Sunday Runday

Lloyd, the Android Central mascot, break-dancing

(Image credit: Android Central)

In this weekly column, Android Central Wearables Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness tech related to running and health, in his quest to get faster and more fit.

We had a strong 2025 for fitness watches and wearable tech, but like you, I’m already turning my attention to what 2026 has in store for us, from new Garmin tech to escalating lawsuits and improved smart glasses-fitness integration.

My 2026 Pixel and Galaxy Watch predictions included plenty of exciting health and fitness tools, but I’m focusing here on the dedicated fitness brands — Garmin, COROS, Polar, Suunto, Amazfit, and so on — and the new hardware and software we should expect this year, with some smart ring and glasses info thrown in.

Vivosmart 6 fitness band, we could see an Instinct 3X or Venu Sq 3; a Forerunner 170 or Lily 3 is possible but less likely, given they’ve followed three-year schedules so far.

The only guaranteed release is the Fenix 9, with an Enduro 4 also highly likely. Garmin’s stock flopped because the Fenix 8 Pro didn’t sell to expectations, so there’ll be huge pressure to innovate.

We’ve seen Garmin patents for “glycated hemoglobin” tracking and “pulse spectrometry” data for your hydration levels and red blood cell count; either could be the signature feature for sixth-gen Elevate sensors. Two other recent patents — Solar charging on AMOLED displays and a crown instead of Up/Down buttons — could signal design changes to make the Fenix 9 stand out.

2S in 2024. After the APEX 4 skipped a generation to align with the PACE 4, a VERTIX 4 in 2026 as a more affordable Fenix 9 rival seems like an obvious prediction.

Otherwise, I’m expecting COROS to launch a diving or snorkeling feature with the APEX 4’s inactive depth sensor. It even patented an “Underwater Motion Trajectory” tool in October that would track smartwatch swimming motions with sonar, which sounds pretty cool.

A slide in a slideshow about a Polar Flow redesign titled Phase 3: Reimagining the experience, with screenshots showing what the new app UX could look like

(Image credit: Polar)

Polar should continue to focus on the Polar Loop in 2026, with an emphasis on rebuilding the Polar Flow app to make the experience more compelling. Gadgets & Wearables has Polar on record about its three-step app revamp plan; eventually, we’ll get a “dynamic and data-centric” home screen that’s user-customizable, a “layered navigation system where quick glances lead to more detailed insights,” and “Cards” for metrics like HRV, similar to what we see in other fitness apps.

Press photo of the beige Polar Loop screenless wristband sitting on a well-lit white surface.

(Image credit: Polar)

G&W also claims Suunto is building its own Whoop/ Polar Loop-style band, which we could theoretically see in 2026. It would be designed for 24/7 wear, tracking both sleep and workout data. I’m also expecting a budget version of the Race 2 (the Race 2S) to undercut the Forerunner lineup.

We’ve also seen leaks about an Amazfit Active Max coming soon, priced at $170 and featuring 25-day battery life and a 1.5-inch display. This, too, will target frugal athletes scared off by Garmin’s ever-rising prices. Amazfit already sells its own Whoop-style Helio Strap.

new Fitbit-branded hardware in 2026, aligned with the new Fitbit Personal Health Coach AI that builds a personalized, flexible workout plan across different sport types.

Fitbit execs have made it fairly clear that the Pixel Watch is the official Fitbit smartwatch, which could mean we’re more likely to see an Inspire 4 or Charge 7 than a Sense 3 or Versa 5 — though this isn’t certain.

wield smart ring patents to get Ultrahuman banned and sue Samsung and Amazfit. Strava sued Garmin before eventually settling the dispute, but Suunto also sued Garmin over patents related to golf ball tracking, breathing rate, and antenna design. Polar, meanwhile, failed to beat Suunto and Garmin’s Firstbeat in court over a heart rate patent, while Whoop sued Polar for IP infringement over the Polar Loop’s Whoop-esque design.

Samsung will continue to fight Oura in court in 2026, with its recent countersuit arguing that twelve Oura patents should be invalidated. And the Garmin/Suunto and Polar/Whoop battles should continue. But more broadly, fitness watch brands could become even more litigious in 2026, leading to deactivated features or even delisted devices.

Garmin watches hasn’t kept up: Menus are laggy, and using maps is painfully slow on the premium models. Garmin may want to prioritize battery life, but COROS managed to deliver its 2025 watches’ zippy performance while still offering 2–3 weeks per charge.

The summer Fenix 9 launch is the perfect opportunity to pack in a new chipset and extra memory to make it feel more flagship-like. It would help Garmin improve smart features on Fenixes that aren’t especially reliable — like auto-route generation and voice commands — and add new on-watch features like live challenge progress.

At the same time, Garmin should reassure buyers by promising to support the Fenix 9 with Fenix 10 features.

Garmin alienates its most loyal customers every time it cuts off software support for $800+ watches after 1–2 years, and that’ll only escalate when Fenix 8 owners get shunted aside. A three- or four-year software guarantee, similar to what Apple and Samsung offer, would mollify users who think buying an exorbitant Fenix 9 is “worth it” in the long term.

Garmin integration, reading real-time Garmin stats, automatically capturing footage of key workout moments for a shareable montage, and warning you if you’re outside your target HR zone. I’d like Meta and Garmin to keep tag-teaming new features in 2026, and for Meta to open up this feature to more fitness watch brands.

Likewise, we know that Samsung AI glasses with Google software will launch in 2026 and will sync with Wear OS watches for features like gesture shortcuts. Google could easily make Android XR compatible with Fitbit and Samsung Health.

In particular, the Samsung glasses with a HUD could display your real-time workout data, just like the ENGO 2 glasses, for sports like cycling, where you want to keep your eyes forward. And they could use Gemini integration for personalized AI audio coaching, too.

Pixel Watch fitness perks to carry over, as dual-band GPS, HR algorithm improvements, and Gemini-made workouts ported from your phone to your watch. A Fitbit Ring would also be nice!

Pixel Watch 4 repairable design. Basically, any layman can follow documentation to take their Pixel Watch 4 apart if they want to swap in a new battery or replace a cracked display. This would let people keep their old watches going far longer, instead of being forced to upgrade.