Sunday Runday
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.
Plus, I’m listing out everything I want to see in the fitness space in 2026. Let’s dive into what should be an exciting year (if I’m right)!
Garmin will find a signature Fenix 9 feature for an otherwise quieter 2026
Garmin’s 2025 was packed with new Forerunners, Venus, Instincts, Vivoactives, and more. This should be an off-year: Aside from the already-leaked 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.
Garmin’s rivals will keep undercutting its watches and focus on Whoop-style bands
COROS had a strong ending to 2025 with three new watches, but there’s one obvious missing link: the VERTIX series, which launched the 2 in 2021 and 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.
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.
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.
Fitbit dives back into the fitness hardware game
The Google-owned Fitbit brand has barely released new hardware in the last few years. But it’s guaranteed that we’ll get 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.
Fitness patent legal wars will escalate in 2026
This last year, we saw Oura 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.
