Smartwatch

Xiaomi is finally set to bring the Band 7 Pro over to the global market as the Smart Band 7 Pro. Ahead of its launch, however, a new leak has now revealed its pricing as well as other important details of the smartwatch-esque fitness tracker.

Garmin has released a new update, version 7.07, for owners of its Forerunner 945 LTE smartwatch participating in the beta program. The software includes a range of new features, such as Training Readiness, Race Widget, Morning Report and Fitness Age. Plus, the update includes general bug fixes.

According to new reports, the Pixel Watch and the Pixel 7 series will not begin shipping simultaneously. Instead, while Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro pre-orders should reach people in mid-October, the Pixel Watch will be held back until early November. Pricing in the Eurozone and the US has leaked too, as have various colour combinations.

Garmin has announced Alpha version 9.35 for Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches. Available to download now, the new Beta Program update seeks to fix several issues across the three smartwatch series, including one that cause the Golf activity not automatically to advance to the next hole.

Garmin has rolled out Public Beta 10.22 for the Venu 2 series, following just a few days after Public Beta 10.21 arrived. Seemingly the Venu 2 series' next stable build too, Public Beta 10.22 contains a few bug fixes aimed but no new features.

Garmin has started rolling out new beta updates for the Instinct 2 and the Instinct 2s. While Beta version 9.25 has only just arrived, Garmin sought to release Beta version 9.27 a few days later. Both lack any new features, but they should address bugs on the Instinct 2 series.

VOLTA has jumped into the multi-pad, multi-use wireless charging accessory space with the Anchor, a 3-in-1 "station"-style product that could also act as a display stand or holder for pretty much all of a user's mobile Apple or Android ecosystem at the same time. It supports up to 15W of wireless power, which is still compatible with the new iPhone 14 series.

Realme is now selling the Watch 3 in Europe, a budget smartwatch with a 1.8-inch display. Available in its grey colourway, the Realme Watch 3 offers 24/7 heart rate and blood oxygen level monitoring, along with over 100 watch faces and exercise modes.

The Vwar GT4 smartwatch is now available globally via AliExpress with a larger 1.91-in (~48 mm) screen. It can be connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to receive calls on the wearable. Health-related features on the device are listed as blood pressure, heart rate and SpO2 monitors.

The COLMI P8 GT smartwatch is now available via AliExpress. The device is listed as having SpO2 and heart rate monitors, as well as sleep health tracking and Bluetooth calling functionality. The wearable has a 1.69-in touchscreen and weighs 51 g (~1.8 oz), including the silicone strap.

Apple may have introduced the Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra with its Apple S8 SoC, but a higher chipset number is no guarantee of any significant improvements. Instead, it turns out that the Apple S8, Apple S7 and Apple S6 are identical with no CPU or GPU improvements between generations.

Samsung has started rolling out another update to the Galaxy Watch5 series, the second since their introduction last month. Released for all versions of the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, the update improves GPS stability, among other changes.

The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is currently discounted as part of the company’s birthday sale. The running smartwatch is available in the US with a US$200 discount, selling for US$139.99. Features of the device include a wrist-based heart rate monitor and support for Strava Live Segments.

The Mibro T1 smartwatch has been unveiled and will launch on September 26. The device has a 1.6-in (~41 mm) display and Bluetooth calling functionality, as well as reported heart rate and SpO2 monitors. According to Mibro, the wearable can last up to 45 days in standby mode or seven days with typical use.

Huawei has started distributing two updates for the Band 7, one of its latest fitness trackers. Rolling out as HarmonyOS 2.0.0.26 and HarmonyOS 2.0.0.32, the pair bring new features and improvements for the Band 7.

Apple has released watchOS 9, a substantial update for the Apple Watch Series 4 onwards. Rolling out now, watchOS 9 overhauls almost all aspects of Apple's smartwatch operating system, including adding a power-saving mode for improved battery life, among other changes.

The Gainbang K55 is a new outdoor smartwatch available globally via AliExpress. The wearable has Bluetooth calling and exercise logging tools, with over 20 sports modes available. Reported health features of the device include blood pressure, blood oxygen and heart rate monitors.

Apple has made some pretty powerful claims for the battery life of its new Watch Ultra, as indeed it has for the Series 8. Now, actual independent measurements for these wearables have emerged. They show that the Ultra may indeed have a significantly larger battery compared to its more traditional counterpart, although whether that really translates to longer screen-on times remains to be seen.

Apple has presented its inaugural Watch Ultra as a device made so well of such high-end materials that it can stand up to any amount of demanding, practically pro-athlete or explorer use. Nevertheless, it now has an official schedule of repair costs on its website, which show that its restoration can cost a pretty penny - unless you get an AppleCare+ plan for it, of course.

The market leader in the premium smartwatch segment takes a dig at the supposedly subpar battery life of the new Apple Watch Ultra by advertising its latest Garmin Enduro 2 flagship smartwatch, which sports a remarkable battery life of up to 550 days in power-saving mode.

Amazfit has announced that it now supports trade-ins via the web-store it operates for US consumers. The new program may thus offer a way to sort out what to do with their old smartwatch (not necessarily from the same brand) while getting the GTR 4 or GTS 4 of their dreams at the same time. Then again, the initiative comes with caveats, not the least of which is the time-limit on its availability.

Huawei has finally started enabling ECG functionality on the Watch GT 3 Pro in Europe and in other markets, a smartwatch that it released in May. The Huawei ECG App has also arrived for the Huawei Watch D in Europe, as has the device's much-anticipated on-wrist blood pressure monitoring.

While the Apple Watch Series 8 comes with an Always-On Retina display, temperature sensing, and innovative features such as fall detection, emergency SOS, and crash detection. The Watch SE is 20 percent faster than the first generation and its list of features includes sleep tracking, new ways to train with the enhanced Workout app, and more.

Apple has just unleashed the first ever Ultra version of its Apple Watch. It comes with the largest case known to its line to date, packed with what the Cupertino giant backs as features to boost endurance and performance in the new wearable. The Ultra comes in just one 49mm GPS and cellular-enabled SKU, and costs as much as some brand-new iPhones.

Apple has started selling out of the Watch Series 3 ahead of its inevitable discontinuation after tomorrow's Far Out launch event. The Watch SE has dropped significantly in price on Amazon US too, a hint that it could soon replace the Series 3 as Apple's cheapest smartwatch.

Google has confirmed when it will unveil the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, as well as the long-awaited Pixel Watch. Not only has the company outlined the trio's arrival, but it has also teased that the Google Tensor G2 processor will power both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

Realme has unveiled the Watch 3 Pro in India, where it starts at INR 4,499 (~US$56) during its pre-sale period. Eventually rising to INR 4,999 (~US$63), the Watch 3 Pro features a 1.78-inch AMOLED display, over 110 sports modes and a SpO2 sensor, among other things.

A new Fitbit Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications feature has been rolled out to over 20 countries. The tool is designed to help spot signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which could increase your risk of heart problems. The feature launched in the US earlier this year following FDA approval and is available on various smartwatch models.

Samsung has started rolling out One UI Watch 4.5 to the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic, its flagship smartwatches, until the Galaxy Watch5 series arrived last month. Not only has Samsung upgraded the Galaxy Watch4 series to One UI Watch 4.5, it has also brought the pair onto the August 2022 set of security patches.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro seems to be headed to Europe and possibly a wider global market thanks to two recent appearances for the wearable. The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro (known as the Mi Band 7 Pro or just Band 7 Pro in China) offers attractive upgrades over its non-Pro counterpart, including GPS, NFC, and a more traditional watch-style design.

Flipkart has listed the Realme Watch 3 Pro ahead of the smartwatch's official release. Due just a day before the arrival of the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Pro, the Realme Watch 3 Pro will be available in India first, where it will retail for INR 5,499 (~US$69).

A new update for the Huawei Watch GT 3 and Watch GT Runner has arrived in China promising several new features. Included in the changelog is smart door support, as well as improved emoji integration. The new update is rolling out to both smartwatches as HarmonyOS 2.1.0.399.

Garmin has unveiled a new edition of the vívofit jr. 3, a smartwatch intended for children. Available in multiple markets, the Black Panther-themed model joins the corresponding Iron Man edition and comes in two subtly different versions. Like the rest of the vívofit jr. 3 series, the Black Panther edition costs US$89.99.

It seems that the Galaxy Watch5 Pro can cause problems with certain laptops. Surprisingly, Samsung's latest flagship smartwatch ships with a watch band that has a magnet so strong that it will trigger some laptops to sleep if you have the Galaxy Watch5 Pro on your wrist.

Huawei has announced at IFA 2022 that its most exciting smartwatch will be available in Europe. Announced earlier this year, the Huawei Watch D features advanced health monitoring sensors for on-wrist blood pressure measurement, taking an ECG and monitoring skin temperature or blood oxygen levels.

The COLMI V33 has arrived on AliExpress for global sales. The device is listed as having body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure monitors. Other features of the wearable include making or receiving Bluetooth calls, sleep tracking and a Find Phone tool. Plus, the gadget is reported to last for up to four days on a single charge.

The LZAKMR A2 smartwatch is available worldwide via AliExpress. Two models of the wearable are available with cellular connectivity: 2G 16 GB and 4G 64 GB. Both watches have a camera on the side, allowing you to take pictures with the device. Plus, the gadget is reported to have a body temperature sensor.

Garmin has unveiled the Venu Sq 2 and Venu Sq 2 Music at IFA 2022, both with significant upgrades compared to their predecessors. Sporting larger OLED displays and better battery life than the Venu Sq series, the Venu Sq 2 series also offer numerous health tracking features but at an increased starting price.

Amazfit has introduced the GTR 4, a round smartwatch with a 1.43-inch display. Equipped with Amazfit's latest BioTracker 4.0 PPG optical sensor, the GTR 4 also features over 150 sports modes, dual-band GPS, and is available in the Eurozone for €199.99.

Amazfit has announced the GTS 4, a larger alternative to the GTR 4 and a more expensive option to the GTS 4 Mini. Equipped with a 1.75-inch AMOLED display, the GTS 4 relies on Zepp OS 2.0 and has Amazfit's BioTracker 4.0 PPG optical sensor, among other features.

Amazfit has started offering the GTS 4 Mini in Europe, a smartwatch that the company promises will provide 'ultra-long battery life'. Equipped with a 1.65-inch display, the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini comes in four colours and is cheaper option than the GTR 4 and GTS 4, which Amazfit has also announced today.

According to reports, Google has set a price for the Pixel Watch, its long-awaited Wear OS smartwatch. Launching later this year, the Pixel Watch should be available in Bluetooth and LTE variants, as well as in various colours and finishes. Reputedly, the Pixel Watch could be even more expensive than the Galaxy Watch5, despite relying on the older Exynos 9110 chipset.

DIZO has announced that its next smartwatches will launch as its Watch D Talk and Watch R Talk. They will be square- and round-faced respectively, and will both have the up-to-date spec of support for calls over Bluetooth. One will have an AMOLED display, whereas the other will have a larger-than-average screen for its class.

ASUS has unveiled the VivoWatch 5 Aero during IFA 2022, a fitness tracker that has an intriguing sensor below its display. According to the company, the VivoWatch 5 Aero can take ECGs just by placing a fingertip on the sensor. Supposedly, the sensor can read blood oxygen and heart rate levels too.

A substantial leak has revealed more details about the Garmin Venu Sq 2, as well as the Venu Sq 2 Music. Both smartwatches will launch with AMOLED display and with almost twice the battery life of their predecessors. Garmin will charge more than the Venu Sq 2 series than it did for the original Venu Sq and Venu Sq Music, though.

The Vwar 8 Pro smartwatch is available in many countries via AliExpress. The wearable has a built-in NFC for contactless payments and smart door access. Other features of the device include SpO2 and heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking. Plus, you can receive calls on the gadget via Bluetooth.

The Zeblaze GTR 3 smartwatch has been revealed on AliExpress. The wearable has a 1.32-in touchscreen with an 82.6% screen-to-body ratio. The listing suggests that the watch has built-in skin temperature, heart rate and SpO2 monitors. Plus, the gadget is expected to last up to 15 days on a single charge with typical use.

OnePlus has been rumored to add a Watch to its mid-range Nord series of devices, although its alleged product name has never been confirmed - until now. It is part of the OEM's new Bluetooth SIG registration for a device confirmed as a wearable, and, thus, now much more likely to debut soon.

Realme has decided to unveil its next flagship smartwatch just a day before the Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Pro arrive. According to an extensive leak, the Realme Watch 3 Pro will rely on a 1.78-inch AMOLED display, among other features.