Smartwatch

Amazfit smartwatch users are receiving a new version of the Zepp app. Version 9.5, or version 9.5.0, of the smartphone app, is said to bring enhanced app search features and other usability improvements. Plus, Zepp 9.5 brings support for another recent wearable and a new tool for workouts.

Doogee has introduced a new Tab E3 series of slates with on-trend 13- and 14-inch displays in its Pro and Max variants respectively. Both devices are powered by an unusual 9-core processor to optimize key aspects of their performance with AI. The E3 Max and Pro are joined by their OEM's latest wearables and other, smaller tablets in their Barcelona debut.

Past reports have hinted that Honor was working on a new Watch 5 smartwatch with an octagonal bezel, and it happens to be the Watch 5 Ultra. This new wearable also has a long battery and is said to offer instant ECG readings.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro initially launched in China in October last year, and the company made it available to the UK, Japan, and some EU regions later. Now, the smartwatch has been made widely available in the EU.

Xiaomi has now released a new mid-range smartwatch globally. Available for €159.99 (~$166), the Xiaomi Watch S4 combines an ultra-bright display with modern health tracking features and excellent battery life.

The OnePlus Watch 3 was launched earlier in February. However, a small typo on its rear side caught attention, prompting OnePlus to acknowledge the mistake. The company is now shipping an apology letter with affected units.

Garmin claims to have resolved a bug on the Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro and other smartwatches that was preventing external sensors from connecting automatically at the start of an activity. The fix, which is now rolling out for public beta testing, should eventually reach all compatible smartwatches as a new update focusing on eradicating other outstanding bugs.

A new Garmin beta update has arrived for the Fenix 8, Fenix E and Enduro 3 smartwatches. Version 13.32 follows the recently released stable software version 13.31, which brought several new features to these wearables. The change log for this latest beta release indicates that it brings six bug fixes to these smartwatches, one of which tackles an issue with the new Passcode tool.

A new Amazfit Balance smartwatch update, version 3.25.11.1, is now rolling out to all users worldwide. The release began a couple of weeks ago, though it was only available in some countries. Plus, a more detailed change log reveals that the update also brings support for remote DJI drone controls.

US users of the Pixel Watch 3 will soon be getting another health and safety feature called Loss of Pulse detection. It was originally announced back in 2024 but has finally received the necessary approvals from the US FDA.

Meizu has announced that it will be at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) event in Barcelona, Spain with the latest in its range of Flyme AIOS-powered solutions and devices. They include smart car platforms, smart glasses and smartphones. The latter will include the Meizu Note 22 and 22 Pro, which are also slated to become available globally in the first half of 2025.

AGM Mobile has unveiled a smartwatch to go with its line of rugged smartphones. The Legion's AMOLED display is set into a MIL-STD-810H- and 5ATM-rated case with sensors for continuous heart-rate, blood oxygen and sleep tracking. The watch can also record activity for "over 100" sports and fitness activities, and can help the user keep track of their smartphone and its notifications.

OnePlus has announced a delay in the release of the OnePlus Watch 3 due to a typo on the underside of the watch. Scheduled to be released today for open sale, the watch will now be available in April.

Amazfit is now accepting pre-orders for the Active 2 Premium smartwatch in the US. It arrives several weeks after the launch of the original model, with a couple of upgrades. Features include a 1.32-inch AMOLED display, up to 10 days of battery life with typical use and GPS navigation.

The Garmin software version 13.17 is now available for all Venu 3, Venu 3s and vivoactive 5 smartwatch users. This release brings a new passcode feature, more accurate Body Battery scores and support for a recent accessory. However, it is worth noting that multiple users have flagged issues after installing the update.

Garmin has published a new beta update for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro, fresh from delivering a stable update containing over 20 changes for the pair. The company now also warns that System Software 20.16 breaks compatibility with HRM accessories in some instances.

Fitbit wearables and their corresponding smartphone app could soon get a new and quite powerful new feature, which could significantly improve the sleep quality of its users.

Zepp Health has started to push a new firmware update, version 3.25.11.1, to global users of the Balance smartwatch. This Balance OTA 8.1 release is said to enhance the sleep tracking and step counting algorithms. Plus, there is a change for the wearable’s Morning Update.

The Garmin Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches are now receiving software version 22.22. This stable release brings changes seen in beta updates, like the Passcode feature, to all users. Plus, there are a couple of additional new tools like BodyBattery TrueUp.

Another update is rolling out to the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch, software version 3.5.7.1. This is the second of two February releases for the wearable. Changes include an amendment to the default workout list affecting HYROX Race and bug fixes for the compass and map downloads.

Fitbit has announced firmware version 214.22, which is now rolling out to the Charge 6, Inspire 3, Sense 2 and Versa 4 wearables. The update brings new status indicators to these devices, which can provide low battery level and lost connectivity warnings. Plus, there is a security update for two of these products.

A recent compulsory update for the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 is reported to significantly impact the battery life of these smartwatches. The software was released to combat the overheating of batteries, which could lead to burns. However, many users are complaining that the battery life of their device is less than half of what it used to be.

Garmin has started rolling out this year's first major stable update for the Fenix 8. Also available on the Enduro 3 and Fenix E, the new update contains more than 80 changes, including new features like Body Battery TrueUp, CIQ System 8 and Passcode functionality.

The Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro have been capable of taking an ECG for some time. However, this has only been true in certain markets like North America. Now, Garmin has quietly expanded eligibility across the European Union. Unofficial support also appears to be offered in the UK now, too.

The Garmin firmware version 7.10 has been released for one smartwatch series. The update brings the new Body Battery TrueUp tool to these users, improving the accuracy of this metric. On top of this, there are also said to be enhancements relating to respiration and heart rate tracking.

The Garmin system software version 19.49 update is now available for two of the brand's wearables. Features include additional data fields, a new activity and two payment apps. The update also brings improvements and bug fixes, though some users have flagged another issue post-installation.

The Watch X2 is Oppo's alternative to the OnePlus Watch 3. While the Oppo Watch X2 shares many features with its OnePlus cousin, it does so with a more refined design.

Amazfit recently unveiled a new smartwatch, the Bip 6. This wearable is a successor to the Bip 5 with several upgrades, including a larger AMOLED display and offline maps. On top of this, the company suggests that it has improved the accuracy of tracked health metrics like heart rate.

A new stable update for the Fenix 6 and Fenix 6 Pro is on the horizon. Garmin has now announced that beta testers can try a Release Candidate build, which represents the company's planned changes for what could soon become System Software 28.00.

Garmin is rolling out a new beta update for the Fenix 8, Fenix E and Enduro 3 smartwatches. Version 13.31 tackles bugs relating to the new Passcode feature and smart trainer options. Plus, the release notes indicate that a stable version of the 13.xx software could soon be available for all users.

It seems that a new Amazfit smartwatch is on the horizon. Based on a new leak, Amazfit's next smartwatch could be a successor to the GTS 4, which it will offer in blue and gold finishes.

A new Garmin beta update, version 13.17, is now available for the Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 smartwatches. According to the change log, this release enhances the accuracy of the Body Battery metric for some users. Plus, it brings support for one of the brand’s recently released accessories.

The OnePlus Watch 3 builds on the strong points of its predecessor with its improved battery life, brighter display, and improved durability. It also brings new health features, although some won't be available in select regions.

Following a launch in North America in early January, the Amazfit Active 2 has now launched in Europe. Boasting a premium design, AI features, and an amazing battery life, the new smartwatch also has a competitive price tag.

The Huawei Band 10 has been officially revealed ahead of its release. The wearable has a slightly different design compared to its predecessor and is offered in seven colorways. Plus, it brings a new emotional wellbeing app with linked watch faces and upgraded sleep tracking with an additional metric.

The Casio Pro Trek PRJ-B001WM-1, a new watch designed in collaboration with White Mountaineering, is now available in several European countries. The hybrid wearable is marketed as rugged, with tough solar charging and a flame-retardant strap. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity and support for world time.

Amazfit is about to launch the new Haze Gray version of the T-Rex 3 smartwatch in European countries like the UK, France and Italy. This will be the third colorway, joining two earlier versions which arrived last year. Features include over three weeks battery life with typical use and an AMOLED display with up to 2,000 nits peak brightness.

Amazfit has released software version 3.5.4.8 for the T-Rex 3 smartwatch. The update brings a new Audio Control app to the wearable, as well as an additional workout type. On top of this, the release notes state that there are improvements for Fishing, Strength Training, notifications and route imports.

Garmin has introduced another beta update for the Enduro 3, Fenix E and Fenix 8. Arriving on a completely different development branch to recent stable updates, Beta Version 13.28 is said to resolve various bugs relating to turn guidance alerts and background downloads.

Garmin has released a new stable update for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro. The first in over two months, System Software 20.16 contains over 20 changes, including the addition of CIQ System 8. Plenty of bug fixes can be found too, with five focused on resolving widget and app crashes.

The Garmin Public Beta Version 22.21 update has arrived for the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches. The change log lists four bug fixes, one of which addresses a heart rate related issue. However, users have reported new problems after installing the new firmware.

The Garmin ComingUp app is now available to download for free from the Connect IQ store. The app allows users to manage their to-do lists from their smartwatch. It can connect with various third-party apps and can also provide notifications based on the due date of a task.

A new leak has now outlined the improvements Samsung's next-gen flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold7, is expected to arrive with later this year. A main camera upgrade is surprisingly mooted but the foldable looks set to retain its predecessor's disappointing battery.

The UNA Watch promises to be the first fully modular smartwatch geared towards sports enthusiasts. Its modular design is meant to enhance repairability and thus extend the product’s lifespan.

Xiaomi has now revealed the date for the global launch of the Xiaomi 15 series. Both the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra are slated to debut on March 2 at MWC. According to a new leak, however, the global version of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will come equipped with a smaller battery than its Chinese counterpart.

The Garmin Fenix 8, Fenix E and Enduro 3 smartwatches are currently receiving software version 12.38. This stable update provides a fix for a bug relating to the GPS connection, with an upgrade for the GPS firmware. However, in a post on the Garmin forum, the company indicated that this release has not yet reached all users.

The brand-new Tactix 8 joins Garmin’s lineup of flagship smartwatches and offers some rather unusual features, such as a bright LED flashlight with night vision mode. The wearable also has a battery life of up to 48 days and even a so-called Applied Ballistics Ultralight Solver.

CheckMag The Galaxy Watch has a market share of around 8.3% globally. That's a lot of people with a Galaxy Watch. These aren't for athletes, but for the average person that wants to track their health and their workouts. But the internet is replete with complaints about the accuracy of the heart rate feature. A fairly critical feature of any smartwatch. So how accurate is the heart rate monitor and could there be a reason Samsung inflates the readings?