The image above says it all really. Source: Garmin.com Connect IQ Devices Biker Monkey vs. Aikido Monkey
All of the circled AIKIDO products WILL be replaced…soon
At least in part the Fenix Chronos is the Fenix 4/Fenix 5. It’s not just a pimped up, shiny Fenix 3. there is at least something different inside. We know that the firmware developers on the Fenix 3 need a little more oomph in their hardware. The Fenix 4 is not so far away.
Fenix4 could still be a KONA-announcement although I think that unlikely. KONA is only days away and if Garmin wanted to start selling things for Christmas they would want to have the volume to ship soon after KONA as retailers bail out of Fenix3 inventories on Cyber Monday/Black Friday. With all that new Fenix 4/Fenix 5 stock scuttling all over a global distribution network with orders placed by massive retailers it would be likely that some info would have already leaked out. AFAIK there is no such info.
If there were to be a 2016 Fenix 4/Fenix 5 then Mr Rainmaker would already have a pre-production unit ABOUT NOW. So if he denies one is impending then we can rule out 2016 – he seems an honest chap.
If a 920XT or Fenix 4/Fenix 5 were announced at KONA with no supporting stock (possible) then retailers would justifiably be annoyed as they would find it harder to shift existing Fenix 3/920XT stocks.
So Q1.2016 would be the earliest for a Fenix 4/Fenix 5 IMO. Why not January, after the sales?
There have been Sept/October announcements of new products from Garmin in previous years (eg 920xt). My money would be on a Vivo-junior or a Vivo-kids model. That would be a perfect Christmas product. The LeapPad people have such products – I was going to do a spoof review months ago but thought better of it!
Thinking about it though. People start buying their sports gadgets leading up to and during Spring. So 2017 could be a Garmin-tastic year with a 930Xt, 635/640, 240/245, Edge 1030/1010.
Perhaps my longed-for Swim 2 and Epix 2 will never make the light of day in reality.
Last Updated on 16 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
You mean this thing – https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/29/garmin-vivofit-jr/
I’m awesome at predicting the past. Well done me :-). yes, that one. TY JK!! . I had heard the kids’s stuff was out there but then I fell asleep. a further nail in the fenix4-october-announcement coffin
Why not the 930xt with the square face and built in HRM?
see other comment. October looks to be the kids thing. There WILL be a 935XT, so logically there should be a 930 as well. just don’t know when. not next week for the same reason as the F4. Hope I’m wrong.
I looked at the same iq page earlier and as of today I’d only consider buying the 735xt
you seem more like a Chronos man, dear sir 🙂
lol I didn’t pay that much for my one lifetime (longines) watch 8 years ago. Sure does look nice but without user replaceable batteries it’ll be physically scrap in 3 years and much sooner in software terms. At least with buying the non-sporting TAG smart watch there is a upgrade path, although I see it as an overly expensive way to end up with a nice horological piece at the end of two years
I’ll not be jumping from the good ship Polar on a whim as that’d mean new scales, new foot pod, new everything. waiting on the V800 successor….