If you follow sports tech, your inbox fills up fast. Most of what lands is minor patches dressed up as news. This cuts through all that with one weekly post covering every feature addition across the major brands, nothing else. Trivial bug fixes are excluded. Subscribe via RSS at the5krunner.com.
Garmin Forerunner 165 / 255 / 265 / 955 / 965 — v28.05 — 18 June 2026
the5krunner insight: A small release, of interest mainly to runners who train with structured intervals.
This is a stable release across the mid-range Forerunner line, and almost all of it is bug fixes that fall outside this post. The one qualifying addition concerns audio prompts. The Forerunner 165, 255, 265, 955 and 965 are all covered.
- Audio prompts now announce completion time for distance intervals
Full release notes: Forerunner Series
Garmin Edge 550 / 850 / 1050 — v32.08 beta — 25 June 2026
the5krunner insight: A small beta, only relevant if you ride a Bosch e-bike or use the Enduro mountain bike profiles.
This is a public beta on the new 32 branch for the Edge 1050, 850 and 550. Two qualifying additions sit alongside the usual bug fixes.
- eBike data screen updated to work better with Bosch systems
- Automatic ascent and descent detection added for the Enduro and E-Enduro mountain bike profiles
Full release notes: Edge 550 / 850 / 1050
Amazfit Balance 2 — v3.50.6.1 — 23 June 2026
the5krunner insight: A decent update for outdoor runners, with grade-adjusted pacing and offline routing the additions that matter.
The Amazfit Balance 2 gains Equivalent Pace, which converts uphill and downhill effort into a flat-ground figure, the same idea as Garmin’s Grade Adjusted Pace. Offline route planning and GPS heading inside the topographic map app are the other navigation additions. A HYROX Race integration with Stryd, a multi-device sync feature and an on-watch audio recorder round out the release.
- Equivalent Pace converts uphill and downhill effort into a flat-ground pace estimate
- Offline route planning in the topographic map app, with automatic recalculation when off course
- GPS heading added to the topographic map app
- On-watch route creation to points up to 100 km away
- Activity Data Fusion syncs data across multiple Amazfit devices for consistent records
- HYROX Race integration with Stryd for real-time pace metrics
- OmniRecorder streams and records phone audio for offline playback on the watch
- Bluetooth speaker support for phone audio playback
- Diving additions: depth calculation, descent and ascent detection
Full release notes: Amazfit Balance 2
Amazfit Balance 3 / Balance Ultra — v6.1.114.1 — 16 June 2026
the5krunner insight: A modest update, mostly navigation and map polish.
The Amazfit Balance 3 and Balance Ultra do not get the full Balance 2 feature list, but they pick up route preview and clearer in-workout mapping. Zepp Health also claims better GPS and pace accuracy under tree cover, which is worth testing rather than taking at face value.
- Route preview shown on the workout preparation page before navigation starts
- Map scale indicators during workouts (75 m, 200 m, 750 m, 2 km, 8 km, with imperial equivalents)
- Tighter link between the HYROX training library in Zepp and HYROX simulation workouts on the watch, with more flexible station and lap configuration
- Improved map layers, loading behaviour and digital crown zoom
- GPS track and real-time pace accuracy improved under tree cover
Full release notes: Amazfit Balance 3 / Balance Ultra
Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra — v6.1.114.1 — 16 June 2026
the5krunner insight: Worth installing for Cheetah 2 Ultra owners, with HYROX tools and the first Zepp OS 6 build the substance.
The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra gets a structured HYROX suite, an upgraded recovery score and the watch’s first official Zepp OS 6 build. Navigation picks up a route preview image and additional map scale levels.
- HYROX workout library with templates that sync from the Zepp app
- HYROX Virtual Pace generates a race strategy from venue conditions, with live ahead or behind tracking
- HYROX simulation training for full, half, first half, second half and custom modes
- HybridCharge recovery scoring upgraded with sport-specific calculation
- Route preview image shown on the workout preparation page
- New map scale levels (75 m, 200 m, 750 m, 2 km, 8 km) with imperial equivalents
- Zepp OS 6 included
Full release notes: Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra
Amazfit T-Rex 3 / T-Rex 3 Pro — v4.10.5.1 — 23 June 2026
the5krunner insight: A sport-focused update, of most interest to HYROX athletes, with golf added on the Pro.
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 and T-Rex 3 Pro move from BioCharge to HybridCharge and gain the same HYROX toolset seen across the Balance and Cheetah lines. Golf, with downloadable course maps, is the one addition exclusive to the Pro.
- HybridCharge replaces BioCharge for recovery status, now viewable on the watch
- HYROX Simulation Training for full, half, first half, second half and custom modes
- HYROX Race Strategy created in the Zepp app and sent to the watch
- Rowing machine distance calibration now supports metric and imperial units
- Golf added, with downloadable maps for more than 40,000 courses (T-Rex 3 Pro only)
Full release notes: Amazfit T-Rex 3 / T-Rex 3 Pro
Wahoo ELEMNT ACE / BOLT 3 / ROAM 3 — build 302553 — 17 June 2026
the5krunner insight: The fortnight’s most substantial release, bringing live physiological sensor data to the ELEMNT Series 3.
Wahoo has added live data and recording for four physiological sensors across the ELEMNT ACE, BOLT 3 and ROAM 3. The ELEMNT ACE also gains a dedicated wind page that uses its onboard air pressure sensor. Komoot Live Sync and custom waypoint support arrive across the Series 3 range.
- Live data and recording from four physiological sensors: CORE core temperature, FLOWBIO and hDrop sweat and sodium loss, and TymeWear breathing rate
- Wind page showing wind impact, potential speed, wind grade and resistance ratio from the onboard air pressure sensor (ELEMNT ACE only)
- Komoot Live Sync pushes route changes to the head unit mid-ride without Wi-Fi
- Custom waypoints from Strava, Komoot and Ride with GPS (water, food, hazards, rest) shown on the map, cue sheet and a dedicated Waypoints page
- Voice turn-by-turn directions added in Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Thai, Portuguese and Chinese
Find your model’s release notes: ELEMNT ACE · ELEMNT BOLT 3 · ELEMNT ROAM 3
Hammerhead Karoo — v1.638.2460 — 25 June 2026
the5krunner insight: Worth installing for anyone who trains to numbers: zones and FTP now sync automatically from your training platform.
The headline addition on the Hammerhead Karoo is Training Metrics sync, which pulls your performance settings from a connected training platform rather than asking you to enter them by hand. A handful of smaller refinements ship alongside it.
- Training Metrics sync pulls FTP, power and heart rate zones, and weight from TrainingPeaks, Strava, intervals.icu and any third party on the public API
- Sensor to profile assignment now behaves consistently whether set from the profile or the sensor details page
- Dashboard route editor enters edit mode automatically when the surface preference is changed
- Heatmap icon on the map page updated to the Suunto icon
Full release notes: Hammerhead Karoo
No updates this week
Checked and nothing to report for the week ending 27 June 2026: COROS, Suunto, Polar, Samsung and Huawei either had no release in the window or released stability and bug fix updates only.
Previous edition: #3 Deep Dive Feature Files: Week Ending 13 June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Amazfit Balance 2 have a grade-adjusted pace metric?
Yes. The latest update adds Equivalent Pace, which combines your physiological data, fitness level and gradient changes to convert uphill and downhill running into a flat-ground pace estimate. It is the Amazfit equivalent of Garmin’s Grade Adjusted Pace.
Can the Amazfit Balance 2 plan routes offline?
Yes. The update adds offline route planning inside the topographic map app, including loop routes and routes to a destination, with automatic recalculation if you go off course.
What is new in the latest Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra firmware update?
The update adds a structured HYROX suite with a workout library, Virtual Pace race strategy and simulation modes, an upgraded HybridCharge recovery score, a route preview image and new map scale levels. It is also the watch’s first official Zepp OS 6 build.
Does the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro support golf?
Yes. The update adds Golf to the T-Rex 3 Pro, with downloadable maps for more than 40,000 courses through the Zepp app. The standard T-Rex 3 does not get golf.
What physiological sensors does the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE now support?
The update adds live data and recording for four sensors: CORE for core body temperature, FLOWBIO and hDrop for sweat and sodium loss, and TymeWear for breathing rate. The same support reaches the ELEMNT BOLT 3 and ROAM 3.
Does the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE show wind data?
Yes. The update adds a dedicated wind page that uses the onboard air pressure sensor to show wind impact, potential speed, wind grade and resistance ratio. This page is exclusive to the ELEMNT ACE.
Can the Hammerhead Karoo sync training metrics automatically?
Yes. The update adds Training Metrics sync, which pulls your FTP, power and heart rate zones, and weight from TrainingPeaks, Strava, intervals.icu or any third party connected through the public API. You enable it from the Hammerhead Dashboard under Settings.
Last Updated on 27 June 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cables tidy. Essential for race day. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- 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. I use one.
- Body Glide – The Blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
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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
