Last Updated: June 28, 2026 This page is updated within 24 hours of every major smartwatch announcement. Next update expected: July 22, 2026 — Samsung Unpacked night — Galaxy Watch 9 + Ultra 2: 26 days away — July 22, London — Garmin Cirqa: Imminent — Singapore IRIS cleared — Apple Watch Series 12 + Ultra 4: September 2026 — Garmin Fenix 9 + Enduro 4: Late 2026
If you’re thinking about buying a smartwatch right now, timing matters more than it has in years.
Between July and October 2026, nearly every major brand is launching something significant. Some are worth waiting for. Some are not. And a few currently available watches are genuinely the right buy right now — no waiting needed.
SmartWatchInsight has been tracking every upcoming smartwatch since early 2026. This page gives you the complete picture — every confirmed launch, every credible leak, and honest guidance on whether to buy now or wait.
We update this page within 24 hours of every major announcement. Bookmark it.
2026 Smartwatch Launch Timeline
| Watch | Brand | Expected Launch | Status | Our Deep Dive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 9 | Samsung | July 22, 2026 | ✅ Confirmed date | Full leaks guide |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | Samsung | July 22, 2026 | ✅ Confirmed date | Full leaks guide |
| Garmin Cirqa | Garmin | Any day now | 🟡 Imminent | Cirqa vs Whoop |
| Garmin Vivosmart 6 | Garmin | Imminent | 🟡 Imminent | vs Fitbit Air |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Apple | September 2026 | 🔵 Strong leak | 2026 features guide |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Apple | September 2026 | 🔵 Strong leak | Ultra 4 leaks |
| Garmin Fenix 9 | Garmin | Sept–Oct 2026 | 🔵 APK confirmed | Fenix 9 guide |
| Garmin Enduro 4 | Garmin | Q3 2026 | 🔵 APK confirmed | Enduro 4 leaks |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 | October 2026 | 🟡 Strong leak | Coming soon | |
| Garmin Muscle Battery | Garmin | August 2026 | 🟡 Leaked | Coming soon |
Status key:
- ✅ Officially confirmed date
- 🔵 Multiple credible sources agree
- 🟡 Single source or early stage leak
What’s Launching This Month — June/July 2026
Garmin Cirqa — Recovery Band
Status: Imminent — days or weeks away
The Garmin Cirqa is the screenless recovery band Garmin users have been waiting for — Garmin’s answer to Whoop and Fitbit Air. Singapore’s IRIS regulatory certification cleared in June 2026 — the final pre-launch milestone.
The Cirqa is treated as certain for Q2 2026 on the most comprehensive Garmin leak tracker available. Q2 ends June 30 — meaning launch is either this week or slips into early July.
Expected specs: Screenless band, two sizes (S/M and L/XL), Elevate Gen 5 sensor, Bluetooth only, no subscription required for core features. Expected price: ~$420.
Who it’s for: Garmin users who want recovery and sleep tracking without wearing their primary watch 24/7.
Should you wait for it? If you own a Garmin watch — yes. If you don’t — read our Garmin Cirqa vs Whoop honest comparison first.
Garmin Vivosmart 6 — Slim Fitness Band
Status: Imminent — regulatory filings cleared
The Vivosmart 6 is expected at $150-$180 and may launch alongside the Cirqa as a twin announcement. First Vivosmart ever with built-in standalone GPS.
Who it’s for: Casual fitness trackers who want GPS without carrying their phone. Not for serious runners — get the Forerunner 70 instead.
Should you buy Fitbit Air now or wait? Read our full Garmin Vivosmart 6 vs Fitbit Air comparison for the honest answer.
July 22, 2026 — Samsung Unpacked London
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
Status: ✅ Confirmed — July 22, 2026
July 22, 2026 is Samsung’s biggest Unpacked in years — Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8 all on the same night.
What’s confirmed:
- Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
- Colors: Size-dependent — beige, black/blue, silver/green
- Battery: 382mAh (40mm) — 23% larger than Watch 8
- Chip: Exynos W1000 — most likely same as Watch 8
- OS: Wear OS 7 + One UI 9 Watch
- No Classic model
Expected price: ~$349+ for 40mm
Should you buy Galaxy Watch 8 now or wait? Wait. 26 days is nothing. Galaxy Watch 8 prices will drop immediately after July 22.
Full details: Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 complete leaks guide
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Status: ✅ Confirmed — July 22, 2026
The bigger story of Samsung’s July 22 launch. The Ultra 2 gets the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip — confirmed by Qualcomm at MWC 2026.
What’s confirmed:
- Chip: Snapdragon Wear Elite — confirmed
- Battery: ~784-800mAh (35% larger)
- Design: Slightly boxier, numbered bezel, Titanium Gray only
- Connectivity: LTE only — no Bluetooth-only variant
- 5G: Yes — US and South Korea
Expected price: ~$649-$699
Should you buy Galaxy Watch Ultra now? Absolutely not — Ultra 2 launches in 26 days.
Full details: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 complete leaks
Choosing between Watch 9 and Ultra 2? Read our Galaxy Watch 9 vs Ultra 2 buying guide
September 2026 — Apple Fall Event
Apple Watch Series 12
Status: 🔵 Strong leak — September 2026
The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be announced in the second week of September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. Pre-orders open the same day, with deliveries starting around September 19–26, 2026.
What’s expected:
- New S11 chip — first real chip upgrade since Series 9
- Blood pressure monitoring — strong rumor, not confirmed
- Touch ID — unlikely for Series 12, possible for Ultra 4
- watchOS 27 with Gemini AI, new watch faces, Dynamic App Grid
- Starting price: ~$399 — same as Series 11
Full details: Apple Watch 2026 complete features guide
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Status: 🔵 Strong leak — September 2026
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 brings a 15% thinner titanium case, an 8-sensor ring array, real-time blood pressure alerts under FDA review, and the new S11 chip.
What’s expected:
- 15% thinner case — ~12.2mm vs current 14.4mm
- New 8-sensor ring array — more accurate HR tracking
- Blood pressure: Real-time alerts (FDA review)
- Battery: 48-72 hours expected
- Price: ~$799-$899
Should you buy Apple Watch Ultra 3 now? Only if you find it deeply discounted. September is ~10 weeks away.
Full details: Apple Watch Ultra 4 complete leaks guide
Fall 2026 — Garmin’s Big Launches
Garmin Fenix 9
Status: 🔵 APK confirmed — September to October 2026
A developer found a direct reference to the Garmin Fenix 9 inside Garmin Connect app version 5.26 in June 2026 — the same update that confirmed the Enduro 4. This is Garmin’s own code confirming the device exists.
What’s expected:
- New chipset — faster map rendering, AI coaching
- AMOLED variants: 43mm, 47mm, 51mm
- Solar/MIP: 47mm and 51mm
- Satellite messaging built-in — inReach integration likely
- Strong likelihood of September 2026 launch at the latest January 2027.
- Expected price: ~$999-$1,499 depending on configuration
Should you buy Fenix 8 now? Only at a significant discount — $150+ off. Full price Fenix 8 is hard to justify with Fenix 9 this close.
Full details: Garmin Fenix 9 complete leaks guide
Garmin Enduro 4
Status: 🔵 APK confirmed — Q3 2026
Found alongside the Fenix 9 in the same Garmin Connect v5.26 APK teardown. Enduro 4 is expected in Q3 2026 — confirmed on The5kRunner’s Release Radar as certain.
What’s expected:
- MIP Solar display — Garmin’s extreme battery technology
- 110+ hours GPS battery expected
- Same feature set as Fenix 9 — battery endurance focus
- Expected price: ~$899-$999
Should you buy Enduro 3 now? No — Enduro 4 is confirmed for Q3 2026. Wait.
Full details: Garmin Enduro 4 complete leaks guide
Google Pixel Watch 5
Status: 🟡 Strong leak — October 2026
Current leaks point to the Pixel Watch 5 being the first Pixel Watch to use a custom Google Tensor wearable chip. Other rumored upgrades include a sapphire crystal front, peak brightness near 4,000 nits, and battery gains driven by new silicon.
Who it’s for: Pixel phone users — and specifically those on Pixel Watch 4 who want Tensor chip performance.
Should Pixel Watch 4 users upgrade? Probably not — the Pixel Watch 4 only shipped in October 2025, and price and design are expected to stay similar. The Tensor chip is the only year-over-year upgrade big enough to justify it.
Detailed guide coming soon — we’ll link it here when published.
Safe Buys RIGHT NOW — No Waiting Needed
Not every watch needs waiting. These are genuinely the right buys today:
| Watch | Price | Why Buy Now |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | $249 | Just launched May 2026 — no replacement coming |
| Garmin Forerunner 265 | ~$349 | Current gen — no replacement this year |
| 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 — no subscription |
| Garmin Vivoactive 6 | ~$299 | Current gen — no replacement imminent |
Do NOT Buy These Right Now
These watches have confirmed successors launching within 90 days:
| Watch | Don’t Buy Because |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | Watch 9 launches July 22 — 26 days away |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra | Ultra 2 launches July 22 — 26 days away |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Series 12 launches September — ~10 weeks |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Ultra 4 launches September — ~10 weeks |
| Garmin Fenix 8 at full price | Fenix 9 coming fall 2026 |
| Garmin Enduro 3 at full price | Enduro 4 confirmed Q3 2026 |
Smartwatch Insight Launch Tracker
Last updated: June 26, 2026
LAUNCHING THIS MONTH:
🟡 Garmin Cirqa — Any day
🟡 Garmin Vivosmart 6 — Imminent
26 DAYS AWAY:
✅ Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — July 22
✅ Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — July 22
~10 WEEKS AWAY:
🔵 Apple Watch Series 12 — September
🔵 Apple Watch Ultra 4 — September
FALL 2026:
🔵 Garmin Fenix 9 — Sept/Oct
🔵 Garmin Enduro 4 — Q3 2026
🟡 Google Pixel Watch 5 — October
🟡 Garmin Muscle Battery — August
— Tracked by Sunil Bhatt, SmartWatchInsight
— Updated within 24 hours of every launchArchived — Already Launched in 2026
These were “upcoming” — now they’re available. Click through for our full reviews:
| Watch | Launch Date | Status | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | May 15, 2026 | ✅ Available | Full review |
| Garmin Forerunner 170 | May 15, 2026 | ✅ Available | Coming soon |
| Fitbit Air | May 26, 2026 | ✅ Available | vs Vivosmart 6 |
| Amazfit Balance 2 | Q1 2026 | ✅ Available | Full review |
| Garmin Venu 4 | Sept 2025 | ✅ Available | Full review |
FAQ
What is the next smartwatch launching in 2026?
The Garmin Cirqa screenless recovery band is expected to launch any day — Singapore regulatory certification cleared in June 2026. After that, Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 launch July 22, 2026 at Unpacked in London.
Should I buy a smartwatch now or wait?
Depends on what you want. If you want Samsung — wait until July 22. 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, or Pixel Watch 4 — buy now, no replacement is imminent.
When does Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 come out?
July 22, 2026 — Samsung Unpacked in London. Pre-orders open the same day. In-store availability expected early August based on previous Samsung launch patterns.
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?
Strong leak points to October 2026 launch alongside Pixel 11 phones. Custom Google Tensor wearable chip, sapphire crystal display, and ~4,000 nit brightness are rumored.
Coming Soon — We’ll Link Reviews Here as Watches Launch
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 full review — publishing July 2026
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 full review — publishing July 2026
- Garmin Cirqa full review — publishing on launch day
- 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
- Google Pixel Watch 5 full review — publishing October 2026
Bookmark this page — we update it within 24 hours of every launch.
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: June 26, 2026
