Wearable & Sports Tech Predictions for 2026: Apple, Garmin, Coros, Samsung, Polar, Suunto

It’s been the busiest year ever in smart wearable tech, and especially in sports tech. Here’s what to look forward to next year.

Coros

Coros will release the Vertix 4 (four) and the Pace Pro 2.

The Vertix skips a model number to align with other ranges and keeps the MIP screen while gaining the now-standard microphone, speaker, and the new features that go with both (e.g. post-workout note recording)

The Pace Pro 2 is a larger-format, lightweight running watch and will have a microphone, speaker, and a larger AMOLED display compared to the Pace 4.

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Apple

I think we can expect the minimum from the market leader here.

We will definitely get a Watch 12. I suspect the SE 4 will fail to materialise, and we will instead get a new colour version. I initially doubted Ultra 3 would be refreshed this year, but a leak of Apple’s entire 2026 product range strongly suggests we will see Ultra 4.

The headline feature is rumoured to be touch unlock—a fingerprint-based unlocking method that lets you unlock by touching either the screen or the digital crown.

I do not expect a new optical sensor array until 2027, nor do I expect satellite functionality to trickle down to the cheaper models. Although I do expect more satellite features to be added to the Ultra 3.

Google

Iteration but no Ultra until 2027, no Fitbit sport watch comeback

The Pixel Watch is now highly competent and mature, so expect an iterative move to the Pixel Watch 5, which will come in two case sizes with an LTE/Satellite option.

I doubt we will see a rugged ‘Ultra’ version until the Pixel Watch’s market share has grown, although it’s possible. The obvious additions for an Ultra version would be a Sapphire lens, a larger case, and much longer battery life of up to 4 days.

Garmin

It is hard to imagine Garmin will repeat its busiest ever year—2025.

Expect the Garmin Edge 1060 and Fenix 9, as Garmin iterates its premier model annually (includes Pro as a new version). Perhaps the biggest story would be a full-on Whoop competitor—there’s a reasonable chance of that. More details here. With Vivosmart 6 already leaked for January, might that also be a test bed for Garmin’s Whoop-killer?

We are now overdue for a next-gen Elevate 6 optical sensor. This might improve accuracy, but its headline would focus on new wellness capabilities, perhaps sweat/stress and background arrhythmia sensing.

Satellite features might get added to the Forerunner range, but only at the very top end. We could see a Forerunner 970 Pro (975) with LTE/satellite, or a more mundane, smaller-case version with no satellite/LTE.

Samsung

Samsung has switched chipsets away from Snapdragon to its own Exynos. I would expect an iterated version of that rather than a switch back to Qualcom Snapdragon. But I would expect capabilities to align with those on Pixel’s Snapdragon.

Samsung will likely iterate on the Watch 8 and Watch Ultra to match new internals, which will include 4G/5G and satellite connectivity.

Samsung is currently clearing out the Watch 7 FE (budget) range, so either that’s discontinued permanently, or a new FE version will also arrive in 2026. My bet is on the latter.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has unusual aesthetics. I quite like it; however, I am unsure how well it has gone down in the market. Samsung will likely significantly modify or entirely redesign the Ultra’s case design.

Suunto

I expect new generations of Vertical 2 and a Race 2 in Q2 2026 – but in smaller sizes, the latter being more of a successor to Race S.

Polar

FLOW is the focus

Polar has already signalled a major upgrade to the FLOW ecosystem, which is now rolling out changes. However, the wholly new interface is expected in Q1 2026.

I also expect the next generation of Polar’s flagship Vantage (V4). Whether that boasts new hardware features like NFC remains to be seen. More likely, the company will link its launch to the new FLOW.

Amazfit

Everything!

As always, Amazfit will likely iterate its entire range to the next generation! They turn around their tech pretty quickly. I look forward to the T-Rex 4 (actually it was the T-Rex Ultra 2 in March) and the Active 3.

Of most interest will be the Helio Strap 2. This would need to be released in line with software improvements, but Amazfit is very nimble, so with a bit of luck, it might be able to put out a much more coherent Whoop competitor than we saw this year.

Last Updated on 23 March 2026 by the5krunner