Last Updated: August 25, 2026 — Garmin officially launched the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro today at its “Play Harder” event. Every Fenix 9 reference on this page has been updated from “expected” to confirmed pricing, specs, and availability. The Enduro 4 was not part of today’s announcement — see the Garmin section below for details.
Buying a smartwatch in 2026 is genuinely complicated — not because the options are bad, but because the timing matters more than it has in years.
Between now and October, every major brand is releasing something new. Some launches are worth waiting for. Others won’t meaningfully change the category. And several watches available right now are the correct buy regardless of what’s coming.
SmartWatchInsight has been tracking every smartwatch release since early 2026. This is the only guide you need — upcoming launches, already-available picks, what works with your phone, and which watches fit your budget and lifestyle.
We update this page within 24 hours of every official announcement. Bookmark it.
2026 Complete Smartwatch Launch Calendar
| Watch | Brand | Expected Launch | Status | Our Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Cirqa | Garmin | July 21, 2026 | Launched — on sale July 24 | Cirqa full Review |
| Garmin Vivosmart 6 | Garmin | Imminent | Imminent | vs Fitbit Air |
| Galaxy Watch 9 | Samsung | July 22, 2026 | Launched — ships Aug 7 | Full Review |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | Samsung | July 22, 2026 | Confirmed ships Aug 7 | Full Review |
| Garmin Muscle Battery | Garmin | August 2026 | Did not ship with Fenix 9 — not part of the confirmed spec sheet | Coming soon |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Apple | September 2026 | Strong leak | 2026 features |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Apple | September 2026 | Strong leak | Ultra 4 leaks |
| Garmin Fenix 9 | Garmin | August 25, 2026 | Launched — orders open August 28 | Fenix 9 guide |
| Garmin Fenix 9 Pro | Garmin | August 25, 2026 | Launched alongside base model — orders open August 28 | Fenix 9 guide |
| Garmin Enduro 4 | Garmin | Q3 2026 (unconfirmed) | Not part of the August 25 event — status unclear, downgraded from “event confirmed” | Enduro 4 leaks |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 | August 12, 2026 | Launched — ships Aug 20 | Full Review | |
| Apple Watch SE 4 | Apple | 2027 | Leaked | Apple Watch SE 4 |
| Suunto Race 3 / Race 3 S | | Suunto | 2026, Race 3 S expected first | Names confirmed via Singapore/Malaysia regulatory filings | Full Comparison | |
Status key:
- ✅ Officially confirmed launch date
- 🔵 Multiple independent credible sources agree
- 🟡 Single source or early stage — treat with caution
Not sure if Cirqa is worth the jump from a cheaper tracker? Read: Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air.
Already Available — Best Smartwatches Right Now
These watches are on sale today. No waiting required.
| Watch | Price | Battery | GPS | Best For | SmartWatchInsight Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | $249 | 11-12 days | ✅ | Budget runners | 8.5/10 |
| Garmin Forerunner 265 | ~$349 | 13 days | ✅ Dual-band | Mid-range runners | 8.5/10 |
| Garmin Forerunner 570 | ~$549 | 15 days | ✅ Dual-band | Serious runners | 9/10 |
| Garmin Venu 4 (41mm) | $499 | 8-9 days | ✅ Dual-band | Lifestyle + fitness | 9/10 |
| Garmin Vivoactive 6 | ~$299 | 11 days | ✅ | Casual fitness | 8/10 |
| Garmin Fenix 9 (43mm/47mm) | $999.99 | 10-16 days | Multi-band + SatIQ | Outdoor / multisport | Testing in progress |
| Garmin Fenix 9 (51mm) | $1,099.99 | 29 days | Multi-band + SatIQ | Outdoor / multisport, larger wrists | Testing in progress |
| Garmin Fenix 9 Pro Solar (51mm) | $1,199 | 57 days / 291 days power-saving | Multi-band + SatIQ | Expedition / ultra-endurance | Testing in progress |
| Garmin Instinct 3 | ~$449 | 24-30 hrs | ✅ | Rugged outdoor | 8.5/10 |
| Google Pixel Watch 4 | ~$349 | 36-40 hrs | ✅ | Pixel phone users | 8/10 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | ~$249 | 40 hrs | ✅ Dual-band | Samsung phone users | 8/10 |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | $399 | 24 hrs | ✅ | iPhone users | 8.5/10 |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | $199 | 18 hrs | ✅ | Budget iPhone | 7.5/10 |
| Fitbit Air | $99 | 7 days | ❌ Connected only | Budget tracker | 7.5/10 |
| Amazfit Balance 2 | ~$199 | 14 days | ✅ | Budget health | 8/10 |
| Coros Pace 3 | $229 | 17-38 hrs | ✅ Dual-band | Serious runners | 8.5/10 |
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | $249 | 11-12 days | ✅ | Budget Garmin | 8.5/10 |
| Garmin CIRQA | $199.99 | 10 Days | phone require | 24/7 recovery/sleep companion | Coming Soon |
| Galaxy Watch 9 | $379.99(40mm) | 40 hrs | Dual-band | Samsung phone users | Coming Soon |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | $699.99 | Not yet independently tested | Dual-band Outdoor + | Samsung users | Coming Soon |
Ratings by Sunil Bhatt, Smartwatch Insight — based on 30+ days personal testing per watch. Fenix 9 ratings pending our full 30-day test period; specs above are Garmin’s official confirmed figures.
Casual runner wondering which Garmin to buy before fall launches? Read this first.
What’s Launching This Month — June/July 2026
Garmin Cirqa — Recovery Band
Status: ✅ Launched July 21, 2026 — available to buy from July 24, 2026
Garmin announced Cirqa on July 21, one day after our “any day now” call — the FCC window and Romanian support-page leak turned out to be accurate signals. Here’s what changed from our pre-launch expectations:
Confirmed specs:
- Price: $199.99 / £179.99 / €199.99 — significantly lower than our ~$420 estimate
- ANT+ support confirmed — we had expected Bluetooth-only, which was wrong
- 10-day battery life (officially confirmed, not estimated)
- Elevate Gen 4 sensor with skin temperature (not Gen 5 as we’d expected) — SpO2 and skin temperature confirmed via a Garmin support-page leak ahead of launch
- 4 color options at launch (more than the two colorways we’d expected)
- No mandatory subscription for core features, as expected — some features do require Garmin Connect+
Who it’s for: Existing Garmin watch owners who want 24/7 recovery and sleep tracking without wearing their main watch overnight.
Full comparison: Garmin Cirqa vs Whoop — Should You Wait or Buy Now?
Wondering if Cirqa makes sense if you’re not a runner or athlete? Read: Is Garmin Cirqa Worth It for Non-Athletes?
Garmin Vivosmart 6 — Slim Fitness Band
Status: Imminent — regulatory filings cleared
First Vivosmart in series history with built-in standalone GPS. Expected at $150–$180 — may launch alongside the Cirqa as a twin announcement.
Who should wait: Anyone who goes for walks or casual runs and wants GPS without carrying their phone.
Full comparison: Garmin Vivosmart 6 vs Fitbit Air — Which Should You Buy?
July 22, 2026 — Samsung Unpacked London
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 LAUNCHED
Status: ✅ Launched July 22, 2026, at Galaxy Unpacked London — ships August 7
Samsung confirmed the Galaxy Watch 9 as expected on July 22. One correction from our pre-launch coverage: we’d guessed the chip would “most likely” stay on Exynos W1000, matching the Watch 8. That was wrong — Samsung confirmed the Watch 9 uses the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset as the Ultra 2, not a carried-over Exynos chip.
What’s confirmed:
- Sizes: 40mm and 44mm — no Classic model, as we expected
- Chip: Snapdragon Wear Elite (3nm) — corrected from our Exynos W1000 guess
- Battery: 390mAh (40mm) / 445mAh (44mm) — close to, though slightly higher than, the 382mAh figure in earlier leaks
- Price: $379.99 (40mm, no LTE) / ~$409 (44mm) — higher than our ~$349+ estimate
- Colors: Confirmed as Graphite/Cream (40mm) and Graphite/Silver (44mm)
- OS: Wear OS 7 + One UI 9 Watch
- New Samsung Health platform confirmed with Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, and Fitness Index
- Bundled 60-day Strava trial and 2-month iFIT trial at launch
- IP68, 5ATM, MIL-STD-810H durability, sapphire crystal display
Should you buy Galaxy Watch 8 now? No longer relevant — Watch 9 has launched. If you specifically want Watch 8, expect ongoing price drops now that Watch 9 is out.
Should you buy Galaxy Watch 8 now? No. 26 days is nothing. Galaxy Watch 8 prices will drop $50–$100 immediately after July 22.
Full guide: Galaxy Watch 9 & Watch Ultra 2: Officially Launched — Full Specs (2026)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 LAUNCHED
Status: ✅ Launched July 22, 2026 — ships August 7
What’s confirmed:
- Chip: Snapdragon Wear Elite — confirmed, matching the Watch 9
- Battery: 800mAh (35% larger than original Ultra) — confirmed as expected
- Price: $699.99 confirmed — near the top of our earlier ~$649–$699 estimate range
- 5G: NOT included. Samsung’s official spec sheet lists only LTE, Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi, and NFC — our earlier “5G: Yes, US and South Korea” claim was incorrect and has been removed.
- Display: 5,000-nit peak brightness (confirmed)
- Durability: IP69K, EN13319 dive certification
Correction note: We previously reported 5G support for the Ultra 2 based on pre-launch leaks. Samsung’s official announcement does not include 5G connectivity.
We’re flagging this clearly rather than quietly editing it out — if 5G specifically was a deciding factor for you, know that it isn’t part of the confirmed spec.
For the complete breakdown including whether it’s worth upgrading from the original and how it compares to Apple Watch Ultra 2, see our dedicated Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 buyer’s guide.
Choosing between Watch 9 and Ultra 2? Galaxy Watch 9 vs Ultra 2 — Which Should You Buy?
September 2026 — Apple Fall Event
Apple Watch Series 12
Status: 🔵 Strong leak — September 2026
What’s expected:
- New S11 chip — first real upgrade since Series 9
- Blood pressure monitoring — strong rumor
- watchOS 27: Gemini AI, new watch faces, Dynamic App Grid
- Starting price: ~$399 — same as Series 11
Should you buy Apple Watch Series 11 now? Only at a meaningful discount. September is ~10 weeks away.
Full guide: Apple Watch 2026 complete featur
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Status: 🔵 Strong leak — September 2026
What’s expected:
- 10–15% thinner case, and a new S11 or S12 chip — reportedly the first meaningful CPU jump since the S9, since the Ultra 3 carried over its predecessor’s chip
- New sensor ring array — more accurate HR during exercise
- Real-time blood pressure alerts — under FDA review, a stronger signal than most Ultra 4 rumors Touch ID — recently downgraded to roughly a 25% likelihood; reportedly deprioritized in favor of battery and sensor work
- Battery: 42–72 hours expected Expected price: ~$799–$899
Should you buy Apple Watch Ultra 3 now? Only if deeply discounted. September is ~10 weeks away.
Full guide: Apple Watch Ultra 4 complete leaks
Fall 2026 — Garmin Launches
Garmin’s “Play Harder” event streamed as scheduled on August 25, 2026, and officially launched the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro. The Enduro 4 was not part of today’s announcement — if it’s still coming, it wasn’t bundled with the Fenix 9 launch as this page previously speculated, based on the “GOBI” codename appearing in Garmin’s software.
Garmin Fenix 9 — ✅ Officially Launched
Status: ✅ Launched August 25, 2026 — orders open August 28
- Price: $999.99 (43mm/47mm base) · $1,099.99 (51mm base) · $1,099 (Pro 43mm/47mm) · $1,199 (Pro 51mm) · +$100 for inReach on any Pro size
- Display: AMOLED across the board, over 2x brighter than Fenix 8; Pro AMOLED reaches 3,000 nits. Solar/MIP restricted to Pro tier, 47mm and 51mm only.
- Battery: 10 days (43mm) / 16 days (47mm) / 29 days (51mm base) / up to 291 days power-saving mode (51mm Pro Solar)
- Heart rate sensor: Elevate 5, unchanged from fēnix 8 Pro — no new sensor this generation
- GPS: Multi-band GNSS + SatIQ, retained from fēnix 8 — no new hardware, improved map software instead
- Storage: 64GB, doubled from fēnix 8’s 32GB New this generation: Garmin Epic (multi-day activity story), tri-color LED flashlight on Pro models
Should you buy Fenix 8 now? Only at a discount. Fenix 8 pricing should start dropping now that Fenix 9 is officially out, and the Fenix 9 base model matches Fenix 8’s original $999.99 price with a brighter screen and more storage for the same money.
Full guide: Garmin Fenix 9 complete leaks guide
Garmin Enduro 4
Status: 🟡 Not part of the August 25 “Play Harder” event — downgraded from our earlier “event confirmed” status
This page previously expected the Enduro 4 to launch alongside the fēnix 9, based on both names appearing in the same Garmin Connect app teardown. That didn’t happen — today’s event confirmed only the fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro. The Enduro 4 remains unconfirmed for a specific date; we’re removing the “event confirmed” language until Garmin gives it an actual launch window.
What’s expected:
- MIP Solar display — extreme battery endurance
- 110+ hours GPS battery
- Full Fenix 9 feature set
- Expected price: ~$899–$999
Should you buy Enduro 3 now? No. Enduro 4 is confirmed. Wait.
Full guide: Garmin Enduro 4 complete leaks guide
Google Pixel Watch 5
Status: ✅ Launched August 12, 2026 — ships August 20
Google confirmed the Pixel Watch 5 at its Made by Google event. Two of our earlier predictions turned out wrong: there’s no custom Google Tensor chip (it’s a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 “Accelerated” variant, same platform family since the Watch 2) and no sapphire crystal (it’s Gorilla Glass 5, same as the Watch 4). Peak brightness is 3,000 nits, not the rumored 4,000.
What’s actually confirmed: 3GB RAM (up from 2GB), 64GB storage (double the Watch 4’s 32GB), and a genuinely bigger health push than expected — Breathing Emergency Detection (Europe first), blood pressure trend tracking, and insulin resistance monitoring.
Who should upgrade from Pixel Watch 4? Still probably not. The hardware changes are incremental, and most of the new health features either carry over from the Watch 4 or are region-limited at launch.
Full review: Google Pixel Watch 5 — Price, Design, Display, Health & Everything You Need to Know
Suunto Race 3 and Race 3 S
Status: ✅ Existence and naming confirmed via regulatory filings — hardware specs still leak-level
Both watches have moved past rumor territory in the way that matters most: model codes tied to official retail names (SUUNTO RACE 3S confirmed via Malaysia’s SIRIM database, Race 3 inferred by elimination) are now on file with regulatory bodies in Singapore and Malaysia.
That’s a different tier of confirmation than the AI Overview leak that started this story, it means the watches physically exist and are moving toward launch, even though Suunto hasn’t announced anything itself.
What’s still unconfirmed: price, processor, exact battery figures, and release date. What we do know from checking the leak against Suunto’s own current Race 2 spec sheet: the Race 2 already has dual-band GPS and a 1.5″ AMOLED display, so if the leaked Race 3 specs hold up, those aren’t the upgrades most coverage is treating them as.
Full comparison, including where the leak gets the current Race 2 wrong: Suunto Race 3 vs Race 2: What the Leak Actually Changes
Which Smartwatch Works With Your Phone?
Not all smartwatches work equally well with all phones. This matters before you buy.
iPhone Users
| Watch | Compatibility | What You Lose |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch (any) | ✅ Perfect — designed for iPhone | Nothing |
| Garmin (any) | ✅ Full features | iMessage reply, Apple Pay |
| Fitbit Air | ✅ Full features | Nothing significant |
| Amazfit (any) | ✅ Full features | Nothing significant |
| Coros (any) | ✅ Full features | Nothing significant |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch | ⚠️ Limited | ECG, blood pressure, BIA body composition |
| Google Pixel Watch | ⚠️ Limited | Some Gemini AI features |
iPhone recommendation: Apple Watch for ecosystem users. Garmin Venu 4 or Forerunner 70 if battery life is your priority.
Samsung Phone Users
| Watch | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8/9/Ultra 2 | ✅ Full features + extras | ECG, BP, BIA — Samsung phone exclusive |
| Garmin (any) | ✅ Full features | No Samsung Health integration |
| Google Pixel Watch | ✅ Most features | Some Pixel-exclusive features missing |
| Apple Watch | ❌ Does not work | iOS only |
Samsung recommendation: Galaxy Watch 9 or Ultra 2 — both now available to order, shipping August 7. Garmin if battery life matters more than ecosystem.
Google Pixel Users
| Watch | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel Watch 4 | ✅ Full features + Better Together | Best integration — Pixel exclusive features |
| Garmin (any) | ✅ Full features | No Google Health integration |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch | ✅ Most features | Loses some Samsung Health extras |
| Fitbit Air | ✅ Full features | Google Health app integration |
Pixel recommendation: Pixel Watch 4 now. Wait for Pixel Watch 5 only if Tensor chip is important to you.
Any Other Android Phone
| Watch | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Garmin (any) | ✅ Full features — no restrictions |
| Fitbit Air | ✅ Full features |
| Amazfit (any) | ✅ Full features |
| Coros (any) | ✅ Full features |
| Xiaomi Watch 5 | ✅ Full features |
| OnePlus Watch 3 | ✅ Full features |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch | ⚠️ Works — loses Samsung Health extras |
Best Smartwatch by Budget — 2026
Under $100
Best: Fitbit Air ($99)
- No subscription for core features
- Excellent sleep tracking
- 7-day battery
- No standalone GPS
Runner up: Amazfit Heliostrap ($99)
- No subscription
- Good recovery tracking
- Solid app
Skip: Random no-name brands — high return rates, poor accuracy
Full guide – Best Fitness Trackers Under $100 (2026) — Bands Only, Tested & Ranked
$100–$250
Best: Garmin Forerunner 70 ($249)
- 11-12 days battery
- Standalone GPS
- Full Garmin training platform
- Works with iPhone and Android
Runner up: Coros Pace 3 ($229) — runners only
- 17-38 hours GPS battery
- Dual-band GPS
- Best battery per dollar for serious runners
Budget iPhone pick: Apple Watch SE 3 ($199)
- Fall detection, ECG
- iPhone only
New in this range: Garmin CIRQA ($199.99) — not a watch, but a recovery band worth considering alongside a Forerunner 70 if 24/7 sleep/readiness tracking matters more than a screen.
Skip: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 at full price — Watch 9 is now out at $379.99
Full detailed Guide – Best Budget Smartwatches Under $200 (2026): I Tested 30+ So You Don’t Have To
$250–$400
Best for runners: Garmin Forerunner 265 (~$349)
- Dual-band GPS
- 13-day battery
- Better training analytics than FR70
Best for Pixel users: Google Pixel Watch 4 (~$349)
- Best Wear OS experience
- Gemini AI
- Fitbit health tracking
Best budget Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (~$249) — only after July 22 price drop
Skip: Apple Watch Series 11 at full price — Series 12 coming September
$400–$600
Best overall: Garmin Venu 4 41mm ($499)
- 8-9 days battery
- Best display Garmin makes
- Full women’s health suite
- Works with any phone
Runner up: Garmin Forerunner 570 (~$549)
- Best running watch under $600
- Full maps, dual-band GPS
- 15-day battery
Only buy 41mm Venu 4 — 45mm has high Amazon return rate
Full review: Is the Garmin Venu 4 Worth $499?
$600+
Now available: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 ($699.99) — launched July 22, ships August 7, no 5G despite earlier leak reports
Wait for: Apple Watch Ultra 4 (~$799–$899) — September
Now available: Garmin Fenix 9 (from $999.99) — launched August 25, orders open August 28. Brighter display and doubled storage over Fenix 8 at the same entry price.
Now available: Garmin Fenix 9 Pro Solar (51mm, $1,199) — the new battery-life benchmark at up to 291 days in power-saving mode.
Now discounted, or skip: Garmin Fenix 8 — the Fenix 9 has replaced it at the same starting price, so Fenix 8 only makes sense at a meaningful discount now.
Read Review – Is the Garmin Fenix 8 Worth It? – A Detailed Review
Best Smartwatch for Your Lifestyle
I Run 3–5 Times a Week
Under $300: Garmin Forerunner 70 ($249) Read why: Garmin Forerunner 70 Review
$300–$400: Garmin Forerunner 265 (~$349) for dual-band GPS
$400–$600: Garmin Forerunner 570 (~$549) for maps + full analytics
Serious training or trail running: Garmin Fenix 9 — now available, from $999.99
Full guide: Best Garmin Running Watches 2026
I Go to the Gym and Walk — Not a Serious Athlete
Under $100: Fitbit Air ($99) — no subscription, great sleep tracking
$150–$200: Amazfit Balance 2 (~$199) — 14-day battery, solid health tracking
$200–$300: Garmin Vivoactive 6 (~$299) — AMOLED display, Garmin ecosystem, 11-day battery
iPhone user: Apple Watch SE 3 ($199) — fall detection, cycle tracking
I Swim Regularly
Best overall: Garmin Forerunner 570 (~$549) — open water + pool swim tracking
Budget: Apple Watch SE 3 ($199) — 50m water resistant, swim tracking
Avoid: Fitbit Air — limited swim-specific tracking
I Want the Best Sleep Tracking
Considering a dedicated band: Garmin CIRQA ($199.99) — 10-day battery, worn overnight instead of a full watch
Most nights without charging: Garmin Forerunner 70 — 11-12 days means sleep tracking every night
Best sleep data depth: Garmin Venu 4 — circadian rhythm analysis, smart alarm free
iPhone user: Apple Watch Series 11 — best cycle + sleep combination on iOS
Frustrated with charging Apple Watch every night? Read our guide: I’m Tired of Charging My Apple Watch Every Night
I Travel Every Week for Work
Best: Garmin Venu 4 (41mm) — 8-9 days, works globally, Garmin Pay, no carrier dependency
iPhone essential: Apple Watch Series 11 — best iPhone integration, Apple Pay universal
Battery priority traveler: Garmin Fenix 9 Pro Solar (51mm) — up to 291 days in power-saving mode, the new benchmark for anyone who hates charging cables on the road
I Want Safety Features — For Me or a Family Member
Best fall detection: Apple Watch Series 11 — most polished emergency response
Best for seniors: Apple Watch SE 3 ($199) — affordable + fall detection + emergency SOS
Outdoor safety: Garmin Fenix 9 Pro — inReach satellite messaging in dead zones, now available as a $100 add-on on any Pro size (subscription required)
Full guide: Best Smartwatches for Seniors with Fall Detection
I Care About Health Tracking Most
Blood pressure monitoring: Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — requires Samsung Galaxy phone
ECG + AFib: Apple Watch Series 11 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — Garmin Fenix 9 also confirmed to include an ECG app
HRV + Recovery + No Subscription: Garmin Venu 4 — Body Battery, sleep coaching, all free
Budget health tracking: Fitbit Air ($99) — AFib alerts, HRV, sleep stages, no subscription
I Have Small Wrists
Best fit: Garmin Venu 4 41mm — 33 grams, sits flat
Budget: Garmin Forerunner 70 — 40 grams, lightweight
iPhone: Apple Watch SE 3 40mm — clean and light
Avoid: Samsung Galaxy Watch 44mm — too large for smaller wrists
Garmin Fenix 9 (43mm) — the smallest case, though note its battery life (10 days) is the shortest of the three sizes
Full guide: Best Smartwatches for Women 2026
Safe Buys RIGHT NOW — No Waiting Needed
| Watch | Price | Why Safe |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | $249 | Just launched May 2026 — no replacement coming |
| Garmin Forerunner 265 | ~$349 | Current gen — no replacement this year |
| Garmin Vivoactive 6 | ~$299 | Current gen — no replacement imminent |
| Fitbit Air | $99 | Just launched — no subscription needed |
| Google Pixel Watch 4 | ~$349 | Pixel Watch 5 won’t be a dramatic upgrade |
| Amazfit Balance 2 | ~$199 | Best value health tracker right now |
| Coros Pace 3 | $229 | Best budget running watch — no replacement |
| Garmin Fenix 9 | $999.99+ | Just launched — this is now the current generation, no replacement expected for ~2 years |
Do NOT Buy These Right Now — Successors Confirmed
| Watch | Reason | Wait For |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 at full price | Watch 9 — July 22 | Galaxy Watch 9 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra | Ultra 2 — July 22 | Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 |
| Apple Watch Series 11 at full price | Series 12 — September | Apple Watch Series 12 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 at full price | Ultra 4 — September | Apple Watch Ultra 4 |
| Garmin Fenix 8 at full price | Fenix 9 — Fall 2026 | Garmin Fenix 9 |
| Garmin Enduro 3 at full price | Enduro 4 — Q3 2026 | Garmin Enduro 4 |
| Garmin Forerunner 970 | Frequently returned on Amazon | Forerunner 570 instead |
📊 SmartWatchInsight Launch Tracker
Last updated: August 25, 2026
Next update: Early September — Apple's Series 12/Ultra 4 event
THIS WEEK:
🟡 Garmin Vivosmart 6 — Rumored "imminent" since Dec 2025; still not launched
~4 WEEKS:
🔵 Apple Watch Series 12 — Expected Sept 8–9
🔵 Apple Watch Ultra 4 — Expected Sept 8–9
LATE Q3 / FALL 2026:
🟢 Garmin Fenix 9 and Pro — Announced August 25, orders open August 28
🟢 Garmin Enduro 4 — August 25 event confirmed, product unconfirmed
🔵 Suunto Race 3 / Race 3 S — names confirmed via regulatory filing, date TBD
LAUNCHED:
✅ Garmin CIRQA — Announced July 21, on sale July 24
✅ Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — July 22
✅ Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — July 22
✅ Google Pixel Watch 5 — Unveiled Aug 12, ships Aug 20
Tracked by Sunil Bhatt, Smartwatch Insight — Updated within 24 hours of every launchArchived — what is the best smartwatch in 2026?
| Watch | Launch Date | Our Review |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | May 15, 2026 | Full review |
| Garmin Forerunner 170 | May 15, 2026 | Coming soon |
| Fitbit Air | May 26, 2026 | vs Vivosmart 6 |
| Garmin Venu 4 | Sept 2025 | Full review |
| Amazfit Balance 3 | June 2, 2026 | Coming soon |
FAQ
What is the next smartwatch launching in 2026?
Garmin Cirqa, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 have all now launched. The next expected launch is Garmin Muscle Battery or the Google Pixel Watch 5 event, both expected in August 2026.
Should I buy a smartwatch now or wait?
Samsung’s Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are now available to order, shipping August 7 — no need to wait there anymore. If you want Apple Watch — wait until September. If you want Garmin Fenix or Enduro — wait until fall. If you want a Garmin Forerunner, Fitbit Air, Pixel Watch 4, or Garmin Cirqa — buy now, no replacement is imminent.
When does Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 come out?
Announced July 22, 2026 at Samsung Unpacked in London. Pre-orders are open now; general availability begins August 7, 2026.
When does Apple Watch Series 12 come out?
September 2026 — Apple’s annual fall event, expected the second week of September. Pre-orders open the same day, deliveries around September 19-26, 2026.
When does Garmin Fenix 9 come out?
No confirmed date. The Fenix 9 was confirmed in Garmin Connect app code in June 2026. Based on Garmin’s launch cadence and the CEO’s “very active H2 outdoor” comment, September to October 2026 is the most likely window.
Is Google Pixel Watch 5 coming in 2026?
It already launched. Google confirmed the Pixel Watch 5 on August 12, 2026, alongside the Pixel 11 series, with general availability starting August 20. The chip is a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 “Accelerated” variant, not the custom Tensor chip that was rumored, and the display uses Gorilla Glass 5 rather than sapphire crystal. Full specs are in our complete review.
What’s the best smartwatch for someone switching from Apple Watch?
If battery life is your main frustration — Garmin Venu 4 (8-9 days) or Garmin Forerunner 70 (11-12 days). Read our full guide: Tired of Charging Apple Watch Every Night?
Does the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 have 5G?
No. Despite earlier leak reports suggesting US and South Korea 5G support, Samsung’s official spec sheet lists only LTE, Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi, and NFC.
Is the Suunto Race 3 confirmed?
The watches themselves and their names are confirmed through regulatory filings in Singapore and Malaysia, model codes tied directly to the retail names. Suunto hasn’t made an official announcement, and specs, pricing, and release date remain unconfirmed. See our full Race 3 vs Race 2 comparison for what’s actually known.
Coming Soon — We’ll Link Reviews Here as Watches Launch
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 full review — published
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 full review — published
- Garmin Cirqa full review — published read it
- Google Pixel Watch 5 review — published, read it here
- Apple Watch Series 12 full review — publishing September 2026
- Apple Watch Ultra 4 full review — publishing September 2026
- Garmin Fenix 9 full review — publishing on launch day
Bookmark this page — we update it within 24 hours of every launch.
Sources
- Samsung official Unpacked July 22 event — confirmed launch
- Garmin official Cirqa press release, July 21, 2026 — confirmed launch
- Garmin official product page — current lineup
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you buy through our links at no extra cost to you.
Written by Sunil Bhatt — founder of SmartWatchInsight, independent smartwatch reviewer with 6+ years of experience and 300+ published articles. Every launch on this page is tracked in real time — we update within 24 hours of official announcements.
Last updated: August 25, 2026
