Garmin 2026 Rumors, Leaks and Confirmed Releases: May 2026 Update
V2.7.30 - 12 May 2026
This is a regularly updated tracker for every Garmin 2026 rumor, leak and confirmed release, updated as products are announced. 2025 was the busiest year ever for wearable sports tech. Garmin introduced many new watches, new types of tech components, and a new product category. Usually, new product releases only last until early October - Coros Pace 4 in November and Amazfit Active Max in December- and they polished off an exceptionally hectic year.
Google and Samsung have gotten their acts together on the wearable front, and Apple has iterated its 3 key Watch versions. The former, Google, was the first company to introduce satellite connectivity on the wrist, and Garmin and Apple followed a few weeks later. Innovative tech keeps on rolling in.
Coros seems to be stabilising its market position, perhaps predictably. Still, it now faces stiff competition from lower-priced watch brands, most notably Amazfit, which has introduced a Whoop competitor and several competent watches.
Listen to the discussion
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LP1Rb4lM7lhgj2gUQTFO9?si=3eqqXL0TTjGsTBm1k1kzZQ
How This Article Determines Upcoming Sports Tech Models
Here, we cover all the recently released sports watches and bike computers, as well as the expected next-gen models from Garmin, Polar, Coros, Apple, Wahoo, Suunto, Samsung, Amazfit, Magene, and others.
The information here is typically based on industry discussions, dual-sourced rumours, high-quality leaks, extrapolations from past product release cycles, broader technological trends, and their availability. Almost all the new products I discuss here will happen, but precise timings and model names are not always set in stone, even at Garmin HQ. As we enter 2026, Garmin has strengthened its information security, so you can expect fewer product leaks going forward.
Note, these are my rules.
- I never include any information that violates NDAs
- I never include information from press releases once I have personally received them (effectively an NDA).
- I never publish information obtained illegally.
Regular readers know this article is frequently updated. If you're here for the first time and interested in 'future sports devices and feature sports tech developments,' this post is a good read. It focuses on different aspects and discusses new technologies and features rather than specific watch models.
What’s Next From Garmin for 2026
2026 doesn't look as exciting as 2025. I have added detailed thoughts below for the likelihood of every new product in 2026, but here's an overview of what's coming.
We will see range fillers that plug obvious gaps, such as lower-end Forerunners, smaller-case-format watches, and lower-priced Edges. But that's not the story Garmin wants you to hear (buy). Garmin will identify technological gaps to deliver higher-end products—a good thing- with matching premium pricing.
Thus, these will be the big thrusts for 2026
- 4G LTE on more Pro models (Garmin watches appear to be sticking with 4G LTE/LTE-M, unlike Apple moving to 5G RedCap).
- A new MARQ - will Garmin double down on microLED with more in 2026? I think MARQ is perhaps the only model that could have microLED in the near future.
- Start of the new Edge x60 series with Edge 1060 (H1.2026)
- Enduro 4 - H2.2026 (August)
New or revitalised product areas
- a Varia HUD (my intel on this could have referred to the Garmin integration on the Oakley Meta Vanguard)
- a solid Whoop competitor - CIRQA (other than Polar, Amazfit...Coros?)
- a new venture into Muscle Oxygen - a feature for endurance and strength athletes. Coupled with a rich suite of strength-related metrics.
We won't see any mainstream microLED models until the technology realises its long-promised energy-saving potential, which it has failed to achieve in F8 Pro. Surprisingly, we won't see any more satellite-enabled Garmin watches, only further updates to the Fenix range. However, we might see onboard satellite capabilities on high-end handhelds, offering an alternative to handheld inReach devices.
Garmin Leaks/Launches So Far
- ✔️Garmin Forerunner 170 (12 May 2026)
- ✔️Garmin Forerunner 70 (12 May 2026)
- ✔️ Garmin Quatix 8 Pro - (13 January 2026)
- ✔️ Garmin Varia RearVue 820 (Light, Feb 2026)
- ✔️ Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro - 14 April 2026
- Garmin Vivosmart 6 - January 2026 (leaked, due Q2) : Vivosmart 5 (April 2022)
- Garmin CIRQA - Q2.2026 (leaked)
- ✔️ Garmin Varia RearVue 820 - 3rd Feb 2026
- Garmin Muscle Battery (patent details require hardware)
Speculated Garmin Products for 2026
It could be an exciting year for Garmin. I wouldn't expect too much beyond what is shown here. Let me know if I've missed something.
The products listed as CERTAIN are strategically important to Garmin and must happen; the exact timing may be unknown.
Other extensions of existing products, like FR970, are also certain in one sense; however, the precise name of the new model or the headline new feature (LTE!) might not be certain, so I've marked a variety of future ways forward for these as POSSIBLE.
| Likelihood | Speculated Product | Speculated Release | Predecessor Product | Predecessor Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✔️ | Forerunner 170 | May 2026 | Forerunner 165 | February 2024 |
| ✔️ | Forerunner 70 | May 2026 | Forerunner 55 | June 2021 |
| Possible | Forerunner 370 (375) | May 2026 | Forerunner 265 | March 2023 |
| Certain | Fenix 9 | Late 2026 / Early 2027 | Fenix 8 Pro | September 2025 |
| Likely | Tactix 8 Pro | Late 2026 | Tactix 8 | February 2025 |
| ✔️ | Quatix 8 Pro | 13 January 2026 | Quatix 8 | June 2025 |
| ✔️ | D2 Mach 2 Pro | 14 April 2026 | D2 Mach 2 | October 2025 |
| Unlikley | D2 Air X15 Pro/Small/LTE | 2027 | D2 Air X15 | October 2025 |
| Possible | Forerunner 975 (LTE) | May 2026 | Forerunner 970 | May 2025 |
| Possible | Forerunner 575 (LTE) | May 2026 | Forerunner 570 | May 2025 |
| Certain | CIRQA - Whoop Wannabe | Q2.2026 | Index Sleep Monitor | January 2025 |
| ✔️ | Varia RearVue 820 | Feb 2026 | Varia RTL515 | May 2020 |
| ❌ | Varia RVR325 | May 2026 | Varia RVR315 | May 2020 |
| Possible | Varia RCT725 (4K) | May 2026 | Varia RCT715 | May 2022 |
| Possible | HRM400 (midrange HRM200 - HRM600) | August 2026 | HRM-Dual | January 2019 |
| Possible | Tacx Neo 4 | November 2026 | Tacx Neo 3M | December 2023 |
| Likely | MARQ Gen 3 | Q3.2026 | MARQ Gen 2 | October 2022 |
| Certain | Enduro 4 | August 2026 | Enduro 3 | August 2024 |
| Certain | Descent Mk4 | October 2026 | Descent Mk3 | November 2023 |
| Certain | Edge 1060 | June 2026 | Edge 1050 | June 2024 |
| Likely | Garmin SmO2 Sensor | August 2026 | - | - |
| Likely | Edge Explore 3 | August 2026 | Edge Explore 2 | July 2022 |
| Possible | Varia HUD Bike/Swim/Run | ? | Varia Vision | January 2016 |
| Possible | Instinct 3 Pro (w/Maps, aka Instinct 4) | ? | Instinct 3 | January 2025 |
| Possible | Lily 3 | Due, no leak | Lily 2 | January 2024 |
| Possible | Venu X1 Pro (LTE) | Sep 2026 | Venu X1 | September 2025 |
| Possible | Index S3 Scale | ? | Index S2 | October 2020 |
Don't expect to see a Garmin smart ring.
RETROSPECTIVE: Garmin 2025 - a recap
Very briefly, here is what we had in 2025.
- Instinct 3 Series (6 January 2025), Descent G2 (12 Feb 2025), Instinct 3 TACTICAL (24 April 2025), Tactix 8: Feb 2025, Vivoactive 6: April 2025, Forerunner 970 (15-May 2025), Forerunner 570 (15-May 2025), ️Venu X1 (June 2025), Quatix 8: 25 June 2025, Venu 4 (Sep 2025), Garmin Fenix 8 Pro microLED (September 2025), Garmin Fenix 8 Pro LTE (September 2025), Rally 210/110 (Q3.2025), Instinct Crossover (Instinct 3, September 2025), Bounce 2 (September 2025), Edge 850/550 (September 2025), HRM 200, ️HRM 600, Varia Vue: 8 April 2025, Garmin TACX Alpine 25 June 2025, Garmin Index Sleep Monitor (June 2025), plus various handhelds like eTrex Touch. The year ended on a high note with D2 Mach 2 (22 October 2025) and D2 Air X15 (22 October 2025).
From a product range perspective, Garmin appears to have discontinued sub-brands with a poor image (Rally RS > Rally X Series), confirmed the PRO models as an interim release between major model upgrades, and rationalised numbering conventions (x65 > 570/970).
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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
“I’m struggling to see the next big thing in bike computer tech… Bike computers seem to do all they need to.”
I’m struggling to agree with that!
I would like to see some functionality for cyclists that matches or exceeds what Garmin is already offering to runners:
1. 4G integration covering at least LiveTrack and text or WhatsApp messaging. This is a great value proposition as it would allow many people to leave their phones at home, saving weight and feeling more free. (Or a backup to a phone for solo tours.)
2. A replacement for the ageing 1040 Solar, for those who need the battery life more than the pretty screen (e.g. the ultra distance niche), and otherwise feature equivalent to the transmissive screen version.
3. Satellite messaging
4. An integrated light (a ‘to be seen’ one)
5. An integrated camera (not as capable as external cameras but capable of automatically taking stills on deceleration)
Items 1 and 2 are a higher priority for me than a replacement for the 1050/850, which I agree with you, are hard to improve upon for the average cyclist (except perhaps in usability and visual design) and still feel very new. It’s the niches though which are Garmin’s historic strength. And these niches often become mainstream, making Garmin money. I hope they’re not abandoning that strategy and becoming like Apple.
thanks George
I meant BIGGER than those 😉
1. 4g/5g…yes agreed its a needed evolution, ultiamtely i want to leave my phone at home.
2. yes i think i covered that? ah i see…you mean an update with a battery life!!! 😉
3. hmm. one day.
4. sort of agree. My Ravemen light (is a light) but also a battery charger for the garmin/wahoo. you’re adding another reason to deplete teh battery, albeit a nice to have for safety in some circumstances. my old polar bike computer had an led on it. maybe someone will add one as people love them on the watches???
5. i dont think that will happen as tech changes too quickly. i had an xplava bike computer who camera become too dated too quickly.
nicehes – no. i doubt garmin will abandon that strategy. as you rightly point out its made them billions.
What updates do you expect the spring refresh of the Varia base model to have?
I am hoping at least USB-C connector and hopefully improved battery life.
I think a user replaceable battery would be amazing, but am doubtful to see that.
usb-c would be a legal requirement.
like you i would want better battery but even wahoo struggled to improve the battery much on their radar light a few months back.
i cant recall all the fals modes from emory but i would expect those to be in sync with what others offer. particularly perhaps also a brake light mode.
none of that is very exciting and might be why it’s not updated at all. garmin needs to find a way to get higher prices (like the 715).
I am not ready to wait for Enduro 4 for sooooo many years!
Cheers,
Yoda 😉
Okay, the quiz did not work, so it is the direct reason: there is a typo, 2206 for E4.
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Is the satellite down May 13 2026 we have it on aquiring satellite for past 2 hours.
Is the satellite down May 13 2026 we have it on aquiring satellite for past 2 hours.and no I haven’t ask question before and can’t find the answer in this chat.