Smartwatch

The Xiaomi Watch S4 15th Anniversary Edition has arrived only a few months after Xiaomi released the regular Watch S4 globally. Available in striking black and green colourways, the Watch S4 15th Anniversary Edition represents the first outing for Xiaomi's Xring T1 in-house chipset.

Garmin has announced that is rolling out May 2025 Feature Updates to numerous smartwatches to end this month. Available across the Fenix 8, Forerunner, Instinct 3, Lily 2 Active and Venu 3 series, the new updates should bring features like rucking activities while also introducing Breathing Variations and Stage Timer for competitive marksmen.

Facer boasts a massive catalog of free and paid watch faces for smartwatches and it is making a return with Wear OS 6. The company plans to bring most, if not all, of its catalog to Wear OS 6 compatible smartwatches.

Zepp Health has indicated that it will launch at least one more Amazfit smartwatch in 2025. In a recent call linked to the company's Q1 2025 financial results, Zepp Health's CEO and CFO both spoke about upcoming Amazfit releases. One of these appears to be the recently released Balance 2, and another high-end wearable was also mentioned.

Garmin has finally finished up v21.xx beta development for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro. Also rolling out from today globally for the Enduro 2, Epix 2, Tactix 7 and other smartwatches, System Software 21.19 introduces dozens of new features, bug fixes and other improvements, including support for breathing variation insights from the new Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970.

The Garmin Connect app will soon integrate with Health Connect by Android. This should enable users of the brand’s smartwatches to link health and workout metrics with data from other apps. Google has also announced new features for Health Connect, one of which is linked to Medical Records.

A reliable leaker has delivered the first look proper at what Samsung is expected to launch this summer as the Galaxy Watch8 Classic. Combining design elements of both the Galaxy Watch6 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic marks the return of Samsung's infamous physical rotating bezel and one generation away.

The iQOO Watch 5 is a new smartwatch from Vivo. Replacing last year's iQOO Watch, the iQOO Watch 5 offers optional eSIM connectivity, built-in GPS, a 1,500-nit AMOLED display and up to 22 days of battery life, all for ~$111 at current exchange rates.

The Garmin software version 14.15 is now available for some smartwatches. This stable update brings a new overnight health measuring feature, as well as improvements for the device passcode tool. Plus, users of the Venu 3, Venu 3s and vivoactive 5 smartwatches also receive a range of bug fixes.

Garmin has signified that a new stable update will soon be arriving for the Fenix 7 and its peers like the Tactix 7. After what feels like an age, it appears that System Software 20.22 will soon be replaced by the culmination of v21.xx beta development.

Garmin has started selling the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 globally after last week's simultaneous launch. While over a 35% price difference exists between the pair, even the cheaper Forerunner 570 is 10% pricier than the older Forerunner 965.

Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic in July, and the latest leak suggests they will have a minor battery capacity upgrade compared to the previous generation. No official information has come from Samsung yet.

Motorola has revealed the pricing details for the Moto Watch Fit in North America. Compared to smartwatches with similar features, the new Motorola smartwatch costs double, making it practically impossible to recommend.

Garmin has finally introduced a new stable update for its latest flagship smartwatches. Available for free globally, the new firmware stretches to almost 100 changes with 20 new features and 75 bug fixes, among other improvements.

The "Xiaomi 16" series is all but confirmed to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 SoC by Qualcomm itself. The chip designer has announced that the prominent electronics OEM will continue to release premium smartphones and smartwatches with its silicon "for years to come". Xiaomi's next-gen routers, earbuds and even its cars are also likely to have Snapdragon platforms.

The Galaxy Watch8 Classic is a supposedly upcoming smartwatch with the same design as Samsung's current top-end Watch Ultra. The OEM might have recycled another aspect of the Apple Watch Ultra alternative in its successor, according to a new leak. It is also apparently to be re-used in the vanilla Watch8.

Three new Garmin running features are on the way with the upcoming Forerunner 970 smartwatch. The company recently shared more details about these metrics, which are designed to help you improve your performance in various ways. However, two of them require you to wear a heart rate monitor when you work out.

Rogbid has introduced a well-equipped, rugged and hopefully long-lasting smartwatch. The Tank S3 Pro is able to make phone calls and can be used without touching the screen, with some limitations. This wearable also sports an AMOLED display.

Amazfit has finally released the Active 2 Premium smartwatch in various European countries. It arrives several months after the standard version, with upgrades like a leather strap and a contactless payment feature. It also offers a 10-day battery life, outdoor maps and a voice assistant.

Numerous variants of the Garmin smartwatch have received their biggest price cut to date on Amazon, which is where the 47mm and 51mm Fenix 8 AMOLED is now $200 cheaper than just a few days ago. The solar-powered SKUs are discounted as well.

Garmin has released a new update, beta version 21.18, bringing new bug fixes to some smartwatches. One of these tackles an issue linked to audio prompts, which was recently flagged by users. The company notes that the software will be shared OTA to eligible Fenix 7, Fenix 7x, Fenix 7s, Epix, Enduro 2, Quatix 7, and MARQ Gen 2 smartwatches.

The Garmin beta version 17.03 update is now available. This is the first release in 2025 for the Instinct 2, Instinct 2s, Instinct 2X and Instinct Crossover smartwatches. It brings a range of bug fixes to these wearables, tackling issues with the HRV chart and various activities.

iQOO has revealed more details about the Watch 5 smartwatch. Recent social media posts outline several new AI-related features for this wearable, an e-sports mode and a relatively long battery life estimate. Plus, the company has indicated that the smartwatch will launch later in May.

The Forerunner 970 is Garmin's long-awaited return for the Forerunner series. Joined by the cheaper Forerunner 570, the Forerunner 970 contains plenty of upgrades over the Forerunner 965, such as a brighter AMOLED display, an Elevate V5 heart rate sensor, and more. Unfortunately, it these improvements result in a $150 uplift from the Forerunner 965 too.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 comes in two sizes with a range of colour options at launch. Equipped with a host of features not available on the older Forerunner 265, the Forerunner 570 also contains various compromises on today's Forerunner 970 to hit a lower price point.

Huawei has launched the new Watch Fit 4 in Europe. This successor to the Watch Fit 3 has an AMOLED display and a seven-day battery estimate for typical use. Features include GPS tracking, support for offline maps, NFC payments and a sleep apnea detection tool.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 has taken a step closer to being released. Having appeared last month on a Garmin support page, the long-awaited Forerunner 965 replacement has now surfaced on a retailer that reveals launch pricing, specs and a potential release window, too.

It looks like Garmin has more up its sleeve for the Forerunner series this year than just the Forerunner 970 or Forerunner 975. Based on a a substantial set of leaks, Garmin is preparing to release the Forerunner 570 too, which has already been pictured in its retail box.

The Garmin Fenix 8, Fenix E, Enduro 3 and Tactix 8 have been receiving v15.xx beta builds for a while now. The release of Beta Version 15.29 indicates that the first v15.xx stable update could soon be upon us, though.

Garmin has wrapped up its latest round of beta development for the Forerunner 965 and associated smartwatches like the cheaper Forerunner 165. Rolling out globally now, System Software 23.20 brings dozens of changes to the table like the ability to detect breathing variations during sleep.

The Garmin system software version 9.20 is currently rolling out to users of the Instinct 3 AMOLED, Instinct 3 Solar and Instinct E smartwatches. The release brings a new Rucking activity with an associated setting and a new sleep-related health metric. Plus, there are tools specifically for the new Tactical edition watches.

Fitbit has announced three new features for users of its wearables: Medical record navigator, Symptom check and Unusual trends. These tools are currently available for some users to test as part of the Fitbit Labs program. The company notes that only some users are currently eligible and invited to join via the app.

Amazfit has launched the Balance 2 smartwatch in China. This new model has various upgrades over the original, including a significantly longer battery life, sapphire crystal glass and Zepp OS 5. Plus, there are new features for runners and golfers, and it will also support diving.

Coinciding with the release of Android 16, Google's Wear OS 6 will finally provide smartwatches such as the Pixel Watch 3 with a modernized user interface that is more colorful, rounder and more playful. Google not only aims to utilize the round display more effectively, but also extend the battery life.

A new smartwatch, the Honor Fit, is set to be launched very soon and is said to have a battery life of up to 23 days despite its thin 9.9-millimeter, 26-gram housing. Honor has now revealed the first images of the smartwatch in two variants.

Zepp Health, the company behind Amazfit smartwatches, is rolling out a new update for its iOS and Android smartphone apps. Version 9.7 brings a new watch search feature, making it easier to find a design that suits your style or has been recommended by a friend. Plus, the company has teased another upcoming tool.

Garmin is still working toward delivering a new stable update for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 and other smartwatches based on recent v15.xx beta development. Although a stable update is not ready just yet, Garmin claims to have fixed several bugs that could cause crashes in its latest beta update.

Garmin has dropped a few hints about a forthcoming high-end smartwatch that it may be releasing later this year. Rumoured to be building on last year's Fenix 8, the new sighting arrives amid speculation that Garmin could be introducing the Forerunner 970 this year too.

The Garmin beta version 5.01 is now rolling out to eligible users. According to the release notes, it brings two new watch faces and an improvement in the weather forecasts. Plus, users of the Lily 2 Active get updates for the Sensor Hub and Text Translations.

A new Garmin beta update, version 8.01, is currently rolling out to users of the Lily 2 smartwatch. It becomes the latest model from the brand to gain the new Device Passcode tool, providing users with an extra layer of security. Plus, the release also brings new watch faces and a Sensor Hub update.

According to recent reports, Garmin is on the verge of releasing the Forerunner 970 after a two-year absence from launching new Forerunner smartwatches. In the meantime, the company has offered a fresh round of bug fixes to existing models as it works toward delivering a future stable update.

Garmin has released a fresh batch of changes to beta testers who own either its Instinct E or Instinct 3 smartwatches. Bringing the pair up to Beta Version 9.19, the recent spate of updates appears to be in preparation for a future major stable software release.

Amazfit has started to roll out firmware version 3.7.5.1 to users of the T-Rex 3 smartwatch. This latest firmware brings two new tools for the map app, as well as new notification related features. Plus, Amazfit states that it has enhanced the heart rate algorithm for one particular activity.

It looks like Samsung will be launching the Galaxy Watch8 Classic and not the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 this summer after all. Sporting an updated design reminisicent of Samsung's only Ultra smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic will be joined by the Galaxy Watch8 that bids goodbye to Samsung's classic ciruclar design too.

Garmin has revealed plans to place more features behind the paywall it calls Connect+ or Connect Plus. Despite facing public criticism for announcing the service, Garmin's CEO insists that the response from early adopters has been positive enough to expand the service to future' premium offerings', possibly like the rumoured Forerunner 970.