Smartwatch

According to a new report, Xiaomi is preparing to launch its next flagship smartwatch as the Watch 2 Pro, not the Watch S2 Pro. The same source has also shared official images of the unreleased smartwatch, as well as an approximate release date and launch pricing.

Garmin has started rolling out one of its biggest updates this year. Available across the Enduro 2, Fenix 7, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 965 and Venu 2, the update brings several new features, such as new Activity Profiles, Muscle Maps for cardio, pilates and HIIT, as well as its proprietary Gaming Activity.

Huawei has revealed plans to soon offer successors to its popular Watch GT 3 series. Arriving two days after Apple presents its next devices, Huawei is expected to unleash two versions of the Watch GT 4, both running HarmonyOS 4.

The Withings ScanWatch 2 is the company's most advanced hybrid smartwatch yet, in part thanks to its bevvy of health monitoring features. Not only can the ScanWatch 2 monitor your skin temperature, but it can also take ECGs and will last upwards of a month between charges.

Amazfit has now launched the Balance, a 46 mm smartwatch with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display. The Amazfit Balance is orderable now in multiple markets, including the Eurozone, and has dual-band GPS, a 475 mAh battery and supports detailed body composition measurement, among other features.

Samsung is now distributing One UI 5 Watch to the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro. Rolling out with build numbers ending in BWH3, the update brings Wear OS 4 to the Galaxy Watch5 series with various performance improvements and new features.

Samsung has released another limited edition Galaxy Watch6 model, following up on last month's Golf Edition. This time, it has presented the Galaxy Watch6 Classic Astro Edition, which Samsung claims is inspired by the astrolabe, an ancient astronomical instrument used to calculate the positions of celestial bodies.

Apple has been developing 3D printing techniques for manufacturing its products over the past three years, reports Bloomberg. It has been trialing the new method on the Series 9 Apple Watch models that feature steel cases, which are expected to launch next month.

Google has now outlined its next Made by Google event. According to the company, the event will be where it introduces 'the latest additions to our Pixel portfolio', which is expected to consist of at least the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2.

The Coros Pace 3 is a compact smartwatch available in multiple styles for US$229. According to the company, the Pace 3 packs plenty of features into its 11.7 mm shell and should deliver up to 24 days of continuous use thanks to its transflective LCD panel.

Garmin has unveiled the Venu 3 and Venu 3S, a pair of smartwatches that are available in multiple styles. According to Garmin, the Venu 3 series contains several firsts for its smartwatches, including nap tracking and wheelchair mode. The new Venu models also have a revised design, among other changes.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro remain a few weeks away, with Google rumoured to be lining up an October launch for both smartphones. In the meantime, Google has revealed an official Pixel 8 Pro promotional image, confirming the device's impending arrival in a new Porcelain colour option. The same image appears to include the Pixel Watch 2, too.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and Forerunner 55 smartwatches will be used in a fitness study of the U.S. Space Force Guardians. The wearables will be used to track biometrics and physical activity, with the aim of using the wearables to replace the annual physical fitness assessments, saving time and money.

The Garmin Public Beta version 15.20 is now available for Venu 2, Venu 2s and Venu 2 Plus smartwatches. The change log provided with the new software is similar to that of the previous update, v15.12, including the Gaming activity. However, the latest update brings new Sensor Hub firmware for the Venu 2 Plus.

Leaked marketing materials for CMF's first products have emerged online. Purportedly, the Nothing sub-brand plans to release a smartwatch next month, as well as a pair of orange earbuds and an accompanying GaN charger.

Oppo has now released the Watch 4 Pro, a premium smartwatch with a 1.91-inch AMOLED display and a stainless steel case. The Oppo Watch 4 Pro also has a Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset, 2 GB of RAM and a 570 mAh battery, among other features.

Garmin has reduced the price of its Forerunner 945 and Forerunner 945 LTE smartwatches at its Amazon storefronts in the US and UK. The gadget has been discounted throughout August, with the wearable now priced at US$338. The watch can last up to two weeks in smartwatch mode or 10 hours when using GPS and playing music.

Garmin has released Beta Version 16.17 for the Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965, all with the same changes. Beta Version 16.17 is also a Release Candidate build, meaning that Garmin is working towards issuing new stable builds for the four smartwatches.

Official images of the Venu 3 and Venu 3S have surfaced online before their official release. Not only has Garmin refined their design from the Venu 2 series, but it has also equipped the pair with a new sensor array that can monitor skin temperature levels.

Garmin has started rolling out Beta Version 15.12 for the Venu 2 and Venu 2S, as well as the Venu 2 Plus. Beta Version 15.12 introduces several bug fixes to all smartwatches, plus a new battery life preservation feature.

Garmin is currently preparing to launch the Venu 3, a new smartwatch that appears set to arrive later this year. Based on new findings, the Garmin Venu 3 will feature a skin temperature sensor, which should be useful for menstrual cycling and fitness tracking, among other use cases.

The release of the Oppo Watch 4 Pro is fast approaching. Not only has Oppo revealed the smartwatch's release date, but it has also shared numerous marketing renders that show the Watch 4 Pro from multiple angles.

The FCC has certified a new Fitbit fitness tracker ahead of the device's likely release later this year. Seemingly, the fitness tracker is an Ace 3, Charge 5 or Luxe successor, rather than a more expensive model.

The Garmin Public Version 13.19 and Beta Version 13.20 have been released for the Instinct 2, Instinct 2S, Instinct 2X and Instinct Crossover smartwatches. While v13.19 adds features like a Gaming activity to the smartwatch, v13.20 focuses on resolving a couple of issues linked with activities.

The Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 have received new bug fixes and changes courtesy of their latest beta updates. Garmin has brought Beta Version 16.16 to the pair, which is available to download now using the company's GCM service.

Beta Version 16.16 is now available for the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 265, two smartwatches that have not received beta updates for a few weeks. According to Garmin, both models have received an identical set of changes, which include several new features and nearly a dozen bug fixes.

COROS has launched a limited Chamonix Edition of its Apex 2 Pro smartwatch. The new version has a design inspired by the Alps, and it has arrived just before UTMB 2023. Features of the wearable include a 1.3-in (~33 mm) touchscreen, sun movement tracking, recovery time and effort pace tools.

The Garmin Epix (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition 47 mm smartwatch is currently discounted at retailers in the UK and EU. RunningXpert.com is selling the wearable in the UK for just £600, with price cuts also seen at Amazon. You can use the smartwatch to track your health and exercise, with multi-band GPS and 16 days of battery life.

Garmin has released Beta Version 14.31 for various smartwatches, including the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7S series. Available to download now, Beta Version 14.31 introduces a few bug fixes for the pair, as well as Enduro 2, Epix 2, Marq 2 and Quatix 7 models.

A Garmin Sleep Coaching tool is on the way, according to a report from the5krunner. The rumors suggest that the new feature will provide recommendations for your sleep habits based on data collected by the wearable. These would work alongside the existing sleep insights available on Garmin smartwatches.

The Garmin event database has been improved, presumably via the latest smartphone app update, Version 4.70. You can use the feature to find races in your area, with additional filters to find the right match. Plus, you can add the race to your training calendar to optimize your workout regime ahead of the event.

Google provided insights about its next smartwatch at least a month before its release. Not only has the company confirmed that the smartwatch will arrive as the Pixel Watch 2, but it has also revealed the smartwatch's Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, its RAM configuration and even a look at its design.

Updated: Polish retailer reveals pricing and earlier shipment dates.
According to a new report, Xiaomi still intends to release the Smart Band 8 globally. Reputedly, shipments may not begin until October, six months after the fitness tracker debuted in Xiaomi's home market.

Oppo has revealed first details about the Watch 4 Pro, its next flagship smartwatch. So far, the company has outlined that the Watch 4 Pro will combine the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset with 2 GB of RAM and a power-efficient Bluetooth chipset. New health tracking features are headed the way of the Oppo Watch 4 Pro too, including a skin temperature sensor.

Garmin has started rolling out a new beta update for Fenix 7, Fenix 7S and Fenix 7X smartwatches. Also available for the Enduro 2, Epix 2, Quatix 7 and Marq 2 series, Beta Version 14.30 introduces over 20 changes with a focus on addressing outstanding bugs and issues.

The Garmin Public Beta Version 13.19 has been released for the Instinct 2, Instinct 2s, Instinct 2X and Instinct crossover smartwatches. The update contains a fix for a bug related to language settings. Garmin notes that the software is a Release Candidate, meaning a version of the update should soon be available for all wearables.

Mobvoi has announced that its latest flagship smartwatch will be available in a color besides black soon. In the meantime, the OEM is offering the opportunity to win the ~US$300 wearable in its new shade. The odds of doing so are in favor of those with the generative AI prompts that best fit the theme of Mobvoi's new contest.

Garmin has released Public Beta 2.51 for the Venu Sq 2. The latest software includes a new activity, several improvements, and bug fixes. The company notes that v2.51 is a Release Candidate, meaning Garmin intends to roll out a public version of the firmware in the near future.

The Garmin Public Beta 15.10 has been released for the Venu 2, Venu 2S and Venu 2 Plus smartwatches. The update is nearly identical to the last two but is the first in the 15.xx cycle for the Venu 2 Plus. The latest software should be automatically pushed to wearables enrolled on the Beta Program.

Amazfit has launched the Cheetah Square, the third model in the Cheetah series. The Cheetah Square has a large AMOLED display, a digital crown and dual-band GPS, all within a case that weighs 25 g.

The Smart Band 8 Pro is Xiaomi's latest smartwatch, and one that it equips with a 1.74-inch AMOLED display. The Smart Band 8 Pro also supports location services, NFC payments and has a display that delivers 600 nits peak brightness, all for CNY 399 (~US$55).

The first plausible details about the Apple Watch X have been provided by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. According to Bloomberg's sources the Watch Series 9 will be a snoozfest, but Apple is planning a major redesign for the 10th anniversary model that could likely be called the "Watch X".

The FCC has now published initial documentation for what is believed to be the Pixel Watch 2. Apparently, Google has prepared three variants, including a US-specific cellular option. Two new metal watch band options may be available too, although the Pixel Watch 2 appears to lack rumoured UWB integration.

Garmin has announced that it has removed the latest beta build for the Fenix 7 series, which it started rolling out yesterday. Apparently, Beta Version 14.28 breaks Bluetooth and wireless connectivity for some smartwatches, with up to 10% of models affected so far.

Xiaomi has now confirmed the imminent arrival of the Smart Band 8 Pro, a device that looks more like a conventional smartwatch than its fitness tracker branding suggests. Arriving next week alongside the MIX Fold 3, the Smart Band 8 Pro also looks the spitting image of recent Apple Watch models.

According to a new report, the launch of the iPhone 15 series is a little more than a month away. Supposedly occurring on a Tuesday this time around, the launch event is also rumoured to host the introductions of Apple's next smartwatches. Photos of the USB Type-C ports for this year's iPhones have also leaked online, revealing a few differences between the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Google has published new updates for all its recent Pixel devices, Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet included. While Pixel smartphones and the Pixel Watch have received bug fixes through new security patch updates, the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet have also gained some Bluetooth and UI improvements.

Huawei has delivered a major update for the Watch 4 Pro, one of the company's latest smartwatches. Rolling out in China as the HarmonyOS 3.1.0.168, the update is said to add several new features to the Watch 4 Pro, as well as power consumption and performance optimisations.

Garmin has rolled out Beta Version 13.18 for Instinct 2 series and Crossover smartwatches. Available to download now manually, the update contains bug fixes for all eligible smartwatches, as well as more improvements for its new Gaming activity.