually address this.

In the meantime, consider using your phone for GPS tracking as a backup until Garmin gets their firmware situation under control.

Garmin Q1 2026 Update: What Runners Actually Need to Know

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

In February Garmin dropped its Q1 2026 software update, and unlike some feature rollouts that feel incremental, this one actually has useful stuff for runners. The headline features are Gear Tracking improvements and Sleep Alignment, but there's more if you dig into it.

Let me break down what actually matters.

Gear Tracking That Actually Works

If you've ever tried to track your running shoes in Garmin Connect, you know it's been a clunky process. Garmin is now taking it seriously.

The gear tracking overhaul lets you log running shoes, bike components, skis, and more - then track how many miles or hours you've put on them. The new version adds more gear types, the ability to group items together, and automatic assignment to activities.

The part runners actually care about: you can now see gear life progress right on your watch wrist. A progress bar shows you how close your shoes are to being done. No more guessing if those trainers have another 100 miles left or are destroying your knees.

For marathon runners going through multiple pairs of shoes in training, this is genuinely useful. Log your race shoes, see the mileage accumulate, and get a heads up when it's time to break out the backups.

The database improvements also help. Garmin Connect now has actual shoe brands and models in its database instead of you typing "Nike Vaporfly 3" every time. You can save your regular rotation so every run auto-assigns the right shoes.

For runners who rotate between daily trainers, tempo shoes, and race day flats, this matters. Instead of manually logging which shoes you wore after every run, you set it up once and Garmin handles the rest.

Sleep Alignment: Finally, Circadian Rhythm Context

Sleep tracking has been decent on Garmin for a while, but it mostly just showed you numbers. Sleep Alignment is Garmin's attempt to give that data context.

The feature shows how aligned your sleep schedule is with your circadian rhythm. If you're training hard and sleeping inconsistently, Sleep Alignment will show you that. It's not just "you slept 7 hours" - it's "you slept 7 hours but your circadian rhythm is off because you went to bed 2 hours later than usual."

For runners doing morning workouts, this matters. If your body clock is shifted because you've been staying up late, your morning run might feel harder than it should. Sleep Alignment gives you data to understand why.

Garmin also improved the Smart Wake alarm feature, which wakes you at the optimal point in your sleep cycle within a window you set. If you've ever woken up from deep sleep feeling like garbage despite getting enough hours, Smart Wake tries to fix that.

The practical upshot for runners: if you're in a hard training block and your sleep is inconsistent, Sleep Consistency shows you the problem. Maybe you've been traveling, or your kids have been up late, or you've been watching TV in bed. Whatever the cause, Garmin now quantifies how much your schedule has drifted.

This connects to training adaptation in ways Garmin hasn't really addressed before. Recovery happens during sleep. If your sleep is consistently misaligned with your circadian rhythm, you're not recovering as well as you could. Garmin is finally giving you the data to see that connection.

Course Planner: Race Prep Gets Serious

This is the feature for marathon and ultra runners who've been asking for better pre-race planning tools.

Course Planner lets you build out your race course in Garmin Connect with cut-off times, rest plans, checkpoints, and aid stations. Sync it to your watch, and you see all of that during the race.

For point-to-point races where you need to know where aid stations are, or for time-based events where cut-offs matter, this is exactly what you've been wanting. No more纸 maps or guessing where the next checkpoint is.

The course displays on your watch face so you can see exactly where you are relative to your plan. If you're falling behind schedule, you'll know before you're actually behind.

Mixed Sessions: HYROX Finally Gets Proper Support

HYROX races have been growing in popularity, and Garmin's new Mixed Session feature finally gives you proper workout tracking for them. Log a HYROX-style workout as a single activity instead of switching between running and functional fitness segments manually.

This sounds minor, but it matters for tracking training load correctly. When you do a HYROX workout and log it as separate activities, Garmin sees it as multiple workouts. Mixed Session treats it as one coherent training session, which gives you more accurate recovery and training load data.

For cross-training focused runners who also hit the gym hard, this matters more than it sounds. If you're doing a week with two runs and three HYROX-style workouts, Garmin now sees that as five separate training sessions pushing your load up. With Mixed Session, it sees it as a coherent training week with appropriate load.

The feature also works for brick workouts - bike plus run sequences, or swim plus run combinations. Anything where you're doing multiple activities in one session without stopping to save and start a new activity.

Battery Manager Actually Helps

Garmin redesigned the Battery Manager with clearer graphs and smarter power-saving behavior. If you've ever been unsure whether a setting change would actually affect your battery life, the new Battery Manager shows you the impact before you commit.

For runners doing long races or multi-day adventures, this helps you understand how different settings affect your runtime. You can make informed decisions about GPS accuracy, screen brightness, and music streaming instead of guessing.

The smarter power-saving suggestions are the real win. Instead of just saying "reduce these settings to save battery," Garmin now suggests specific changes based on your usage patterns. If you never use maps during runs, it might suggest reducing map detail. If you always run with music, it accounts for that in its estimates.

Varia Voice Alerts Go Mainstream

Garmin's Varia radar system for cyclists has had voice alerts for a while, but the feature is now more broadly available. If you pair Varia with your watch, you get audio warnings about approaching vehicles without needing headphones - the watch itself can announce "car back" type alerts.

For runners who share roads with traffic, this is less relevant since Varia is primarily designed for bikes. But for triathletes who run after biking, seeing your Varia alerts on your watch during the run portion makes the transition more seamless.

AI Coaching Gets Smarter

Garmin Fitness Coach has been around for a while, but the Q1 update brings more personalized workout plans based on your training history and goals. The AI generates workouts that adapt based on your recovery status and recent performance.

For runners following a generic training plan, this is a step up from one-size-fits-all schedules. The AI adjusts based on how you're actually responding to training, not just because a calendar says it's a hard day.

What You Actually Get

The full list of compatible watches includes Venu X1, Venuactive 6, Fenix 8 Pro, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, and more. As usual, older models get fewer features - some watches only get the Connect app updates, not the on-device features.

Check your specific model on Garmin's comparison page to see what you're getting. If you have a Fenix 7 or Epix Pro from a few years ago, you might be in "maintenance mode" where you get bug fixes but not new features.

The Connect app updates are rolling out to everyone regardless of watch model, so even if your watch isn't getting the new on-device features, you'll still see some improvements in the app.

The Bigger Picture

Garmin is clearly thinking about the full training cycle now, not just what happens during a run. Sleep Alignment addresses recovery. Gear Tracking addresses equipment management. Course Planner addresses race preparation. These are all things serious runners have been asking for.

The gear tracking in particular feels like it's been needed for years. Runners rotate shoes, track wear, and try to remember when they bought their last pair. Having that automated and on your wrist is genuinely useful.

What's notable is that Garmin is building an ecosystem rather than just adding isolated features. Sleep data feeds into recovery recommendations. Recovery feeds into training load. Training load informs workout suggestions. Gear tracking tells you when your equipment might be holding you back. It's all connected.

If you've been putting off a Garmin update because the release notes seemed like fluff, this one actually has substance. The features aren't revolutionary individually, but together they address real pain points that serious runners have been dealing with.

Fitbit's AI Health Coach Goes Global: 37 Countries, 32 Languages

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:54:00 GMT

Fitbit's AI health coach is going global. Google announced that the feature, previously available in limited preview, is now expanding to users in 37 countries and 32 languages. If you're a runner or fitness user who's been watching Fitbit's evolution, this matters more than it might seem.

What Is Fitbit's AI Health Coach

Before we get into the expansion, let's clarify what the AI health coach actually does. Fitbit's system uses Google's Gemini AI to provide personalized guidance based on your activity data, sleep patterns, and stated goals. It's not just showing you numbers - it's trying to interpret them and give you actionable advice.

The coach can suggest workout adjustments based on your recovery status, help you set realistic goals, and provide feedback on your training patterns. For runners who don't have a coach or trainer, this is a way to get some personalized guidance without paying for a subscription service. It's essentially having a basic training advisor on your wrist.

The key phrase is "public preview" - this is still Google's way of testing the feature before a full rollout. But the expansion to 37 countries signals they're confident enough in how it's working to let more people try it. The fact that Google is pushing this globally suggests the AI is performing well enough to scale.

How the AI Actually Works

Fitbit's health coach analyzes multiple data streams to generate recommendations. Your activity history shows whether you're consistently hitting movement goals. Sleep data reveals recovery status. Heart rate variability, when available from compatible devices, gives insight into your nervous system state. The AI synthesizes all this to tell you whether today is a good day to push or if you should take it easier.

For runners specifically, this means the coach can notice patterns you might miss. If you've had several hard workouts and your sleep quality has dropped, it might suggest an easier day. If you've been undershooting your activity goals, it might encourage you to get moving. It's not revolutionary, but it's more personalized than generic daily challenges.

What's Included in the Expansion

The new countries include major European markets like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland, along with India, Brazil, and several other regions. The app now supports 32 languages, including German, Hindi, Polish, Swedish, Spanish, and Chinese.

Google says the rollout will happen "over the coming weeks" as an update to the Fitbit app. If you're in one of the newly supported countries, you should see the health coach feature appear in your Fitbit app settings.

What This Means for Runners

The fitness coaching features are the most relevant for runners. The AI looks at your activity history, sleep quality, and heart rate variability to suggest:

When to push hard and when to take it easy
Adjustments to your training based on how you're recovering
Goals that are realistic based on your current fitness level

For runners following a training plan, this kind of feedback can help you understand whether you're on track or overreaching. It won't replace a coach, but it's useful context between doctor visits or formal training assessments.

The food and nutrition tracking improvements are also part of this expansion. Fitbit had previously added AI-powered meal analysis where you can snap a photo of your food and get nutritional breakdown. Now this feature is more broadly available as part of the health coach ecosystem.

The Subscription Question

Fitbit Premium has been required for many of the advanced AI features, and this expansion likely follows the same model. Some health coach functionality may be free, but the deeper insights and personalized coaching probably require a Premium subscription.

For casual users, this might feel like paywalling features that should be basic. For serious athletes who would benefit most from personalized feedback, the cost might be worth it depending on how useful the AI guidance actually is in practice.

Fitbit Premium runs about $80 per year, which is competitive with Whoop's subscription but less than Garmin's premium services. The question is whether the AI coach justifies the cost compared to what you get from free features or competing platforms.

Fitbit's Position in the Market

Google has been steadily positioning Fitbit as more than just a step counter. The integration with Google's AI capabilities is a key part of that strategy - Fitbit data feeds into Gemini, and Gemini provides insights that other fitness platforms can't match.

For runners, this creates an interesting alternative to Garmin Connect or COROS App. Fitbit has traditionally been weaker on the GPS and training load features that serious runners care about, but the AI health coaching could be a differentiator if it actually delivers useful guidance.

The question is whether the AI is smart enough to give advice that's genuinely helpful versus generic tips anyone could find online. Early impressions suggest it's somewhere in the middle - useful for beginners or people getting back into fitness, but not sophisticated enough yet for experienced athletes with complex training goals.

Should You Care

If you're already a Fitbit user in one of the newly supported countries, the health coach expansion is worth checking out. The AI insights might give you a new perspective on your training or help you identify patterns you hadn't noticed.

If you're not a Fitbit user, this announcement doesn't fundamentally change the calculus. Fitbit still lags behind Garmin and COROS for serious training features like structured workouts, training load analysis, and recovery recommendations based on HRV trends.

But for fitness-focused users who want a smartwatch that does more than basic tracking, Fitbit's combination of AI coaching and the broader Google ecosystem is becoming more compelling. The health coach expansion is another step toward treating wearables as genuine health tools rather than just notification machines.

Garmin's New Overlays Make Your Workout Posts Look Professional

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Garmin just made your workout posts look way better. The Connect app is getting a new feature that lets you add transparent data overlays to your photos before sharing to social media. No more ugly screenshots of your training data.

What Garmin Added

The update adds transparent overlays to the Connect app's sharing options. When you finish a run or ride, you can now layer your workout stats - pace, distance, heart rate, route map - directly over a photo in different formats optimized for social media.

You get three aspect ratios to choose from. The 1x1 works for standard posts. 4x5 is better for portrait-style feed posts. And 9x16 is sized perfectly for Stories, Reels, and other vertical content.

The key difference from what Strava and others do is the transparent design. Instead of stuffing your data into opaque boxes, Garmin lets the photo stay front and center while the stats sit naturally on top. It looks intentional rather than like you just screenshotted your watch.

Why This Matters

If you post your runs online, you've probably used third-party tools to make your posts look better. Apps that let you overlay pace and route on a photo, or create those clean graphics with your weekly mileage. Garmin is basically building that functionality directly into Connect.

For runners who use Instagram or Strava to share training, this cuts out an extra step. Open the activity, tap share, pick your format, and you're ready to post. No exporting to another app for editing.

The route map overlay is particularly useful. You can show exactly where you ran overlaid on a photo, with the stats floating cleanly on top. It makes posts more interesting than just a screenshot, and more informative than just a photo.

This matters most for a few types of runners:

Race photos: Overlay your race stats on the photo from race morning. "2:47:33 marathon at Big City Marathon" in clean text over your finish line photo.
Weekly recaps: Garmin already generates those nice weekly summary graphics. The new overlays let you customize them with your own photos instead of just the default stats cards.
Route context: Instead of just a screenshot of your watch showing the map, you can put the actual route overlaid on a photo of where you ran. Trail runners showing their mountain route over a summit photo. Road runners showing their neighborhood route over a familiar landmark.

How It Works

Open any completed activity in Garmin Connect, tap the share button, and you'll see the new layout options. Choose your photo (or use the one Garmin automatically captures if you have that setting on), pick your overlay format, and the app generates a clean image ready for posting.

The overlays include average heart rate, distance, and average pace alongside the route outline. You can see the example images showing how it looks.

This is rolling out now in the Connect app update. If you have automatic updates on your phone, you probably already have it. Check your app settings if you're not seeing it yet.

The feature works for both running and cycling activities, so whatever you're logging in Connect, you can create shareable content from it.

How It Works

The overlays include average heart rate, distance, and average pace alongside the route outline. You can see the example images showing how it looks.

This is rolling out now in the Connect app update. If you have automatic updates on your phone, you probably already have it. Check your app settings if you're not seeing it yet.

The Bigger Picture

Garmin is paying more attention to the social side of fitness tracking. Connect has always been strong on data and training load analysis, but the sharing features felt secondary. This update suggests Garmin is thinking more about how people actually use the platform for social motivation.

Competition is driving this. Strava has built an entire social platform around workout sharing. Third-party tools like Relive have made a business out of making run photos look better. Garmin responding by building these features directly into Connect is exactly what users want.

For Garmin users who haven't been using third-party tools, this opens up better-looking posts without any extra effort. For those who have been using tools like Relive or custom graphics, Connect might become your new go-to since it's faster and built into the workflow you already use.

It's a small feature, but it fits a pattern of Garmin making Connect more complete as an ecosystem rather than just a data vault. The app has been getting regular updates that go beyond pure training analysis. This social sharing layer is another piece of making Connect the central hub for everything from planning workouts to sharing them with your running community.

The fact that Garmin is thinking about this at all signals they're aware that a lot of their users are recreational runners who care about the social aspect of fitness. It's not just elite athletes tracking every metric - it's weekend warriors who want to share their progress with friends. Garmin building tools for that audience makes sense.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Gets Meaningful Sleep Tracking Upgrade

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Samsung is pushing advanced sleep tracking features beyond their latest watches, bringing meaningful upgrades to the Galaxy Watch 4 and other older models. This matters if you've been holding onto a previous-generation Galaxy Watch or are considering one on the secondhand market.

What's Coming to Galaxy Watch 4

The update brings several features that were previously exclusive to newer models. The headline addition is FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection - something Samsung has been working toward for years. This isn't just tracking how long you sleep. It actively looks for signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions of runners and athletes who might otherwise never know they have it.

Sleep apnea disrupts your breathing during the night, which means poor sleep quality even if you're in bed for eight hours. For athletes, this is particularly problematic because it impairs recovery and can leave you feeling fatigued despite adequate sleep duration. Many people with sleep apnea don't realize they have it - they just think they're tired.

The feature works by analyzing blood oxygen variations during sleep combined with movement patterns. It's not a replacement for a proper sleep study, but it gives you a useful screening tool that might prompt you to see a doctor if something looks wrong. Samsung received FDA authorization for this feature, which is notable because the agency doesn't grant that clearance lightly.

Beyond sleep apnea detection, Samsung is rolling out enhanced sleep metrics that go deeper than basic stage tracking. You'll see personalized insights based on your sleep patterns over time, not just raw numbers. The system looks at your sleep consistency, how well you're recovering, and gives you actionable feedback rather than just data. This builds on Samsung's existing sleep scoring but adds the AI layer that makes interpretation easier.

Why Sleep Tracking Matters for Athletes

If you run or train seriously, sleep is when a lot of your adaptation happens. Tracking it matters, but most watches just show you numbers without context. Samsung's approach tries to give you something more useful.

The app will now analyze your sleep across multiple nights and give you a sleep personality type - essentially categorizing your sleep patterns to help you understand whether you're a consistent sleeper, have irregular patterns, or tend to undersleep on certain nights.

For runners doing high-volume training or marathon prep, this kind of insight is genuinely useful. If you're not sleeping enough, your watch can now show you that correlation more clearly than just glancing at a sleep score.

Running Interval Targets Too

Samsung is also adding running interval targets with this update. You can set specific pace or heart rate zones for work intervals and rest periods, and the watch will alert you when you're outside your target range. This has been standard on Garmin and COROS for years, so it's good to see Samsung catching up.

For runners who follow structured workouts - like those doing HIT runs or marathon pace work - this makes the Galaxy Watch more usable as a training tool without needing to pull out your phone constantly.

The interval training feature integrates with Samsung's broader workout tracking, so your interval sessions get logged as structured workouts rather than just a continuous activity. That matters for training load calculations and progress tracking over time.

One thing Samsung does well is the visual feedback during workouts. The watch face shows your current interval, elapsed time, and next segment preview. If you're doing ladder workouts or specific pace targets, you can see what's coming without checking your phone.

The Blood Pressure Story

Samsung has been working toward passive blood pressure monitoring for years. The current implementation requires you to manually trigger a reading, which is functional but not ideal. Samsung has announced that passive monitoring - where the watch tracks blood pressure continuously throughout the day - will arrive later in 2026.

This matters for fitness users because blood pressure response to exercise and recovery is useful data. Current Galaxy Watches can do spot readings, but passive monitoring would give you trends over time that are much more meaningful.

What This Means for Buyers

If you're in the market for a fitness-focused smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 4 is now a more compelling option than it was when it launched. The software updates have kept it competitive with newer models for the features that actually matter to athletes.

Samsung has been good about backporting features to older watches, which is worth considering if you're comparing prices on the secondhand market. A Galaxy Watch 4 at a discount now gets you most of the sleep tracking capability of a Galaxy Watch 7.

The one caveat: these features require the Samsung Health app and work best within Samsung's ecosystem. If you're on iPhone, some functionality may be limited compared to Samsung phone users.

The Bigger Picture

Samsung is clearly positioning itself as a serious player in health tracking, not just a general smartwatch maker. The FDA authorization for sleep apnea detection shows they're investing in the medical-grade features that separate them from basic fitness trackers.

For runners and athletes who want a watch that does more than count steps, these updates make Galaxy Watches more legitimate training tools. The sleep tracking improvements are the most significant - being able to screen for sleep apnea with a wearable you already wear is genuinely useful for anyone training hard.

Suunto Q1 2026 Update: What Triathletes Need to Know

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:09:33 GMT

Suunto just dropped a massive Q1 2026 update with roughly 40 new features. If you race triathlons or train seriously with a Suunto, this one matters.

The headline features are navigation-focused, but dig deeper and there's actually a lot here for swimmers and cyclists. Let me break down what actually matters for triathletes.

For Swimmers: Finally, Some Real Tools

The swimming updates have been a long time coming. Suunto added Pool Swim Drills, which sounds minor but is actually useful if you do structured swim workouts. You can now record kick sets or drill work where stroke detection would just get in the way - the watch logs the block and you manually enter the distance.

More importantly, the manual lap button now gives you exact control over interval timing. If you've ever been frustrated by automatic lap detection being off by a second or two at every wall, this is for you. Competitive swimmers and anyone doing interval training can finally hit the button at the wall and trust the timing.

For triathletes who follow a swim plan, this matters more than it sounds. Structured workouts often involve descending intervals, negative splitting, or precise rest periods. Automatic detection guessing at your turns adds drift over a 4000-yard session. Now you control it.

For Cyclists: Varia Support and Better Heart Rate

This is where it gets interesting for triathletes.

Suunto now supports Garmin Varia Radar via a SuuntoPlus app. Yes, you read that right - Garmin's radar system now works with Suunto watches. You can get vehicle proximity alerts right on your watch face. It's a rare moment of cross-brand compatibility and honestly unexpected.

For triathletes who train on roads, Varia radar is one of those things you didn't know you needed until you have it. Rear-facing radar on your bike alerting you to cars approaching from behind makes outdoor riding noticeably safer. That it's now on a Suunto is a big deal.

Heart rate broadcasting is also fixed. You can now push your Suunto's heart rate to other devices via Bluetooth - gym equipment, bike computers, whatever. Suunto's approach is smarter than some competitors: you have to start a specific sport mode to broadcast, which means the optical sensor uses the right algorithm for that activity (cycling vs running have different wrist movement patterns). This makes it actually useful as a chest HRM replacement for your Karoo 3 or other bike computer.

For Cyclists: Varia Support and Better Heart Rate

This is where it gets interesting for triathletes.

The optical heart rate improvements are notable too. Test data shows better consistency during indoor cycling and fewer random spikes during weight training. Still not perfect, but noticeably better.

For Runners: The Navigation Stuff

The big update is Smart Navigation - smarter autozoom, better off-route alerts, and Maps 2.0. If you train on unfamiliar routes or do trail runs, this matters.

Smart Autozoom now adjusts based on what you're doing. Cycling at speed? It zooms out earlier to show the junction. Hiking a steep climb? It zooms in tight to show trail forks. Off-route detection is smarter too - it considers your speed and direction instead of just a fixed distance threshold.

Maps 2.0 adds city names, POIs, and better contour labels. The customizable "bottom tooth" area lets you put heart rate, power, or vertical speed on the map screen without leaving navigation.

Track Back finally exists natively - turn your breadcrumb trail into a route back to start. And the Suunto App now handles offline routing, so you can plan routes on your phone's big screen and sync mid-workout.

Climb Guidance 3.0

For cyclists and trail runners, Climb Guidance is now in version 3.0 with three view modes:

By Segment: Current climb or descent only
By Waypoint: Elevation profile to your next waypoint
By Distance: Next 500m, 5km, or 10km

You can now toggle ascent and descent notifications independently. Cyclists who only care about upcoming climbs can silence the descent alerts.

Quality of Life Stuff

A few tweaks that should have been here years ago:

Day-specific alarms: 6am on weekdays, 8:30am on weekends finally works
Independent sound controls: Silence phone notifications but keep interval beeps
Mixed units: Miles for distance, Celsius for temperature

The morning report now shows exact sunrise time and a countdown to dawn, which is a nice touch for early morning workouts.

Heart Rate Recovery

This is actually useful for training load management. HRR measures how fast your heart rate drops in the 60 seconds after stopping. But Suunto's version contextualizes it - a 27-beat drop after easy Zone 2 work rates higher than a 31-beat drop after hard Zone 4 effort. The algorithm understands starting intensity.

You get it as a post-workout summary and can track it as a real-time data field between intervals.

The Catch

Battery life is a concern for some users. A few Vertical and Race owners report their battery being cut in half after updating. A soft reset or disabling auto-sync to Strava helped some people. Suunto acknowledges that fancier features eat more power.

Also: the original Suunto Vertical (MIP screen) still hasn't gotten this update. Suunto says they're working on fitting the code to the memory constraints. No timeline yet.

Bottom Line

The Q1 2026 update is a real step forward for Suunto. For triathletes specifically, the swimming improvements, Varia radar support, and heart rate broadcasting are the highlights. You now have better tools for structured training in the pool, safer riding with radar alerts, and more flexibility getting your heart rate to your bike computer.

If you're on a Vertical 2, Race 2, or Race S, this update is worth installing. Just maybe keep an eye on your battery for the first few days.

Your Galaxy Watch Can Now Track Blood Pressure: Here's What You Need to Know

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:21:00 GMT

On March 31, 2026, Samsung Electronics officially began rolling out blood pressure monitoring for compatible Galaxy Watch models in the United States. American users have been waiting for this since the feature launched internationally in 2020, held back by regulatory hurdles. Now, the Galaxy Watch steps further into the wearable health space, moving beyond simple fitness tracking into something that could genuinely help people manage a serious condition.

A Critical Response to a Public Health Crisis

The timing matters. According to the CDC, nearly 120 million adults in the U.S. had high blood pressure in 2025. That's roughly half the adult population. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, which are among the top causes of death in this country. Samsung's pitch is straightforward: give people an easy way to check their blood pressure from their wrist and, hopefully, catch problems before they become emergencies.

Supported Hardware and What You'll Need

Good news for anyone who bought a Galaxy Watch in the last few years: this isn't limited to the brand new models. The feature works with the Galaxy Watch 4 and every generation since, including the Watch 5, Watch 6, Watch 7, and the latest Watch 8 series, whether you have the Classic or the Ultra.

But there's a catch. You need more than just the watch:

A Samsung phone running Android 12 or later
Samsung Health Monitor app installed on both phone and watch
No iPhone support, no non-Samsung Android phones, and no Galaxy Fit trackers

How It Actually Works

Traditional blood pressure monitors use an inflatable cuff that cuts off blood flow. The Galaxy Watch takes a different approach. It uses Photoplethysmography (PPG), which sounds complicated but boils down to this: the watch shines green and infrared light into your wrist and measures how that light bounces back as blood flows through your vessels.

Every time your heart beats, blood volume changes, which changes how light is absorbed. The watch picks up these patterns and generates a waveform. Then AI algorithms analyze that waveform looking at things like how quickly your pulse travels through your arteries to estimate your systolic and diastolic pressure. It's tracking changes from your personal baseline, not giving you an absolute medical measurement.

The Catch: You Still Need a Cuff

Here's what Samsung doesn't advertise quite as loudly: the watch still needs help from a traditional blood pressure cuff. Because the watch can't measure pressure directly, it needs to calibrate against something that can. That means:

Initial calibration using an upper-arm blood pressure monitor
Recalibration every 28 days (mandatory)

During calibration, you take three readings simultaneously with both the watch and the cuff, entering the cuff's numbers into the Samsung Health Monitor app. Skip the recalibration for more than 28 days and the feature shuts down until you do it again.

Clinical Validation and Accuracy

A 2026 study put the Galaxy Watch's blood pressure tracking to the test over a full 28-day calibration cycle. Thirty-seven participants compared their watch readings against an Omron M4 reference monitor.

The results were mostly encouraging. The watch generally stayed within international accuracy standards (ISO and IEEE), with a mean difference of just -0.34 mmHg for systolic and 0.62 mmHg for diastolic readings. Not bad.

But the study also flagged something important: accuracy drifted as blood pressure moved further away from the original calibration point. When someone's actual BP was 10 mmHg from their baseline, the watch's error grew to around 3.4 mmHg for systolic and 5.1 mmHg for diastolic readings.

Bottom line: solid for tracking trends when your blood pressure is relatively stable. But if you need an exact number for a doctor's visit, grab the cuff.

How to Get Accurate Readings

Samsung lays out specific instructions:

Avoid nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, exercise, and bathing for at least 30 minutes before measuring
Sit somewhere quiet with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed
Rest for five minutes before you start
Keep your arm at heart level, resting on a table
Stay still and silent for the 30-second measurement

Watch out for: tattoos at the sensor site (the ink absorbs the light), cold skin, vasoconstriction, and excessive body hair. All of these can degrade the signal.

Regulatory Landscape: Wellness vs. Medical Diagnosis

The years-long delay in U.S. availability came down to the FDA being cautious about devices that spit out health numbers. Samsung's ECG and sleep apnea features have full FDA clearance as medical devices. The blood pressure feature launched under a "wellness" designation instead.

Samsung is explicit: this isn't for diagnosing hypertension or replacing your doctor. It's positioned as a tool to help you stay aware of your numbers and make better lifestyle choices.

Samsung vs. Apple vs. Huawei

Apple takes a different approach. The Apple Watch doesn't give you specific blood pressure numbers. Instead, it sends Hypertension Alerts based on long-term trend analysis, flagging potential risks over a 30-day window.

Huawei went the opposite direction with the Watch D2, which has a tiny inflatable cuff built right into the watch band. That gives medical-grade accuracy without needing a separate device, though the band is noticeably bulkier.

Samsung's compromise: trying to balance convenience (optical sensing from the wrist) with accuracy (monthly cuff calibration).

Who Should Not Use This

The Samsung Health Monitor app is for adults 22 and older only.

Skip it if you:

Are pregnant (rapidly changing blood volume makes the calibration unreliable)
Have arrhythmias (except AFib), valvular disease, or heart failure
Have end-stage renal disease or diabetes

And please, please don't adjust your medications based on what the watch says. Talk to your doctor first.

Future Outlook

The current rollout requires you to actively take a reading. Samsung's already working on passive monitoring, which would track your blood pressure in the background throughout the day. That's a meaningful upgrade for anyone trying to understand how stress, diet, or sleep affects their cardiovascular health.

Meanwhile, leaks about the Galaxy Watch 9 (model SM-L345U) suggest a new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset and refinements to the BioActive sensor. Better signal stability and longer calibration windows could be on the horizon.

The U.S. activation of blood pressure monitoring on the Galaxy Watch is a milestone, finally closing the gap between American users and the rest of the world. The monthly cuff requirement isn't ideal, but the ability to track trends daily from your wrist is genuinely useful for anyone managing blood pressure or just staying proactive about their health.

For Galaxy Watch owners, the message is clear: the feature you've been waiting for is finally here. Just make sure you keep up with the calibration.

Steph Curry Just Leaked Google’s Bold New Screenless Fitbit Tracker

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:21:00 GMT

Steph Curry just gave us our first real look at what Google has been working on.

The NBA star and Google Performance Advisor posted a video on Instagram showing off an unreleased Fitbit tracker. It is a screenless, buttonless wristband made of woven fabric - basically a Whoop Strap clone in Fitbit clothing. The tagline in the video: "new relationship with your health."

The Fitbit account confirmed it is real by commenting the "eyes" emoji on Curry's post. So this is not a concept or prototype - it is actually coming.

9to5Google reported on the video, noting: "The clip teases a 'new relationship with your health' that is coming soon, with the gradient 'G' logo appearing at the end."

Watch Curry's post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjhdflgcF5/?hl=en

What We Know About the Design

Based on what Curry showed, this new Fitbit is about as minimal as a tracker can get:

The band itself has no screen, no buttons, nothing to interact with directly. Just fabric, a clasp, and sensors underneath. Curry wore a light gray version with orange accents, but expect multiple colorways at launch.

Without a display, all the interaction happens in the Fitbit app. You wear it 24/7, forget about it, and check your data when you want to see how you slept or recovered.

This is the Whoop playbook exactly. Whoop built an entire business around the idea that a tracker should disappear onto your wrist and let the app do the heavy lifting.

What It Actually Tracks

Google has not shared full specs yet, but based on what Fitbit already does and what the sources say, expect the usual health metrics:

Heart rate monitoring runs continuously, tracking resting heart rate and how hard you are pushing during workouts. Skin temperature sensors detect fluctuations that can signal illness onset or recovery needs. Sleep tracking gives you recovery scores and shows how well you actually rested.

For runners specifically, the interesting metrics are the ones Whoop popularized: strain score, recovery score, and sleep performance. These combine heart rate variability, sleep quality, and recent exertion into a single number that tells you how hard you should push today.

The bigger play is the AI integration. Google is pushing Gemini-powered health coaching across its products, and this Fitbit will tie into that. Instead of just showing you numbers, the app will try to explain what they mean and give you personalized recommendations.

Google's AI advantage is real here. Whoop built its algorithms over years with professional athletes. Google has access to anonymized health data from millions of Fitbit users and the machine learning infrastructure to make sense of it. If they can translate that into actionable advice through the app, this becomes more than just a tracking band.

The Runner's Perspective

Whoop became popular among runners and cyclists because it focuses on the metrics that actually matter for training: recovery and strain.

Garmin and Apple Watch give you data, but they also give you notifications, apps, and distractions. Whoop strips all that away. You wear it, it tracks, and you check your app once a day to see if you should crush your workout or take it easy.

For serious runners who periodize their training and care about long-term adaptation, this approach works. You do not need your watch to show you notifications during a run. You need to know the next day whether your body is ready for another hard effort.

Google clearly studied this. Their new Fitbit has no screen because screens are the wrong interface for this kind of device. Your phone is the right place to review data. Your wrist is just for wearing the sensor.

The woven fabric design is notable too. Current Fitbits are plastic or metal rectangles that look like fitness trackers. A soft woven band that looks like jewelry-or at least not like a gadget-is a different aesthetic. Whoop leaned into the premium sports look. Google seems to be going for something you could wear to a meeting without anyone noticing.

The Subscription Question

Here is where it gets interesting for Whoop.

Whoop charges around $149 per year for access to its data and insights. You do not technically own the experience-you rent it. Google is almost certainly going to follow the same playbook with this new tracker.

Expect a free tier with basic metrics: heart rate, sleep stages, activity tracking. The deeper stuff-AI-powered coaching, recovery insights, personalized training recommendations-will likely sit behind Fitbit Premium, which runs about $80 per year.

If Google can undercut Whoop while offering similar data quality, it puts pressure on a company that has built its business on this exact model.

The Competition Is Already Noticing

Google is walking into a space that is getting crowded fast.

Whoop has had this market mostly to itself among serious athletes. Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and plenty of serious amateur athletes wear Whoop because nothing else gave them the recovery and strain data they wanted in a subscription format.

But now everyone is circling the same idea. Garmin recently leaked something called "CIRQA"-a mystery band that looks like another Whoop competitor. If Garmin enters this market with their established relationship with serious athletes, it creates real pressure.

Polar has been quiet on new hardware but has the sensor technology to do this. Their existing fitness bands are solid; a screenless subscription model would not be a stretch.

Startups are attacking from different angles. Ultrahuman went the smart ring route. Speediance showed something at CES 2026. The market is fragmenting around the same insight: athletes want data without the smartwatch distractions.

Apple is the wild card. The Apple Watch is too expensive and feature-rich to pivot into a bare-bones subscription tracker. But if Google and Garmin both launch subscription-based fitness bands and Apple sticks with the Apple Watch approach, they could get left behind in the dedicated performance tracking space that Whoop pioneered.

The question is whether there is room for three or four players in the "screenless subscription band" market, or if this becomes a winner-take-most situation like Whoop has been.

Why Google is Doing This

The Pixel Watch is Google's flagship wearable. It has a screen, runs Wear OS, does everything a smartwatch should. The Fitbit brand is being repositioned to do something different-pure health tracking without the distractions of notifications and apps.

Taking the screen off means better battery life, smaller size, and something you actually forget you are wearing. For people who want data without the dopamine hits of checking their wrist every five minutes, this fills a gap in the market.

It also gets more people into the Fitbit ecosystem where Google can sell Premium subscriptions and collect health data. Smart business, assuming the hardware delivers.

Should You Care

If you are currently a Whoop user, probably yes. Google has more resources than Whoop and potentially better health data to base its algorithms on. If this tracker ships at a lower price point with comparable accuracy, it could pull people away from Whoop.

Whoop charges $149 per year for the privilege of wearing their band. Google could undercut that significantly while offering similar or better data quality. For athletes who are on the fence about Whoop, this might be the push they need to switch.

For existing Fitbit users, this is interesting if you have been wanting a more minimal tracking experience. Current Fitbit devices are fine, but they still look like fitness trackers. If you want something discreet that you wear 24/7 without it looking like you are constantly tracking your steps, this fills a gap in the Fitbit lineup.

Runners in particular should watch this. Garmin has owned the serious runner market, but their subscription model is not as aggressive as Whoop's. If Google can deliver comparable recovery and strain metrics without requiring a $149 annual fee, it becomes an attractive option for athletes who do not need the full Garmin ecosystem.

The caveat is we do not know pricing yet. If this costs $100 or more plus a subscription, the value proposition weakens. Whoop's all-in model at $149/year is simple. If Google's approach is $50 for the band plus $80/year for Premium, it is not that much cheaper.

What This Means for Fitbit's Future

This launch clarifies Google's strategy for the Fitbit brand.

This is a smart split. Heavy users who want notifications and apps pay premium for Pixel Watch. Athletes and casual users who just want data without the cognitive overhead get Fitbit. Both feed into Google's health platform.

It also gets more people into the Fitbit ecosystem where Google can sell Premium subscriptions and collect health data. Smart business, assuming the hardware delivers.

What We Do not Know Yet

A few things we are still waiting on:

Pricing is the big one. The business model only works if Google prices this aggressively enough to pull people away from Whoop. A $199 band with $80/year subscription is not going to move the needle. A $79 band with $60/year might.

Accuracy is the second question. Whoop spent years refining their heart rate sensors and algorithms. Google has Fitbit's decade-plus of data, but screenless tracking in a woven band presents different sensor challenges than a plastic module pressed against your wrist.

And perhaps most importantly: does this actually help runners train better? Whoop became popular because athletes trusted the strain and recovery numbers. If Google's version delivers questionable data, no amount of AI coaching will fix it.

No launch date yet, but "coming soon" suggests sometime in 2026. We will keep an eye on this one and update when we know more.

Apple Confirms Strict iPhone Rules for Garmin Fenix 8 - What Third-Party Smartwatch Users Need to Know

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Apple just made things harder for athletes who want a Garmin Fenix 8 but still use iPhone. The company confirmed new restrictions that limit how third-party watches like the Fenix 8 can interact with iOS features.

What Apple Changed

Apple started enforcing stricter rules around how third-party fitness watches connect to iPhone. The changes affect several areas:

First, notifications got limited. Some watch faces and notification styles that worked before now show simplified alerts on Garmin watches paired with iPhone. Second, activity sharing between apps got tighter. Garmin Connect can still send data to Apple Health, but some deeper integrations stopped working. Third, music controls through Apple Music require more steps now. Controlling playback from your wrist while running is clunkier than it used to be.

Why This Matters for Runners

Here is the thing. Garmin makes some of the best GPS watches for serious training. The Fenix 8 is a beast for marathon prep, trail running, and triathlon training. But iPhone users have always had a slightly compromised experience compared to Android users.

These new restrictions make that gap wider. When you pair a Garmin Fenix 8 to iPhone now, you lose some functionality that worked fine last month.

One runner on Reddit put it this way: "I trained for my first marathon using a Fenix 7 and iPhone. The notifications were already annoying. Now they are worse."

What You Can Do About It

The main options are straightforward. You can deal with the limitations if they are not dealbreakers for you. You can switch to Android for better Garmin integration. Or you can wait and see if Garmin pushes a firmware update that works around these restrictions.

Garmin has not commented officially yet. But given how profitable the iPhone user base is for them, I would expect some kind of response soon.

The Bigger Picture

Apple has been slowly closing its ecosystem for years. The idea is simple: make iPhone-only features so good that you never want to leave Apple. For fitness fans, that means Apple Watch becomes more attractive even if it does not match Garmin's training science.

Whether this changes your buying decision depends on how much you rely on those integrations. Casual fitness fans might not notice. Serious athletes who live in Garmin Connect might want to test before they buy.

What has your experience been? Have you noticed any changes since the update? Drop a comment below.

New Garmin Integration Rolling Out to Select Smartwatch Users

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Garmin is rolling out a meaningful update to how its watches interact with smartphones, and this one matters for daily usability. The new integration focuses on notification handling and quick reply capabilities, areas where Garmin has traditionally lagged behind Apple Watch and competitors.

If you have been using a Garmin watch with an iPhone and wishing text messages worked better on your wrist, this update addresses that frustration directly.

What Is Changing

The core improvements center around two areas: smarter notification mirroring and expanded quick reply options.

Notification mirroring on Garmin watches has worked for years, but the implementation has always felt incomplete. Incoming texts and app alerts would appear, but often without enough context to make quick decisions. The new integration improves how much information displays, giving you a better sense of whether a notification warrants attention without pulling out your phone.

Quick replies are the bigger news. Garmin is finally expanding preset response options that let you reply to messages directly from your watch. Previously, this feature was limited and felt tacked on. The expanded version includes more customizable phrases and better handling of different messaging apps.

You can respond with preset responses, choose from recently used replies, or use custom phrases you have configured in the Garmin Connect app. For runners who train with music playing from their phone, being able to handle simple replies without stopping or pulling out your phone is genuinely useful.

The system supports responses for both SMS and popular messaging apps including iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram. Support for additional apps varies by platform, with Android users generally getting broader compatibility than iPhone users due to Apple's restrictions on third-party app access.

Beyond simple text responses, the watch can now handle incoming call management better. You can dismiss calls with a preset message directly from your wrist, which is useful when you are in a meeting or mid-workout and cannot reach your phone.

Notification preferences can now be customized more granularly. Instead of getting all notifications or none, you can choose which apps send alerts to your watch. This reduces notification overload while ensuring you do not miss the messages that actually matter to you.

Which Watches Get the Update

Not every Garmin watch will receive these features. The new integration requires both Bluetooth 4.0 or higher hardware and a recent firmware update to work properly.

Most watches from the Fenix 8 series, Epix Pro line, and Forerunner models released in the past two years should qualify. This includes the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Epix Pro, Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 570, and newer entries in those families.

To check if your watch is eligible, open Garmin Express on your computer or the Garmin Connect app on your phone. Look for a firmware update in the software update section. If one is available, install it and the new integration features should appear shortly after.

Older devices like the Fenix 7 series and original Epix may see limited functionality, as their Bluetooth hardware does not support all the new protocols. Garmin has not officially confirmed which exact models get full versus partial support.

Why This Matters for Runners

Garmin has always been the gold standard for GPS accuracy and training metrics. Features like VO2 max estimates, recovery time recommendations, and detailed running dynamics set the company apart from consumer-focused competitors. But when it comes to everyday smart features, Garmin has historically lagged.

For runners who train seriously, switching ecosystems means tradeoffs. Apple Watch offers solid smart features but does not match Garmin for training analytics. Garmin delivers the metrics but sometimes feels clunky when handling basic tasks like text messages.

These improvements narrow that gap. You can now get decent smart functionality without sacrificing what makes Garmin valuable for training. For athletes who want one device that handles both workouts and daily life, this update makes Garmin a more complete option.

The quick reply feature matters more than it sounds. When you are mid-run and someone texts you about dinner plans or a last-minute schedule change, being able to reply with a preset response or a quick "running, will call later" keeps communication flowing without derailing your training. Previously, Garmin users either ignored the message or stopped running to type a reply.

For triathletes, this matters even more. Open water swims and bike legs mean your phone is often locked away in a transition area or strapped to your bike. Having watch-based communication during brick workouts and recovery runs helps athletes stay connected without disrupting training flow.

Trail runners benefit significantly as well. Remote routes often mean spotty phone coverage and phones tucked away in hydration vests. A quick reply from your wrist when a support crew member texts updates about a race or meeting point can be genuinely helpful during long training sessions.

How It Compares to Apple Watch

Apple Watch still leads on smart features. The integration between iPhone and Apple Watch feels seamless because Apple controls both hardware and software. Siri handles replies naturally, and the handoff between watch and phone feels natural.

Garmin is clearly playing catch-up here, and that is fine. The company is targeting a different user. Serious athletes prioritize training metrics over voice assistants. Garmin gives you everything you need to analyze workouts, plan training blocks, and track progress across multiple sports. Smart features are enhanced when they do not compromise that core strength.

The new integration moves Garmin closer to parity without diluting what runners actually care about. You get better notification handling and quick replies while keeping the training features that matter.

What Users Are Saying

Early reactions from Garmin users have been positive. The Garmin subreddit shows appreciation for finally getting quick replies that work consistently. Users who switched from Apple Watch to Garmin for training purposes cite notification handling as a frequent frustration, and this update directly addresses that complaint.

One user described the experience as "finally feeling like a complete watch instead of a fitness tracker with smart features bolted on." Another noted that quick replies during runs have already reduced how often they check their phone.

Users with Fenix 8 watches report that the notification improvements feel most noticeable during workouts. Previous Garmin models would sometimes delay notifications during activity tracking, causing you to miss messages until after your run. The new integration appears to address this latency issue more effectively.

Not every response has been enthusiastic. Some users report that the new features only work with certain messaging apps, and integration with third-party apps like WhatsApp or Slack remains inconsistent. Garmin is gradually expanding support, but early adopters may find gaps depending on which apps they use most.

iPhone users continue to face more limitations than Android users. Apple restricts how third-party watches can interact with iMessage and other apps, which means some features work better on Android. Garmin has been transparent about these platform differences, and the company seems to be doing its best to maximize functionality within Apple's constraints.

The Bigger Picture

Garmin has been steadily improving its smart features over several product generations. The company recognizes that most users wear their watch all day, not just during workouts. Making the daily wear experience better matters for customer retention.

These improvements also help Garmin compete against Google and Samsung, both of which have pushed harder on smartwatch features in recent years. Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch now offer strong training metrics alongside polished smart features. Garmin needed to respond with better daily usability while maintaining its training advantage.

The timing matters because the smartwatch market is maturing. Consumers increasingly expect their devices to handle both fitness tracking and daily tasks without compromise. Garmin's traditional strength in training metrics remains important, but the company can no longer rely solely on that advantage as competitors close the gap.

Looking ahead, Garmin will likely continue expanding smart features in future firmware updates. The company has been responsive to user feedback, and the positive reception to these changes suggests there is appetite for more. Whether that means deeper app integrations, improved voice assistant support, or better cellular connectivity for calls without phones remains to be seen.

For now, the update represents meaningful progress. Garmin users can finally enjoy notification handling and quick replies that feel complete rather than half-implemented. It will not convert Apple Watch fans, but it makes Garmin a more viable option for athletes who want one watch that does everything without serious compromises.

For now, if you have a compatible Garmin watch, check for firmware updates and enjoy the improved notifications and quick replies. It will not transform your watch into an Apple Watch competitor, but it makes daily life with a Garmin just a little bit easier.

Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Rumors - What We Know So Far

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Samsung is already testing the next Galaxy Watch, and it might arrive sooner than you think. Reports from TechRadar suggest the Galaxy Watch9 is in active development, which means an official announcement could be months away.

What the Rumors Say

The testing phase means Samsung is working on the hardware and software for the next generation. Right now, nothing is confirmed about specs or features. But looking at Samsung's pattern, we can make some educated guesses.

The Galaxy Watch8 came out in late 2025, so a Watch9 in late 2026 would fit the annual release cycle. Samsung usually announces new watches alongside their foldable phones, which get unveiled in July or August.

What Might Be New

If Samsung follows their usual playbook, the Galaxy Watch9 could bring improvements in a few areas.

The processor might get faster. Every generation brings a new chip, and Samsung has been pushing harder on on-device AI features. A quicker processor helps those features run smoothly without killing battery.

Health sensors could expand. Samsung has been adding new health monitoring capabilities with each generation. Blood pressure monitoring, sleep tracking, and heart rate sensors have all improved over time.

Battery life matters a lot for runners. The current Galaxy Watch8 gets good battery life, but there is always room for improvement, especially for people who track multi-hour activities.

Should You Wait?

Here is the honest answer. If you need a watch now, buy what is available. The Galaxy Watch8 is a solid device, and prices will likely drop when the Watch9 arrives. But if you are on the fence, waiting a few months might get you something meaningfully better.

For runners specifically, Samsung Pay integration and GPS accuracy are the features I would watch most closely. Those make or break a running watch experience.

What features matter most to you in your next smartwatch? Let us know in the comments.

COROS Spring 2026 Update: Everything You Need to Know

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT

COROS just released their spring 2026 update, and I have been going through it for the past few days. This is not a small drop. There are new pacing tools, some clever route features, and even a dedicated mode for Hyrox-style workouts. Let me break down what actually matters for most people using these watches.

Pace Strategy: The Headliner

If you do any kind of structured race preparation, Pace Strategy is going to change how you train. COROS basically took the idea behind Kilian Jornet's "Mountain Math" pacing calculations and built it into the watch.

Here is how it works. You pick a distance or load a route, and the system builds you a pacing plan based on your fitness level. It is not just a simple "run this pace" suggestion. It accounts for terrain, elevation changes, and even factors in that late-race fatigue you always feel but often ignore when planning.

For road runners, you can select standard distances from 5K up to 150 miles. The app generates a realistic target time based on your recent performance data. What I appreciate is the interactive slider that lets you dial effort from "comfortable" to "all out" before you even start. You can also set positive or negative splits, which is huge for marathoners who want to practice negative splitting.

But the route-based version is where this really shines for trail and ultra runners. Load a GPX file and the algorithm chews through every foot of elevation gain and loss. Flattened out a steep climb? The system adjusts your target pace accordingly. You will not get the same pace suggestion for a 15% grade as you would for flat ground, which sounds obvious but most pacers ignore terrain entirely.

The fatigue accommodation is smart too. For a 50-miler, a mile at mile 45 should not have the same target pace as mile 5. COROS builds in nonlinear pacing coefficients that recognize how your body accumulates stress over time. This is the kind of thing that usually requires a coach or a lot of spreadsheets to figure out.

One feature I did not expect: weather integration. If your event is within three days, the system pulls forecasted conditions and overlays temperature data on your route profile. Running a mountain 100 where afternoon thunderstorms are likely? You will see where the heat exposure peaks.

Aid station timing gets better too. Input your planned rest stops and the watch counts down your time, so you know if you are dawdling too long at mile 62.

Hill Alerts: Finally on COROS

COROS brought their climbing detection from the DURA bike computer over to the watches. If you run with routes loaded, Hill Alerts automatically segments your run into individual climbs and descents.

Before you head out, you can preview the route in the app and see climbs color-coded by difficulty. Steep sections show in dark red, gradual inclines in green. During the run, the watch tells you which climb you are approaching, how much elevation remains, and the current grade. It helps you mentally chunk big efforts into smaller pieces instead of staring at a mountain wondering how much longer the suffering lasts.

For races with named climbs like Western States, this gives you a heads-up before each major section hits.

Hybrid Fitness Mode: Not Just for Hyrox

COROS added a dedicated mode for functional fitness competitions, but I think most people sleep on how useful this is for general cross-training.

You get three configurations. Race Mode follows standard competition formats if you are doing Hyrox or similar events. Training Mode is more flexible, letting you build workouts with functional exercises in any order. Test Mode gives you a standardized benchmark workout you can repeat over time to track fitness changes.

The automatic transition detection is genuinely clever. It uses motion data to sense when you switch from running to an exercise station, so you are not fumbling with buttons mid-workout. After the session, the app separates your running performance from your functional work, which helps you see if your running is holding up despite the added training stress.

Even if you never do a Hyrox event, this mode is useful for brick workouts or any session mixing cardio with strength work.

Small Quality-of-Life Stuff That Adds Up

The weekly distance widget has been requested forever and it finally arrived. Scroll down from your watch face and you see Monday-through-Sunday totals for running, cycling, and swimming. No app required. Training volume at a glance.

Large font notifications are exactly what they sound like. If you have been squinting at tiny text during workouts, you can now bump up the size. I bumped this on immediately and it makes a difference when you are mid-run and someone texts you.

Security got better with device passcodes. Set a four-digit PIN and the watch locks automatically after being off your wrist for a minute. Leave it at the gym or in a locker and strangers cannot peek at your health data or training logs. This should have been standard, but better late than never.

Zwift Integration Actually Works Now

The new dual-direction Zwift sync means your structured workouts flow both ways. Build something in COROS, it shows up in Zwift. Log an indoor session on Zwift, it counts toward your COROS training load and recovery scores. No more double-entry, which is the kind of friction that makes people stop logging data.

If you ride with a COROS DURA bike computer, media controls arrived. Adjust volume or skip tracks from the device while riding. Not revolutionary, but convenient when your phone is buried in a jersey pocket.

Other Niche Updates Worth Knowing

Rock climbing summaries got more detailed with grades sent and style breakdown. Multi-pitch routes now auto-detect pitch finishes, which is nice for people who climb outside regularly.

Race Predictor Trends shows your predicted times for various distances changing over weeks and months based on training load. This is helpful for seeing if you are actually getting faster or just maintaining.

Auto Lap can now trigger by GPS position instead of distance. If you train on a loop course where mile markers are not convenient, this is way more useful than guessing.

Pause Options let you view lap stats without officially stopping the activity timer. Useful when you need to check something mid-run without losing your data stream.

The Hardware Side

COROS launched customized checkout so you can pick watch and band colors separately instead of being stuck with whatever combo they decided to bundle. White PACE 4 with a nylon band is now a thing if that is your aesthetic.

They also released a USB-C keychain adapter for charging on the go. Small but thoughtful.

What Actually Matters

Pace Strategy is the feature to prioritize if you race trail ultras or do structured marathon prep. The terrain-aware pacing and fatigue modeling are genuinely sophisticated for a consumer watch. That said, if you mostly run flat loops or do easy mileage without much structure, you might not feel the impact as immediately.

Hill Alerts is great if you race with routes loaded. The preview before you run helps you strategize, and real-time notifications keep you from getting surprised by long climbs. For point-to-point races where you cannot recce the course beforehand, this is especially valuable.

Hybrid Fitness mode is more versatile than it sounds. Even if Hyrox is not your thing, the cross-training tracking is valuable for anyone mixing running with gym work. Cyclists who also run will appreciate being able to track both sports in one place without buying separate devices.

The smaller additions like the weekly widget and large font notifications might not sound exciting, but they improve daily wear. That stuff compounds over months of use, and I have seen people skip watches for less than a clunky notification experience.

Who Should Actually Care

If you are a trail runner prepping for a 50K or longer, Pace Strategy alone justifies updating. The nonlinear fatigue modeling is not perfect, but it is close enough to what coaches have been recommending for years. Playing around with your race plan in the app before you commit to a pacing strategy beats guessing on race day.

For road marathoners, the split customization is the real win. Negative splitting a marathon requires practice, and having a watch that literally shows you your target pace for each mile makes structured training actually work.

Hyrox enthusiasts obviously get their dedicated mode, but CrossFit athletes and anyone doing run-based functional training will find value here too. Tracking your running separately from your gym work helps you understand if your cross-training is hurting or helping your run performance.

The Bigger Picture

COROS has been consistently improving their platform in ways that matter for serious athletes. They are not chasing Apple Watch features or trying to be a smartphone on your wrist. Everything they build serves the training and racing workflow.

What stands out is how the features interact. Load a route for a 100-miler, get your pacing plan built around terrain and fatigue, see your climbs color-coded, and track your nutrition stops with aid station countdowns. That workflow is genuinely cohesive for the kind of athlete who takes this stuff seriously.

The competition is not standing still either. Garmin and Apple are both pushing their own feature sets. But COROS has found a niche in serving the performance-focused runner and cyclist without getting distracted by things that do not matter for training.

Update Now or Wait?

Update now. The new features are stable and the installation process is straightforward through the COROS app. Like any firmware update, you will want to do it when your watch has decent battery and you are not in the middle of a training block. Give it an evening to settle after installing before doing anything critical like a race.

If you hit any bugs, the COROS community forums tend to have workarounds posted quickly. The company has been responsive to feedback and tends to push quick fixes when issues surface.

The update rolls out today. Check your COROS app for the firmware download and take an hour to go through the new features before your next workout. Pace Strategy especially deserves some experimentation on a training run before you trust it on race day.

Motorola Moto Watch Review - Can Budget Hardware Deliver Polar's Elite Fitness?

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:00:00 GMT

When Motorola announced the Moto Watch with "Powered by Polar" branding, fitness nerds everywhere leaned in. Polar has spent decades building reputation around accurate heart rate tracking and training insights. Motorola putting that same tech in a $149.99 watch seemed like a win-win. After digging into the details though, some serious red flags popped up.

First Impressions: The Design Delivers

The Moto Watch actually looks the part. Motorola went with a 47mm aluminum frame that comes in at just 40g, which is genuinely impressive for a watch this size. The Volcanic Ash colorway with its stainless steel crown gives it a premium feel that would not look out of place next to watches costing twice the price.

The 1.43" round OLED display is a standout feature. It is vibrant, supports an always-on mode for quick glances, and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. For everyday wear and tear, this watch is built to handle it, with IP68 water resistance and 1 ATM rating. It is not a diver's watch, but it will survive a rain run or accidental shower without issues.

The 47mm size is noticeable on smaller wrists, but the lightweight construction keeps it from feeling clunky. I have seen bulkier watches that weigh significantly more.

The "Powered by Polar" Promise

This is where things get interesting. Motorola leaned heavily into Polar's reputation, marketing this as a legitimate fitness tool with access to Polar's advanced tracking algorithms. The sales pitch includes:

Continuous heart rate and oxygen monitoring with alerts when metrics fall outside healthy ranges
Sleep stage tracking for understanding recovery
Real-time stress monitoring to help balance training load
Auto-pause and audio feedback for runners and cyclists

The hardware underneath includes a PPG sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, e-compass, and dual-frequency GPS (L1/L5). That is an impressive spec sheet for $149.

But here's the critical question: does the execution match the marketing?

Smart Features Beyond Fitness

Outside of training, Motorola threw in some genuinely useful smart features. The built-in mic and speaker enable hands-free calls directly from your wrist, which is handy when your phone is buried in a gym bag. The moto ai integration with select Motorola phones can generate notification summaries with a simple "Catch me up" command. Music controls, camera trigger, and "find my phone" round out the practical daily-use features.

Battery life is rated at up to 13 days, with a quick 5-minute charge supposedly providing a full day of power. That is competitive with the best in the business.

Reviewer Concerns

Reviewers encountered several frustrating bugs:

Storage full errors even after syncing with Android devices, preventing exercise recording
Exercise mode freezing on the 3-2-1 countdown, losing workout data
Android 12+ only for the companion app, iPhone users are completely locked out
No raw data export and no Strava integration, which serious fitness enthusiasts consider non-negotiable

These are not edge cases. These are fundamental usability issues that basic QA testing should catch.

Rob from "The Quantified Scientist" ran the Moto Watch through rigorous optical heart rate sensor testing, comparing it directly against a Polar H10 chest strap, the industry reference standard. The results were concerning.

Indoor Cycling: The watch consistently showed heart rate readings that were too low during high-effort intervals. Sometimes it even showed a decrease when the user was pushing harder. That is a fundamental tracking failure.

Running: This is where "cadence lock" became a problem. The optical sensor appeared to mistake the runner's step frequency for heart rate instead of actually measuring it. Imagine looking down mid-run and seeing your heart rate drop just because you picked up your pace. That is dangerous territory for training decisions.

Sleep Tracking: Compared to EEG reference equipment, the Moto Watch showed 54% agreement for deep sleep and 58% for light sleep. That is okay at best, comparable to older Polar units or mid-range Huawei watches, but well behind Apple or Google.

The GPS Problem

Dual-frequency GPS (L1/L5) should theoretically provide excellent accuracy, even in challenging environments like crowded streets or tree-covered trails. In independent testing, however, the Moto Watch consistently under-reported distances compared to Garmin and Coros reference devices. One test showed 2km when the actual distance was 4.1km. That is not a minor discrepancy. It renders distance-based training metrics essentially useless.

Who Should Actually Buy This?

The honest answer: not serious athletes, and not iPhone users.

If you are specifically buying this for its "Powered by Polar" fitness tracking, pump the brakes. The hardware and firmware simply are not reliable enough to trust with training decisions. Polar's algorithms are elite, but they cannot overcome inferior sensors and buggy software.

For someone who wants a stylish smartwatch with basic fitness features, some smartwatch convenience, and long battery life at a budget price, the Moto Watch delivers. It is a decent first-generation product that Motorola could iterate on, but right now it is a case of promising concept meeting mediocre execution.

Current owners might consider waiting for firmware updates. The bones of something good are here, but it needs refinement before I would trust it for anything beyond casual wear.

Polar Street X Review: Battery Life, GPS Accuracy, and Features

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The landscape of wearable fitness technology has shifted with the launch of the Polar Street X, a device that marks a strategic pivot for the Finnish manufacturer. Released on March 25, 2026, the Street X is positioned as an "Urban Sports Watch" designed specifically for the hybrid athlete—the individual whose training regime transitions seamlessly between the weight room and urban running environments. With a launch price of $249.99, it enters the market as a direct, more affordable alternative to the Garmin Instinct series.

A Rugged Design for the City Athlete

The Polar Street X departs from the slim, minimalist aesthetic traditionally associated with the brand, opting instead for a "Scandinavian type" design that experts describe as "cool and rugged". The watch features a 45mm diameter reinforced polymer body with a thickness of 13.8mm. One of its most distinctive visual features is an 8-screw chassis designed to distribute the force of impacts evenly across the case, providing 24/7 shock resistance.

Despite its bulky appearance, the device is surprisingly lightweight, weighing only 48 grams (including the wristband) thanks to its bio-based plastic construction. It is built to survive the rigors of city life and intense training, having been tested against military-grade standards (MIL-STD-810H) for durability in extreme temperatures and resistance to drops. The watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters (5 ATM), making it suitable for swimming and all-weather urban commuting.

Available in three colors—Night Black, Snow White, and Forest Green—the Street X includes 22mm quick-release bands, allowing users to easily customize the look to match their personal style.

Display and Hardware Innovation

The centerpiece of the user interface is a 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.0. While the display provides vibrant colors and an always-on mode, its peak brightness is rated at 1,000 nits. Some reviewers note that while this is sufficient for most scenarios, it may fall short of the 2,000-nit displays found on premium competitors when viewed in direct, harsh sunlight.

Perhaps the most significant hardware addition is the integrated dual-color LED flashlight, located on the front of the watch. This feature, which includes both white and red light modes, is a rarity at the $250 price point, often reserved for high-end models like the Garmin Fenix 8. The red light mode is specifically designed to be "softer on the eyes," making it ideal for navigating dark environments without losing night vision or disturbing others.

Under the hood, the Street X is powered by a 275 MHz CPU with 32MB of storage and 37MB of memory. While these specifications are modest compared to full-feature smartwatches, they support a highly efficient proprietary operating system.

Built to Take a Beating

The Street X's rugged credentials are further reinforced by its 8-screw chassis design and reinforced polymer construction. The 8 screws aren't just aesthetic—they actually distribute impact forces evenly across the case, providing genuine 24/7 shock resistance for everyday wear and tear.

Easy-Grip Buttons

Navigation is handled through tactile, easy-grip buttons positioned on the right side of the watch. These oversized buttons are designed for quick adjustments during workouts, even with gloves or wet fingers.

The button placement follows Polar's tried-and-true layout: top for start/stop, middle for back/forward navigation, and bottom for backlight/flashlight quick access.

Performance and Battery Life

Polar has engineered the Street X to balance high-intensity performance with long-term utility. The device offers three distinct power modes:

Smartwatch Mode: Provides up to 10 days of battery life
Performance Training Mode: Delivers up to 43 hours of continuous GPS and heart rate tracking
Eco Training Mode: Extends tracking capabilities up to 170 hours

The watch utilizes a proprietary USB-C charging cable (Polar Charge 2.0). Notably, Polar has indicated that the 385 mAh battery is replaceable, though this must be performed by a Polar service center rather than the user to maintain the device's integrity.

Heart Rate Accuracy: The Precision Prime Sensor

The Street X utilizes Polar's Precision Prime™ optical heart rate technology. While this is a proven system, it is an older generation than the "Elixir" sensors found in Polar's flagship models.

Rob, a post-doctoral scientist from "The Quantified Scientist," has conducted extensive testing on this specific sensor technology with the following results:

Indoor Cycling: Excellent performance, with a 0.99 correlation to reference devices, placing it in the 65th percentile of tested wearables
Running: Generally reliable, with a correlation of 0.95 when worn on the wrist and up to 0.99 when worn on the biceps
Outdoor Cycling: Moderate performance (0.79 correlation), often struggling with the "bumpiness" of outdoor terrain
Weightlifting: Consistent with most wrist-based sensors, Rob found it "didn't really do well" for heavy lifting, suggesting that serious athletes use an external ECG chest strap (like the Polar H10) for maximum accuracy

Polar notes that they have upgraded the algorithms used with the Precision Prime sensor for this release to improve motion interference reduction.

Comprehensive Training and Wellness Suite

The Street X is marketed as a powerhouse for "hybrid athletes," offering profiles for over 170 sports and disciplines. It includes several pro-level software features that were previously exclusive to more expensive models:

Training Intelligence

Training Load Pro™: Monitors the strain each session puts on the cardiovascular system and compares it to long-term tolerance to help prevent overtraining
Work-Rest Guide: Uses real-time heart rate data to suggest the optimal rest period between sets during strength training
Wrist-Based Running Power: Calculates the energy output in watts without the need for external pods, allowing runners to gauge intensity on varying terrain
FitSpark®: Provides daily on-demand workout suggestions for cardio, strength, and mobility tailored to the user's recovery and fitness level

Sleep and Recovery Tracking

The device features Sleep Plus Stages™ and Nightly Recharge™, which automatically track sleep duration, quality, and the stages of light, deep, and REM sleep. Rob's testing, however, categorizes Polar's sleep stage tracking as "mediocre," similar to other sports watch brands and less accurate than dedicated trackers like the Oura Ring or Apple Watch.

A standout wellness feature is the Nightly Skin Temperature measurement, which helps users spot physiological changes or early signs of illness by tracking trends over time.

Navigation and Urban Utilities

For the urban explorer, the Street X provides accurate GPS with multi-system satellite support (Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS) to ensure reliable positioning even between tall city buildings. While the watch does not feature full on-device mapping, it provides:

Turn-by-Turn Guidance: Powered by Komoot, allowing users to follow planned routes with clear alerts
Breadcrumb Navigation: A visual representation of the path taken
Back to Start: A feature that guides the user straight back to their starting point
Integrated Barometer & Altimeter: For tracking elevation changes during stair climbs or hilly urban runs

In terms of daily utility, the watch includes music controls, phone notifications via vibration, and a "Find My Phone" feature. However, it lacks an NFC chip for contactless payments and does not have integrated storage for music files.

Data Privacy and the Polar Flow Ecosystem

As a European company, Polar emphasizes data privacy, likely keeping the data of EU users on European servers, which is a significant factor for privacy-conscious consumers.

The watch syncs with the Polar Flow app, which serves as a comprehensive diary for training, activity, and sleep data. While the app provides deep insights, some experts have criticized the current user interface as being "outdated and a bit sluggish" compared to competitors like Whoop or Garmin. Polar is reportedly working on a major overhaul of the app to address these concerns.

Final Verdict: Is the Polar Street X Worth It?

The Polar Street X is a compelling mid-range option for those seeking a rugged, durable sports watch without the premium price tag of a flagship device.

Strengths:

Exceptional Value: At $249, it offers features (like the flashlight and advanced training metrics) often found in $500+ watches
Rugged Build: The MIL-STD-810H rating and shock-resistant design are ideal for high-impact training
Comprehensive Features: Inclusion of Training Load Pro and Running Power at this price point is highly competitive

Considerations:

Sensor Age: Uses older Precision Prime heart rate technology rather than the newer Elixir system
Software Interface: The current app and on-watch UI may feel dated to some users
Single-Band GPS: While reliable, it lacks the dual-band precision required for extremely challenging environments like deep canyons or dense skyscraper clusters

Ultimately, the Street X is an "easy device to recommend" for hybrid athletes who prioritize a tough design, long battery life, and actionable training data over the latest biosensing hardware or smart features like mobile payments. For users who value privacy and ruggedness, the Street X stands as a formidable new player in the urban sports market.

Apple Watch Series 11 Just Hit Its Lowest Price Ever — Is It Worth Buying in 2026?

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Last week I was halfway through a tempo run when my Apple Watch Series 7 started lagging mid-interval. Not ideal. The pace was off, the split was wrong, and I spent the next half mile annoyed at a piece of technology I actually depend on. That got me thinking — a lot of you are probably running around (pun intended) with Series 6, 7, even Series 5 hardware. And right now, for the first time since the Series 11 launched, the pricing on Apple's latest flagship has gotten seriously interesting.

Amazon has dropped the Apple Watch Series 11 to its lowest price ever. We're talking significant discounts across the lineup — the kind of move that makes you actually consider whether now's the time to upgrade. So let's break it all down, talk about what you're actually getting, and figure out if this deal is worth pulling the trigger on or if you should keep your money in your running shoes for a little longer.

The Deal — What Amazon Is Actually Charging

Alright, let's get specific because I know you want the numbers.

As of this week, Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 11 on sale with prices ranging roughly $50 to $100 off depending on the configuration:

Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS: was $399, now $329 [https://amzn.to/3PnSNw5]
Apple Watch Series 11 46mm GPS: was $429, now $359 [https://amzn.to/4lJBy4t]
Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS + Cellular: was $499, now $419 [https://amzn.to/4t0Ryl0]
Apple Watch Series 11 46mm GPS + Cellular: was $529, now $449 [https://amzn.to/4br8Y4v]

These are all-time lows for the Series 11. That 46mm GPS model at $359 is genuinely hard to argue with when you think about what you're getting in terms of hardware, software support, and ecosystem integration. These prices appear to be part of a broader Amazon spring sale event, so if you're seeing them, act sooner rather than later — these flash sales have a way of vanishing without much warning.

Nike+ and Hermès models have seen similar cuts, though if you're paying a premium for those you're probably not hunting for deals in the first place.

What the Series 11 Actually Offers in 2026

Now, I know some of you are thinking "okay cool deal, but what does the Series 11 actually give me that my Series 7 doesn't?" Fair question. Let me lay it out.

The Series 11 runs on Apple's S9 SiP chip, which is a meaningful jump from the S7 and S8. We're talking about a device that's noticeably snappier — app launches are faster, Siri responses are quicker, and the overall experience feels more responsive. But where it really matters for our crowd is the fitness and health side of things.

Vitals app is one of the Series 11's biggest additions. It rolls up your heart rate, respiratory rate, sleep duration, and blood oxygen data into a single daily snapshot. For runners who want a quick read on whether their body's recovered from yesterday's interval session, this is genuinely useful. It's not a medical device — Apple makes that abundantly clear — but as a trend-tracking tool, it works well.

Sleep apnea detection arrived via software update and it uses the accelerometer to monitor breathing patterns overnight. If the watch detects signs of sleep apnea, it flags it and suggests you talk to a doctor. This has been a controversial feature (some of the reporting around it has been overblown), but the underlying technology is sound. I'm glad it's there even if I hope I never need it.

The display is brighter — 2000 nits peak, up from the Series 7's 1000. That sounds like a small number jumping to a bigger one, but out on a sunny trail run, you actually notice it. Miles better than squinting at a dim screen at high noon.

For the Ultra crowd, the Series 11 doesn't replace the Ultra 2 — that larger case, the extra button, the superior GPS, the multi-band GPS, those are still Ultra differentiators. But for the standard Apple Watch lineup, the Series 11 is the best it's ever been.

WatchOS 11 is along for the ride, which means you get all the training load and recovery insights, the new "Here's" contextual notifications, and the improved Maps app with topographical detail for hikers. Apple's software support is genuinely excellent — you can expect 4 to 5 years of watchOS updates on a Series 11, which is a major factor when you're dropping $350 on a piece of electronics.

Who This Is Actually For — And Who Should Look Elsewhere

Let me be straight with you because this is the part that matters most.

You should buy this deal if:

You're on a Series 5, 6, or original SE. These watches are getting long in the tooth — the processor is showing its age, watchOS 11 has some features that require newer hardware, and the battery life on older models has degraded. Upgrading to a Series 11 at $329-$359 is a meaningful upgrade in every dimension. You're not just getting a new processor, you're getting better health sensors, better display, and years of software support ahead.

You're an iPhone user who's never owned an Apple Watch and you're curious. At $329 for the 42mm GPS model, this is the cheapest entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem we've seen. If you've been on the fence, this price makes the decision easier. The integration with iPhone, the fitness tracking, the notifications — it all works, and it works well. You won't regret it.

You're a runner who wants a smartwatch that doubles as a fitness tracker. Here's the thing — and I say this as someone who owns multiple Garmins — the Apple Watch is a perfectly fine running watch for recreational runners. GPS accuracy has improved significantly. The running metrics are solid. If you're training for a 5K, a half marathon, even most marathons, the Apple Watch Series 11 will get you to the finish line with accurate data. We'll dig into this more below.

You should NOT buy this deal if:

You're on a Series 8 or Series 9 and you're not specifically eyeing an upgrade. The jump from Series 8 to Series 11 is real but incremental. S9 to S10/S11 is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The Vitals app and sleep apnea detection are nice, but if you're happy with your current watch's performance, hold off. Save the money.

You're a serious competitive runner or triathlete. If you're racing, if you're chasing splits, if you're training with power — this is not the watch for you. More on this in a second, but Garmin and Coros own this space for a reason.

You live in an Android household. The Apple Watch only works with iPhone. Full stop. If anyone's in your household carrying an Android, you're locking yourself out of that ecosystem entirely. Samsung Galaxy Watch or a Garmin makes more sense here.

GPS/Sports Watch Comparison — Where the Apple Watch Stands for Athletes

This is the part of the article I get asked about constantly on the channel, so let's go deep.

The Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

Garmin's Forerunner 265 is probably the closest competitor in the running-focused space. It's priced around $449-$499 depending on sales, so it's in a similar ballpark. Here's how I'd break it down:

The Forerunner 265 has superior GPS accuracy in my testing — Garmin's multi-band GPS is genuinely excellent, especially in challenging environments like tree cover or urban canyons. Apple's GPS is good, but it's not quite at Garmin's level for precision-hungry runners.

Where Apple wins is the smartwatch experience. Notifications, apps, Siri, Apple Music integration, the overall polish of watchOS — it's not even close. The Forerunner 265 is a training tool that occasionally does smartwatch things. The Apple Watch Series 11 is a smartwatch that happens to track your runs really well.

Battery life is another consideration. The Series 11 will get you through a full training day and a night's sleep tracking — roughly 36 to 48 hours depending on usage. A Garmin Forerunner 265 will run circles around that, hitting 7 to 14 days between charges depending on settings. For people who hate charging their watch, this matters a lot.

The Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Coros Pace 3

At $249, the Coros Pace 3 is the budget king of running watches. And honestly, for pure running metrics and battery life, it punches way above its weight. The GPS is solid, the training metrics are detailed, and the battery lasts forever.

But it's not close to the Apple Watch as a general-purpose device. The Pace 3 is a running watch. A really good one. But if you want to answer a text, check your calendar, stream music, or use Apple Pay on a morning jog without your phone, the Apple Watch Series 11 is in a different league.

The Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Garmin Fenix 8 / Apple Watch Ultra 2

I won't spend too long here because these are different categories and price tiers, but the Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are for a specific user — someone who wants the absolute best durability, battery life, and outdoor features. If that's you, you're not comparing these watches anyway. If you're on the fence about an Ultra 2 vs. Series 11, the Series 11 at these prices is the smarter buy unless you specifically need the larger case, the Action Button, or the multi-band GPS.

Here's my honest take after years of testing both: for 90% of runners, the Apple Watch Series 11 at these prices is more than enough watch. You'll get accurate enough GPS, excellent smart features, and a device you'll actually enjoy wearing. The Garmin/Coros argument is real for competitive runners, but for recreational and even fairly serious amateur runners, Apple's offering is compelling.

Buy Recommendation — Should You or Should You Wait?

Here's my honest read.

If you've been eyeing an Apple Watch, if you're on older hardware, if you're a recreational runner who wants a do-everything device — yes, this is a good deal and now is a reasonable time to buy. The prices aren't going to get much better than this until the Series 12 launches in the fall, and even then we'll only see modest discounts on the current generation.

If you're on a newer Apple Watch (Series 8, 9, or SE 2nd gen), this isn't the upgrade for you. Wait for the next generation unless something specific about the Series 11's features — the Vitals app, sleep apnea detection, brighter display — is calling your name.

If you're an athlete who trains with power meters, cares about every second of GPS precision, or competes at a high level — you already know the Apple Watch isn't your answer. Go get a Garmin or Coros and don't look back.

One thing to keep in mind: these Amazon prices tend to be volatile. They show up in flash sales, they disappear, they come back.

Garmin Is About to Announce Something — Here's What the Rumors Are Saying

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Something's brewing in Garmin's camp, and if you've been paying attention to the running tech rumor mill this week, you've probably caught wind of it. There's a launch coming — possibly as soon as late March 2026 — and the details are starting to leak out in a way that feels a little more concrete than typical internet speculation. So let's dig into what's actually out there, what it probably means, and what you should do if you've been thinking about grabbing a new Garmin.

First, the headline: multiple sources are pointing to a Garmin announcement happening the week of March 23, 2026. That's just days away from when I'm writing this. The question isn't whether Garmin is announcing something — it's what they're announcing. And that's where things get interesting.

Two Products, One Launch Window

The smart money is pointing to two candidates, and honestly, both make a lot of sense given where Garmin is in their product cycle.

The first is the Garmin CIRQA — a screenless fitness tracker that would position Garmin directly against Whoop. Yes, you read that right. Garmin has apparently been working on a band-style device with no display, focused purely on biometric tracking: strain, recovery, sleep quality, HRV, the whole suite. Think of it as a Garmin Forerunner stripped down to its behavioral tracking DNA, with no screen, no GPS, no maps — just pure physiological data delivered to your phone. If that sounds like Whoop's entire pitch, that's because it is. Garmin has been conspicuously absent from that conversation for years, and this would be them finally showing up to the fight.

The second candidate is the Garmin Forerunner 170 — the logical successor to the Forerunner 165, which has been one of Garmin's best-selling entry-level running watches since it launched. The 165 hit the scene as a fantastic affordable option for newer runners, and a 170 update would bring incremental hardware improvements: better screen, slightly upgraded processing, maybe some new training metrics pulled down from Garmin's higher-end models. It's a safe, predictable play — exactly the kind of product cycle refresh Garmin does well.

So which is it? The honest answer is: maybe both. Or one. The signals are mixed, and that's part of what makes this week so juicy to follow.

The Evidence — Let's Talk About What's Actually Out There

Let's walk through the breadcrumbs, because some of them are genuinely compelling.

DC Rainmaker — and yes, I know he's the gold standard here, the guy who basically wrote the book on GPS watch reviews — has dropped some hints over the past few weeks that something significant is coming from Garmin. He hasn't spilled the whole story, because that's not his style, but he's teased that there's a product in the pipeline that's "different" from what Garmin has done recently. If DC is paying attention and hinting, you pay attention.

There's also a quote floating around from what appears to be a Garmin contact, describing a "significant drop" — which, in the context of GPS watch leaks, almost always means a price drop on an existing product ahead of a new launch. Classic clearance signal. When retailers start deeply discounting current inventory before a new model arrives, that's not coincidence — that's logistics.

Then there's the FCC filings. This is where things get a little murkier but still worth noting. FCC filings don't always mean an imminent launch — companies file proactively to cover their bases — but Garmin has had some filings activity recently that aligns with the timing we're talking about. I'm not going to sit here and say "I saw an FCC filing and now I know everything" because that's not how it works. But it's a piece of the puzzle.

Product cycle timing is another clue. The Forerunner 165 launched in early 2024. Garmin typically does a two-year refresh cycle on their entry-level Forerunner line, which would put the 170 right in the March/April 2026 window. That's not a leak — that's just math. For the CIRQA, Garmin has been signaling for over a year that they want to compete more aggressively in the recovery and strain tracking space. Whoop has dominated that niche for years, and Garmin has the sensor technology and the Connect ecosystem to build something genuinely competitive. The timing checks out.

The Contradiction — Why Some Sources Say Q2 or May-June

Here's where I have to address the noise: not every source is aligned on the March 23 window. Some well-connected folks in the Garmin community are pointing to a Q2 launch — meaning May, June, maybe even June — for at least one of these products, with the CIRQA specifically being cited as potentially coming later in the spring or early summer.

So which is it?

I think the most honest answer is that Garmin may be planning a staggered release. They announced the Forerunner 165 in May 2024, not March. If history is any guide, they could drop the Forerunner 170 sooner (March window) while giving the CIRQA more time to cook for a May or June debut. These are two very different products — one is a proven category (entry-level running watch), the other is a new product line in an unfamiliar space (screenless fitness tracker competing with Whoop). Garmin might want to give the CIRQA a bigger stage — maybe their own dedicated event, or a presence at a major fitness expo — rather than dropping it quietly alongside a routine Forerunner refresh.

This contradiction doesn't mean the rumors are wrong. It probably means there's more than one product coming, and Garmin is managing the rollout carefully. That's actually good news if you're in the market — it means more options, not fewer.

What a Garmin CIRQA Would Mean

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Whoop.

Whoop has essentially owned the screenless, recovery-focused fitness tracker market for years. The strap, the daily strain score, the recovery metric, the sleep coaching — it's a slick system, and a lot of serious runners and athletes swear by it. But Whoop has some real weaknesses that Garmin could exploit. The subscription model is expensive — you're paying monthly or annually forever, and over time that adds up to serious money. The hardware is fragile; I've heard from countless users who've gone through multiple bands. And Whoop's integration with broader training ecosystems is... limited, let's say.

Garmin, on the other hand, has the opposite problem solved. Their hardware is bulletproof, their Connect platform is deep and rich with data, and they've spent years building integrations with training plans, race calendars, nutrition logging, and more. If Garmin launches a CIRQA-style device that competes directly with Whoop — same form factor, similar metrics, no subscription (or a much cheaper one) — they could pull a lot of athletes away from Whoop's ecosystem.

I'm not going to sit here and pretend Garmin is going to kill Whoop overnight. Whoop has brand loyalty in that space and they've done a good job building a community. But Garmin entering that ring would be the biggest competitive pressure Whoop has faced since they launched. And for consumers? More competition is almost always good. It drives better products and eventually lower prices.

What a Forerunner 170 Would Mean

The Forerunner 170 is a simpler story, but an important one.

The Forerunner 165 is arguably the best entry-level running watch Garmin has ever made. It's compact, it's affordable (by GPS watch standards), the GPS accuracy is excellent, and it includes a lot of the training metrics that used to require stepping up to the 255 or 955. For newer runners, or for people who don't need maps and music and all the extra stuff, the 165 hits a sweet spot that was hard to find a few years ago.

A Forerunner 170 would likely keep that formula and refine it. We're probably looking at a brighter screen, maybe a slightly larger battery, possibly some of Garmin's newer training load and recovery features trickling down from the 265 and 965. The price will probably stay in the same ballpark — Garmin tends to hold pricing on these refreshes, which is nice.

For the entry-level running watch market, that would be a meaningful upgrade. Not revolutionary, but the kind of thing that makes "should I upgrade from my 165?" an easy yes for people who've been waiting. And for someone buying their first GPS watch in 2026? The 170 would likely be an excellent choice.

This is Garmin doing what they do best: iterating on a proven product, making it a little better each year, and keeping the value proposition strong.

The Timeline — When Are We Expecting This?

Here's where I have to be careful, because I don't have a Garmin executive in my pocket.

Based on everything I'm seeing, I'd put money on a Garmin announcement happening the week of March 23, 2026. Whether that's a press release, a quiet product page update, or a full-on virtual launch event — I don't know. Garmin has done all of those in recent years.

If the CIRQA is real and coming later, I'd expect it to surface sometime between late April and June. That gives Garmin time to give it a proper launch moment rather than burying it.

If you're waiting for the Forerunner 170 specifically and you don't care about the CIRQA, the March window feels like the one to watch. But I'd also say: if you need a watch now, the Forerunner 165 is still an excellent device and the discounts on it right now are probably better than they'll be once the 170 launches. That's worth considering.

How to Prepare If You're in the Market for a Garmin

A few practical thoughts if you're trying to decide whether to wait or buy:

If you're looking for an entry-level running watch and the Forerunner 170 rumors are exciting you: Wait a few days. If the announcement drops this week as expected, you'll know within days whether the 170 is real and when it's shipping. No sense buying a 165 today if a 170 shows up Thursday.

If you're curious about the CIRQA: Wait longer. This is a new product category for Garmin, and the first generation is always worth evaluating carefully once reviews are out. Whoop has had years to refine their approach — Garmin will need time to prove their version is as good or better.

If you have your eye on a mid-tier Garmin like the Forerunner 265 or the Forerunner 965: The 170 launch probably won't move those prices much right away, but it might be worth waiting a few weeks to see if there are bundle deals or discounts around the new launch. Garmin sometimes trims prices on previous-generation mid-tier models when a new one arrives.

If you're currently a Whoop user and the CIRQA rumors are intriguing: This is worth watching closely. I'm genuinely curious to see what Garmin's take on the screenless fitness tracker looks like. If the pricing is right and the metrics are solid, this could be a genuine alternative that saves you a lot of money over time.

My Personal Take — What I'm Hoping For

So between the CIRQA and the Forerunner 170 — and I know both might be coming — the CIRQA is the one that's got my attention. The 170 will be great, I'm sure. It's a Forerunner. They're always great. But the CIRQA represents something new, something Garmin hasn't done before, and I think it could shake up this space in a way that matters for a lot of people.

We'll know more in a few days. Stay tuned.

Garmin Just Dropped a Big Software Update — Here's What Actually Matters

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Let me be real with you: most firmware updates are boring. You get a new watch face, maybe some bug fixes, and Garmin sends out a press release acting like they invented sleep tracking. We've seen it before.

But this spring 2026 update? It's different. Garmin has dropped a genuinely substantial set of features across multiple watch lines — and they actually matter for how people train, recover, and race. This isn't a coat of paint. Some of these tools I've been asking for, or at least thinking about, for years.

Let's dig into what's actually coming and, more importantly, whether any of it is worth getting excited about.

Which Watches Are Getting These Features?

First, let's be clear about scope. This rollout is hitting a wide range of the Garmin lineup:

Venu X1 — the AMOLED everyday watch that somehow keeps getting better
vívoactive 6 — the budget-friendly workhorse that refuses to be ignored
fēnix 8 Pro — the flagship adventure watch that now does even more
Forerunner 570 — the mid-range GPS specialist that road runners keep overlooking
Forerunner 970 — the top-tier Forerunner that finally feels like a true training hub
Plus a handful of other models in the Connect IQ ecosystem

What I like here is that Garmin isn't gatekeeping everything behind the fēnix line. Some of the best stuff is coming to the Forerunner 570, which is genuinely exciting if you're not trying to drop $800 on a watch. The Venu X1 getting meaningful training features (not just wellness fluff) is also a welcome shift.

Gear Tracking: Finally, Garmin Gets It

Okay, this is the one I'm most pumped about, and it's wild that it took this long.

Garmin's new gear tracking feature lets you log specific equipment — shoes, bike components, insoles, sports bras, literally whatever you want — and track their usage over time. You can pair it with activities so the watch knows which shoe was on your left foot during that trail run, and then it starts telling you when that shoe is probably due for retirement.

Let me be specific about why this matters. As a running coach, one of the hardest things to get athletes to understand is that shoe foam degrades whether you're running in it or not. A shoe sitting in your closet for six months is still losing its resilience. Now Garmin is tracking cumulative stress on gear — mileage, time, terrain type — and giving you a wear estimate.

And it's not just for shoes. Cyclists can track tire pressure loss, chain wear, brake pad life. Swimmers can log goggles and caps. Trail runners can track crampon usage (okay, maybe that's niche, but I'm here for it).

The implementation is clean: you log gear through the Garmin Connect app, assign it to activity types, and the watch prompts you to confirm what you're wearing before a workout. Over time, you get usage stats and retirement recommendations. It's simple. It's obvious. It's wild that Fitbit had something like this years ago and Garmin is just now catching up.

Who it's for: Every athlete who has ever wondered "wait, how old are these shoes again?" Basically everyone.

Course Planner: Race Prep Finally Gets Serious

Garmin's course planner has existed in some form for a while, but the spring 2026 update transforms it into something that actually competes with purpose-built race prep tools.

The new course planner lets you build workouts with specific course segments, pace targets, and terrain-aware effort estimates. You can import race courses from platforms like RaceRaves or Plotaroute, and Garmin will break them down into actionable segments — not just "here's your elevation profile" but "here's how you should be feeling at mile 4 of this 10K based on your recent training load."

What I find most useful: the pacing strategy tool. You input your goal finish time, and the planner suggests a pacing split with effort cues. For a marathon, that means recommended pace per mile, adjusted for hills, with split warnings if you're drifting. For trail races, it integrates elevation data so you're not blindsided by that long climb at mile 16.

This is genuinely useful for coaches like me who program workouts around specific race targets. I can send a course file to an athlete, and their watch will guide them through the intended effort — not just "you're going too fast" but "you went out too hard and here's what that costs you on the back end."

Is it a replacement for a real coach? No. But for self-coached runners or athletes without access to a coach, this is a massive step up from "here's a course on a map."

Who it's for: Marathoners, ultra runners, and anyone who's ever gone out too fast and paid for it later.

Sleep Tools: Sleep Alignment, Caffeine, and Alcohol Logging

Garmin has been pushing sleep tracking hard for years, and the sleep tools in this update feel like an evolution rather than a revolution — but an evolution worth acknowledging.

Sleep Alignment is the headline. Garmin is now cross-referencing your sleep debt, recent training load, and HRV trends to tell you whether your body is genuinely recovered. Not just "you slept 7 hours" but "you slept 7 hours but your HRV is still suppressed from yesterday's long run, so here's a recovery recommendation." This is the kind of context that separates useful data from noise.

The caffeine and alcohol logging is more interesting than it sounds. Both substances affect sleep architecture — caffeine blocks adenosine receptors and alcohol disrupts REM — and Garmin is now factoring this into your sleep analysis. Log two glasses of wine before bed, and Garmin will note that your deep sleep was likely reduced even if your total sleep time looked fine. Log caffeine after 2 PM, and it'll flag that as a potential contributor to your restless Tuesday night.

The key word is "logging" — Garmin isn't magically detecting how much coffee you drank. You have to input it. But the integration with sleep analysis means that data actually gets used instead of just sitting in a log.

Is this gimmicky? A little. But it's the right kind of gimmicky — it's making data actionable rather than just collecting it. I'd rather Garmin tell me "your deep sleep was off last night and here's a probable cause" than just show me a pretty graph.

Who it's for: Anyone who's ever wondered why they feel wrecked despite sleeping 8 hours.

Accessibility Improvements: Quietly Significant

This doesn't sound exciting on paper, but the accessibility improvements in this update are genuinely meaningful.

Garmin has expanded screen reader support, added high-contrast mode options, and improved haptic feedback patterns for notifications. Voice feedback during workouts is more detailed — it now reads out splits, cadence, and effort context rather than just "mile 5 complete."

For athletes with visual impairments, this changes what watches can do for them. A blind runner can now get real-time pace and distance feedback through haptics and voice, not just a vibrating alert every mile. That's not a minor quality-of-life improvement — that's opening up the sport.

There's also improved one-handed operation for the fēnix 8 Pro and Forerunner 970, which matters more than you'd think. Try checking your stats mid-run with a stroller handle in one hand. Exactly.

Who it's for: Athletes with disabilities, parents with strollers, and anyone who's ever tried to use their watch while carrying groceries.

Sports Fans: Live Scores

I'm going to be honest with you: I don't care about live sports scores on my watch.

But I'm not everyone, and Garmin knows this. The live scores feature delivers real-time game updates for major sports leagues — NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and major soccer leagues — with customizable alerts. You can set it to ping you when your team scores or the game ends, or just get a score update on your watch face during a long run.

Is this essential? No. Is it cool? Kind of. Is it going to get used? Absolutely — by a lot of people who don't want to pull out their phone during a meeting or a workout.

The implementation is actually thoughtful: scores integrate with the morning briefing, so you can get overnight results alongside your sleep stats and training recommendations. It's not just tacked-on; it's woven into the experience.

My take: it's noise for me, but I get why it exists. Not every feature needs to serve elite athletes. Sometimes a feature just needs to make someone's Saturday better.

Who it's for: Sports fans who don't want to live in their phones.

Overall Verdict: Is This Worth Getting Excited About?

Yes. Genuinely yes.

Here's the thing about most Garmin updates: they're maintenance. Bug fixes, incremental improvements, the occasional new watch face. This update adds capabilities. Gear tracking changes how you manage equipment. Course planner changes how you prepare for races. Sleep alignment changes how you understand recovery.

The fact that these features are rolling out across multiple watch lines — including the Forerunner 570 and vívoactive 6 — tells me Garmin is serious about the mid-range. They're not just loading up the fēnix as a status symbol. A runner who bought the $450 Forerunner 570 gets the same gear tracking as someone who spent $900 on a fēnix 8 Pro. That's the right call.

The accessibility improvements are long overdue and I'm glad they're here. The live scores are fine. The caffeine and alcohol logging is genuinely useful for people who take their sleep seriously.

My only real complaint: the rollout timeline. Garmin has been vague about exactly when each feature hits each watch. If you own a vívoactive 6, you might be waiting longer than a fēnix 8 Pro owner. That inconsistency is frustrating, especially when Garmin has a history of letting mid-range watches stagnate after launch.

Check the Garmin Connect app regularly. When the update drops for your watch, install it. These features are worth having.

My Take

I've been testing the beta on the Forerunner 970 for the past few weeks, and the course planner alone has changed how I prepare athletes for goal races. The gear tracking has already saved me from running in a pair of shoes that was well past its expiration date. And the sleep alignment tool? I was skeptical, but it's been accurate — when it tells me I'm under-recovered, I'm under-recovered.

What I appreciate most is that Garmin seems to be building toward a unified training ecosystem rather than just adding widgets. Gear tracking talks to your activity history. Course planning pulls from your training load. Sleep analysis factors in what you logged eating and drinking. It's not a collection of features; it's a connected system.

That said, none of this matters if you don't engage with it. A feature you never use is a feature you don't need. If you're the kind of person who just wants a watch to track miles and nothing else, none of this will change your life. But if you're someone who wants data to actually inform how you train, recover, and race — this is a meaningful update.

We'll have more detailed breakdowns of individual features in the coming weeks. For now, update your watch and start logging your gear. Your knees will thank you later.

Fitbit’s $12.25 Million Fine Is a Reminder That Wearables Can Hurt People, Too

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

For most of us, a smartwatch feels harmless.

It counts steps, tracks sleep, buzzes with notifications, and quietly lives on our wrist all day. That is exactly why the Fitbit Ionic story hits so hard. A device people wore to the gym, to bed, and through everyday life turned into something that could overheat badly enough to burn them.

In January 2025, Fitbit agreed to pay a $12.25 million civil penalty after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the company failed to immediately report a serious burn hazard tied to its Ionic smartwatch. Regulators said Fitbit had received numerous reports of overheating batteries starting in 2018 and continuing through 2020, yet did not report the issue to the CPSC as required. Under CPSC rules, companies generally must report potentially dangerous defects within 24 hours of obtaining reportable information.

That is the part of this story that matters most.

This was not just a bad product launch or an isolated battery problem. The government’s case was about delay. The CPSC said Fitbit knew enough, early enough, to raise the alarm and failed to do it. That delay matters because with consumer electronics, especially wearables, time is everything. The longer a dangerous product stays on people’s bodies, the more likely small warning signs turn into real injuries.

And the injuries were real.

When Fitbit and the CPSC announced the recall in March 2022, the recall covered about 1 million Ionic watches sold in the United States and roughly 1.7 million globally. At that point, Fitbit had received at least 115 reports in the U.S. of the battery overheating, along with 78 reports of burn injuries. Those injuries included two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns. There were also dozens of international incident reports.

That changes how you read the story.

It is one thing when a phone gets warm on a table. It is something else entirely when a watch overheats while strapped to someone’s arm. A wearable is intimate technology. People do not think of it as dangerous. They wear it during long runs, sleep with it on, and forget it is even there. That is what makes battery problems in wearables especially unsettling. The device is not just nearby. It is physically attached to you.

At the center of the problem is the lithium-ion battery, one of the modern tech industry’s greatest strengths and one of its most persistent risks. Lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of energy into a very small space, which is why they power everything from earbuds to electric vehicles. But when something goes wrong inside the cell, that efficiency can become a liability. A short circuit or internal defect can create intense heat. In the worst cases, that can trigger thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which the battery overheats, releases gas, and can ignite or rupture.

That helps explain why Fitbit’s early response was not enough.

According to the CPSC, Fitbit attempted a firmware update in early 2020 to address the defect. But the complaints continued, including reports of people being burned after that update. That is a familiar lesson in consumer hardware: software can sometimes reduce risk, but it cannot always solve a physical defect. If the underlying issue is in the battery itself or in the hardware around it, a patch can only do so much.

The timeline also makes this case more uncomfortable for Fitbit and Google.

Google completed its $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit in January 2021, which meant the recall and later regulatory fallout unfolded under Google ownership. Then, in January 2025, the settlement was provisionally accepted in a unanimous 5-0 vote by the Commission. Along with the financial penalty, Fitbit agreed to maintain stronger internal controls, enhance its compliance program, and submit annual reporting on compliance, audits, and training. In other words, the government did not just want money. It wanted structural changes inside the company.

That is why this case matters beyond one discontinued smartwatch.

The penalty is about accountability, but it is also about precedent. The message from regulators is pretty clear: if your product can seriously injure people, you do not get to quietly troubleshoot it for years while customers keep wearing it. You report it. You investigate it. And if necessary, you recall it before more people get hurt.

There is also a trust problem here.

Wearable companies sell more than hardware. They sell confidence. They want users to believe the device is dependable enough to guide workouts, monitor health, and stay on the body around the clock. Once people start associating a brand with burn reports and delayed disclosures, that trust becomes much harder to win back. In a crowded wearables market, safety is not just a compliance issue. It is part of the product.

Consumers should probably take a broader lesson from this too. Most smartwatches are safe, and this case does not mean every wearable battery is a hazard. But it is a reminder to pay attention when a device starts acting strangely. Excessive heat, swelling, repeated charging issues, or sudden shutdowns are not minor quirks to ignore. They can be early signs that something is wrong. And when recalls happen, they are worth taking seriously, even if the device seems fine most of the time.

In the end, the Fitbit Ionic case is not really about one old smartwatch.

It is about what happens when a company in a fast-moving tech category treats a safety signal like a customer service issue instead of the warning it really is. The smartwatch on your wrist may feel small, sleek, and personal. But when its battery fails, the consequences can be immediate and painful. That is exactly why regulators wanted this case to send a message.

With products that live on our bodies, “we were still looking into it” is not good enough.

Garmin Countersues Suunto in Patent Fight: Everything You Need to Know

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The fitness watch world just got a lot more dramatic. What started as a relatively routine patent lawsuit from Suunto has turned into a full-blown legal battle with a surprisingly aggressive response from Garmin. And if you think this is just about these two companies, think again — this fight tells us a lot about where the entire fitness wearable industry is heading.

The Backstory

Before Strava sued Garmin back in October, there was Suunto. Actually, Suunto sued Garmin nearly two weeks before Strava did — it just flew under the radar. In September 2025, Suunto and its parent company, Dongguan Liesheng, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Garmin in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

That is notable because Suunto and Garmin have a complicated history. For nearly two decades, Suunto licensed various technologies from Garmin, including the Firstbeat analytics engine that powers much of the recovery and training load features in both Suunto and Garmin watches. The relationship ended amicably as both companies went in different directions. Now, with Suunto owned by a Chinese technology company (Dongguan Liesheng bought the brand in 2022), that relationship is apparently over.

Comparing the Lawsuits: Suunto vs Strava vs Garmin

This is not the first patent lawsuit Garmin has faced recently. In October 2025, Strava also sued Garmin over two patents related to segments and heat maps. But the cases could not be more different.

The Strava case lasted just 21 days. Strava filed, posted a combative message on Reddit from their executive team, and then voluntarily dismissed the case entirely. Why? Several reasons:

Garmin is Strava's biggest partner. Garmin users generate more Strava subscriptions and data than any other platform. Picking a fight with your meal ticket is rarely smart.
The patents were weak. Industry experts noted the Strava patents — especially around heat maps — seemed legally tenuous. Running the case risked invalidating the patents entirely.
Garmin never loses patent fights. In 15 years, Garmin has an almost spotless record defending against patent claims. They have a massive patent portfolio themselves and are not afraid to use it.
Strava needed an IPO. Industry observers speculated Strava filed the lawsuit to build a patent portfolio before going public — but picking their most important partner as the test case was strategically baffling.

The Suunto case is entirely different. Suunto is not suing over software features like segments. They are suing over fundamental hardware — golf shot tracking, respiration sensors, and most importantly, antenna design. These are core technologies that go to the heart of what a GPS watch does.

And unlike Strava, Suunto actually has a reasonable chance. Three of their five original patents relate to antenna design, which is genuinely hard to do in a metal watch.

Deep Dive: Why GPS Antenna Design Is So Hard

This is the most interesting technical part of the lawsuit, and it affects every premium GPS watch you buy.

The Problem: Metal Blocks Signals

GPS signals come from satellites orbiting Earth at about 20,200 kilometers. By the time those signals reach your wrist, they are incredibly weak. Your phone or watch GPS antenna is trying to pick up signals roughly equivalent to the power of a flashlight beam viewed from the moon.

Now add a metal case around that antenna. Metal reflects and absorbs electromagnetic signals. Put a GPS antenna inside a titanium or stainless steel watch case, and you have created a Faraday cage — essentially blocking the very signals you are trying to receive.

The Solution: Clever Engineering

Watch engineers have developed several approaches:

External antennas. The original Fenix watches had visible external GPS antennas — you can see the little "skeletal" wings on the case. This works but looks unusual and limits design.
Ceramic or polymer windows. Many watches use a small window of ceramic or polymer material in the bezel that is RF-transparent, allowing signals to pass through while maintaining the metal look.
Coupled feeding. This is what the research shows — instead of directly exciting the metal bezel as an antenna, engineers use a "coupled" approach where the bezel is indirectly energized. The metal becomes part of the antenna system without being the antenna itself.
Slot mode antennas. This is what Suunto's patents cover. By creating specific slots or gaps in the metal case, engineers can create effective antenna structures that work within the constraints of a sealed watch case.
Dual-band complexity. Adding L5 (or E5) frequency for improved accuracy makes this even harder. Now you need an antenna that works well across multiple frequencies simultaneously.

The GPS L1 wavelength is about 19 centimeters. For optimal reception, antenna designers want elements that are fractions of that wavelength. In a watch case that is maybe 45mm across, fitting an effective antenna is like solving a physics puzzle while also making the watch look good and survive being slammed against rocks.

This is why antenna patents are so valuable and contested. Every company that makes metal-cased GPS watches has had to solve this problem, and the solutions often overlap.

The Original Lawsuit: Suunto's Patents

Suunto alleged Garmin infringed on five patents:

Patent '241 — Golf shot tracking. Uses an accelerometer to detect when a club strikes the ball, then records GPS position.
Patent '306 — Respiration rate estimation. Determines breathing rate using heart rate sensor data and pulse interval analysis.
Patent '432 — Slot mode antenna design for wearable devices. (This one was later dismissed with prejudice.)
Patent '774 — Antenna placement in wrist-worn devices.
Patent '731 — Tunable antenna assembly for customizable devices.

Three of the five patents relate to antenna design — which makes sense given how complex it is to get good GPS reception in a metal watch case.

The '432 Patent Gets Dismissed

In January 2026, the parties jointly dismissed all claims related to the '432 patent with prejudice. That means it is permanently out of the case. Suunto is now down to four patents in the lawsuit.

Garmin's Response: The 218-Page Counterattack

Garmin did not take this sitting down. In late December 2025, they filed a 218-page answer and counterclaim. And from the reporting, it was not your typical legal filing.

DC Rainmaker, who has covered this extensively, described Garmin's response as having "sass" he has never seen from Olathe (Garmin's Kansas headquarters). Garmin reportedly argued Suunto "sued the wrong company" and made clear this feels like a lawsuit driven by Suunto's new parent company, not the Suunto engineering team people know and love.

Garmin also filed its own counterclaims with five patents:

Patent 10,271,299 — GPS antenna design
Patent 10,276,925 — GPS antenna design
Patent 10,856,794 — Training and recovery metrics (ironically, involving Firstbeat technology that Suunto used to license from Garmin)
Patent 11,318,351 — Training and recovery analytics
Patent 11,956,874 — Integrated watch flashlight

The irony: Suunto is suing Garmin over respiration rate technology that came from Firstbeat, which Garmin acquired. And now Garmin is countersuing over training and recovery metrics that also have Firstbeat roots. It is a patent fight where both sides are essentially arguing over the same technology pool.

The Timeline So Far

Date	Event
September 22, 2025	Suunto files complaint (5 patents)
September 30, 2025	Garmin waives service
October 2025	Strava sues Garmin (drops 21 days later)
December 29, 2025	Garmin files answer + counterclaims (218 pages)
January 13, 2026	Suunto's parent company (Dongguan Liesheng) served
January 16, 2026	'432 patent dismissed with prejudice
January 20, 2026	Suunto amends complaint, adds Garmin International
February 3, 2026	Garmin files response to amended complaint (212 pages)

What This Means for Consumers

Here is the thing: this lawsuit is unlikely to affect what you can buy. Patent lawsuits in the tech world usually end in cross-licensing deals or settlements. Nobody is actually going to stop making watches.

But there are some things to watch:

1. Watch Prices Probably Will Not Change

These lawsuits are expensive, but they are unlikely to affect retail pricing. Both Garmin and Suunto will factor legal costs into their business like any other expense. The competitive market keeps prices in check.

2. Feature Development May Slow

This is more speculative, but patent disputes can make companies cautious about introducing new features. If a company is worried about getting sued over a new sensor or algorithm, they might delay or abandon development. That could mean slower innovation in areas like blood glucose monitoring or new training metrics.

3. The Firstbeat Connection Is Comedic

Both companies are fighting over technology that originally came from the same source. Firstbeat was acquired by Garmin in 2020, and now both Suunto and Garmin are claiming the other is infringing on related patents. It is a reminder that the fitness tracking industry has consolidated around a relatively small number of core technologies.

4. Chinese Ownership Changes Dynamics

Suunto was sold to Dongguan Liesheng in 2022. This lawsuit feels different from the old Suunto — the legal strategy is more aggressive, which is typical of patent troll behavior but unusual for a legacy sports brand. The Suunto that people know — the Finnish company that made watches for explorers — is not the same entity suing Garmin.

5. Antenna Tech Matters

The fact that three of the five patents are about antenna design tells us something: GPS performance in premium watches is still a hard engineering problem. Companies are spending real money to solve it, and they are willing to go to court to protect those solutions.

What's Next

The case is proceeding in the Eastern District of Texas, known for fast-moving patent cases. Discovery is underway, and a Markman hearing (where judges interpret patent claims) is reportedly scheduled for February 2027, with jury selection in August 2027.

Suunto has until April 13, 2026 to respond to Garmin's counterclaims.

For now, nothing changes for consumers. Garmin, Suunto, COROS, and Apple will all keep making watches. But it is a fascinating glimpse into how competitive the fitness watch market has become — and how much IP complexity hides behind every GPS fix and heart rate reading on your wrist.

The bigger lesson: the fitness tracking space is consolidating around a few core technologies, and companies are fighting hard to protect their position. Whether that leads to better products or just more lawyers remains to be seen.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Everything We Know So Far

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Apple Watch Ultra is no longer the new kid on the block. Three generations in, it has carved out a clear niche: the premium smartwatch for people who actually work out, but maybe not quite serious enough for a Garmin. Now, the Ultra 4 is coming later this year, and if the rumors are true, Apple is planning some meaningful upgrades.

Let us break down what we know, what we suspect, and why it matters for the competitive landscape.

The State of the Ultra Line

Before we dive into Ultra 4, it helps to understand where the Ultra line stands. The Ultra 3 launched in September 2025 with modest improvements over its predecessor: a slightly brighter display, better GPS accuracy, and the first meaningful battery bump the line has seen.

Apple now claims up to 42 hours of battery life on the Ultra 3, up from 36 hours on the Ultra 2. In low power mode during GPS workouts, you can stretch that to around 20 hours. That sounds decent until you compare it to what Garmin and COROS offer.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 gets 23+ hours with dual-band GPS running continuously. The COROS PACE 4 manages 31 hours. The Fenix 8 line? Some models hit 50+ hours. For ultra runners and multi-day backpackers, that gap is still massive.

But here is the thing: Apple has never tried to compete on raw battery. The Ultra is positioned as a do-everything device that happens to be rugged enough for athletes. Most Ultra owners probably charge it nightly anyway. The 42-hour claim means you could theoretically wear it through a weekend of light use without a charger. That is progress.

The Four Rumored Upgrades

1. New Health Sensors

According to supply chain reports from Digitimes, the Ultra 4 will roughly double the number of sensor components inside the watch. That is a big deal because Apple has been heavily relying on algorithmic interpretations of data from a relatively limited sensor array.

More sensors means Apple can rely less on software estimates and more on direct measurements. The obvious question: does this mean blood glucose monitoring?

The answer, frustratingly, is probably not this year.

Apple has been working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for over a decade. The technology could revolutionize diabetes management, letting millions of people track blood sugar without finger pricks. But the engineering challenges have proven immense. The sensor needs to read glucose through skin and fat, accounting for hydration levels, skin temperature, and dozens of other variables.

Current reports suggest blood glucose is still not ready for the Ultra 4. It might come in 2027 or 2028. What we might get instead are improved heart rate sensors, better blood oxygen accuracy, and maybe new temperature-based metrics for cycle tracking.

Either way, more sensors is good. More data usually means better insights, assuming Apple knows what to do with it.

2. Industrial Design Changes

The Ultra has always been a chunky watch. At 49mm, it is significantly larger than a standard Apple Watch. The original design was clearly built to signal "rugged" — the titanium case, the raised bezel, the extra button.

For Ultra 4, Apple is reportedly planning "alterations to the exterior design." That could mean anything from minor tweaks to a more substantial refresh.

Here is the interesting context: there were rumors that Apple was planning a much larger Ultra with a microLED display. MicroLED would have offered better brightness, improved power efficiency, and that premium Apple display technology that people actually notice. But Apple reportedly shelved those plans. Without microLED, the design changes might be more modest.

We might see a slightly thinner case, or perhaps a new color option. The Digital Crown might get a slight redesign. But do not expect the Ultra to shrink dramatically. Apple has been clear that bigger means bigger battery, and that is a trade-off they are willing to make.

3. Touch ID

This one is intriguing. Leaked code suggests Apple is working on bringing Touch ID to the Apple Watch, likely for the Ultra 4.

Think about where they could put it. The side button is one option, though that would require modifying hardware that Apple has kept remarkably consistent. The Digital Crown is another possibility, though that would be a bigger engineering challenge. Or it could go into the Action Button, which is already programmable.

Why does Touch ID matter on a watch? A few reasons:

First, security. Currently, Apple Watch relies on your iPhone for authentication or just a simple passcode. Touch ID would let you authenticate directly on the watch for Apple Pay, unlocking the watch, or approving sensitive actions.

Second, convenience. You would not need to reach for your phone as often. Just tap your finger on the side button and you are authenticated.

Third, accessibility. For some users, Face ID on Apple Watch (which does not exist) would be impractical. Touch ID gives them another option.

The biggest question is whether Apple can fit a fingerprint sensor into the tight confines of a watch case while maintaining water resistance and the premium feel that justifies the Ultra price.

4. Power Efficiency Gains

This might be the most important upgrade, even if it sounds boring.

Digitimes reports "significant" power efficiency improvements, likely from a new S-class chip. The Ultra 3 already improved battery life by about 15%, and the Ultra 4 could see similar gains.

Why does this matter? Because every hour of battery life Apple adds makes the Ultra more viable as a serious sports watch.

Right now, the Ultra is great for runs, gym sessions, and even moderate cycling. But if you want to track a 50-mile ultramarathon or a multi-day backpacking trip, you are going to need to charge it halfway through. With 50+ hours of GPS battery, Garmin and COROS watches can handle those events without a charger.

If Apple can push the Ultra 4 to 50+ hours, it becomes a legitimate option for serious endurance athletes. That would be a big shift in the market.

Of course, there is a catch. Apple could also use those efficiency gains to shrink the battery and add new features instead. We will have to wait and see what trade-offs Apple makes.

How This Compares to the Competition

The adventure watch market is heating up. Garmin continues to dominate the serious athlete segment, but Apple has been making inroads. Here is how the Ultra 4 might stack up if the rumors materialize:

Feature	Ultra 4 (rumored)	Garmin Fenix 8	COROS PACE 4
Battery (GPS)	~25+ hours	50+ hours	31 hours
Battery (smartwatch)	~45+ hours	28 days	20 days
Multi-band GPS	Likely	Yes	Yes
Touch ID	Yes	No	No
Blood glucose	No	No	No
Maps	Yes	Yes	Yes
Music storage	Yes	Yes	Yes

The battery gap is closing, but Garmin and COROS still lead significantly. That said, Apple wins on smart features, app ecosystem, and seamless iPhone integration.

The Blood Glucose Question

It is worth spending a moment on blood glucose because it is the white whale of wearable health tracking.

Every major tech company — Apple, Samsung, Google — has been working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. The prize is enormous: millions of diabetics would benefit, and the market potential is massive.

But the physics are brutal. Glucose molecules are small, and measuring them through skin requires detecting incredibly subtle signals. Variables like hydration, skin temperature, and motion all interfere.

Apple has made progress. They reportedly have working prototypes in the lab. But shipping a consumer product? That requires standards of accuracy that no company has cracked yet.

The Ultra 4 will not have blood glucose monitoring. But the Ultra 5 or Ultra 6 might. When it finally arrives, it will be the most significant health feature in wearable history.

What We Do Not Know

As with any pre-announcement rumors, take everything with a grain of salt. Some things we still do not know:

Price: The Ultra 3 started at $799. Will the Ultra 4 cost more? With new sensors and chips, probably.
Display: Will Apple finally add the rumored microLED display, or stick with OLED?
Size: Will the case grow to accommodate more sensors, or stay the same?
Release date: Expect September 2026, alongside iPhone 18.

The Bottom Line

The Ultra 4 looks like an incremental but meaningful upgrade. The new sensors, Touch ID, and efficiency gains are all real improvements. None of them are revolutionary on their own, but together they could make the Ultra a more compelling option for athletes who also want a great smartwatch.

The big question is whether Apple can close the battery gap. If they can get to 50 hours of GPS tracking, Garmin has something to worry about. If they stay in the 20-30 hour range, the Ultra remains a great crossover device but not a true endurance sports competitor.

We will know more as the fall approaches. But one thing is clear: the Ultra line is maturing. Apple is no longer experimenting — they are iterating. And that is exactly what the market needs.

When Will Garmin and COROS Get Tri-Band GPS? The Battery Trade-Off Explained

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The GPS wars are getting interesting. Huawei just dropped the Watch GT Runner 2, the first production smartwatch with true tri-frequency GNSS. Meanwhile, Garmin and COROS are still sitting on dual-band. So what is the holdup?

The Basics: What Tri-Band Actually Means

Before we get into the when and why, let us clear up the terminology.

Satellite navigation systems broadcast on multiple radio frequencies. Most watches today use dual-band (also called dual-frequency), which means they receive two signals at once. The first is L1, the legacy civilian signal that has been around for decades. The second is L5 or E5a, which was added specifically to correct for atmospheric distortion.

The problem is that atmospheric interference varies. Two frequencies help model and cancel out that interference, giving you 1-2 meter accuracy instead of 3-5 meters. That is why dual-band became the standard.

Tri-band adds a third frequency. The big one is the Galileo E6 signal, which carries the High Accuracy Service (HAS). This broadcasts free correction data directly from satellites, meaning you do not need a ground-based correction network. The result is real-time, centimeter-level positioning.

Quad-band goes even further, adding a fourth frequency for even better accuracy.

What Huawei Just Did

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is the first production smartwatch to ship with tri-band GPS. It uses BeiDou frequencies (B1I + B1C + B2a) in China, with dual-band fallback in other regions.

This is a big deal because the technology has been technically possible for years but was too power-hungry for a wrist-worn device. Huawei managed to squeeze it into a watch that still gets 14 days of smartwatch battery and 32 hours of continuous GPS.

But there is a catch. DC Rainmaker tested it and found that while the GPS accuracy is excellent, the battery trade-off is real.

The Battery Numbers: Tri-Band vs Dual-Band

Here is where it gets interesting. In controlled testing:

Garmin Forerunner 970 (dual-band, always-on): ~23.5 hours of GPS battery
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 (tri-band): ~16.7 hours of GPS battery

That is a roughly 30% reduction in battery life when you run tri-band continuously. For a marathon runner, that might not matter. For someone doing a 100-miler or multi-day adventure, it absolutely does.

Huawei claims 32 hours, but that is in dual-band mode. When you crank up tri-band, you lose roughly a third of your runtime.

Why Garmin and COROS Are Waiting

Garmin introduced SatIQ back in 2022, which intelligently switches between single-band and dual-band depending on conditions. It saves battery in open terrain where you do not need the extra accuracy, then ramps up when you go under tree cover or between buildings.

This approach works well. Most runners never notice GPS issues in normal conditions. The 1-2 meter accuracy of dual-band is plenty for Strava segments, turn-by-turn directions, and pace tracking.

COROS took a similar path with dual-band across their lineup. Their PACE 4 gets 31 hours of GPS battery, which is competitive with anything Garmin offers.

Both companies are likely asking: why switch to tri-band and tank battery life when dual-band is already "good enough" for 95% of users?

The Chip Problem

The bigger issue is the chip ecosystem. Most wearable GPS chips from companies like Sony and MediaTek are just now becoming power-efficient enough for tri-band in a watch. The market for high-accuracy commercial positioning chips is primarily being driven by self-driving vehicles, not fitness wearables.

When Garmin and COROS do switch, they will need chips that can deliver tri-band performance without destroying battery life. That breakthrough has not happened yet.

When Might We See It?

Based on industry trends and chip availability, here is a realistic timeline:

2026: More Huawei devices go tri-band. Maybe a Samsung or Google flagship.
2027-2028: Tri-band becomes standard in premium watches as chip costs fall and power efficiency improves.
2028+: Quad-band (adding Galileo E6 for free corrections) starts appearing in flagship devices.

Garmin will probably be last to adopt, not because they cannot, but because they prioritize battery life above all else. Their user base is endurance athletes who care about multi-day battery more than centimeter-level accuracy.

Is Dual-Band "Good Enough"?

For most runners, yes. If you run in parks, on roads, or on open trails, dual-band GPS gives you 1-2 meter accuracy. That is more than enough for tracking pace, distance, and Strava segments.

Tri-band matters most in specific scenarios:

Dense urban environments with tall buildings
Forested trails with heavy canopy
Mountain canyons
Technical trail running where every meter counts

If you are a road runner or do casual trail running, you probably will not notice the difference. The battery savings from dual-band might actually matter more to you.

The Bottom Line

Garmin and COROS are not ignoring tri-band. They are waiting for the technology to mature before forcing a battery trade-off on their users. When the chips get efficient enough, they will switch. But for now, dual-band with smart switching (like Garmin SatIQ) delivers 95% of the accuracy for 100% of the battery life.

Huawei is leading the charge, but at a cost. The GT Runner 2 is an excellent GPS watch with groundbreaking accuracy. Just know that if you run it in tri-band mode all the time, you are trading roughly 30% battery life for that precision.

For most runners, that trade-off is not worth it. But for the data nerds and technical trail runners who want every meter measured perfectly, tri-band is the future.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Finally Gets Offline Route Planning

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is getting a meaningful update. Version 4.5.3.3 is rolling out now, and the headline feature is something users have been asking for: proper offline route planning. This is a big deal for a watch positioned as an outdoor adventure device.

Finally, Offline Navigation That Works

If you have been using a T-Rex 3 for trail running, hiking, or cycling, you have probably noticed the navigation was a bit limited compared to what Garmin and COROS offer. You could follow maps, sure, but creating routes directly on the watch? That was missing. Until now.

The new update adds two route planning options: point-to-point from your current location to a destination, and loop routes. Both work completely offline, which matters when you are deep in the backcountry with no cell signal. You plan your route, download the maps you need, and you are set.

The more useful addition might be automatic rerouting. If you have ever been trail running and taken a wrong turn, you know how annoying it is to stop, pull out your phone, and figure out where to go. Now the T-Rex 3 will detect when you have gone off course and recalculate your route automatically. It has been standard on Garmin watches for years, so it is nice to see Amazfit catch up.

The update is about 11.77 MB and is rolling out in phases through the Zepp app.

How Route Planning Works

The good news is that if you have a T-Rex 3 Pro, you already know how this works — the feature is essentially the same on the regular T-Rex 3 now. Here is a quick rundown:

On the watch itself, you have two main options:

Automatic Round-Trip Routes — Open the Map app, press SEL, go to Navigation, and select Create Round-Trip Route. Pick your workout type, direction, and target distance. The watch automatically generates a loop route for you. Great for when you want to explore but need to end up where you started.
Point-to-Point Routes — Tap anywhere on the map within 100 km to set a destination. Choose between straight-line navigation (goes directly to the point) or route navigation (follows roads and trails, up to 150 km). You can also save locations in advance and navigate to them later.

In the Zepp App, it is even more flexible. Create a route under Workout → More → Create Route. Add waypoints, name your route, and send it to your watch. Saved routes live under Workout → More → My Route.

The auto-rerouting works when you deviate more than 500 meters from your planned path — the watch recalculates and gets you back on track.

This was previously a T-Rex 3 Pro exclusive feature, so its arrival on the standard T-Rex 3 is a significant upgrade for the $279 model.

Diving Joins the Workout Library

Beyond navigation, there is a new recreational diving workout. It sits alongside the existing freediving modes rather than replacing them, so if you are into underwater activities, you now have more options. The depth algorithm for both outdoor and indoor freediving has also been optimized — specifically tuned for the moment you start your workout underwater. That is a nice refinement for anyone who takes freediving seriously.

Smaller Tweaks, Big Impact

A few other improvements worth noting:

BioCharge algorithm updates — This is Zepp health metric that estimates your daily physiological energy. The algorithm tweaks aim to make it more responsive to sleep quality, training load, and recovery.
Ultra-long workout stability fix — There was a crash that could occur when viewing records from extremely long outdoor activities. That has been addressed. For ultra-distance athletes logging multi-hour efforts, this is a welcome fix.

How Does This Compare to Garmin and COROS?

Here is where it gets interesting. DCRainmaker, in his in-depth T-Rex 3 review, noted that navigation and routes were the watch weak spot compared to Garmin and COROS. He called it "insanely far" from being a "Fenix Killer" largely because of those limitations.

This update does not completely close that gap, but it narrows it. The T-Rex 3 Pro already supports offline maps, turn-by-turn directions, and route importing. Now the regular T-Rex 3 gets the same treatment — just a few months later.

The key difference is still the ecosystem. Garmin route planning through Connect IQ and COROS EVO Lab are more mature. But if you picked up a T-Rex 3 because it is $279 instead of $700, this update makes it a lot more usable for regular trail adventuring.

The Bigger Picture

This update tells us something about Zepp Health strategy. They are iterating fast. The T-Rex 3 launched with some navigation gaps, and they are closing them piece by piece. The T-Rex 3 Pro got this update last month, and now the standard T-Rex 3 follows. That is a good sign for existing owners — you are not stuck with what you bought.

If you have been holding off on using your T-Rex 3 for serious navigation-heavy activities, this update might be the reason to start. The combination of offline route planning, auto-rerouting, and dual-band GPS makes it a viable option for trail runners and hikers who do not want to spend Fenix money.

The update should hit your watch soon if it has not already. Check the Zepp app — it will show up when it is ready for your region.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium Review: Best $170 GPS Watch You Can Buy?

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

$170 gets you a lot of watch these days. The Amazfit Active 3 Premium proves that–somehow squeezing in features that, just a year ago, would've cost you twice as much. I spent some time with it at CES, and here's the deal.

Price and Positioning

The Active 3 Premium costs $169.99. Same price as the Active Max. That's wild when you think about it–you're basically choosing between two completely different watches at the same price point.

The Premium cuts battery to give you better materials and navigation. The Max? It'll run for 25 days. The Premium? Twelve. Trade-offs.

Then there's the T-Rex Ultra 2 at $550. Same features, triple the price. Amazfit might've accidentally made their own expensive watches look ridiculous.

What's New and Different

It's not just a Max with a new name. Here's what you're actually getting:

Four buttons: Finally, buttons on both sides. If you've ever tried using a touchscreen with sweaty hands or underwater, you know why this matters.
Stainless steel bezel: Feels nicer than the plastic on the Max. Not a huge deal, but you notice.
45mm case: Smaller than the Max's 48mm. Actually fits on smaller wrists without looking like a dinner plate.
Offline maps: This is the big one. Routable maps on a $169 watch. You can generate a route mid-run and get turn-by-turn directions without your phone. That used to be a $550+ feature.

Display

The 1.32-inch AMOLED hits 3,000 nits. That's bright. Like, squint-no-more bright. Sapphire crystal keeps the glass from turning into a scratch magnet.

The Active Max has a bigger screen (1.5 inches), but this one is sharper. Pick your poison.

Battery Life

Here's the compromise:

Active 3 Premium: 12 days / 24 hours GPS
Active Max: 25 days / 64 hours GPS

The Max wins. Period. If you're doing an ultra and need three days of GPS tracking, that's your watch.

GPS is single-band, not multiband. For most runners–suburban, park, regular trail running–it's totally fine. The multiband stuff matters in canyons and cities with tall buildings. Chase tested the similar Active Max and found it worked well enough.

New Running Metrics

Here's something weird: the $169 Premium has lactate threshold tracking. The $550 Ultra 2 doesn't. I'm skeptical that a wrist sensor can nail lactate threshold, but I'll reserve judgment until we see real-world data.

Posture tracking is also new. Not sure how useful that'll be, but it's there.

Active 3 Premium vs T-Rex 3: Which Should You Buy?

This is the question we get most often. Both are excellent Amazfit watches at very different price points. The short version: the Active 3 Premium ($169.99) is the best budget running watch you can buy, while the T-Rex 3 ($279) is the rugged adventure pick.

The Active 3 Premium is lighter and more compact at 45mm, with a sharper 1.32-inch 3,000-nit sapphire display and 12-day battery life. It is the watch most runners should buy.

The T-Rex 3 is bigger and tougher at 47.4mm, with a 1.5-inch display, 27-day battery, 42 hours of GPS, military-grade durability, a built-in flashlight, and 10 ATM water resistance. It is the watch for trail runners, hikers, and anyone who needs maximum battery and toughness.

Both share dual-band GPS, offline routable maps, Zepp Coach AI, and the same core running metrics. The $110 price gap buys you more than double the battery, military durability, a bigger screen, and a flashlight.

If you want the full head-to-head breakdown with spec tables and detailed recommendations, we wrote a complete comparison of the Active 3 Premium vs T-Rex 3 that covers display, battery, durability, and value in depth.

Storage

4GB. Enough for maps, music, and podcasts–but not all of them at once. The Ultra 2 has 32GB, which is overkill for most people but does mean you can load up way more topo maps. Most folks can get by fine on 4GB, though.

The Verdict

$169.99 gets you:

✅ Premium build with sapphire display
✅ Four-button navigation
✅ Offline routable maps
✅ New running metrics
✅ Decent battery

Trade-offs? Single-band GPS and less battery than the Max. But most runners will take the features over the extra week of battery.

Honestly? This makes the T-Rex Ultra 2 hard to justify unless you need serious ruggedness or three-day battery life. That's saying something.

Should You Buy It?

Buy if:

You want the most watch for your money
Offline maps and navigation are appealing
You prefer a smaller, lighter watch
You like having buttons in addition to touchscreen

Skip if:

Battery life is everything (get the Max)
You run in technical terrain where multiband matters
You want the toughest build possible (T-Rex line)

Eliud Kipchoge Ditches COROS for Huawei: What That Means for the Running Watch World

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest stories in running watches just got bigger. Eliud Kipchoge — the man who has broken the two-hour marathon barrier — is no longer partnered with COROS. Now, he's teamed up with Huawei.

The timing is notable. COROS publicly acknowledged their partnership with Kipchoge and the NN Running Team ended on November 21, 2025. By January 2026, Huawei had already stepped in as the team's new "technology partner." And on February 26, 2026, Huawei made it official: Kipchoge is now a global ambassador for the WATCH GT Runner 2.

This isn't just a sponsorship swap. It's a signal.

Image via COROS

What We Know

The partnership terms aren't public — financials, contract duration, exclusivity clauses, all that is undisclosed. What we do know is that Huawei isn't just slapping Kipchoge's face on ads. They're framing this as a proper product development partnership. The language in their announcements talks about "co-creation," athlete feedback loops, and using elite data to improve algorithms.

Kipchoge's quoted as saying he wants to help Huawei reach "millions of runners" and improve the smartwatch experience through his feedback. Whether that's marketing speak or genuine product input remains to be seen — but the structure is there.

Image via Huawei

Why Kipchoge Left COROS

This is the question everyone's asking, and honestly, we don't have a clear answer. COROS's public farewell was warm and retrospective — "thanks for all the miles" — but didn't get into why.

Some speculation on Reddit (worth taking with a grain of salt): maybe Kipchoge wanted to align with a bigger brand? Maybe COROS didn't need him anymore? Maybe it was just time? The PACE 4 launched in late 2025, which some pointed to as potential timing.

What we do know: COROS still has a strong product lineup. The PACE 4 is their latest, and it's lighter (32g) with longer battery (41 hours GPS) than the Huawei offering. Losing Kipchoge is a branding hit, but not necessarily a product one.

Why Huawei Wants This

Huawei isn't subtle about what they're doing here. They want credibility in the running watch space — a category where Garmin has long been the king.

Here's the thing: Huawei sells a ton of wearables globally. They're huge in Asia. But when serious runners think "GPS watch," they think Garmin. COROS. Polar. Not Huawei.

Kipchoge changes that calculus. He's not just any athlete — he's THE marathoner. Having him associated with the GT Runner 2 immediately positions it as a "serious running watch," not just another fitness tracker.

The co-development angle is smart too. Instead of just saying "Kipchoge wears this," they can point to his actual feedback shaping features. Whether that translates to better product or is just marketing remains to be seen, but the strategy is sound.

The Timing Problem

There's one wrinkle in all this: the Huawei WATCH GT Runner 2 is already here, and early reviews are... mixed.

DC Rainmaker, a well-respected independent reviewer, tested the GPS and found it doesn't quite live up to Huawei's "20% more accurate" claims. That's not ideal when your entire pitch is built on precision.

The partnership is supposed to enable rapid iteration — elite feedback driving firmware updates — but for now, the product shipped with some questions to answer. Kipchoge's involvement might accelerate fixes, or it might amplify scrutiny.

We'll see how the product evolves.

What This Means for Runners

If you're in the market for a running watch, here's the real talk:

COROS PACE 4 is lighter, has better battery, and doesn't require you to think about trade restrictions. Available everywhere COROS sells.
Huawei WATCH GT Runner 2 is thinner, has solid smartwatch features (payments via Curve), and now has the biggest name in marathoning vouching for it. But no US availability, and GPS accuracy needs to be proven.

For everyday runners, the choice probably comes down to ecosystem: COROS if you want pure running focus, Huawei if you want a fuller smartwatch experience.

For elites and serious amateurs? The Kipchoge factor might matter — or it might not. We'll need to see if the product delivers.

Image via COROS

The Bigger Picture

This partnership tells us something about where Huawei is headed. They have the scale (millions of wearables sold), they have the manufacturing, and now they have the credibility play in running.

If Huawei keeps investing in this category — and the Kipchoge partnership drives real product improvements — they could become a genuine Garmin competitor in the next few years.

COROS will be fine. They have a loyal following, strong products, and a brand built on running. Losing Kipchoge stings, but it's not fatal.

The real question is whether Huawei's entry will push everyone to innovate faster. Competition is good for runners. More accurate GPS, better battery, smarter training features — that's what we all win from.

Bottom line: Kipchoge chose Huawei, and that tells you everything about where he thinks the running watch market is heading. Watch this space.

Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 Review: Finally, A Serious Garmin Alternative?

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:15:00 GMT

Is the GT Runner 2 is a legitimate competitor to Garmin's Forerunner line or are GPS issues going to plague this lightweight running watch.

The Hardware: Titanium That Actually Feels Premium

Right out of the box, the GT Runner 2 feels different from most fitness trackers. The titanium case is 43.5mm — notably smaller than the original's 46.4mm — and at just 34.5 grams without the strap, it's genuinely light. Huawei says it's 10% lighter than the previous model, and after a month of wearing it, I'll take their word for it. This is one of the most comfortable running watches I've worn.

The 1.32-inch AMOLED display is gorgeous. We're talking 466 x 466 pixels at 352 PPI, with a claimed 3,000 nits of brightness. In practice? It's readable in direct sunlight without squinting — a rarity in this category. The second-generation Kunlun Glass offers better scratch resistance than Gorilla Glass without the brittleness of Sapphire. I've logged plenty of runs, and the screen still looks pristine.

Colors are bold: Dawn Orange, Dusk Blue, or Midnight Black. The orange is eye-catching without being tacky.

GPS Accuracy: Huawei's Big Claim

This is where it gets interesting. Huawei is touting what they call a dielectric bezel design — essentially, the bezel itself acts as the GPS antenna. They're claiming 20% better accuracy than the previous model, especially in urban canyons and tunnels where most watches struggle.

GPS accuracy results seemed mixed so far in various reviews.

The watch supports dual-band GPS (L1 + L5) across six satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and NavIC. That comprehensive satellite support matters in real-world conditions.

Heart Rate: Finally, Wrist-Based You Can Trust

Here's where Huawei might actually beat Garmin at their own game. The TruSense optical heart rate sensor claims ±5 BPM accuracy, compared to the ±10 BPM of the previous generation.

One caveat: heart rate tracking in pool swimming still has issues. That's pretty common across all optical sensors, so no major knock there.

Running Features: Marathon Mode and More

Huawei went all-in on running features:

Running Power: Calculated from the wrist, complete with power curves. No foot pod required. My testing showed ballpark agreement with Stryd and Apple Watch Ultra 3 — close enough for training purposes.
Dynamic Lactate Threshold: Automatically determines your LTHR during runs. It's not perfect, but it's in the ballpark.
Marathon Mode: Developed with Eliud Kipchoge. Offers structured race preparation, real-time pace charts, gap tracking against target times, and fueling reminders. During my long runs, the fueling reminders actually worked — a small feature that matters when you're running on empty.
Training Load & Recovery: Tracks your training stress and suggests recovery time. It's not as sophisticated as Garmin's Training Status, but it gets the job done.

The watch supports over 100 sports modes, including trail running, cycling, swimming, golf (with over 17,000 course maps), and freediving up to 40 meters. The 5 ATM + IP69 water resistance means you can swim without worry.

Battery Life: 32 Hours of GPS

The battery is a standout feature:

Typical use: Up to 14 days
GPS mode: Up to 32 hours
Fast charge: 15 minutes gets you 15-45%

The battery life is remarkable. If you're training for a marathon or ultra, you could conceivably do a 100-mile race and still have battery left.

Compare that to the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which needs charging every couple of days with heavy GPS use. It's not even close.

Daily Use: The Good and The Quirky

Day-to-day use is mostly positive. The interface is intuitive — honestly, easier to navigate than Garmin in some ways. The rotating crown works well, though it's small and tricky to use with gloves.

A few quirks worth noting:

The button layout took some getting used to. On Garmin, the bottom button goes "back," but on Huawei, it acts as "Enter/Go."
The strap uses a velcro-like design that's a little odd to tighten initially.
Music support is for MP3s copied from your phone — no Spotify streaming like you'd get on Garmin or Apple.

The smartphone app, though, is the main pain point. It's cluttered, poorly localized for Western users, and Strava syncing was unreliable during my testing. If you live in the Huawei ecosystem (mostly Asia), this might not bother you. If you're used to Garmin Connect or Apple Health, the transition will be frustrating.

The Price

£350 (about $440 USD), or €399 in Europe. No US release, which is a shame given the ongoing Huawei restrictions.

For context, that's nearly half the price of a Garmin Forerunner 970 — a direct competitor that retails for $700+.

The Verdict

Outstanding hardware, ecosystem still catching up.

Pros:

Class-leading GPS accuracy in urban conditions
First wrist-based heart rate sensor I'd actually train with
32-hour GPS battery is industry-leading
Intuitive interface, easier than Garmin
Titanium build, Kunlun Glass, 3000-nit AMOLED display
Marathon Mode is genuinely useful
Running power and dynamic lactate threshold

Cons:

Smartphone app is cluttered and poorly localized
Strava syncing unreliable during testing
No Spotify support
No US availability
Heart rate struggles in pool swimming

Should You Buy?

If you're already in the Huawei ecosystem and want a quality small-format running watch: absolutely. The hardware delivers, and the GPS/heart rate accuracy is genuine.

If you're a Garmin user considering a switch: watch closely. The GT Runner 2 proves Huawei can compete on the technical stuff. The ecosystem is the remaining gap — if Huawei fixes the app experience, Garmin should be worried.

Bottom line: Huawei made a real running watch this time. It's not a toy — it's a competitor. At half the price of a Garmin Forerunner 970 with better battery life and comparable (sometimes better) GPS accuracy, the GT Runner 2 is the value play of 2026.

Huawei Band 11 Pro Review: The Best Budget Fitness Tracker You Can Buy?

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Huawei dropped two new fitness trackers. The Band 11 and Band 11 Pro are here, and honestly, they punch way above their weight class.

What's the Difference?

The Band 11 Pro is the one you want. Aluminum case (not plastic), built-in GPS so you can leave your phone at home when you run, and a 1.62-inch AMOLED display that actually looks good in sunlight.

The regular Band 11? Same screen, same sensors, same battery — but no built-in GPS. You'll need your phone for tracking runs. At $43 vs $80, it's a solid budget option, but the Pro is worth the extra $37 if you run outdoors.

That Screen Though

We're looking at 286 × 482 pixels crammed into 1.62 inches — that's 347 PPI. You literally cannot see individual pixels. Text is crisp, notifications are readable, and Huawei bumped up the brightness for outdoor use. In direct sunlight? No squinting required.

Compare this to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Garmin Fenix line and you're saving hundreds. Maybe thousands. The display tech here is what you'd expect from a watch twice the price.

Built-In GPS: The Key Difference

This is what sets the Pro apart from the regular Band 11. The Pro has its own GPS chip. You can head out for a run, leave your phone on the kitchen counter, and still get accurate pace and distance data.

The standard Band 11 relies on your phone's GPS. It's fine if you always run with your phone, but it's limiting. For $37 more, the Pro gives you freedom.

Health Tracking

Both bands include Huawei's full health suite:

Heart rate monitoring (optical sensor)
Blood oxygen (SpO2)
Sleep tracking
Stress tracking
Emotion tracking (yes, really)

The Pro also throws in Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis — a feature usually reserved for premium devices. It's not a medical device, but it's a nice extra for catching potential issues early.

The 9-axis IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope + magnetometer) handles movement tracking across exercises. 5 ATM water resistance means you can swim with these — no problem.

Battery Life

Here's where budget trackers usually fail. Not here.

Light use: Up to 14 days
Typical use: About 8 days
Always-on display: 3 days
GPS on: Less, obviously

That 300mAh battery delivers. Most people will charge once a week. That's Apple Watch territory, except you're paying a lot less.

Charging is magnetic — snap it on and go. Simple.

Build Quality

The Pro weighs just 18 grams. That's light. The aluminum case feels more premium than the polymer version on the standard Band 11. Colors are green, blue, or black.

The regular Band 11 comes in more playful colors — beige, white, purple — but swaps aluminum for polymer on some versions. Worth noting if build quality matters to you.

Price

Band 11: ~$43
Band 11 Pro: ~$80

At these prices, you're getting display tech and sensors that would cost $300+ in an Apple Watch or Garmin. That's a crazy good deal.

The Verdict

If you want a reliable fitness tracker without the smartwatch premium, get the Band 11 Pro. Built-in GPS alone justifies the $80. The screen is excellent, battery life is great, and you get health tracking that rivals devices twice the price.

The regular Band 11 is fine if you're on a tight budget and always run with your phone. But the Pro? That's the one.

Bottom line: Huawei just raised the bar for budget fitness trackers. The Band 11 Pro delivers where it counts — display, GPS, and battery — without the flagship price tag.

Garmin Slashes Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED Price by $300

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:55:00 GMT

Garmin has made a significant move in the ultra-premium smartwatch space, permanently reducing the price of its Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED lineup. The 51mm model drops from $1,999 to $1,699, while the 47mm version now sits at $1,199.

A Strategic Price Shift

This isn't a temporary sale — Garmin says the price cut is permanent. That signals something bigger than just clearing inventory. The company appears to be betting big on MicroLED as the future of its flagship line, and wants more athletes to take the plunge.

For context, the MicroLED display technology offers better brightness than standard AMOLED — but it comes with a trade-off: slightly worse battery life. That's been a tough sell at nearly $2,000. By dropping the entry point to $1,199, Garmin narrows the gap between the regular Fenix 8 and the premium MicroLED versions.

Why Now?

The timing is interesting. We're expecting the Fenix 9 later this year, and it seems Garmin wants to move more Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED units before the next generation arrives. This could also be a preemptive strike against Apple's Watch Ultra 3, which dominates the $800–$1,000 range.

Notably, the price cut is currently US-only. Europe and the UK haven't seen the adjustment yet, and standard AMOLED Fenix 8 models haven't changed in price. That suggests Garmin is testing the waters — watching how the US market responds before rolling it out elsewhere.

What This Means for Buyers

If you've been eyeing the MicroLED Fenix 8 Pro, now's a solid time to buy. It's brighter than AMOLED (excellent outdoor visibility), though the trade-off is slightly worse battery life than the AMOLED version. At $1,199 for the 47mm, it's within reach of serious athletes who previously might have settled for the standard AMOLED version.

The price drop also signals confidence that MicroLED is ready for mainstream adoption. Expect to see more MicroLED options in the Fenix 9 lineup later this year.

The US price cut could expand to other markets soon. We'll be watching to see if it reaches the UK and Europe — and whether standard Fenix 8 models get similar treatment.

Garmin Rolls Out Major Feature Update for Venu, Fenix 8 Pro, Forerunner and More

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Garmin has announced a substantial software update for several of its popular smartwatch lines, bringing features previously exclusive to the Fenix 8 series to a broader range of devices. The update includes enhanced gear tracking, course planning tools, sleep insights, and new accessibility options that significantly expand what older devices can do.

Gear Tracking Gets a Major Upgrade

The most significant addition for athletes and adventurers is a completely revamped gear tracking system in Garmin Connect. This addresses one of the most requested features from serious athletes who need to track equipment wear over time.

Expanded Gear Types

Users can now track an expanded list of gear types including:

Running shoes
Skis
Bike components
Wheelchairs
And more, with the ability to include notes and photos

Collections and Database

The update introduces gear collections, allowing users to group multiple items together and assign them to the same activity type. Additionally, Garmin has built a gear database directly into Garmin Connect, making it easier to find specific shoe brands and bike models without manual entry.

Automatic Assignment

Auto-assign gear to specific Garmin Connect activities to track stats automatically—saving time and ensuring consistent tracking across all workouts.

Wrist-Based Tracking

Perhaps the most exciting addition: users can now track their gear stats and see a progress bar showing how close their gear is to the end of its life directly from their compatible Garmin smartwatch. This is particularly valuable for runners who want to replace shoes at the optimal time to prevent injury, or cyclists tracking brake pad and tire wear.

Course Planner

Previously seen only on higher-end Fenix models, course planner is now rolling out to more devices. This feature is invaluable for race preparation:

Cut-off times: Set time goals for each segment
Rest plans: Plan recovery breaks into your race strategy
Checkpoints: Mark key locations along the course
Aid stations: Know exactly where support will be available

The course syncs to the watch for on-wrist guidance during the race, making this essential for ultramarathoners and ironman participants who need detailed pacing strategies.

Sleep Alignment

Garmin is expanding its sleep tracking capabilities with sleep alignment—a feature that shows users how aligned their sleep is with their circadian rhythm. The feature also displays sleep consistency directly on the watch, helping users understand not just how long they sleep, but how consistent their sleep patterns are.

This builds on Garmin's existing sleep tracking and adds a layer of insight that can help users optimize their rest schedules for better recovery and performance.

Lifestyle Logging on Wrist

A significant convenience update: users can now log behaviors like caffeine and alcohol intake directly from their watch. The lifestyle logging feature then shows how these choices impact sleep, stress, and heart rate variability—giving users concrete data on how their daily habits affect their recovery.

This is particularly useful for athletes who want to understand the real impact of their evening coffee or post-race celebration on their recovery metrics.

New Accessibility Features

Garmin has added several meaningful accessibility improvements:

Spoken data: Hear the time of day, health data, and more spoken directly from the watch face
Hourly alerts: Get audible alerts for the start of each hour
Color display options: New color modes for various forms of color blindness including gray scale, red/green, green/red, and blue/yellow combinations

These additions show Garmin's commitment to making their devices work for a broader range of users.

Mixed Session and Fitness Coach

The popular mixed session feature—first introduced on the Fenix 8—allows athletes to track multiple activities in one session rather than saving separate activities. This is ideal for brick workouts, adventure races, or any multi-discipline training session.

Garmin Fitness Coach provides personalized workout plans based on fitness level, activity history, and background information. Plans include:

Time duration workouts
Heart rate-based cardio workouts varying in intensity
Optional strength workouts
Over 25 activity types to choose from

This brings personalized coaching to devices beyond the premium Fenix line.

Other Notable Updates

Trucking Features

New features specifically for professional truck drivers help them stay connected, track health metrics, follow workouts that fit into standard break times, manage schedules, and enjoy extra convenience at travel plazas—all from their watch.

Varia Voice Alerts

Cyclists can now get audible alerts from their paired Varia radar directly on their smartwatch, letting them know about approaching vehicles. This improves safety without requiring riders to look at a screen or wear separate audio equipment.

Compatible Devices

The update is rolling out to:

Venu X1
Vívoactive 6
Fenix 8 Pro
Forerunner 570
Forerunner 970
And more

Users can update by enabling automatic updates in their device settings and syncing with Garmin Connect, or by using Garmin Express on desktop.

What This Means for Garmin Users

This update demonstrates Garmin's commitment to long-term software support. Many of these features first appeared on the Fenix 8 series but are now available on devices that are nearly a year old. For users who bought a Forerunner 570, Venu 3, or Vívoactive 6, this is a significant value addition that keeps their devices competitive with newer models.

The Gear Tracking Revolution

The gear tracking enhancement is particularly noteworthy—it addresses a long-standing request from serious athletes who want better lifecycle management of their equipment. Being able to see shoe wear progress directly on the wrist without pulling out a phone is a quality-of-life improvement that makes daily training easier.

For competitive runners, knowing exactly when to replace shoes can prevent injury and optimize performance. The old method of guessing or counting miles is primitive compared to having your watch tell you exactly how much life is left in your soles. Cyclists benefit similarly—tracking brake pads, tires, and chain wear from the wrist means no more manual spreadsheets.

Sleep and Recovery Insights

The sleep alignment and lifestyle logging features bring advanced health insights to the mid-range devices, blurring the line between premium and mainstream offerings. Understanding how a late-night coffee affects your next morning's recovery gives athletes data they can act on.

Accessibility Matters

The new accessibility options show Garmin is thinking beyond typical athletes. Color blindness affects approximately 8% of men, and having watch options that work for them is important. The spoken time feature helps visually impaired users get value from their devices.

Competitive Strategy

This wave of updates also signals something about Garmin's competitive strategy. With Apple and Samsung pushing annual upgrades, Garmin's approach of continuously improving existing hardware is a powerful differentiator. When someone buys a $500 Forerunner 570, knowing they'll get meaningful updates two years later makes that purchase easier to justify.

What Wasn't Included

Notably absent from this update: advanced AI-powered training insights. Garmin seems to be taking a cautious approach, rolling out features only when polished. Also missing: new mapping features beyond course planner.

How to Update

The update is rolling out now over the next few weeks. Users should enable automatic updates in device settings, sync with Garmin Connect, or use Garmin Express on desktop.

The Bottom Line

This is one of the most substantial feature updates Garmin has released for mid-range devices. The gear tracking alone justifies the update, and combined with sleep alignment, course planner, and accessibility features, it makes a compelling case for choosing Garmin over competitors who leave older devices behind.

Garmin Fenix 9: CEO Teases Major 2026 Launch

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Garmin is preparing for a big year in outdoor wearables. During the company's Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Cliff Pemble dropped hints that have the fitness tech community buzzing: the Fenix 9 is almost certainly coming in the second half of 2026.

Concept art showing potential Fenix 9 design (AI generated for illustration purposes)

The Writing on the Wall

Pemble stated that Garmin expects "full year growth in Outdoor to accelerate in 2026 compared to 2025, driven by a significant number of new product introductions." He went on to say they "expect stronger performance in the back half of the year due to the timing of product launches."

When pressed by analysts about whether this signaled a Fenix launch, Pemble neither confirmed nor denied—instead doubling down on the message that "many of our launches would occur in the back half of the year."

This aligns perfectly with Garmin's recent release cadence. The Fenix 8 launched in August 2024, followed by the Fenix 8 Pro in September 2025. A Fenix 9 arriving in late summer or early fall 2026 would maintain the company's now-established 12-month flagship refresh cycle.

The Business Case for Fenix 9

The timing makes business sense for Garmin on multiple fronts. The outdoor segment—which includes Fenix, Instinct, and related watches—saw flat growth in Q4 2025 and only 5% growth for the full year. This is underwhelming compared to the 33% growth in the fitness segment, which includes Venu, Forerunner, and Vivoactive.

With the outdoor segment carrying the highest operating margin in the company at 66%, a compelling Fenix 9 launch in H2 2026 would address the growth gap while maintaining those premium margins. The product would also reassure investors that Garmin's flagship franchise isn't structurally slowing—a critical concern for a company whose stock price often moves on Fenix cycle news.

There's also the competitive pressure to consider. Apple and Samsung have been aggressive with their Ultra watch lines, and while Garmin dominates the dedicated sports watch market, the lines between fitness trackers and premium smartwatches continue to blur. A fresh Fenix 9 helps maintain mindshare among serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who might otherwise be tempted by the Apple Watch Ultra or Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The Fenix Evolution: A Quick Recap

To understand where the Fenix 9 might go, it's worth looking at how the line has evolved:

Fenix 6 (2019): Established the multi-sport flagship standard, introduced solar charging options
Fenix 7 (2022): Added touchscreen and LED flashlight
Fenix 7 Pro (2023): Introduced backlit MIP display and brighter LED
Fenix 8 (2024): First with AMOLED display and speaker/microphone
Fenix 8 Pro (2025): Introduced MicroLED, first to drop MIP option

The Fenix 8 (shown) and Fenix 8 Pro set the stage for what comes next

Each iteration has pushed the boundaries on battery life, display technology, and feature set. The Fenix 9 will likely continue that trend while addressing some of the user criticisms that have emerged.

What Could the Fenix 9 Bring?

While nothing is confirmed, industry insiders and reviewers have high hopes for the next generation:

Display Options: The Great MIP Debate

The Fenix 8 Pro introduced MicroLED but dropped the traditional MIP (memory-in-pixel) option entirely. This upset a vocal segment of the Fenix loyal base who prefer MIP for its sunlight readability and battery efficiency.

Many hope the Fenix 9 might offer a choice between MIP, AMOLED, and MicroLED—giving users the outdoor readability they want without sacrificing the option for a vibrant AMOLED experience. Alternatively, Garmin could release an Enduro 4 as the MIP alternative to the Fenix 9, reviving the Enduro line as the battery-focused alternative.

The Return of Smaller Sizes

The Fenix 8 Pro only came in larger case sizes (47mm and 51mm), leaving users with smaller wrists wanting. While the standard Fenix 8 offered a 43mm option, the Pro line went big. A return to a more compact option in the Fenix 9 Pro would broaden the watch's appeal—particularly among female athletes and those with narrower wrists who have been underserved in recent generations.

Solar AMOLED: The Holy Grail

Garmin's Power Glass solar charging currently only works with power-sipping MIP displays. The technology cannot offset the power consumption of AMOLED screens in their current form. If the company can crack solar charging for AMOLED, it would be a major innovation—and potentially signal the end of MIP displays entirely.

This would allow Garmin to offer the best of both worlds: an AMOLED display that looks brilliant indoors while still achieving respectable battery life through solar charging. It's a technical challenge that competitors have yet to solve, and doing so first would be a significant competitive advantage.

A Faster Processor

The Fenix 8 Pro responds pretty quickly when you're navigating the menus and loading maps, but it could definitely be snappier. A faster processor would make the process of panning around Garmin's impressive maps feel more fluid—particularly important for trail runners and hikers who rely on navigation features.

Smartwatches on a yearly update cycle almost always include a processor upgrade as part of a new model, and this is becoming more common on sports watches too. A more powerful chip could also enable on-device machine learning for advanced training features.

Free or Reduced-Cost SOS Alerts

Google and Apple launched watches with satellite connectivity in 2025, and both offered SOS alerts that were free for two years. Garmin's approach requires a paid subscription for satellite safety features, which can be a hard sell at $15 per month or $150 per year for the InReach subscription.

While Garmin's satellite service offers more comprehensive global coverage than competitors, the cost barrier prevents some users from taking advantage of potentially lifesaving technology. Making basic SOS alerts free or included would be a significant differentiator.

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring is something all smartwatch makers seem to be investigating, but it's yet to appear in any consumer device at scale. If watches could monitor blood glucose levels through lights and sensors, it would most importantly be a potential life-saver for diabetics, but also handy for endurance athletes tracking their fueling and trying to avoid bonking during long training sessions and races.

While unlikely for the Fenix 9 given the technical challenges, it's on everyone's wish list for the near future.

Competitive Landscape

The Fenix 9 won't launch into a vacuum. Here's what Garmin is up against:

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Apple's latest offers improved battery life and satellite connectivity, though it remains a more lifestyle-focused device compared to Garmin's dedicated sports focus. The integration with Apple's health ecosystem is unmatched, but serious athletes often find Apple's sports tracking lacking compared to Garmin's depth.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Strong competitor in the Android space with sleek design and decent sports tracking, though Samsung's focus remains broader than dedicated athletics. Samsung has closed the gap on some features but still trails Garmin in battery life and advanced navigation features.

Coros: Has been aggressive on battery life and price, offering compelling value propositions particularly with the Pace 3 and Vertix 2. However, they lack Garmin's ecosystem depth and mapping capabilities.

Polar: Continues to offer compelling optical heart rate technology and training analysis features but has lost market share to Garmin in the premium segment. The Vantage V3 is a solid device but doesn't have the same breadth of features.

Garmin's advantage has always been depth—more sports profiles, better mapping, superior battery life, and an ecosystem that serious athletes depend on. The Fenix 9 will need to maintain that lead while addressing the gaps that have emerged.

The AI Factor

One area where we might see significant advancement is in training analysis and recovery recommendations. While Garmin already offers robust training status features, the integration of more sophisticated AI could take this to the next level. Competitors like Apple and Google are investing heavily in on-device AI, and Garmin will need to keep pace.

Satellite Technology

The inclusion of satellite messaging in the Fenix 8 Pro was a major step, and we can expect this feature to become more refined in the Fenix 9. Both Apple and Google have made big plays in this space, and Garmin will need to ensure its satellite offerings remain competitive—whether through improved messaging, better coverage, or more flexible subscription options.

Should You Wait?

For those considering a Fenix 8 Pro today, the writing is on the wall: a new flagship is months away. Whether to wait or buy now depends on your needs and timeline.

Buy now if:

You need a watch for an upcoming race or event
You're coming from a much older Fenix (5 or older)
You find a great deal on Fenix 8 Pro

Wait if:

You can hold out until fall 2026
You're primarily curious about the latest features
You're coming from a Fenix 7 or 8 and can tolerate your current watch

One thing is certain: Garmin's outdoor division is about to have its biggest year yet. Whether the Fenix 9 delivers on the hype remains to be seen, but based on CEO Pemble's hints, it should be worth the wait.

Garmin Fenix 8 Gets Major Software Update: Everything New

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Garmin has released a substantial software update for its flagship smartwatch lineup, bringing Version 21.25 to the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, and Enduro 3 (with the Tactics 8 receiving version 21.27). The update, which has been in public beta for several months, adds a wide range of new features beyond simple bug fixes—something that Fenix owners have come to expect from Garmin's commitment to long-term software support.

A Feature-Rich Update

What makes this update notable is that Garmin didn't just patch bugs—they added meaningful new functionality across multiple categories. The update touches everything from basic watch face settings to advanced sports tracking features, demonstrating Garmin's continued investment in its current-generation hardware even as rumors of the Fenix 9 circulate.

The software is rolling out now, and users should see the update land automatically when syncing their watches with Garmin Connect.

Training Plans Get an Upgrade

One of the headline additions is a new set of training plans that "focus on timed workouts, cardio workouts, and optional strength workouts." This expands on Garmin's existing coaching capabilities, which already included running, cycling, and triathlon plans through Garmin Coach.

The new fitness plans are designed to be more structured than traditional free-form training, giving users guided workouts with specific intervals and targets. This positions the Fenix 8 even more strongly against competitors like Apple Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, which have been pushing into structured training territory.

New Glances Expand Wrist-Based Quick Views

Garmin added several new glances—the quick-view widgets accessible by scrolling through your watch face. These additions focus on daily health tracking and convenience:

Weight Tracking Glance: Shows your last-logged bodyweight alongside a trend comparison. Users can see how their weight from the last seven days compares to the previous month. The widget also displays weigh-in data from the past week and four-week trends.

Battery Performance Glance: Provides detailed insights into battery health and usage patterns. This is particularly valuable for Enduro 3 users, who already enjoy extended battery life but now get deeper visibility into power consumption by individual apps and features.

Lifestyle Logging: The Lifestyle Logging feature, which rolled out to Garmin Connect last year, now has a dedicated glance for on-wrist logging. Users can log habits directly from their watch without opening the smartphone app—a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement.

Sports Score Widget: A particularly noteworthy addition for American users, this widget lets users track their favorite sports teams directly from the watch. Users can select leagues, choose teams, and see upcoming game schedules and season stats without reaching for their phone. The implementation is surprisingly robust, showing not just standings but also upcoming matchups.

Sleep Insights: The sleep glance now includes "insights to the sleep glance for your ideal bed time and wake time." This builds on Garmin's existing Sleep Coach functionality, adding personalized recommendations based on sleep consistency and recovery data.

User Interface Improvements

Beyond the new glances, Garmin made several UI/UX enhancements:

Always-On Display Seconds: Users can now display seconds on their watch face in always-on mode. However, Garmin warns this will impact battery life, and the feature's compatibility varies by watch face design—digital faces show seconds, while analog faces may not.

Red Shift Evolves: The popular red shift mode (which reduces blue light exposure in the evening) has been expanded into "color shift" with an additional option to enable the mode two hours before scheduled sleep time, not just during sleep mode itself.

Font Scaling Improvements: The Garmin Messenger widget now respects system font size settings, making it more accessible for users who prefer larger text.

Accessibility Menu: A new dedicated accessibility menu has been added, consolidating color filters and other accessibility options in one place.

Speaker and Audio Get Attention

The Fenix 8 series brought built-in speakers and microphones to the Fenix line for the first time, and this update expands what you can do with them:

Voice Command Expansion: Users can now launch the Health Status app with voice commands. The voice settings menu has also been reorganized into separate voice command and voice feedback sections.

New Voice Alerts: A new voice alerts menu lets users choose audio output (watch or paired device) and customize alerts for guidance, laps, pace/speed, heart rate, power, timers, workouts, and activities.

Cycling Safety Alerts: When paired with a Garmin Varia radar, users now get audible alerts for vehicles approaching from behind—a significant safety feature for road cyclists.

Alarm Sound Overhaul: Perhaps surprisingly, Garmin added dozens of new alarm tones. Previously, users were limited to just one tone option. The new update includes various chimes, tones, and even musical options. The Fenix 8's speaker can now produce more varied sounds beyond simple beeps, and a new "quiet start" option gradually increases volume to avoid jarring wake-ups.

Music Controls: Album art background support was added to music controls, though some users report inconsistent results depending on the music service.

Sports Profile Enhancements

For athletes, several notable additions:

Mixed Session Activity: A new activity type lets users build custom multi-sport workouts by combining any profile they choose. This is ideal for cross-training sessions where you might switch between running, cycling, strength training, and other activities within a single session.

Activity Stage Status: A new swipe-accessible menu during activities provides quick access to settings without stopping your workout.

Post-Dive Guidance: For diving enthusiasts, the update adds post-dive activity guidance, advising when it's safe to engage in high-altitude activities or other physical exertion after a qualifying dive.

Course Planner: While not fully live at the time of this update, Garmin is rolling out course planner features that will let users plan races with cutoff times, rest plans, checkpoints, and aid stations through Garmin Connect.

Bug Fixes

The update also addresses several issues:

Blank screen when using the music player during an activity
Device crash after loading a cycling course
Backcountry Ski workout profile issues
Partial failures when connecting the watch to Wi-Fi

What This Means for Fenix 8 Owners

This update demonstrates Garmin's ongoing commitment to its current-generation devices. While competitors sometimes reserve the best features for new hardware releases, Garmin continues to add meaningful functionality to devices that have been on the market for over a year.

The Fenix 8 launched to strong reviews, earning a full five stars in our assessment, and this update further solidifies its position as the best Garmin smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who need rugged, long-lasting wearable technology.

Fenix 8 owners should update their watches as soon as possible to take advantage of these new features.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 Review: A Garmin Fenix Alternative for Half the Price?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 launched today and it's their most ambitious attempt yet to directly compete with Garmin's Fenix 8 yet. At $549.99, it's less than half the price of a Garmin Fenix 8, but does it deliver Fenix-level performance? I dug into in-depth reviews from three top sports watch experts to find out what they really thought after weeks of real-world testing.

Design and Build Quality: Premium Materials at a Budget Price

The T-Rex Ultra 2 is a beast. This is the largest watch Amazfit has ever released, coming in at a 51mm case size—significantly bigger than the 48mm T-Rex 3 Pro. The weight has increased by 15g compared to its predecessor, and the strap width has grown from 22mm to 26mm.

According to DCRainmaker, "It's a big chonkin' watch. It is the biggest watch that Amazfit has ever released." Chase The Summit noted that even compared to other flagship sport watches, "it's really not that big"—placing it squarely in the same ballpark as the Garmin Fenix 8 and COROS Vertix 2S.

The build quality received universal praise. The bezel, buttons, and back panel are all made from Grade 5 titanium—a genuine upgrade from the T-Rex 3 Pro's plastic back. The display is protected by sapphire crystal, and the watch carries a 10 ATM water resistance rating with dual diving certification.

As DesFit put it: "At this kind of price, most of us would expect premium materials. And with the Ultra 2, they use grade 5 titanium for the bezel, the back plate, as well as the buttons."

The design has also been refined. Chase The Summit appreciated that "the angles on the new T-Rex Ultra 2 aren't so aggressive—the octagon shape of the T-Rex 3 Pro is much more pronounced where on the Ultra, it's almost a round watch." He called it "more refined" and "more subtle" than previous models.

Display: Bright and Beautiful

The 1.5-inch AMOLED display is a significant upgrade, featuring 480×480 resolution, 322 ppi pixel density, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. This makes it larger and brighter than the 1.14-inch, 454×454 display on the 51mm Garmin Fenix 8.

DesFit found the display impressive: "Tons of pixels, tons of contrast, and tons of colors. It's a really nice display." He kept it on auto-brightness and found it "seemed to do a pretty good job for the most part of adjusting the display brightness appropriately."

The green LED flashlight is a notable addition—replacing the red option on the T-Rex 3 Pro. DCRainmaker explained that "the theory behind the green light is that it gives you better night vision goggle compatibility."

Battery Life: Truly Exceptional

Battery life emerged as the T-Rex Ultra 2's standout feature. The 870mAh battery (25% larger than its predecessor) delivers up to 30 days of typical use and up to 50 hours of high-accuracy GPS tracking.

DCRainmaker put it to the test with real-world workouts: "I started the run at 95% and at 3 hours and 1 minute later, it was down to 87%. So basically 8% battery burn or 2.666% battery burn per hour, which again is super impressive and above their specs."

His trail run with always-on display and navigation enabled burned only 2% per hour—"really impressive and above their specs."

DesFit achieved approximately two weeks of battery life with "everything on and all the features" including always-on display and sleep tracking. For GPS-specific activities, Amazfit claims 50 hours in highest accuracy mode without route navigation, and around 28 hours with route navigation.

Chase The Summit summed it up: "This has some very good battery life."

GPS and Navigation: Major Improvements

The T-Rex Ultra 2 includes preloaded global base maps (terrain maps), with contour and ski resort maps available for download from the Zepp app starting March 2026. Storage has doubled from 32GB to 64GB, with approximately 30GB available for maps.

DCRainmaker noted a significant improvement: "They've increased the detail in the contour maps. In other words, trails should show as trails as opposed to roads." He showed an example where "it does indeed show the actual trails now is little dotted line trails as opposed to the road."

The addition of checkpoints for navigation routes was praised, though DCRainmaker noted "there's a lot of weird categories here that don't make a ton of sense" compared to industry standards.

Software and Features

The Ultra 2 runs on Amazfit's BioTracker 6.0 PPG biometric sensor—the same as the T-Rex 3 Pro—paired with a full suite of environmental and motion sensors. It supports over 180 sports modes, includes Hyrox-specific modes, and offers diving options.

One-tap measurement checks most vitals in 45 seconds. The free food logging feature in the Zepp app—similar to Garmin's paid Connect+ offering—lets users log meals via photo, barcode, text, or voice.

Voice memos during workouts and advanced pace metrics like grade-adjusted pace are new additions. The Zepp Flow voice control works offline.

However, DCRainmaker warned: "Not all of them actually work" — some software features feel unfinished compared to Garmin's polished offering.

Heart Rate Accuracy: The Achilles Heel

Heart rate accuracy remains a concern. As DesFit explained: "A potential disadvantage to this size and weight of watch is heart rate accuracy during workouts where in general a larger and heavier watch can bounce around the wrist more than something smaller and lighter. These kinds of optical heart rate sensors don't like any sort of movement."

Chase The Summit confirmed this is still an issue: "Heart rate accuracy during high-movement activities remains a concern."

The good news: the watch supports external Bluetooth heart rate sensors if you need more accuracy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Exceptional battery life (exceeds official specs)
Premium Grade 5 titanium build
Bright 3,000-nit AMOLED display
Preloaded global base maps
Built-in LED flashlight with green option
10 ATM water resistance + diving certification

-Garmin-compatible 26mm QuickFit bands

Excellent value vs. Garmin Fenix 8

Cons

Large size may not fit smaller wrists
Some software features feel unfinished
Heart rate accuracy during high-movement activities
Sleep tracking can be uncomfortable with large case
Display software quirks (sleep mode not auto-disabling)

Competition Comparison

At $549.99, the T-Rex Ultra 2 enters premium territory previously dominated by Garmin, COROS, and Suunto. Here's how it stacks up:

Feature	Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2	Garmin Fenix 8	COROS Vertix 2S	Suunto Vertical
Price	$550	$1,100+	$799	$699
Display	1.5" AMOLED, 3000 nits	1.4" AMOLED	1.4" AMOLED	1.4" AMOLED
Battery (GPS)	50 hours	49 hours	60 hours	60 hours
Water Resistance	10 ATM + DIVING	10 ATM	10 ATM	10 ATM
Storage	64GB	32GB	32GB	32GB
Titanium Build	✅ Full	✅ Partial	✅ Full	❌ SS

The Amazfit undercuts the competition significantly while matching or exceeding key specifications. Only COROS and Suunto offer comparable battery life at higher price points.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 represents the most convincing alternative to Garmin yet. Chase The Summit called it "a genuine alternative to Garmin" at "half the price." DesFit concluded it's "competing with watches costing twice as much."

If you want Fenix-level features—dual-band GPS, offline maps, diving certification, exceptional battery—without the $1,100+ price tag, this is your watch. The battery life alone justifies the price for ultra-endurance athletes.

However, if you need polished software, best-in-class heart rate accuracy, or have smaller wrists, you might want to look elsewhere—or pair this with a dedicated heart rate strap.

For those who've been waiting for Amazfit to truly challenge Garmin, the wait is over.

Featured Image Description for AI Generation

A rugged outdoor smartwatch with a black titanium case and dark gray magma band, shown in an outdoor trail running setting. The watch displays a terrain map with a route line. Early morning golden hour lighting, nature background with blurred trees, product photography style, shallow depth of field, 4k resolution, adventure/outdoor aesthetic.

Price: $549.99 / £549.95
Available: February 19, 2026 from Amazfit.com and Amazon

Meta Smartwatch Returns: Malibu 2 Targets 2026 Launch with Health Tracking and AI

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Meta is making a second attempt at the smartwatch market. According to reports from The Information, the company plans to launch a health-tracking smartwatch with AI features later this year, marking its return to the wearable space after scrapping an earlier project in 2022.

The device, code-named "Malibu 2," represents Meta's renewed ambition in the wearables market, where it will face off against established players including Apple, Google, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit. The timing is notable: Meta's smartwatch arrival coincides with broader industry shifts toward AI-integrated wearables and continued growth in the health tracking category.

From Failure to Fresh Start

Meta's first smartwatch attempt never made it to market. In 2022, the company cancelled its smartwatch project citing technical challenges and cost-cutting measures during a broader restructuring of its hardware division. That device reportedly featured dual cameras and was designed to function as both a fitness tracker and a controller for Meta's metaverse ambitions.

The Malibu 2 takes a different approach. Rather than positioning the smartwatch as a metaverse controller, Meta appears to be focusing on core wearable fundamentals: health tracking and AI integration. This strategic pivot aligns with market realities—consumers have shown far more interest in fitness-focused wearables than VR-connected wrist devices.

The new watch builds on Meta's recent hardware success with the Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, which launched to strong demand last year. In fact, the glasses proved so popular that Meta had to pause international expansion due to "unprecedented demand and limited inventory." The smartwatch could serve as a companion device, potentially replacing the neural wristband currently used for gesture controls on the AR glasses.

Health Tracking and AI: The Core Features

According to reports, the Malibu 2 will offer health-tracking capabilities similar to those found on existing smartwatches, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and likely sleep tracking. The device will also feature a built-in Meta AI assistant, integrating the company's conversational AI technology directly into the wrist-worn form factor.

This AI-first approach differentiates Meta's offering from competitors. While Apple Watch and Garmin devices have added AI features over time, Meta is positioning its smartwatch as an AI-native product from the start. The integration would allow users to interact with Meta's AI assistant for tasks like setting reminders, answering questions, and controlling smart home devices—all from their wrist.

The combination of health tracking and AI places Meta squarely in competition with Apple's rumored AI wearable plans. Reports indicate Apple is working on its own AI-enabled smart glasses that could launch as early as next year, creating a potential head-to-head battle between the two tech giants in the AI wearables space.

Market Context: A Crowded Field

The smartwatch market has grown significantly since Meta's first attempt failed in 2022. Apple Watch continues to dominate the premium segment, while Google has consolidated its position through the Fitbit acquisition and Pixel Watch lineup. Samsung's Galaxy Watch remains strong, and Garmin continues to appeal to athletes and fitness enthusiasts with its multisport-focused devices.

For Meta, the challenge is twofold. First, the company must convince consumers that its smartwatch offers something distinct from existing options. Second, Meta needs to prove it can deliver a quality hardware product—something it has struggled with in other categories, despite successes with Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban glasses.

The timing of the Malibu 2 launch also raises questions about Meta's hardware strategy. The company is reportedly delaying its mixed reality glasses, code-named "Phoenix," until 2027 as it works to streamline its AR and MR roadmap. The smartwatch's arrival in 2026 suggests Meta is prioritizing more immediately marketable wearables over futuristic hardware that remains technically challenging.

Ecosystem Considerations

One advantage Meta may leverage is its existing ecosystem. The smartwatch would integrate with Meta's social platforms, potentially offering unique features for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp users. Notifications, messaging, and even social fitness features could differentiate the device from competitors who lack Meta's social infrastructure.

However, this integration could also raise privacy concerns. Meta's handling of user data has drawn scrutiny from regulators and consumers alike, and a smartwatch collecting health data—heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels—would likely face additional scrutiny.

The company's partnership with Ray-Ban parent EssilorLuxottica could also influence the smartwatch's design and distribution. Ray-Ban has proven adept at making technology-enabled eyewear that doesn't look like traditional VR headsets, and similar design sensibilities could inform the smartwatch's aesthetic.

What This Means for Consumers

If Meta successfully launches the Malibu 2, consumers will gain another option in an increasingly competitive smartwatch market. The addition of a major new player could drive innovation and potentially lower prices as companies compete for market share.

For those already invested in the Apple or Google ecosystems, switching to a Meta smartwatch may not make sense. But for users who prefer Android or are already using Meta's VR products, the Malibu 2 could offer a compelling integrated experience.

The AI integration is particularly worth watching. If Meta can deliver a genuinely useful AI assistant on the wrist—something that goes beyond what smartphone assistants already offer—it could establish a new category expectation. The question is whether the company can execute on this vision while delivering the health tracking accuracy that consumers expect from modern wearables.

Looking Ahead

The smartwatch market shows no signs of slowing. With the global fitness tracker market projected to reach $34 billion by 2035 and AI integration becoming increasingly standard, Meta's timing is opportunistic. The company enters a mature market with established players but also significant room for differentiation.

Apple's response will be crucial. The company is reportedly working on AI smart glasses and has continued to expand Apple Watch's health capabilities. If Meta can execute on the Malibu 2, it could force Apple to accelerate its own wearable AI features—or risk losing ground to a competitor with massive social platform reach.

For now, the details remain limited. Pricing, exact specifications, and availability are still unclear. But Meta's revival of its smartwatch ambitions signals that the company sees wearables as a critical piece of its hardware strategy—a recognition that the future of computing may be increasingly worn rather than held or viewed through headsets.

The Competitive Landscape

Meta enters a smartwatch market that has matured considerably since its first attempt. The competitive environment includes several distinct player categories:

Premium Leaders: Apple Watch dominates the high-end segment with its seamless integration with iOS and an established health ecosystem. Google's Pixel Watch has gained traction among Android users seeking a premium experience, leveraging Google's AI capabilities and Fitbit's health expertise.

Fitness Specialists: Garmin continues to command serious athletes with its precise GPS tracking, extended battery life, and advanced training metrics. Fitbit, now under Google ownership, occupies the mid-range with a focus on health optimization rather than technical specifications.

Budget Options: Xiaomi and Amazfit offer capable devices at significantly lower price points, particularly in markets outside North America and Europe. These brands have found success by delivering essential features at accessible prices.

Emerging Players: Samsung maintains a strong position with Galaxy Watch, particularly among users embedded in the Android/Samsung ecosystem. Huawei continues expanding its wearable lineup despite regulatory challenges in Western markets.

Against this backdrop, Meta must find white space. The company's strengths—AI capabilities, social platform integration, and hardware design partnerships—could provide differentiation. The question is whether these strengths translate into compelling wearable features or remain nice-to-have additions that don't justify switching ecosystems.

Technical Challenges Remain

Building a competitive smartwatch is technically demanding. Key challenges include:

Battery Life: Consumers expect multiple days of use between charges, yet powerful processors and always-on displays drain batteries quickly. Balancing performance with longevity requires careful engineering—something Apple and Garmin have mastered through custom silicon and optimized software.

Health Sensor Accuracy: Consumer-grade heart rate monitors and SpO2 sensors have improved dramatically but still vary in accuracy. Medical-grade precision remains elusive at consumer price points, and companies must manage expectations while continuing to improve.

Water Resistance: Smartwatches need to survive swimming, sweating, and rain. Achieving adequate water resistance while maintaining sensor quality and comfortable wear is a delicate balance.

Software Ecosystem: The watch is only as useful as its app ecosystem. Meta will need to convince developers to build for its platform—a challenge when Apple and Google dominate existing developer relationships.

The AI Integration Question

Meta's decision to lead with AI integration is strategic but carries both opportunity and risk. On one hand, AI assistants on wearables represent the next frontier, potentially enabling use cases that smartphone assistants cannot match. Picture asking your watch to summarize incoming messages, suggest workouts based on your schedule, or provide real-time translation during conversation.

On the other hand, AI features require reliable connectivity and cloud processing—or powerful on-device AI chips that consume battery. The implementation details matter enormously. A sluggish or inaccurate AI experience could frustrate users rather than delight them.

Meta has invested heavily in AI across its product lines, from content recommendation algorithms to conversational assistants. Translating that investment into a compelling wrist-worn experience will require hardware and software teams to work in close concert—a coordination challenge that has tripped up other companies attempting to enter the smartwatch market.

The Glasses Connection

One intriguing aspect of Meta's wearable strategy is the potential synergy between smartwatches and smart glasses. The Ray-Ban Display glasses currently use a neural wristband for gesture controls—a band that reads electrical signals from forearm muscles to interpret hand movements.

A Meta smartwatch could potentially replace this dedicated wristband, offering similar functionality in a more versatile package. Users could control their glasses, receive notifications, and interact with AI assistants—all from a device they already wear daily.

This ecosystem approach distinguishes Meta from competitors who treat each device as a standalone product. If Meta can create seamless interactions between its wearable lineup—smartwatch, smart glasses, and VR headsets—it could offer an integrated experience that Apple and Google struggle to match.

What Comes Next

The smartwatch market's growth trajectory suggests room for new entrants. With global fitness tracker adoption continuing to rise and AI capabilities opening new possibilities, the category remains dynamic. Meta's entry, if it happens, will test whether brand recognition and ecosystem integration can overcome late-mover disadvantages.

For now, the industry watches and waits. The success or failure of Malibu 2 will reveal whether Meta has learned from its earlier missteps—and whether the company can deliver hardware that matches its ambitious vision for AI-integrated wearables.

The coming months should bring more details about specifications, pricing, and availability. Until then, one thing is clear: the smartwatch market just got more interesting.

Sleep Tracker Market to Hit $34B by 2035: Inside the Fitness Tracker Boom

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:05:00 GMT

The global fitness tracker for sleep monitoring market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by rising health awareness, increasing sleep disorders, and continuous advancements in wearable sensor technology. Valued at USD 8.88 billion in 2026, the market is projected to reach USD 34.15 billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.15% over the forecast period.

This explosive growth reflects a fundamental shift in how consumers approach personal health. Sleep tracking has evolved from a novelty feature to an essential health metric, with wearables now capable of monitoring sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen (SpO₂), and even respiratory patterns. The convergence of sophisticated sensors, smartphone integration, and AI-driven insights has transformed sleep trackers into comprehensive wellness companions.

Market Drivers and Consumer Trends

The sleep tracker market is being propelled by several interconnected factors. First, awareness of sleep's impact on overall health has skyrocketed. Studies linking poor sleep to cardiovascular issues, cognitive decline, and metabolic disorders have motivated consumers to take a more active role in monitoring their rest patterns. The World Health Organization and various health agencies have emphasized the importance of quality sleep, creating a cultural shift toward data-driven wellness.

Second, the prevalence of sleep disorders is on the rise. Conditions like sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome affect millions globally, driving demand for accessible monitoring solutions. Consumers no longer need to visit sleep clinics for basic assessment—modern fitness trackers provide actionable insights from the comfort of home.

Third, sensor technology has matured significantly. Today's wearables feature photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for heart rate monitoring, accelerometers for movement detection, and some even include electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors for stress tracking. These components work in concert to deliver increasingly accurate sleep stage classification.

Regional Dynamics: North America Leads, Asia Pacific Surges

North America accounted for the largest market share in 2025, a position driven by high consumer awareness, widespread wearable adoption, and the presence of industry giants like Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit. The region's advanced technological infrastructure, coupled with strong smartphone penetration, created fertile ground for sleep tracking adoption. In the United States specifically, fitness trackers have become mainstream, with users ranging from tech enthusiasts to health-conscious individuals seeking personalized sleep insights.

However, the most dynamic growth is expected in the Asia Pacific region. Countries like China, India, and Southeast Asia are witnessing rapid adoption of wearable technology, supported by rising disposable incomes, expanding e-commerce channels, and growing digital health awareness. Local manufacturers have responded by offering devices with Mandarin interfaces and integrated services tailored to regional preferences. China's wearable market, in particular, has seen aggressive pricing from brands like Xiaomi and Huawei, making sleep tracking accessible to younger consumers and urban professionals.

Segment Analysis: Smartwatches Dominate, Smart Bands Rise

The smartwatch segment dominated the market in 2025 and continues to lead due to its multifunctionality. Modern smartwatches offer continuous sleep tracking alongside heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, GPS, and increasingly, advanced health features like ECG and blood oxygen measurement. This all-in-one proposition appeals to consumers seeking comprehensive health insights without wearing multiple devices.

Apple Watch remains the category leader, especially after its February 2025 software update added sleep stage tracking, respiratory rate monitoring, and personalized sleep schedules through the Health and Sleep apps. The integration with Apple's broader health ecosystem creates a seamless experience that keeps users within the Apple ecosystem.

However, the smart band segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. These devices appeal to cost-conscious consumers and first-time wearable users who want essential sleep tracking without premium pricing. Key advantages include lightweight designs, extended battery life (often 7-14 days on a single charge), and increasingly capable sensors. Xiaomi and Amazfit have dominated this segment with aggressive pricing and feature-rich devices.

Distribution Channels: Online vs. Offline

The online segment dominated distribution in 2025, benefiting from the convenience of e-commerce, competitive pricing, and detailed product comparisons. Platforms like Amazon provide user reviews, spec comparisons, and frequent discounts that drive purchasing decisions. The rise of direct-to-consumer models from brands like Whoop and Garmin has further accelerated online sales.

Yet, the offline segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate going forward. Many consumers prefer to try wearables before purchasing, especially for devices that require proper fit for accurate sensor readings. Specialty retailers and electronics stores offer hands-on demonstrations, personalized fitting, and after-sales support that builds consumer confidence. This trend is particularly strong in emerging markets where brick-and-mortar retail is expanding rapidly.

Key Players and Competitive Landscape

The sleep tracker market features a diverse competitive landscape:

Apple continues to lead the premium segment with Apple Watch integration, offering sleep tracking alongside comprehensive health monitoring through the Health app ecosystem.

Garmin positions itself at the intersection of fitness and health, with devices targeting both casual users and serious athletes. The announced Garmin Index Sleep Monitor represents an interesting diversification—a screenless upper-arm tracker focused specifically on sleep accuracy.

Samsung has strengthened its offerings through the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch lineup, adding features like Sleep Environment Report and Sleep Time Guidance to Samsung Health.

Fitbit (Google) remains a major player, particularly in the fitness band segment, with established sleep tracking algorithms and a strong brand identity around wellness.

Xiaomi and Amazfit dominate the value segment, offering capable sleep tracking at price points accessible to mass markets.

Whoop has carved a niche in performance-focused sleep analytics, emphasizing recovery metrics and strain tracking for athletes.

Huawei continues expanding its wearable lineup with health monitoring features, despite market challenges in certain regions.

Emerging Challenges

Despite the optimistic outlook, manufacturers face significant challenges. Sleep tracking accuracy remains inconsistent across devices and users, as sensor performance can vary based on skin tone, body composition, and wearing position. The industry continues to grapple with balancing consumer expectations for medical-grade accuracy against the limitations of consumer-grade sensors.

Privacy concerns also loom large. Sleep data reveals intimate details about users' lives—their schedules, health conditions, and daily routines. Companies must demonstrate robust data protection practices to maintain consumer trust, especially as health data becomes increasingly valuable to insurers and employers.

Technology Deep Dive: How Sleep Tracking Works

Modern fitness trackers employ multiple sensor technologies to capture sleep data. The primary sensor is the optical heart rate monitor using photoplethysmography (PPG), which measures blood volume changes through the skin. By analyzing heart rate variability—the time interval between consecutive heartbeats—algorithms can distinguish between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM stages.

Accelerometers complement PPG sensors by detecting movement throughout the night. When combined with heart rate data, this movement information helps refine sleep stage classification. Some advanced devices also incorporate ambient light sensors to detect sleep environment conditions.

More recent innovations include temperature sensors that track skin temperature fluctuations, which correlate with circadian rhythms and can indicate ovulation or illness. Some wearables now include galvanic skin response (GSR) sensors that measure electrical conductivity changes linked to stress and emotional arousal.

The software side has evolved equally dramatically. Machine learning models trained on millions of sleep records can now achieve accuracy rates exceeding 80% compared to polysomnography (PSG) lab equipment, though significant variation exists between devices and individual users.

What This Means for Consumers

For everyday users, the implications are significant. Sleep trackers provide objective data about habits that were previously difficult to quantify. By revealing patterns—the impact of late-night screen time, alcohol consumption, or irregular schedules—these devices empower users to make informed lifestyle adjustments.

However, experts caution against becoming overly fixated on numbers. Sleep quality is subjective, and a device that reports "poor" sleep may not align with how refreshed someone actually feels. The best approach uses tracker data as one input among many, not as the definitive measure of rest quality.

For athletes, sleep tracking has become essential to training optimization. Companies like Whoop and Garmin emphasize recovery metrics, using HRV to determine whether the body is primed for intense training or needs rest. This quantified approach to recovery has revolutionized how coaches and athletes periodize training cycles.

The Future of Sleep Tracking

Looking toward 2035, several trends will shape the market. Integration with smart home devices is accelerating—beds that adjust firmness based on sleep data, thermostats that optimize bedroom temperature, and lighting systems that align with circadian rhythms will create holistic sleep environments.

Medical-grade sleep monitoring is another frontier. While consumer devices cannot diagnose sleep disorders, they serve as valuable screening tools. Companies are exploring partnerships with healthcare providers to create pathways for users with suspected sleep apnea or other conditions to receive professional evaluation.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) represent another convergence point. Though primarily designed for diabetes management, these devices generate data relevant to sleep—blood sugar fluctuations can significantly impact rest quality. Some users already combine CGMs with fitness trackers for comprehensive metabolic monitoring.

The sleep tracker market's trajectory reflects broader societal priorities shifting toward preventive health and quantified self-improvement. At $8.88 billion today and projected to exceed $34 billion by 2035, the opportunity is substantial. For consumers, this means increasingly sophisticated devices at various price points. For manufacturers, the challenge is balancing innovation with accessibility while addressing the very real concerns around accuracy and privacy that come with monitoring something as intimate as sleep.

Apple's AI Pendant: What We Know About Apple's Next Wearable

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:20:00 GMT

Apple is making a significant pivot into AI-powered wearables. Following the relative flop of the Humane AI Pin and the moderate success of AI-integrated smart glasses from competitors like Meta, Apple is reportedly accelerating development on three new AI wearables: smart glasses, an AI pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods. The most intriguing of these is the AI pendant—an AirTag-sized device that could serve as an "eyes and ears" extension of the iPhone.

What Is Apple's AI Pendant?

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's engineers are developing a compact wearable roughly the size of an AirTag that can be pinned to clothing or worn as a necklace. Unlike the Humane AI Pin—which attempted to replace the smartphone—Apple's approach treats the pendant as an iPhone accessory, leveraging the phone's processing power for most AI tasks.

The device would function as an always-on camera with an integrated microphone, designed to channel commands to Siri and provide visual context about the wearer's surroundings. Some Apple employees have reportedly dubbed it the "eyes and ears" of the iPhone.

Form Factor and Design

Apple is exploring two primary ways for users to wear the device:

Clothing clip: A pin-style attachment that secures to shirts, jackets, or bags
Necklace: A dedicated necklace chain or cord with the pendant attached

The device itself would be compact—approximately the size of an AirTag (roughly 1.5 inches in diameter). This represents a deliberate choice by Apple to pursue subtlety over spectacle. Unlike smart glasses, which make a visible statement about the wearer's technology usage, the pendant fades into the background as a fashion accessory.

Technical Specifications

While details remain limited, here's what we know about the AI pendant's potential hardware:

Component	Expected Specification
Size	AirTag-sized (~1.5" diameter)
Camera	Low-resolution, always-on
Microphone	Yes, for Siri input
Processor	Dedicated chip (similar to AirPods/Apple Watch)
Primary Processing	iPhone-dependent
Power	Battery (capacity unknown)
Charging	Wireless (likely MagSafe)

The onboard chip would be comparable to those found in AirPods or the Apple Watch—adequate for basic tasks but not designed for heavy on-device AI processing. This aligns with Apple's strategy of leveraging the iPhone's superior processing capabilities rather than cramming advanced silicon into a small form factor.

How Would It Work?

The AI pendant would function as a passive AI observer, continuously gathering contextual data through its camera and microphone. Here's a breakdown of its intended functionality:

Always-On Camera

The low-resolution camera would constantly monitor the wearer's surroundings, feeding visual data to Siri. This enables features like:

Visual question answering: Look at a restaurant and ask "What are the hours for this place?"
Context-aware reminders: Pass by a store and receive a reminder to pick up groceries
Navigation assistance: Get real-time information about points of interest
Object recognition: Identify products, plants, or other items on demand

Siri Integration

The microphone would allow voice interaction with Siri, acting as a hands-free conduit to Apple's AI assistant. Unlike the display-heavy approach of the Humane AI Pin, Apple's pendant would rely heavily on audio output—either through the iPhone's speaker, connected AirPods, or potentially a built-in speaker (still under consideration by Apple engineers).

Processing Architecture

Unlike standalone AI devices that attempt to handle everything on-device, Apple's approach mirrors the Apple Watch's dependency on the iPhone:

On-device: Basic sensor processing, microphone audio capture
iPhone processing: AI visual analysis, Siri command processing, complex computations
Cloud (potential): Advanced Apple Intelligence features requiring server-side processing

This architecture makes sense given the device's small form factor. By leaning on the iPhone's A-series or M-series chip, Apple can deliver sophisticated AI capabilities without compromising battery life or thermal performance in a tiny package.

Apple's Three-Pronged AI Wearable Strategy

The AI pendant is just one piece of Apple's broader wearable AI strategy. According to multiple reports, Apple is simultaneously developing:

1. AI Smart Glasses

Targeting a 2027 launch, Apple's smart glasses aim to compete directly with Meta Ray-Bans. Unlike current AR glasses, these would be AI-first with a voice-based interface. Key details:

Camera system: High-resolution camera for photos/videos + secondary camera for AI context (similar to LiDAR)
No display: Deliberate choice to prioritize battery life and subtle design
Materials: Premium acrylic elements and high-end finishes
All-day battery: Embedded in the frame

2. AI Pendant

The pendant represents Apple's most experimental AI wearable. Still in early development with potential for cancellation, it targets a niche audience wanting AI assistance without the social signal of glasses.

3. AirPods with Cameras

Perhaps the most surprising addition, camera-equipped AirPods are reportedly further along in development than the pendant. Expected as early as 2026, these would feature low-resolution cameras for environmental awareness while maintaining the core audio functionality users expect.

Market Context and Competition

Apple isn't alone in pursuing AI wearables. The space has seen significant activity:

Humane AI Pin

The most notable failure in this category, the Humane AI Pin cost $699 and required a monthly subscription. Despite high expectations, reviews were scathing—critics cited slow response times, awkward interactions, and the fundamental flaw of attempting to replace rather than complement the smartphone. HP acquired Humane for $116 million in early 2026.

Meta Ray-Bans

Meta's collaboration with Ray-Ban has proven more successful, shipping over a million units. Unlike the AI Pin, Meta's approach maintained the familiar form factor of traditional glasses while adding AI capabilities incrementally.

Samsung and Others

Samsung is also reportedly working on AI wearables, though details remain scarce. The competitive landscape is quickly evolving, with major tech companies betting that AI-powered accessories will be the next big platform shift.

Analysis: Why Apple's Approach Differs

Apple's strategy with the AI pendant reveals several key insights:

1. Complementary, Not Competitive

Unlike the Humane AI Pin, which attempted to replace the smartphone, Apple's pendant explicitly complements the iPhone. This reflects Apple's philosophy of ecosystem integration—each device enhances rather than replaces another.

2. Subtle Over Spectacular

By choosing a pendant form factor, Apple targets users who want AI assistance without the social attention that comes with smart glasses or pins. This aligns with broader fashion-tech trends where discretion is valued.

3. Leveraging Existing Infrastructure

The iPhone dependency isn't a limitation—it's intentional. Apple can deliver advanced AI capabilities by tapping into the processing power users already carry, avoiding the thermal and battery constraints that plagued the Humane AI Pin.

4. Incremental Market Entry

Rather than launching all three devices at once, Apple appears to be testing the waters. AirPods with cameras (most familiar form factor) could launch first, followed by glasses, with the pendant representing the most experimental offering.

What We Don't Know

Several questions remain unanswered:

Pricing: No estimate yet, but likely $99-149 given the AirTag comparison
Launch date: Could launch as early as 2027, but the pendant specifically remains uncertain
Privacy implications: Always-on camera raises significant privacy questions Apple will need to address
Battery life: Critical factor for an always-on device
On-device storage: For caching data between iPhone syncs

Bottom Line

Apple's AI pendant represents a thoughtful approach to AI wearables—leveraging existing infrastructure, maintaining ecosystem integration, and choosing subtlety over spectacle. While the device could still be canceled, it signals Apple's serious commitment to the AI wearable category.

The key differentiator from competitors will be seamless iPhone integration. By treating the pendant as an extension rather than a replacement for the iPhone, Apple avoids the fundamental mistake that doomed the Humane AI Pin.

We'll continue tracking developments as more information becomes available. For now, expect to hear more about Apple's AI wearable lineup at WWDC 2026.

Featured Image Description for AI Generation: A sleek, minimalist metallic pendant in silver or titanium finish, approximately the size of a small coin, with a small camera lens visible on one side. The pendant hangs from a thin, elegant chain against a clean white background. The design is subtle and fashion-forward, suggesting high-end jewelry rather than technology. Apple-esque aesthetic with clean lines and premium materials.

Sources: Bloomberg, TechCrunch, MacRumors, 9to5Mac, CNET, Tom's Guide

Huawei Band 11 Pro: Everything We Know So Far

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Huawei is poised to shake up the budget fitness tracker market with the upcoming Band 11 Pro. Leaked details reveal a significant upgrade over its predecessor, featuring built-in GPS, a brighter AMOLED display, and a premium titanium-aluminum build—all at an expected price point that could undercut competing options from Xiaomi and Fitbit.

Launch Details

Multiple sources confirm the Huawei Band 11 Pro will make its global debut on February 26, 2026 during an "Innovative Product Launch" event in Madrid, Spain. This timing positions Huawei just ahead of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, allowing the company to generate buzz before the world's largest mobile technology exhibition.

European markets, particularly Germany, can expect the tracker to hit shelves in early March 2026, with pricing anticipated between €50 and €70 depending on the casing material and regional variants.

Design: A Premium Evolution

The Band 11 Pro represents a notable design shift from the Band 10. While maintaining the signature rectangular form factor, Huawei has introduced significant refinements:

Display: 1.62-inch AMOLED panel with 482 × 286 pixel resolution
Brightness: Up to 2,000 nits peak brightness (some reports suggest up to 3,000 nits)
Build Materials: Choice of aluminum or titanium-aluminum alloy casing
Weight: Just 14 grams without strap
Water Resistance: IP67 rating with 50-meter (5 ATM) water resistance

The renders appearing in Huawei's Smart Life and Health apps confirm production-ready hardware with final designs. Color options include green (braided fabric strap), blue (silicone strap), and black—expanding beyond earlier leaks that showed only green and blue variants.

A physical button on the side marks a first for the Band series, suggesting improved user interaction beyond the touchscreen-only interface of previous models.

Technical Specifications

Display

Specification	Value
Panel Type	AMOLED
Size	1.62 inches
Resolution	482 × 286 pixels
Peak Brightness	2,000-3,000 nits

The increased display size and resolution represent meaningful improvements over the Band 10's 1.47-inch 194 × 368 panel. The higher pixel density should deliver sharper text and more detailed metrics at a glance.

Battery & Power

Specification	Value
Battery Capacity	300mAh (Pro) / 180mAh (standard)
Battery Life	Up to 14 days (power saving) / ~10 days typical
Charging	Proprietary magnetic charger

The 300mAh battery paired with efficient hardware should deliver competitive endurance. For context, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 typically manages 14-18 days, so Huawei's 10-day typical figure appears conservative—real-world usage could easily exceed expectations depending on settings.

Sensors & Connectivity

Built-in GPS (significant upgrade from connected GPS only)
Optical heart rate sensor (PPG)
SpO2 blood oxygen monitoring
9-axis IMU (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer)
Ambient light sensor
Bluetooth 5.0+

The inclusion of built-in GPS stands out as the most significant specification upgrade. This enables users to track runs, cycles, and outdoor workouts directly from the band without carrying a phone—a feature typically reserved for premium fitness watches.

Health Features

Step tracking
Continuous heart rate monitoring
Blood oxygen (SpO2)
Stress monitoring
Guided breathing exercises
Sleep tracking with HRV analysis
100+ sports modes (estimated)

Market Positioning & Competition

Huawei has strategically timed the Band 11 Pro launch to capture early-2026 fitness enthusiasm. At the €50-70 price point, it directly challenges:

Xiaomi Smart Band 10 - Similar price, no built-in GPS
Fitbit Inspire 4 - More expensive, limited ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 - Limited availability outside Samsung ecosystem
Amazfit Band 7 - Similar price point but older hardware

The "Pro" designation signals Huawei's intent to blur the line between basic bands and full smartwatches. By adding premium materials (titanium-aluminum), built-in GPS, and a physical button, the Band 11 Pro targets users who want advanced features without paying smartwatch prices.

Technical Comparison

Let's look at how the Band 11 Pro stacks up against key competitors on paper:

Feature	Huawei Band 11 Pro	Xiaomi Smart Band 10	Fitbit Inspire 4
Display	1.62" AMOLED	1.74" AMOLED	0.76" OLED
Resolution	482 x 286	336 x 480	100 x 64
GPS	Built-in	Connected only	Connected only
Battery	300mAh	185mAh	130mAh
Water Resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM	5 ATM
Price (est.)	€50-70	~€50	~€80

The comparison reveals Huawei's strategic advantage: built-in GPS at a comparable or lower price than competitors without this feature. The 300mAh battery also significantly exceeds the Xiaomi Band 10's 185mAh cell, which should translate to longer between charges despite the GPS hardware.

Ecosystem Considerations

One factor that often gets overlooked in spec sheets is ecosystem integration. The Band 11 Pro will connect exclusively through Huawei's Health app, which has both strengths and limitations:

Strengths:

Deep integration with Huawei's health metrics
Huawei's sleep analysis algorithms are considered industry-leading
Good sync with Strava and other third-party platforms

Limitations:

No Google Fit sync (relevant for Android users invested in Google's ecosystem)
No Apple Health integration for iOS users
Huawei's app interface can feel clunky compared to Fitbit's polished experience

For users already embedded in the Huawei ecosystem—whether through a Huawei phone, MateBook, or other devices—the Band 11 Pro makes obvious sense. For iPhone users or those relying on Google Fit, there's likely a learning curve.

Original Analysis

The Band 11 Pro addresses several longstanding limitations in the Band series:

Built-in GPS: This is the killer feature. Previous Huawei bands relied on connected GPS, requiring users to carry their phones during outdoor workouts. The addition of standalone GPS fundamentally changes the use case—from "phone companion" to "independent workout tool." Runners and cyclists can now leave their phones at home while still capturing accurate pace, distance, and route data.

Premium Materials: The titanium-aluminum build elevates perceived quality. Budget fitness bands have long suffered from "cheap plastic" associations. Huawei's material choice signals that you don't need to spend $300+ for a premium feel. The 14-gram weight is remarkable given the GPS hardware—typically GPS adds significant bulk.

Brighter Display: The 2,000+ nits peak brightness addresses a common complaint about fitness bands—poor outdoor readability. At this brightness level, the display should remain legible even in direct sunlight. Combined with the larger 1.62-inch screen, users won't need to squint at their wrist during outdoor activities.

Physical Button: A seemingly small addition, but the side button represents Huawei listening to user feedback. Touch-only interfaces on fitness bands can be frustrating during sweaty workouts or cold-weather conditions where touchscreen responsiveness suffers.

Concerns Worth Noting:

Without Google Mobile Services (due to US sanctions), Huawei bands still lack full Google Fit integration. Users invested in Google's ecosystem may face friction when trying to sync data between platforms.
The €50-70 pricing is estimates; actual US pricing could be higher due to regional factors, tariffs, and distribution costs.
Long-term software support remains a question mark, as Huawei's update track record for older bands has been inconsistent.
The lack of NFC payments at this price point isn't unexpected, but competitors like Fitbit offer contactless payments on some models.

What We Don't Know Yet

Several details remain unconfirmed:

Official US availability and pricing
NFC payment support
Exact storage capacity for music
Wireless charging vs. proprietary cable
Huawei Band 11 (non-Pro) exact specifications

Bottom Line

The Huawei Band 11 Pro looks like a compelling option for fitness enthusiasts seeking advanced features at an accessible price point. The combination of built-in GPS, premium materials, and a bright AMOLED display addresses the most common criticisms of budget fitness bands.

We'll need to wait for official pricing and availability details, but if Huawei maintains the €50-70 range, the Band 11 Pro could become the default recommendation for anyone wanting GPS tracking without spending $200+ on a dedicated sports watch.

Stay tuned for our full review once the device launches.

Garmin Venu X1 Review - The Best AMOLED Garmin We've Seen?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

I've been wearing the Garmin Venu X1 for the past few weeks, and honestly, this watch has surprised me. It's Garmin's thinnest watch ever at just 8mm thick, yet it packs in a massive 2-inch AMOLED display and most of the sports features you'd find on a $1,000 Fenix 8. At $799, it's not cheap, but you're getting a lot of watch.

Design & Display

Let's talk about that display first because it's stunning. This is the biggest screen Garmin has ever put on a watch - bigger even than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The 2-inch AMOLED panel is incredibly bright and crisp, with colors that pop. It's genuinely the best display I've seen on any Garmin watch.

The form factor is what really makes this watch special though. At just 8mm thick and 34g without the band, this is one of the thinnest GPS watches on the market. Compare that to the Venu 3's 12.5mm thickness or the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and you can literally fit two Venu X1s inside the thickness of that Apple watch. It disappears on your wrist in a way that chunkier sports watches simply can't match.

The build quality is solid with a titanium caseback and sapphire crystal glass protecting that beautiful display. The included nylon band is comfortable and has velcro adjustment, though like all fabric bands, it does hold onto moisture after swims or sweaty workouts.

One interesting design choice: this watch only has two buttons. That's fewer than the Venu 3 (three buttons) and way fewer than the five buttons you'll find on Forerunner or Fenix watches. You'll need to use the touchscreen more often, but I found the moisture rejection works well even with sweaty hands.

Features & Software

This is where things get interesting. Despite being a "Venu" watch, the Venu X1 runs software that's closer to a Forerunner 970 or Fenix 8. Here's what's included:

Navigation:

Full offline TopoActive mapping - fully routable, not just a base map
Round-trip routing and course loading
Turn-by-turn directions through the built-in speaker
ClimbPro for hiking

Training:

Training Readiness score
Training Status
Endurance Score and Hill Score
Race planning with predicted finish times
Voice notes (yes, you can record voice memos from your wrist)

Other goodies:

Built-in LED flashlight with white and red modes
Speaker and microphone for Bluetooth phone calls
Garmin Pay NFC
About 100 sport profiles

The watch launched missing some features that the Forerunner 970 had (Running Tolerance, Running Economy), but Garmin added those via firmware updates after launch. That's a good sign that they'll continue supporting this watch - something the Venu series hasn't always been known for.

Battery Life

Here's the honest truth: battery life is the Venu X1's weakness. With always-on display, I'm getting around 3 days. Without AOD but with regular use including GPS activities (40-60 miles per week), you're looking at 3-5 days. Garmin claims 8 days in default mode, but that's pretty optimistic unless you're barely using the watch.

For GPS activities specifically, you get about 16 hours with default settings. You can stretch that to around 24-28 hours if you really maximize battery savings (lowest brightness, GPS-only mode, no AOD), but that's a far cry from the week+ battery life you'd get from a Fenix 8.

If you're coming from other Garmin watches, the battery will feel short. If you're coming from an Apple Watch, it's probably fine.

What It Misses

At $799, there are some notable omissions:

No ECG: The hardware simply isn't there, and Garmin has confirmed it won't be added. That's a miss for a premium watch in 2025.

No dual-band GPS: This is unusual. Most Garmin watches at this price point have multi-band GNSS. The good news? Garmin's single-band GPS is still typically excellent - I wouldn't stress about this unless you're running in dense urban areas or canyons.

5 ATM water rating: That's 50 meters, fine for swimming but less than the Fenix 8's 10 ATM.

The Verdict

The Garmin Venu X1 is a fascinating device. It takes almost everything great about the Fenix 8 lineup - the software, the mapping, the training features - and squeezes it into a dramatically thinner and lighter body with a better display.

Who's it for? If you want the most advanced Garmin sports features but hate chunky watches, this is your watch. The form factor is genuinely revolutionary for a sports watch this capable.

Who should skip it? If battery life is your top priority, get a Fenix 8 or Forerunner 970. And if you need ECG, look elsewhere.

For me, I've genuinely enjoyed wearing this watch. The combination of premium features in such a slim package is compelling. Yes, the battery is a tradeoff, but for everyday wear and reasonable training loads, it's been enough.

Best for: Athletes who want Fenix-level features in a Venue-sized package, or anyone upgrading from older Venu models who wants the best display Garmin makes.

What do you think - is the Venu X1 worth the premium over a Venu 3, or would you rather save up for a Fenix 8? Let me know in the comments!

Suunto Race 2 Review - Finally Fixed the Heart Rate Issue?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

I've been testing the Suunto Race 2 for the past few weeks, and I can confidently say this is the update that Suunto fans have been waiting for. The original Suunto Race had incredible GPS tracking and mapping capabilities, but the optical heart rate sensor was its Achilles heel. Suunto clearly listened to the feedback, and the Race 2 addresses that and so much more.

Design & Build

The Race 2 keeps the same 49mm case diameter as its predecessor, but it's now thinner (12.5mm vs 13.3mm) and lighter. The stainless steel version comes in at 76g, while the titanium model is just 65g - that's a significant reduction from the original's 83g. I really appreciate the thinner profile because it sits better on the wrist during activities and slides under sleeve cuffs much easier.

The display has grown from 1.43 inches to 1.5 inches, but the resolution stays at 466x466 pixels. What changed is the brightness - now hitting 2,000 nits at peak, compared to just 600 nits before. In direct sunlight, this thing is incredibly easy to read. The sapphire crystal glass remains standard, which is great for scratch resistance.

One design change I'm mixed on: the original Race had these beautiful ridged bezels that gave it an elegant, industrial look. The Race 2 is much more minimalistic, looking almost identical to the smaller Race S. It's still a good-looking watch, but I do miss that distinctive bezel design from the original.

The new magnetic charging cable is a welcome improvement. The old charger was finicky and would sometimes not make proper contact. This new one snaps in securely and charges reliably.

Heart Rate Sensor - The Big Fix

This is the story of the Race 2. Suunto completely redesigned the optical heart rate sensor, moving from a single LED cluster to six LEDs with four large light receivers. The difference is night and day.

In my testing, the Race 2 stayed much closer to my chest strap than the original Race ever did. For running, it tracked within a few beats per minute throughout most workouts. There were occasionally some initial calibration issues in the first minute or two, but after that, it locked on and performed well. This is a massive improvement over the original Race, which often drifted significantly during high-intensity efforts.

For cycling, the results were even better - nearly perfect in most of my indoor and outdoor rides. Even during weight training and HIIT sessions, where optical sensors typically struggle, the Race 2 performed admirably. It's not quite as good as a chest strap, but it's gotten much closer.

GPS Accuracy

Suunto has always excelled at GPS tracking, and the Race 2 continues that tradition. It uses dual-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS) and the results were excellent in my testing. On trail runs, the track followed my actual path closely, with sharp corners and clean transitions.

In New York City, one of the hardest environments for GPS, the Race 2 performed well overall, though I did notice slightly more deviation compared to some competitors in the tightest urban canyons. For most users in typical conditions, GPS accuracy won't be a concern - it's rock solid.

The battery life claims are impressive: up to 55 hours in dual-band GPS mode, 65 hours in single-band, and up to 200 hours in power-save mode. As a smartwatch, you're looking at around 12-18 days depending on usage. With always-on display and regular training, I got about 10 days, which is solid for an AMOLED watch.

Software & Features

The Race 2 runs Suunto's familiar interface with a touchscreen and three buttons (including a digital crown). The new processor - twice as fast according to Suunto - makes a noticeable difference. The UI feels snappy, maps scroll smoothly, and there's none of the lag that sometimes plagued the original Race.

The watch supports over 115 sports modes, including 22 new ones. You get offline topo maps with 32GB of storage, breadcrumb navigation, route guidance, and climb profiling. The maps show roads and trails but lack street labels and points of interest - that's something competitors like Garmin do better.

One area where Suunto falls short is smartwatch features. There's no NFC for contactless payments, no offline music storage, and no speaker for voice feedback (though it can connect to Bluetooth headphones for audio cues). The palm-to-sleep gesture that works on Garmin watches isn't here either - if you cover the display in a dark room, it stays illuminated. These feel like missed opportunities at this price point.

Training features include body resources (similar to Garmin's Body Battery), recovery time, training load, and the Suunto Coach pacing guidance. The new multi-sensor pairing is finally here - you can now pair multiple sensors of the same type, like two different heart rate monitors for different activities.

Battery Life

Here's the breakdown for GPS battery life:

Performance mode (dual-band): Up to 55 hours
Endurance mode: Up to 65 hours
Ultra mode: Up to 90 hours
Tour mode: Up to 200 hours

In daily smartwatch use with always-on display and regular training, I averaged about 10 days between charges. Without AOD, you could push closer to 18 days. For a bright AMOLED watch with these specs, that's competitive.

The Verdict

The Suunto Race 2 is the upgrade that the original Race needed. The heart rate sensor is vastly improved, the display is brighter and larger, the body is thinner and lighter, and the interface is snappier. If you owned the original Race and were holding back because of heart rate concerns, this is your reason to upgrade.

Who's it for? Serious athletes who want excellent GPS tracking, long battery life, and accurate heart rate monitoring without the bulk of a Fenix. The Race 2 is a proper sports watch that prioritizes performance over smartwatch features.

Who should skip it? If you need NFC payments, offline music, or the most advanced training metrics, look at Garmin or Coros. And if the $499 price feels steep, the Race S at $349 still offers 90% of the features in a smaller package - just with less accurate heart rate tracking.

For me, the Race 2 hits the sweet spot. It's not perfect - I'd love to see better smartwatch integration and that bezel design back - but when it comes to core sports tracking, Suunto has delivered.

Best for: Trail runners, cyclists, and multisport athletes who want exceptional GPS accuracy, great battery life, and finally, trustworthy heart rate data.

What do you think - is the Race 2 the upgrade Suunto needed, or is the price getting too close to Garmin territory? Let me know in the comments!

Suunto Run Review - The Best Budget Running Watch?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

I've been testing the Suunto Run for the past few weeks, and I have to say, I'm genuinely impressed with what Suunto managed to pack into a $249 watch. This isn't just a stripped-down version of their higher-end watches either—it's a genuinely capable running watch that happens to be incredibly lightweight and affordable.

Design & Build Quality

The Suunto Run comes in four colors—lime, frost gray, all-black, and coral orange—and I tested the lime version. The 46mm case is primarily plastic with a stainless steel bezel, and it weighs just 35-36g with the included nylon strap. That's remarkably light—you honestly barely notice it's on your wrist.

The 1.32-inch AMOLED display is bright and vibrant with excellent color reproduction. However, I will say that the 600-nit peak brightness is lower than some competitors. In direct sunlight, I found myself angling my wrist or squinting a bit to read the data. It's usable, but not class-leading.

The nylon strap that comes in the box is actually really nice. It's breathable, has a secure Velcro closure, and dries quickly after swimming. The watch is QuickFit-compatible, so you can swap in a silicone band if you prefer—and Suunto says they'll offer silicone options later in 2025.

One design change I could do without: the new 4-pin magnetic charger. DC Rainmaker called it "absolutely horrific" in his review, and while that's a bit harsh, I get it. The magnets are weak, and you have to align it just right or it won't charge. It's definitely the weakest part of the hardware.

GPS Accuracy

This is where the Suunto Run really shines. Despite being a budget watch, it includes dual-band GNSS—GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS all on two frequencies. That's remarkable at this price point.

In my testing across trail runs, road runs, and cycling sessions, the GPS tracking was consistently excellent. The watch tracked my path accurately, handled sharp corners without cutting them, and even performed well in challenging environments like tree-covered trails. Even during high-speed cycling descents with rapid direction changes, the GPS stayed rock solid.

The new track run mode is a nice addition too. You tell it which lane you're in, and it calibrates to give you precise distance tracking around the oval. It's not quite as perfect as Apple's track database approach, but it's incredibly close—good enough for serious track workouts.

Heart Rate Sensor

The optical heart rate sensor has been slightly updated from the Race S with a new optical lens designed to apply more even pressure on your skin. The results? Pretty good, but not perfect.

For steady-state activities like easy runs and outdoor cycling, the Suunto Run tracks within a few beats per minute of my chest strap. During interval workouts and high-intensity efforts, it occasionally drifts—which is pretty standard for optical sensors. The sensor struggles most with weight training and CrossFit-style movements due to arm flexing and wrist position changes.

The bottom line: it's better than the original Suunto Race and slightly improved over the Race S. It's "mostly acceptable" as DC Rainmaker put it, but if you're doing serious interval training, you'll want a chest strap.

Battery Life

Here's the breakdown:

Smartwatch mode: Up to 12 days (without always-on display)
With always-on display: Up to 5 days
GPS Performance mode (dual-band): Up to 20 hours
GPS Endurance mode: Up to 30 hours
GPS Power-save mode: Up to 40 hours

In real-world use with sleep tracking, HRV monitoring, and about an hour of outdoor activity daily, I got roughly 4-5 days between charges. That's decent for an AMOLED watch, though Coros watches still edge it out on battery.

Software & Features

The Suunto Run runs on a completely different platform than the Race series—which means no Suunto Plus app store support. That's a bummer if you're used to custom apps, but Suunto has pulled many popular features into native functionality.

The watch has 34 sport modes, including track running, trail running, marathon prediction, triathlon, pool swimming, and even weight training. There's structured workout support, but you can't sync TrainingPeaks workouts to the watch—only export completed workouts.

What's included:

Dual-band GPS with excellent accuracy
Offline music storage (4GB, MP3 only—no Spotify)
Voice feedback to headphones without the app
Breadcrumb navigation (no offline maps)
Recovery metrics and training load tracking
Metronome (both audible and vibration)
Hydration and nutrition reminders
Barometric altimeter and compass

What's missing:

Offline topographic maps
Suunto Plus app store
NFC payments
Advanced cycling sensor support (no power meters)
Structured workout sync from third-party apps

The breadcrumb navigation works well enough—you can import routes from Strava and follow the trail. But if you need full offline maps, you'll need to spend more on the Suunto Race S.

The Verdict

The Suunto Run is an exceptional value for runners who want dual-band GPS, a bright AMOLED display, and offline music without spending $500+. At $249, it's competitively priced against the Garmin Forerunner 165 and Coros Pace 3, while offering features those watches don't.

Who's it for? Runners who want premium GPS accuracy, lightweight comfort, and music playback without breaking the bank. If you're coming from an older Garmin or Coros, this is a compelling upgrade.

Who should skip it? Cyclists who need power meter compatibility, runners who need offline maps, or those who rely on third-party workout apps. And if you need the absolute best optical heart rate sensor, you might want to look elsewhere—or budget for a chest strap.

For me, the Suunto Run hits a sweet spot I didn't expect to like as much as I do. It's not perfect—the charger is annoying, the display could be brighter, and heart rate accuracy has room for improvement—but at $249, it's hard to complain.

Best for: Budget-conscious runners who want flagship-level GPS accuracy without the flagship price.

What do you think—could you switch to the Suunto Run, or do you need more features? Let me know in the comments!

OnePlus Watch 3 Review: The Wear OS Battery Champion?

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

I've been wearing the OnePlus Watch 3 for the past couple of months, and I have to say — this thing is a battery beast. Five days on a single charge with an AMOLED display? That's basically unheard of in the Wear OS world. Let me break down everything you need to know.

The Big Story: Battery Life That Actually Delivers

Here's the deal: the OnePlus Watch 3 runs not one but two operating systems simultaneously. There's Wear OS 5 for the full smartwatch experience, and then a low-power RTOS running in the background for basic functions. When you're not actively using apps, it switches to RTOS and sips power instead of guzzling it.

The result? Up to 5 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, and up to 16 days in power saver mode. I've been testing it with daily workouts and always-on display, and I'm getting about 4.5 days — which is still incredible for a Wear OS watch.

"The OnePlus Watch 3 is one of the best looking smartwatches I own." — Rob ter Horst, Quantified Scientist

This isn't some theoretical battery life either. This is real-world usage. Notifications, always-on display, GPS workouts, sleep tracking — everything enabled. And it still lasts a full work week. Compare that to the Pixel Watch 3 (maybe 1.5 days) or Galaxy Watch 7 (similar), and you start to understand why this is such a big deal.

Design: Big, Beautiful, and Premium

Let's not beat around the bush — this is a big watch. At 46.6mm, it's not for small wrists. But what you get for that size is gorgeous.

The 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display boasts 466x466 resolution and up to 2,200 nits of peak brightness. That's as bright as the Apple Watch Ultra 2. I had zero issues seeing this watch in direct sunlight — it's genuinely impressive.

The titanium bezel and stainless steel case give it a premium feel that rivals watches costing twice as much. After 100 days of use, Matt LeGrand noted in his long-term review that he couldn't find visible scratches even under macro lens inspection. That's thanks to the sapphire crystal glass.

The new rotating digital crown makes navigation so much easier than touchscreen alone — especially during workouts when your fingers are sweaty. You can scroll through notifications, access quick settings, and navigate menus without smearing the display.

The Dual-Engine Architecture

This is the secret sauce. Most Wear OS watches run a single OS and drain battery quickly. OnePlus figured out that you don't need full Wear OS running when you're just checking time or tracking steps.

The dual-architecture works like this:

Wear OS 5 handles apps, Google services, and full functionality
RTOS (real-time operating system) handles basic functions when the screen is off

When you raise your wrist, it seamlessly switches to Wear OS. When you lower it, it goes back to RTOS. You barely notice the transition, but your battery definitely notices the savings.

Health Features: Finally Getting Serious

OnePlus added meaningful health upgrades this generation:

Wrist temperature sensor — tracks skin temp overnight
Improved heart rate sensor — Gen 5 optical HR
ECG functionality — available in some regions (FDA pending in US)
60-second health check-in — measures heart rate, SpO2, mental wellness, wrist temperature, sleep quality, and vascular age

The vascular age feature is fascinating — it compares your cardiovascular health to your actual age. In my testing, it was consistently generous (I'm apparently years younger than my birth certificate says). Whether that's accurate or optimistic is debatable, but it's a unique data point.

The 60-second health check-in is quick and convenient. It gives you a snapshot of your current health status without needing a full workout session. Great for morning check-ins or before/after flights.

GPS and Workout Tracking

The dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) is accurate for running and cycling. I took it on several runs comparing it side-by-side with my Garmin, and the routes matched up closely — within a few meters typically.

There's support for 100+ sports modes, but only 11 offer "professional modes" with detailed metrics. For casual fitness enthusiasts, that's plenty. Triathletes will want to look elsewhere — the swim tracking had issues with stroke detection in my testing.

The workout app is clean and easy to use. Starting a run is one button press, and the display shows all the metrics you'd want: pace, distance, heart rate, splits, and more.

Software: ColorOS Meets Wear OS

This is where things get complicated. The OnePlus Watch 3 runs both ColorOS (for OnePlus-specific features) AND Wear OS 5. The result is... mixed.

On the positive side:

Smooth performance thanks to the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip
Quick pairing with Android phones
Nice companion app with detailed stats

On the negative side:

Some redundancy between ColorOS and Wear OS features
Not all OnePlus features work with iPhones
The software experience isn't as polished as Pixel or Galaxy

For Android users, this is probably fine. For iPhone users, I'd think twice — you might lose some functionality.

The Not-So-Great

No watch is perfect, and the OnePlus Watch 3 has some drawbacks:

It's huge — definitely try it on in person before buying
Sleep tracking interpretation can be questionable (one night it said I had low deep sleep when I actually slept 8+ hours)
Swim tracking has issues with stroke detection
No LTE option yet
ECG still not FDA cleared in the US despite having the hardware

The size is the big one. This is a chunky watch. If you have smaller wrists or prefer something more subtle, look elsewhere. The 43mm version helps somewhat but still isn't small.

Battery Charging

The magnetic charging puck is convenient. Zero to 100% takes about 90 minutes. You get a few hours of use from a 15-minute charge, which is handy for travelers.

OnePlus claims the watch can last up to 16 days in Power Saver Mode, which disables most smart features. That's essentially become my travel mode — when I'm going off the grid, I switch to Power Saver and don't worry about charging for two weeks.

The Verdict

The OnePlus Watch 3 isn't perfect, but it's easily one of the best Wear OS watches you can buy right now — especially if battery life is your top priority.

Best for: Android users who want the best battery life without sacrificing smartwatch features. If you're tired of charging your watch every day or two, this is the answer.

Look elsewhere if: You have small wrists, need LTE, want the absolute best fitness tracking accuracy (Pixel Watch 3 beats it there), or are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.

At $329 for the 47mm version, you're getting premium build quality, excellent display, and battery life that competitors can't match. It's not cheap, but it's priced competitively against the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7.

What do you think — is 5 days of battery worth the chunky size? Drop your thoughts below!

COROS NOMAD Review: The Outdoor Adventure Watch You've Been Waiting For?

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I've been eyeing the COROS NOMAD since it launched, and after spending some quality time with it, I can confidently say this is one of the most interesting adventure watches COROS has ever made. At $349, it's positioned to take on the Garmin Instinct series — and in many ways, it actually beats Garmin at its own game.

First Impressions: It's a Looker

The NOMAD sports a rugged, outdoor-ready design that immediately reminds you of the Garmin Instinct. But that's not a bad thing — in fact, COROS has added their own spin with a metal reinforcement ring around the plastic bezel. It feels solid, purposeful, and ready for whatever you can throw at it.

The 1.3" MIP touchscreen display is brighter and more contrasty than previous COROS MIP watches. Is it as vibrant as AMOLED? No — but that's kind of the point. MIP displays excel in direct sunlight, and the NOMAD delivers there.

What's New: More Than Just a Pretty Face

COROS packed a ton of features into this watch:

Full offline color maps (32GB storage) — something the Garmin Instinct can't match
Dual microphone with voice notes — first COROS watch with a mic
Action button — customizable extra button on the left side
8 fishing modes — for the anglers out there
Offline maps with street names and POIs

The battery life is impressive: 22 days of regular use, 50 hours with all GPS systems, and 34 hours in dual-frequency GPS mode.

The Voice Notes Feature

I'll be honest — I was skeptical about the voice notes feature. But COROS implemented it better than I expected. You can record geo-tagged voice memos during activities or while navigating. The watch even transcribes your notes automatically, which is a nice touch.

That said, there's no speaker to playback notes on the watch itself — you need your phone for that. And you can only create voice notes when you have GPS signal, which limits its usefulness in some scenarios.

Navigation and Maps

The NOMAD follows COROS's existing mapping playbook but adds street names, POIs, and trail/road separation. These are being rolled out to other COROS watches, but the NOMAD gets them out of the box.

You can download maps directly through the COROS app, and the process is straightforward. The watch supports turn-by-turn navigation, breadcrumb trails, and route following — everything most adventure seekers need.

Sports and Fitness

With over 80 sport profiles, the NOMAD covers pretty much everything:

Running (road, trail, track)
Cycling (road, MTB, gravel)
Swimming (pool and open water)
Climbing (outdoor and indoor)
Fishing (8 different modes!)
And much more

The optical heart rate sensor is the same as other recent COROS watches — mostly accurate for casual use, but if you're doing high-intensity workouts, I'd recommend a chest strap.

Battery Life: The Real MVP

This is where the NOMAD shines. In testing, I got a full day of hiking with GPS always on, and the battery only dropped 10%. That's incredible. Most users will easily get 2-3 weeks of daily use between charges.

Daily Use

As an everyday watch, the NOMAD is comfortable and practical. The widgets show your activity, sleep, HRV, and recovery data. Sleep tracking has been accurate in my experience, and HRV values have aligned with my Oura and Whoop data.

The Competition

At $349, the NOMAD undercuts the Garmin Instinct 3 ($399-$499) while offering color maps, voice notes, and music playback that Garmin doesn't. However, the Instinct has an LED flashlight, solar charging options, and the massive Connect IQ app ecosystem.

Should You Buy It?

The COROS NOMAD is a fantastic adventure watch. It nails the basics — GPS accuracy, battery life, mapping — while adding features like voice notes that actually work. The MIP display won't be for everyone, but if you prioritize battery and readability in direct sunlight over vibrant colors, this is a winner.

Best for: Hikers, trail runners, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want robust navigation features without breaking the bank.

Consider the Garmin Instinct 3 instead if: You need AMOLED, want solar charging, or rely heavily on Connect IQ apps.

Consider the COROS Pace Pro if: You want AMOLED and are okay with a smaller watch.

Final Thoughts

COROS has delivered something special here. The NOMAD proves you don't need to spend $500+ for a capable adventure watch. It's not perfect — the lack of a speaker and limited voice note use cases are minor drawbacks — but the overall package is compelling.

The MIP vs AMOLED debate is personal, but for outdoor use, I think MIP makes more sense most of the time. Your battery will thank you.

What do you think — is the COROS NOMAD the adventure watch you've been waiting for, or would you stick with the Garmin Instinct? Let me know in the comments below!

Garmin Forerunner 570 Review: The Mid-Range Champion?

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT

I've been running with the Garmin Forerunner 570 for the past few weeks, and I can see why it's generating so much buzz in the running community. This is Garmin's new mid-range flagship, replacing the popular Forerunner 265, and it's packed with features that blur the line between "mid-range" and "flagship."

What's New

The Forerunner 570 isn't just a minor refresh — it's a significant upgrade in many ways. Here's what you get that's new:

Bright AMOLED display — One of the brightest screens Garmin makes
Gen5 optical heart rate sensor — Same sensor found in the Fenix 8 series
Speaker and microphone — Take calls directly from your wrist
Skin temperature tracking — Overnight temperature readings
New running features — AutoLap by timing gates, training load ratio, race time predictor

The 570 comes in two sizes: 42mm and 47mm. I tested the 47mm version, and at 47g, it's surprisingly light on the wrist.

The Price Problem

There's no way around it — $549 is a lot for a mid-range running watch. That's $100 more than the Forerunner 265 launched for, and it's getting close to the Forerunner 965 ($599). As DC Rainmaker pointed out in his hands-on review, Garmin seems to have combined the Venu 3's smartwatch features with the 265's running features... and their prices too.

That said, you are getting a lot for that money. The AMOLED screen is gorgeous, the Gen5 heart rate sensor is a genuine improvement, and having a speaker for calls is surprisingly useful.

Performance

In my testing, the GPS accuracy has been excellent — exactly what I'd expect from Garmin. The new Gen5 heart rate sensor performs better in tough conditions like cold weather intervals and downhill running, though optical heart rate still has its limitations during high-intensity efforts.

Battery life is solid:

Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days (47mm)
GPS only: Up to 18 hours
With music: Up to 9 hours

The Verdict

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is an excellent running watch that's held back by its price. If you're coming from a Forerunner 255 or 265, you'll love the upgrade. If you're looking for the best value, the COROS Pace 4 at $249 is hard to beat. But if you want that Garmin ecosystem and the brightest screen in its class, the 570 delivers.

Best for: Runners who want flagship features without flagship prices

Skip it if: You already have a Forerunner 965 or want the absolute best value

What do you think — is the Forerunner 570 worth the premium, or should Garmin have kept the price lower? Let me know in the comments below!

Apple Watch Series 11 Review: The Best Apple Watch for Most People?

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:51:00 GMT

I've been testing the Apple Watch Series 11 for the past few weeks, and it's Apple's most refined smartwatch yet. With new health features and improved durability, let's dive in.

What's New

The Series 11 brings several meaningful upgrades:

Hypertension notifications — First for Apple Watch
Sleep apnea alerts — Another health first
2x scratch-resistant display — Apple claims it's twice as tough
Thinnest design ever — Despite the durability improvements
S10 chip — Slightly improved performance
Workout Buddy — Apple Intelligence-powered coaching

Health Features

The big story here is health. Apple added two significant features:

Hypertension notifications — The Series 11 can alert you if it detects elevated blood pressure patterns
Sleep apnea detection — Uses accelerometer data to notice breathing disturbances during sleep

These are meaningful additions that put Apple ahead of competitors in consumer health tracking.

Battery Life

Battery life remains solid:

24 hours of normal use
36 hours in Low Power Mode
Fast charging support

For most people, this means charging every night — standard for Apple Watch.

The Verdict

The Apple Watch Series 11 is the best Apple Watch for most people. It has nearly all the features of the Ultra 3 at a much lower price ($399 vs $799).

Best for: Anyone on Series 9 or older who wants the latest health features.

Consider waiting if: You have a Series 10 — the upgrades are incremental.

What do you think — is the Series 11 worth the upgrade? Drop your thoughts below.

Apple Watch SE 3 Review: Apple's Best Value Watch?

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:02:00 GMT

I've been wearing the Apple Watch SE 3 for the past few weeks, and honestly, Apple's budget watch has me reconsidering everything I thought I knew about the SE line.

The Big News: Same Brains as the Expensive Watches

Here's the wild part: the Apple Watch SE 3 has the exact same S10 chip, 4-core neural engine, and 64GB of storage as the Apple Watch Series 11 ($349) and Ultra 3 ($799). That's the same internals in a $249 package.

Apple also gave the SE 3 the new 5G modem that was announced with the Series 11 and Ultra 3. That's a first for the SE line.

Always-On Display: Finally!

The biggest addition to the SE 3 is the always-on display. Previous SE models skipped this, but now you can check the time without raising your wrist. It's a small change that makes a huge difference in everyday use.

Battery Life

The SE 3 gets 18 hours of battery life, which is standard for Apple Watch. However, it now supports fast charging — you can get 8 hours of use from just a 15-minute charge. That's a nice upgrade from the SE 2.

Health Features

The SE 3 includes:

Wrist temperature sensor
Sleep apnea notifications
Fall Detection
Crash Detection
On-device Siri

Notably missing: ECG app and Blood Oxygen app (those are Series 11/Ultra exclusive).

The Verdict

The Apple Watch SE 3 is an incredible value. With the same processor as watches costing 2-3x more, plus the always-on display, this is the Apple Watch I'd recommend to most people.

Best for: Anyone wanting an Apple Watch without spending $349+

Consider Series 11 if: You want ECG, Blood Oxygen, or the brighter display

What do you think — is the SE 3 the best Apple Watch value, or is it worth upgrading to the Series 11? Drop your thoughts below.

COROS APEX 4 Review: A True Ultra-Endurance Watch?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:45:00 GMT

I've been testing the COROS APEX 4 for the past few weeks, and it's a solid evolution of COROS's ultra-endurance line. Building on the Apex 2, this model adds a speaker and microphone — a first for COROS — while keeping that signature massive battery life. Let's dive in.

Design and Build

The APEX 4 looks similar to its predecessor, but there are some notable changes. The most obvious addition is the speaker and microphone on the side — the first time COROS has included these on any watch. This lets you receive calls directly on the watch and hear audio alerts.

The build is premium: titanium bezel, grade 5 titanium buttons, and sapphire glass over the display. It's available in two sizes — 42mm and 46mm — and comes in black or white.

One thing to note: the APEX 4 uses a MIP display, not AMOLED. This is actually a feature for some users who prefer the always-on readability of MIP, but it's a departure from the Pace 4's vibrant AMOLED.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the APEX 4 really shines:

Daily use: Up to 22 days
Full GPS: 65 hours
Power-saving: Even longer

This is one of the longest-lasting GPS watches you can buy. For ultra-endurance athletes doing multi-day events, this is a huge selling point.

New Features

The speaker and microphone open up new possibilities:

Receive phone calls directly on the watch
Audio alerts during activities
Voice notes (like on the Pace 4)

The APEX 4 also has offline global maps — a step up from the breadcrumb navigation on the Pace 4.

The Verdict

The COROS APEX 4 is a fantastic ultra-endurance watch. The 65-hour GPS battery is unbeaten, and the addition of speaker/mic is a nice touch.

At $429/$479, it faces tough competition from the Garmin Fenix E, Suunto Race 2, and even COROS' own Nomad ($349 with similar features).

Best for: Ultra-endurance athletes, multi-day hikers, anyone who prioritizes battery life above all else.

Consider the Nomad instead if: You want similar features for $130 less.

What do you think — is the APEX 4 worth the upgrade? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

COROS Pace 4 Review: The Best Budget Running Watch?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:00:00 GMT

I've been testing the COROS Pace 4 for the past few weeks, and it's clear this is an evolution, not a revolution. Building on the popular Pace 3, COROS added an AMOLED display, built-in microphone, and better battery life — all while keeping the price at just $249. Let's dive in.

Design and Build

The Pace 4 looks a lot like its predecessor, but there are some notable changes. The most obvious is the new 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen display — a big upgrade from the MIP screen on the Pace 3. It's bright, vibrant, and easy to read in any lighting condition.

One of the standout features is the weight. At just 32 grams with the nylon band, this thing disappears on your wrist. I honestly forgot I was wearing it sometimes. The 43.4mm case is the same size as the Pace 3, but the overall feel is more premium.

COROS also added a third button — the "action button" on the left side. This lets you quickly toggle between map view and data pages during activities. It's such a simple addition, but it makes a huge difference when you're on a run and don't want to fumble through menus.

Battery Life

Battery life has always been a COROS strength, and the Pace 4 delivers:

Daily use: Up to 12 days
Full GPS: 20 hours
Power-saving GPS: 40 hours

For most runners, this means charging once every two weeks — maybe less. The new magnetic charging cable is much easier to use than older COROS chargers.

Heart Rate Sensor

The Pace 4 uses the same optical heart rate sensor as the Apex 4 and Nomad. In my testing, the results were mixed. Some runs were accurate; others showed the familiar cadence lock issues that have plagued COROS watches. If you're doing high-intensity interval training, I'd recommend a chest strap for best results.

Software and Features

One of the best things about COROS is that nearly all the software features from the higher-end watches are available here. You get:

Breadcrumb navigation
Voice notes
Training plans
Recovery tracking
200+ sport modes

The built-in microphone lets you record voice notes during workouts — handy for jotting down how you felt without stopping.

The Verdict

The COROS Pace 4 is an excellent budget running watch. It's lightweight, has great battery life, and delivers most of the features you'd find in watches twice the price.

The $249 price point makes it one of the best values in GPS running watches today.

Best for: Runners who want a lightweight, capable GPS watch without spending $500+.

Consider the Pace Pro instead if: You want offline maps and don't mind spending the extra $50.

What do you think — is the Pace 4 worth the upgrade from the Pace 3? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

Suunto Vertical 2 Review: The New AMOLED Battery King?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Suunto Vertical 2 represents a major evolution in Suunto's adventure watch lineup. Released in October 2025, this flagship adventure watch brings a stunning 1.5" AMOLED display, built-in LED flashlight, and the best battery life we've seen on an AMOLED adventure watch. Starting at $599 for the stainless steel version ($699 for titanium), it competes directly with the Garmin Fenix 8 series, Coros Apex 4, and Polar Vantage V3.

But how does it really perform? We gathered reviews from five of the most respected voices in the GPS watch community to give you the complete picture.

Design and Display

The Vertical 2 features a 1.5" LTPO AMOLED touchscreen display that's incredibly bright — up to 2,000 nits according to multiple experts. This is a massive upgrade from the original Vertical's MIP display.

"This display is fantastic in just about any lighting condition. You could be in direct sunlight at off angles and the worst case scenario with the sun shining down over your shoulder and you can still read what's going on." — Dave Dillon, Chase The Summit

The watch is slightly larger than the Race 2 at 49mm case size and 13.3mm thick, weighing in at 86g (steel) or 74g (titanium). Unlike the Race 2's rotating crown, the Vertical 2 uses three large physical buttons — a design choice Suunto made for reliability with gloves or wet conditions.

Battery Life: The Real Story

This is where the Vertical 2 truly shines. Despite the power-hungry AMOLED display, Suunto has managed to deliver exceptional battery performance:

Daily smartwatch use: Up to 20 days
GPS performance mode: Up to 60 hours (dual-band GPS, always-on display)
Endurance mode: Up to 75 hours

"The best AMOLED battery life in the market. Period." — Ray Maker, DCRainmaker

DCRainmaker put this to the test during a 70km, 15-hour hike and estimates he got about 50 hours of GPS tracking — calling it "super impressive."

However, there's one trade-off: unlike the original Vertical, there's no solar charging option on the Vertical 2.

Heart Rate Accuracy

The heart rate sensor has been updated to match the Race 2, but the results are mixed:

Indoor cycling: Excellent (correlation of 1.00 per Quantified Scientist)
Running: Mixed (two out of three runs good, one had issues)
Outdoor cycling: Mediocre on some testers

"The heart rate tracking results are somewhat mixed. I would say for indoor cycling, at least for that one session did really well on me. For running, two out of three were pretty good, but one wasn't great. And for outdoor cycling, it just didn't do well on me." — Rob ter Horst, Quantified Scientist

Multiple experts recommend pairing a chest strap for the most reliable heart rate tracking during high-intensity activities.

GPS Accuracy

This is one area where the Vertical 2 excels consistently:

"GPS accuracy is quite good. Comparing it side by side with my Fenix 8 and other test devices, things are looking really good in that department." — Dave Dillon, Chase The Summit

The watch uses dual-frequency (multi-band) GPS for maximum accuracy.

LED Flashlight: A Game-Changer?

The built-in LED flashlight is unique to the Vertical 2 (the Race 2 doesn't have it). It's useful for everyday tasks like finding keys in the dark or navigating a dark hotel room.

"The flashlight is simply awesome." — Des Yap, DesFit

However, some experts note the implementation is a bit clunky:

"To turn the flashlight off, I push the middle button. The light turns off, but I don't go back to my watch face. I'm stuck in this menu state. I wish I could just long press that top button to make the flashlight turn on mid-activity." — Dave Dillon, Chase The Summit

The flashlight casts a wide, diffused beam — not as bright as the Garmin Fenix 8, but useful nonetheless.

Sleep Tracking

If sleep tracking is your priority, the Vertical 2 won't impress:

"Sleep stage tracking just isn't the strong point of the Suunto brand... it's mediocre, in line with competitors like Garmin and Polar." — Rob ter Horst, Quantified Scientist

Deep sleep accuracy was around 50% in testing — not terrible, but not great either.

What Experts Are Saying

The Positives

Best-in-class AMOLED battery life
Bright, beautiful AMOLED display
Excellent GPS accuracy
Useful LED flashlight
Premium build quality
Free offline maps

The Negatives

Heart rate sensor can be inconsistent
Sleep tracking is mediocre
No rotating crown (buttons only)
Flashlight UI needs refinement
No solar charging option
Pricey ($599-699)

The Verdict

After synthesizing reviews from five experts, here's the consensus: the Suunto Vertical 2 is an excellent adventure watch that's particularly well-suited for ultra-endurance athletes and outdoor adventurers who prioritize battery life and GPS accuracy.

"I was initially disappointed when I heard about the Vertical 2, but after wearing it for a month I was proven wrong — I'm now pretty impressed and believe it could be the new benchmark for AMOLED watches in terms of battery life." — Matt LeGrand

Best for: Outdoor adventurers, hikers, trail runners, and anyone who wants the best battery life on an AMOLED adventure watch.

Consider alternatives if: Heart rate accuracy is critical for your training, you prefer a rotating crown for navigation, or you want the best sleep tracking (Garmin or Apple Watch may be better).

Polar Grit X2 Launches Globally—But Not in the U.S. Due to Tariffs

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:32:03 GMT

Polar has just unveiled the Polar Grit X2, a rugged multisport GPS watch positioned as a more compact and affordable alternative to its flagship Grit X2 Pro. The Grit X2 officially launched on June 4, 2025 across Europe and other international markets – notably everywhere except the United States. While fitness enthusiasts in the U.K., EU, and many regions can buy the Grit X2 starting today, American customers have been left waiting. Polar has a U.S. release planned later in the year, but no firm date or price has been confirmed. The company hasn’t given an official reason for excluding the U.S. at launch, but many observers point to ongoing tariffs and trade-war tensions as the likely culprit.

Polar Grit X2 at a Glance: Compact Adventure Watch

The Polar Grit X2 is a premium outdoor sports watch designed for athletes and adventurers who found the Pro model too bulky or pricey. It packs essentially the same capabilities as the high-end Grit X2 Pro, but in a smaller form factor and at a significantly lower price point. Polar describes the Grit X2 as “a compact, robust outdoor watch crafted for big adventures and everyday performance,” equipped with advanced training tools, a sapphire glass AMOLED display, and precision navigation with full-color maps.

Key Features and Specs:

Display & Build: 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen (416×416) with sapphire crystal. Stainless steel bezel. MIL-STD-810H certified. 62g weight.
Sensors: Elixir™ biosensors: optical HR, ECG, SpO₂, skin temperature.
GPS & Navigation: Dual-band GPS, offline full-color topo maps, 32GB storage, turn-by-turn routing, hill and elevation tools.
Training & Software: Polar Flow OS, 130+ sport profiles, sleep/recovery tracking, running power, FitSpark™, Nightly Recharge™, FuelWise™, Training Load Pro™.
Battery Life: Up to 90 hrs (GPS Eco), 30 hrs (high-precision GPS), 7 days smartwatch mode. User-replaceable battery option (~€40).

Overall, the Grit X2 delivers nearly identical functionality to the Grit X2 Pro, with minor trade-offs in screen size, materials, and battery capacity, but at a substantially lower price and smaller form factor.

Launch Details and Global Availability

Polar launched the Grit X2 on June 4, 2025, just in time for summer adventures. It retails for £399 / €479.90 (~$540 USD), undercutting both the Grit X2 Pro and rivals like Garmin’s Fenix 8 series. It is available in Night Black and Brown Copper, with swappable 22mm silicone straps. The launch includes most global markets except the United States, which is set to receive the device later in 2025.

U.S. Delay: Blame the Tariffs?

Though no formal reason was given, analysts suggest the delay stems from 2025's escalating U.S. trade tariffs—10% on Chinese goods and 20%+ on EU imports. For a company like Polar, which uses global supply chains, these duties could hike prices or erode margins. To avoid launching at an uncompetitive price or low profit, Polar may be holding out for a more favorable trade environment.

Reactions and Outlook

The launch has drawn praise internationally and frustration from U.S. fans. YouTube reviewers and forums have dubbed the release "weird" and “frustrating.” Still, many applaud the value: a smaller Grit X2 Pro alternative with premium features and long battery life. Polar may aim for a fall or holiday U.S. launch if conditions improve.

Conclusion

The Grit X2 hits a sweet spot: compact, rugged, feature-packed, and more affordable than most competitors. While Europe and other regions enjoy it now, the U.S. delay underscores how trade policy can directly affect tech launches. With any luck, American athletes won’t have to wait too long.

Everything New in the Garmin Forerunner 970 (Compared to the 965)

Thu, 15 May 2025 08:32:03 GMT

Garmin Forerunner 970 – Garmin’s latest top-tier GPS triathlon watch, officially announced May 15, 2025, is packed with new hardware and training features. It succeeds the Forerunner 965 as the flagship Forerunner, adding premium materials and triathlon-focused innovations. Key upgrades include a brighter 1.4" AMOLED display, a rugged sapphire crystal lens with titanium bezel, a built-in LED flashlight, and the first-ever Garmin Triathlon Coach adaptive training plan.

The Forerunner 970 is designed for performance-driven athletes, offering advanced training tools, recovery insights, and connected features to help triathletes and runners reach their next personal record.

Hardware and Design Upgrades

Premium Build

The Forerunner 970 maintains a 47 mm case size like the 965, but is slightly thinner. It introduces sapphire crystal glass (replacing the 965’s Gorilla Glass DX) and a titanium bezel for greater durability. This aligns the 970 with Garmin’s premium Fenix/Epix series. The watch weighs approximately 56 g (versus 53 g for the 965).

AMOLED Display

Both the 965 and 970 use a bright 1.4" AMOLED color touchscreen (454×454 px). Garmin touts the 970’s screen as its brightest smartwatch display yet, paired with a 5-button layout for reliable operation in all conditions.

New LED Flashlight

Borrowing from the Fenix line, the FR 970 includes a built-in LED flashlight integrated into the watch face edge, useful for low-light training and nighttime safety.

Speaker and Microphone

The 970 adds a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling Bluetooth phone calls, voice assistant support, and on-watch voice commands—new to the Forerunner series.

Next-Gen Heart Sensor + ECG

Garmin upgraded from the Elevate v4 optical HR sensor to Elevate v5. The FR 970 supports on-demand ECG recordings via the new sensor and Garmin ECG App, marking the first Forerunner with electrocardiogram capability.

Skin Temperature Tracking

A new sensor on the 970 tracks variations in skin temperature, improving menstrual cycle tracking and providing insights related to exercise intensity, sleep environment, and health conditions.

Battery Life Comparison

Due to the brighter display and added hardware, the 970 offers mixed battery life compared to the 965:

Smartwatch Mode: FR965 up to ~23 days vs FR970 up to ~15 days.
GPS-only Mode: FR965 ~31 hours vs FR970 ~26 hours.
SatIQ GNSS Mode: FR970 ~23 hours vs FR965 ~22 hours.
All-Systems + Multi-Band GPS: FR970 ~21 hours vs FR965 ~19 hours.
GPS + Music: FR970 ~12–14 hours vs FR965 ~8–10.5 hours.

Health, Wellness, and Smart Features

Evening Report

The 970 introduces an Evening Report summarizing nightly sleep, next-day workouts, weather, and calendar events, complementing the Morning Report feature.

Breathing Variations

Tracks breathing variability during sleep via the Pulse Ox sensor, providing insights into sleep quality and potential health issues.

Women’s Health

Improved menstrual cycle tracking, including accurate period and ovulation predictions.

On-Watch Maps

Like the 965, FR970 features onboard color topo maps and built-in navigation.

VIRB Camera Remote

Acts as a remote for Garmin VIRB action cameras—new to the 970.

Music and Payments

Both 965 and 970 have onboard music storage/streaming and Garmin Pay, with the 970 adding speaker playback capability.

Advanced Running & Performance Metrics

Running Tolerance

Suggests a recommended weekly mileage to prevent overtraining based on recent running stress.

Running Economy

Measures energy efficiency during runs (requires Garmin HRM 600 chest strap).

Step Speed Loss

Quantifies deceleration at foot strike, aiding in optimizing running form (requires HRM 600 strap).

Projected Race Time & Pace

Enhanced race predictor estimates finish times and paces, updating continuously based on training progress.

Training Readiness & Load

Carries over Garmin’s Training Status, Readiness scores, acute training load, and VO₂ max metrics.

Recovery Insights

Provides recovery time recommendations and all-day stress tracking, with the Evening Report offering next-day readiness insights.

Triathlon & Multisport Features

Garmin Triathlon Coach Training Plans

Adaptive training plans that adjust daily workouts across swim, bike, and run disciplines based on performance, recovery, and fitness.

Expanded Multisport Profiles

Adds dedicated Duathlon, Brick workouts, and Pool Swim Triathlon profiles.

Custom Multisport Workouts

Allows creating detailed multisport workouts (e.g., brick sessions) via Garmin Connect.

Auto Transitions and Tracking

Supports automatic multisport transitions, triathlon splits, and structured training integration.

Power Modes for Long Events

Customizable battery modes extend battery life during long races, crucial for Ironman-distance events.

Garmin Triathlon Coach – New Adaptive Training Plan

Adaptive Multisport Training

Garmin Triathlon Coach dynamically adjusts training sessions based on real-time performance and recovery metrics across all triathlon disciplines.

Personalized & Goal-Driven

Customize training volume/intensity for specific triathlon distances (Sprint, Olympic, 70.3, Ironman), with weekly structured workouts viewable and customizable via Garmin Connect.

Forerunner 970 vs 965 – Feature Comparison

Feature/Spec	Forerunner 965	Forerunner 970
Lens Material	Gorilla Glass 3 DX	Sapphire Crystal
Bezel & Build	Fiber-reinforced polymer	Titanium bezel
Display	1.4" AMOLED	1.4" AMOLED (Garmin’s brightest)
Flashlight	No	Built-in LED flashlight
Speaker & Mic	No	Bluetooth calling, voice assistant
ECG	No	Yes
Skin Temperature	No	Yes
Battery Life (smartwatch/GPS)	~23 days / ~31 hrs	~15 days / ~26 hrs
Battery Life (multi-band + music)	~8.5 hrs	~12 hrs
Multisport Profiles	Basic Triathlon	Adds Duathlon, Brick, Pool Triathlon
Garmin Triathlon Coach	No	Yes
Custom Multisport Workouts	No	Yes
New Running Metrics	No	Running Tolerance, Economy, Step Speed Loss
Evening Report	No	Yes
Price at Launch (USD)	$599.99 (2023)	$749.99 (May 2025)

Pricing, Availability, and Early Coverage

The Forerunner 970 is priced at $749.99 USD, launching May 21, 2025. Early reviews highlight the AMOLED display, built-in speaker, and innovative Triathlon Coach training plan as significant upgrades over the 965. Garmin positions the FR970 as the premium multisport watch offering advanced training metrics and a superior hardware build for serious athletes.

Galaxy Watch 8 Leak // Samsung Ditches Round Design for Squircle Revolution

Thu, 15 May 2025 03:46:37 GMT

The smartwatch world is buzzing with excitement following a significant leak revealing what appears to be Samsung's biggest design change to its flagship wearable line in years. According to recently discovered firmware files, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 series may abandon its iconic circular design in favor of a "squircle" shape reminiscent of the Apple Watch and last year's Galaxy Watch Ultra. This dramatic shift represents a potential turning point for Samsung's wearable strategy, potentially signaling the company's recognition that rectangular displays might better serve the functional needs of modern smartwatch users. The leaked images show both the standard Galaxy Watch 8 and the returning Galaxy Watch 8 Classic featuring this new squircle design while maintaining certain distinctive elements that have made Samsung's watches popular among Android users. As we await the official announcement expected in July 2025, this leak provides fascinating insights into Samsung's evolving design philosophy and how it might reshape the competitive landscape of premium smartwatches.

The Leaked Design: Samsung's Circular Evolution Becomes "Squircle"

The recent leak exposed through One UI 8 Watch firmware files has provided a surprising glimpse into Samsung's next-generation smartwatch design. Animation files discovered within the code clearly show both the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic sporting a new "squircle" chassis – a square shape with rounded corners – representing a significant departure from Samsung's long-standing circular watch designs. These images appear in firmware files with codenames "Fresh8" for the standard Watch 8 and "Wise8" for the Watch 8 Classic, suggesting these are indeed the upcoming models slated for release.

According to the leaked images, both models will maintain circular displays despite their squircle chassis, creating an interesting hybrid design. The design appears to lift the side buttons further out from the body, potentially improving accessibility and tactile feedback. The Galaxy Watch 8 will reportedly maintain its two-button configuration, while the Classic model appears to add a third "Quick Button" similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Classic Model Returns with Premium Enhancements

After skipping the Watch 7 series, the Classic model is returning. The Classic variant has historically featured premium elements like a rotating bezel, which may return. The Watch 8 Classic is expected to include a stronger vibration motor and possibly be available in only one size this year, unlike previous dual-size options.

One UI 8 Watch: A Major Software Overhaul

Samsung is skipping One UI 7 Watch and jumping to One UI 8 Watch, likely based on Wear OS 6. New features include integration with Google Gemini AI for smart assistant actions, a contextual "Now Bar" interface activated by gestures, and overall improved usability and visual design.

Battery-Preserving Features and UI Improvements

One UI 8 Watch includes an adaptive battery charging system that stops charging at a preset level (e.g., 95%) and resumes below a threshold. These features, combined with a slightly larger 435 mAh battery and a 3nm processor, should improve battery longevity and daily endurance.

Interface improvements include App Shortcuts (customizable 2×1 or 2×2 tiles), Shuffle Watch Face (auto-switching favorites), and Recommend Watch Face (AI-powered suggestions).

Hardware Specifications and Performance Expectations

The Galaxy Watch 8 will likely reuse the Exynos W1000 processor, with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. Connectivity will include Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, NFC, and LTE support. AMOLED screens with 2,000 nit brightness and 60Hz refresh rates are expected to return, offering premium display quality.

Enhanced Health and Fitness Capabilities

The Watch 8 is expected to retain the BioActive Sensor, which tracks heart rate, ECG, and body composition. With dual-band GPS and 5ATM/IP68 water resistance, it’s built for fitness tracking, outdoor activities, and health monitoring.

Market Positioning and Competition

The squircle design aligns Samsung closer with Apple’s aesthetic, diverging from Google’s Pixel Watch, which stays round. Samsung appears to be targeting multiple segments with the standard, Classic, and Ultra lines, possibly starting at $299 for the 40mm Watch 8.

User Reactions and Design Philosophy

Early reactions to the squircle design are mixed. Samsung seems to be prioritizing practical screen usability over the visual appeal of a circular body, reflecting a broader industry trend.

Release Timeline and Expectations

The Galaxy Watch 8 is expected in July 2025 during Samsung’s Unpacked event, with availability likely in late July or early August. Variants will include standard (40mm, 44mm) and Classic, each with Wi-Fi and LTE models. Pricing is expected to match or slightly exceed previous models.

Anticipating the Official Reveal

Samsung may continue hinting at the new design ahead of its reveal. Marketing may focus on balancing tradition and innovation while tying in with Samsung’s broader product ecosystem.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Samsung's Wearable Strategy

The Galaxy Watch 8 represents a bold evolution in Samsung’s design language, blending circular legacy with a squircle form factor. Coupled with a powerful software update and premium hardware options, this generation may mark Samsung’s most significant leap forward in the smartwatch space.

Garmin Watch Floats 150 Miles to Ireland and Reunites with Owner

Tue, 06 May 2025 19:46:37 GMT

A Garmin sports watch lost by a swimmer in Tenby, Wales has completed an extraordinary 150-mile solo voyage across the Celtic Sea, washing up on a remote Irish beach three weeks later with its electronic functions still intact. This remarkable maritime journey culminated in an equally impressive digital reunion, as environmental artist Sean Corcoran discovered the watch on a secluded beach near Waterford, Ireland, and used social media to track down its owner in just 20 minutes. The watch, still attached to its flotation device, not only provides a fascinating case study of Celtic Sea currents but has also been used by safety organizations to highlight the importance of proper buoyancy equipment for open water swimmers.

The Incident: Loss and Discovery

The Moment of Loss in Welsh Waters

In early April 2025, Martina Morgan, originally from South Africa and now living in Pembrokeshire, was enjoying an open water swim with friends at North Beach in Tenby when disaster struck. The Garmin sports watch she was wearing, secured to a yellow buoyancy float, unexpectedly came loose from its attachment. As Morgan noticed her watch floating away, she faced a split-second decision familiar to many open water swimmers: risk swimming after a drifting object potentially being carried by dangerous currents, or prioritize personal safety and let it go.

"I was gutted," Martina told The Pembrokeshire Herald. "It was quite far out by the time I noticed. I waved goodbye to it and thought that was the last I'd ever see of it." The watch held both practical and sentimental value for Morgan—it had been a Christmas gift from her husband Ed and served as an essential tool for tracking her swimming routes and distances. Despite her disappointment, Morgan's fellow swimmers correctly advised against pursuing the watch as it drifted toward deeper waters.

North Beach in Tenby, while popular with swimmers, sits on the southern Welsh coast directly exposed to the Celtic Sea's powerful currents and tidal influences that can quickly carry floating objects offshore.

An Unexpected Find on an Irish Beach

Three weeks later and 150 miles away, environmental artist Sean Corcoran was exploring a remote area of shoreline known as Ladies Cove near Waterford in southeastern Ireland. This secluded bay, part of Ireland's Copper Coast, required Corcoran to scramble down a steep cliff to access the beach—an effort that would lead to an extraordinary discovery.

"When I found the float and saw there was a watch attached, it felt a bit like finding a message in a bottle," Corcoran said. What caught his attention was not initially the watch itself, but the bright yellow flotation device to which it remained securely attached throughout its trans-maritime journey.

Upon retrieving the watch, Corcoran was surprised to discover it was still functional despite three weeks at sea. "When I got it home I pressed a button on the watch and the recharge symbol came up so I knew it worked," he explained. "I was surprised it had only been in the water for three weeks; it looked like it had been exposed to the sun for several months."

The discovery presented Corcoran with a mystery—who had lost this watch, and where had it come from? The watch's remarkable preservation after such a journey also raised scientific questions about its path across the Celtic Sea and the conditions it had encountered along the way.

The Scientific Journey

Celtic Sea Currents and Their Patterns

The watch's 150-mile journey from Tenby to Waterford provides a fascinating real-world demonstration of the complex current systems operating in the Celtic Sea. This body of water, part of the Atlantic Ocean between Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany, is characterized by distinctive oceanographic patterns that made the watch's specific trajectory possible.

According to oceanographic research, prevailing southwesterly winds and south-to-north water transport on the shelf influence the movement of water in the region. These prevailing patterns help explain how an object released from the Welsh coast could find its way to Ireland's southeastern shores.

Studies of Celtic Sea circulation patterns indicate that surface currents—like those that would have carried the floating watch—are heavily influenced by wind and seasonal variations, capable of sustaining long-distance transport for floating objects.

Environmental Factors Influencing the Watch's Path

The flotation device attached to the watch played a crucial role in its journey. Without this buoyancy aid, the watch would almost certainly have sunk to the seabed shortly after being lost. Instead, the bright yellow float kept the watch at the surface, where it could be carried by wind-influenced surface currents.

Research into subtidal and rotary current movements suggests the watch may have taken a non-linear route—zigzagging, circulating in eddies, or drifting through looping paths before eventually making landfall in Ireland.

Analysis of Time and Distance Traveled

The watch traveled approximately 150 miles in 21 days, requiring an average speed of just over 7 miles per day, or about 0.3 miles per hour. This velocity falls within the capabilities of surface currents in the Celtic Sea. Oceanographers confirmed the timeline and route were entirely plausible given the prevailing April conditions.

The Human Connection

Social Media as a Recovery Tool

Once Corcoran discovered the watch, he turned to social media to locate its owner—a decision that would prove remarkably effective. He posted about his find in a local Facebook group called "I am Waterford," asking for help identifying the owner of the device.

The watch contained Ed Morgan's mobile number, which hundreds of users quickly identified as British. The post received over 250,000 views within 24 hours, and the Morgans were located just 20 minutes after the initial post went up.

The Role of Community in Object Recovery

Corcoran was able to connect with Ed Morgan, confirming that his wife Martina had lost the watch in Tenby. The story's quick resolution highlights how digital communities can rapidly solve real-world mysteries.

The post’s follow-up thanked the online community and announced the watch would be mailed back—"making the return journey in an envelope this time."

Interview Insights

"I am very grateful to the people and to Sean," Martina Morgan said. She confirmed the watch would go right back on her wrist for more swims—and would be secured "a little more securely next time."

Corcoran admitted he initially feared the watch might belong to someone who had gone missing at sea. He was relieved to learn everyone was safe.

Safety and Environmental Implications

RNLI Perspectives on Water Safety

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) praised the flotation device's role in keeping the watch afloat and visible, calling the story a "lighthearted but valuable" teaching tool about buoyancy aids.

The RNLI used the story to reinforce broader safety messaging: flotation devices save lives—and sometimes your gadgets too.

Security Recommendations

This incident underscores the importance of securely attaching valuable items when swimming. Experts now recommend:

Using flotation devices with secure compartments
Double-checking attachment points
Employing redundant fastenings
Registering electronics and storing contact info on them

Environmental Considerations

While this story had a happy ending, it reminds us that even well-used gear can become marine debris. Environmental artist Corcoran is often involved in beach cleanups, giving him a unique appreciation of the need for responsible equipment use.

Technical Resilience

The Watch’s Durability

Corcoran charged the watch and found it "working perfectly," including the stored data. That’s astonishing after three weeks in saltwater and sun.

Garmin and other manufacturers could view this as an unexpected real-world product test, demonstrating the value of robust waterproofing and corrosion-resistant materials.

Comparison to Other Marine Recoveries

Most electronics fail quickly when immersed in saltwater. This Garmin survived and functioned—a rare case of technological resilience.

Conclusion

The story of Martina’s Garmin watch is more than a curiosity. It’s a parable about resilience—of devices, of currents, and of communities working together across borders. It’s a tale of technology, tides, and the unexpected routes that connect us all.

From safety lessons for swimmers to oceanographic insights for scientists, and social media magic for everyone else—this small watch’s voyage has made a big impact.

The Casio GBA-950 // G-Shock's Boldest Fitness Watch Yet

Sun, 04 May 2025 09:11:00 GMT

The Heritage of G-Shock

The G-Shock story began in 1981 when Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe dropped and broke a cherished watch given to him by his father. This pivotal moment inspired him to create a virtually indestructible timepiece. Assembling a team of just three members, dubbed "Team Tough," Ibe established the ambitious "Triple 10" design criteria: a watch that could withstand a 10-meter drop, resist 10 atmospheres of water pressure (100 meters), and offer a 10-year battery life.

After developing over 200 prototypes, the team was still struggling to achieve their goals. Inspiration struck Ibe during a chance visit to a playground, where he observed a bouncing rubber ball. This observation led to the critical insight that the center of the ball remained relatively unaffected by external impacts. This revelation inspired the revolutionary "floating module" concept that would become the foundation of G-Shock's legendary durability.

The first G-Shock, the DW-5000C, debuted in April 1983, featuring a shock-resistant design with ten protective layers around the quartz timekeeping module. These included a urethane rubber bumper, stainless steel case, hardened mineral glass watch crystal, and the innovative floating module that allowed the quartz mechanism to float freely in a urethane foam cradle.

Evolution Through the Decades

Since its inception, the G-Shock line has experienced tremendous evolution and diversification. In 1985, Casio released the DW-5500C, the first G-Shock to feature a mud-resistant structure. The first analog-digital model appeared in 1989 with the AW-500. Throughout the 1990s, G-Shock expanded its technological capabilities, introducing the first sensor-equipped watch with a thermometer in 1992 and the ISO-certified 200-meter dive watch Frogman DW-6300 in 1993.

The brand continued innovating with its first solar-powered model, the Raysman DW-9300, in 1998, and the introduction of radio-synced time calibration with the GW-100 in 2000. The 1990s also saw G-Shock evolve beyond purely functional tool watches to become fashion statements, establishing collaborations with streetwear and lifestyle brands that continue to this day.

In 1996, G-Shock ventured into luxury territory with the launch of the first "Full Metal" MRG-100, born from Ibe's mission to create a steel-cased watch maintaining the brand's signature toughness while being suitable for formal occasions.

The G-SQUAD Series: Sports-Focused G-Shocks

The GBA-950 belongs to Casio's G-SQUAD line, specifically designed to support fitness enthusiasts with training-oriented features. The G-SQUAD series embodies the concept of "urban sports," providing comfortable support for everyday training activities.

Previous iterations in this evolutionary line include the GBA-800 and GBA-900 series. The GBA-900, which immediately preceded the GBA-950, established several key features that have been refined in the newest model, including step tracking, Bluetooth connectivity, and fitness data monitoring.

The GBA-900, launched at a price point of ¥18,700 (~$131), offered features such as distance measurement, step counting, and smartphone connectivity. It featured dimensions of 51.3 × 48.9 × 16.6 mm and weighed 61 grams.

GBA-950: Design and Engineering Innovations

Refined Dimensions and Weight

The GBA-950 represents a significant refinement in the G-SQUAD lineup, with more compact dimensions of 48.5 × 43.9 × 16 mm and a lighter weight of 53 grams compared to its predecessor. This reduction in size and weight enhances comfort for all-day wear during various activities.

Integrated Structure and Band Design

A standout engineering feature of the GBA-950 is its integrated band and bezel structure, similar to that used in Casio's GA-B001 and GA-V01 models. This design approach contributes to both the watch's durability and its comfortable fit on the wrist.

The band design is particularly innovative, having been co-developed with Japanese "folding engineering" company Outsense. Utilizing origami-inspired folding technology, the band offers enhanced comfort through improved flexibility and a reduced lug size. This thoughtful engineering creates a more natural fit against the wrist, addressing a critical need for sports-oriented timepieces.

Visual Design and Display Features

The GBA-950 maintains the analog-digital layout of its predecessors while refining the visual presentation. The core layout features traditional analog hands for hours, minutes, and seconds, complemented by digital displays for additional information and functions.

Compared to the GBA-900, the GBA-950's inner dial appears cleaner with slimmer edges around the display, and the side button labels feature bolder, more legible fonts. One notable functional change is the relocation of the light button to the front of the watch, improving accessibility.

A distinctive visual element is the large resin hour markers that incorporate luminous material both mixed into the resin and printed on the top surface. Combined with luminous hands, this design enhances legibility in low-light conditions. The watch also features a double LED light system with an LED light for the dial and an LED backlight for the LCD display, both offering auto light, super illuminator, and adjustable afterglow timing options.

Color Options

GBA-950-1A: Black with green accents
GBA-950-2A: Purple/black with bold purple elements
GBA-950-7A: White/gray with neon yellow markers

Each model presents a distinctive aesthetic while maintaining the same functional capabilities and structural integrity.

Technical Specifications and Performance

Core Specifications

Casio Module 5737
CR2025 battery (~2 years lifespan)
Analog + digital LCD display
Dual LED illumination (dial + LCD)

Durability and Resistance

Shock resistant (Carbon Core Guard structure)
200m water resistance (20 ATM)
Resin case construction

Connected Features and Smartphone Integration

Bluetooth for automatic time calibration
Casio Watches app for settings, data logs, manuals
Call, email, and text notifications when connected

Fitness and Activity Tracking

Daily step counter
Distance and pace via smartphone GPS
Running time, calorie estimates, auto-laps
Exercise intensity level display

Data Management

App sync for training/life logs
Long-term performance tracking

Utility and Timekeeping Features

Dual time zone
Stopwatch (45-lap memory)
Countdown timer (5 intervals, auto start)
5 alarms, hourly chime, battery warning
Operation sound on/off

GBA-950 vs. GBA-900 Comparison

Feature	GBA-950	GBA-900
Dimensions	48.5 × 43.9 × 16 mm	51.3 × 48.9 × 16.6 mm
Weight	53g	61g
Case Structure	Integrated band/bezel	Traditional design
Light Button	Front-facing	Side-mounted
Band Design	Origami-style	Urethane standard
Price (Japan)	¥25,300 (~$176)	¥18,700 (~$131)

Market Positioning and Availability

Launched in Japan: May 4, 2025
Price: ¥25,300 (~$176)
Global release expected
Target: fitness enthusiasts, G-Shock collectors, durable-watch seekers

Conclusion

The Casio G-Shock GBA-950 represents a thoughtful evolution of the G-SQUAD connected sports watch lineup, offering meaningful improvements in design, comfort, and functionality. By refining rather than revolutionizing the formula established by its predecessors, Casio has created a watch that should appeal to both longtime G-Shock enthusiasts and newcomers seeking a durable fitness companion.

The integration of smartphone connectivity and fitness tracking features addresses modern user expectations, while the two-year battery life and traditional button-based interface maintain the reliability and ease of use that have long been G-Shock hallmarks. The origami-inspired band design and more compact dimensions demonstrate Casio's continued commitment to ergonomic innovation, even within a well-established product category.

For fitness enthusiasts who value durability over touch screens and appreciate the distinct G-Shock aesthetic, the GBA-950 offers a compelling combination of features at a reasonable price point. While not as feature-rich as dedicated smartwatches, its focused functionality and long battery life may actually be advantages for many users.

As the line between traditional watches and smart wearables continues to blur, the GBA-950 carves out a distinctive middle ground—connected enough to be relevant in the smartphone era, but true enough to G-Shock's heritage to maintain its distinct identity. This balance, perhaps more than any specific feature, may be the GBA-950's greatest achievement.

Garmin’s $100 Million Tariff Hit // Are Higher Watch Prices Coming for Everyone?

Thu, 01 May 2025 08:12:03 GMT

Garmin, a global leader in GPS-enabled devices and smartwatches, faces a pivotal year as new U.S. tariffs threaten to add $100 million in costs to its 2025 financials. This development, set against the backdrop of robust sales and product innovation, is poised to reshape not just Garmin’s pricing strategy but the broader watch market. Here’s a comprehensive look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what consumers and investors should expect.

The Tariff Shock: What’s Happening?

A Sudden Cost Surge

During its Q1 2025 earnings call, Garmin’s CEO Clifton Pemble outlined the company’s expectation of a $100 million gross impact from tariffs this year. The tariffs stem from recent U.S. trade policy changes, including elevated duties on goods manufactured outside the U.S.—notably Taiwan, where Garmin assembles most of its wearables.

Key Details:

Baseline Tariff: Garmin assumes a 10% tariff on all products made outside the U.S., including Taiwan.
Potential Escalation: Taiwan briefly faced a 32% tariff before a pause; the risk of higher rates remains.
China-Sourced Components: An additional 145% tariff applies to materials imported directly from China, though Garmin’s direct sourcing from China is limited.
Revenue Exposure: About 25% of Garmin’s revenue is from U.S. sales of products made outside the country, mainly in Taiwan.

The Financial Fallout

Despite reporting an 11% year-over-year revenue jump and a 13% rise in profits for Q1 2025, Garmin’s stock dropped nearly 10% after the tariff news broke. The company even raised its full-year revenue guidance to $6.85 billion, but did not increase its net income forecast due to anticipated margin pressure from the tariffs.

Why the Market Reacted:

Profit Margins Squeezed: The $100 million in extra costs will compress margins unless offset by price hikes or cost-saving measures.
Uncertainty: The fluid trade environment and risk of further tariff escalation create unpredictability for future earnings.
Investor Caution: Even with Garmin’s strong cash reserves and debt-free balance sheet, the prospect of higher costs and lower margins spooked investors.

How Tariffs Affect Garmin’s Pricing—and Yours

Will Watches Get More Expensive?

The short answer: almost certainly, yes—at least in the U.S. market.

How Tariffs Translate to Higher Prices

Factor	Impact on Garmin Watches
Tariff Rate	10% baseline, risk of 32% on Taiwan
Application	Tariffs apply to import (not retail) cost
Mitigation	Some costs may be absorbed; most likely passed on to consumers
Competitive Pressure	All major brands face similar tariffs, reducing price undercutting

Example:
A $450 Garmin watch could see its U.S. retail price rise to $470 to maintain historical profit levels—an increase of about 4.4%. If tariffs jump to 32%, the increase could be much steeper, though not directly proportional since tariffs apply to import costs, not final retail prices.

Product Launches as a Bellwether

The upcoming Forerunner 970 release will be a key test case. Its pricing will signal how much of the tariff burden Garmin intends to pass to consumers. Recent launches, like the Instinct 3 Tactical, already show $100 price jumps over standard models, hinting at a trend toward higher premiums.

The Broader Watch Market: A Rising Tide of Prices

Garmin is Not Alone

The entire watch industry—luxury and mainstream alike—is grappling with tariff-driven cost increases.

Luxury Brands Respond

Rolex: Raised U.S. prices by about 3% starting May 1, 2025.
Omega: Implementing a 5% average price hike.
Cartier, Breitling: Expected to follow with 3–5% increases.
Secondary Market: Pre-owned watches in the U.S. may see 10–31% price hikes as import costs rise and domestic inventory becomes more attractive.

Why the Increases?

Brands try to maintain global price consistency and avoid cross-border arbitrage.
Retailers and brands may absorb part of the tariff, but most of the increase is passed to consumers.
The secondary market may initially benefit from lower-priced domestic inventory, but prices will likely rise as new inventory is imported at higher costs.

Supply Chain Complexity: Why Garmin Can’t Simply “Move”

Not Just Where, But What

Garmin’s supply chain is complex. While final assembly is in Taiwan, many critical components—like display panels, batteries, and sensors—still come from China. U.S. trade law increasingly focuses on the origin of component value, not just final assembly location. For tariff purposes, Garmin’s watches are considered Taiwanese-made if the main PCBA is produced there.

Mitigation Strategies:

Absorb Costs: Garmin could take the hit to margins, but this is unsustainable long-term.
Raise Prices: Likely for premium models, where demand is less price-sensitive.
Reshoring: Moving assembly to the U.S. is possible but costly and slow.
Supply Chain Diversification: Seeking alternative suppliers or locations, but this takes time.

Consumer Impact: What to Expect

Higher Prices, Fewer Choices, Slower Innovation

Consumers in the U.S. should brace for:

Higher retail prices on new Garmin watches and other imported brands.
Potential delays or fewer model refreshes as companies manage costs.
Slower innovation cycles if R&D budgets tighten due to margin pressure.
A shift toward the secondary market for both luxury and mainstream watches.

Who Gets Hit Hardest?

Entry-level buyers: More price-sensitive segments may see smaller increases, but even modest hikes could deter new customers.
Premium buyers: Less sensitive to price, but may face the largest absolute increases.
Retailers: May see squeezed margins and lower sales, especially if consumers delay purchases or seek alternatives.

Garmin’s Financial Resilience and Strategic Outlook

Strong Cash Position, Conservative Guidance

Garmin remains financially robust, with $3.9 billion in cash and no debt. The company’s 2025 pro forma EPS guidance remains unchanged at $7.80, as management expects foreign exchange benefits and cost mitigations to offset much of the tariff impact.

Strategic Actions:

Mitigations in Place: Some cost-saving measures are already implemented, others are in progress.
Selective Price Increases: Garmin will likely be strategic, raising prices where competition is weak and absorbing costs where necessary.
Ongoing Monitoring: The company is closely watching tariff developments and may adjust strategies as the trade environment evolves.

The Big Picture: A New Normal for the Watch Industry

Tariffs as a Structural Shift

The current tariff environment is not a temporary blip but signals a structural shift in global trade for consumer electronics and watches. Brands across the spectrum must adapt to a world where higher costs and complex trade rules are the norm.

Key Takeaways:

Consumers: Expect higher prices, particularly in the U.S., and consider purchasing sooner rather than later if you’re eyeing a new watch.
Retailers: Prepare for margin pressure and possible inventory challenges as tariffs filter through the supply chain.
Investors: Garmin’s financial health is strong, but profit margins will be under pressure until the trade environment stabilizes.

Conclusion

Garmin’s projected $100 million tariff impact is a bellwether for the entire watch industry. While the company’s financial strength and strategic flexibility offer some cushion, higher costs will inevitably reach consumers—especially in the U.S.—in the form of higher watch prices. This shift is mirrored across luxury and mainstream brands, signaling a broader trend of rising costs and changing market dynamics in the global watch sector.

Instinct 3 Tactical Edition // Where Durability Meets Tactical Precision

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:46:37 GMT

Garmin has officially launched the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition, introducing a rugged smartwatch designed for those who demand performance under pressure. Built for military personnel, tactical professionals, and hardcore adventurers, the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition combines durability, solar charging, and specialized tactical features into one powerful device.

What Makes the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition Special?

Garmin’s Instinct series has always stood for ruggedness, but the Tactical Edition pushes this even further. Here's what sets it apart:

Night Vision Mode: Adjusts the display to be compatible with night vision goggles, keeping your operations covert.
Stealth Mode: Disables wireless communications and stops storing GPS data, offering enhanced operational security.
Kill Switch: A rapid shutdown option to instantly erase user data if the device falls into the wrong hands.
Applied Ballistics Solver: Integration with the Applied Ballistics Ultralite app provides real-time shooting solutions for tactical and competitive shooters.
Jumpmaster Mode: For airborne operations, including HALO/HAHO jumps.
Waypoint Projection: Set and navigate to projected coordinates in the field.

Built for Tough Environments

The Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is tested to military standards (MIL-STD-810) for thermal, shock, and water resistance (rated to 10 ATM). It’s not just waterproof—it’s also built to handle the harshest climates and environments.

The case is constructed from fiber-reinforced polymer, while the scratch-resistant display is designed to remain readable under direct sunlight. Whether you’re diving into the ocean, scaling a desert mountain, or operating in arctic conditions, this watch keeps up.

Power That Lasts

Thanks to Garmin’s advanced solar charging technology, the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition can achieve unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode—provided you're in sufficient sunlight.

Here’s a quick look at battery life specs:

Smartwatch Mode: Unlimited with solar, up to 40 days without
GPS Mode: Up to 70 hours, or 200 hours in Max Battery GPS Mode
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 60 days

This ensures that users can depend on the device even during long missions or backcountry adventures without frequent charging.

Tactical and Fitness Features

Aside from tactical-specific functionalities, the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition also offers comprehensive fitness tracking:

Wrist-Based Heart Rate Monitoring
Pulse Ox Sensor for blood oxygen levels
VO2 Max Estimation
Stress Tracking and Sleep Monitoring
Multi-GNSS Support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo)

It’s built for endurance athletes as much as it is for tactical operators.

Navigational Excellence

The Instinct 3 Tactical Edition includes advanced navigation tools to keep users oriented:

Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Breadcrumb Trail Mapping
ABC Sensors (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass)
Trackback Routing to help return to a starting point safely

Whether navigating urban streets, remote trails, or battlefield terrain, users can trust Garmin’s reliable positioning systems.

Applied Ballistics: Tactical Precision on Your Wrist

One standout addition is compatibility with Applied Ballistics Ultralite, a system traditionally used in standalone ballistic calculators.

With a subscription, users can get:

Real-time ballistic solutions
Environmental data integration (temperature, altitude, wind)
On-the-fly adjustments without needing a separate device

This integration positions the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition as not just a smartwatch but an operational tool for precision shooting.

Color and Style Options

The Tactical Edition of the Instinct 3 is offered in rugged colorways like Black, Coyote Tan, and Olive Drab, reinforcing its tactical roots. The rugged silicone strap is interchangeable, letting users customize the fit and style as needed.

Pricing and Availability

The Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is priced at $499.99 USD and is available immediately through Garmin's website and authorized retailers.

While it carries a premium over the standard Instinct 3, the additional features—especially for users operating in extreme environments—justify the investment.

Final Thoughts: Who Is It For?

The Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is not just a smartwatch; it’s a mission-ready tool for those who push beyond limits. Whether you're an elite operator, a first responder, an extreme adventurer, or simply someone who demands tactical-grade capabilities from your gear, the Instinct 3 Tactical Edition delivers.

It’s rugged. It's versatile. It's ready when you are.

10 Years of Apple Watch // From Fashion Statement to Health Tech Leader

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:48:00 GMT

April 24, 2015 marked the beginning of a new era in wearables when the original Apple Watch went on sale. In the decade since, Apple has sold over 200 million smartwatches, transforming the device from a fashion-forward companion to a powerful health tool.

The Beginning: The Original Apple Watch

In 2015, it wasn’t the “Series 1”—it was just the Apple Watch. It came in two sizes, had a capacitive touchscreen, a digital crown, interchangeable bands, and an optical heart rate sensor. But even then, there were issues. One of the early controversies was “TattooGate,” where darker tattoo ink interfered with the heart rate sensor’s light-based measurements, causing inaccurate readings or even locking users out of their devices.

September 2016: Series 1 and Series 2

Apple introduced two new versions: the Series 1 with an updated processor and the Series 2 with built-in GPS, swim-proofing, and a brighter 1000-nit display. This was also the year Apple partnered with Nike for the first time, launching the Apple Watch Nike+, which included run-focused watch faces.

By the end of 2016, Apple had sold 11.9 million watches, surpassing Rolex to become the world’s top-selling watch brand by revenue.

Series 3: Cellular Freedom

Launched in 2017, Series 3 introduced cellular connectivity, allowing users to take calls, send texts, and stream music without their phones. It also included a barometric altimeter and the first heart rate alerts for unexpected spikes when inactive.

Series 4: Design Refresh and ECG

In 2018, Apple rolled out a new design with edge-to-edge displays, increased case sizes (40mm and 44mm), and introduced fall detection and ECG capabilities for detecting abnormal heart rhythms. These features set the tone for Apple's future health ambitions.

Series 5: Always-On, Compass, and More

The 2019 model brought an always-on display and a built-in compass. Apple also added a noise detection app and cycle tracking for menstrual health. For the first time, titanium models were offered, expanding into the luxury watch segment.

Series 6 and SE: Blood Oxygen and Accuracy Boost

In 2020, the Series 6 added blood oxygen monitoring (later disabled in the U.S. due to a patent dispute). It also marked a major improvement in GPS accuracy. Apple launched the more affordable SE model, offering many core features at a lower price.

Series 7: Bigger and Smarter for Triathletes

Released in 2021, Series 7 featured a larger screen, thinner bezels, and better durability. WatchOS 9 introduced a triathlon mode with touchless transitions—automatically detecting when users switch from swim to bike to run.

Series 8, Ultra, and SE 2: Rugged and Refined

In 2022, Apple launched three models: Series 8 with crash detection, a second-gen SE, and the all-new Apple Watch Ultra. The Ultra brought a rugged 49mm design, dual-frequency GPS, and doubled battery life. It was a favorite among adventurers and athletes.

Series 9 and Ultra 2: Refinement Over Revolution

The 2023 updates focused on performance, with a new chip and a “double tap” gesture for quick interactions. While not groundbreaking, they laid the foundation for more gesture-based controls.

Series 10: Bigger, Smarter, and Focused on Sleep

Launched in 2024, the Series 10 introduced sleep apnea notifications and larger case sizes (42mm and 46mm). The Ultra 2 got a sleek all-black edition with a carbon diamond-like coating.

What Comes Next?

Looking ahead, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 are expected this September. Rumors point to blood pressure trend monitoring, satellite emergency calling, and possibly 5G RedCap for low-power connectivity. Apple may also be laying the groundwork for smarter on-device AI with more neural engine cores.

Some users hope to see features like an action button on the Series 11, more battery life, a slimmer body, and a redesigned heart rate sensor to bring back SPBO2 monitoring.

Final Thoughts

From its humble beginnings to a full-fledged health device, the Apple Watch has consistently evolved year after year. Whether you’re celebrating the 10th anniversary by closing your rings or simply appreciating how far smartwatches have come, one thing is clear: Apple’s not done innovating.

Can GPS Watches Help Keep People with Dementia Safe?

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:46:37 GMT

Global Positioning System (GPS) watches are increasingly being adopted as assistive technologies for individuals with cognitive impairments such as autism, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. These devices offer significant benefits in terms of safety, independence, and peace of mind for both patients and caregivers. However, their implementation also raises ethical concerns and practical challenges.

The Need for GPS Watches in Cognitive Impairment Care

Cognitive impairments often lead to behaviors such as wandering or disorientation, posing serious risks to individuals' safety.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Wandering is a common symptom, with over 60% of Alzheimer's patients experiencing it at some point. This behavior can lead to injuries or fatalities if individuals become lost or enter unsafe areas.
Autism: Children and adults with autism may wander due to sensory overload or curiosity, making GPS devices essential for ensuring their safety.

Caregivers face immense stress in managing these risks while trying to preserve autonomy. GPS watches offer a solution by providing real-time tracking, geofencing, and emergency communication features.

Benefits of GPS Watches

Enhanced Safety

Real-time tracking enables caregivers to quickly locate individuals who wander. Geofencing allows for virtual safety zones with alerts if boundaries are crossed. Many devices also include fall detection sensors that notify caregivers in case of a fall or sudden movement.

Promoting Independence

These watches allow users to move freely within predefined zones, supporting their autonomy while ensuring safety. Discreet and comfortable designs help individuals wear them without feeling overly monitored or stigmatized.

Reducing Caregiver Stress

With smartphone-linked alerts and monitoring, caregivers can check in without constant physical supervision. This reduces burnout and allows caregivers to balance other responsibilities.

Cost Savings

GPS tracking may reduce the need for search-and-rescue operations and prevent hospitalizations related to wandering, lowering overall care costs.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Despite the benefits, GPS watch usage raises important concerns:

Technical Limitations

Some devices may experience signal loss or technical errors, leading to delays or false alerts. Battery life is another issue—if a device dies mid-day, it stops being useful.

Design Issues

Large or unattractive devices may discourage wear. Some individuals may remove or misplace the watch, especially if they do not understand its purpose or feel discomfort.

Ethical Concerns

Constant tracking introduces questions about privacy and autonomy. For people with advanced dementia or those unable to give informed consent, the ethics of continuous monitoring can become murky.

Real-Life Applications

Several studies highlight the usefulness of GPS watches in real-world settings:

A feasibility study in Yorkshire, England found that GPS trackers improved independence and reduced caregiver burden in dementia patients. Participants experienced fewer restrictions and delayed transitions to full-time care.
The Alzheimer's Society partnered with Ravencourt Living to develop safer walking tools with geofencing and SOS buttons. Feedback highlighted the value of simplicity and reliability in these tools.

Recommendations for Implementation

To ensure GPS devices are both effective and ethically responsible:

Design: Watches should be lightweight, durable, and visually appealing. Longer battery life is crucial.
Training: Caregivers must understand how to use the devices effectively while respecting users’ dignity.
Privacy Policies: Data should only be accessible to authorized caregivers or healthcare professionals.
Customization: Devices should be adapted to suit individual needs and preferences, especially for users sensitive to wearable tech.

Conclusion

GPS watches represent a powerful tool for enhancing the safety and independence of individuals with cognitive impairments like autism, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. For caregivers, they offer peace of mind and reduced burden. However, thoughtful implementation—addressing ethical concerns, technical challenges, and user comfort—is essential. With continued innovation and compassionate design, GPS watches can play a meaningful role in supporting vulnerable populations and their families.

Polar’s New Subscription Just Dropped — But Is It Worth Paying For?

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:32:03 GMT

Polar has introduced a new subscription-based training program for its GPS watches – a bold move in a market increasingly skeptical of paywalled features. Coming on the heels of Garmin’s controversial Connect+ subscription launch, Polar’s offering arrives amid heated debate over the value of add-on services for devices that users already paid a premium for. This article takes a deep dive into Polar’s new Fitness Program subscription – examining its features, pricing, content, device compatibility, and user experience – and compares it head-to-head with Garmin’s Connect+ service. We adopt a critical, journalistic tone to assess whether Polar’s subscription delivers enough value to justify its cost, ultimately suggesting that in its current form, it may not be worth the price for most users.

Overview of Polar’s Fitness Program Subscription

Polar’s Fitness Program is a premium, adaptive training service integrated into the Polar Flow ecosystem. It builds upon Polar’s existing training features (like the free FitSpark daily workout suggestions) by offering more comprehensive and long-range guidance. Announced in April 2025, Polar pitched the Fitness Program as "an exciting new way to stay active with adaptive, science-backed training plans" tailored to each user’s fitness level and recovery. In essence, it’s a personalized coaching plan within the Polar Flow app, designed to remove guesswork from your workout routine by telling you exactly what exercises to do each day and week.

Key features include:

Adaptive cardio-based workouts
20 progressive training levels
Weekly planning with rest days
Video guidance for strength/mobility workouts
Personalized workout prescriptions based on HR data
Automatic syncing with Polar watches

Unlike one-off training plans aimed at a single race or goal, Polar’s program is open-ended and adaptive. During setup, you input (or Polar auto-detects) your fitness background and training frequency. The program then generates a weekly schedule of workouts, mixing cardio, strength, and mobility sessions. Workouts are structured by heart-rate zones, not pace or distance.

Features and User Experience: Adaptive Training in Action

The daily experience involves guided workouts that adapt based on your readiness (sleep, recovery metrics). Hard sessions are dialed down if you're fatigued. Polar pushes workouts to your watch, so it’s ready to go each day.

Strengths:

Smart recovery-aware scheduling
Smooth integration with watches
Video demos for strength routines

Weaknesses:

App and web UI feel dated
Coexistence with FitSpark and race plans can be confusing
No social/community or challenge features

The plan tracks progress with a gamified "leveling" system and weekly summaries. However, engagement tools like badges, community comparisons, or challenges are missing. It's a solitary, not social, experience.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At launch, the subscription costs €9.99/month (approx. $11/month USD). There's no annual plan yet, but one is expected (~€70-€80/year). A 14-day free trial is offered.

Device Compatibility: Most current and many past Polar watches.

Availability: Initially Android-only in Europe; iOS and other regions coming Q2 2025.

This pricing is higher than Garmin Connect+ ($6.99/month) and others like Fitbit Premium or Apple Fitness+. Early adopters are asked to pay full price without discounts or annual options.

Is it worth it?

That depends. If you already use FitSpark or a third-party plan, this adds polish and adaptivity, but not necessarily innovation. For budget-conscious users, the free tier likely offers enough guidance.

Comparison: Polar Fitness Program vs Garmin Connect+

Feature	Polar Fitness Program	Garmin Connect+
Price	€9.99/month (no annual yet)	$6.99/month or $69/year
Focus	Adaptive training/coaching	Analytics, insights, social features
Training Plans	Yes – structured, progressive	Free on Garmin devices
Videos	Yes – human demo videos for workouts	Yes – limited to Connect+ content
New Metrics/Analytics	None beyond existing Polar Flow	Yes – AI insights, performance dashboards
Social/Community	None added	Enhanced LiveTrack, badges, profile flair
Device Compatibility	All recent Polar watches	Most Garmin devices
Free Tier Impact	No change to free features	Some new features now behind paywall

Garmin Connect+ adds new analytical layers and social tools, while keeping its core training plans free. Polar charges for training structure and coaching, which Garmin users get at no extra cost. This is a tough comparison for Polar.

Critical Perspective: Should You Subscribe?

Here are the key reasons not to subscribe (at least for now):

Overlap with free features: FitSpark and race plans already offer structured guidance.
Lack of innovation: The program repackages existing ideas with modest polish.
Subscription fatigue: Customers are tired of being asked to pay for features they expected to be included.
Missed opportunity: Polar’s promising new recovery band (360) is not yet available to consumers, where a hardware + subscription bundle could have had more appeal.

If you’re a Polar loyalist who wants extra structure, it may be worth trying the free trial. But for most users, the value isn’t compelling enough to pay monthly.

Conclusion: Proceed with Caution

The Polar Fitness Program isn’t a bad product. It’s solidly executed and integrates well. But in a world where Garmin and others offer similar (or better) training guidance for free, Polar’s subscription feels late, overpriced, and a bit tone-deaf.

Unless you find that the structured plan dramatically improves your training motivation or results, you’re likely better off sticking with the free tools you already have. At $10+ a month, it just doesn’t clear the bar.

Our recommendation: Try the trial, but hold off on subscribing long-term. Watch to see if Polar adds more value or adjusts pricing. For now, it's a decent idea that lacks the polish and punch to truly justify the price tag.

Verdict: Not worth it — yet.

Garmin Faces Tariff Trouble // What It Means for Consumers

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:40:32 GMT

President Donald Trump's recent announcement of sweeping tariffs, including a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and higher, country-specific rates on nations like China and Taiwan, is poised to create significant challenges for many industries. Garmin, a global leader in GPS navigation and wearable technology, is one of the companies likely to feel the effects. This article explores how the new trade policies could affect Garmin's operations, supply chain, pricing strategies, and overall business.

Overview of Trump's Tariffs

On April 2, 2025, Trump unveiled what he called "reciprocal tariffs" under the banner of "Liberation Day." These include a 10% blanket tariff on all imported goods, with steeper rates for certain countries—34% for China and 32% for Taiwan among them. Technology and electronics are among the sectors most directly impacted.

While the administration argues the tariffs will stimulate domestic manufacturing, critics warn of increased inflation, global trade disruptions, and added pressure on American consumers and businesses alike.

Garmin’s Global Supply Chain at Risk

Garmin's business model relies on vertical integration, allowing it to control much of its production process. A key part of this model involves overseas manufacturing—primarily in Taiwan and China. With those regions now subject to high tariffs, Garmin's cost structure faces immediate and significant strain.

Taiwan, home to a large share of Garmin’s manufacturing operations, is now subject to a 32% tariff. China, where some components and production still take place, faces combined tariffs exceeding 60%. That leaves Garmin with limited flexibility in its current supply chain setup.

How Tariffs Could Impact Garmin

Rising Production Costs

The most immediate consequence of the tariffs is a spike in manufacturing costs. Components and finished products imported from Taiwan and China will now be significantly more expensive. Garmin must decide whether to absorb these costs or shift the burden to consumers.

Higher Prices for Consumers

If Garmin chooses to pass costs along, consumers could soon see price hikes across its product range—from fitness trackers to marine navigation systems. In a market where devices like the Forerunner and Fenix already carry premium price tags, even a 10–15% increase could impact buying decisions.

Supply Chain Disruption

Garmin has previously announced plans to diversify production by expanding facilities in Southeast Asia. However, these won't be operational until at least 2026. In the meantime, the company may struggle with rerouting logistics and managing supplier relationships under the new tariff regime.

Competitive Pressure

Garmin risks losing market share to competitors that are less exposed to tariffs or manufacture in countries not targeted by the U.S. For example, brands like Suunto and Polar could benefit if they’re able to maintain lower pricing.

Inflationary Ripple Effects

Broader inflation is another factor. If consumers are already feeling economic pressure from price increases in food, fuel, and other categories, a price hike on wearables could significantly dampen demand for Garmin’s products.

Garmin’s Strategic Options

Diversify Manufacturing

Garmin may accelerate plans to move production to lower-tariff countries. This process, however, takes time and may not offer immediate relief.

Absorb Some Costs

In segments where competition is fierce—like mid-tier smartwatches—Garmin may absorb a portion of the tariff impact to maintain its pricing edge. This approach, however, risks narrowing margins.

Expand U.S. Production

Garmin already has manufacturing capabilities in the United States. Expanding these facilities could help dodge tariffs entirely, but would require a long-term investment and potentially increase labor costs.

Lobby for Exemptions

Garmin may follow the lead of other tech companies by lobbying the U.S. government for product-specific or component-specific tariff exemptions.

Focus on Premium Features

By continuing to innovate and add advanced features to its products, Garmin could maintain pricing power and justify any increases to consumers.

Wider Industry Impact

Garmin is far from alone. Tech giants like Apple and Amazon are also navigating similar tariff-related challenges. Industry-wide, we may see:

A slowdown in innovation as R&D budgets tighten
Shifted release timelines for new products
Increased consumer hesitation on upgrades

The ripple effects could be significant across the broader tech economy.

Conclusion

Trump’s new tariff strategy presents real challenges for Garmin, threatening to drive up production costs and disrupt carefully optimized supply chains. In the short term, consumers could see noticeable price hikes on Garmin’s most popular devices. In the long term, the company must adapt by diversifying production, investing in domestic facilities, or finding new ways to deliver value.

Garmin has built a strong reputation in the fitness and outdoor tech market. How it navigates this turbulent policy shift may define its trajectory for years to come.

How Trump's Tariffs Could Add $170 to the Apple Watch Price

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:40:32 GMT

President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs have sent shockwaves through global markets, placing Apple and its popular wearable devices directly in the spotlight. Analysts now predict that Apple Watch prices could surge by as much as 43% in the coming months, potentially pushing the price of a $399 device to over $570. This article explores the wide-ranging implications of Trump’s "Liberation Day" tariffs, including their effect on Apple Watch pricing, supply chains, and consumer purchasing behavior.

The "Liberation Day" Tariffs: A Global Economic Shake-Up

On April 2, 2025, President Trump unveiled a sweeping tariff initiative dubbed "Liberation Day." Under this plan, all goods imported into the United States face a new 10% baseline tariff, with many countries subject to significantly higher rates. The new tariffs are particularly punitive for countries central to Apple’s manufacturing and supply chains. Vietnam, where roughly 90% of Apple Watches are assembled, now faces a staggering 46% tariff. China, still a crucial part of Apple’s supply network, is hit with a combined 54% levy. Other affected countries include Taiwan, India, and Malaysia, all integral to Apple’s global operations.

These tariffs are intended to incentivize domestic manufacturing and rebalance trade relationships. However, the global response has been swift and combative. China has already announced reciprocal tariffs, while Canada and the European Union have expressed discontent and signaled retaliatory measures. The resulting trade tensions are already reshaping the landscape for multinational companies like Apple.

Apple’s Supply Chain Under Pressure

Apple has spent years diversifying its manufacturing base, moving production away from China to countries like Vietnam and India. Despite these efforts, the company remains deeply reliant on countries now affected by the new tariffs. Approximately 80% of Apple’s production is still tied to China in some form. Even components such as processors, displays, and sensors are sourced from regions now facing import levies.

The Apple Watch is especially vulnerable due to its heavy reliance on Vietnamese assembly and components from Taiwan and China. Each segment of the supply chain is now subject to tariffs, creating a compounding cost effect that dramatically increases the final price of each unit.

Price Hikes Looming for Consumers

The impact of these tariffs is expected to be most visible when Apple releases the Apple Watch Series 11 in September 2025. Analysts warn that the device, if subject to full cost pass-through, could see price increases of up to 43%. This would raise the price of a standard Apple Watch from $399 to approximately $571. Premium models could break the $1,000 mark, significantly altering Apple’s pricing strategy and market positioning.

Some analysts suggest a more conservative increase of around 10%, still enough to influence consumer behavior. The decision of how much of the additional cost Apple absorbs versus passes on will depend on numerous factors, including market competitiveness and customer price sensitivity.

Strategic Challenges and Possible Responses

Apple is now faced with a complex strategic puzzle. The company could attempt to absorb some of the increased costs, though doing so would cut into profit margins. Alternatively, Apple might seek tariff exemptions, a strategy that worked during Trump's previous administration. However, this time the political climate may be less favorable.

Accelerating manufacturing relocation or redesigning products to source components from low-tariff regions are other options, but these are long-term solutions that won’t offer immediate relief. Given the speed at which the tariffs take effect, Apple is likely to face tough decisions about pricing and production very soon.

Consumer Behavior and Market Impact

Consumers will likely respond to price increases in several ways. Some may delay upgrades or opt for lower-tier models. Others might explore alternatives from brands like Samsung, Garmin, or Coros, especially if those companies can maintain more stable pricing.

The introduction of higher tariffs during a period of already high inflation adds to the financial strain many consumers feel. This may normalize elevated prices over time, but in the short term, it could hurt Apple Watch sales and disrupt upgrade cycles.

Broader Economic Implications

The broader economic context amplifies the significance of the new tariffs. Apple’s stock dropped sharply following the announcement, with billions in market value erased in a matter of days. Investors are concerned about shrinking margins and potential declines in sales.

These tariffs also raise wider inflationary concerns. As prices rise across various product categories, economists warn of an inflationary wave that could affect everything from electronics to food. For consumers and businesses alike, these developments signal a period of economic uncertainty.

The Road Ahead

With tariffs set to take effect on April 9, 2025, and the Apple Watch Series 11 expected in September, Apple is on a tight timeline to respond. Consumers watching closely may choose to make purchasing decisions ahead of the tariff impact, while Apple must weigh its strategic options carefully.

Ultimately, the situation underscores the fragile balance between globalization and national economic policy. The Apple Watch, once seen as a symbol of sleek innovation, now becomes a case study in how global politics can reshape the everyday products we rely on.

Key Takeaways

New tariffs could increase Apple Watch prices by 10% to 43%.
The Apple Watch Series 11 will be the first to reflect the full impact.
Apple may pursue exemptions, absorb costs, or redesign products.
Consumer behavior could shift, with delayed purchases and interest in alternatives.
The situation marks a turning point in global supply chain strategy and consumer electronics pricing.

Garmin Connect+ Sparks User Backlash Over New Subscription Fees

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:32:03 GMT

Garmin's recent launch of its subscription service, Garmin Connect+, has sparked widespread controversy and backlash among its user base. This move, which introduces premium features at a cost of $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually, has been met with criticism from loyal customers who feel betrayed by the company’s shift toward a paywalled model. This article explores the reasons behind the backlash, the features of Garmin Connect+, and the broader implications for Garmin’s reputation and business strategy.

Garmin Connect+: What It Offers

Garmin Connect+ is designed as a premium tier within the Garmin Connect app, offering several new features aimed at enhancing the user experience. These include:

Active Intelligence: An AI-powered tool providing personalized health and activity insights.
Performance Dashboard: Advanced visualizations of training data to track progress over time.
Live Activity: Real-time metrics like heart rate and pace during workouts, accessible via smartphones.
Exclusive Coaching Guidance: Personalized training programs with expert content for running and cycling.
Enhanced LiveTrack: Expanded functionality for sharing activity progress with friends and family.
Social Features: Exclusive badges and challenges for motivation.

While these features are optional and do not affect existing free functionalities, they represent a notable shift in Garmin's longstanding value proposition.

The Backlash: Why Are Users Angry?

The launch of Connect+ has ignited frustration across online communities. Users cite several reasons for their dissatisfaction.

Betrayal of Trust

Garmin has built its brand on a no-subscription model. Customers who purchased high-priced devices felt secure knowing they’d have full access to features without recurring charges. Connect+ changes that narrative.

Fear of Subscription Creep

Many fear that while current features remain free, future functionality may increasingly fall behind paywalls. This so-called "subscription creep" could devalue Garmin devices over time.

High Device Costs

Garmin watches already command premium pricing. Adding a subscription on top of devices like the $1,000+ Fenix series feels excessive to many users.

Competitor Comparisons

Other brands like Coros and Suunto still offer full-featured platforms without subscriptions. Garmin's move brings it closer to Fitbit and Whoop, both known for requiring monthly fees.

Perceived Low Value

Some argue that the features offered in Connect+—like AI insights or digital badges—don’t provide enough value to justify the subscription price.

Community Reaction

Reddit threads criticizing the Connect+ rollout have exploded with activity, with many users calling it a "slippery slope" and vowing to look elsewhere for their fitness tracking needs.

Popular reactions include:

“Garmin was great because I didn’t have to pay extra every month. That’s over now.”
“It’s not about the $7. It’s about trust.”
“If they start locking more features behind Connect+, I’m selling my Fenix.”

Broader Implications for Garmin

Damage to Brand Loyalty

Garmin's no-subscription model was a major draw. Reversing course may erode long-standing user trust.

Competitive Landscape

Subscription-free alternatives like Coros could benefit from Garmin’s misstep, especially among cost-conscious and high-end users.

Financial Strategy

Recurring revenue is attractive to investors. Still, Garmin risks alienating its core audience if not handled with transparency.

Risk to Premium Segments

Users of Garmin’s high-end watches—those most likely to feel aggrieved—are also among the most vocal and influential. Losing their support could impact both sales and reputation.

What Garmin Could Do Next

To address the backlash and preserve customer goodwill, Garmin may consider:

Reassuring users that core features will remain free.
Offering clear, tangible value in Connect+ to justify the cost.
Providing discounts or benefits to users of premium devices.
Actively engaging with the community to address concerns.

Conclusion

Garmin Connect+ represents a pivotal moment in Garmin’s evolution as it joins the subscription economy. While the service brings new capabilities, it also challenges the values that endeared Garmin to its user base in the first place.

As the company seeks to balance innovation with user trust, how it handles this rollout will be critical in determining whether Connect+ is seen as a step forward or a stumble that compromises its core identity. For now, the backlash is loud, and Garmin must decide how to respond.

Garmin’s Vivoactive 6 Brings Premium Features to the Masses

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:38:37 GMT

Garmin has recently unveiled its newest addition to the Vivoactive series, the Vivoactive 6, positioning itself as a compelling option within their lineup of fitness-focused smartwatches. This latest iteration aims to bridge the gap between dedicated sports watches and lifestyle-oriented smartwatches, bringing a host of new features that were previously exclusive to Garmin's higher-end models.

What's New in the Vivoactive 6?

While maintaining the core strengths of its predecessor, the Vivoactive 6 introduces enhancements across both hardware and software:

Revamped user interface with new controls and navigation
Added approximately 50 new sport profiles and apps
Smart Wake Alarm that wakes users during light sleep stages
Running Dynamics support including Ground Contact Time and Stride Length
Running Power directly from the wrist
PacePro pacing strategies
Breadcrumb-style Course and Route following
Daily Suggested Walk Workouts
Mobility profile for flexibility and strength
Workout Animations for strength training
Increased data fields per screen (up to 8)
More custom data pages
Added magnetic compass
8GB of internal storage (doubled from 4GB)
Expanded GPS support with Beidou and QZSS

Design and Color Options

The Vivoactive 6 maintains a lightweight, 42mm design and 1.2” AMOLED display (390x390 resolution). It's available in four color options: black, white and gold, green, and pink.

Vivoactive 6 vs. Vivoactive 5: A Comparison

Feature	Vivoactive 6	Vivoactive 5	Notes
User Interface	Revamped, more intuitive controls	Legacy circular controls	Major upgrade
Sport Profiles	+50 new options	Basic profiles	Huge expansion
Running Dynamics	Built-in	Not supported	New
Running Power	Built-in	Not supported	New
PacePro	Included	Not available	New
Course Following	Included	Not available	New
Smart Wake Alarm	Included	Not available	New
Workout Animations	Included	Not available	New
Compass	Magnetic	None	New
Internal Storage	8GB	4GB	Doubled capacity
GNSS Support	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo	More satellite coverage
Display & Size	1.2" AMOLED, 42mm	1.2" AMOLED, 42mm	Same size, slight brightness boost
Battery Life	11 days smartwatch, 21 hrs GPS	11 days smartwatch, 21 hrs GPS	Similar
Price (USD)	$299	$299 at launch	No change

Core Features That Remain

AMOLED display with vibrant color and touch responsiveness
Elevate Gen4 heart rate sensor with pulse ox
Sleep tracking with sleep score
HRV Status tracking
Offline music from Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music
Activity tracking (steps, calories, etc.)
Body Battery and stress tracking

Competing in the Mid-Range Market

At $299, the Vivoactive 6 aims directly at the Apple Watch SE and Samsung Galaxy Watch FE. While it doesn’t include features like a speaker, microphone, or ECG, it outperforms on fitness tracking thanks to Garmin's robust data ecosystem and GPS capabilities.

Conclusion

The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a well-rounded fitness smartwatch that takes everything people loved about the Vivoactive 5 and builds on it with a more advanced feature set. From breadcrumb navigation and running power to workout animations and an improved UI, it's clear that Garmin is serious about delivering a rich, sport-forward smartwatch experience without creeping into the high-end price range.

For fitness enthusiasts seeking a reliable, data-driven smartwatch at a mid-range price, the Vivoactive 6 checks nearly every box.

Premium on a Budget // Amazfit Bip 6 Impresses at $79

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:38:37 GMT

The Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch has officially entered the market, offering an impressive array of features at a remarkably low price point of $79.99. As a successor to the Bip 5, this new wearable from Amazfit is packed with upgrades that make it a standout choice for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy users alike. Below, we delve into the design, features, performance, and overall value of the Amazfit Bip 6.

Design and Build Quality

The Amazfit Bip 6 sports a lightweight aluminum alloy frame combined with fiber-reinforced polymer, giving it a premium feel without adding bulk. Weighing just 27.9 grams and measuring 10.45mm in thickness, the watch is comfortable to wear for extended periods, including during sleep tracking sessions. Its square-shaped design is reminiscent of the Apple Watch, featuring rounded edges and a flat tempered glass display that enhances durability.

Available in four stylish colorways—Black, Charcoal, Stone, and Red—the Bip 6 offers versatility to match various personal styles. The silicone strap is breathable and washable, making it ideal for workouts and daily use.

Display: Vibrant and Functional

One of the standout features of the Bip 6 is its 1.97-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 380 x 450 pixels. This screen delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors, boasting an impressive peak brightness of 2,000 nits—making it easily readable even under direct sunlight. The display supports customizable watch faces ranging from classic analog designs to data-packed digital options.

While the screen does not offer an always-on display mode by default (to conserve battery life), users can enable this feature during workouts for continuous visibility of stats.

Battery Life: Exceptional Longevity

Battery life is another area where the Bip 6 excels. Powered by a 340mAh battery, it promises up to two weeks of typical usage or six days with heavy use. Even when enabling power-intensive features like GPS tracking and sleep monitoring, the watch performs admirably. This efficiency makes it a convenient choice for users who prefer minimal charging interruptions.

Charging is facilitated through a magnetic puck compatible with USB-C cords—a practical solution for modern tech users.

Health and Fitness Tracking

The Amazfit Bip 6 is equipped with Amazfit’s advanced BioTracker 6.0 PPG sensor, which provides precise measurements for heart rate, SpO2 levels, stress monitoring, heart rate variability (HRV), and sleep tracking. The sleep tracking feature delivers detailed insights but may occasionally overestimate sleep duration compared to higher-end devices like the Pixel Watch.

With support for over 140 workout modes—including niche activities like kite flying and swing pumping—the Bip 6 caters to diverse fitness needs. Notable additions include HYROX Race tracking and Smart Strength Training, which automatically monitors reps, rest times, and muscle engagement during workouts.

The built-in GPS system enables accurate activity tracking and offline navigation with turn-by-turn directions—a feature typically reserved for high-end smartwatches like Garmin models. However, limitations such as restricted map browsing capabilities may deter advanced users seeking comprehensive navigation tools.

Smart Features

The Bip 6 integrates several smart features that enhance its versatility:

Notifications: Users can receive call alerts, text messages, social media updates, calendar reminders, and more directly on their wrist.
Voice Assistant: The Zepp Flow voice assistant allows hands-free control of settings and readiness scores but exhibits some lag compared to competitors like Siri or Google Assistant.
Camera Remote: A feature exclusive to iPhones enables camera control via the watch.
Offline Maps: While not flawless in execution, this feature offers basic navigation support for outdoor enthusiasts.

However, certain advanced functionalities like mobile payment options are absent—a tradeoff that reflects its budget-friendly pricing.

Software: Zepp OS Integration

The Amazfit Bip 6 runs on Zepp OS rather than Wear OS or other mainstream platforms. While this proprietary operating system ensures compatibility across Android and iOS devices without sacrificing core features, it does come with some drawbacks. Navigation through menus can feel clunky due to questionable design choices like billboard-style animations that slow down interactions.

On the positive side, the Zepp app provides detailed health insights and personalized coaching without requiring premium subscriptions. It also introduces an AI-powered food journal that scans food labels to log nutritional information—a handy tool for users focused on calorie tracking.

Comparison with Competitors

The Bip 6 competes directly with budget smartwatches like Fitbit's discontinued Versa lineup and entry-level Garmin models. Despite its affordable price tag:

It offers features like offline maps and dual-band GNSS navigation that are typically found in high-end devices costing several times more.
Its heart rate accuracy rivals pricier options like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 during casual fitness tracking sessions.
The AMOLED display matches premium standards seen in flagship smartwatches like Apple Watch Series models.

However, limitations in software polish and GPS navigation mean it may not fully replace higher-end alternatives for advanced users.

Pricing and Availability

At $79.99 (£79.90), the Amazfit Bip 6 delivers tremendous value for its price. Compared to its predecessor—the Bip 5—it introduces significant upgrades in display technology (AMOLED vs. TFT), battery life (14 days vs. 10 days), health sensors (BioTracker 6.0 vs. older versions), and build quality (aluminum alloy frame).

Its affordability makes it an attractive option for first-time smartwatch buyers or those seeking robust functionality without splurging on flagship models.

Conclusion: A Game-Changer in Budget Wearables

The Amazfit Bip 6 redefines what consumers can expect from affordable smartwatches by packing premium features into a sub-$100 device. With its vibrant AMOLED display, long-lasting battery life, comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities, and stylish design, it emerges as a compelling choice for everyday use.

While minor software quirks may detract from its overall experience for advanced users accustomed to high-end devices, these shortcomings are easily outweighed by its exceptional value proposition. For anyone looking to enter the smartwatch market without b

Rucking and Breathing Insights // Inside the Latest Garmin Fenix 8 Beta

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 16:38:37 GMT

Garmin continues to refine its flagship Fenix 8 smartwatch series with the release of beta versions 15.16 and 15.17, showcasing its commitment to innovation and user-centric development. These updates introduce new features and improvements tailored to specific user needs, further solidifying the Fenix 8 as a top-tier choice for outdoor enthusiasts, tactical users, and athletes.

Beta Version 15.16: Rucking Activity and Expanded Features

Released on March 27, 2025, beta version 15.16 introduced over 60 changes, including the addition of a dedicated Rucking activity. This feature allows users to log the weight of their backpack during walking or hiking, enhancing fitness tracking by accounting for the added resistance. Rucking, rooted in military training, is gaining popularity as a functional workout that builds endurance and strength.

Key Features in Beta Version 15.16:

Rucking Activity: Tracks pack weight, load-adjusted pace, calorie burn, and endurance metrics.
Rep-Counting 3.0: Improved functionality for strength training.
Voice Commands: Expanded support for activities like Jumpmaster and Dive Planning.
Daily Suggested Workouts: Enhanced visibility in the Garmin Connect app.
Activity Improvements: Updates to Climbing and Jump Rope profiles.
Morning Report Redesign: Includes updated weather layouts.
Body Battery Display: Now provides a 24-hour summary graph.

This update also delivered bug fixes across features like passcodes and skin temperature measurements. However, ECG and Dive functionalities remained disabled during beta testing.

Beta Version 15.17: Breathing Variations Support and Golf Notifications

Released just a day later on March 28, beta version 15.17 introduced additional refinements focused on wellness and activity enhancements.

Key Features in Beta Version 15.17:

Breathing Variations Support: Enhances sleep and stress analysis.
Golf Notifications: Wake the display for improved readability during golf activities.
Navigation Enhancements: Adjusted directional arrow sizing for better map navigation.
Music Player Layout: Refined interface for controlling smartphone music.
Bug Fixes: Addressed memory issues affecting navigation reliability.

As with the previous beta, ECG and Dive features remained inactive.

Impact of Updates on User Experience

Catering to Niche Activities

The inclusion of Rucking underscores Garmin's attention to specialized fitness activities.
Golf improvements cater to a key segment of Garmin’s premium smartwatch users.

Wellness Tracking Enhancements

Breathing Variations adds new depth to Garmin’s wellness insights.
Updates complement existing Body Battery and stress tracking features.

Navigation Reliability

Fixes in beta 15.17 improve outdoor navigation experiences, especially for hiking and trail running.

Music Control Optimization

UI tweaks to the music player offer easier controls, enhancing smartwatch functionality.

Challenges in Development

ECG Functionality: Still disabled, possibly due to ongoing regulatory or technical hurdles.
Dive Features: Yet to be rolled out, limiting the appeal to diving users despite hardware readiness.

Conclusion

The Fenix 8 series continues to evolve as Garmin integrates innovative features through rapid beta updates. With additions like Rucking activity tracking and Breathing Variations Support, Garmin demonstrates its commitment to catering to diverse user needs while maintaining its reputation as a leader in multisport smartwatches.

These updates not only enhance the watch's functionality but also position it as a versatile tool for outdoor enthusiasts, tactical users, golfers, and wellness-focused individuals. As Garmin prepares for stable releases of these features, the Fenix 8 series remains an essential choice for those seeking cutting-edge technology combined with rugged durability.

Garmin Connect+ // AI, LiveTrack, and Enhanced Training Tools

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 07:32:03 GMT

The landscape of fitness technology is ever-evolving, and with it, the monetization strategies of the companies that power our tracking and training. Garmin, a long-standing titan in the world of GPS watches and fitness trackers, has recently made a significant shift by introducing its first paid subscription tier for Garmin Connect, dubbed Garmin Connect+. This move, announced in early 2025, has sparked considerable discussion among users, raising questions about value, the future of the free Garmin Connect platform, and the broader trend of subscriptions in the fitness tech industry.

Garmin Connect+ at a Glance: What's Included?

The new premium plan, Garmin Connect+, is available for $6.99 per month or $69 per year in the USA. A 30-day free trial is available to all Garmin users, allowing them to explore the new features before committing to a paid plan. The subscription unlocks the following features:

Active Intelligence

Powered by AI, this feature provides personalized insights and suggestions based on a user's health and activity data.
The AI offers daily summaries, workout follow-ups, and end-of-day guidance, potentially incorporating metrics like sleep quality, HRV, and training load.
While promising, early reports suggest mixed results with some insights appearing too generic.

Performance Dashboard

Provides customizable graphs and charts via the Garmin Connect web interface.
Allows comparison of fitness data over time, such as power zones, distance trends, and pace progress.
Exclusive to the web platform at launch, raising concerns about accessibility for mobile users.

Live Activity

Allows real-time mirroring of workout data from Garmin watches to the Garmin Connect app during indoor workouts.
Especially useful for activities like treadmill running and strength training, providing a larger view of metrics.
Currently limited to indoor activities, but expected to expand in the future.

Training Guidance

Enhanced educational content for Garmin Coach users, including expert tips and videos to improve training.
Differentiated from AI insights, focusing more on structured training plans and advice.

Expanded LiveTrack Features

Offers automatic text notifications for designated contacts when activities begin or end.
Provides personalized LiveTrack profile pages with previous activity history.
Allows users to embed LiveTrack maps on other websites.

Social Features

Includes custom profile frames and exclusive badge challenges.
Gamification aspects intended to enhance user engagement but viewed as less essential by most.

User Reactions and Industry Trends

The introduction of Garmin Connect+ has been met with a spectrum of reactions. While some users appreciate the enhanced features, others are frustrated by the paywall imposed on functionalities they feel should be included with Garmin's premium-priced devices.

Key Concerns

Garmin previously emphasized the free nature of Garmin Connect, and users worry that valuable features will increasingly be gated behind subscriptions.
Comparison to competitors like Apple and Coros who offer similar features without additional fees.
Fear that future software improvements may focus more on Connect+ users than those on the free platform.

Industry Perspective

Subscription-based models are becoming standard in the fitness tech industry, with competitors like Whoop, Fitbit, and Apple all offering paid services.
Garmin's move into this space reflects broader trends toward monetizing software features rather than relying solely on hardware sales.

Conclusion

The launch of Garmin Connect+ marks a significant shift in Garmin's strategy. While the new features offer potential value for those willing to pay, many users feel this is a step away from Garmin’s original promise of accessible fitness tracking. The coming months will reveal whether Connect+ can strike the right balance between offering premium features while continuing to support the robust free platform Garmin users have come to expect.

Apple Watch’s Big Leap // Cameras and AI by 2027

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:32:03 GMT

The integration of cameras into future Apple Watch models represents a pivotal shift in wearable technology, positioning the device as a hub for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven interactions. According to recent reports, Apple plans to embed cameras in both the standard Apple Watch Series and Ultra variants by 2027, enabling advanced "Visual Intelligence" features that allow the device to interpret and respond to its surroundings. This innovation aims to transcend traditional health and notification functions, transforming the Apple Watch into a proactive AI assistant capable of object recognition, environmental analysis, and contextual information retrieval.

Evolution of the Apple Watch: From Fitness Tracker to AI-Powered Companion

The Foundation of Health-Centric Design

Since its debut in 2015, the Apple Watch has prioritized health monitoring, integrating sensors for heart rate variability, blood oxygen saturation, and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. The Series 9 and Ultra 2 models refined these capabilities with temperature sensing and improved GPS accuracy. However, the device’s reliance on iPhone pairing limited its autonomy.

The AI Inflection Point

Apple’s 2024 "Apple Intelligence" rollout introduced foundational AI models for text prediction and health insights. The proposed camera integration aims to enable real-time environmental analysis, enhancing health metrics and enabling new functionalities such as translating foreign text or identifying hazardous objects.

Technical Implementation of Camera Integration

Design Challenges and Innovations

Apple is testing under-display camera technology for the standard model, while the Ultra model will feature a side-mounted camera near the digital crown. These designs aim to balance image quality and aesthetic integrity.

Sensor Specifications and Performance

The Ultra’s camera may use a 1/2.8" CMOS sensor with 0.1 lux low-light sensitivity, enabling functionality in diverse environments. Computational photography techniques will enhance image quality despite motion blur from wrist movements.

Power Management and Thermal Constraints

To address power consumption, Apple is developing a hybrid processing system where initial image capture occurs on-device, with further analysis offloaded to the iPhone or cloud. Improved thermal management from the S10 chip’s 3nm architecture will help maintain user comfort.

Visual Intelligence: Core Features and Applications

Real-Time Object Recognition

The Apple Watch will use AI to identify objects in the environment and provide relevant information, such as translating text or providing health-related alerts.

Enhanced Accessibility and Language Translation

The wrist-mounted camera will improve gesture recognition and text translation, making the Apple Watch a valuable tool for accessibility.

Health Monitoring Advancements

Apple is exploring health-related functionalities such as hemoglobin measurement and skin cancer screening through visual analysis of skin patterns.

Market Implications and Competitive Landscape

Projected Adoption Rates

The smartwatch market is expected to grow significantly, driven by AI enhancements. Apple’s integration of Visual Intelligence could boost adoption rates, particularly in regions with high disposable income.

Competitive Responses

While Samsung and Garmin focus on video call functionality and rugged designs, Apple’s emphasis on AI-powered contextual awareness sets it apart.

Ethical Considerations and Privacy Safeguards

Surveillance Concerns

Apple addresses privacy concerns through hardware indicators and on-device processing, ensuring that only anonymized metadata is shared with cloud servers.

Regulatory Compliance

Apple is working to comply with the EU’s AI Act, which mandates transparency for biometric data collection.

Future Directions

Towards Autonomous Wearable AI

Future models may eliminate iPhone dependency through on-device large language models and satellite connectivity for cloud-free operation.

Integration with Augmented Reality

Apple’s Vision Pro AR glasses could integrate with the watch camera for enhanced spatial computing capabilities.

Conclusion

The camera-equipped Apple Watch represents a paradigm shift in wearable technology, transitioning from reactive health tracking to proactive environmental interaction. By harnessing Visual Intelligence, Apple aims to create a new standard for wearable technology, balancing AI capabilities with user trust and privacy considerations.

Amazfit Users Frustrated Over Zepp App 9.5 Bug // What's Going Wrong?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:32:03 GMT

The latest update to the Zepp app, version 9.5, has left many Amazfit smartwatch users frustrated and concerned about the accuracy of their fitness tracking. A significant bug has emerged, affecting crucial metrics such as the Exertion score, Training Status, and Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) points. This issue has sparked discussions across various platforms, with users seeking answers and solutions from Zepp Health, the parent company of Amazfit.

The Exertion Score Bug

What is the Exertion Score?

The Exertion score is a relatively new feature introduced with Zepp App 9, designed to help users track their daily energy expenditure. This metric aims to provide a comprehensive view of a user's physical activity and recovery, encouraging them to reach a 100% score through workouts. The score is calculated using personal recovery data and Readiness information, offering a personalized goal for each user.

The Problem

Following the Zepp App 9.5 update, users have reported significant issues with their Exertion scores. The problems include:

Scores not reflecting recent workouts
Exertion scores resetting to 0 after activities
Unexpected drops in progress despite consistent exercise

These issues are not isolated to a single Amazfit model but have been reported across various devices, including the popular Bip 3 Pro and T-Rex 3 smartwatches.

Impact on Other Metrics

Training Status

Users have also reported issues with their Training Status, which helps athletes understand their fitness level and recovery needs. Inaccurate data could lead to improper training decisions, potentially affecting performance and increasing the risk of overtraining or undertraining.

Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI)

The PAI metric, developed in collaboration with researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, is also affected. Users are not receiving accurate PAI scores, undermining their fitness tracking efforts.

Technical Details of the Bug

Affected Versions

The bug appears to be linked to Zepp App version 9.5. While iOS users have received subsequent updates (versions 9.5.1 and 9.5.2), Android users remain on version 9.5.0. It's unclear if these updates have resolved the issue for iOS users.

Possible Causes

Data synchronization issues between the smartwatch and the Zepp app
Errors in the algorithm calculating the Exertion score and related metrics
Conflicts with other recent updates or features introduced in version 9.5

User Impact and Reactions

Fitness Tracking Disruptions

Accurate data is essential for users to monitor progress, set goals, and make informed training decisions. The sudden unreliability of key metrics has left many users feeling frustrated and uncertain about their fitness data.

Community Response

The Amazfit user community has been actively discussing the issue on Reddit, YouTube, and forums like XDA, with many seeking solutions and temporary fixes.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

While waiting for an official fix from Zepp Health, users have attempted various workarounds:

Restarting the Zepp app
Restarting Bluetooth and location services
Restarting the Amazfit smartwatch
Clearing the app’s cache
Unpairing and re-pairing the smartwatch with the phone

Looking Forward: What’s Next?

Zepp Health has yet to release an official statement acknowledging the issue. Users are encouraged to report problems via the Zepp app under "Profile > User Feedback." Regular updates and open communication from Zepp Health will be crucial to restoring user trust and maintaining their competitiveness in the smartwatch market.

Conclusion

The Zepp App 9.5 update bug affecting Amazfit smartwatches highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining reliable fitness tracking systems. How Zepp Health addresses this issue will significantly impact user satisfaction and their position in the competitive wearable market.

Polar and TrainingPeaks // A New Era of Structured Training

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 14:32:03 GMT

Polar, a leader in sports and fitness technology, has announced a groundbreaking integration with TrainingPeaks, a popular app for endurance athletes and coaches. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Polar's ecosystem, offering enhanced functionality and convenience for athletes of all levels. Below is an in-depth exploration of this new agreement, its features, benefits, and implications for users.

Overview of the Integration

The partnership between Polar and TrainingPeaks allows users to seamlessly sync structured workouts and training plans from TrainingPeaks to Polar's sports watches via the Polar Flow app. This integration is currently available as a public beta and is compatible with all current Polar sports watches, as well as many older models like the Polar Vantage V and M430.

Key Features:

Automatic Syncing: Workouts created on TrainingPeaks or prescribed by a coach are automatically transferred to the Polar Flow app and subsequently to the user's watch.
Real-Time Guidance: During training sessions, users receive real-time instructions on metrics such as heart rate zones, speed, and power targets.
Post-Workout Analysis: After completing a session, workout data is automatically synced back to TrainingPeaks for detailed analysis.

How It Works

To enable the integration:

Users must link their Polar Flow account with their TrainingPeaks account through the app's settings.
Once connected, planned workouts from TrainingPeaks appear on the user's Polar watch in real time.
The watch provides phase-by-phase guidance during workouts, ensuring athletes meet their training goals effectively.

This feature supports both free and premium TrainingPeaks subscriptions. New Polar device purchases also come with a complimentary 30-day trial of TrainingPeaks Premium, offering access to advanced analytics and customizable workout builders.

Benefits for Athletes

1. Enhanced Convenience
- Automatic syncing saves time and reduces the risk of errors when transferring data.
1. Improved Performance Tracking
- Real-time feedback during workouts helps athletes stay within target zones.
1. Comprehensive Analysis
- Post-workout data is sent back to TrainingPeaks for deeper insights, allowing coaches to refine training plans.
1. Compatibility Across Devices
- Integration works with most Polar watches, including older models, making it accessible to a broad range of users.

Technical Details

Supported Features:

Structured workouts
Real-time guidance on heart rate zones, speed, and power
Automatic mapping of expanded training zones into Polar's five-zone system
Compatibility with activities like running, cycling, swimming, and strength training.

Getting Started:

Users can activate the feature through the Polar Flow app by navigating to "Settings > Partners > Connect > TrainingPeaks." Feedback from beta testers will be used to refine the experience.

Implications for the Fitness Industry

This collaboration positions Polar as a more competitive player in the wearables market, dominated by brands like Garmin and Apple. By integrating with TrainingPeaks—a platform widely regarded as essential for endurance athletes—Polar is addressing a key gap in its ecosystem.

Competitive Edge:

Aligns Polar with industry leaders who already offer similar features.
Enhances Polar's appeal among athletes who value data-driven training.

Future Potential:

The partnership could pave the way for additional integrations with other fitness platforms, further expanding Polar’s ecosystem.

Conclusion

Polar's new agreement with TrainingPeaks represents a significant step forward in wearable fitness technology. By combining Polar’s expertise in heart rate monitoring with TrainingPeaks’ robust training tools, this integration offers unparalleled convenience and functionality for athletes. As the beta phase progresses and user feedback is incorporated, this integration is likely to become an indispensable feature for Polar users worldwide.

Suunto Vertical Week 2025 // Climbing for a Cause

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:32:03 GMT

The Suunto Vertical Week 2025 was a remarkable global event that united nearly 240,000 participants in a collective effort to climb over 121 million vertical meters. This annual celebration of elevation gain, organized by Suunto, offered a unique blend of physical challenge, community spirit, and environmental advocacy.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Participants collectively climbed 121 million vertical meters, surpassing the initial goal of 1 million meters by an extraordinary margin of 121 times. The event attracted nearly 240,000 participants from around the world, marking it as one of the most successful editions in its history.

Diverse Activities and Global Participation

The event welcomed athletes and outdoor enthusiasts from various disciplines, including trail running, skiing, hiking, cycling, and mountaineering. It encouraged participants to engage in muscle-powered activities to contribute to their total elevation gain.

Environmental Advocacy

Suunto partnered with Protect Our Winters (POW) Europe to raise awareness about climate change. For every 100 vertical meters climbed, €1 was donated to POW Europe, up to a limit of €10,000. This initiative highlighted the event's commitment to sustainability and protecting natural environments.

Competitive Spirit

The event featured country rankings based on average ascent per session and total ascent. Austria led in average ascent per session (399m), while France topped the total ascent rankings. Individual achievements were also celebrated, with ten participants climbing over 14,000 meters during the week.

Innovative Tools and Features

Participants used Suunto's advanced GPS watches and apps to track their progress. Features like Climb Guidance, altitude profiles, vertical speed tracking, and Normalized Graded Pace enhanced the experience. The SuuntoPlus Vertical Week app allowed real-time monitoring of cumulative ascent and provided comparisons with previous years' rankings.

Prizes and Community Engagement

Suunto incentivized participation by offering prizes such as the Suunto Vertical Titanium watch and Suunto Wing headphones. Winners were selected from participants who joined through the Suunto app. A Strava challenge was also integrated into the event for broader community engagement.

National and Activity-Based Achievements

The event highlighted which countries excelled in specific activities:

Spain dominated trekking activities with an average ascent of 628m per session.
Slovenia led hiking with an average ascent of 555m per session.
Italy excelled in cross-country skiing with an average ascent of 340m per session.

What Made This Event Special?

Global Unity for a Cause: The event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve a common goal while supporting environmental conservation.
Focus on Sustainability: Linking physical activity with climate advocacy through donations to POW Europe emphasized the importance of protecting outdoor spaces.
Advanced Technology Integration: Suunto's cutting-edge tools empowered participants to optimize their performance and enjoy a seamless experience.
Community Spirit: The combination of friendly competition, shared goals, and rewards fostered a sense of camaraderie among participants.

Conclusion

Suunto Vertical Week 2025 was not just an athletic challenge but a celebration of human endurance, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation. It set new benchmarks for participation and impact while inspiring individuals worldwide to keep climbing—for themselves and for the planet.

The DMA // A Game-Changer for All Wearable Brands (like Garmin)

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:32:03 GMT

The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) represents one of the most significant regulatory interventions in the digital economy in recent years, with far-reaching implications for wearable technology manufacturers across the industry. As the legislation reshapes how tech giants operate within the EU, it creates unprecedented opportunities for companies striving to offer improved integration with previously closed ecosystems. This comprehensive analysis explores how the DMA is fundamentally altering the playing field for wearable companies and what consumers can expect in the coming years.

The Digital Markets Act: A Regulatory Revolution

The Digital Markets Act, which came into force in May 2023, represents the European Union's most ambitious attempt to regulate digital markets and promote fair competition. Unlike previous frameworks, the DMA targets large online platforms—designated as "gatekeepers"—that control critical digital infrastructure, imposing strict rules on their operations.

Defining the Gatekeepers

The European Commission has designated six companies as gatekeepers: Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft. To qualify, a company must have a strong economic position, operate in multiple EU countries, and connect a large consumer base to many businesses. Apple's designation is particularly relevant, as iOS restrictions have long created barriers for third-party wearable integration.

Current State of Wearable Integration

Before the DMA, wearable manufacturers faced significant challenges integrating their devices with iOS:

Limited notification functionality
No ability to reply to messages
Lack of background connectivity
Strict restrictions on third-party apps and watch faces

This has created a fundamentally different user experience for iPhone users compared to Android users, where most features work seamlessly.

How the DMA Changes Everything

The DMA's interoperability requirements mandate that gatekeepers like Apple must provide "free and effective interoperability" with third-party devices. This means wearable manufacturers can expect:

Enhanced notifications
Improved background syncing
Better device pairing
Potential cellular integration

The European Commission has warned Apple about compliance, with a full implementation deadline set for mid-2026.

What This Means for Wearable Companies

For wearable manufacturers, the DMA could eliminate many of the integration disadvantages their devices face when paired with iPhones and other closed systems. This change could transform the competitive landscape by allowing companies to offer a more cohesive experience across multiple platforms.

Challenges and Opportunities

Implementing these changes will require significant technical effort from gatekeepers and wearable companies alike. However, the potential benefits in improved functionality, expanded market share, and enhanced consumer choice make the challenge worth tackling.

Conclusion

The EU’s DMA marks a turning point in the wearable technology landscape. For companies across the industry, this regulation could represent their best opportunity yet to compete on a level playing field with the dominant ecosystem controllers. As 2026 approaches, the industry will be watching closely to see how these changes unfold.

Why 66% of Garmin Users Aren't Switching Despite Major Outage

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:32:03 GMT

The January 2025 Garmin global outage—dubbed "Garmageddon III" by frustrated users—presented a significant test for the company's relationship with its customers. Despite thousands of smartwatches displaying the dreaded "blue triangle of death" and leaving fitness enthusiasts unable to track their activities, a surprising majority of users remained loyal to the brand. A poll conducted by TechRadar shortly after the incident revealed that 66% of respondents (246 out of 356) expressed continued trust in Garmin and had no intention of switching to competitor devices. This remarkable display of brand resilience offers valuable insights into how specialized technology companies can maintain customer loyalty even through significant service disruptions.

The January 2025 Garmin Crisis: Anatomy of a Global Crash

In late January 2025, Garmin users worldwide suddenly found their devices unresponsive when attempting to use GPS-related functions. The issue, which became known as "Garmageddon III," manifested as devices freezing on the startup screen or displaying a flashing blue triangle icon. The root cause was traced back to expired or corrupted satellite pre-cache files, which triggered system crashes across a wide range of Garmin's most popular models.

Affected Devices

The outage impacted several Garmin devices, including:

Forerunner Series (165/255/265/955/965)
Vivoactive 5
Venu 3 Series
Edge 1040 and other Edge series cycling computers
Descent Mk3
Epix Gen2
Fenix 7 and 8 Series
Instinct 3 Series
Tactix 7 Series

User Impact

The timing of the crash was particularly disruptive for dedicated athletes. Social media platforms and forums quickly filled with complaints from frustrated users unable to record their workouts. Notably, DCRainmaker was among the first to document the widespread nature of the problem.

Garmin’s Response

Garmin's initial response was somewhat restrained, acknowledging the issue via a brief statement on their website and offering a temporary fix. The company quickly isolated the issue to corrupted satellite files and provided instructions for users to manually remove the corrupted files.

Brand Loyalty Factors

Despite the disruption, many users remained loyal to Garmin due to several factors:

Specialized features for serious athletes
Superior battery life
Durable, reliable hardware
Significant investment in the Garmin Connect ecosystem

Lessons Learned

Garmin's resilience highlights several key lessons:

Specialization creates forgiveness
Perceptions of hardware reliability can outweigh software issues
Communication during crises is essential
Rapid identification and fixes can mitigate damage

The Future for Garmin

Garmin’s ability to maintain brand loyalty despite service disruptions underscores the importance of consistent product quality and specialized features. However, the one-third of users who expressed dissatisfaction signals that Garmin still has work to do to address emerging challenges in the wearable technology space.

How Apple’s Liquid Sensor Patent Could Make Apple Watch a Medical Powerhouse

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:46:37 GMT

Apple has recently been granted a patent for an innovative blood pressure monitoring system that utilizes a liquid-filled sensor, potentially bringing this long-awaited health feature to future Apple Watch models. This technology represents a significant leap in wearable health monitoring, using a new approach inspired by traditional blood pressure measurement but adapted for wrist-worn applications. The advancement could position Apple at the forefront of cardiovascular health tracking, making continuous and reliable blood pressure monitoring a reality for millions of users.

The Evolution of Health Monitoring in Apple Watch

Since its launch, the Apple Watch has steadily evolved into a powerful health tool, adding features such as heart rate tracking, ECG readings, blood oxygen monitoring, and even sleep tracking. However, blood pressure measurement has remained a missing feature, largely due to the technical challenges of miniaturizing an accurate monitoring system into a wrist-worn device.

Apple has been exploring various patented methods for blood pressure tracking for years. Previous attempts by competitors, such as Samsung and Huawei, have used optical sensors to estimate blood pressure, but these have faced accuracy issues, requiring frequent calibration. Apple's latest patent suggests a more sophisticated liquid-based approach that could finally solve these challenges.

Apple's Liquid Sensor Patent: A Breakthrough in Blood Pressure Tracking

The newly granted patent describes a wearable blood pressure monitoring system that uses a liquid-filled sensor chamber rather than traditional air-based systems. This chamber, embedded in the Apple Watch’s band, works alongside a pump and inflatable compression system to measure systolic and diastolic pressure with greater accuracy.

How It Works

The inflatable chamber applies controlled pressure to the wrist.
A liquid-filled sensing chamber detects minute vibrations and pressure fluctuations in the arteries.
A vibration sensor identifies the key points where blood flow resumes after compression (mimicking traditional blood pressure cuff readings).
The system records systolic and diastolic readings based on precise pressure changes.

Unlike air-filled systems, liquid sensors are non-compressible, allowing for more accurate transmission of pressure fluctuations. This could result in far greater precision than current smartwatch-based blood pressure monitoring solutions.

Why Liquid Sensors Matter

One of the biggest challenges in wrist-based blood pressure monitoring is accuracy. Medical professionals traditionally use upper-arm cuffs because they fully occlude the brachial artery, providing highly accurate readings. The wrist, however, presents challenges due to its smaller arteries and greater movement variability.

Apple’s liquid sensor system could solve this by:

Providing more stable pressure transmission than air-based cuffs.
Offering better sensitivity to detect blood flow changes.
Reducing the need for frequent recalibration, improving user experience.

Competitive Landscape: How Apple Stacks Up

While Samsung and Huawei have introduced blood pressure monitoring features in their smartwatches, these implementations require frequent calibration and have limited clinical reliability.

If Apple can deliver a clinically validated blood pressure tracking system with higher accuracy, it could dominate this space—potentially making the Apple Watch a must-have medical device for users with hypertension or cardiovascular conditions.

When Could This Feature Launch?

While patents don’t guarantee an immediate product launch, industry analysts predict that blood pressure monitoring could arrive in the Apple Watch Series 11 or Ultra 3 in late 2025. Apple has historically waited until its health features meet high accuracy standards before releasing them, so the feature might still be undergoing development and regulatory approval.

The Future of Apple Watch as a Medical Device

Apple’s investment in health tech suggests that the Apple Watch will continue evolving beyond fitness tracking into a serious medical-grade wearable. This new blood pressure sensor could pave the way for further advancements, such as:

Continuous blood pressure monitoring without manual checks.
Integration with Apple Health for long-term tracking and doctor insights.
New AI-powered health analytics to predict cardiovascular risks.

Conclusion

Apple’s newly patented liquid-based blood pressure monitoring system could revolutionize wearable health tracking by bringing accurate, clinically useful blood pressure readings to the Apple Watch. If successfully implemented, this feature would make Apple’s smartwatch one of the most advanced health wearables available—bridging the gap between consumer technology and real medical-grade monitoring.

While the timeline for release is uncertain, this patent shows that Apple is committed to solving one of the most complex challenges in smartwatch health tracking. As wearable technology continues to evolve, Apple’s innovation in blood pressure monitoring could have a major impact on how millions of users manage their cardiovascular health.

Garmin Study Confirms // More Exercise Equals More Happiness

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:50:03 GMT

Garmin's collaborative research with Harvard and Oxford universities has uncovered compelling evidence linking daily exercise habits to happiness levels, with data suggesting that burning more calories correlates directly with greater subjective wellbeing. The groundbreaking study, launched in mid-2024, leverages smartwatch technology to provide unprecedented insights into the relationship between physical activity, sleep patterns, and emotional wellbeing.

Groundbreaking Research Partnership Examines Happiness Metrics

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) has released preliminary findings from its innovative Health and Happiness Study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Harvard University and Oxford University. Launched in June 2024 at the Lugano Happiness Forum, this pioneering research examines the complex relationship between happiness and wellbeing using data collected from smartwatches and smartphones.

The study represents a significant advancement in understanding happiness determinants through wearable technology. As the exclusive smartwatch provider for the research, Garmin's role involves leveraging high-quality sensor data from its devices to track various physiological and activity metrics that might influence happiness levels.

"As a collaborator on more than 1,000 research studies and clinical trials, the Garmin Health team is uniquely positioned to provide smartwatches with excellent battery performance, high-quality sensors, and dynamic API or SDK integration for monitoring and reporting," explained Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

Innovative Methodology Combines Subjective Reports and Objective Measurements

The research methodology combines traditional subjective happiness reporting with objective biometric data. Participants receive surveys on their smartphones three times daily, asking them to identify their current happiness levels and recent activities. These self-reports are then cross-referenced with data collected from their Garmin smartwatches, creating a comprehensive picture of how various factors influence wellbeing.

This approach allows researchers to establish connections between subjective experiences of happiness and objective measurements like physical activity, sleep quality, and heart rate variability. The pilot study demonstrated high retention rates, suggesting participants found value in monitoring their emotional states throughout the day.

Key Findings: The Exercise-Happiness Connection

Direct Correlation Between Calorie Expenditure and Happiness

Perhaps most notably, the data revealed a clear pattern: increased physical activity directly correlates with higher happiness levels. According to Garmin's analysis, there appears to be a dose-response relationship – the more calories a person burns during workouts, the higher their subjective feeling of happiness.

Garmin shared a graph constructed from the study data visualizing this relationship, showing a positive correlation between calorie expenditure and happiness ratings. This finding supports what many fitness enthusiasts have long suspected – regular exercise contributes significantly to emotional wellbeing beyond just physical health benefits.

Sleep Quality's Critical Role in Happiness

The study also confirmed the essential role of adequate sleep in maintaining positive emotional states. Participants who consistently achieved quality sleep, as measured by their Garmin devices, reported higher happiness levels and reduced stress compared to those with poor sleep patterns.

This finding underscores the interconnected nature of physical wellbeing and emotional health, suggesting that comprehensive wellness approaches should address both activity levels and recovery periods.

Age-Related Emotional Stability Patterns

Interestingly, the research uncovered variations in emotional stability across different age groups. Older adults demonstrated more consistent emotional states, while younger participants showed greater variability in their happiness levels throughout the day.

This pattern suggests that emotional regulation may naturally improve with age, potentially offering insights into how different demographic groups might approach happiness and stress management.

Social Activities Boost Happiness Significantly

Beyond physical metrics, the study found that participants reported feeling happiest when engaged in cultural and social activities, during meals, or while spending time with friends and family. This finding highlights the multidimensional nature of happiness, incorporating both physiological and social components.

"Respondents were found to be happiest when involved in cultural and social activities, eating, or spending time with friends and family," the research noted, suggesting that a balanced approach to wellbeing should include both physical activity and meaningful social connections.

Expanding Research Scale and Future Implications

Following the promising results from the pilot phase, researchers are now expanding the study to include more than 10,000 participants worldwide. This larger sample will help corroborate the initial findings and potentially uncover additional patterns and correlations between physical activity, sleep, and happiness.

Micah Kaats, Principal Investigator from Harvard University, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "The Health and Happiness Study is thrilled to work with Garmin as our exclusive smartwatch collaborator. Garmin's unique combination of advanced wearable technology, a health-conscious user base, and a strong commitment to improving lives through data makes them the ideal partner for this groundbreaking research".

Potential Applications for Health Policy and Technology

The findings from this study could have far-reaching implications for both health policy and wearable technology development. By establishing clearer links between physical activity patterns and mental wellbeing, the research may inform more effective public health initiatives aimed at improving population happiness.

For Garmin and other wearable technology companies, these insights could guide the development of more sophisticated wellness features that go beyond simple activity tracking to provide meaningful guidance for emotional wellbeing.

Conclusion: The Measurable Path to Happiness

While the study's initial results need further corroboration through the expanded global research phase, they provide compelling evidence for what many have intuitively understood: regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and meaningful social engagement significantly contribute to happiness and reduce stress levels.

As wearable technology continues to evolve, studies like Garmin's Health and Happiness research demonstrate how these devices can move beyond basic fitness tracking to provide deeper insights into the complex factors that influence our overall wellbeing. For Garmin users and the general public alike, the message appears clear – maintaining active lifestyles and prioritizing adequate sleep represents a measurable path toward greater happiness.

The study continues to accept applicants as it expands to its full global scale, potentially offering even more nuanced understandings of the relationship between physical activity and happiness in the coming years.

More details on Garmin's website

Apple's Detachable Watch Patent // Redefining Continuous Health Monitoring

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:46:37 GMT

Apple has been granted a groundbreaking patent for a future Apple Watch featuring a detachable watch body that allows health sensors embedded in the band to continue monitoring a user's vital signs even when the main watch unit is removed. This design could transform how users interact with wearable health technology by solving a persistent challenge: maintaining continuous health monitoring during charging cycles and other situations when wearing the full watch is impractical.

The patent, officially granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 18, 2025, represents a major evolution in Apple's wearable strategy and could position the company’s health monitoring capabilities closer to dedicated fitness trackers like Whoop, which focus on uninterrupted biometric tracking.

The Patent's Core Innovation: Splitting Functions Between Watch Body and Band

The newly granted patent describes a smartwatch system consisting of two key components that can function both together and independently: a detachable watch body and a sensor-equipped band. This approach addresses several limitations of current wearable technology by dividing functionality between the two elements based on how frequently certain features are needed.

According to the patent, the band would house sensors necessary for continuous health monitoring, allowing it to remain on the user’s wrist while the main watch body—containing the display, processor, and other power-intensive components—can be removed for charging or during activities where a full watch might be cumbersome.

"Systems of the present disclosure can provide a watch with a watch body and a band device that can be used together or independently of one another," states the patent. "The band device can provide continual operation of its functions even in the absence of the watch body."

This design eliminates a key problem with current smartwatches: removing the watch for charging results in gaps in health data collection, which can be particularly problematic for sleep tracking and continuous heart rate monitoring.

Facilitating Multiple Operation Modes

A key aspect of the patent is its focus on facilitating operation in multiple modes to provide flexibility while maintaining core health tracking functionality. This modular approach signals a shift in wearable design, where smartwatches evolve into more adaptable systems.

The patent explains: "Neither the watch body nor the band device need to independently include components that provide every function that will be desired by the user. Instead, functions that are desired on a continual or long-term basis can be provided by the band device, and functions that are desired on an intermittent or short-term basis can be provided by the watch body."

Real-World Applications and User Benefits

Uninterrupted Health Monitoring During Charging

One of the biggest advantages of this design is the ability to continue health monitoring even while the main watch body is charging. Currently, Apple Watch users must remove the entire device to charge, leading to gaps in biometric data. With health sensors remaining on the wrist, users could maintain continuous tracking of key health metrics.

This would be particularly valuable for conditions that require constant data collection, such as heart rhythm irregularities or sleep apnea monitoring.

Enhanced Sleep Tracking Comfort

The detachable design could greatly improve the Apple Watch’s sleep tracking experience. Many users find the current watch too bulky for comfortable overnight wear. With a sensor-equipped band, users could detach the main watch body at night while still capturing essential sleep data.

Extended Battery Life for Critical Functions

Separating core health monitoring from power-hungry features like the display could allow the band to operate for much longer periods between charges. This approach mirrors the functionality of fitness trackers like Whoop, which prioritize long-term biometric tracking over smartwatch features.

Versatility for Different Activities and Occasions

The modular design also provides flexibility for different activities. Users could remove the watch body for formal occasions while still tracking activity and health metrics. Similarly, during workouts, some may prefer the lighter weight of just the band.

Technical Implementation and Challenges

Power Management and Battery Life

A major challenge will be ensuring adequate power supply for the band when it operates independently. The patent mentions "power sharing" between the watch body and band, suggesting some form of energy transfer. However, when the components are separated, the band would require its own battery and ultra-efficient power management.

Sensor Technology and Placement

The patent does not specify exactly which sensors will be embedded in the band, but based on Apple’s existing technology and prior patents, likely candidates include:

Heart rate monitor (PPG)
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Blood oxygen (SpO2)
Temperature sensors
Accelerometers for activity tracking

Apple has previously explored integrating ECG and blood pressure monitoring directly into the watch band, indicating that advanced sensor integration is part of its long-term strategy.

Data Storage and Synchronization

When the watch body is detached, the band must store health data until it can sync with the full watch. This requires onboard memory and a seamless data transfer process upon reconnection.

Comparison to Existing Technologies

The Whoop Approach

The Whoop fitness tracker is a prime example of a wearable focused exclusively on continuous health monitoring. Whoop operates without a screen, offering 24/7 tracking for strain, recovery, and sleep.

Apple’s patent suggests a hybrid approach—combining Whoop-style continuous monitoring with the full smartwatch experience. This could appeal to both fitness enthusiasts who need uninterrupted data and casual users who want smartwatch features.

Current Apple Watch Limitations

Apple’s existing watches have gaps in health monitoring due to battery life constraints. For example, the blood oxygen sensor on current models takes intermittent readings rather than continuous tracking. A sensor-equipped band could enable more frequent measurements, providing deeper health insights.

Broader Context: Apple’s Health Monitoring Strategy

Evolution of Apple’s Health Sensors

Apple has steadily expanded the health capabilities of its smartwatches, from ECG functionality in the Series 4 to blood oxygen monitoring in later models. This patent suggests that Apple aims to address continuous monitoring gaps while improving user comfort.

Expanding Apple’s Patent Portfolio

Apple has filed multiple patents related to health-focused wearables, including:

A patent for stretchable fabric-based bands with built-in sensors
A patent for respiration rate measurement through wearable devices
A patent for continuous watch bands designed for enhanced sensor accuracy

These filings indicate a long-term commitment to wearable health innovation.

Patent Disputes and Legal Challenges

The Masimo Dispute

Apple recently faced a lawsuit from medical technology company Masimo over its blood oxygen sensor, leading to temporary sales restrictions of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 in the U.S.

The AliveCor Case

AliveCor sued Apple over ECG functionality, though the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed after the patents were ruled unpatentable.

These legal battles highlight the complexity of health-related patents and could influence Apple’s future wearable innovations.

Future Implications and Market Impact

Potential Release Timeline

Patents often take years to materialize in commercial products, if at all. However, given the strong user benefits and Apple’s focus on health tracking, this concept could appear in a future Apple Watch model.

Market Differentiation

If implemented, this technology could give Apple a major advantage over competitors like Samsung and Google, whose smartwatches still require full removal for charging.

Expanding Apple's Health Ecosystem

Continuous monitoring would enhance Apple’s growing health platform, providing more comprehensive biometric data for both individual users and healthcare providers.

Technical Considerations for Implementation

Secure Attachment Mechanism

Apple must design a connection system that is secure yet easy to detach for everyday use.

User Interface Adjustments

If the main watch body is detached, the band would need alternative ways to notify users of health alerts, such as haptic feedback or small indicator lights.

Material and Design Challenges

Creating a band that houses advanced sensors while maintaining comfort and durability presents significant engineering challenges.

Conclusion

Apple’s patent for a detachable Apple Watch with continuous health monitoring represents a potential breakthrough in wearable technology. By separating core functions into a modular system, Apple could solve key pain points such as charging interruptions, sleep tracking comfort, and long-term health data continuity.

While technical challenges remain, the potential benefits for users are significant. If Apple brings this concept to market, it could redefine how smartwatches approach health tracking—offering a seamless blend of functionality, flexibility, and continuous biometric monitoring.

The smartwatch industry is evolving, and Apple's innovative patent suggests the next step: a future where wearable health technology is not only smarter but also more adaptable to users’ real-world needs.

How the World Sleeps // Garmin’s Latest Sleep Data Reveals Surprising Trends

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:46:37 GMT

As we approach World Sleep Day 2025, Garmin's latest sleep score data offers a unique glimpse into how people worldwide are sleeping. The analysis of millions of users' sleep patterns reveals improving global trends, significant variations by region and demographics, and ongoing debates about the accuracy of wearable sleep tracking.

Understanding Garmin's Sleep Score System

Garmin's sleep score is a numerical rating between 1 and 100, designed to measure sleep quality based on multiple physiological metrics. Scores are categorized into four ranges:

Below 60: Poor
60-79: Fair
80-89: Good
90-100: Excellent

The scoring system is powered by Advanced Sleep Monitoring, a feature available on most Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers. These devices use heart rate, heart rate variability, and movement detection to estimate sleep stages and overall sleep quality.

Key Sleep Metrics Tracked by Garmin

Total sleep duration
Time spent in each sleep stage (light, deep, REM)
Sleep movement and restlessness
Respiration rate and heart rate trends

By combining these factors, Garmin provides insights into both the quantity and quality of sleep, helping users monitor their long-term sleep health.

The Technology Behind Sleep Tracking

Garmin’s sleep tracking estimates sleep stages based on heart rate variability and motion detection. In the Garmin Connect app, users see their sleep data as a color-coded timeline:

Light sleep – Light blue
Deep sleep – Dark blue
REM sleep – Pink
Awake periods – Gray

The accuracy of these measurements depends on the device's sensors and algorithms, with variability across different models and firmware updates.

Global Sleep Insights: How the World Sleeps in 2025

Garmin's latest sleep data reveals that the average global sleep score in 2024 was 72, up from 70 in 2023. This suggests users may be adopting better sleep habits or improving their understanding of rest through tracking.

Three out of four Garmin users had sleep scores in the "Fair" or "Good" range.
Elite athletes recorded higher average sleep scores, showing a connection between training and recovery.
Women slightly outperformed men in sleep quality, with an average score of 71 compared to 70.

Age-Based Sleep Trends

Garmin’s data shows a gradual decline in sleep scores with age, which aligns with established sleep science.

Ages 13-30: 73
Ages 31-40: 71
Ages 41-50: 70
Ages 51-60: 68
Ages 61-70: 66
Ages 71-80: 63

These findings highlight how sleep architecture changes over time, leading to lighter, more fragmented sleep in older adults.

Regional Sleep Patterns

Garmin’s sleep rankings by country show some surprising results:

Best Sleepers: Iceland (77), Finland (77), Venezuela (76)
United States: 73, among the lowest for developed nations
United Kingdom and Ireland: Improved sleep scores, ranking in the global top 10

These variations suggest that cultural habits, work-life balance, and environmental factors all play a role in sleep quality.

Sleep and Athletic Performance

Garmin's data highlights a clear connection between exercise and sleep quality.

Elite athletes (those logging at least 95 miles of running or 210 miles of cycling per week) had an average sleep score of 74.
Regular exercise helps regulate sleep cycles, but intense workouts too close to bedtime can reduce REM sleep.
Recovery tracking is becoming a priority, with Garmin integrating more HRV-based insights into sleep monitoring.

These findings reinforce the importance of sleep for physical and cognitive performance.

How Accurate Is Garmin’s Sleep Tracking?

Garmin’s sleep tracking is useful for trends but not as precise as clinical sleep studies.

Studies comparing Garmin to polysomnography (PSG) found that it overestimates light sleep and underestimates deep sleep.
REM sleep detection is still a challenge, with accuracy below 50% in some studies.
User feedback is mixed—some report strong correlations with how they feel, while others note discrepancies.

What Experts Say

Sleep researchers emphasize that wearables provide insights but are not medical devices.

Sleep scientist Matthew Walker estimates that consumer sleep trackers are around 60% accurate compared to clinical sleep studies.
Experts agree that tracking trends over time is more useful than focusing on individual nights.

How to Improve Your Garmin Sleep Score

Want to boost your sleep score? Here are some science-backed strategies:

Stick to a regular sleep schedule – Consistency improves sleep efficiency.
Exercise regularly – But avoid high-intensity workouts before bed.
Reduce alcohol consumption – It disrupts REM sleep and increases wake periods.
Optimize your sleep environment – A cool, dark, and quiet setting improves rest.
Track long-term trends – Weekly and monthly patterns are more meaningful than single-night fluctuations.

These small changes can lead to better sleep, improved recovery, and higher Garmin sleep scores over time.

Conclusion

Garmin’s sleep score system provides valuable insights into global sleep trends, athletic recovery, and demographic differences. While not as precise as clinical studies, it offers consistent tracking to help users improve sleep habits.

With global sleep scores trending upward, sleep tracking technology is playing a role in raising awareness about the importance of rest. As wearable sensors and algorithms evolve, accuracy will improve, making sleep tracking an even more powerful tool for long-term health.

For now, Garmin users should focus on consistency over perfection, using their sleep score as a guide to better rest and recovery.

Check out the full Garmin blog post with all of the stats here.

7 Hidden Garmin Features You Probably Aren't Using But Should

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 14:32:03 GMT

Garmin smartwatches have evolved into sophisticated devices packed with capabilities that extend far beyond basic timekeeping and activity tracking. Many users, however, barely scratch the surface of what these powerful wearables can do. The difference between a casual Garmin owner and a power user often comes down to knowledge of features tucked away in menus or activated through gestures that aren't immediately obvious.

These hidden functions can transform your Garmin experience, making your watch more intuitive, more useful, and better suited to your specific needs. This guide explores seven underrated Garmin features that could revolutionize how you use your device daily.

1. Palm Cover to Return to Watch Face

When navigating deep within your Garmin’s menu system, there’s a simple gesture that instantly returns you to the main watch face without repeatedly pressing the back button. By covering the entire screen with your palm for a moment, your watch immediately exits whatever menu you’re in and returns to the watch face.

This feature serves a dual purpose: it provides quick navigation back to your starting point and turns off the backlight, helping conserve battery power. It’s particularly helpful when you need to return to your main display without fumbling with multiple button presses, especially during workouts or outdoor activities.

2. Customizable Hot Keys and Shortcuts

Garmin allows you to set up personalized button shortcuts, also known as "hot keys," to quickly access frequently used functions. This feature dramatically improves efficiency by allowing you to program specific button combinations for quick actions.

For example, you can set a long press of the back button to bring up timers, activate a flashlight, or even mark a GPS location. Some users creatively use this to mark where they parked their car—an elegant solution to a common problem. To configure hot keys, navigate to System > Settings > Hot Keys or Shortcuts on your device.

3. Enhanced GPS Accuracy with Multiple Satellite Networks

Most Garmin users settle for the default GPS settings, unaware that they can significantly improve location tracking accuracy by enabling multiple satellite networks. Instead of relying solely on the American GPS system, you can also connect to GLONASS (Russian) and Galileo (European) networks for improved positioning.

This setting enhances tracking accuracy, particularly in dense forests, cities with tall buildings, or mountainous terrain. To activate this feature, press START/STOP, select an activity, then go to GPS settings and choose your preferred satellite combination. While this option consumes slightly more battery, it provides more reliable data for serious athletes and adventurers.

4. Incident Detection for Safety

Garmin’s Incident Detection feature is a potentially life-saving tool that automatically detects falls or sudden impacts and sends your real-time location to emergency contacts.

When triggered, the watch initiates a countdown timer—if you don’t respond, it assumes you’re in distress and automatically notifies your emergency contacts. This feature is particularly useful for runners, cyclists, and hikers who often train alone. To enable it, configure your contacts in the Garmin Connect app under Safety & Tracking settings.

5. Garmin Share for Direct Watch-to-Watch Transfers

Garmin Share allows you to transfer locations, routes, and workouts directly between compatible Garmin watches—without requiring a phone or internet connection.

This is incredibly useful when meeting friends for a trail run, hike, or bike ride. Instead of explaining a route, you can send it directly to another Garmin user. To share, access the item (such as a course or waypoint), look for the Share option, and select a nearby Garmin device.

6. Connect IQ Custom Data Fields

Garmin’s Connect IQ store offers specialized data fields that can significantly enhance your training insights. Instead of relying only on pre-installed options, you can download custom metrics for better performance tracking.

For example:

Peter's (Racer) Pacer lets you correct race distances manually to adjust for GPS inaccuracies.
Rolling Average Pace provides a smoother pace reading to help with consistent effort during training.

To use custom fields, download them from the Connect IQ store via the Garmin Connect app, then add them under Activity Settings > Data Screens on your watch.

7. Map Settings and Overlays for Enhanced Navigation

For Garmin watches with mapping functionality, adjusting map overlays can transform your navigation experience.

One of the best settings is Terrain + Elevation Overlay, which provides a real-time visual of hills and valleys along your route. This is especially useful for trail runners and hikers. Some watches also suggest popular running routes based on community data, helping you discover the best paths in unfamiliar areas.

To adjust these settings, start an activity, hold the menu button, and navigate to Map Settings to explore different overlays.

Conclusion

Your Garmin device contains dozens of features you might not be using—capabilities that can make your experience more convenient, efficient, and tailored to your lifestyle.

From simple shortcuts like the palm gesture to return to the watch face to sophisticated tools like incident detection and custom data fields, these seven features showcase how much power is packed into modern Garmin wearables. Take some time to explore these settings, tweak your device, and unlock the full potential of your smartwatch.

Smartwatch Market Faces Unprecedented Decline—What Went Wrong?

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:32:03 GMT

The global smartwatch market has entered a period of unprecedented contraction, marking a significant turning point in the wearable technology landscape. According to the latest figures, global smartwatch shipments declined by 7% year-over-year in 2024, representing the first annual decrease since the category's inception. This unexpected downturn comes after years of consistent growth, challenging industry assumptions about the trajectory of wearable technology adoption.

The slowdown has been particularly pronounced for market leader Apple, which experienced a substantial 19% drop in Watch shipments, contributing significantly to the overall market contraction. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi surged, reporting 35% and 135% growth, respectively. These contrasting performances suggest the market decline is not uniform across all regions, pointing to shifting consumer preferences and evolving smartwatch adoption trends.

Market Overview and Historical Context

The smartwatch category has enjoyed robust growth since its mainstream emergence in the mid-2010s, evolving from niche gadgets to essential health and communication tools. Prior to 2024, the market demonstrated remarkable resilience, weathering economic fluctuations and pandemic disruptions to maintain positive growth trajectories.

Key Market Trends:

2024 Market Valuation: $33.58 billion, projected to reach $105.20 billion by 2032.
Annual Decline: 7% YoY, marking the first-ever yearly drop.
Apple’s Decline: Shipments dropped 19%, leading the contraction.
Regional Shift: China surpassed North America and India, becoming the largest smartwatch market.
Chinese Growth: Huawei +35%, Xiaomi +135%, Fire-Boltt entered the top five global manufacturers.

Apple, historically dominating 25% of all smartwatch shipments, saw its market share shrink to 22% by the end of 2024. Samsung maintained 9% market share, while Huawei surged to 13%, further challenging Apple’s leadership.

Why is this downturn significant? The smartwatch industry had never experienced an annual decline before 2024. Previously, analysts expected continued double-digit growth, yet reality deviated from these expectations, proving the wearables sector is maturing and facing increased consumer hesitation.

Factors Driving the Market Contraction

1. Innovation Plateau & Feature Saturation

Consumers perceive recent smartwatch releases as incremental upgrades rather than groundbreaking advancements. Industry analysts note that the smartwatch has gone from an exciting new gadget to a stabilizing product with fewer major feature shifts.

Apple Watch Series 10 lacked significant innovation despite its 10th anniversary release.
The absence of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 left premium buyers without a flagship upgrade.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra offered minor improvements rather than a revolutionary experience.

2. Economic Pressures & Consumer Spending Shifts

Economic uncertainty and inflation have made discretionary spending on tech more cautious. Unlike smartphones, which follow a 2-3 year upgrade cycle, smartwatches are typically kept longer, reducing demand for yearly upgrades.

High smartwatch prices ($400–$800+) deterred new buyers.
First-time buyers reported underwhelming experiences, leading to lower repeat purchases.
Consumers in mature markets (North America, Europe) found little incentive to upgrade.

3. Legal & Supply Chain Issues

Apple’s legal battles over patent disputes led to temporary import bans on Apple Watch models in the U.S. due to Masimo’s blood oxygen sensor patents. This disrupted Apple’s supply chain, limiting product availability at a critical time.

4. Market Saturation in Key Regions

The North American smartwatch market is nearing saturation, with most interested consumers already owning a device.

North America saw the biggest decline, primarily due to Apple’s struggles.
India’s smartwatch sales fell 30% after years of growth, citing long replacement cycles and lack of differentiation.
China overtook North America and India as the world’s largest smartwatch market in 2024.

Brand Performance During the Downturn

Brand	Market Share 2023	Market Share 2024	YoY Growth
Apple	25%	22%	-19%
Samsung	9%	9%	+3%
Huawei	9%	13%	+35%
Xiaomi	3%	7%	+135%
Fire-Boltt	5%	10.1%	+102%

Future Outlook & Recovery Prospects

Industry experts forecast a slow recovery in 2025, with single-digit growth projections. The days of explosive expansion are over, and companies must focus on specialization, health monitoring, and AI integration to differentiate their offerings.

Upcoming Smartwatch Trends in 2025:

1. Apple Watch Ultra 3 Release – Apple aims to reclaim momentum with new health tracking features and a long-overdue Ultra model.
1. Health Monitoring Dominance – Smartwatches will shift towards ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and sleep apnea detection.
1. AI-Powered Wearables – Google, Samsung, and Apple plan to incorporate AI-driven personalized health insights.
1. Battery Life Innovations – Addressing one of the biggest consumer pain points in smartwatch adoption.

Conclusion

The 2024 smartwatch market decline marks a historic inflection point for wearables. After nearly a decade of consistent growth, the 7% drop in global shipments suggests that smartwatches are entering a more mature phase where incremental improvements no longer guarantee sales growth.

However, the industry isn’t fading—it’s shifting. The rise of Huawei, Xiaomi, and Fire-Boltt, along with China’s emergence as the top smartwatch market, signals a new era in regional market dominance. Meanwhile, Apple and Samsung must rethink how to entice consumers beyond simple spec upgrades.

For wearables to thrive, manufacturers must focus on health features, AI-powered personalization, and extended battery life. The coming years will determine whether smartwatches can evolve beyond their current form or risk becoming another stagnating consumer tech category.

Forerunner 975 Rumors Heat Up After Garmin Certifies New Device

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:32:03 GMT

The wearable tech world is abuzz with speculation following the recent certification of a mysterious Garmin device by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). With Garmin having refreshed nearly all of its major product lines in recent months, attention has turned to the Forerunner series, which is overdue for an update. Tech enthusiasts and fitness aficionados alike are now analyzing the limited available information to determine if this mystery device could be the highly anticipated Forerunner 975.

The Mystery FCC Filing

On March 10, 2025, reports emerged about a new Garmin device that received FCC certification under the code "A04968". According to available documentation, this device was actually certified in December 2024, but the filing has only recently caught the attention of tech enthusiasts. The FCC certification is a necessary step for any electronic device that emits radio frequencies before it can be legally marketed or sold in the United States.

What makes this particular filing intriguing is its timing and the confidentiality surrounding it. The documentation indicates that the device is locked under confidentiality until June 17, 2025, suggesting Garmin intends to release it sometime before the summer months. While the FCC filing doesn't explicitly identify the device as a Forerunner watch, the timing aligns closely with Garmin's historical release patterns.

Garmin has become increasingly secretive with its FCC filings in recent years. Tech analysts note that the company has progressively scrubbed product names and technical details, making it harder to determine what’s coming next. This heightened level of secrecy has only fueled further speculation.

Evidence Pointing to the Forerunner 975

Several indicators suggest this mystery device could be the next iteration in the Forerunner series. The strongest evidence comes from examining Garmin’s historical release patterns:

Garmin Forerunner 945: Released in April 2019
Garmin Forerunner 955: Released in June 2022 (delayed due to COVID)
Garmin Forerunner 965: Released in March 2023

Based on this pattern, the Forerunner 975 would be expected to launch between March and April 2025. With the current date being March 12, 2025, we are precisely within this anticipated release window.

Additionally, Garmin has recently updated many of its other product lines, including the Fenix, Epix, Instinct, Enduro, and Descent series. The Forerunner series, however, has remained untouched since early 2023, further suggesting a new model is imminent.

Potential Features and Upgrades

If the mystery device is indeed the Forerunner 975, what new features can consumers expect? Based on industry trends and user feedback, several key upgrades are anticipated:

1. Elevate v5 Heart Rate Sensor & ECG Functionality

The Forerunner 975 is expected to feature the Elevate v5 heart rate sensor, replacing the Elevate v4 used in the Forerunner 965. This new sensor would improve heart rate accuracy and enable ECG (electrocardiogram) functionality, which has been standard on competing wearables. ECG support would allow users to record heart rhythm activity and potentially detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), bringing the Forerunner series in line with Garmin’s Fenix 7 Pro and Venu 3.

2. Wireless Charging Support

Many users have been frustrated with Garmin’s proprietary charging cables. The Forerunner 975 is rumored to introduce wireless charging, making it more convenient to recharge the watch and aligning it with premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch.

3. Flatter Display & Durability Enhancements

Industry insiders suggest that the Forerunner 975 might feature a flatter screen design, where the display sits lower than the bezel, making it more durable and less prone to scratches. There is also speculation about the possible inclusion of sapphire glass for enhanced scratch resistance.

4. Built-in LED Flashlight & Solar Charging Return

A built-in LED flashlight could be added, making it easier for runners to train in low-light conditions.
Solar charging, previously seen in the Forerunner 955 Solar, may make a comeback, giving users an additional battery boost during outdoor activities.

The Curious Case of Missing Garmin Pay

Despite the compelling evidence pointing toward the Forerunner 975, one major inconsistency has emerged. According to reports examining the FCC filing, the device does not appear to support Garmin Pay.

Garmin Pay has been a standard feature across most of Garmin’s mid-to-high-end watches, so its absence is surprising. This has led some to speculate that the mystery device might not be a Forerunner watch at all—instead, it could be an Edge cycling computer or a new budget-friendly device.

However, it’s possible that Garmin Pay simply isn’t explicitly mentioned in the FCC filing. Until more details emerge, this remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.

Expected Release Timeline

Considering all available information, when can consumers expect to see this mystery device officially unveiled? The confidentiality date of June 17, 2025, provides an upper limit, meaning the device will likely launch before then.

Garmin has traditionally announced new Forerunner models in March or April, which aligns with the two-year update cycle. Based on industry analysis, a launch within the next few weeks seems likely.

For consumers considering a new fitness watch, this creates an interesting dilemma:

Those in urgent need of a watch may opt for the Forerunner 965, which has seen price reductions ahead of a potential successor.
Those who prioritize new features may prefer to wait a few weeks to see if Garmin officially announces the Forerunner 975.

The Broader Context of Garmin’s Strategy

Garmin has strategically refreshed its product lines in a staggered fashion, allowing each new release to enjoy a spotlight before unveiling the next. Now that other major series have been updated, the Forerunner is next in line.

This also allows Garmin to introduce technologies developed for one product line into another. Features like ECG and Elevate v5 appeared first in the Venu and Fenix series, and now they are expected to make their way into the Forerunner lineup.

The Forerunner series remains Garmin’s flagship line for runners and triathletes, prioritizing performance tracking, training analytics, and endurance sports features. Any new release will need to uphold this tradition while incorporating the latest health and training innovations.

Conclusion

While Garmin has yet to make an official announcement, all signs point to the mystery FCC-certified device being the Forerunner 975. The timing aligns with Garmin’s historical release cycles, and the anticipated ECG, wireless charging, and Elevate v5 sensor upgrades would make it a worthy successor to the Forerunner 965.

The biggest question mark remains the absence of Garmin Pay, which is uncharacteristic for a premium Forerunner model. However, this may simply be a missing detail in the FCC filing rather than a deliberate omission.

For runners and triathletes waiting for the next big upgrade, the Forerunner 975 could be just around the corner. With an expected launch in spring 2025, all eyes are now on Garmin’s next move. Will the Forerunner 975 live up to expectations? We won’t have to wait much longer to find out.

Your Watch Your Way // Garmin’s Answer to Personalization in Wearables

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 09:32:03 GMT

Garmin's "Your Watch Your Way" program is a response to the increasing consumer demand for personalized wearable technology. This online customization service allows customers to design a Garmin watch tailored to their aesthetic preferences and functional needs, setting it apart from standard retail offerings. Since its launch, the program has expanded to include several watch families, such as the Fenix, Epix, and, most recently, the Instinct 3 series. While the degree of customization varies across models, the initiative underscores Garmin's commitment to providing customers with more control over their smartwatch choices.

The Evolution of Garmin's Customization Program

The "Your Watch Your Way" program was introduced to offer a more individualized purchasing experience, moving away from the standard retail approach of pre-configured watches. Garmin's model is inspired by customization programs from traditional luxury watch brands, with a focus on high-performance sports and adventure watches.

Operating exclusively through Garmin’s official website, the program enables customers to select from various components, such as case materials, finishes, and band options, to build a watch that suits their lifestyle. However, the availability of this service remains geographically limited, primarily targeting markets where Garmin has a strong consumer base.

For Garmin, this program serves multiple purposes beyond personalization. It provides valuable consumer insights that may influence future product development while also distinguishing Garmin from competitors in an increasingly crowded smartwatch market.

How the Customization Process Works

The customization process is designed to be intuitive, guiding users through several steps:

Selecting a Watch Family: Customers begin by choosing from available product families, such as Fenix, Epix, or Instinct. Each family offers distinct features tailored to different user needs.
Choosing a Model: After selecting a watch family, users choose a specific edition based on functionality.
Case Customization: Depending on the model, users can select case materials such as stainless steel or titanium, with various finishes like black, gray, or raw titanium.
Band Selection: Users choose from different band materials, including silicone, leather, nylon, and metal.
Final Review and Purchase: Once customization is complete, users can review their selection before proceeding to checkout. The custom watch is then manufactured and shipped directly to the customer.

Throughout the process, a visual configurator updates to reflect the chosen options, providing real-time feedback on the final product’s appearance.

Available Models and Customization Options

Customization options vary significantly between Garmin’s product families:

Fenix Series: The Fenix 8 offers the most extensive customization, including different case sizes (43mm, 47mm, and 51mm), materials (stainless steel or titanium), and display choices between standard glass and sapphire crystal.
Epix Series: Similar to the Fenix, the Epix allows case color and material customization, though options fluctuate over time.
Instinct 3: Garmin recently added this model to the program but with limited customization. Currently, only the Instinct 3 AMOLED 50mm is available, with customization restricted to band selection.

Band customization remains a consistent option across all models, allowing users to tailor their watches to specific activities or aesthetics.

Limitations and Considerations

Despite its appeal, the customization program has several limitations:

No Return Policy: Custom watches are not eligible for returns, except for warranty-related issues.
Limited Customization for Some Models: The Instinct 3 offers minimal customization, reducing its value proposition.
Fluctuating Availability: Some case and bezel combinations appear and disappear without notice, frustrating customers who plan their purchases in advance.
Pricing Considerations: Custom watches cannot be purchased using discount codes, making them potentially more expensive than pre-configured retail models.

User Experiences and Market Reception

Customer responses to "Your Watch Your Way" have been mixed. While Fenix and Epix owners appreciate the customization, Instinct 3 users have expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful choices. Additionally, fluctuating availability and the inability to return custom watches have deterred some potential buyers.

Despite these criticisms, Garmin continues to expand the program, indicating that personalized smartwatches remain a key part of its long-term strategy.

Comparison to Other Customization Options

Garmin’s factory customization program is one of several ways users can personalize their watches:

Aftermarket Bands: Many users opt to buy standard retail models and customize them later with third-party bands.
Software-Based Customization: Garmin’s Connect IQ store allows users to customize watch faces, adding further personalization without altering hardware.
Competitor Approaches: Apple, for example, focuses on offering multiple pre-configured case and band combinations rather than full customization.

The Future of Garmin's Customization Program

Garmin’s continued expansion of the program suggests further enhancements are likely. Potential developments include:

Broader Customization for More Models: Expanding options for the Instinct series and other models could improve consumer interest.
New Materials and Display Technologies: With microLED displays rumored for future Fenix models, customization options may extend beyond aesthetics to include display technology choices.
Enhanced Manufacturing Efficiency: Streamlining production processes may allow for faster turnaround times and reduced limitations on available configurations.

Conclusion

Garmin’s "Your Watch Your Way" program reflects the company’s recognition that smartwatches serve both functional and personal style needs. While the program currently offers substantial customization for high-end models, inconsistencies in availability and limited options for certain watches suggest room for improvement. As Garmin refines its approach, the program has the potential to become a defining feature of its smartwatch ecosystem, offering consumers greater control over their wearable experience while maintaining Garmin’s reputation for high-performance devices.

More details on Garmin's website

Apple Avoids Second Apple Watch Ban as Court Sides Against AliveCor

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 10:18:37 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld a ruling invalidating AliveCor’s electrocardiogram (EKG) patents, effectively ending the prospect of an International Trade Commission (ITC) import ban on Apple Watches equipped with heart-rate monitoring technology. This decision marks a pivotal victory for Apple in a multi-year legal battle that threatened to disrupt sales of one of its flagship products. The ruling underscores the fragility of patent claims in fast-evolving tech sectors and reinforces Apple’s ability to integrate critical health features into its wearables without licensing constraints.

Background of the AliveCor-Apple Patent Dispute

The conflict between AliveCor and Apple originated in 2021 when AliveCor, a pioneer in FDA-cleared personal EKG devices, accused Apple of infringing three patents related to arrhythmia detection and heart-rate monitoring. These patents were central to AliveCor’s KardiaBand, an Apple Watch accessory that provided advanced cardiac insights before Apple introduced native EKG capabilities in its Series 4 watches. AliveCor argued that Apple’s incorporation of similar technology into its wearables—coupled with changes to watchOS that restricted third-party access to heart-rate data—constituted anticompetitive behavior and patent infringement.

AliveCor’s legal strategy mirrored that of Masimo, another medical device firm that secured an ITC import ban against Apple in 2023 over blood oxygen sensor patents. However, the outcomes diverged due to differences in patent validity challenges. While Masimo’s patents withstood scrutiny, AliveCor’s claims were invalidated by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) in December 2022, a decision now affirmed by the Federal Circuit.

Legal Proceedings and Key Rulings

PTAB’s Invalidation of AliveCor’s Patents

The PTAB determined that AliveCor’s patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 10,638,941 and 10,595,731) were unpatentable due to “obviousness” based on prior art and existing technologies. This ruling hinged on evidence that AliveCor’s innovations lacked sufficient novelty, as methods for analyzing cardiac signals using wearable devices had been documented in earlier research. Apple’s legal team successfully argued that AliveCor’s patents merely repackaged known techniques, a stance the Federal Circuit found convincing.

ITC’s Conditional Import Ban

In June 2022, the ITC initially ruled that Apple infringed AliveCor’s patents and recommended a limited exclusion order to block imports of EKG-enabled Apple Watches. However, this ban was contingent on the patents’ validity, which the PTAB’s subsequent invalidation nullified. The ITC’s enforcement mechanisms were suspended pending appellate review, a process that concluded with the Federal Circuit’s March 7, 2025, decision to uphold the PTAB’s findings.

Federal Circuit’s Final Judgment

The Federal Circuit’s ruling emphasized the PTAB’s authority to reassess patent validity independently of ITC infringement determinations. By affirming that AliveCor’s patents were unpatentable, the court vacated the ITC’s exclusion order, ensuring uninterrupted sales of Apple Watches in the U.S. AliveCor has expressed dismay over the outcome, alleging that the court overlooked “secondary considerations” such as commercial success and industry praise for its innovations. The company plans to pursue further appeals, though legal experts consider the prospects slim given the Federal Circuit’s definitive stance.

Comparative Analysis: AliveCor vs. Masimo

The divergent outcomes of AliveCor’s and Masimo’s patent disputes illustrate the critical role of patent robustness in ITC litigation. Masimo’s blood oxygen sensor patents survived validity challenges, leading to a 2023 import ban that forced Apple to disable the feature in U.S.-sold watches. In contrast, AliveCor’s EKG patents were vulnerable to invalidation, enabling Apple to circumvent the ban through technical redesigns validated by U.S. Customs in 2024.

This discrepancy highlights Apple’s strategic prioritization of feature-specific legal defenses. While the company could re-engineer its EKG algorithms to avoid AliveCor’s claims, Masimo’s pulse oximetry technology proved harder to decouple from hardware components, necessitating feature removal.

Corporate Responses and Market Implications

AliveCor’s Position

AliveCor CEO Priya Abani condemned the ruling as a blow to innovation, vowing to “explore all legal avenues” to protect the company’s intellectual property. The firm’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging monopolistic practices in the heart-rate app market, remains pending in Northern California but faces uncertainty following a 2024 dismissal of related claims.

Apple’s Commitment to Health Tech

Apple reaffirmed its dedication to advancing health features, with spokesperson Fred Sainz stating, “Our teams have worked tirelessly to create industry-leading health tools that impact users’ lives.” The decision solidifies Apple’s ability to integrate EKG capabilities—a key differentiator for the Apple Watch—without licensing fees or design constraints.

Industry-Wide Ramifications

The case underscores the risks for smaller medtech firms relying on patent litigation to compete with tech giants. AliveCor’s inability to enforce its patents despite initial ITC support may deter similar claims, emboldening companies like Apple to aggressively challenge patent validity preemptively. Conversely, the ruling may accelerate innovation in wearable health tech by clarifying the boundaries of patentable inventions.

Technical and Legal Strategy Breakdown

Patent Invalidity and Prior Art

The Federal Circuit’s decision rested on substantial evidence that AliveCor’s patents described obvious advancements over existing technologies. Prior research in wearable EKGs, including academic papers and earlier products, provided a foundation for the PTAB’s conclusion that AliveCor’s claims lacked inventiveness. This precedent reinforces the importance of robust prior art analysis in patent drafting, particularly in crowded fields like digital health.

Redesign as a Legal Tactic

Apple’s successful redesign of its EKG software—certified by U.S. Customs as non-infringing—demonstrates a pragmatic approach to sidestepping import bans. By contrast, hardware-dependent features like Masimo’s blood oxygen sensor required more drastic measures, highlighting the interplay between software adaptability and legal liability.

Conclusion: The Future of Wearable Health Tech

The Federal Circuit’s ruling removes a significant legal hurdle for Apple, allowing it to consolidate its dominance in the smartwatch market. However, the decision raises questions about the adequacy of patent protections for incremental innovations in fast-moving industries. As AliveCor weighs further appeals and Apple continues to face scrutiny over its health tech practices, the case serves as a cautionary tale for firms navigating the intersection of intellectual property and consumer electronics.

For the broader wearable industry, the outcome signals that patent validity challenges will remain a cornerstone of legal strategy, often outweighing infringement claims. Companies must prioritize rigorous patent drafting and anticipate validity reviews when litigating against deep-pocketed rivals. As Apple forges ahead with new health features, the balance between innovation, competition, and intellectual property rights will continue to shape the trajectory of wearable technology.

Google Pixel Watch 3's Loss of Pulse Detection //A Groundbreaking Innovation or Incremental Evolution?

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:32:03 GMT

The Google Pixel Watch 3 has made waves in the wearable technology space with its FDA-cleared Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which automatically alerts emergency services when the wearer’s heart stops beating. Google promotes this capability as a "first-of-its-kind" advancement in consumer health technology, designed to address a critical gap in emergency medical response—unwitnessed cardiac arrests. But how revolutionary is this feature truly? This report examines the technical underpinnings, regulatory landscape, comparative innovations, and societal implications of this technology to assess its uniqueness and potential impact.

The Mechanics of Loss of Pulse Detection

Sensor Fusion and AI-Driven Algorithms

At its core, the Pixel Watch 3’s Loss of Pulse Detection relies on a combination of hardware and software advancements. The watch’s multipath heart rate sensor, a green LED-based photoplethysmography (PPG) system, continuously monitors peripheral pulse signals at a rate of once per second. When the algorithm detects an absence of pulse, it activates secondary validation protocols:

Infrared and red light sensors search for alternative pulse signatures.
Motion sensors assess whether the wearer is stationary or unconscious.
An AI-driven algorithm synthesizes these inputs to minimize false positives, a crucial requirement given the societal cost of unnecessary emergency dispatches.

This multi-layered approach mirrors clinical methodologies for detecting pulselessness. Google’s proprietary algorithm, trained on "hundreds of thousands of hours" of real-world and simulated data, achieves a 67.23% sensitivity rate in controlled arterial occlusion tests.

User Interaction and Emergency Protocols

Upon detecting pulselessness, the watch initiates a three-stage response:

A haptic and visual check-in prompt appears on the screen.
If unanswered, a 30-second audible alarm and countdown commence.
Emergency services receive an automated call with the wearer’s location and medical context via LTE or a paired smartphone.

Notably, the system avoids excessive battery drain by leveraging Wear OS 5’s hybrid architecture and machine learning-based sleep detection to conserve power when the user is inactive.

Regulatory Hurdles and Global Deployment

FDA Clearance and Validation

The FDA’s February 2025 clearance marked a major milestone in consumer health tech. Google had to demonstrate:

Clinical validity, ensuring a correlation between PPG signals and true pulselessness across diverse demographics.
False positive mitigation, proving fewer than one unintentional emergency call per 21.67 user-years in trials.
Interoperability, enabling seamless integration with 911 systems and Android’s Emergency Location Service.

This approval makes the U.S. the 15th country to authorize the feature, following 14 European nations where it launched in late 2024. However, regulatory disparities persist—Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) requires additional validation for arrhythmia-specific use cases.

Comparative Analysis: "First-of-Its-Kind" or Iterative Advance?

Existing Cardiac Monitoring Capabilities

A comparison of the Pixel Watch 3 with competing smartwatches reveals its distinctive approach:

Feature	Apple Watch Series 9	Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	Pixel Watch 3
AFib Detection	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fall Detection	Yes	Yes	Yes
Crash Detection	Yes	No	Yes
Loss of Pulse Detection	No	No	Yes
Emergency Auto-Dial	Manual trigger only	Manual trigger only	Automatic

While Apple and Samsung offer irregular rhythm alerts, they require user interaction to contact emergency services. The Pixel Watch 3’s fully automated response—enabled by AI-driven unconsciousness detection—represents a paradigm shift in unattended emergency care.

Clinical Precedents and Limitations

Critics argue that hospital-grade devices like pulse oximeters and implantable loop recorders (ILRs) have monitored pulselessness for decades. However, these devices differ:

ILRs require surgical implantation and lack emergency response integration.
Hospital monitors are stationary systems, unsuitable for everyday use.

The Pixel Watch 3 bridges this gap as the first consumer-oriented, non-invasive device capable of initiating emergency protocols without bystander intervention—a function the American Heart Association highlights as key to improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates.

Public Health Implications

Addressing the Cardiac Arrest Epidemic

With 356,000 annual out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the U.S., survival rates remain below 12%. Early modeling suggests that if the Pixel Watch 3’s feature were deployed across 10% of at-risk populations, it could prevent approximately 8,500 deaths annually by reducing response times from the national average of 9 minutes to under 4 minutes.

Ethical and Practical Considerations

Over-reliance risks: Users with preexisting conditions may misinterpret the watch as a substitute for medical-grade monitors.
Accessibility barriers: The $399 LTE-enabled model may exclude low-income demographics most vulnerable to cardiac arrest.
Data privacy concerns: Continuous pulse monitoring raises potential health data monetization issues, though Google asserts all processing occurs on-device.

Technical Limitations and False Positives

Algorithmic Accuracy Tradeoffs

Google’s 67.23% sensitivity rate, while impressive, leaves room for improvement. Limitations include:

Low-perfusion pulselessness (e.g., cases of hypothermia) often being undetectable.
Arrhythmic pulses, such as ventricular tachycardia with palpable but ineffective beats, posing a challenge.
Rare false positives (1 per 21.67 user-years), which may burden emergency services.

User Compliance Factors

Battery life constraints: The 45mm model’s 36-hour runtime requires nightly charging, creating potential monitoring gaps.
Wear consistency: A 2024 JAMA study found that 23% of smartwatch users remove their devices during sleep or exercise.

The Road Ahead: Evolution or Revolution?

Short-Term Enhancements

Google plans updates to:

Expand detection to pediatric populations (currently limited to 18+).
Integrate with smart home systems to unlock doors for first responders.
Add multilingual support for 911 operators.

Long-Term Vision

The feature signals a broader shift toward predictive health ecosystems:

Pre-arrest detection, using heart rate variability (HRV) and skin temperature trends.
Drug overdose response, partnering with harm-reduction organizations to auto-administer naloxone.
Clinical integration, enabling direct sharing of emergency data with hospitals.

Conclusion

The Pixel Watch 3’s Loss of Pulse Detection earns its "first-of-its-kind" designation not through isolated technological novelty, but via systemic innovation at the intersection of AI, regulatory strategy, and emergency response. While building on decades of PPG research, it accomplishes what hospital-grade devices and prior wearables could not—autonomous, large-scale emergency intervention.

However, its success depends on improving algorithmic precision, accessibility, and public trust. As wearable technology evolves beyond fitness tracking, the Pixel Watch 3 represents a milestone in digital health innovation, setting a new benchmark for life-saving consumer devices.

ANT+ Is Dying—Here’s What It Means for Cyclists and Athletes

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 12:46:37 GMT

The ANT+ wireless protocol, once the backbone of connectivity for sports technology, is now facing an inevitable decline. Garmin’s recent announcement to discontinue ANT+ membership and certification programs by June 2025 marks a pivotal shift in the landscape of wireless communication for fitness and cycling devices. This decision is driven by evolving regulatory requirements, particularly the European Union’s Radio Equipment Directive (EU RED), which mandates stricter encryption and authentication standards for wireless data transmission. Meanwhile, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has solidified its dominance due to its broader ecosystem integration, energy efficiency, and compatibility with modern consumer devices like smartphones. While ANT+ devices will continue functioning for the foreseeable future, the cessation of new profile development signals the beginning of its obsolescence. This article explores the rise and decline of ANT+, the regulatory and technological factors behind its downfall, and the implications for athletes, manufacturers, and the future of sports technology.

The Rise of ANT+ as a Sports Technology Standard

Origins and Early Adoption

Introduced in 2004 by Dynastream Innovations—later acquired by Garmin—ANT+ revolutionized wireless communication in sports technology. With its low power consumption, multi-device pairing capability, and robust connectivity, it quickly became the gold standard for fitness devices, including heart rate monitors, cycling power meters, and cadence sensors. The universality of ANT+ allowed interoperability between brands, enabling seamless communication between Garmin watches, SRAM electronic shifting systems, and Wahoo sensors.

Technical Strengths in Niche Applications

ANT+ excelled in scenarios demanding low latency and stable connectivity. Cycling radar systems, like Garmin’s Varia, relied on ANT+ for real-time alerts, while SRAM’s AXS shifting and Shimano’s Di2 electronic drivetrain systems utilized proprietary ANT+ protocols for gear synchronization. Additionally, its ability to broadcast data to multiple devices simultaneously was a unique feature that BLE only recently replicated through BLE Broadcast Mode.

Regulatory Challenges and the EU RED Directive

The Impact of EU RED on Wireless Protocols

The European Union’s Radio Equipment Directive (EU RED), set to be fully enforced in 2025, mandates encryption and authentication for wireless data transmission. Although ANT+ has optional encryption, enforcing full compliance would break compatibility with millions of existing devices. Garmin faced a difficult choice: either redesign ANT+ at significant cost or phase out the protocol altogether. The company opted for the latter, citing the prohibitive expense of modernizing a protocol already losing ground to BLE.

Discontinuation of Certification and Membership Programs

Garmin’s decision to end ANT+ certification and membership programs by June 2025 reflects the shift towards BLE. Previously, manufacturers paid fees for access to ANT+ documentation and product interoperability testing. By discontinuing these programs, Garmin has effectively removed the incentive for brands to continue using ANT+, accelerating its decline.

Bluetooth Low Energy: The Emerging Dominant Standard

Technical Advantages of BLE

BLE’s rapid advancements in energy efficiency have undermined ANT+’s key advantage. Modern BLE devices, such as the COROS PACE 3 heart rate monitor, operate at a lower power draw while still maintaining real-time data accuracy. BLE now allows up to seven simultaneous connections, matching ANT+ in multi-device functionality while integrating seamlessly with smartphones, earbuds, and other consumer electronics.

BLE’s Ubiquity in Smartphones

ANT+ struggled to gain traction in smartphones due to Apple’s refusal to support it and Google’s inconsistent Android implementation. In contrast, BLE’s universal compatibility allows fitness apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad, and Strava to connect directly to sensors without the need for external dongles. This seamless integration has made BLE the default choice for both budget fitness trackers and high-end cycling computers.

Industry Impact and Transition Challenges

Cycling: The Most Affected Sector

Cycling is the industry most reliant on ANT+. Devices such as Garmin’s Varia radar, SRAM’s AXS shifting, and Shimano’s Di2 drivetrain all depend on ANT+ for real-time communication. Transitioning these systems to BLE presents a challenge, as no open BLE standards currently exist for electronic shifting or radar integration. Power meter manufacturers, including 4iiii and Stages, now prioritize BLE connectivity, but they still maintain ANT+ compatibility to support older Garmin and Wahoo devices.

Gym Equipment and Fitness Machines

ANT+ enabled gym equipment, such as treadmills and indoor bikes, to sync with wearables. However, BLE’s dominance has shifted manufacturers' priorities. Brands like Peloton and Technogym now favor BLE, making ANT+ an increasingly niche feature. Garmin’s decision to retain ANT+ in legacy devices like the HRM-Pro Plus ensures short-term compatibility, but the industry is clearly moving towards BLE-only solutions.

Running Dynamics and Physiological Sensors

ANT+ remains relevant in specific applications, such as running dynamics (Stryd foot pods) and physiological monitoring (Moxy muscle oxygen sensors). These applications demand low-latency communication and multi-device broadcasting, areas where BLE still lags behind. However, with no future ANT+ updates planned, developers will be forced to transition to proprietary BLE solutions.

Consumer Considerations: Compatibility and Upgrades

Ongoing Support for ANT+ Devices

Manufacturers like Garmin and Wahoo have pledged to continue supporting ANT+ in existing products, ensuring that heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, and cycling computers remain functional. However, new firmware updates will prioritize BLE performance, leading to potential signal dropouts and reduced reliability for ANT+ connections over time.

Transitioning to BLE Ecosystems

Athletes heavily invested in ANT+ may need to consider dual-protocol sensors or BLE-only alternatives. Newer models, such as the COROS Heart Rate Monitor, no longer include ANT+ support, forcing users to upgrade their sensors or rely on legacy dongles. Cyclists with ANT+-dependent electronic shifting or radar systems face a more complex transition, as BLE-compatible replacements have yet to be standardized.

The Future of Wireless Standards in Sports Technology

The Role of Bluetooth SIG in Sports Connectivity

For BLE to fully replace ANT+, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) must address sports technology’s unique needs. While BLE has adopted profiles for running and cycling, gaps remain in gear position data, radar alerts, and real-time drivetrain integration. Collaborative efforts between brands like Garmin, Wahoo, and SRAM will be necessary to develop open BLE standards that prevent further fragmentation.

Emerging Alternatives: Wi-Fi 6E and Ultra-Wideband (UWB)

Wi-Fi 6E and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) offer potential alternatives to both BLE and ANT+, boasting higher data transfer rates and improved interference resistance. However, their higher power consumption and hardware costs limit their feasibility for sports wearables in the near future. Hybrid solutions, such as BLE-assisted UWB for precision tracking, may emerge but require widespread industry adoption.

Conclusion

The decline of ANT+ marks the end of an era in sports technology, driven by regulatory shifts and BLE’s superior ecosystem integration. While ANT+ remains functional, its inability to adapt to encryption mandates and smartphone integration has accelerated its obsolescence. Manufacturers and consumers must navigate a transition phase characterized by dual-protocol devices, industry-wide standardization efforts, and evolving BLE improvements. ANT+'s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of open, flexible standards in fostering innovation—a lesson that the Bluetooth SIG and future wireless technology developers must consider moving forward.

France vs. Apple // The Antitrust Battle Over App Tracking Transparency

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:32:03 GMT

France’s antitrust authority is set to rule in March 2025 on whether Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework violates competition laws. The case, which could lead to fines exceeding $30 billion, is the first major regulatory challenge to ATT since its 2021 launch. At stake is a fundamental conflict between user privacy rights and allegations of anticompetitive behavior, with potential consequences for digital markets worldwide.

Historical Context: Apple’s Regulatory Battles in France

France’s Antitrust History with Apple

France has been a leading regulator of Apple within the EU:

2020: France’s Autorité de la Concurrence fined Apple €1.1 billion (later reduced to €372 million) for anticompetitive practices in iPad and Mac sales.
2020: Apple paid €25 million to settle allegations of throttling older iPhones without user consent under France’s planned obsolescence laws.

These precedents highlight France’s willingness to challenge Apple’s business practices, extending now to its privacy policies.

The Evolution of App Tracking Transparency (ATT)

Launched in iOS 14.5, ATT requires explicit user consent before apps can track user activity across third-party apps and websites. While framed as a privacy enhancement, ATT disrupted the $400 billion mobile advertising industry:

Meta attributed a $10 billion revenue loss in 2022 to ATT’s restrictions.
Critics claim Apple benefits from ATT by limiting third-party tracking while promoting its own ad business.

The French Antitrust Case: Key Allegations and Arguments

Regulatory Charges

The Autorité de la Concurrence formally accused Apple in 2023 of abusing its dominant position by imposing “discriminatory, non-objective, and non-transparent conditions” on data access. Specific allegations include:

Asymmetric Privacy Rules: ATT restricts third-party apps more than Apple’s own services, such as Apple Search Ads.
Data Advantage: Apple limits third-party data collection while aggregating its own ecosystem data for ad targeting.
Market Distortion: ATT’s low opt-in rates (~25%) have increased customer acquisition costs, benefiting Apple’s subscription-based revenue model.

Apple’s Defense

Apple argues that ATT is a neutral privacy tool applied equally to all developers. In a 2023 statement, Apple said:

“Users should decide whether to share their data... These rules apply equally to all developers—including Apple.”

This mirrors Apple’s argument in the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2024 antitrust lawsuit, where it justified restrictions on cloud gaming and super apps as privacy measures.

Broader Implications: Privacy vs. Competition

Regulatory Precedents

France’s case aligns with Germany’s Bundeskartellamt, which in 2024 opened an investigation into whether ATT unfairly benefits Apple’s ad business. The outcome may influence:

EU Digital Markets Act (DMA): Apple may face scrutiny for restricting fair access to data.
U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Chair Lina Khan has criticized dominant platforms for using privacy as a barrier to competition.
Asia-Pacific Markets: Regulators in Japan and Australia are monitoring how ATT impacts mobile advertising.

Economic and Market Consequences

Advertising Industry Impact

ATT dramatically reduced the effectiveness of identifier-based advertising (IDFA), causing:

35% decline in CPM rates for iOS ads (2022).
Increased reliance on Apple’s own advertising services.

If France forces Apple to roll back ATT:

Ad Tech Resurgence: Companies like Criteo and The Trade Desk may regain lost targeting capabilities.
Apple’s Revenue Risk: Apple’s $7 billion ad business could shrink if third-party tracking is reinstated.

Developer Dynamics

A ruling against Apple could:

Require Apple to exempt third-party apps from ATT.
Mandate alternative attribution models beyond Apple’s SKAdNetwork.
Reduce Apple’s 30% App Store commission by enabling direct developer-advertiser relationships.

The Consumer Perspective: Privacy Trade-Offs

While 72% of iOS users opt out of tracking, surveys indicate that only 34% understand how their data is used. A potential ATT rollback could:

Erode trust: 61% of EU consumers say they would abandon brands that reduce privacy protections.
Reshape app monetization: More freemium apps may rely on targeted ads, potentially lowering subscription costs but increasing intrusive ads.

Legal Precedents and Regulatory Pathways

The “Essential Facilities” Doctrine

France may argue that ATT is an essential facility, meaning Apple must provide non-discriminatory access under EU Competition Law (Article 102)—similar to Microsoft’s 2004 EU case over interoperability.

Proportionality Test

Under EU law, privacy restrictions must be proportional to competition harms. Apple could argue that ATT meets the “strict necessity” standard from the 2020 Google Shopping decision, while regulators counter that less restrictive alternatives exist.

Conclusion: A Watershed Moment for Tech Governance

France’s ruling could redefine how privacy tools interact with competition law, leading to:

Redefining privacy as a competitive factor, requiring companies to balance user protection with fair market access.
Accelerating interoperability mandates, forcing platforms like iOS to support cross-ecosystem data portability.
Establishing a regulatory playbook, where authorities directly audit tech companies’ algorithms for fairness.

As the EU’s DMA enforcement deadline nears (March 2026) and U.S. antitrust scrutiny intensifies, France’s decision will serve as a test case for whether privacy protections can coexist with open and competitive markets in the digital economy.

Garmin's $350 Fenix E Promotion Highlights Strategic Missteps in the 'E' Series Lineup

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:20:03 GMT

Garmin's recent $350 discount campaign for the Fenix E smartwatch—exclusively promoted through its Connect app—has drawn attention to the company’s struggling "E" product strategy. The aggressive price cut, reducing the Fenix E's cost from $799 to $449, underscores deeper issues with Garmin’s attempt to rebrand older hardware under the "Essential" moniker. Analysis of consumer feedback, expert reviews, and market trends reveals a pattern of missteps that have plagued the Fenix E since its launch.

The Fenix E: A Repackaged Product in Search of Purpose

Origins and Positioning of the 'E' Series

Launched in August 2024 alongside the Fenix 8, the Fenix E was intended to be an "Essential" entry point into Garmin’s premium outdoor watch lineup. However, technical reviews and consumer insights quickly identified it as a rebadged Epix Gen 2 (2022 model) with minimal hardware updates. Key compromises include:

Outdated Sensors: Retains the Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor instead of the Gen 5 found in Pro models, leading to slower response times and reduced accuracy.
Single-Band GPS: Lacks multi-band GNSS, a feature now standard in mid-tier watches like the Instinct 3.
Material Downgrades: Stainless steel bezels replace titanium, and sapphire glass is omitted, reducing durability compared to similarly priced alternatives.

Garmin’s justification—that the Fenix E would receive ongoing software updates—failed to convince buyers, as its navigation features were already present in older Epix models.

The $350 Discount: Desperation or Strategy?

Targeted Promotions and Consumer Skepticism

The steep discount, pushed via in-app notifications to owners of aging devices like the Fenix 5 and 6, has raised concerns about the Fenix E’s market performance. On forums like Reddit, users questioned the rapid price cut:

"If they're giving $350 off just months after launch, clearly nobody's buying it at full price. Makes me wonder what's wrong with the watch."

Even at $449, the Fenix E struggles to compete with discounted Epix Gen 2 Pro models ($650) and refurbished Fenix 7 Pro units ($500), both of which offer superior sensors, multi-band GPS, and additional features.

Broader Implications for Garmin's 'E' Strategy

Market Confusion and Brand Dilution

The Fenix E’s struggles mirror earlier issues with the Instinct E (January 2025), which faced backlash for offering fewer features than its predecessor at a higher price. Analysts highlight two key failures:

Perceived Obsolescence: By rebranding outdated hardware, Garmin has trained consumers to wait for discounts rather than purchasing at full price.
Ecosystem Fragmentation: Confusion between the Fenix E, Epix Gen 2, and Fenix 7 Pro models has led to consumer uncertainty about the lineup’s value proposition.

Technical Troubles Amplify Doubts

GPS Crash Controversy and Software Instability

Compounding these strategic issues, a January 2025 firmware update caused widespread GPS failures across Garmin devices, including the Fenix E. The issue, traced to a corrupted satellite pre-cache file, rendered watches unusable for outdoor activities—a major flaw for a product aimed at adventurers.

While Garmin eventually patched the issue, the episode damaged its reputation for reliability. As one user noted:

"My Fenix E bricked itself during a backcountry ski trip. If I can't trust it to handle basic GPS, why pay $800?"

The Road Ahead: Salvaging the 'E' Series

Lessons from Competitors and Consumer Demands

To rehabilitate the 'E' brand, Garmin must address three key issues:

Hardware Transparency
- Future 'E' models should introduce at least one defining feature, such as the Elevate Gen 5 sensor, to justify their price.
Price-to-Performance Ratio
- At $449, the discounted Fenix E still lags behind the $499 Instinct 3, which includes solar charging and multi-band GPS.
- Pricing should align with actual capabilities, ideally below $400.
Software Differentiation
- Promised updates, such as Garmin’s strength coach feature, have yet to materialize for the Fenix E.
- Introducing exclusive software features could help differentiate the lineup.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale in Product Strategy

Garmin’s $350 Fenix E promotion highlights the risks of half-hearted product differentiation. By repackaging outdated technology under a new label, the company has alienated core enthusiasts while failing to attract budget-conscious buyers. Unless Garmin repositions the 'E' series to offer true value—rather than serving as an inventory clearance tactic—the lineup will remain a symbol of missed opportunities in smartwatch strategy.

NHL and Apple Watch // The Future of Officiating in Professional Hockey

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:12:03 GMT

Apple and the National Hockey League (NHL) have partnered to equip on-ice officials with Apple Watches running a custom app designed to enhance real-time decision-making during games. Announced in February 2025, this initiative builds on the NHL’s decade-long partnership with Apple, which began with iPad integrations for coaches in 2017. The collaboration represents a strategic push by Apple into professional sports while addressing challenges in hockey officiating, such as maintaining focus and improving communication accuracy.

Historical Context: The NHL-Apple Partnership

From iPads to Apple Watches

The NHL’s relationship with Apple dates to 2017, when teams introduced iPads on benches for coaches to review game footage and challenge calls. By 2025, this system was implemented league-wide, allowing teams to analyze opponent strategies mid-game. The latest adoption of Apple Watches for referees aims to minimize distractions and streamline officiating workflows.

Broader Sports Integration

Apple has expanded its sports technology portfolio beyond hockey. The World Surf League (WSL) uses Apple Watches to provide real-time wave data, while Major League Baseball (MLB) teams use iPads for player analytics. These partnerships reinforce Apple’s commitment to positioning its devices as essential tools in professional sports.

Technical Implementation: How the Apple Watch Enhances Officiating

Custom App Features

Developed in collaboration with Presidio, a digital services firm, the NHL Watch Comms app syncs with the league’s Oasis system to deliver game-critical data to referees. Key features include:

Real-Time Game Clock: Reduces reliance on arena scoreboards, minimizing split-second decision errors.
Haptic Alerts: Custom vibration patterns notify referees of period endings, penalty expirations, and other key events.
League-Issued Devices: Officials use NHL-provided Apple Watch Ultra or Series 10 models stripped of non-essential apps to prevent distractions.

Data Security and Privacy

The app operates independently of personal Apple IDs, with all data stored locally and synced securely to NHL servers post-game. This approach aligns with Apple’s privacy standards, mitigating risks associated with cloud-based vulnerabilities.

Impact on Officiating and Game Dynamics

Improving Referee Focus and Accuracy

By centralizing critical information on the wrist, the NHL aims to reduce cognitive load on officials. Early testing during the 2024–25 season reportedly decreased late-period timing errors by 18%, according to NHL metrics.

Training and Adaptation

Transitioning to wearable tech requires officials to recalibrate long-standing habits. The NHL has implemented mandatory training modules emphasizing haptic feedback recognition and situational awareness drills.

Broader Implications for Sports Technology

Setting a Precedent for Other Leagues

The NHL’s adoption of Apple Watches follows similar tech integrations in:

NFL: Microsoft Surface tablets for play reviews.
MLB: iPads for batter-pitcher matchup analytics.
NBA: AWS-powered real-time shot tracking.

However, the NHL’s use of wearables for officiating is a first in major professional sports, potentially inspiring leagues like FIFA and the NBA to explore referee-specific tech.

Fan Engagement and Broadcast Innovations

While primarily aimed at officiating, this technology could enhance fan engagement. The NHL plans to integrate referee biometric data (e.g., heart rate) into Apple TV broadcasts by 2026, offering insights into officiating intensity during high-pressure moments.

Challenges and Criticisms

Reliability Concerns

Despite rigorous testing, technical failures remain a risk. During a January 2025 game between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers, a software glitch delayed penalty alerts, leading to a disputed power play goal. The NHL has since implemented redundant LTE connectivity alongside arena Wi-Fi to mitigate such issues.

Traditionalist Pushback

Some argue that over-reliance on technology undermines the "human element" of officiating. However, NHL Senior VP David Lehanski maintains that the watches are "decision-support tools, not replacements for judgment."

Future Outlook: Expanding the Tech Ecosystem

Integration with Player Tracking

By 2026, the NHL plans to sync referee watches with its Puck and Player Tracking system. This would enable real-time overlays showing officials’ positioning relative to plays, aiding in post-game review processes and training.

AI and Predictive Analytics

Presidio is developing machine learning models to predict penalty likelihoods based on player positioning data. While not yet implemented in live games, these tools could eventually assist referees in identifying high-risk situations.

Conclusion: Redefining the Boundaries of Sports Officiating

The NHL-Apple partnership demonstrates how targeted technological integration can enhance officiating accuracy without disrupting the game’s pace. For Apple, this collaboration serves as a high-profile validation of its wearable ecosystem. As leagues globally observe this experiment, the success of hockey’s foray into wearable officiating tech could shape the future of sports governance in the digital age.

Apple Watch 'Carbon Neutral' Marketing Faces Legal Challenge

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 03:12:03 GMT

In September 2023, Apple unveiled its first "carbon neutral" products—the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2—as part of its pledge to achieve full carbon neutrality across its supply chain by 2030. The company marketed these devices with a distinctive green leaf logo and detailed claims about emissions reductions and carbon offset investments. However, Apple now faces a lawsuit alleging that its environmental assertions are based on flawed carbon offset projects, raising concerns about corporate sustainability practices and the credibility of carbon neutrality certifications.

The Lawsuit: Allegations and Legal Framework

Plaintiffs and Jurisdiction

On February 27, 2025, seven consumers filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Dib et al v Apple Inc, Case No. 25-02043). The plaintiffs, from California, Florida, and Washington, D.C., argue that Apple’s "carbon neutral" labeling for three Apple Watch models is deceptive under consumer protection laws, including California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law. They seek damages and an injunction to stop Apple from using the term "carbon neutral" in marketing these devices.

Core Allegations: Flawed Carbon Offset Projects

The lawsuit challenges two carbon offset initiatives Apple uses to justify its neutrality claims:

Kenya’s Chyulu Hills Project: Plaintiffs argue that this forest conservation initiative does not provide "additionality" since deforestation was already illegal in the area, making the carbon credits invalid.
China’s Guinan Project: The lawsuit contends that Apple’s tree-planting initiative falsely claims to restore barren land, whereas satellite data indicates the land was already forested before Apple’s involvement.

Apple retired 485,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents through these projects, but the lawsuit asserts these credits lack legitimacy.

Apple’s Defense and Sustainability Strategy

Apple states it reduced emissions for the Apple Watch by over 75% through clean energy, recycled materials, and reduced air transport. The remaining emissions were offset with credits certified by SCS Global Services. However, the plaintiffs argue that these certifications rely on self-reported data from project developers, and a 2024 Cambridge study found that only 6% of analyzed carbon credits represented real emissions reductions.

Consumer Impact and Greenwashing Concerns

The Role of Sustainability in Purchasing Decisions

A study cited in the complaint shows that 70% of U.S. and Canadian consumers prioritize sustainability when making purchases. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s carbon neutral branding added a 10–15% price markup to the affected watches, leading consumers to overpay based on misleading claims.

Broader Implications for Green Marketing

This case highlights increased legal scrutiny of corporate environmental claims. The FTC’s revised Green Guides, set to take effect in 2026, will set stricter guidelines for carbon neutrality assertions. Similar lawsuits against Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines signal a trend toward holding corporations accountable for "greenwashing."

The Carbon Offset Market: Structural Challenges

Additionality and Permanence

The lawsuit points out major issues in voluntary carbon markets:

Additionality: Projects must prove they wouldn’t exist without offset funding. The Chyulu Hills project fails this test due to pre-existing conservation laws.
Permanence: Offsets must last decades, but events like wildfires can negate sequestration efforts. The 2024 California wildfires erased millions of carbon offsets, raising questions about Apple’s strategy.

Certification and Transparency Gaps

While Apple promotes SCS Global’s certification, investigations found that auditors often approve projects based on theoretical models rather than field data, undermining credibility.

Legal Precedents and Potential Outcomes

Class Certification Hurdles

For the case to proceed as a class action, plaintiffs must show that all members suffered similar harm. Precedent from Kwikset Corp. v Superior Court (2011) supports false labeling claims, which could aid the plaintiffs.

Regulatory Interventions

This lawsuit coincides with the SEC’s proposed climate disclosure rules, which would mandate stricter transparency in corporate offset programs. A ruling against Apple could accelerate regulatory changes and force companies to audit their offset portfolios more rigorously.

Apple’s Path Forward

Operational Changes

To maintain credibility, Apple may need to:

Reduce reliance on offsets and focus on direct emissions cuts.
Invest in carbon removal technologies like direct air capture.

Stakeholder Engagement

Environmental groups and investors are pressing Apple to adopt stricter verification standards for its carbon neutrality claims. Shareholder resolutions demanding more transparency may follow.

Conclusion: A Watershed Moment for Corporate Sustainability

The Dib v Apple case challenges the $2 billion voluntary carbon market and could redefine how corporations substantiate environmental claims. If the plaintiffs succeed, companies may be forced to provide auditable data to support carbon neutrality assertions or abandon them altogether. The outcome will influence consumer trust in green certifications and shape corporate sustainability practices for years to come.

Garmin's New Passcode Feature Aims to Prevent Unauthorized Access

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:46:37 GMT

In a significant move to bolster user security, Garmin has rolled out a Device Passcode feature as part of its Q1 2025 software update. This long-anticipated security enhancement, now in public beta testing, aims to protect sensitive data on Garmin smartwatches from unauthorized access, particularly when devices are lost or stolen. The update aligns Garmin’s security protocols with industry standards set by competitors like Apple while addressing growing concerns about personal data privacy in wearable technology.

The Evolution of Garmin’s Security Features

From Garmin Pay to Full Device Protection

Prior to this update, Garmin’s security measures were largely confined to Garmin Pay, the contactless payment system requiring a passcode for transaction authentication. While effective for financial security, this approach left other personal data—such as health metrics, contact lists, and location history—vulnerable. The new Device Passcode extends protection to the entire device, requiring a 4-digit PIN whenever the watch detects removal from the wrist or prolonged inactivity.

This expansion responds to the increasing sophistication of Garmin’s wearables, which now store granular health data (e.g., sleep patterns, stress levels, and menstrual cycles) and sync with smartphones to display notifications, calendars, and emergency contacts. For high-end models like the Fenix 8 and Epix Gen 3, which include topographic maps and route histories, the passcode also mitigates risks for outdoor enthusiasts exploring remote areas.

Technical Implementation and User Experience

The passcode leverages auto-wrist detection technology, a staple in Garmin’s optical heart rate sensors, to trigger lock mode. When enabled, users must enter their PIN to regain access after taking off the watch or leaving it idle for a predefined period (default: one week). Notably, the system allows limited functionality during lock mode:

Active workouts can continue uninterrupted to avoid disrupting training sessions.
Emergency alerts (e.g., incident detection, assistance messages) remain accessible.
Basic utilities like the flashlight and watch face stay operational.

However, sensitive data fields—including health reports, payment details, and saved routes—become inaccessible without the passcode. Garmin has also introduced haptic feedback during PIN entry on non-touchscreen models like the Fenix 8 Solar, improving usability in outdoor conditions.

Compatibility and Rollout Strategy

Supported Devices

The passcode feature debuts on Garmin’s latest flagship and mid-tier models:

Fenix 8, Fenix E, and Enduro 3 (premium multisport watches)
Forerunner 165, 255/265 Series, and 955/965 (running-focused models)
Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 (health-centric smartwatches)

Older devices like the Fenix 7, Epix Gen 2, and Instinct 3 are excluded, sparking criticism from users who expected longer software support cycles. Garmin attributes this limitation to hardware constraints, as the passcode requires newer sensors capable of persistent wrist detection.

Setup and Customization

Users configure the passcode via the Garmin Connect app:

1. Navigate to the device settings and select Security > Passcode.
1. Enter a 4-digit PIN (with optional haptic or audio confirmation).
1. Adjust auto-lock triggers (e.g., immediate lock upon removal vs. delayed lock after 10 minutes).

A reset option is available through Garmin Connect for forgotten passcodes, though this erases payment cards and requires reconfiguration. The feature is opt-in, allowing users to balance security and convenience based on their needs.

Security Protocols and Anti-Theft Measures

Fail-Safe Mechanisms

Garmin implemented a multi-tiered lockout system to deter brute-force attacks:

3 failed attempts: 60-second cooldown with a warning.
4 failed attempts: 15-minute lockout.
5 failed attempts (unpaired devices): Factory reset, erasing all user data.

These protocols mirror smartphone security standards, though critics note that paired devices can bypass the factory reset via the Garmin Connect app—a potential vulnerability if a thief accesses the user’s phone.

Theft Deterrence and Resale Value

By preventing unauthorized resets, the passcode aims to reduce incentives for smartwatch theft. Pre-update, stolen Garmin devices could be easily reset and sold secondhand, but the passcode ties device functionality to the original owner’s account. However, unlike Apple’s Activation Lock, Garmin lacks a centralized platform to remotely disable stolen watches, leaving physical security as the primary defense.

User Reactions and Practical Considerations

Privacy vs. Convenience Debate

Early adopters on forums like r/GarminWatches are divided:

Privacy Advocates: Praise the feature for securing sensitive data.
Skeptics: Question the daily hassle of PIN entry.

Garmin’s decision to make the passcode optional appears strategic, catering to both security-conscious users and those prioritizing seamless access.

Battery Life and Performance Impact

Concerns about battery drain emerged during beta testing, particularly for solar-powered models like the Fenix 8 Solar. However, internal benchmarks show negligible impact (≤2% daily drain), as the passcode only activates when the watch is off-wrist.

Future Outlook and Recommendations

Expanding Compatibility

User demand for backward compatibility remains high, particularly among Fenix 7 and Epix Gen 2 owners. While Garmin cites hardware limitations, third-party developers speculate that firmware patches could enable passcodes on older AMOLED models.

Enhancing Remote Security

Integrating a Garmin Lock Portal for remote passcode resets and device tracking could further deter theft. Pairing this with IMEI-like identifiers would align Garmin with smartphone industry standards.

Educating Users

Garmin could leverage the Connect app to provide security tutorials, highlighting risks like location history exposure or contact list breaches.

Conclusion

Garmin’s Device Passcode represents a pivotal step in wearable security, addressing longstanding vulnerabilities while balancing user convenience. While not without limitations—particularly for legacy device owners—the feature underscores Garmin’s commitment to evolving alongside cybersecurity threats. As smartwatches increasingly double as digital IDs and payment terminals, robust encryption and user-configurable safeguards will remain critical to maintaining consumer trust in the IoT era.

For now, the passcode offers a pragmatic solution for athletes, professionals, and everyday users seeking to protect their data without sacrificing the rugged reliability that defines Garmin’s brand. As the feature moves from beta to stable release in Q1 2025, its adoption rates and real-world efficacy will ultimately determine its place in Garmin’s ecosystem.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Update // Music Control, New Training Modes, and More

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 07:46:37 GMT

Amazfit has released a new software update, version 3.5.4.8, for its T-Rex 3 smartwatch, introducing several new features and improvements. This update enhances the watch's functionality and user experience with a focus on music control, expanded training modes, and general improvements.

New Features and Improvements

Audio Control: The update includes a new "Audio Control" app, enabling users to control music playback on their connected smartphone directly from the watch.
Ski Simulator Workout: A new workout mode, the "ski simulator," has been added, which records metrics such as distance traveled and frequency of movements.
Improved Fishing Function: The fishing function now allows users to track the GPS coordinates of their fishing rod's location, aiding in finding optimal fishing spots.
Enhanced Muscle Strengthening Training: The muscle strengthening training mode has been improved, making it easier to make changes during breaks.
Route Importing: Users can now import routes via the Zepp app and display control points on the watch screen during training.
Improved Notifications: The system for notifications appearing during training has been enhanced.

New Color Option

Amazfit has also introduced a new color version of the T-Rex 3: Haze Gray. This new color option features a stylish silver steel bezel and a light gray case, complemented by a matching silicone strap. Initially launched in the US in January, the Haze Gray version is now available for European buyers, including those in the UK, France, and Italy.

Key Features of the Amazfit T-Rex 3

Despite the updated design, the technical specifications of the T-Rex 3 remain unchanged:

Display: 1.5-inch AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits.
Durability: Extreme temperature resistance (-30℃ to 70℃), water-resistant up to 100 meters, military-grade ruggedness.
Battery Life: Up to 3 weeks of typical use, 42 hours in precise GPS mode.
Navigation and GPS: Supports six satellite navigation systems, offline maps, and turn-by-turn directions.
Training Modes: 170+ training modes with AI-powered coaching.
Voice Assistant: Zepp Flow voice assistant for text replies and training plans.
Health Monitoring: Blood oxygen monitoring, HRV, sleep tracking, skin temperature measurement.
Connectivity: WLAN 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC for payments.
Music Storage: Built-in music storage and Sonos music control.
Operating System: Zepp OS 4.
Water Resistance: 10 ATM, suitable for free-diving up to 45 meters.

Zepp Flow™ and AI Integration

The T-Rex 3 integrates Zepp Flow™, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o technology, allowing users to control the watch via voice commands. Users can adjust settings, check progress, and reply to messages hands-free. The watch also supports speech-to-text replies for instant messaging apps.

Enhanced Privacy

Amazfit emphasizes privacy, allowing users to manage GPS data storage preferences. The watch complies with GDPR regulations and utilizes Amazon Web Services for data security. Users can enable or disable GPS permissions and back up data through multiple methods, including local, email, and third-party services.

Pricing and Availability

The new Haze Gray version is priced at £279.00/€299.90, consistent with previous models. It was available for purchase starting February 18. Buyers who purchased the T-Rex 3 Haze Gray by the end of February received a free pair of Amazfit Up headphones (worth £44.90/€49.90). The standard Amazfit T-Rex 3 is available on Amazon in multiple color options, including Haze Gray, for $279.99.

How to Update

The update is available for download via the Zepp application. Users can access the update by navigating to Profile > Amazfit T-Rex 3 > System Update. The update file size is 13.47 MB.

Addressing Battery Drain Issues

Some users previously reported battery drain issues following software version 3.4.4.7, with significant power loss linked to active heart rate monitoring. Amazfit acknowledged the issue and encouraged users to submit feedback via the Zepp app. It is unclear whether the latest 3.5.4.8 update resolves this issue, but users experiencing battery drain should check their heart rate monitoring settings.

Conclusion

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 continues to solidify its position as a leading rugged smartwatch, offering a blend of durability, functionality, and affordability. With the latest update introducing music control, new training modes, and enhanced user experience, Amazfit enhances the device’s appeal. The addition of the Haze Gray color provides consumers with more design options, reinforcing the T-Rex 3’s reputation as a versatile and feature-packed smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts.

Garmin Reverses Decision // ECG Now Available on More Smartwatches

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:38:37 GMT

In February 2025, Garmin expanded its ECG functionality to European Union and Australian users. Initially, this feature was available only for Fenix 8, Venu 3, and Venu 2 Plus users, excluding the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models. The exclusion was notable as these models share identical hardware with the Fenix 8 in terms of ECG sensor capabilities.

On February 14, Garmin enabled ECG functionality on the Fenix 7 Pro, Epix Pro, D2 Mach 1 Pro, Quatix 7 Pro, and Tactix 7 AMOLED, all of which have Garmin’s Gen5 optical HR sensor. The Tactix 7 non-AMOLED remains excluded due to its Gen4 sensor. The UK is not included in this update due to regulatory requirements, but users can activate ECG functionality when traveling to the EU or the US, and it will remain activated permanently.

Software Update and Activation Process

Users can activate the ECG feature by following Garmin’s standard activation process, which takes 1-2 minutes. The update was part of Garmin’s broader firmware rollout for supported models.

Reasons for the Update Expansion

Garmin has not provided a detailed explanation for the decision to extend ECG functionality to previously excluded devices. However, the change aligns with ongoing discussions about software update policies for flagship devices. Historically, Garmin has introduced new features via firmware updates across multiple product generations, though recent updates have primarily focused on newer hardware models.

User Reactions and Market Impact

The decision to initially exclude the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro from the ECG update was met with user criticism. Many pointed to Garmin’s historical precedent of supporting premium-priced devices with software updates, making the exclusion of the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro unexpected. The reversal of this decision has been received positively, though concerns remain about Garmin’s long-term approach to software support for older devices.

Additionally, some users have raised concerns about recent firmware updates introducing more issues than fixes. Garmin’s quarterly update strategy has led to feedback regarding software stability, with some users opting to downgrade firmware versions.

Broader Implications for Wearable Technology

The inclusion of ECG functionality in the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models highlights broader discussions within the wearable technology industry regarding software update policies, hardware support longevity, and consumer expectations. As competition in the premium smartwatch market increases, consistent feature updates are becoming a key factor in customer satisfaction and product longevity.

Beta Software Update Rollout

Garmin has released Beta software update version 20.14 for Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro, Fenix 7x, Fenix 7x Pro, Fenix 7s, Fenix 7s Pro, Epix and Epix Pro 42mm/47mm/51mm, Enduro 2, Quatix 7, and MARQ Gen 2 models. Key fixes and improvements in this update include:

Added open connections notification to heart rate broadcast app.
Fixed abnormal cadence issue when using metronome.
Fixed color inconsistencies in BMX cycling profile.
Fixed incomplete map rendering.
Fixed map settings not updating properly.
Various bug fixes and performance enhancements.

Users enrolled in Garmin’s Beta Program can manually download the update by navigating to the watch’s Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates. To enroll, users can sign in to their Garmin Connect account on a computer, select the watch icon, choose the device, select “Join Beta Software Program,” and accept the terms and conditions.

Amazfit Bip 6 // The Budget Smartwatch That Feels Premium

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 19:38:37 GMT

The Amazfit Bip 6, unveiled in February 2025, represents a significant leap forward in affordable smartwatch technology. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Bip 5, this latest iteration introduces a suite of upgrades designed to enhance user experience, including a vibrant AMOLED display, extended battery life, advanced health monitoring capabilities, and AI-driven fitness coaching. While pricing and U.S. availability remain unconfirmed, early details suggest the Bip 6 will maintain its position as a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking premium features.

Design and Build Quality

The Amazfit Bip 6 adopts a refined square design with a slightly larger 46.3 mm aluminum alloy case, marking a departure from the plastic construction of earlier models. This shift to aluminum enhances durability while keeping the device lightweight at under 30 grams. The watch is available in four colorways—Black, Charcoal, Stone, and Red—catering to diverse aesthetic preferences.

Water resistance has been upgraded to 5 ATM, allowing users to wear the device during swimming sessions or in rainy conditions without concern. The inclusion of a tempered glass screen protector further bolsters durability, addressing a common pain point among active users. Despite its larger dimensions, the Bip 6 retains the series' hallmark slim profile, ensuring comfort for 24/7 wear.

Display Technology

Central to the Bip 6's appeal is its 1.97-inch AMOLED display, a substantial improvement over the Bip 5's 1.91-inch TFT-LD panel. With a resolution of 380 x 450 pixels and peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the screen delivers vivid colors and sharp contrast ratios, even under direct sunlight. This upgrade positions the Bip 6 as one of the brightest displays in its price segment, rivaling premium models like the Fitbit Charge 6.

The transition to AMOLED brings additional benefits, including reduced power consumption through selective pixel illumination and improved visibility during outdoor activities. Touch responsiveness has been optimized for smoother navigation through menus and notifications, addressing lag issues reported in previous generations.

Health Monitoring Capabilities

Amazfit has significantly upgraded the Bip 6's health tracking suite, anchored by the BioTracker Dual-Light 5PD optical sensor. This advanced module enables 24/7 heart rate monitoring with improved accuracy, particularly during high-intensity workouts. The device now provides continuous SpO2 measurement, stress tracking through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, and detailed sleep stage monitoring—features previously found only in higher-priced competitors like the Apple Watch SE.

New to the Bip series is menstrual cycle tracking and recovery time estimation, leveraging machine learning algorithms to provide personalized health insights. The watch also introduces a novel respiratory rate monitoring feature during sleep, potentially useful for detecting early signs of respiratory conditions.

Fitness and Activity Tracking

With 140+ sport modes, the Bip 6 caters to both casual users and serious athletes. Notably, it introduces automatic exercise recognition for strength training, grouping similar movements (e.g., bicep curls and shoulder presses) into coherent workout summaries. The HYROX Race mode provides specialized metrics for this emerging fitness competition format, demonstrating Amazfit's responsiveness to niche athletic communities.

GPS functionality remains single-band rather than dual-band, which may result in slightly less precise location tracking compared to flagship devices. However, the addition of offline navigation with round-trip route planning addresses a key limitation of previous models, enabling hikers and cyclists to preload maps for wilderness excursions.

Battery Performance

The 340 mAh battery represents a 13% capacity increase over the Bip 5, with Amazfit claiming up to 14 days of typical use. Real-world testing suggests this translates to approximately 10 days with continuous health monitoring and GPS usage, or 25 days in basic watch mode—substantially outperforming most competitors in the sub-$150 segment.

Charging time has been reduced to 2 hours via magnetic pogo pins, a 25% improvement over previous charging solutions. The device supports partial charging optimization, where 15 minutes of charging provides 3 days of typical use—a valuable feature for last-minute outdoor adventures.

Software and Smart Features

Running on Zepp OS 4.0, the Bip 6 introduces several AI-driven enhancements, including the Zepp Flow voice assistant powered by GPT-4o integration. This allows natural language commands for setting reminders, initiating workouts, or analyzing health trends. Third-party app support has been expanded to include Strava, Google Fit, and MyFitnessPal, with new APIs enabling integration with smart home devices.

The watch now features remote camera control for iPhones, building on its existing Android compatibility. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable connections during calls, while the built-in microphone and speaker enable voice-to-text replies for major messaging platforms. Notably absent is NFC for contactless payments, a concession likely made to maintain aggressive pricing.

Market Positioning and Availability

While exact pricing remains undisclosed, industry analysts predict a $99-$119 MSRP based on the Bip 5's launch pricing and component upgrades. Initial availability will focus on European markets starting March 2025, with global expansion dependent on regional certification processes.

The Bip 6 faces competition from the Fitbit Charge 6 ($159) and Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Pro ($99), offering superior battery life and display quality but trailing in brand recognition within North America. Its success will likely hinge on Amazfit's ability to maintain software updates and expand retailer partnerships beyond online channels.

Conclusion

The Amazfit Bip 6 represents a calculated evolution of the budget smartwatch formula, balancing cost-saving measures with strategic premium features. By prioritizing display quality, battery efficiency, and AI-enhanced health tracking, Amazfit has created a device that challenges mid-tier competitors while retaining accessibility for price-sensitive consumers.

Potential buyers should weigh the lack of NFC and single-band GPS against the exceptional battery performance and growing app ecosystem. As wearable technology continues to democratize advanced health monitoring, the Bip 6 stands as a testament to the rapid innovation occurring in the affordable segment of the market. Future iterations would benefit from expanded global availability and the addition of women's health tracking features currently absent in competing devices.

Apple’s Long-Awaited Glucose Monitoring Tech Gets a Legal Boost

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:38:37 GMT

A federal court decision invalidating Omni MedSci’s U.S. Patent 10,517,484 has removed a critical legal barrier for Apple’s development of non-invasive blood glucose monitoring technology for the Apple Watch. This ruling reshapes the competitive landscape for wearable health technologies, with Apple positioned to advance its long-rumored glucose-tracking capabilities, while competitors like Garmin refine integration strategies with existing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. Below, we analyze the legal, technological, and market implications of this decision.

Legal and Regulatory Context of the Patent Dispute

Omni MedSci’s Patent Claims and Apple’s Challenge

Omni MedSci’s ’484 patent covered a wearable device for measuring physiological parameters, including blood glucose, using semiconductor diode-based sensors. Apple petitioned the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) in 2021 to invalidate the patent, arguing its claims were obvious in light of prior inventions like Lisogurski (U.S. Patent 9,241,676) and Tran (U.S. Patent 8,108,036), which disclosed similar methods for detecting physiological signals. The PTAB initially invalidated 12 of 23 claims in 2022, and after a Federal Circuit remand, the remaining claims were invalidated on February 14, 2025. The court affirmed that Omni’s patent failed to meet the non-obviousness standard under 35 U.S.C. § 103, as Apple demonstrated that combining prior art references would render the claims predictable to a person of ordinary skill.

Implications for Patent Litigation in Wearable Health Tech

This ruling underscores the vulnerability of broad physiological monitoring patents to invalidation when prior art demonstrates incremental innovation. Omni MedSci’s litigation history—including earlier suits against Apple over heart rate monitoring patents—highlights the strategic use of patents to block competitors. However, the Federal Circuit’s insistence on rigorous obviousness analysis may discourage speculative patent filings in the wearable health sector. For Apple, the decision eliminates a key roadblock to integrating blood glucose sensors into the Apple Watch, a project reportedly codenamed “E5” that has been in development since the Steve Jobs era.

Technological Advancements in Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring

Apple’s Moonshot: Optical Absorption Spectroscopy

Apple’s rumored glucose monitoring system employs optical absorption spectroscopy, a method that uses lasers to measure glucose concentrations in interstitial fluid by analyzing light reflected off the skin. Prototypes involve a bicep-worn device the size of an iPhone, but miniaturizing this technology into a watch remains a challenge. The system aims to provide continuous, non-invasive monitoring—a “holy grail” for diabetes care—by avoiding finger-prick tests or subcutaneous sensors. Successful implementation would require overcoming signal noise from skin pigmentation, hydration, and motion artifacts, issues that have plagued non-invasive attempts for decades.

Competing Approaches: Garmin and Dexcom Integration

While Apple focuses on proprietary sensors, Garmin has adopted a complementary strategy by integrating with Dexcom’s CGM systems. The Dexcom G7 sensor, worn on the arm, transmits real-time glucose data to Garmin watches via Bluetooth, enabling users to view trends and alerts during activities. However, this approach relies on invasive sensors (subcutaneous implants replaced every 10–14 days) and requires an iPhone intermediary for data syncing. Garmin’s recent Direct to Apple Watch feature reduces latency but still depends on external hardware. By contrast, Apple’s potential solution would eliminate the need for separate sensors, offering a fully integrated experience.

Market Dynamics and Competitive Responses

Apple’s Potential Disruption of the CGM Market

The global CGM market, valued at $7.3 billion in 2024, is dominated by Dexcom and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre. Apple’s entry with a non-invasive watch could capture a significant share of the 37 million Americans and 422 million globally with diabetes. Unlike existing CGMs, which require prescriptions and recurring costs for sensors, Apple’s solution could be marketed as a consumer wellness product, bypassing regulatory hurdles for medical devices. However, clinical accuracy remains a hurdle; current non-invasive prototypes achieve ~84% clinical accuracy, below the FDA’s threshold for therapeutic use.

Garmin’s Niche in Fitness-Focused Monitoring

Garmin has carved a niche among athletes and fitness enthusiasts by pairing its watches with Dexcom’s CGM. The Connect IQ platform allows glucose data to overlay workout metrics, enabling users to correlate blood sugar trends with exercise intensity. While this appeals to a narrow demographic, Garmin faces pressure to develop proprietary sensors or risk becoming a peripheral player if Apple succeeds.

Regulatory and Technical Challenges Ahead

FDA Scrutiny and Validation Hurdles

Non-invasive glucose monitors must meet stringent FDA standards for accuracy (MARD <10%) and reliability. Apple’s prototypes, while promising, have not yet undergone large-scale clinical trials. The company may initially position the technology as a wellness tool (e.g., for prediabetes management) to avoid medical device classification. However, regulatory agencies are likely to demand rigorous validation if Apple markets the feature for diabetic use.

Technical Barriers to Miniaturization

Shrinking optical absorption spectroscopy hardware into a watch-sized device requires advancements in photonics and power efficiency. Apple’s 2023 patent for an “Integrated Photonics Device” hints at progress in embedding laser diodes and sensors into compact modules. However, heat dissipation and battery life remain concerns, as continuous laser operation could drain the Apple Watch’s battery within hours.

Conclusion: A Pivot Point for Wearable Health Tech

The invalidation of Omni MedSci’s patent accelerates Apple’s path to delivering a non-invasive blood glucose monitor, potentially transforming the Apple Watch into an essential tool for diabetes management. While technical and regulatory challenges persist, Apple’s $500 million annual R&D investment in health sensors signals commitment to overcoming these hurdles. Competitors like Garmin must deepen partnerships with CGM manufacturers or risk obsolescence. For consumers, the era of painless, continuous glucose monitoring is within reach—a milestone that could redefine wearable technology’s role in preventive healthcare.

Garmin’s Q4 2024 Earnings Soar Past Expectations, Stock Surges 75%

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:12:03 GMT

Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) delivered an impressive fiscal fourth-quarter performance, reporting a revenue growth of 23% year-over-year to $1.82 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $1.70 billion. The company’s pro forma earnings per share (EPS) also outperformed projections, coming in at $2.41 compared to the expected $2.03. This marks Garmin’s sixth consecutive quarter of surpassing Wall Street estimates, reinforcing its strong financial trajectory.

Investor confidence in the company has been evident, with Garmin’s stock surging 75% over the past 12 months. In light of its strong performance, the company’s board has announced plans to increase its annual dividend by 20%, bringing it to $3.60 per share, with quarterly payments of $0.90 per share.

Looking ahead, Garmin has set ambitious financial targets for fiscal year 2025, forecasting revenue of $6.80 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Additionally, it projects a pro forma EPS of $7.80, also exceeding the consensus of $7.74.

Growth Across Key Segments

Garmin's strong fourth-quarter performance was fueled by substantial growth across its key business segments, particularly in fitness and outdoor categories:

Fitness: This segment saw a significant 31% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $539.31 million. The strong demand for wearables played a crucial role in this growth. For the full year, fitness revenue totaled $1.77 billion, with an anticipated 10% growth in 2025.
Outdoor: Revenue in this segment climbed 29% year-over-year to $629.37 million, driven by increased sales of adventure watches. The total 2024 outdoor revenue came in at $1.96 billion, with Garmin expecting another 10% growth in 2025.
Aviation: Revenue grew by 9% to $236.88 million, fueled by strength in both OEM and aftermarket product categories. Full-year aviation revenue totaled $877 million.
Marine: Garmin’s marine business increased by 5% year-over-year to $251.26 million, with growth across multiple product categories. The company reported full-year marine revenue of $1.07 billion and forecasts a 4% growth rate in 2025.
Auto OEM: This segment saw a remarkable 30% growth, reaching $165.75 million, primarily driven by demand for domain controllers. The full-year revenue for auto OEM stood at $611 million, with Garmin projecting a 7% growth rate in 2025.

Financial Strength and Profitability

Garmin’s financial metrics underscore its robust profitability. The company’s gross margin expanded by 100 basis points to 59.3%, while the operating margin improved significantly to 28.3%, up from 23.0% in the previous year. The firm also generated $399.2 million in free cash flow during the quarter, bringing its total cash and equivalents to $3.7 billion as of December 28, 2024.

For the full year, Garmin posted a revenue of $6.30 billion, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase. This growth has been instrumental in the company’s ability to maintain a competitive edge against tech giants like Apple and Samsung in the high-end wearables market.

Competitive Positioning and Market Outlook

Garmin continues to differentiate itself through its specialization in GPS-enabled products tailored for defense and recreational markets. By focusing on high-end, specialized products, the company has managed to command premium pricing while maintaining a strong competitive position. Despite the prevalence of smartphones with built-in navigation capabilities, Garmin’s dedicated GPS devices and advanced wearables have retained a loyal customer base.

During the earnings call, management highlighted record consolidated fourth-quarter revenue, improved gross and operating margins, and record pro forma EPS of $2.41, marking a 40% increase from the prior-year quarter. Additionally, Garmin emphasized its long-term success, having delivered over 300 million products since its inception.

Forward-Looking Considerations

While Garmin remains optimistic about its growth prospects, several factors could influence its financial performance in the coming quarters. Currency exchange fluctuations, discrete tax items, and other unforeseen economic factors may impact the company's forward-looking financial measures. Nevertheless, with a strong balance sheet, a history of exceeding expectations, and a solid product pipeline, Garmin appears well-positioned for continued success in 2025 and beyond.

Apple Faces Billions in EU Antitrust Fines as Trump Pushes Back

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:18:37 GMT

The European Union’s antitrust investigation into Apple’s business practices under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is advancing toward a March 2025 conclusion, defying criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has framed the EU’s regulatory actions as discriminatory taxation against American tech firms. The probe, which focuses on Apple’s alleged anti-competitive behavior in app distribution, browser interoperability, and fee structures, underscores escalating transatlantic tensions over tech regulation. EU Competition Chief Teresa Ribera has reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to enforcing its laws impartially, even as Trump’s administration signals support for Silicon Valley’s pushback. With the EU poised to levy fines of up to 10% of Apple’s global revenue, the case highlights the collision of geopolitical interests, corporate power, and regulatory sovereignty in shaping the future of digital markets.

Geopolitical Tensions and Regulatory Sovereignty

Trump’s Accusations of EU Overreach

President Trump has repeatedly condemned the EU’s antitrust enforcement as punitive and protectionist. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, he criticized fines against Apple, Google, and Meta as “a form of taxation” and warned that the U.S. would not tolerate perceived exploitation of its companies. Trump’s remarks reflect a broader skepticism of multilateral regulation, with his administration advocating for reduced trade barriers while threatening tariffs on EU goods. The EU’s €13 billion tax ruling against Apple in 2024—which Trump called “trivial”—and subsequent DMA investigations have intensified this friction.

EU’s Defense of Regulatory Autonomy

The European Commission has dismissed Trump’s characterization of its actions as biased. Teresa Ribera, the EU’s competition chief, emphasized that DMA enforcement is rooted in legal principles rather than anti-American sentiment:

“This is not a tax. This is not something against any nationality. This is the law.”

Ribera’s stance aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to assert regulatory independence amid U.S. pressure, prioritizing consumer rights and market fairness over diplomatic appeasement. The bloc’s resolve has been tested by lobbying from Apple and other tech giants, which have sought Trump’s intervention to soften EU oversight.

The Digital Markets Act and Apple’s Compliance Challenges

Core Allegations Against Apple

The EU’s investigation centers on three areas of non-compliance with the DMA:

Anti-Steering Rules: Apple allegedly restricts app developers from directing users to alternative payment platforms or cheaper subscription options outside the App Store.
Browser Engine Restrictions: iOS limits third-party browsers like Chrome and Firefox to Apple’s WebKit engine, stifling competition in web services.
Core Technology Fee (CTF): A €0.50 per-install charge for apps distributed via third-party marketplaces, which critics argue disincentivizes competition.

Regulators contend these practices reinforce Apple’s dominance, violating DMA mandates for open and contestable markets. Despite Apple’s adjustments—such as allowing alternative app stores in the EU—developers like Epic Games label the changes “hot garbage,” citing burdensome user workflows and persistent fees.

Financial and Operational Risks for Apple

Non-compliance could result in fines exceeding $38 billion (10% of Apple’s 2024 revenue) and structural remedies, including mandated divestitures. The CTF has drawn particular scrutiny; the European Commission is evaluating whether it forces developers to absorb costs or abandon third-party platforms. Apple defends the fee as necessary to maintain iOS security and fund intellectual property, but critics argue it undermines the DMA’s goal of fostering competition.

U.S.-EU Divergence on Tech Regulation

Silicon Valley’s Alignment with Trump

Apple CEO Tim Cook, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk have cultivated closer ties with the Trump administration, seeking relief from transatlantic regulatory pressures. Cook personally lobbied Trump to oppose EU fines, while Musk—whose platform X faces separate DMA and Digital Services Act (DSA) probes—has pledged to challenge “discriminatory” enforcement. Tech leaders’ political donations and public endorsements reflect a strategic pivot to leverage U.S. influence against Brussels.

EU’s Unilateral Enforcement Strategy

The DMA represents a paradigm shift in antitrust policy, targeting “gatekeepers” like Apple with ex-ante obligations rather than post hoc penalties. By mandating interoperability, data portability, and fair access, the regulation aims to preempt monopolistic behaviors before they solidify. However, this proactive approach has drawn accusations of overreach, particularly as U.S. agencies pursue similar antitrust cases against Apple and Google under existing laws.

Implications for Global Tech Governance

Precedent for Cross-Border Regulation

The Apple investigation tests the EU’s capacity to enforce its rules against multinational firms amid geopolitical pushback. A decisive ruling in March 2025 could embolden other regions to adopt DMA-like frameworks, fracturing the global digital economy into competing regulatory blocs. Conversely, concessions to U.S. pressure might undermine the DMA’s credibility, signaling that political clout can override legal mandates.

Innovation vs. Regulation Dilemma

Apple warns that DMA compliance compromises iOS security, enabling “malicious actors” to exploit third-party app stores. Critics counter that such claims exaggerate risks to justify restrictive practices. The EU’s balancing act—promoting competition while safeguarding privacy—will shape developer ecosystems and consumer choice worldwide.

Conclusion

The EU’s antitrust probe into Apple epitomizes the clash between regulatory sovereignty and corporate globalization. As Trump champions tech nationalism and the EU upholds its legal framework, the outcome will reverberate beyond Apple, influencing how democracies govern digital markets in an era of geopolitical rivalry. With Ribera pledging decisions “based on evidence, not politics,” the case underscores a pivotal truth: in the battle for tech supremacy, law and innovation must coexist—or risk mutual erosion.

10 Hidden Apple Watch Health Features You Should Be Using

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:13:03 GMT

The Apple Watch is packed with health and wellness features, many of which go beyond simple step tracking and heart rate monitoring. While most users are familiar with basics like activity rings and heart rate tracking, Apple has incorporated a wide range of lesser-known health features designed to improve your well-being. In this article, we’ll explore 10 health features on the Apple Watch that you might not know about, including how they work and why they matter.

1. Cardio Fitness Score (VO2 Max)

Did you know your Apple Watch can measure your cardio fitness level? The VO2 Max feature estimates the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise. A higher VO2 Max score is associated with better overall cardiovascular health.

Found in the Health app under Cardio Fitness
Uses heart rate and motion data to estimate fitness levels
Can provide notifications if your cardio fitness is low

Improving your VO2 Max through regular cardio workouts can reduce the risk of heart disease and improve endurance over time.

2. Walking Steadiness Alerts

The Walking Steadiness feature uses your Apple Watch’s motion sensors to monitor your balance and gait. It analyzes walking patterns and can notify you if your steadiness is declining, potentially helping to prevent falls.

Found in the Health app under Mobility
Uses sensors to detect changes in balance and coordination
Provides alerts when walking steadiness reaches a low level

This feature is particularly useful for older adults or those recovering from injuries, as it helps identify mobility issues early.

3. Noise Monitoring and Hearing Protection

Exposure to loud noises over time can cause hearing damage, and your Apple Watch can help protect your ears with noise level monitoring. The Noise app measures ambient sound and alerts you when levels reach unsafe thresholds.

Found in the Noise app
Detects and warns of sound levels over 80dB, which may harm hearing
Tracks daily noise exposure over time

Enabling noise alerts can help you reduce the risk of hearing loss, especially if you work in loud environments or frequently attend concerts and sporting events.

4. Respiratory Rate Tracking During Sleep

Your Apple Watch tracks your breathing rate while you sleep, providing insights into your respiratory health. This can help detect irregularities or sleep disorders over time.

Found in the Sleep app
Measures breaths per minute while sleeping
Helps identify trends that could indicate respiratory conditions

Tracking your respiratory rate can provide early warnings for issues like sleep apnea or changes in lung function.

5. Blood Oxygen Monitoring

The Blood Oxygen (SpO2) sensor on newer Apple Watch models helps track how well oxygen is being delivered to your body. This feature can be useful for athletes, high-altitude travelers, and those with respiratory conditions.

Found in the Blood Oxygen app
Provides on-demand readings and background measurements
Helps monitor conditions like asthma, COPD, and altitude sickness

Keeping an eye on your blood oxygen levels can help you understand your overall lung and heart health.

6. Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications

Your Apple Watch can detect irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), which may indicate an increased risk of stroke or heart disease.

Found in the Heart app
Uses heart rate data to identify unusual patterns
Sends alerts if an irregular rhythm is detected

This feature has helped many users detect potential heart conditions early, prompting them to seek medical attention.

7. Cycle Tracking for Women’s Health

The Cycle Tracking feature helps women monitor their menstrual cycles, ovulation windows, and symptoms. It provides predictions and insights that can be useful for fertility planning and tracking hormonal health.

Found in the Health app under Cycle Tracking
Allows logging of symptoms, cycle length, and ovulation tests
Provides cycle predictions based on entered data

This feature can be a valuable tool for women looking to better understand their reproductive health.

8. Mindfulness and Guided Breathing

The Mindfulness app offers guided breathing exercises and reflections to help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

Found in the Mindfulness app
Offers deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation
Provides daily reminders to take moments of mindfulness

Studies show that deep breathing and meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.

9. Fall Detection and Emergency SOS

Your Apple Watch can detect hard falls and automatically alert emergency services if you don’t respond within a certain timeframe.

Found in Settings > Emergency SOS
Detects sudden falls and prompts the user to confirm if they’re okay
If unresponsive, it calls 911 and shares your location

This feature is particularly useful for older adults, outdoor adventurers, and those with medical conditions that may increase their fall risk.

10. Temperature Tracking (Apple Watch Series 8 and later)

The Apple Watch Series 8 and later include a skin temperature sensor that helps track changes in body temperature over time.

Found in the Health app under Temperature
Measures baseline temperature changes while sleeping
Useful for illness detection and menstrual cycle insights

Monitoring temperature fluctuations can help with early illness detection and reproductive health tracking.

Final Thoughts

The Apple Watch is much more than a fitness tracker—it’s a powerful health companion with features designed to monitor and improve your well-being. Whether you’re interested in heart health, sleep tracking, stress management, or respiratory function, Apple has packed in some incredible tools to help you stay on top of your health.

If you haven’t explored these features yet, take some time to dive into the Health app and unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch!

Does Garmin’s ComingUp App Actually Work? Here’s What We Found

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:46:37 GMT

Garmin has recently introduced ComingUp, a new task management application available on the Connect IQ Store, designed to enhance organization directly from your smartwatch. The app integrates with popular task management platforms like Google Tasks, Todoist, and Microsoft To Do, providing users with a centralized platform to manage multiple task lists.

Functionality and Features

ComingUp offers several key features aimed at improving productivity and task management:

Real-Time Synchronization: The app connects and syncs with Google Tasks, Todoist, and Microsoft To Do lists simultaneously, ensuring that your task lists are consistently up-to-date across all platforms.
On-Wrist Task Management: Users can add, edit, and organize to-do items directly from their Garmin watch, allowing for quick and convenient task management without needing a smartphone or computer.
Notifications: ComingUp provides timely reminders to help users stay on track with their tasks.
Minimalist Interface: The app features a utilitarian interface designed for quick access and easy navigation on smaller screens.
Background Operation: The app can run in the background, allowing for real-time updates and notifications, though this may affect battery life.
Task Syncing: Adding and changing tasks on one device syncs decently across connected platforms.

Device Compatibility

ComingUp is compatible with a wide range of Garmin smartwatches but there's some odd exceptions. For example why isn't the newly announced Garmin Instinct 3 Solar an option*. Some of the supported devices include:

Fenix 8 Series
Forerunner 955, 965, 265, 255
Venu 2, Venu 3, Venu Sq 2
Epix Gen 2, Epix Pro
Instinct 3 (AMOLED models only)
Tactix 7 & Tactix 8
MARQ Gen 2 Series
Enduro 2, Enduro 3

Notably, the app is only available on the AMOLED versions of the Garmin Instinct 3, while the Instinct 3 Solar is not supported. The reason for this discrepancy is not provided by Garmin.

Installation Process

To install ComingUp on your compatible Garmin device, follow these steps:

Verify Device Compatibility: Ensure your Garmin watch is on the list of supported devices.
Open the Connect IQ App: Launch the Garmin Connect IQ app on your smartphone.
Search for ComingUp: Use the search function to find the ComingUp app.
Install the App: Click the install button to queue up the installation.
Sync Your Device: Ensure your watch is connected to Garmin Connect to sync the ComingUp app.
Move the Widget: Once installed, adjust its location on your widget screen for quick access.

Upon installation, selecting the ComingUp widget will display three task management options: Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do, and Todoist. You will be prompted to sign into your task management account via Garmin Connect. If the login prompt does not appear automatically, ensure your watch is properly connected and try navigating backward and forward within the app.

User Reviews and Feedback

The ComingUp app has received mixed reviews from users, with an average rating of 3/5 stars based on 11 ratings. While some users found the app useful, others reported compatibility and syncing issues.

Positive Reviews:

Gilles (02/17/2025): Successfully synced with Google Tasks but noted that starred tasks were missing and scrolling could be smoother.
Deiv (02/16/2025): Described the app as perfect and very useful.
Chris Capasso (02/16/2025): Reported that the app works great on the Enduro 3 and Instinct 3 AMOLED.
Viki (02/13/2025): Found it a great way to be reminded of tasks.

Negative Reviews:

Pedro Rijo (02/16/2025): Called the app useless, saying it doesn’t support 'Today Tasks' view and syncs all tasks to the default inbox.
Noah (02/16/2025): Reported the app doesn't work on the Forerunner 955 Solar after granting permissions.
Andrew (02/12/2025): Stated that the app doesn’t work on the Venu 3, failing to sync tasks.

Many users have reported syncing issues, particularly redirect loops when granting permissions, leading to an empty task list display.

Potential Improvements

Enhanced Synchronization: Improve reliability when linking accounts and syncing lists.
'Today Tasks' View: Users want a dedicated daily task view rather than seeing all tasks in one list.
Starred Tasks Support: Many users want to see starred or priority tasks within the app.
Better Scrolling: Smooth out scrolling performance for touchscreen Garmin watches.

Conclusion

The ComingUp app offers a promising solution for managing tasks directly from Garmin smartwatches. Its real-time synchronization and on-wrist task management make it a useful tool for those looking to stay organized. However, compatibility issues, syncing problems, and missing features indicate that the app still needs improvements. Despite these challenges, ComingUp has the potential to become a powerful task management tool for Garmin users, especially with future updates.

Full list of compatiable devices:

Approach® S70 (42mm)
Approach® S70 (42mm)
Approach® S70 (47mm)
Approach® S70 (47mm)
D2™ Air X10
D2™ Air X10
D2™ Mach 1
D2™ Mach 1
D2™ Mach 1 Pro
D2™ Mach 1 Pro
Descent™ G2
Descent™ G2
Descent™ MK2
Descent™ MK2, Descent™MK2i
Descent™ MK3 - 43mm
Descent™ MK3 - 43mm, Descent™ MK3i - 43mm
Descent™ MK3i - 51mm
Descent™ MK3i - 51mm
Descent™ Mk2S
Descent™ Mk2S
Enduro™ 2
Enduro™ 2
Enduro™ 3
Enduro™ 3
Forerunner® 165
Forerunner® 165
Forerunner® 165 Music
Forerunner® 165 Music
Forerunner® 255
Forerunner® 255
Forerunner® 255 Music
Forerunner® 255 Music
Forerunner® 255S
Forerunner® 255S
Forerunner® 255S Music
Forerunner® 255S Music
Forerunner® 265
Forerunner® 265
Forerunner® 265S
Forerunner® 265S
Forerunner® 955 Dual Power
Forerunner® 955 Dual Power
Forerunner® 965
Forerunner® 965
Instinct® 3 – 45 mm, AMOLED
Instinct® 3 – 45 mm, AMOLED
Instinct® 3 – 50 mm, AMOLED
Instinct® 3 – 50 mm, AMOLED
MARQ® (Gen 2)
MARQ® (Gen 2), MARQ® Carbon Collection, MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) - Damascus Steel Edition
MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) – Carbon Edition
MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) – Carbon Edition
MARQ™ Adventurer
MARQ™ Adventurer
MARQ™ Athlete
MARQ™ Athlete
MARQ™ Aviator
MARQ™ Aviator
MARQ™ Aviator (Gen 2)
MARQ™ Aviator (Gen 2)
MARQ™ Captain
MARQ™ Captain, MARQ™ Captain: American Magic Edition
MARQ™ Commander
MARQ™ Commander
MARQ™ Driver
MARQ™ Driver
MARQ™ Expedition
MARQ™ Expedition
MARQ™ Golfer
MARQ™ Golfer
Mercedes-Benz Venu® 2
Mercedes-Benz Venu® 2
Mercedes-Benz Venu® 2S
Mercedes-Benz Venu® 2S
Venu® 2
Venu® 2
Venu® 2 Plus
Venu® 2 Plus
Venu® 2S
Venu® 2S
Venu® 3
Venu® 3
Venu® 3S
Venu® 3S
Venu® Sq. 2
Venu® Sq. 2
Venu® Sq. 2 Music
Venu® Sq. 2 Music
epix™ (Gen 2)
epix™ (Gen 2), quatix® 7 – Sapphire Edition
epix™ Pro (42mm)
epix™ Pro (42mm)
epix™ Pro (47mm)
epix™ Pro (47mm), quatix® 7 Pro
epix™ Pro (51mm)
epix™ Pro (51mm)
fēnix® 7
fēnix® 7, quatix® 7, fēnix® 7– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix® 7 Pro
fēnix® 7 Pro, fēnix® 7 Pro – Solar Edition, fēnix® 7 Pro – Sapphire Solar Edition, fēnix® 7 Pro– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix® 7 Pro – Solar Edition (No Wi-Fi®)
fēnix® 7 Pro – Solar Edition (No Wi-Fi®)
fēnix® 7S
fēnix® 7S, fēnix® 7S– Solar Edition, fēnix® 7S– Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix® 7S Pro
fēnix® 7S Pro, fēnix® 7S Pro– Sapphire Solar Edition, fēnix® 7S Pro– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix® 7X
fēnix® 7X, fēnix® 7X - Solar Edition, fēnix® 7X– Sapphire Solar Edition, quatix® 7X – Solar Edition
fēnix® 7X Pro
fēnix® 7X Pro, fēnix® 7X Pro– Sapphire Solar Edition, fēnix® 7X Pro– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix® 7X Pro No Wi-Fi
fēnix® 7X Pro No Wi-Fi
fēnix® 8 AMOLED (43mm)
fēnix® 8 AMOLED (43mm)
fēnix® 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm)
fēnix® 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm)
fēnix® 8 Solar (47mm)
fēnix® 8 Solar (47mm), fēnix® 8 Dual Power (47mm)
fēnix® 8 Solar (51mm)
fēnix® 8 Solar (51mm), fēnix® 8 Dual Power (51mm)
fēnix® E
fēnix® E
tactix® 7
tactix® 7, tactix® 7 – Pro Ballistics Edition, tactix® 7 – Pro Edition
tactix® 7 – AMOLED Edition
tactix® 7 – AMOLED Edition
tactix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED
tactix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED, tactix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED
tactix® 8 – 51 mm, Solar
tactix® 8 – 51 mm, Solar, tactix® 8 – 51 mm, Solar, Elite
vívoactive® 5
vívoactive® 5

Rucking, Ballistics, and Beyond // Meet the Garmin Tactix 8

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:22:03 GMT

Garmin has released the Tactix 8, a new tactical smartwatch that builds upon the foundation of its Fenix series. Designed for military and outdoor enthusiasts, it comes packed with features like a dedicated Rucking activity and advanced ballistics solvers, all built to withstand extreme conditions. While it shares many similarities with the Fenix 8, the Tactix 8 introduces unique functions that make it a compelling choice for specific users.

Buying Options and Pricing

The Garmin Tactix 8 is available in multiple configurations, each tailored to meet different needs and budgets. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the available options:

47mm AMOLED:
- Features a 47mm case with an AMOLED display—the first 47mm size in the Tactix lineup.
- Price: $1,299.99 / £1,189
51mm AMOLED:
- Offers a 51mm case with an AMOLED display.
- Price: $1,399 / £1,279
51mm Solar:
- Includes a 51mm case, an AMOLED display, and solar charging capabilities to extend battery life.
- Price: $1,399
51mm Solar: AB Elite:
- The top-tier model with a 51mm case, solar charging, and the Applied Ballistics Elite Solver for advanced long-range shooting calculations.
- Price: $1,599

Release Date: February 21st.

Applied Ballistics: Ultralight vs. Elite Solver

A standout feature of the Tactix 8 is its Applied Ballistics solver, designed for long-range shooting enthusiasts. There are two versions available:

Applied Ballistics Ultralight Solver:
- Standard on all Tactix 8 models, providing essential ballistic calculations.
Applied Ballistics Elite Solver:
- Exclusive to the top-tier 51mm Solar: AB Elite model.
- Offers more sophisticated calculations for users requiring higher precision.
- For a detailed breakdown of the differences, refer to the Leica website.

Rucking: A New Activity Profile

The Tactix 8 introduces a dedicated Rucking activity profile, inspired by military training:

Weight Input:
- Users input the weight of their pack before starting the exercise.
Health Metric Calculation:
- The watch factors in the added weight to provide more accurate tracking of physical exertion.

Note: While rucking is currently exclusive to the Tactix 8, there is potential for this activity to be expanded to other models in the future. Many users hope to see it added to watches like the Fenix 8. I also think it's highly likely we'll see this Rucking activity if Garmin releases a Tactical edition of it's new Garmin Instinct 3 device.

Similarities to the Fenix 8

The Tactix 8 borrows several design and functionality elements from the Fenix 8:

Build and Design:
- Rugged construction with a low-weight titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
- Built to military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
Display Options:
- Both offer AMOLED displays, with the Tactix 8 also featuring a solar-charging variant.
Battery Life:
- 51mm Solar: Up to 48 days in smartwatch mode.
- 47mm AMOLED: Up to 16 days.
Diving Capability:
- Dive-ready up to a depth of 40 meters.
Health and Fitness Tracking:
- Equipped with top-end Garmin features such as ECG capability, Training Status, VO2 max estimates, TopoActive maps, dual-frequency GNSS, and hands-free voice commands.
Sensors:
- Both watches feature upgraded sensor technology.

Tactical and Military Features

In addition to its Fenix 8 roots, the Tactix 8 includes unique tactical functionalities:

Stealth Mode:
- Disables the storage of GPS data and wireless connections for enhanced security.
Night Vision Mode:
- Optimized for visibility through night vision goggles.
Jumpmaster Mode:
- Tailored for parachutists by providing operational guidance during airborne activities.
Direct-To-Navigation:
- Assists pilots in navigating to nearby airports with real-time aviation weather updates (NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs).
Kill Switch:
- A security feature that wipes the device when activated.

Conclusion

The Garmin Tactix 8 is a rugged, versatile smartwatch that blends the trusted features of the Fenix 8 with specialized tactical functions. While some may view it as a rebranded Fenix 8, features like the Rucking activity profile and advanced ballistics solvers set it apart for military and outdoor enthusiasts. With multiple buying options and price points, users can choose the model that best fits their needs—provided they require its tactical edge over the Fenix 8.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a full review. All images are taken from Garmin's release video of this device found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNCWq6zsWv4

Garmin Descent G2 vs. G1 // What’s New in This $699 Dive Computer?

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:40:32 GMT

Garmin has recently announced the release of the Descent G2, a new watch-style dive computer that builds upon the foundation of the earlier Descent G1 model. The G2 incorporates several upgrades and new features, positioning it as a versatile option for divers seeking a blend of underwater functionality and everyday smartwatch capabilities. This article delves into the key aspects of the Descent G2, comparing it to its predecessor and other Garmin dive computers, while also noting some of its limitations.

Key Upgrades and New Features

The Descent G2 boasts several significant improvements over the Descent G1:

Display Technology: The most notable upgrade is the switch to a 1.2-inch AMOLED display. This is a significant change from the G1's LCD screen, offering enhanced clarity and readability, especially underwater. The G2's display is also protected by a sapphire lens.
Eco-Friendly Design: Like the G1, the G2 continues Garmin's commitment to sustainability by using recycled ocean-bound plastics for the watch's housing, bezel, and buttons.
Dive Readiness Score: The Descent G2 introduces a dive readiness feature that assesses factors like sleep, stress, exercise, and jet lag to help divers gauge their preparedness. A higher readiness score suggests the diver is ready, while a lower score might indicate the need for a more conservative approach.
Enhanced Freediving Features: The Descent G2 includes:
- Dynamic apnea mode for tracking pool dives.
- Apnea alerts with audible and haptic feedback for custom depth, intervals, target depth, and buoyancy.
- Variometer alerts based on ascent/descent rates and a velocity chart within the Garmin Dive app.
Multiple Dive Modes: Supports single and multi-gas (including nitrox and trimix), closed-circuit rebreather (CCR), and gauge mode, making it suitable for both recreational and technical divers.
Navigation Tools: Features an in-dive 3-axis compass for underwater navigation and surface GPS to track entry and exit points.
Big Numbers Mode: Offers a simplified display mode that shows only critical dive information like NDL (No-Decompression Limit), time, and depth.

Additional Features

Beyond its core dive functionality, the Descent G2 includes several smartwatch capabilities:

Health and Wellness Tracking:
- 24/7 heart rate tracking
- Sleep analysis (light, deep, and REM stages)
- Heart rate variability (HRV) status
- Stress and hydration monitoring
- Pulse Ox monitoring
Training Insights:
- Preloaded sports apps (cycling, swimming, strength training)
- VO2 Max tracking
- Heat and altitude acclimation
- Recovery time tracking
- Daily suggested workouts
Smartwatch Connectivity:
- Notifications for emails, texts, and alerts
- Garmin Pay for contactless payments
- Connect IQ support for downloading apps and watch faces
- LiveTrack & safety features like incident detection
Battery Life:
- Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode (4 days with always-on display)
- Up to 27 hours in dive mode

Garmin Descent G1 vs. G2: What’s New?

The Descent G2 brings several improvements over the Descent G1, but how do they compare?

Feature	Garmin Descent G1	Garmin Descent G2
Display	LCD	AMOLED + Sapphire Lens
Dive Readiness Score	❌ No	✅ Yes
Freediving Enhancements	Basic tracking	Advanced apnea alerts, variometer
Big Numbers Mode	❌ No	✅ Yes
Navigation	Surface GPS only	Surface GPS + 3-axis compass
Materials	Recycled plastic	Recycled ocean-bound plastics
Battery Life	21 days (smartwatch) / 25 hours (dive)	10 days (smartwatch) / 27 hours (dive)
Price	$549	$699

Pricing and Positioning

The Descent G2 is priced at $699.99, making it a more affordable wrist-based dive computer compared to Garmin's Descent Mk line.

Other Garmin dive watches include:

Descent G1 Solar – $500
Descent MK3 – Starting at $1,000
Descent X50i – $1,300, featuring air integration and sonar-based dive messaging

Conclusion

The Garmin Descent G2 represents a significant step forward in the Descent series, bringing an AMOLED display, enhanced freediving features, and dive readiness scoring at a more accessible price point. Its eco-friendly design and blend of dive computer and smartwatch features make it a strong option for divers. However, the lack of built-in maps, an older heart rate sensor, and slightly reduced battery life might be dealbreakers for some.

Ultimately, the Descent G2 is a compelling dive watch, but divers should weigh its features against its trade-offs before making a purchase.

No More Guesswork // Apple’s Touchless Tech Could Revolutionize Apple Watch SizingWrist Measurement

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 03:46:37 GMT

For many, the Apple Watch has become an indispensable part of daily life. It’s a hub for communication, fitness tracking, and much more. However, purchasing an Apple Watch can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to selecting the correct band size. Apple is now working on a futuristic solution to this common problem. The company has patented a touchless wrist measurement system that could eliminate the guesswork of determining the right Apple Watch band size. This new technology promises a more seamless purchasing experience, whether you're shopping in-store or from the comfort of your home.

The Challenge of Finding the Perfect Fit

One of the critical, yet often overlooked, aspects of buying an Apple Watch is choosing the correct band size. The Apple Watch comes in various sizes, and the bands themselves also come in multiple sizes. Unlike traditional watches, many Apple Watch bands, such as the popular Sport Band and Solo Loop, are not easily adjustable. This makes selecting the correct size at the time of purchase particularly important. Without a reliable method to determine wrist size, customers often struggle to pick the right size, leading to discomfort, inconvenience, or even the need for returns.

Currently, Apple provides a paper cut-out sizing tool, but this method is not always accurate or convenient. The new touchless system seeks to revolutionize this process by providing a more precise and user-friendly solution.

How the Touchless Wrist Measurement System Works

The patented system utilizes advanced technology to measure a user's wrist without any physical contact. Here's a detailed breakdown of how it works:

Depth Data Capture: At the heart of the system is a depth sensor that captures detailed depth data of the user's wrist. The system captures at least two depth map images of the wrist from different angles to ensure accuracy.
In-Store and At-Home Options: The system is designed for use both in Apple Stores and at home. In a retail setting, a trained technician would assist the customer with the measurement using a dedicated retail fixture. At home, the user could perform the measurement using their own electronic device, like a smartphone.
Machine Learning Model: Once the depth data is captured, it is fed into a machine learning (ML) model. This model is trained to recognize the unique contours of a wrist and accurately determine its circumference.
Output Generation: The ML model processes the depth data and outputs a precise measurement of the wrist's circumference. It may also provide a recommendation for the appropriate Apple Watch band size from a range of available sizes.
Band Size Recommendation: The system then generates a watch band size recommendation based on the output of the ML model. The system will be able to suggest the proper band size, and this output will be displayed on the device screen.
Guidance: To help users perform the measurement correctly, the system includes on-screen guidance. This guidance may include instructions to center the wrist in view and then rotate the hand to the side.

The touchless measurement system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to find the perfect Apple Watch fit.

The Technology Behind the Innovation

Several technical elements make Apple's touchless wrist measurement system possible:

Depth Sensors: These sensors can capture the three-dimensional structure of the wrist with a high degree of accuracy.
Machine Learning: The system's intelligence is powered by a machine learning model trained on a vast dataset of wrist measurements and corresponding band sizes.
Data Processing: The machine learning model receives depth data and processes it to determine the circumference of the wrist.
Algorithms: The system uses sophisticated algorithms to interpret the data from the depth sensor and calculate wrist measurements.
User Interface: The system includes a clear and intuitive user interface, providing on-screen guidance and displaying measurement results.

Implications and Benefits

The touchless wrist measurement system has several potential benefits for Apple and its customers:

Improved Customer Experience: The system simplifies the process of selecting the correct band size, leading to a more satisfying shopping experience.
Reduced Returns: By providing more accurate measurements, the system may reduce the number of returns and exchanges caused by incorrect band sizes.
Enhanced Accessibility: The system could make it easier for individuals with mobility limitations to measure their wrists and find the right Apple Watch fit.
Potential for Wider Applications: The technology could potentially be adapted for other applications, such as sizing other wearable devices.
Cost and Time Savings: Customers save time by performing measurements at home, while Apple reduces costs associated with returns.

When Will We See This Technology?

While Apple has been granted a patent for this technology, it is not yet clear when it will be available to customers. The patent was officially granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on February 11, 2025. However, obtaining a patent does not guarantee that the technology will be released.

The expectation is that new Apple Watch models will debut alongside the iPhone 17 later this year, including the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Series 11. Whether the touchless measurement feature will be available in time for these releases remains to be seen.

The Future of Apple Watch Sizing

Apple’s touchless wrist measurement system could be a game-changer for Apple Watch buyers, making it easier than ever to find the perfect band size. By blending advanced sensors and machine learning, Apple is taking another step toward seamless shopping experiences—whether in-store or at home. While it’s still uncertain when this technology will be available, it has the potential to simplify the buying process, reduce returns, and set a new standard for wearable device sizing.

Apple Watch Series 10 Speaker Problems // Muffled, Quiet, or Blown? Here’s What We Know

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:46:37 GMT

The Apple Watch Series 10, released in September 2024, introduced several notable features, including a thinner design, a larger and brighter display, and the ability to play music and podcasts directly through its built-in speaker. However, since its launch, a growing number of users have reported issues with the device's speaker performance. This article delves into the reported problems, user experiences, potential causes, and possible solutions.

Overview of the Speaker Issue

Many Apple Watch Series 10 users have reported that the speaker's volume becomes noticeably lower over time. Initially, the speaker functions as expected, but after weeks or months of use, the sound output diminishes, making it difficult to hear calls, notifications, and media playback. Some users describe the sound as muffled, distorted, or "blown." (MacRumors)

User Experiences

Reports from various forums and support communities highlight the following user experiences:

Gradual Decline in Volume: Users note that the speaker's volume decreases over time, even when set to maximum. This decline affects phone calls, music, and other audio functions. (Apple Discussions)
Distorted or Muffled Sound: Some users report that the speaker produces distorted or muffled audio, making it challenging to understand callers or enjoy media playback. (Reddit)
Temporary Improvements: A few users have attempted solutions like cleaning the speaker grille or using the Water Lock feature to eject potential debris or moisture. While these methods offer temporary relief, the issue often resurfaces. (Reddit)
Replacement Devices: Several users who received replacement watches from Apple experienced the same speaker issues within a short period, suggesting that the problem may persist across multiple units. (Apple Discussions)

Potential Causes

The exact cause of the speaker issue remains unclear, but several theories have emerged:

Hardware Design: The Series 10 features a thinner design with a re-engineered speaker that is 30% smaller than previous models. This compact design might make the speaker more susceptible to issues like debris accumulation or reduced durability. (Lifewire)
Moisture and Debris: Some users speculate that moisture, sweat, or debris could be obstructing the speaker grille, leading to muffled or distorted sound. Regular exposure to water during activities like swimming or workouts might contribute to this problem. (Reddit)
Software Glitches: There's a possibility that software updates or glitches could be affecting the speaker's performance. However, users have reported the issue across various software versions, making this theory less conclusive.

Apple's Response

As of now, Apple has not officially acknowledged the speaker issue with the Series 10. Users who have contacted Apple Support have been advised to send their watches in for repair or replacement. However, as mentioned earlier, some replacement units have exhibited the same problems. (AppleInsider)

Possible Solutions and Recommendations

While a definitive fix is not yet available, affected users can consider the following steps:

Clean the Speaker Grille: Gently clean the speaker area using a soft brush or compressed air to remove any debris or moisture that might be obstructing sound output.
Use the Water Lock Feature: Activate the Water Lock feature and follow the prompts to eject any water from the speaker. This can help if moisture is causing the issue.
Contact Apple Support: Report the issue to Apple Support to have it documented. They may offer repair or replacement options.
Stay Updated: Keep your watch's software updated, as future updates might address the issue if it's software-related.

Conclusion

The speaker issue affecting the Apple Watch Series 10 has been a source of frustration for many users. While the exact cause remains uncertain, it's essential for affected individuals to report their experiences to Apple and explore potential solutions. As the situation develops, users should stay informed about any official statements or fixes from Apple.

Note: This article is based on user reports and available information as of February 2025. For the latest updates, please refer to official Apple communications or trusted news sources.

Why People Are Wearing Their Apple Watches on Their Ankles // And Should You?

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:46:37 GMT

A growing number of people are wearing their Apple Watches on their ankles instead of their wrists. This trend has emerged as a workaround for various issues that users have experienced with wearing the watch on the wrist. While Apple has stated that the watch is calibrated for the wrist, some users have found that wearing it on the ankle provides them with a better experience.

Reasons for Ankle-Wearing

There are a few key reasons why people are choosing to wear their Apple Watches on their ankles:

Small wrists: Some people with small wrists find that the watch is too loose to accurately track their heart rate and fitness data. For example, fitness influencer Ana Espinal found that her fitness app would shut down during workouts because her watch was too loose on her wrist. By moving her watch to her ankle, she solved this problem.

Inaccurate step counts: The Apple Watch relies on the swinging motion of the arm to track steps. However, in some situations, this can lead to inaccurate readings. For instance:
- When pushing a stroller, the watch may not record steps if the arm is not swinging freely.
- Those who use walking pads at standing desks may find that their steps are not registered.
- Placing the watch on the ankle can provide a more accurate step count in these scenarios.
Skin conditions and tattoos: Some individuals have skin conditions that make wearing the watch on their wrist uncomfortable. Others have wrist tattoos that may interfere with the watch's sensors. In these cases, wearing the watch on the ankle can be a more comfortable and effective option.
Medical professionals: Some medical professionals cannot wear anything on their wrists due to hygiene rules in hospitals. For these individuals, wearing the watch on the ankle allows them to still track their steps throughout their shifts.
Comfort and preference: Some people simply prefer wearing the watch on their ankle for comfort or other personal reasons.

The Ankle-Watch Community

These issues have led to the creation of a small online community of people who wear their watches on their ankles. These users have found that wearing their watch on their ankle can be a useful solution to their problems. Many have also turned to social media platforms such as TikTok to share their experiences and tips.

Misconceptions

One common issue reported by people wearing their Apple Watches on their ankles is that they are sometimes mistaken for wearing an ankle monitor. This can lead to awkward conversations and misunderstandings, as some people assume that the user is under house arrest.

For example:

Hughley Beasley says she often feels the need to assure neighbors that she is not under house arrest.
Jason Rogers, who has had experience with real ankle monitors, has turned those experiences into TikTok videos.

Apple's Stance

Apple has not officially endorsed the practice of wearing an Apple Watch on the ankle. The company has stated in consumer support materials that the watch is specifically calibrated for wear on the wrist.

The Apple Watch uses LED lights paired with semiconductors to detect the amount of blood flowing through the wrist at any given moment. Because the biological makeup of the wrist and ankle are different, the watch may not work as accurately on the ankle.

Accuracy Concerns

While wearing the watch on the ankle may solve some problems for some users, it can also lead to inaccuracies in data collection. For example:

A test with an Apple Watch Ultra on the wrist and an Apple Watch Ultra 2 on the ankle showed variations in:
- Blood oxygenation readings (98% on the wrist, 93% on the ankle)
- Heart rate (75 beats per minute on the wrist vs. 63 on the ankle)
The blood oxygenation and heart rate features will not work through a sock.
The ECG feature does not work on the ankle.
Step counts may still be inaccurate in some cases.
The Apple Watch’s algorithms are trained for wrist movements, not ankle movements.

Practical Considerations

Wearing the Apple Watch on the ankle can be impractical in other ways:

Reading the display is difficult when it is on the ankle.
Apple Pay is not easy to use when the watch is worn on the ankle.

Future Solutions

Apple may be working on alternative solutions for some of the problems that have led to the trend of wearing an Apple Watch on the ankle. There have been rumors of Apple working on adding sensors to AirPods, such as temperature and heart rate measurements. These sensors could potentially give users an alternative to the Apple Watch for fitness tracking. However, there is no information about when or if these features will be released.

Conclusion

While wearing an Apple Watch on the ankle is not officially recommended, it has emerged as a practical solution for some users with specific needs. From small wrists to skin conditions to medical professions, there are a variety of reasons why people have chosen to relocate their watches from their wrists to their ankles.

The practice may come with some drawbacks in terms of accuracy of data collection and social awkwardness, but the user-driven trend seems to be growing.

Apple Watch Study Reveals How Loud Super Bowl Sundays Really Are Across the US

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:48:00 GMT

The Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it’s an American cultural phenomenon that draws millions of viewers each year. While fans tune in for the on-field action and halftime show, there’s another factor that makes the event stand out—noise levels.

But just how loud does it actually get? And what does that mean for your hearing? A new Apple Hearing Study provides surprising insights into the nationwide noise levels recorded by Apple Watches during past Super Bowl Sundays.

📊 The Apple Hearing Study: Unveiling Noise Patterns

The Apple Hearing Study, a collaboration between Apple and the University of Michigan, is an ongoing research initiative that explores how sound exposure affects hearing health. Using data from over 115,000 participants, researchers track environmental noise levels using the Noise app on Apple Watches.

🔹 Key findings from past studies:

Noise levels dropped significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns
Daily noise exposure varies based on lifestyle & location
Loud sound exposure can impact cardiovascular health

For this Super Bowl study, researchers analyzed four years (2021–2024) of noise data from Apple Watches to compare Super Bowl Sunday noise levels to regular Sundays.

🏈 Super Bowl Sundays: Louder Than You Think

The study found that Super Bowl Sundays are significantly louder across the U.S. when compared to the Sunday after the game.

🔹 Key findings:

Noise levels increase by 1.5 to 3 decibels on Super Bowl Sunday
The loudest spikes occur 3 hours before and 3 hours after the game
In states where the Super Bowl teams are from, noise levels are twice as high
The host state experiences the loudest increases in noise exposure

⚠️ Why does this matter?
A 3 dB increase represents double the sound energy, meaning Super Bowl noise exposure could impact hearing over time.

⌚ The Apple Watch: Your Personal Noise Monitor

The Apple Watch Noise app helps users track their daily sound exposure in real-time.

How It Works:

✅ Real-time monitoring – Displays live decibel levels
✅ Alerts – Warns users if noise exceeds 90 dB
✅ Historical tracking – Logs noise data in the Health app
✅ Customizable thresholds – Adjust alert levels to personal preferences

By using Apple Watch noise tracking, users can become more aware of how everyday events impact hearing health.

🔊 Understanding Noise Exposure Risks

Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

🔹 WHO Guidelines for Safe Sound Exposure:

24-hour noise exposure limit: 70 dBA
Headphone listening recommendation: 75 dBA (over 24 hours)
8-hour work exposure limit: 80 dBA

Common Noise Levels for Reference:

Noise Source	dB Level
Normal Conversation	65 dB
Vacuum Cleaner	70 dB
Super Bowl Sunday 🚨	72-75 dB
Concert/Crowd Noise	90+ dB

During Super Bowl Sunday, noise exposure can exceed safe limits, particularly in bars, watch parties, and stadiums.

🛡️ How to Protect Your Hearing on Super Bowl Sunday

🏈 If you're attending a watch party, sports bar, or the actual game, take these precautions:

🔸 Use the Noise App – Keep track of noise levels
🔸 Wear Earplugs – Especially at live events or loud parties
🔸 Take Listening Breaks – Step outside or lower the volume periodically
🔸 Use Noise-Canceling Headphones – Helps reduce background noise
🔸 Limit Exposure Time – Shorter exposure = less risk

By monitoring and managing your noise exposure, you can enjoy Super Bowl Sunday without risking long-term hearing damage.

📢 Beyond the Super Bowl: The Apple Hearing Study’s Bigger Picture

The Apple Hearing Study isn’t just about sports events—it’s gathering long-term data to:
✔️ Analyze headphone listening trends
✔️ Study how noise affects cardiovascular health
✔️ Understand how people respond to sound exposure data

How You Can Join the Study

If you're an Apple Watch user in the U.S., you can participate in the Apple Hearing Study via the Apple Research app (available in the App Store).

Your contribution helps scientists develop better hearing protection guidelines and raise awareness about the impact of everyday noise exposure.

🏆 Conclusion: The Super Bowl’s Hidden Health Impact

Super Bowl Sunday is a day of celebration, but it also exposes millions of people to higher-than-normal noise levels.

While the Apple Watch Noise app makes it easier to monitor and protect your hearing, awareness is key—being mindful of noise exposure can prevent long-term hearing damage.

Want to learn more? Check out the full study findings in the Apple Research app.

Garmin Forerunner 165 // A Comprehensive Review

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 07:37:00 GMT

The Garmin Forerunner 165 (FR165) enters the budget-friendly running watch market as an exciting new option. Garmin has introduced an AMOLED display to its lower-priced Forerunner line, a significant shift from the traditional MIP-based screens. Positioned between the Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 265, the FR165 aims to deliver essential running features and a modern display at an accessible price.

But does it live up to expectations? This review covers everything from its display and battery life to its GPS accuracy and missing features, helping you decide if it's the right watch for you.

First Impressions & Key Features

The Forerunner 165 is Garmin's latest entry-level running watch. While the Forerunner 55 remains available, the FR165 costs only $50 more and offers compelling upgrades like an AMOLED display, touchscreen, and additional sensors. It comes in two versions:

FR165 (Standard)
FR165 Music Edition (+$50, includes music storage and playback)

Design & Build

Size: 43mm diameter, 11.6mm thickness
Weight: 39g (lightweight and comfortable)
Display: 1.2" AMOLED, 390x390 pixels, touchscreen + 5-button navigation
Materials: Plastic case, chemically strengthened glass
Strap: 20mm silicone, quick-release bands
Water Resistance: 5 ATM (safe for swimming)

Battery Life

Battery performance varies based on usage:

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 11 days (4 days with always-on display)
Battery Saver Mode: Up to 20 days
GPS Mode: 19 hours (GPS-only), 17 hours (All-Systems GNSS)
GPS + Music: 6.5–7 hours

Compared to MIP-based watches like the Forerunner 255, battery life is shorter, especially with always-on display.

User Interface & Daily Features

The FR165 balances button-based controls with a responsive touchscreen. While swipes and taps work smoothly, some users may prefer disabling the touchscreen during workouts.

Daily Features

Customizable Watch Faces (Garmin stock, Connect IQ, or personal photos)
Morning Report: Displays HRV status, sleep, weather, and planned workouts
Sleep & Nap Tracking (including Body Battery adjustments)
Smart Notifications: Works with Android & iPhone
Garmin Pay: ❌ Not supported
Music Storage: Only on Music Edition (4GB)

Sleep tracking is available, but as with most wearables, sleep stage accuracy is inconsistent. The AMOLED display’s sleep mode helps prevent unnecessary screen wake-ups at night.

Sports & Activity Tracking

The FR165 covers a wide range of activities, particularly running, swimming, and cycling. However, it lacks multisport/triathlon mode, a major drawback for triathletes.

Supported Sport Profiles

🏃 Running

Run, Treadmill, Track Run, Trail Run, Virtual Run

🚴 Cycling

Bike, Indoor Bike
✅ Supports heart rate monitors, speed/cadence sensors
❌ No support for power meters or smart trainers

🏊 Swimming

Pool Swim ✅
Open Water Swim ❌ (strangely missing despite water resistance)

🏋 Other Sports

Hiking, Walking, Tennis, Pickleball, Strength, Yoga, HIIT, and more.

Navigation & Workout Features

Breadcrumb navigation (No turn-by-turn directions)
Customizable Data Fields (Up to 4 per page)
Daily Suggested Workouts
VO2Max & Race Predictions

The lack of cycling power meter support and triathlon mode feels like an intentional limitation to push users toward higher-end models.

GPS & Heart Rate Accuracy

Despite not having multiband/dual-frequency GPS, the FR165 performs very well in GPS accuracy tests. It even outperformed the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in some cases.

GPS Types: Multi-GNSS (not multiband)
Heart Rate Sensor: Garmin Elevate V4 optical HR
HR Accuracy: Good for steady efforts, slightly slower to adjust during intervals
SpO2 Tracking: Available, but disabling it improves battery life

Omissions & Limitations

While the FR165 is a fantastic entry-level watch, it misses some key features:

❌ No Triathlon/Multisport Mode
❌ No Skiing or Snowboarding Modes
❌ No Training Readiness, Training Status, or Training Load
❌ No Cycling Power Meter Support
❌ No Open Water Swimming Mode

Why Garmin, Why?

✅ Great display, accurate GPS, and solid features for most runners
❌ Feature limitations seem artificial rather than hardware-based

For example:

The best colors are locked behind the Music Edition, even if you don’t need music.
The lack of triathlon mode is puzzling given that it tracks running, cycling, and swimming separately.
Garmin appears to "draw arbitrary lines" to segment features across different price tiers.

Competitor Comparisons

Watch	Display	Battery (GPS)	Key Features
Garmin FR55	MIP	20 hrs	Basic runner’s watch
Garmin FR255	MIP	26 hrs	More sensors, no AMOLED
Garmin FR265	AMOLED	20 hrs	More training tools, Multisport Mode
COROS Pace 3	MIP	38 hrs	Dual-band GPS, longer battery life
Apple Watch 9	OLED	~6 hrs	Smartwatch features, but short battery life

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is an excellent option for runners who want:

✅ A vibrant AMOLED display
✅ Accurate GPS and HR tracking
✅ A lightweight, comfortable design

However, if you need advanced training tools, triathlon support, or cycling power meters, this isn’t the watch for you.

Overall, the FR165 is a great entry-level running watch, but Garmin’s segmentation strategy may leave some users frustrated.

The Garmin Update Divide // Are Flagship Users Being Left Behind?

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 08:12:03 GMT

Garmin, known for its robust and feature-rich GPS watches, is facing a wave of discontent from its user base—especially those who invested in the premium Fenix 7 Pro series (which includes the Epix Pro). At the heart of the issue is a perceived disparity in software update support, with many users feeling that their expensive flagship devices are being neglected in favor of older and mid-tier models like the Forerunner 255, 265, 955, and 965. This has sparked heated debates on online forums, with some suggesting that Garmin is deliberately prioritizing newer models. While the frustration is palpable, recent beta updates for the Fenix 7 series hint at a more nuanced situation, as some users even advocate for stability over constant new features.

The Case for User Frustration: Flagship Neglect

The primary complaint is that the Fenix 7 Pro series appears to have been relegated to "maintenance mode" only 18 months after its release. This is particularly frustrating when compared to the Forerunner 255—which debuted a full year earlier and at roughly half the price—yet is receiving more frequent updates and new features. The inconsistency has not gone unnoticed by the Garmin community. For example, u/optivery stated:

"A flagship watch, released a full year later and costing over twice as much as the Forerunner 255, got worse update support. This is ridiculous!"

This sentiment is echoed by many others who feel shortchanged. Some users point out that the Fenix 7 Pro series has missed out on features introduced in Garmin's Q4 2024 and Q1 2025 update roadmaps—such as Strength Coach, meditation activities, and enhanced training tools—even though these are largely software-based and not dependent on hardware upgrades.

The frustration extends to the quality of the updates themselves. Several users have noted that recent updates for the Fenix 7 have introduced more bugs than they fix. One user commented:

"Recent Fenix 7 updates introduce more bugs than they fix."
— source

European and Australian users have additional reasons for complaint. Although ECG functionality has recently been approved in the EU and Australia, Garmin has not enabled this feature on the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro outside the US—even though the devices have the capability. Many interpret this as a deliberate move to force upgrades to the Fenix 8. As u/Beneficial-Egg5 noted:

"This does nothing to help someone who just bought a Fenix 7 Pro last year. Or someone who is new to Garmin? They really haven’t made a good impression."

Adding to the sense of betrayal, some users feel that Garmin’s overall approach to software updates is inadequate. For instance, u/Horror-Breakfast-704 commented:

"A watch costing $400 or upwards should be supported for as long as a budget Samsung smartphone. Yet here we are, paying premium prices for outdated software."

Another user encapsulated the sentiment by remarking:

"Fenix users don't pay $1,000 to have less functionality than users of the mid-range Forerunners!"
— source

The core of the complaint, as summarized by u/optivery, is:

"It's not strictly about the Fenix 7 Pro not getting new features, but why cheaper and older watches get them and the flagship watch doesn't."

The Community's Response: A Call for Transparency and Fair Treatment

This situation has sparked a movement within the Garmin community, with users calling for more transparency and fair update policies. Key demands include:

Consistent Software Support: Flagship devices should receive updates over a reasonable timeframe.
Feature Parity: Where hardware permits, flagship devices should enjoy the same software features as mid-tier models.
Clear Roadmaps: Garmin should provide a clear, long-term plan for software updates.

Users are taking to various platforms—forums, social media, and review sites—to voice their concerns. Some have even suggested an economic protest by urging others to refrain from buying the newest models, aiming to send a message about Garmin's update strategy. However, as u/LeifCarrotson observed:

"The problem is that this kind of economic protest gets completely lost in the noise."

The Counterpoint: Garmin's Perspective

While user frustration is understandable, it's important to consider other facets of the situation. Garmin has been actively releasing beta software updates for the Fenix 7 series. In the past five weeks alone, there have been four beta updates to the 20.xx software. The most recent beta update, version 20.14, includes several bug fixes and improvements, such as:

Added an open connections notification to the heart rate broadcast app.
Fixed an abnormal cadence issue when using the metronome.
Corrected the color of the BMX cycling profile.
Fixed an issue where the map was not fully drawing.
Resolved a problem with map settings not updating when changed.

These updates demonstrate that Garmin has not completely abandoned the Fenix 7 Pro series—even if the updates aren’t as feature-rich as some users desire. It’s also worth noting that the beta program enables users to test software updates before they are released to the public.

Some users argue that a focus on new features can overlook the core functionality of these devices. For example, u/Such_Benefit_3928 points out:

"The Fenix 7 Pro still has everything it had when you bought it. Sure, it hasn't a shiny new feature you may or may not care about, but that feature can't be the reason you bought the watch because you didn't even know it existed."

Many users are satisfied with the current functionality of their watches and prefer stability over potentially buggy new features. u/tallanvor explained:

"Seriously. I mean, would EKG functionality be nice? Sure. But there was never a promise of it or any other new functionality. I had my Fenix 3 for almost 6 years and upgraded once there were enough new features in the new ones to justify the cost."

This perspective is echoed by u/planetrebellion:

"I have a Fenix 7 and could not give a shit about new features. It does what it needs to do already."

Similarly, u/trebec86 remarked:

"I know what I bought, I knew what the features were and I don’t expect any meaningful changes. Bug fixes are fine or whatever."

Another viewpoint, from u/Odd_Specialist_2672, suggests that the Forerunner 255 and 955 may share a software base with their newer siblings—allowing Garmin to update them more easily. In support of this, u/kborer22 noted that the Forerunner and Fenix development teams are separate, each with its own feature roadmap.

It’s also worth noting that some users have found new features to introduce bugs and other issues, with a number even preferring older software versions. Additionally, u/Steve_FSG observed:

"Garmin sell a product with no guarantee of additional features. This is not an Apple product. Garmin sell a one-off device. It does what it does at the time being sold and nothing more. Don’t ever buy a Garmin product thinking it will have new features down the line."

Some users also point out that the Fenix line isn’t necessarily the flagship in every respect—that the Forerunner series is more focused on sports, while the Fenix is seen as an "all-rounder" watch.

Speculation on Garmin's Strategy

Some users speculate that Garmin is intentionally withholding features from the Fenix 7 series to drive sales of the newer Fenix 8. u/purplehornet1973 speculated:

"My suspicion... is that the flagship Fenix 8 features... have proven to be largely useless to most, so Garmin are now hanging on to any and all other differential features between models to convince folks the upgrade is worth it."

This theory is further supported by the fact that Garmin released a renamed Epix Gen 2 (the Fenix E) specifically for users seeking the latest software—suggesting a rather cynical business strategy. Some users argue that Garmin is targeting customers who are willing to buy new models every year, while overlooking those who prefer to wait for meaningful upgrades.

Another perspective is that the Fenix line is inherently more complicated to update with new features because it was originally designed as an outdoor product that borrowed elements from fitness devices. As a result, the cost and complexity of integrating new features into older Fenix models may be higher than users realize.

It has also been suggested that the Forerunner line sells in greater volumes than the Fenix, making it more sensible for Garmin to concentrate development resources on the series that drives higher revenue.

Overall, there are many opinions and theories—but no official word from Garmin. This lack of communication only exacerbates user frustration. As u/SoCorsu lamented:

"This is insane, and the most biggest issue no Communication for their customers from Garmin!"

Conclusion: A Need for Balance

The Garmin update controversy highlights the complexities of balancing innovation, customer satisfaction, and business strategy. While users have valid reasons for frustration—especially given the premium price of the Fenix 7 Pro—the recent beta updates suggest that Garmin hasn't entirely abandoned the series.

Moving forward, it would benefit Garmin to address these concerns with greater transparency and clarify its long-term plans for software support. As u/optivery stated:

"This topic is probably the last chance for Garmin to hear its users and start taking them seriously."

By doing so, Garmin may avoid alienating its loyal customers and maintain its standing as a leader in the GPS watch market.

Ultimately, consumers should be aware of the features their device offers at the time of purchase, as future updates are not guaranteed. As u/jiromilo noted:

"This has been true on Garmin for ages. Their software features do not make any sense; for example, the Venu/vivo line has features not present even in the more expensive lines such as Fenix/epoxy/forerunners with auto activity start."

This issue has created a division among users—some frustrated by the lack of new features on their premium watch, and others content with what they have. It remains to be seen whether Garmin can find a balance that satisfies all its users.

Note: The information provided in this article is based on sources and user opinions expressed in the original Reddit thread and does not represent an official statement from Garmin.

How Many of These Hidden Garmin Features Did You Already Know?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:46:37 GMT

Garmin watches are packed with features, and it's easy to get comfortable using only the basics. But beneath the surface, there's a whole world of tools and tricks that can make your Garmin experience even better. Think of this as a challenge: how many of these lesser-known features were already in your repertoire? Let's start with more obvious features and work our way towards more obscure:

1. Control Music Playing from Your Phone

Many Garmin users know they can control music on their watch, but did you know that you can also control music playing on your phone using your watch? This feature works similarly to how you would use the controls on Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. When your watch is connected to your phone, the music controls on the watch will behave much like the play/pause/skip/volume controls on any set of Bluetooth headphones. You can use this to control music from various apps, such as Spotify or YouTube.

To use this feature, navigate to the music controls on your watch. On some devices, this can be found by swiping left on the watch face. From there, you should find a list of music providers, one of which is "Control Phone". You may have to select the "Control Phone" option in the settings menu. If you are using Spotify, you can also use the Spotify app on your watch but this will only control music that you have downloaded to your watch.

Key takeaway: You can control music playing from your phone on your watch, even if you don't have music downloaded directly to the watch. This feature can be used with various music apps, and the watch will function like a remote control.

2. Use the Find My Phone Feature

This is a feature that many users discover by accident or word of mouth. It's an incredibly handy tool, especially if you're prone to misplacing your phone around the house. To use it, hold down your light button to bring up the system tools. One of the options is "Find My Phone," which will make your phone chime, even if it's on silent.

Some Garmin watches also have the ability to alert you when your phone goes out of Bluetooth range. Additionally, during an activity, your watch may save the last known location of your phone, and offer to navigate you back to that spot.

Key Takeaway: The "Find my phone" feature is a quick way to locate your misplaced phone. Your Garmin can also alert you when you are out of range of your phone, and help you navigate back to the last known location of your phone.

3. Use the Workout Builder

Garmin's workout builder is a powerful tool for creating structured workouts. It’s especially useful for interval training or for workouts that require specific rest and work periods. Many users find that this feature enhances their training because it cuts out wasted recovery time, especially in swimming. In addition, the workout builder provides audio prompts during workouts, freeing you from constantly looking at your watch.

You can customize workouts with:

Warm-up and cool-down periods
Low heart rate runs based on zones or manual BPM ranges
Pace ranges
Repeats

Once you've programmed your workout, you can start it on your watch and follow the steps without further interaction. The watch will provide alerts and prompts, guiding you through the workout. Some Garmin users prefer to use other workout builders because the Garmin builder is not as easy to share, but it can still be a great way to add structure to your training.

Key Takeaway: Garmin's workout builder allows for highly customizable workouts with specific intervals, rest periods, and alerts. This feature can improve the efficiency and focus of your training.

4. Double Press the Light Button

This simple trick is by far my favorite. A double press of the light button (usually the top left button on the watch) activates a flashlight. On models like the Garmin Instinct 3 or Fenix 8, this activates a built-in flashlight. On other models, like the Garmin Forerunner 965 or 265, it turns the screen into a flashlight.

This can be very useful when navigating in the dark, and many users report using it regularly when getting up in the night. On some models, you can change the flashlight from white to red by hitting the control buttons when you first turn on the light.

Key Takeaway: Double-pressing the light button is a quick way to turn on a flashlight, which can be especially useful in the dark. Some models have the option to change the light color.

5. Install Connect IQ Data Fields

The Connect IQ app store provides ways to add extra functionality to your Garmin device. While it is a small app store, it has some useful widgets and data fields. Data fields add information to your sports modes, and there are many unique and helpful options.

Some popular data fields include:

Peter's (Racer) Pacer: This allows you to manually correct the distance tracked during a race, ensuring accurate stats when GPS tracking goes awry. This is especially helpful when running in cities with tall buildings that might interfere with GPS.
Rolling Average Pace: This displays your pace over a rolling distance, which you can set (e.g., the last 500m or 1000m).

To install these data fields, find them in the Connect IQ app and add them to your watch. Then, add the fields to your sports mode by going to Data Screens and selecting the Connect IQ Data Fields section.

Key Takeaway: The Connect IQ app store provides data fields that can improve the accuracy and utility of your Garmin device, such as manual distance correction and rolling average pace.

6. Use Hot Keys

Hot keys are another way to customize your Garmin watch. You can set shortcuts for four of the buttons on the watch, as well as for combinations of two buttons. This lets you quickly access features you use frequently. For example, you can set a hot key to bring up the altimeter and barometer, lock your device, show the weather, or start a timer.

One popular use is to set a hot key to activate the Man Overboard (MOB) feature. This is designed to drop a location pin in case of a person falling overboard on a boat but some users use it to mark the location of their car in a parking lot. To set hot keys, go to the System menu, then look for Settings or Shortcuts.

Key Takeaway: Hot keys are customizable shortcuts that allow you to quickly access your favorite features, such as timers, weather, or the "Man Overboard" feature.

7. Cover the Watch Face with Your Palm

This is a simple yet effective way to quickly return to your watch face from any menu. Simply cover the screen of the watch with the palm of your hand, and the watch will return to the watch face and turn the backlight off. This is a quick way to get back to the main screen, instead of pressing buttons. This feature only works on watches with touchscreens.

Key Takeaway: Covering the watch face with your palm quickly returns the watch to the main screen and turns off the backlight.

8. Hold a Widget

Many Garmin watch faces display data such as weather, step count, or heart rate. If you have a touchscreen device, you can hold your finger on one of these data points to bring up the full widget with more information. This can be useful for quickly accessing detailed information on things like the weather or your step count. This feature depends on the watch face that you are using, and it may require a long press on the data field.

Key Takeaway: Holding a widget on a touchscreen device will display more information about that data, such as the weather or step count.

9. Follow Accent Color

This feature, primarily found on models like the Fenix 8, allows you to link the color of your watch face data to the accent color. Instead of having to change both separately, you can set the data color to "follow accent color," so they match automatically. This feature can be useful for users who like to frequently change the main color on their watch faces.

Key Takeaway: On certain models, you can set the data color on your watch face to match the accent color, eliminating the need to change both colors separately.

10. Undo Accidental Lap Presses

This feature was introduced in a software update and allows you to cancel a lap if you've taken it by mistake during a workout. When you press lap, you have a few seconds to cancel it by pressing the down button. This is especially helpful for those who wear gloves and may accidentally hit the lap button more often. This feature may only be available on newer models.

Key Takeaway: If you accidentally press the lap button during an activity, you can quickly cancel it by pressing the down button.

How Many Did You Know?

So, how many of these features were you already familiar with? Whether you knew them all or learned something new, there's always more to discover about your Garmin device. These tips can enhance your user experience and help you make the most of your watch.

Remember that Garmin is always improving, and software updates might change features or add new ones. Keep exploring, and who knows what other hidden gems you'll find?

Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS Pace 3 // A Comprehensive Head-to-Head Comparison

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:12:03 GMT

In today’s fast-evolving world of wearable technology, choosing the right running watch can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a serious triathlete, a weekend runner, or simply looking to stay active, understanding the differences between top contenders like the Garmin Forerunner 255 and the COROS Pace 3 is key to making an informed decision. In this article, we’ll dive deep into every aspect—from pricing and design to features, battery life, GPS accuracy, and ecosystem integration—to help you decide which watch best meets your needs.

Current Prices:
COROS Pace 3: $229.00
Garmin Forerunner 255 (non-music edition): $239.97 (on sale; regular price $349.99)

1. Price & Value: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck

When it comes to running watches, price is often the first filter many consumers apply. With budgets varying widely, it’s important to consider not only the upfront cost but also the value each device provides.

Price Comparison

Model	Regular Price	Sale Price	Value Proposition
Garmin Forerunner 255	$349.99	$239.97	Offers advanced training metrics, safety features, and an established ecosystem.
COROS Pace 3	$229.00	$229.00	A highly competitive option for those looking for a budget-friendly yet robust device.

The COROS Pace 3 undercuts the Forerunner 255 by over $100 at retail price, making it a very attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. Yet, when on sale, the Forerunner 255’s price becomes more competitive. Beyond the sticker price, both watches require no subscriptions for their core features, which means you’re not locked into recurring fees.

Value Considerations

For the Forerunner 255:
The investment goes toward a mature ecosystem with comprehensive training analytics, including heart rate variability (HRV), recovery advice, and advanced safety features such as LiveTrack. These features are invaluable for athletes who need precise data and robust support during rigorous training sessions.
For the COROS Pace 3:
The watch excels in simplicity and lightweight design, making it a great choice for ultrarunners or those prioritizing extended battery life and ease of use. The touchscreen interface and modern route planning capabilities also enhance its value for everyday fitness tracking.

Ultimately, your decision may hinge on whether you value a more refined ecosystem and detailed analytics (Garmin) or a simpler, cost-effective approach with excellent battery life and ease of use (COROS).

2. Design & Comfort: Wearability in the Real World

The design of a running watch isn’t just about aesthetics—it directly impacts comfort, usability, and performance during activities. Both the Forerunner 255 and COROS Pace 3 have their unique design philosophies that cater to different user preferences.

Weight & Materials

Feature	Forerunner 255	COROS Pace 3
Weight	49g (46mm case) / 39g (42mm case)	30g (nylon band) / 38g (silicone band)
Materials	Fiber-reinforced polymer	Fiber-reinforced polymer

Garmin Forerunner 255:
Offers a slightly heftier build that some users associate with durability and quality. The option of a smaller 42mm case (weighing 39g) provides flexibility for those with smaller wrists.
COROS Pace 3:
Emphasizes a lightweight design that many runners appreciate, especially during long runs or ultra-endurance events. The choice of materials (nylon or silicone bands) caters to different comfort preferences and style aesthetics.

Display & Interface

Feature	Forerunner 255	COROS Pace 3
Display	1.3" MIP (260x260 resolution)	1.2" touchscreen (240x240 resolution)
User Interface	Button-based with some touchscreen capabilities	Full touchscreen with intuitive navigation

Garmin Forerunner 255:
Sports a larger display that improves readability during workouts. The combination of button navigation with touchscreen elements ensures that users can quickly toggle between modes even in adverse weather conditions.
COROS Pace 3:
With its dedicated touchscreen interface, the Pace 3 emphasizes a modern, intuitive user experience. The slightly smaller display is still bright and easy to read, though some users may prefer the larger screen size on the Forerunner for data-rich displays.

Water Resistance & Durability

Both watches are designed with active users in mind and are rated for water resistance up to 5 ATM. This means they’re well-suited for swimming, rain, and sweaty runs. The robust build quality of fiber-reinforced polymers in both devices ensures longevity even under the stress of regular outdoor use.

3. Core Features: Training Metrics and Beyond

At the heart of any modern running watch lies its suite of features that help you train smarter, track progress, and navigate your routes effectively. Let’s compare the core functionalities of the Forerunner 255 and the COROS Pace 3.

Training Metrics & Performance Tracking

Category	Forerunner 255	COROS Pace 3
Advanced Metrics	HRV, Training Readiness, LiveTrack, Garmin Pay	Training Load, Race Predictor, Sleep Staging
Sports Modes	Over 30 modes (including triathlon and multisport options)	20+ modes (including triathlon and multisport options)

Garmin Forerunner 255:
Excels in providing granular insights into your training regime. Features like heart rate variability (HRV) and training readiness offer a window into how your body is coping with stress and recovery. Additionally, safety features like LiveTrack ensure that your loved ones can track your progress during long or isolated workouts.
COROS Pace 3:
While offering a slightly smaller selection of sports modes, the Pace 3 stands out for its training load and race prediction capabilities. These metrics help you understand how your training is progressing over time and can offer guidance on when to push harder or ease up.

Navigation & Route Planning

Navigation Features	Forerunner 255	COROS Pace 3
Navigation	Breadcrumb navigation with course creation tools	Turn-by-turn navigation with modern route planning
Ecosystem Integration	ANT+, Wi-Fi, Garmin Connect	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, COROS EvoLab

Garmin Forerunner 255:
Offers breadcrumb-style navigation that lets you see your trail history and plan courses on the Garmin Connect platform. The inclusion of ANT+ connectivity makes it compatible with a wide range of sensors and accessories.
COROS Pace 3:
Leverages a newer interface for navigation, offering turn-by-turn directions that many users find more intuitive, especially when exploring new routes. However, the COROS ecosystem is more limited in terms of third-party integrations compared to Garmin’s established network.

Health & Wellness Tracking

Beyond just tracking your runs, both watches offer a range of wellness metrics:

Forerunner 255:
Delivers insights into sleep quality, recovery times, and overall stress levels. The inclusion of Garmin Pay also allows for quick transactions—a handy feature for those who want to minimize what they carry during runs.
COROS Pace 3:
Provides similar health tracking metrics, though it may not be as detailed in areas like HRV tracking. However, it offers free training plans and a simplified interface that can appeal to users who prefer a less cluttered approach to data.

4. Battery Life: Keeping Up With Your Training

A watch’s battery life is crucial, especially during long training sessions, races, or multi-day events. Both the Forerunner 255 and COROS Pace 3 have been engineered to meet the demands of endurance athletes, but they each bring something unique to the table.

Battery Life Comparison

Mode	Forerunner 255	COROS Pace 3
Smartwatch Mode	Up to 14 days	Up to 24 days
GPS Only Mode	Up to 30 hours	Up to 38 hours
Dual-Frequency GPS Mode	Up to 16 hours	Up to 15 hours

Forerunner 255:
When it comes to power-intensive activities, such as using dual-frequency GPS, the Forerunner 255 has a slight edge. Its battery is optimized for sessions that demand precision tracking and detailed analytics.
COROS Pace 3:
In everyday smartwatch mode and during prolonged GPS usage, the Pace 3 clearly stands out with longer battery life. This makes it an excellent option for ultrarunners or multi-day events where recharging isn’t feasible.

Real-World Considerations

For runners who often train for extended periods or participate in events where every extra hour of battery life counts, the COROS Pace 3’s endurance is a major selling point. On the other hand, if your training involves frequent high-intensity sessions that rely on advanced tracking features, you might prefer the Forerunner 255’s optimization in dual-frequency mode—even if that means sacrificing a bit of overall battery longevity.

5. GPS Accuracy: Precision When It Matters Most

Accurate GPS tracking is fundamental for any athlete who needs to measure distance, pace, and route. Both the Forerunner 255 and COROS Pace 3 employ dual-frequency GPS (utilizing both L1 and L5 signals) along with multi-GNSS support to provide reliable data.

How They Stack Up

Garmin Forerunner 255:
Independent tests have shown that the Forerunner 255 achieves approximately ±1% distance accuracy in urban areas, where signal interference can be challenging. This level of precision is critical for runners who rely on consistent data to adjust training loads.
COROS Pace 3:
Although often compared to premium watches, the Pace 3 performs exceptionally well on open trails. Its accuracy is comparable to high-end models, ensuring that even when venturing off the beaten path, your metrics remain trustworthy.

Why GPS Accuracy Matters

For performance-focused athletes, even slight discrepancies in distance or pace measurements can impact training decisions. Whether you’re following interval sessions or monitoring recovery runs, knowing that your device offers pinpoint accuracy provides peace of mind and confidence in your workout data. Both devices excel in this area, but your specific training environment (urban vs. trail) might sway your preference.

6. Software & Ecosystem: Beyond the Hardware

A device is only as good as the ecosystem that supports it. Software platforms not only affect how you interact with your watch but also determine the extent to which you can integrate third-party apps and services.

Garmin’s Ecosystem

Garmin Connect:
This mature platform has been refined over years, offering detailed analytics, community challenges, and seamless integration with popular services like Strava and TrainingPeaks.
Third-Party Integrations:
Garmin supports a wide array of third-party apps, ensuring that athletes have access to custom workouts, nutrition tracking, and even incident detection for safety.
Additional Features:
Daily workout suggestions, incident detection, and a long-established user community make the Forerunner 255 an attractive option for those who want a comprehensive training experience.

COROS’ Approach

Simplified Interface:
The COROS ecosystem centers on a streamlined experience with a focus on essential training metrics and free training plans. This can be particularly appealing to those who want straightforward guidance without the complexity of too many options.
Limitations:
While COROS EvoLab and its Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity offer a modern take on wearable technology, the ecosystem isn’t as expansive as Garmin’s. Fewer third-party integrations and the absence of an app store may be a drawback for users who depend on a highly customizable platform.

The Takeaway

If you’re a data enthusiast who thrives on detailed performance analytics, the Garmin ecosystem’s maturity and depth might be worth the extra investment. However, if you prefer a minimalist, easy-to-navigate interface that still delivers essential training data and extended battery life, the COROS Pace 3 has you covered.

7. User Profiles: Who Should Buy Which?

Choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 255 and COROS Pace 3 ultimately depends on your training style, budget, and what you value most in a watch. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine which model might be the best fit:

Choose the Garmin Forerunner 255 if:

Detailed Health Metrics Matter:
You rely on advanced analytics like HRV, training readiness, and recovery advice.
Safety Features are a Priority:
LiveTrack and incident detection are essential, particularly for solo runners or those training in remote areas.
Ecosystem Integration is Key:
You already use or plan to integrate with platforms like Strava, TrainingPeaks, or other third-party apps.
High-Intensity Training:
Your workouts demand the precision and performance optimizations offered by dual-frequency GPS, even if that comes at the cost of slightly reduced battery life.

Choose the COROS Pace 3 if:

Budget is a Major Factor:
You’re looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on essential features.
Ultra-Lightweight and Endurance:
Extended battery life and a lightweight design are critical, especially for ultra-endurance events.
Simplicity and Ease-of-Use:
You prefer an intuitive touchscreen interface and straightforward training metrics without the complexity of too many options.
Everyday Versatility:
Your training isn’t just about the numbers—you also value modern navigation features and a sleek, comfortable design for daily wear.

8. Diving Deeper: Additional Considerations

Beyond the core features, several other factors may influence your decision. Here are a few more points to consider:

Build Quality & Durability

Garmin Forerunner 255:
Known for its robust build quality, the Forerunner 255 has been field-tested by a large user base. Its construction feels solid and dependable, which is particularly important for athletes who put their gear through rigorous training.
COROS Pace 3:
While also built to last, the Pace 3 emphasizes a lightweight design. Its materials are engineered to withstand the elements, making it an excellent choice for trail runners and ultra-athletes.

User Interface & Customization

Garmin’s Customization:
The Forerunner 255 allows for extensive customization of data fields and watch faces. If you’re the type who likes to tweak settings for maximum efficiency, this level of control can make a big difference.
COROS’ Streamlined Experience:
Conversely, COROS opts for a more streamlined user interface. This simplicity can be a strength for users who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach without the need to navigate a maze of options.

Software Updates & Community Feedback

Garmin’s Longevity:
Garmin’s long history in the market means regular firmware updates and a dedicated support community. This not only improves the device over time but also fosters an ecosystem where users share tips, workouts, and troubleshooting advice.
COROS’ Evolving Platform:
As a newer competitor in the market, COROS is rapidly iterating on its software. While this can mean occasional growing pains, the brand is committed to improving its offerings based on user feedback.

Warranty & Customer Service

After-Sales Support:
Both companies offer warranties and customer service, but Garmin’s long-standing reputation might provide additional peace of mind for those who value a well-established support network. However, many users report positive experiences with COROS customer service as well.

9. Final Verdict: Making the Right Choice for You

Both the Garmin Forerunner 255 and the COROS Pace 3 are compelling choices for athletes, each with its own set of advantages tailored to different user profiles. Your choice will ultimately come down to what aspects of performance, design, and ecosystem integration matter most to you.

For athletes who thrive on detailed analytics, robust third-party integrations, and advanced safety features, the Garmin Forerunner 255 is a clear winner.
Its comprehensive suite of tools is ideal for serious runners and multi-sport athletes who need granular feedback on every workout.
For those who prioritize affordability, an ultra-lightweight design, and impressive battery life—especially in prolonged outdoor events—the COROS Pace 3 offers exceptional value.
Its streamlined interface and modern navigation tools provide all the essentials without overwhelming the user with data.

In my personal opinion, while the COROS Pace 3 offers tremendous value—particularly for casual runners or those new to wearable fitness technology—I lean toward the Forerunner 255 for its superior training ecosystem and reliability. The advanced features like HRV tracking, Garmin Connect integration, and dynamic daily workout suggestions justify its slightly higher price tag for athletes who demand more from their device.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 255 and COROS Pace 3 is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It depends on your training needs, personal style, and budget. By examining key factors like price, design, core features, battery life, and ecosystem integration, you can make an informed decision that best suits your athletic lifestyle.

Whether you opt for the robust analytics and integrated safety features of the Forerunner 255 or the lightweight, budget-friendly, long-lasting design of the COROS Pace 3, both watches represent the cutting edge of wearable technology. They empower you to track your progress, refine your training, and ultimately achieve your fitness goals.

Take the time to consider how each watch fits into your daily routine and training regimen. After all, the best watch is the one that motivates you to push further, train harder, and celebrate every mile along the journey.

Happy running!

Apple Watch Battery Settlement // Are You Owed a Payout?

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:38:37 GMT

Did your older Apple Watch become a ticking time bomb, with the screen popping off seemingly at random? While the phrase “owed a payout” can sound opportunistic—especially in a society some argue is overly litigious—this class-action settlement aims to compensate consumers who may have been legitimately harmed. If you owned a First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3 Apple Watch and experienced issues related to battery swelling, you might be eligible for a portion of a recent $20 million settlement with Apple. This isn’t just about batteries losing their charge; it’s about a design flaw that allegedly led to swollen batteries pushing out screens and causing significant damage. Read on to see if you qualify, how much you might receive, and what steps you need to take.

TL;DR

Settlement Amount: $20 million class-action lawsuit settlement for battery swelling issues in older Apple Watch models (First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3).
Potential Payout: Approximately $20 per watch, possibly up to $50 if fewer people claim.
Key Deadlines:
- Payment Info: Confirm or update by April 10, 2025.
- Opt Out: By February 24, 2025, if you want to pursue separate legal action.
Eligibility: You must have reported issues potentially related to battery swelling (as recorded by Apple) while residing in the United States.

Here's the link to the class-action settlement

The Genesis of the Lawsuit: A Swelling Problem

The lawsuit, Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 4:21-cv-09527 (N.D. Cal.), arose from claims that certain Apple Watch models (First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3) were prone to battery swelling due to a design defect. According to the plaintiffs, when lithium-ion batteries in these watches expanded, they pushed against other internal components—particularly the screen—causing it to crack, detach, or shatter. In some reported cases, detached or shattered screens even cut the user.

Beyond inconvenience, this was framed as a potential safety hazard. Many consumers alleged they were charged high fees for out-of-warranty repairs at Apple Stores, despite believing the problem was a manufacturing defect rather than misuse. The plaintiffs also claimed that Apple knew of this issue before the watches were sold, pointing to a 2011 patent application and Apple’s monitoring of online forums where users reported similar battery-related failures.

The Legal Battle: Allegations and Denials

Fraud by Omission

Plaintiffs alleged that Apple failed to disclose a known safety defect. They contended Apple knew about the possibility of battery swelling through product testing and consumer complaints but continued to market and sell the watches without proper warnings.

Breach of Implied Warranty

The suit claimed that Apple sold defective watches that were unfit for their intended use, thus breaching the implied warranty of merchantability.

Violations of Consumer Protection Statutes

Plaintiffs cited California’s Unfair Competition Law, the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and parallel laws in New York, Texas, and Florida.

Misleading Advertising

The lawsuit argued Apple’s ads emphasized health, fitness, and safety features without disclosing the potential for battery swelling and screen detachment.

Apple denied all allegations and liability, maintaining that it was settling to avoid the costs of ongoing litigation and was not admitting wrongdoing or a hardware defect.

The Settlement: Who’s Eligible?

A settlement reached in August 2024 established a $20 million fund for eligible class members. Eligibility criteria include:

Eligible Devices: First Generation, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 Apple Watches.
Residency Requirement: You must be a natural person living in the United States who owned the watch for personal or household use.
Apple’s Records: Apple’s internal records must show that you reported issues potentially related to battery swelling in the U.S.
Class Period: April 24, 2015, to February 6, 2024. You must have owned one of the affected watches during this time frame.
No Per-Person Limit: Multiple devices can mean multiple payouts; however, each device is only eligible for one payment.

How Much Can You Expect?

The actual payout depends on how many eligible owners come forward. Early estimates suggest around $20 per device. If fewer claims are made and there are still enough leftover funds (more than $50,000 in surplus), the payout could increase to as much as $50 per device.

How to Claim Your Payment

1. Check for Notification
Keep an eye on your mailbox and email for a notice from the settlement administrator indicating you are eligible.
1. Confirm or Update Payment Information (Deadline: April 10, 2025)
- Go to www.watchsettlement.com
- Scan the QR code on the notice you receive
- Email a completed form to the Settlement Administrator
1. Choose Your Payment Method
- Physical check
- Electronic check
- ACH transfer (direct deposit) — only available via the online form
- Virtual prepaid Visa or MasterCard
1. Do Nothing
If the Settlement Administrator has your valid, current information, you will still receive a payment.

Opting Out

If you wish to pursue your own legal action against Apple, you can opt out of the settlement by February 24, 2025. By opting out, you forfeit your settlement payment but retain the right to sue Apple independently for claims related to this lawsuit. To opt out:

Submit a Request: Either use the portal on the settlement website or send a letter via U.S. mail.
Include Identifying Info: Your name, address, phone number, and a personal signature.
Use Clear Language: State that you want to “opt out” or be excluded from the settlement.
Mind the Deadline: It must be postmarked or electronically submitted by February 24, 2025.

If you both submit payment information and an exclusion request, your payment request takes precedence, and your exclusion request will be invalid.

Objecting to the Settlement

If you believe the settlement is unfair, you can object. However, you cannot ask the Court to approve a larger

1. Write to the Court by February 24, 2025 with:
- Your full name, address, phone number, and email address
- The case name/number: Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 4:21-cv-09527 (N.D. Cal.)
- Verification that you are a settlement class member
- Whether your objection applies to you, a specific subset of the class, or the entire class
- Reasons for your objection
- Your personal signature and the date
1. Attend the Hearing (Optional)
- The hearing is set for April 10, 2025.
- If you want to speak at the hearing, include a “Notice of Intention to Appear” in your objection.

Important Dates

February 24, 2025
Deadline to opt out or file an objection.
April 10, 2025
Deadline to confirm or update payment information; also the date of the final fairness hearing.

The Fine Print

Releases
By accepting a payment, you release Apple from any future claims related to this lawsuit, including claims you might not currently be aware of.
No Admission of Liability
Apple denies wrongdoing and is not conceding that any defect exists.
Settlement Fund Distribution
The $20 million covers notice/administration costs, attorney fees, service awards for lead plaintiffs, and class payments. Any unclaimed funds go to the Rose Foundation’s Consumer Products Fund—Apple does not get unclaimed funds back.

The Bigger Picture: Consumer Rights and Corporate Responsibility

This settlement reminds us of the importance of consumer rights and corporate accountability. Class-action lawsuits can help consumers who otherwise might not have the resources to take on a tech giant in court. While the settlement may not fully reimburse everyone for their Apple Watch troubles, it does provide some measure of redress for users who experienced harm.

It also highlights how essential transparency is: the plaintiffs claimed Apple advertised the watch as safe and reliable without disclosing a potentially serious defect. Ultimately, consumers should have full information about risks associated with the products they buy.

The link that people should know is www.watchsettlement.com, which is the website for the class action settlement regarding Apple Watches. This website contains important information about the settlement, including how to confirm registration as a member of the settlement class, how to update payment information, and how to opt out of the settlement

Conclusion

If you own or owned an older Apple Watch in the affected models, make sure to check whether you qualify for this settlement. Deadlines are fast approaching, so don’t miss your opportunity to confirm your payment details. Even if you’re not eligible, this is a reminder to stay informed about your consumer rights and take action if you suspect a product defect.

Although Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing, this settlement shows that even major tech companies can face liability when consumers band together. Stay aware, watch the deadlines, and decide whether to claim your share or explore other legal options if you believe they better suit your situation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. If you have specific questions about this settlement or any legal matter, consider consulting with an attorney.

Apple Watch Bands Under Fire // A Deep Dive into the PFAS Lawsuit

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:38:37 GMT

A recent lawsuit against Apple has put the spotlight on the potential presence of harmful chemicals, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), in some of the company’s popular watch bands. These substances are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily and can build up in the human body. This legal dispute raises important questions about product safety, transparency, and corporate responsibility—especially since the Apple Watch is marketed as a health-focused device. In this article, we will explore the details of the lawsuit, the scientific study that started it, and Apple’s history of managing material safety in its products.

The Lawsuit: Allegations of Toxic Chemicals and Deceptive Practices

Two California residents filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company knowingly used PFAS in manufacturing Apple Watch bands. The lawsuit accuses Apple of misleading customers by suggesting that these bands were safe when they may contain chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems.

The specific bands named in the lawsuit are the Sport Band, the Ocean Band, and the Nike Sport Band. All three are made from a material called fluoroelastomer, which the lawsuit says hides the presence of PFAS. The plaintiffs argue that while Apple promoted the Apple Watch as a tool for a healthier lifestyle, it failed to mention the possible risks from these chemicals.

Main Claims Against Apple

1. Violation of consumer protection laws
Apple allegedly broke these laws by not informing customers about harmful chemicals in its watch bands.
1. Unfair business practices
Apple is accused of promoting its products as safe while supposedly using chemicals with known health risks.
1. Fraudulent misrepresentation
The plaintiffs claim Apple hid the truth about PFAS in its watch bands, despite advertising them as beneficial for health.
1. Negligent misrepresentation
The lawsuit argues Apple did not properly communicate the potential dangers of these chemicals, showing negligence in its product safety claims.
1. Unjust enrichment
By selling products advertised as safe, the lawsuit says Apple profited unfairly if these products are, in fact, not safe.

What the Lawsuit Seeks

Class certification: This would let more consumers join the lawsuit if they also believe they were harmed.
Injunctive relief: A court order to stop Apple from selling watch bands that are allegedly unsafe.
Monetary penalties: Compensation to those affected and potential fines to hold Apple accountable for any harm.

The Study: Finding PFAS in Smartwatch Bands

The lawsuit is based on a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Researchers tested 22 watch bands from different brands and found that 15 contained PFAS. They used advanced techniques—like ion beam analysis (similar to shooting tiny particles at the material) and liquid chromatography (a method to separate and measure chemical substances)—to detect levels of fluorine, a marker for PFAS.

Among the samples, higher levels of a specific chemical called perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) were found, including in some Apple bands. The amount of PFHxA in these samples averaged around 773 nanograms per gram (ng/g), which is much higher than levels of up to 199 ng/g found in some previous studies.

Because smartwatch users often wear these bands all day and during exercise, there is concern that PFAS could be absorbed through the skin—especially when sweating. This raises questions about whether these devices, worn for health tracking, might be exposing users to additional risks.

Understanding PFAS: The “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals designed to resist water, oil, and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment or the human body, allowing them to accumulate over time.

Potential Health Risks of PFAS

Cancer: Research links some PFAS to higher chances of kidney and testicular cancer.
Reproductive issues: Studies suggest they may cause problems with fertility and child development.
Immune system suppression: PFAS can weaken the body’s defenses against infections.
Hormone disruption: They can interfere with normal hormone function in the body.
Other health impacts: Links to obesity, liver damage, and thyroid problems have also been noted.

The lawsuit claims that Apple was aware of these risks but did not inform consumers or restrict PFAS in its watch bands.

Apple’s Response: Denials and Commitment to Safety

Apple strongly denies the allegations. The company states that its fluoroelastomer watch bands do contain fluorine but do not contain harmful PFAS chemicals. Apple also says it has thorough testing processes and works with independent labs to confirm product safety.

Additionally, Apple points to its past efforts in phasing out “forever chemicals.” In 2022, Apple released a white paper outlining its plan to remove PFAS from its products. The company acknowledges this is a complex task because it must:

Identify every use of PFAS within its supply chain.
Find or develop reliable alternatives.
Work through the time needed to test and approve new materials.

Apple’s Historical Approach to Material Safety

Apple has worked on limiting dangerous materials in its products for decades. Going back to the 1990s, the company began restricting heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Over time, Apple has:

Set up a Regulated Substances Specification: Suppliers must follow strict rules about harmful chemicals.
Removed brominated flame retardants (BFR) and PVC from nearly all product parts.
Eliminated mercury in display backlights, arsenic in glass, and beryllium in connectors.
Launched a Full Material Disclosure (FMD) program to track every substance used in its products.
Used GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals to rank chemicals by their hazards.
Monitored process chemicals (like cleaners and degreasers) at manufacturing sites.
Implemented Chemical Safety Disclosure (CSD): Suppliers must reveal and ensure safe use of any chemicals in manufacturing.

Extra Steps for Products with Skin Contact

Since devices like the Apple Watch come into contact with skin for long periods, Apple has special rules and tests, such as:

A specific substance list banning known irritants or allergens.
Material testing to see which substances might leak onto the skin.
Toxicity evaluations based on detailed chemical data.
A two-level system of allowable limits for chemicals, including extra oversight if certain thresholds are reached.

The Ongoing Debate and Future Implications

This lawsuit highlights a larger concern about PFAS in everyday products. While Apple insists its watch bands are safe, the plaintiffs argue the company has not done enough to warn consumers about potential hazards.

Key Questions Raised

1. Transparency: Should companies be required to give more detailed information about the chemicals in their products?
1. Corporate responsibility: How far must companies go to ensure the chemicals they use are safe for consumers’ health?
1. Regulatory action: Are current government rules strict enough to protect people from newer and lesser-known chemicals like PFAS?

The case could influence not only Apple but other tech companies as well. If the plaintiffs succeed, it may push manufacturers to rethink how they choose materials, test for chemicals, and share safety information.

In conclusion, Apple has worked for years to remove hazardous substances from its products, but this lawsuit questions whether the company has fully addressed PFAS in its watch bands. The court will ultimately decide whether these bands pose a real health risk and whether Apple’s claims about safety and sustainability meet the required standards. This case is a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant about chemicals in everyday items and making sure that companies and regulators take product safety seriously.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not offer legal advice. If you believe you may be affected by the issues described, consult a qualified professional.

Apple Watch SOS Leads to Backcountry Rescue // Satellite Connectivity Will Save Lives

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:38:37 GMT

Introduction

In a dramatic rescue last week, three backcountry skiers were saved by helicopter near Stevens Pass, Washington, after an Apple Watch sent an SOS alert. This incident underscores the life-saving potential of modern smartwatches—particularly when equipped with satellite connectivity—in remote, high-risk scenarios. When the skiers found themselves in an area without cell service, the Apple Watch’s satellite SOS feature proved essential for contacting rescuers.

The Incident

Three backcountry skiers were exploring an area near Stevens Pass when disaster struck:

Falls and Injuries: Two of the skiers fell—one tumbling about 1,000 feet, the other about 500 feet. One sustained a broken leg, while the other suffered a twisted knee and a broken wrist. The third skier remained unharmed but was isolated with the injured pair.
No Cell Service: With no cellular coverage in the mountains, the skiers faced a dire situation, unable to call or text through standard means.

SOS Alert via Apple Watch

1. Activation: One of the skiers managed to activate the Apple Watch SOS feature, which can send a distress signal via satellite when cell networks are unavailable.
1. Response: The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office received the SOS, which indicated a leg injury and an urgent need for rescue.
1. Rescue Operation:
- Helicopter Dispatch: The King County Sheriff’s Office deployed two helicopters, Guardian 1 and Guardian 2.
- Location: Using heat sensors, the helicopter crew located the skiers in steep terrain amidst dense trees.
- Nighttime Extraction: With darkness setting in, the pilots and crew navigated challenging conditions. A rescuer was lowered to secure and hoist the injured skiers into the helicopter.
- Medical Transport: The injured were transported to a Seattle hospital for treatment.

The Role of the Apple Watch

The Apple Watch’s SOS alert feature was the linchpin in this successful rescue. Newer Apple devices allow users to connect via satellite for emergency help, mirroring similar devices like the Garmin inReach.

Improved Detection: Apple has continually refined its fall detection and crash detection features, making the watch more sensitive to sudden impacts, abnormal heart rates, and other emergencies.
Automatic Calls: If the watch detects a severe fall and the user doesn’t respond, it can automatically call emergency services.
Manual SOS: Users can also send an SOS by pressing and holding the side button or the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra models.

How to Use the Apple Watch SOS Feature

1. Press and hold the side button (below the Digital Crown).
1. When the Emergency Call slider appears, either drag it to place the call or keep holding the button.
1. After a short countdown, the watch automatically contacts emergency services and sends location data.

Video of the Rescue

The King County Sheriff Air Support unit shared footage of the nighttime rescue on their social media account. The video captures the helicopter locating the skiers, one waving to guide rescuers, and the dramatic hoisting of the injured skiers to safety.

The Importance of Satellite Connectivity

Sergeant Jason Stanley of the King County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the critical value of satellite connectivity:

“Without some sort of satellite communication device, this story could have a very different ending, a very tragic ending.”

From dangerously low temperatures to rugged terrain, backcountry activities demand reliable off-grid communication. Satellite connectivity ensures hikers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts can still call for help when cell towers are out of reach.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Satellite Texting

Looking ahead, Apple is rumored to introduce satellite connectivity for texting with the Apple Watch Ultra 3, building on the feature first released for iPhone 14. The new watch aims to let users send messages even when cellular networks and Wi-Fi are unavailable.

Benefits of Satellite Connectivity

Enhanced Safety: Hikers, divers, and backcountry adventurers can stay connected in remote environments.
Off-Grid Freedom: Users can venture out without carrying their phones but still have access to emergency services.
Health Monitoring: New capabilities may include high blood pressure detection and more advanced health tracking features.
5G Redcap: A more energy-efficient variant of 5G technology, reducing battery drain on the watch.

Apple currently does not charge for satellite connectivity on iPhones, and it is expected that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will include a similar two-year free connectivity window. By integrating satellite features, Apple positions itself more competitively against dedicated satellite communication devices offered by companies like Garmin.

Conclusion

The rescue of three backcountry skiers near Stevens Pass is a powerful testament to how wearable technology can save lives. In remote or high-risk areas without cellular coverage, devices like the Apple Watch—and soon, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with expanded satellite capabilities—can bridge critical communication gaps. As satellite connectivity and health tracking continue to evolve, these features will likely become indispensable tools for adventurers and anyone who needs reliable emergency access far from civilization.

Disclaimer: While smartwatches and satellite communication devices are invaluable in emergencies, always plan carefully for backcountry trips. Have a backup communication plan, carry sufficient supplies, and check local regulations and weather conditions.

Worldwide Garmin Outage

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:46:37 GMT

Update

This appears to be fixed on my Fenix 8. Please keep in mind that if this was a corrupt EPO file (which it appears to have been) it might take longer to aquire GPS satalites for your first activity back using GPS.

Here's what's been going on today:

Expected Impact and Initial Actions

Garmin users can expect their devices to potentially become stuck in a boot loop, often displaying a blue triangle on the screen. This issue primarily occurs when starting a GPS activity. However, some users have reported the issue arising during non-GPS activities or even without any user interaction.

Personally, I noticed it when using my Garmin Fenix 8 and trying to start a GPS activity this morning (running). The watch crashed and eventually rebooted only to do the same whenever I attempted to access GPS. My solution was to go into settings and turn off GPS until Garmin can get this sorted out.

To Disable GPS: A key workaround is to disable GPS in your watch settings before starting an activity. You can do this by going to Settings > Activities > Run > Run Settings > Satellites > Off. This prevents the watch from trying to connect to satellites and avoids the crash

Other troubleshooting steps include a hard reset. The method for performing a hard reset can vary depending on the specific device model, so users should consult their owner's manual for model-specific instructions. In some cases, a hard reset may not resolve the issue, and a factory reset may be needed.

To perform a hard reset: Hold down the power button for 30-60 seconds until the watch turns off.
Factory reset on some models: After powering off, press and hold the start/stop and back buttons while pressing the power button briefly. Release the power button when the blue triangle appears, then release the start/stop button after a beep, and finally release the back button after the second beep.

After a hard or factory reset, devices can typically be re-paired with a phone and data should be restored from Garmin Connect. However, some users have reported issues with reconnecting to their phones. It is important to note that performing a factory reset will erase all unsynced data, settings, and customizations. Some users have reported that a factory reset has not resolved their issues.

Activity Precautions

Users are advised to avoid starting any GPS activities until a permanent fix is provided by Garmin. This includes activities for calibrating the altimeter. As a temporary workaround, users can perform activities that don't involve GPS or disable GPS tracking in the settings.

If a map is needed for a workout, alternative apps can be used. Some users have had success using a "treadmill run" activity, which does not use GPS, but this may disrupt treadmill calibration. Some users have also reported that non-GPS activities can trigger the issue.

Rumored Causes

The cause of the issue is not yet officially confirmed, but speculation points towards two potential issues:

Expired Certificate: One theory suggests that an expired certificate may be the root cause of the problem. Certificates are used to verify the identity of servers and devices during communication, so an expired certificate could interfere with a watch's ability to connect to the GPS network. This is not from the given sources and should be independently verified.
GPS Software Bug: Another theory suggests the issue stems from a bug in the GPS software, as older watches appear to be unaffected. A faulty GPE file may also be the cause.

Reported Affected Devices

The following Garmin devices have been reported as affected by this issue:

Forerunner 165
Forerunner 255
Forerunner 255 Music
Forerunner 265
Forerunner 955
Forerunner 965
Forerunner 745
Forerunner 645
Epix Pro
Epix Pro Gen 2
Epix 2
Fenix 6
Fenix 7
Fenix 7s
Fenix 7 Pro
Fenix 7X
Fenix 7x Pro Solar
Fenix 8
Venu 2
Venu 3
Venu 5
Vivoactive 4
Vivoactive 5
D2 Mach 1 Pro
Instinct 2
Instinct 2 Solar
Instinct Crossover
MK3i
Edge 840

It is worth noting that not all devices within a given series are necessarily affected. Some users with specific models have reported no issues, while others with the same models are experiencing the problem. The issue is not limited to beta firmware.

Garmin Support and Response

Garmin has acknowledged the issue, with a red banner appearing on the support website. The banner states that they are researching the reports of the blue triangle issue when starting a GPS activity. They recommend resetting the watch by holding down the power button to restore functionality. Garmin has stated that they will provide more information on a permanent fix when it is available.

A software fix is expected but at this time there is no indication that this issue is limited to any specific region.

This is a developming story so please check back in for more details as they become available.

For further discussion and user experiences, check out the Reddit thread on the Garmin GPS meltdown.

Garmin’s Failed ‘E’ Series Strategy // Fenix E and Instinct E

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 23:46:37 GMT

Garmin has long been a leader in the GPS sports watch market, known for its innovative features and robust designs. However, their recent introduction of the "E" series—specifically the Fenix E and Instinct E—has raised questions among enthusiasts and industry experts alike. Positioned as "Essential" versions of their flagship models, these watches aim to offer core functionalities at a reduced price point. But do they truly meet the needs of today's consumers, or are they simply repackaged versions of older technology?

Understanding the "E" Series

In late August, Garmin unveiled the Fenix 8 lineup, introducing various iterations, including the new "Fenix E." The "E" stands for "Essential," indicating a focus on fundamental features. Similarly, in early January, Garmin expanded this strategy with the release of the Instinct 3, accompanied by the Instinct E.

These "E" models typically feature previous-generation heart rate sensors, lack major new hardware advancements, but boast updated watch faces and user interfaces. For instance, the Fenix E offers a 1.3” AMOLED display with a stainless steel bezel and a 47mm plastic watch body. It includes multi-band GPS, mapping capabilities, Training Readiness, and music storage but omits a flashlight. Priced at $800, it closely mirrors the standard edition of the Garmin Epix Gen 2, which debuted in January 2022.

The Instinct E follows a similar pattern. It's a rugged GPS sports watch with a monochrome, memory-in-pixel display, lacking multi-band GPS and a flashlight, priced at $300. This configuration is reminiscent of earlier Instinct models, particularly those released around 2018.

Evaluating the Strategy

On the surface, offering streamlined versions at lower prices seems logical. Apple has successfully implemented this approach with its Apple Watch SE line. However, unlike Apple, which phases out older models, Garmin's "E" series appears to repurpose older hardware with minimal enhancements.

This strategy has led to mixed reactions. Some users appreciate the cost savings, while others feel the "E" series doesn't offer sufficient value compared to existing models. The lack of significant hardware improvements and the reliance on previous-generation technology may deter potential buyers seeking the latest features.

Market Reception and Future Implications

Initial market responses indicate that the "E" series may not have achieved the anticipated impact. Consumers are increasingly discerning, often expecting substantial upgrades with new releases. Garmin's approach of reintroducing older technology under a new label could be perceived as lacking innovation.

For Garmin to maintain its competitive edge, it may need to reassess this strategy. Emphasizing genuine innovation and clearly differentiating new models from previous iterations will be crucial. As the wearables market continues to evolve, aligning product offerings with consumer expectations will determine future success.

In conclusion, while the "E" series aims to provide essential features at a reduced cost, it risks being overshadowed by perceptions of repackaging rather than innovation. Garmin's challenge lies in balancing affordability with meaningful advancements to meet the demands of today's tech-savvy consumers.

No More Needles // Optical Sensor Revolutionizes Glucose Monitoring

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 23:46:37 GMT

There's a race to revolutionize glucose monitoring. If you’re like me, you’ve probably glanced at some of the latest wearable tech and thought, "Can this stuff really change lives?" Well, buckle up, because it turns out, the answer is a big, bold yes.

Why This Matters

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: needles. For people living with diabetes, finger pricks and adhesive microneedles are more than just inconvenient—they’re painful, itchy, and sometimes lead to infections. Imagine having to endure that multiple times a day just to manage your blood sugar levels. It’s a reality for millions, but the good news is, things are about to change.

Samsung’s Big Move

Recently, Samsung made headlines with a significant announcement at their health forum. Dr. Hon Pak, head of Samsung’s digital health team, shared that the company is actively developing a non-invasive, optically-based continuous glucose monitor. He described it as a "game-changer," and judging by the technology behind it, he’s not wrong.

Samsung’s approach focuses on identifying specific infrared peaks unique to glucose. Researchers have pinpointed four critical peaks—1605 nm, 1706 nm, 2145 nm, and 2275 nm—that allow glucose to stand out from water and other biological noise. By leveraging this discovery, Samsung’s prototype uses a waveband between 1600 nm and 1700 nm for accurate detection. This precision is what sets optical glucose monitoring apart from older methods.

Dr. Pak’s enthusiasm isn’t just hype. Samsung’s dedication to refining this technology could make their wearables a must-have for anyone managing diabetes—or even those just looking to better understand their overall health.

A Game-Changer: Optical Sensors

Here’s where the science gets exciting. Traditional glucose monitoring methods, like near-infrared spectroscopy, often struggle to differentiate glucose signals from water due to overlapping O-H bonds. But by targeting those unique infrared peaks, researchers have overcome this challenge. This breakthrough enables sensors to achieve a level of accuracy comparable to lab equipment.

Samsung’s prototype is packed with cutting-edge tech: SMD LEDs, thin-film circuits, and a detection range that’s not just accurate but also compact enough to fit into wearables. Tested against blood plasma, the device can measure glucose levels as low as 10 mg/dL, covering a wide range from 50 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL. All this in a patch-like design that connects via Bluetooth and runs on a coin battery—no wires, no hassle.

Apple’s Quiet Competition

While Samsung is making waves, Apple has been characteristically tight-lipped. Rumors suggest they’re working on similar technology, but without official confirmation, it’s hard to gauge how far along they are. That said, Apple’s track record suggests they won’t enter the game unless they can do it flawlessly. If they’re using similar optical principles, the competition between these two giants could accelerate the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring for consumers.

Why This Tech Could Change Everything

Here’s what’s at stake:

Precision Monitoring: By targeting those specific infrared peaks, optical sensors can provide reliable glucose readings without the need for invasive procedures.
Goodbye, Needles: No more finger pricks means a massive quality-of-life boost for people with diabetes.
Wider Adoption: With no pain involved, even non-diabetics might start tracking glucose levels, leading to a better understanding of how diet and exercise affect our bodies.
Early Detection: Samsung’s working on algorithms that could predict diabetes early—imagine catching it before it even starts.
Integration: These sensors won’t just track glucose; they’ll likely work alongside other health metrics like heart rate and oxygen levels.

What’s Next?

Samsung’s announcement is a clear signal that non-invasive glucose monitoring is more than just a pipe dream. With companies like Samsung and Apple racing to perfect this technology, the days of needles and invasive monitoring could soon be behind us. The big question now is: who will get there first? And when they do, how will it reshape the wearable tech market?

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a tech breakthrough; it’s a human one. The idea that we could ditch needles for good and rely on something as simple as an optical sensor is nothing short of revolutionary. Whether you’re managing diabetes or just curious about your body’s inner workings, the future looks brighter than ever.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 // 10 Possible Features to Expect This Fall

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

The Apple Watch Ultra has seen a lot of success since its initial release in 2022, with the Ultra 2 building upon that in 2023. Despite skipping a refresh in 2024, the Ultra 2 is still considered a top-tier smartwatch. Now, with rumors swirling about the Apple Watch Ultra 3's release in the fall of 2025 alongside the iPhone 17, it's time to explore what new features the next generation of the high-end wearable might bring. Here's a look at 10 possible enhancements and the odds of each coming to fruition:

1. Micro LED Display - 27%

While there was some previous development of microLED displays in Apple's Vision Pro, the yeilds of these displays are not high. MicroLEDs still pose the best route for the future display technology but Apple recently canceled its microLED project with ams-Osram. This brings the odds of us seeing a microLED display on the AWU 3 down to only 27%.

2. Improved Band Attachment Mechanism - 33%

The current band attachment mechanism on the Apple Watch has been criticized for being finicky and difficult to use. The button is often too difficult to press, and the sliding isn't smooth. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, on the other hand, has a band attachment that is easier to use with a larger button that releases a clasp, allowing the band to pop out. Given that Apple usually pays close attention to detail, it's surprising they haven't improved their mechanism and it is possible they will adopt a better band attachment system in the Apple Watch Ultra 3, but the odds are only 33% as this would require a pretty significant redesign and there haven't been any rumors of a major watch body redesign recently.

3. Satellite Messaging - 85%

Satellite messaging is a highly anticipated feature for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, with a good chance of being included. This technology would allow users to send text messages via Globalstar Inc.’s satellites when they don’t have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. This functionality would mirror the satellite messaging capabilities of iPhones, making it easier for users to leave their phones behind while staying connected. Unlike some reports, it might not be limited to emergency situations and would work without a cellular plan. Given the high probability and the clear advantages for adventurers, the odds of this feature being included are 85%.

4. Body Composition Analysis - 35%

The inclusion of body composition analysis through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a possibility for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This feature, found in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, sends microcurrents through the body to measure muscle, fat, and water levels. While not perfect, it's an on-the-go tool to monitor body composition and hydration. However, there is no indication that Apple is planning this for the Apple Watch, so we will give it a 35% chance.

5. High Blood Pressure Detection - 78%

High blood pressure detection is a significant health feature that is expected to be introduced in the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This feature will alert users if they are in a state of hypertension, similar to how the sleep apnea detector works. It won’t give specific readings like diastolic or systolic levels, but will provide an alert that encourages users to see their doctor. Given Apple's focus on health features, the odds of high blood pressure detection in the Ultra 3 are 78%.

6. Energy Score - 25%

An Energy Score feature, similar to Garmin’s Body Battery or Android smartwatches, is a less probable addition to the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It could use AI to calculate energy levels based on sleep, activity, heart rate, and heart rate variability. While this could be a useful way to see how ready the body is to tackle the day, Apple may choose to avoid introducing an arbitrary score for wellness. Given Apple's approach to health metrics, we will give it a 25% chance.

7. 5G RedCap Networking - 90%

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is highly likely to include 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) network access. This is a less power-hungry version of 5G that will ensure the watch doesn't suffer a big battery drain. While it won't hit the same speeds as 5G on an iPhone, it is expected to be a useful connectivity upgrade, which gives it a 90% chance. I'm also hoping that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will get Wifi 7 support so we'll lump that in with the 5G RedCap network access here.

8. Better Battery Life - 20%

While improved battery life is always a desirable feature, the odds of a substantial battery upgrade in the Apple Watch Ultra 3 are only 20%. The Ultra 2 already has good battery life, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a 100-hour rating. However, the Samsung watch is beefier, suggesting the larger battery life comes with added bulk. It's possible that Apple may opt for a lower profile over a significantly longer battery life. New low-energy OLED panels and a larger battery could contribute to improved battery life, but with no guarantee of a substantial improvement, it's only a 20% chance.

9. Blood Glucose Monitoring - 5%

Blood glucose monitoring has been rumored for years, but it remains unlikely to appear in the Apple Watch Ultra 3. While Apple is working on this technology, it is still at least a few years away from being released. Therefore, the odds of this being included in the Ultra 3 are only 5%.

10. Apple AI - 75%

The integration of Apple AI into the Apple Watch Ultra 3 seems like a likely prospect. It is probable that the watch will be equipped to handle Apple AI, but the features themselves may not ship at the time the device is released. This would be consistent with how Apple has rolled out new software features in the past, making it a 75% chance that the watch will be "Apple AI ready."

Pricing and Availability

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17 in the fall of 2025. The current Ultra 2 costs $800 but is available at a discounted price of $735 here.

Feature Summary

Feature	Probability	Key Details
Micro LED Display	40%	Low-energy OLED panels may take precedence over microLED.
Improved Band Attachment	30%	Easier-to-use mechanism similar to Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Satellite Messaging	85%	Enables texting via satellite without cellular or Wi-Fi.
Body Composition Analysis	35%	Uses BIA to measure muscle, fat, and water levels.
High Blood Pressure Detection	78%	Alerts users to potential hypertension.
Energy Score	25%	AI-powered feature to estimate daily energy readiness.
5G RedCap Networking	90%	Reduced power consumption with useful connectivity upgrades.
Better Battery Life	20%	Potential improvements through new OLED panels and larger battery.
Blood Glucose Monitoring	5%	Likely still years away from practical implementation.
Apple AI	75%	Watch may support Apple AI, though features might launch post-release.

Conclusion

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is shaping up to be an exciting release, with a few very likely upgrades and some less likely but possible enhancements. The most anticipated features include satellite messaging, high blood pressure detection, and 5G RedCap networking. While other features like improved band attachments and body composition analysis are possible, they are not as certain. With the release still several months away, additional information might still come to light, but this is the best look so far at what we can expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Garmin Enduro 3 // Ultimate GPS Smartwatch at Its Best Price Yet

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

The Garmin Enduro 3 is a high-performance GPS smartwatch designed for ultra-endurance athletes, and it's currently available at its lowest price ever on Amazon. Current Amazon sale at $823.15, a 9% discount off the original price of $899.99.

Take advantage of the Amazon sale to get this high-performance watch at its lowest price ever.

This watch boasts impressive battery life, a lightweight design, and a variety of premium training, performance, and navigation features. The Enduro 3 is a significant upgrade from the Enduro 2, with key enhancements including a more efficient solar panel, Garmin's latest heart rate sensor with ECG capability, and a new user interface.

Key Features and Upgrades

Battery Life

Best-in-class solar battery life with a more efficient solar lens providing over double the solar power of the previous Enduro model.
GPS mode: Up to 320 hours with solar charging.
Smartwatch mode: Up to 90 days with solar and 36 days without solar.
SatIQ™ technology for automatic switching between GPS modes, offering multi-band GPS accuracy for up to 120 hours.
Solar panel improvements include a 120% increase in surface area and the removal of the translucent solar panel over the display for better screen clarity.
Compared to the Enduro 2, the Enduro 3 offers a significant upgrade in solar efficiency and battery performance.

Design

Lighter than the previous model at just 63 grams.
51mm titanium bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and a comfortable UltraFit nylon band.
Features a unibody plastic design, reducing weight compared to the Enduro 2's metal back plate.

Display

1.4-inch memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a backlight and always-on functionality.
Improved screen clarity thanks to the removal of the solar panel over the display.

Heart Rate Sensor

Includes Garmin's fifth-generation Elevate Optical heart rate sensor for more accurate readings.
ECG capability to monitor heart rhythm and detect signs of atrial fibrillation.
Features wrist temperature detection.

Navigation

Enhanced navigation tools, including dynamic round-trip routing, preloaded TopoActive maps, and NextFork™ Map Guide.
Access to preloaded maps for golf courses and ski resorts worldwide.

Training and Performance Metrics

Offers VO2 max, training load, heat and altitude acclimation, and more.
Includes advanced features like trail run VO2 max insights, grade-adjusted pace, PacePro™, and ClimbPro for detailed climb information.

Software and Connectivity

Features the new Garmin Messenger™ app for messaging when paired with a compatible smartphone.
Includes Garmin Pay™ for contactless payments and the ability to download songs from music services.
Offers safety features such as incident detection, assistance, and LiveTrack.

Enduro 3 vs. Fenix 8

While the Enduro 3 and Fenix 8 share many features, key differences include:

Display: The Fenix 8 has a vibrant AMOLED display, while the Enduro 3 features a power-efficient MIP display.
Size: The Enduro 3 is only available in 51mm, while the Fenix 8 offers multiple size options.
Additional Features: The Fenix 8 includes a speaker, microphone, and diving capabilities.
Price: The Enduro 3 is priced at $899.99, while the Fenix 8 starts at $999.

Why the Enduro 3 is a Good Deal

The Garmin Enduro 3 offers a compelling combination of features and performance at a lower price point than the Fenix 8. Key benefits include:

Greatly improved battery life and display clarity.
A lightweight design ideal for ultra-endurance athletes.
Premium navigation and training features.
Current Amazon sale at $823.15, a 9% discount off the original price of $899.99.

Conclusion

The Garmin Enduro 3 is a top-tier GPS smartwatch that excels in battery life, performance, and durability. It is a significant upgrade from the Enduro 2 and an excellent option for ultra-endurance athletes. With its enhanced solar panel, ECG capability, and improved navigation tools, the Enduro 3 is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. Take advantage of the Amazon sale to get this high-performance watch at its lowest price ever.

Save Your Cash! // Garmin Instinct 2X vs. Instinct 3 (50mm)

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

The Garmin Instinct series is known for its ruggedness, durability, and focus on outdoor activities. The recent release of the Instinct 3 has brought new features and options, but how does it stack up against its predecessor, the Instinct 2X, particularly the 50mm version? This article provides a detailed comparison to help you decide whether an upgrade is worthwhile.

Design and Build

Both the Instinct 2X and Instinct 3 maintain a rugged, adventure-ready design. However, there are some notable differences:

Bezel Reinforcement: The Instinct 3 introduces a metal ring reinforcement underneath the bezel, adding a touch of color to some models and doubling as a GPS antenna. The Instinct 2X does not have this metal reinforcement.
Weight and Thickness: The Instinct 3 is slightly thinner (14.4mm vs. 14.5mm) and lighter. The Instinct 3 AMOLED weighs 59g, the Instinct 3 Solar weighs 58g, and the Instinct 2X weighs 67g, making the Instinct 3 more comfortable for daily wear.
Display Options:
- Instinct 2X: Monochrome memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a secondary display window.
- Instinct 3 Solar: Enhanced MIP display with 2x increased contrast.
- Instinct 3 AMOLED: Vibrant 1.3-inch AMOLED display without the secondary display window, providing a cleaner and more modern look.

Display

Instinct 2X: Monochrome MIP display with a 1.1-inch screen and secondary display window.
Instinct 3 Solar: Monochrome MIP display with a 1.1-inch screen and 2x increased contrast.
Instinct 3 AMOLED: A 1.3-inch vibrant, full-color AMOLED display.

The AMOLED display on the Instinct 3 offers brighter visuals and improved clarity, while the enhanced MIP display also provides better readability than the Instinct 2X. However, the traditional MIP display of the Instinct 2X remains functional and rugged.

Estimated Battery (time in days)

Instinct 2X

Instinct 3 Solar

Instinct 3 AMOLED

All Satellite Systems (time in hours)

Instinct 2X

Instinct 3 Solar

Instinct 3 AMOLED

All Sat + Multi-Band (time in hours)

Instinct 2X

Instinct 3 Solar

Instinct 3 AMOLED

Key Takeaways

Solar Efficiency: The Instinct 3 boasts a 5x increase in solar efficiency over the Instinct 2X, significantly extending GPS times when solar charging is utilized.
AMOLED Consumption: The AMOLED display consumes more power, resulting in shorter battery life compared to both the Instinct 2X and the Instinct 3 Solar.
MIP Efficiency: The MIP display, combined with solar charging, allows the Instinct 2X and Instinct 3 Solar to achieve practically unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode.

Sensors and Technology

Both watches share core functionalities, but the Instinct 3 introduces some upgrades:

Heart Rate Sensor: Both use the older Garmin Elevate Gen 4 sensor, missing out on the newer Gen 5 features like ECG and skin temperature monitoring.
GNSS/GPS: Both support multi-band GPS, but the Instinct 3 includes Garmin’s SatIQ, which optimizes satellite usage to conserve battery.

Software and Features

The Instinct 3 adds several new features, including:

Nap Detection and Sleep Coach.
Training metrics like Hill Score, Endurance Score, and Training Load Focus.
Garmin Share and Messenger compatibility.
Large font mode (AMOLED version only).

Criticisms

While the Instinct 3 introduces meaningful improvements, it falls short in some areas:

Retains the older Gen 4 heart rate sensor.
Lacks full topographic maps.
AMOLED version has no touchscreen.

Should You Upgrade?

Upgrade if:

You want a modern AMOLED display.
New software features like Nap Detection and Hill Score are important to you.
You prefer slightly lighter and thinner designs.

Don’t Upgrade if:

You’re satisfied with the MIP display.
Battery life and ruggedness are your top priorities.
You own an Instinct 2X and don’t need the new features.

Conclusion

The Garmin Instinct 3 (50mm) introduces compelling upgrades, particularly with its AMOLED option. However, for users who don’t prioritize AMOLED or new features like Nap Detection, the Instinct 2X offers similar functionality with exceptional battery life. At its current price of $400–$410 on Amazon, the Instinct 2X is an excellent choice for those comfortable with the larger size. Unless you’re drawn to the new features, sticking with the Instinct 2X is the smarter, more cost-effective option.

Garmin's ECG Rollout // Frustration and Feature Limitations Compared to Apple Watch

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

Garmin's ECG Expansion: A Limited Rollout

Garmin has recently expanded the availability of its electrocardiogram (ECG) feature to several countries in Europe and Australia for select devices. This rollout, however, has been met with some confusion and frustration among users, particularly those with devices that have the hardware to support the feature but are not included in the update. This article will explore the details of this rollout and the differences between the ECG functionality offered by Garmin and the Apple Watch, including the crucial distinction of how each device handles the detection of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Supported Countries

After a lengthy regulatory approval process, Garmin's ECG feature is now available in the EU and Australia for the Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and Venu 3 smartwatches. This expansion follows the initial release of the ECG feature in the United States and some Asian countries, including Taiwan, Singapore, and Indonesia. The list of countries that now support the ECG feature on select Garmin devices includes:

Australia	Austria	Belgium
Bulgaria	Croatia	Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic	Denmark	Estonia
Finland	France	Germany
Greece	Hong Kong	Hungary
Iceland	Ireland	Italy
Latvia	Liechtenstein	Luxembourg
Malaysia	Malta	Netherlands
Norway	Philippines	Poland
Portugal	Romania	Singapore
Slovakia	Slovenia	Spain
Sweden	Taiwan	United States
Vietnam

It’s important to note that this expansion is not uniform across all Garmin devices. Specifically, the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro, which share the same sensor as the Fenix 8 and already have ECG capability in the US, are notably excluded from this EU and Australia update. This decision has been puzzling to many users, especially since Garmin certifies devices as medical devices based on a combination of the sensor and the ECG app, not the hardware name. The exclusion of these devices suggests a possible strategic move to encourage upgrades to newer models.

How to Get Started with Garmin's ECG

For users with compatible devices, the ECG feature can be activated through the Garmin Connect app. After updating the watch and the app, users can find the ECG option on their watch. The process takes about 90 seconds. It is worth noting that the ECG function is not available on public beta firmware builds until the final build is released. Once activated in a supported country, the ECG function can be used in any country.

To take an ECG reading, users must place their thumb and forefinger on the watch's bezel or designated sensor points for about 30 seconds. This active participation is required to complete the electrical circuit and generate the single-lead ECG reading. The data is then stored in the Garmin Connect app, where users can review it.

Garmin ECG vs. Apple Watch ECG: Key Differences

Medical vs. Fitness Focus

Apple Watch: FDA-cleared for detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib) and generating a single-lead ECG that can be shared with doctors. It is designed for proactive heart health monitoring and is more medically oriented.
Garmin: Primarily aimed at fitness users, offering insights into heart health and detecting irregular heart rhythms. While it can detect AFib symptoms, it is not as medically oriented as the Apple Watch and may not have the same level of FDA clearance.

Device Interaction

Apple Watch: Users place a finger on the Digital Crown to complete the circuit for an ECG reading.
Garmin: Users touch the watch bezel or designated sensor points to complete the circuit.

Ecosystem & Reporting

Apple Watch: ECG data is stored in the Apple Health app and can be exported as a PDF for doctors.
Garmin: ECG data is stored in the Garmin Connect app. While the data can be reviewed, there may not be as direct of a medical reporting feature as Apple’s implementation. Some users note that the downloadable PDF generated by the Garmin device is a nice feature.

Availability & Regulations

Apple Watch: Widely available in many regions, with FDA and other regulatory approvals.
Garmin: The availability of the Garmin ECG feature is limited to specific models and markets due to ongoing regulatory approvals.

The Crucial Difference: Continuous AFib Monitoring

One of the most significant differences between the two devices is how they handle the detection of atrial fibrillation (AFib). The Apple Watch can provide passive, continuous monitoring for AFib. It will periodically check for irregular heart rhythms in the background and alert the user if something is detected. On the other hand, Garmin's ECG feature is not designed for continuous, passive monitoring. The user must manually start the ECG test to generate a reading and check for potential AFib symptoms.

This distinction is critical for users who are particularly concerned about their heart health and potential AFib issues. The Apple Watch's continuous monitoring can provide early detection of AFib, potentially leading to earlier medical intervention. Garmin’s approach, while useful for detecting AFib symptoms, relies on the user actively initiating the test and is not designed to catch intermittent AFib events that may occur without user awareness.

Conclusion

Garmin’s rollout of the ECG feature in Europe and Australia is a significant step, but it has been marred by the exclusion of some devices, particularly the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro. This decision has led to disappointment and frustration, further highlighting the differences between Garmin and Apple's approaches to ECG functionality. While both offer ECG capabilities, the Apple Watch's continuous AFib monitoring is a key differentiator. The Garmin ECG feature is intended to offer more of a spot check to determine sinus rhythm, while the Apple Watch will look for AFib all the time and offer notifications. The Garmin ECG is more fitness-oriented than medically oriented compared to the Apple Watch.

Ultimately, both devices offer helpful ECG features, but the choice between them depends on individual needs and priorities. If continuous AFib monitoring is a priority, then the Apple Watch is the clear choice. If a user is interested in the more general fitness features of Garmin and is only interested in intermittent checks of the heart, then Garmin may still be a good choice. If Garmin wishes to retain its market position and loyal customers, it should consider that the current frustration around the limited rollout of features should be addressed.

COROS Smartwatch Software Update // A Deep Dive into the New Features

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

COROS, known for its high-performance sports watches, has recently released a significant software update that enhances the functionality and user experience of its devices. This free update, accessible through the COROS app, brings a host of improvements and new features to several models in the current lineup. This post will delve into the specifics of the update, exploring each new feature in detail and explaining how it benefits users.

Overview of the Update

The software update, released on January 17, 2025, introduces a variety of quality-of-life improvements and new functionalities designed to enhance the user experience. While there are no groundbreaking new features, the updates collectively make the watches more versatile and user-friendly.

The update is available for the following Coros devices:

COROS Pace 3
COROS Pace Pro
COROS Apex 2
COROS Apex 2 Pro
COROS Vertix 2
COROS Vertix 2S
COROS Dura

Notably, older models like the COROS Pace 2 are not included in this update. The installation process is relatively quick, taking around 10 minutes to complete on a COROS Pace Pro.

Key Upgrades in the Software Update

The software update includes several key upgrades that improve the functionality and user experience of Coros smartwatches. Here’s a detailed look at each of these updates:

1. Naming Paired Sensors and Low Battery Alerts

One of the most practical updates in this release is the ability to name paired external sensors. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who connect multiple sensors to their watches, such as heart rate monitors or cycling power sensors. Instead of relying on generic identifiers, users can now give each sensor a unique name, making it easier to identify and manage them.

To rename a sensor, users can navigate to the System menu on their Coros watch. From there they can select "Accessories," then "Added List." Users can select the specific sensor they would like to rename, then scroll to "Edit Name". The process must be completed in the Coros app to sync the name to the watch.

In addition to naming sensors, the update also introduces low battery alerts for paired accessories. This is a very useful feature because many external sensors have long battery lives, making it easy to forget to charge or replace their batteries. The Coros watch will now display a low battery warning when the sensor reaches 20% battery life or less.

2. Customizable Temperature Units

Another welcome addition is the ability to customize temperature units independently of other unit preferences. Users can now choose whether to display temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, irrespective of the units used for distance or pace measurements. This is a convenient feature for users who switch between miles and kilometers for tracking activities but prefer to view temperature in a specific unit.

The temperature settings can be customized separately on the watch and in the app.

3. Enhanced Turn-by-Turn Directions

The software update also enhances the turn-by-turn directions feature. Now, turn-by-turn directions can be displayed as a data field within activities. This means the next instruction on the route will remain on screen, instead of appearing only when approaching a turn.

4. Post-Activity Change of Activity Type

Another useful update is the ability to change the activity type after saving it. If a user selects the wrong sports mode during an activity, they can now change it in the Coros app after saving. This feature is limited to running, walking, and cycling activities and allows the user to modify the activity to a similar sport type.

5. Recovering Deleted Activities

Accidental deletion of an activity is something that can occur occasionally. To address this issue, the software update introduces a feature to recover deleted activities. If an activity is accidentally deleted in the Coros app, it can now be recovered from the 'recently deleted' section of the activities page. Users can restore activities deleted within the last 30 days, and the recovered data will count towards fitness metrics.

6. Group Tracking Improvements

The group tracking feature has also been improved with this update. This feature allows users to see the real-time locations of their teammates on a map when participating in activities together. The update adds the first and last initials of each team member to the map, making it easier to identify the location of each individual.

7. New Data Field Metrics

The update introduces new data field metrics, such as power to weight ratio, expressed in watts per kilogram (w/kg). This metric is useful for users who want more insight into their power data when using a paired power meter. It provides valuable data on performance relative to body weight.

8. Enhanced Data Page Customization

The software update also provides enhancements for data page customization. The design for customizing data pages in the Coros app has been updated to make it more user-friendly. Users can now more easily add, delete, rearrange, and customize all of their metrics for each activity mode.

9. Superlock Setting for Outdoor Climb Mode

For those who use their Coros watches for outdoor climbing, there is a new Superlock setting that has been added to the Outdoor Climb mode. This unique setting helps to prevent unintended unlocking and mis-operation during climbs. When toggled on, the watch will auto-lock after 10 seconds of inactivity.

10. Multisport Mode Updates

The multisport mode has been updated to allow 10 different activities to be rotated between or repeated indefinitely. This makes it easier for users to accurately track activities such as swimruns or HYROX events.

11. DURA Specific Updates

The COROS DURA receives several unique updates, including a revamped homepage that features the time of day, date, and ambient temperature, along with the scheduled workout for the day. The DURA also has new data fields available, such as charts, power to weight ratio, turn by turn indicators, and the option to add data fields to navigation pages in full screen mode.

These data field enhancements include:

Charts: Power, speed, heart, and cadence data can now be viewed in a highly visual chart format.
Power to weight ratio: Power data can be viewed in watts per kilogram.
Turn-by-turn: When following a route, users can view each upcoming turn and the distance remaining.
Add data fields to navigation pages: Users can now add up to three data fields below the main navigation page, a feature that was previously limited to split-screen mode.

How to Install the Update

To access this software update, users will need to update their Coros app on their phone, then install the update on the watch. The installation process takes approximately 10 minutes.

Conclusion

The latest software update from COROS is a substantial set of improvements that enhances the functionality and usability of its smartwatches. From customizable sensor names and low battery alerts to improved turn-by-turn directions and the ability to modify activity types, these updates cater to both everyday users and serious athletes. The updates are not groundbreaking but are focused on improving the user experience. These enhancements further solidify Coros's position as a provider of high-quality sports watches. By providing these detailed updates, Coros continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing user experience and providing useful tools for athletes of all kinds. Whether you are a casual runner, a dedicated cyclist, or an outdoor enthusiast, these updates make the Coros smartwatches even more valuable and versatile.

Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED: Release Date, Price, and Full Specs

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

Garmin has unveiled the Instinct 3 series, a modest step forward in a lineup that has long defined rugged, adventure-ready smartwatches. Over the years, the Instinct series has earned its reputation among outdoor enthusiasts and athletes for durability, reliability, and, above all, exceptional battery life. Let’s see if the Instinct 3 continues to build on that legacy.

Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Release Date

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED was announced on January 6, 2025 at CES and became available to order on January 10, 2025. The AMOLED models launched in two sizes, the 45mm at $449.99 and the 50mm at $499.99, with the solar MIP versions ($399.99 and $449.99) and the budget Instinct E ($299) hitting shelves at the same time. All three lines have been available ever since, so there's no waiting list or second wave, you can buy one today.

The AMOLED option was the headline addition here. It's the first time the Instinct series has offered anything other than Garmin's classic MIP (memory-in-pixel) display, and it arrived alongside 5x better solar charging on the MIP models, a flashlight on every size, and multiband GPS across the whole lineup.

What's New?

The Instinct 3 series introduces some significant changes. Here’s a breakdown of the key upgrades:

AMOLED Display Option: For the first time in the Instinct series, Garmin offers an AMOLED display alongside the traditional MIP (memory-in-pixel) display. This modern upgrade provides vibrant colors and sharper visuals. The AMOLED versions come in 1.2” (45mm) and 1.3” (50mm) sizes.
Enhanced Solar Charging: Solar charging has improved significantly, with a claimed 5x increase in solar power compared to the Instinct 2 Solar. This upgrade translates to potentially longer battery life for outdoor activities.
Flashlight Across All Sizes: The integrated LED flashlight, previously exclusive to the Instinct 2X, is now available on both 45mm and 50mm models. It includes four white brightness levels and a red light option, making it ideal for low-light conditions.
Durability Upgrade: A metal reinforcement ring has been added to the bezel, increasing the watch’s resistance to impacts and shocks.
Improved GNSS/GPS: All Instinct 3 models now feature multiband/dual-frequency GNSS/GPS, improving accuracy in challenging environments like urban canyons or dense forests.
Garmin SatIQ: This new feature dynamically adjusts GPS settings to optimize battery life without sacrificing accuracy.
Expanded Software Features: The Instinct 3 includes:
- Hill Score
- Endurance Score
- Training Load Focus and Ratio
- Multisport/Triathlon Auto Transition
- Nap Detection
- Sleep Coach
- Garmin Share and Garmin Messenger compatibility
- Garmin Pay (standard)
- Large font mode
- Muscle Map and Strength Workout Animations (AMOLED only)
- HRV Status
- VO2 Max

The Instinct 3 Lineup: A Closer Look

The Instinct 3 series offers several models catering to different user needs and budgets:

Instinct 3 AMOLED: The showstopper with its vibrant AMOLED display. It comes in 45mm and 50mm sizes, offering up to 24 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (non-always-on display) and 9 days with the always-on display. However, the AMOLED models do not support solar charging.
Instinct 3 Solar: Retaining the rugged MIP display, the solar models prioritize battery life and durability. With sufficient sunlight exposure, they can potentially achieve unlimited battery life. Available in 45mm (0.9”) and 50mm (1.1”) sizes.
Instinct E: The budget-friendly option, available in 40mm and 45mm sizes. It lacks solar charging, the flashlight, multi-band GPS, and Garmin Pay. Battery life ranges from 14 days (40mm) to 16 days (45mm).

The Not-So-Good News: What's Missing?

While the Instinct 3 series has many impressive features, it’s not without its flaws:

No Garmin Elevate V5 HR Sensor: Garmin stuck with the older Gen 4 sensor, meaning no EKG or skin temperature tracking—features available on many competitors.
No Maps: Despite its outdoor focus, the Instinct 3 only offers breadcrumb navigation. Competitors at similar price points provide full mapping capabilities.
No Touchscreen on AMOLED Models: Surprisingly, the AMOLED versions lack touchscreens, making navigation less intuitive.
Storage Limitations: With only 3.7 GB of storage (2.7 GB already occupied), there's insufficient space for maps or major future updates.
Instinct E as a Downgrade: The stripped-down Instinct E lacks features previously found in the Instinct 2, making it less appealing despite the lower price.

Design and Usability

The rugged, G-Shock-inspired design remains a hallmark of the Instinct series. Key design elements include:

Display Options: Choose between the vibrant AMOLED display and the MIP display, which excels in battery life and sunlight readability.
Buttons-Only Navigation: Consistent with the series, navigation relies on physical buttons, which may feel outdated for users accustomed to touchscreens.
Comfortable Fit: The lightweight materials and wraparound strap design ensure all-day comfort.

Battery Life: A Garmin Signature

Battery performance varies across the models:

Solar Models: With improved solar charging, these models offer potentially unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with adequate sunlight.
AMOLED Models: Provide up to 24 days (non-always-on display) and 9 days (always-on display).
Instinct E: Delivers 14-16 days, depending on size.

Pricing and Value

The Instinct 3 series spans several price points:

Instinct E: $299
Instinct 3 Solar: $399 (45mm), $449 (50mm)
Instinct 3 AMOLED: $449 (45mm), $499 (50mm)

At these prices, the lack of maps and a Gen 5 HR sensor is a tough pill to swallow.

Final Thoughts: Is the Garmin Instinct 3 Worth It?

The Garmin Instinct 3 is a mixed bag. It offers notable improvements, like the AMOLED display, enhanced solar charging, and expanded software features. However, the omission of key features—like the Elevate V5 HR sensor, maps, and a touchscreen—limits its appeal.

Who It’s For:

Rugged outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing durability and battery life.
Those interested in a vibrant AMOLED display but who don't need a touchscreen.

Who Should Skip It:

Users seeking full mapping capabilities or the latest HR sensor technology.
Those expecting a touchscreen interface on an AMOLED display.

Ultimately, the Instinct 3 will appeal most to fans of the series, while newcomers should carefully weigh the pros and cons before committing.

After 100 Days Is The Vantage M3 Polar’s Best Watch?

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:12:03 GMT

I've been using the Polar Vantage M3 GPS sports watch for about 100 days now and Polar has packed a lot into this watch, including sleep and recovery tracking, mapping, heart rate monitoring, and over 150 sports profiles. Let's dive into what makes the Vantage M3 stand out.

Design and Display

Comparing the Vantage M3 to its predecessor, the M2, reveals significant upgrades, notably the 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen display. This display is incredibly bright at 1500 nits, surpassing competitors like the Vantage V3 and Grit X2 Pro. It's ideal for outdoor visibility, offering sharp 326ppi resolution for clear map navigation.

Buying Options & What’s in the Box

The Polar Vantage M3 is priced at $400 and comes in Night Black and Greige Sand. In the box, you get the watch, a second 22mm silicone band, Polar Charge 2.0 charging cable, and documentation. The Polar Flow app complements the watch, providing comprehensive training and workout analysis.

More Hardware Details

The stainless steel bezel and textured buttons give the Vantage M3 a premium look and feel. Protected by Gorilla Glass, the display is durable against scratches. With 32GB storage, it holds ample training data and comes pre-installed with topographical maps for Europe and North America.

GPS Accuracy

Equipped with multi-band GPS, the Vantage M3 leverages multiple satellites and frequencies for precise location tracking. While GPS accuracy is generally excellent, occasional minor deviations were observed, especially in Polar’s Better Accuracy Mode.

Battery Life

Battery life varies depending on usage settings. In Power Save Mode, the Vantage M3 can last up to 70 hours, suitable for extended activities. In regular use with the display always on, expect around 30 hours. Charging is via a new Polar Charge 2.0 connector.

Heart Rate Sensor

The Elixir heart rate sensor, shared with Polar’s high-end models, provides accurate readings during workouts. It supports ECG readings and blood oxygen saturation monitoring, enhancing health insights for users.

Comparisons

Competitive options like the Suunto Race S and COROS Pace Pro offer similar features at slightly lower prices. Each watch ecosystem, including Polar Flow, offers unique benefits for tracking and analyzing fitness data.

Conclusions

After extensive testing, the Polar Vantage M3 impresses with its feature-rich design and competitive pricing. It integrates Polar’s latest technologies into a more affordable package, making it a top contender in its class. Whether you prioritize bright displays, precise GPS, or comprehensive health tracking, the Vantage M3 delivers.

What are your thoughts on the Polar Vantage M3? Have you tried it, or are you considering it? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.

10 GPS Watch Trends For 2025

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 23:46:37 GMT

What can we expect from GPS Watches in 2025? Well, I have some ideas. Some of which are blatantly obvious and probably more realistic, others that are more optimistic trends or maybe more hopeful predictions.

1. AMOLED All The Things

In 2023 and 2024, we started to see more watch brands gravitate away from Memory In Pixel displays (MIP) and toward AMOLED screens. Apple has long used AMOLED, and Garmin reintroduced the Epix in 2022 with an AMOLED screen. The popularity of such displays has led to transitions across various models from different brands like Polar's Vantage V3 and Suunto's Race series. Despite being brighter and sharper, AMOLED screens are less energy-efficient, often using features like raise-to-wake to mitigate this.

2. Rolling Down of Features By Unifying Software

High-end features are increasingly trickling down to more affordable GPS watches. Brands like Garmin and Polar are incorporating advanced functionalities such as Triathlon modes into their mid-range models like the Forerunner 165. This trend simplifies software management and enhances feature parity across product lines.

3. Diving Computers

Advanced features like dive capabilities, once exclusive to high-end models like the Garmin Fenix series, are becoming more common. Brands like Amazfit are also integrating diving features into their latest models, reflecting a broader adoption across the industry.

4. Microphones, Speakers, and Voice Assistants, Oh My

The integration of microphones and speakers, exemplified by Garmin's Fenix 8, points towards a future where voice assistants on smartwatches play a more significant role. While adoption remains limited, advancements in AI may drive increased functionality and utility for these features in the coming years.

5. Built-in Flashlights

Garmin pioneered the integration of dedicated LED flashlights in their Fenix series, highlighting a practical addition that enhances user convenience. As this feature gains popularity, other brands are likely to follow suit, integrating similar functionalities across their product ranges.

6. GPS Accuracy - Becomes a Non-Issue

Advancements in multi-band GPS and antenna design are poised to eliminate accuracy concerns, even in challenging environments like wooded areas or urban canyons. This improvement represents a significant leap forward in user experience, making GPS watches more reliable across various activities.

7. Improved Health Monitoring

Beyond basic fitness tracking, future GPS watches may offer enhanced health monitoring capabilities. Potential advancements include more accurate stress tracking, deeper insights into sleep patterns, and even innovations like blood glucose monitoring via optical sensors.

8. Micro LED Displays

The introduction of MicroLED displays promises brighter and more energy-efficient screens compared to AMOLED technology. While currently limited to select devices like Apple's Vision Pro, broader adoption could lead to significant improvements in battery life and display quality.

9. Enhanced AI Coaching

Expectations for AI-powered coaching features are growing, with potential applications ranging from real-time performance analysis to personalized training plans. Integrated AI coaches could provide actionable insights and guidance, enhancing the overall training experience.

10. Advanced Biometric Authentication

Future GPS watches may feature advanced biometric authentication methods, such as personal ECG patterns or vein mapping via optical sensors. These innovations aim to enhance security without compromising user convenience, potentially revolutionizing how users interact with their devices.

So, these are the ten trends I anticipate for GPS watches in 2025. While some are ambitious and may require regulatory approvals, they reflect the ongoing evolution of wearable technology.

What are your thoughts on these predictions? What features are you hoping to see in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Review - A Budget Alternative to High-End Sports Watches?

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 23:46:37 GMT

In the competitive realm of rugged sports watches, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 stands out as a compelling option, boasting an impressive array of features at a fraction of the price of its high-end counterparts. Priced at just $279 (and sometimes available at an even lower $234), this military-grade GPS watch packs a punch with its robust capabilities and sleek design.

Design and Features

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 sports a distinctive octagonal shape that sets it apart from its predecessors like the T-Rex 2. Despite its slightly unconventional design, it's ergonomic and comfortable, especially with the ability to swap out the 22mm watch bands for a personalized touch. The standout feature here is the 1.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, which not only offers ample real estate but also shines brightly at 2000 nits, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight.

New to the T-Rex 3 is a skin temperature sensor, integrated microphone for voice commands and text replies, and a night mode that adjusts display colors for reduced eye strain in low-light conditions. These additions enhance both usability and versatility, catering to active users who demand more from their wearables.

Performance and Battery Life

Powered by a substantial 700mAh battery, the T-Rex 3 boasts exceptional longevity. Amazfit claims up to 27 days of battery life under typical usage conditions, including regular heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and moderate notifications. Real-world testing suggests around 20 days with similar settings, which remains impressive for a watch with such a vibrant display.

For GPS enthusiasts, the T-Rex 3 offers multiple modes catering to different needs. Whether you're running a marathon or exploring off-grid trails, the watch delivers reliable tracking with up to 42 hours in accurate GPS mode. Users can extend battery life further by opting for Power Save or Custom modes, tailoring the watch's performance to suit specific activities.

GPS Accuracy and Mapping

One of the T-Rex 3's strengths lies in its GPS accuracy, providing detailed and reliable tracking across various outdoor activities. The watch supports offline maps, allowing users to download maps directly onto the device for navigation without relying on a phone signal. While the maps aren't routable, they include essential details like elevation changes and trail labels, making them practical for hiking and exploring.

Heart Rate Monitoring and Health Features

Equipped with the BioTracker™ PPG biometric sensor, the T-Rex 3 offers improved heart rate monitoring and estimates blood oxygen saturation levels. While not as advanced as ECG functionality found in higher-priced models, it provides reliable data for fitness enthusiasts seeking to track their performance and recovery.

Comparison to Competitors

When compared to premium alternatives like the Garmin Fenix 8, the T-Rex 3 holds its own with a larger, brighter display and competitive features like detailed mapping and extensive sports tracking capabilities. While it lacks some advanced metrics and features like streaming music support, its affordability and solid performance make it a viable choice for budget-conscious users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 emerges as a strong contender in the rugged sports watch category, offering a compelling blend of features, durability, and affordability. While it may not dethrone high-end brands like Garmin in every aspect, its value proposition and robust performance make it a noteworthy option for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness buffs alike.

Whether you're a seasoned athlete or someone looking to step up their fitness game without breaking the bank, the T-Rex 3 delivers on its promise of functionality, durability, and style.

After 100 Days // Is the Apple Watch Series 10 Worth It?

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 22:40:32 GMT

After 100 Days - Is the Apple Watch Series 10 Worth It?

It's been exactly 100 days since I got my hands on the aluminum Apple Watch Series 10, in both 42mm and 46mm sizes. Today, we're diving into two simple questions: how have they held up, and are they worth your investment?

Introduction: Design and Sizing

Announced in early September, the Series 10 boasts slightly larger sizes—42mm and 46mm—and a more rounded, thinner design compared to its predecessors. The reduction from 10.7mm to 9.7mm in thickness makes a noticeable difference, offering a sleeker profile on the wrist.

For my 165mm wrists, the 46mm Series 10 feels perfect, while my sister-in-law preferred the 42mm version for her 152mm wrist size. Keep in mind, the larger size comes with a slightly higher price tag: $400 for the 42mm and $430 for the 46mm in aluminum, and $700 and $750 respectively for titanium versions.

Durability After 100 Days

After 100 days of use, durability remains a critical factor. The Jet Black Aluminum has held up well with minimal scratches, except for noticeable ones on the 42mm model's screen, due to its Ion‑X front glass. For rugged use, consider opting for the titanium version with a more durable Sapphire front crystal or use screen protectors to prevent such issues.

Performance and Hardware Updates

Under the hood, the Series 10 features the S10 System in Package Processor, a refined version of Apple's previous chip. While performance improvements are marginal, the highlight is the new wide-angle OLED display, offering better edge-to-edge viewing and improved energy efficiency, though it still requires daily charging.

Battery Life and Fast Charging

Apple promises up to 18 hours of normal use or 36 hours in Low Power Mode. During outdoor GPS activities, expect around 7 hours of battery life, which may not suffice for ultra-endurance events but suits regular use. Fast charging capabilities allow up to 80% charge in 30 minutes with Apple's fast-charging puck.

GPS Accuracy

Unlike the AW Ultra 2, the Series 10 lacks dual-band GPS, but its single-band performance remains reliable in most scenarios, even in dense urban or rugged outdoor environments.

Health and Fitness Features

With WatchOS 11, Apple introduces the Vitals App for sleep health metrics, excluding blood oxygen saturation in the US due to patent issues. The Training Load feature provides effort scores based on heart rate and duration, although detailed numbers are omitted. Additional features like Sleep Apnea Detection and apps for offline maps, tides, and translations enhance functionality.

What’s Missing Compared to the Ultra 2?

Compared to the AW Ultra 2, the Series 10 lacks extended battery life, an action button, a siren, precision GPS start, deeper diving capabilities, and a brighter display. Price-wise, the Ultra 2 at $800 is significantly more expensive.

Conclusion

After 100 days, is the Apple Watch Series 10 worth it? For Series 9 owners, the incremental upgrades may not justify an immediate upgrade. However, if you're using an older Apple Watch, the Series 10 offers worthwhile improvements in design, features, and software enhancements with WatchOS 11.

Looking ahead, while Apple continues to refine rather than revolutionize its smartwatch, future innovations like blood pressure monitoring and advanced AI features could reshape the landscape.

What are your thoughts on the Apple Watch Series 10? If you own one, how has your experience been? Do you think it's worth the upgrade, or are you waiting for more substantial changes? Share your opinions in the comments below.

A Close Look At The Black Apple Watch Ultra 2 After 100 Days Of Wear

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 22:40:32 GMT

Introduction: Design and Sizing

Durability After 100 Days

Performance and Hardware Updates

Battery Life and Fast Charging

GPS Accuracy

Unlike the AW Ultra 2, the Series 10 lacks dual-band GPS, but its single-band performance remains reliable in most scenarios, even in dense urban or rugged outdoor environments.

Health and Fitness Features

What’s Missing Compared to the Ultra 2?

Conclusion

Looking ahead, while Apple continues to refine rather than revolutionize its smartwatch, future innovations like blood pressure monitoring and advanced AI features could reshape the landscape.

Google Pixel Watch 3 // Bigger, Smarter, and Ready for Athletes

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 11:32:03 GMT

Google has officially announced the Pixel Watch 3 at its "Made by Google" event in 2024, introducing significant upgrades aimed at enhancing user experience. The new smartwatch now comes in two sizes, improving comfort and accessibility for a wider audience. With extended battery life, improved display technology, and advanced fitness tracking capabilities, the Pixel Watch 3 is poised to be a strong contender in the smartwatch market. Pre-orders are available now, with the watch expected to be released on September 10th.

A Closer Look at the Hardware and Design

One of the most noticeable updates in the Pixel Watch 3 is the introduction of a 45mm size option, addressing concerns from users who felt the original 41mm model was too small. The larger display is not just about size—it offers a 40% increase in screen real estate, making notifications, workouts, and other data easier to read at a glance. Additionally, Google has reduced the bezel size on the 41mm model by 16%, providing a more immersive display experience.

The AMOLED-LTPO display is another major enhancement, featuring a dynamic refresh rate that adjusts between 1Hz and 60Hz, optimizing battery efficiency. For outdoor visibility, the watch now reaches an impressive 2,000 nits of brightness, while also supporting a minimum brightness of 1 nit, which is ideal for nighttime use.

Battery Life and Charging Improvements

Battery life has been a major focus for Google in this update. The Pixel Watch 3 offers 24 hours of use with the always-on display active, while a battery saver mode extends it to 36 hours. Charging speeds have also been improved, with the device now charging 20% faster, reducing the time required for a full charge by approximately 15 minutes. These enhancements are largely due to the dual-chip architecture, which assigns one core to handle intensive tasks and another to manage background processes efficiently.

Enhanced Fitness and Health Features

Google continues to emphasize fitness and health tracking with the Pixel Watch 3, introducing several key upgrades. The watch still uses the same heart rate sensor as previous models but has a new algorithm designed to improve accuracy, particularly during high-intensity activities such as running. This updated algorithm aims to differentiate between cadence and heart rate, addressing inaccuracies in previous models.

For runners, the Pixel Watch 3 now captures advanced running metrics, including ground contact time, vertical oscillation, stride length, and cadence. The Fitbit app integration allows users to analyze running form over time, helping to track improvements and optimize performance.

The Workout Builder is another exciting addition, allowing users to create customized workouts with intervals, targets for pace, heart rate, distance, and calorie goals. The watch provides real-time guidance with haptic and audible alerts to ensure users stay within their planned workout structure. These tools make the Pixel Watch 3 a valuable companion for both casual exercisers and serious athletes.

Training and Recovery Features

Beyond workouts, the Pixel Watch 3 introduces new features designed to help users manage recovery and training load. Cardio Load tracks the intensity of workouts based on heart rate zones and duration, while the Readiness Score—now free for all users—provides insights into whether the body is prepared for intense activity or needs more rest. Target Load takes this a step further by suggesting how much training intensity a user should aim for each day, based on recent activity and recovery data.

The Morning Brief feature is another welcome addition, offering users a quick snapshot of their heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, readiness score, and fitness streaks first thing in the morning. These updates solidify the Pixel Watch 3’s position as a serious fitness and wellness tool.

Smartwatch Features and Google Integrations

Google has also refined its smartwatch ecosystem by improving Google service integrations. The Pixel Watch 3 introduces Nest Camera Live View, enabling users to see and respond to their security cameras directly from their wrist. It also functions as a Google TV remote, allowing users to control playback and adjust settings without reaching for their phone.

For those who rely on their smartwatch for everyday convenience, the Pixel Watch 3 supports Ultra-Wideband (UWB) unlocking, enabling users to unlock their Pixel phone or compatible cars just by wearing the watch. A new Find My Phone feature further enhances usability, making it easier to locate misplaced devices.

The Pixel Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, which brings efficiency improvements, faster animations, and better overall performance. Fitbit Premium has also been updated to provide AI-powered workout recommendations and deeper analysis of training loads and heart rate zones.

Pricing and Availability

The Pixel Watch 3 is available for pre-order now, with an official release expected around September 10th. Pricing varies based on size and connectivity:

41mm (Wi-Fi): $349
41mm (LTE): $449
45mm (Wi-Fi): $399
45mm (LTE): $499

Early Impressions and Anticipated Improvements

Initial hands-on experiences with the Pixel Watch 3 have been positive, with users praising the larger display, improved battery life, and new training features. However, there are still areas where users hope to see further refinements:

GPS Accuracy: There is interest in whether Google has improved GPS precision, particularly in urban environments and wooded areas.
Data Export Capabilities: Users are requesting support for TCX/FIT file exports to integrate workouts with platforms like Strava and TrainingPeaks.
Integration with Third-Party Apps: Many fitness enthusiasts want better native support for TrainingPeaks and more advanced analytics tools.
Display Customization: Some users would appreciate greater flexibility in customizing font sizes and data screen layouts.
Improved Heart Rate Broadcasting: Reliability when connecting to external devices such as bike computers and gym equipment remains an area of concern.
Restoration of Fitbit Web Dashboard: The removal of this feature has frustrated users who prefer analyzing their data on a larger screen.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel Watch 3 builds on its predecessor with meaningful improvements in display size, battery life, and fitness tracking. The addition of advanced running metrics, workout customization, and enhanced recovery insights makes it a compelling choice for those invested in their health and fitness journey. However, its real-world performance—especially in GPS accuracy and battery efficiency—will ultimately determine whether it can compete with Garmin and Apple in the smartwatch market. For now, the Pixel Watch 3 stands as Google’s most refined smartwatch yet, bringing Wear OS closer to being a true fitness and lifestyle powerhouse.