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 — Edge 1050 / Edge 850 / Edge 550 / Edge MTB — v32.20 — 19 August 2026
the5krunner insight: A decent update for off-road riders, and only relevant to road riders for the Stamina change.
Automatic climb and descent detection now runs by default in the Enduro and E-Enduro profiles under MTB/CX. The Edge 850, Edge 1050, Edge 550 and Edge MTB all take the same build, which went live for all users on 20 August. Garmin states that the Stamina model has been improved and gives no detail on what changed.
- Automatic climb and descent detection has been added to the Enduro and E-Enduro profiles as the default setting under MTB/CX.
- The Stamina model has been improved.
- Rider and Virtual Partner markers are positioned more accurately in zoomed elevation profiles on the ClimbPro and Segment pages.
- The Bosch eBike metrics data screen has been improved.
- Incident visibility on the activity summary map has been improved.
- Gear Tracking behaves better when no gear is selected.
- Trainer plus and minus controls have been removed while following a course or activity.
Find your model’s release notes: Edge 1050 · Edge 850 · Edge 550 · Edge MTB
Garmin — CIRQA — v2.50 — 25 August 2026
the5krunner insight: A small release, and only relevant if you have found CIRQA heart rate unreliable.
The published change log for the CIRQA runs to a single line covering optical heart rate. Garmin has not said which conditions the change addresses or which part of the measurement chain was altered. Owners report two undocumented side effects: alarm faults present in 2.32 are resolved, and Bluetooth heart rate broadcast now drops out where ANT+ does not.
- Optical heart rate processing has been updated. Garmin has published no further detail.
Full release notes: Garmin CIRQA
Amazfit — Active Max — Zepp OS 6 — 16 August 2026
the5krunner insight: Worth installing, and the HYROX pacing tool has no equivalent at this price.
Zepp OS 6 reaches the Active Max with a race-planning feature aimed squarely at HYROX competitors, alongside the pool swimming and rowing machine changes that reached the rest of the range earlier in the month. Amazfit has published no version number for this build. Its own software updates page carries the disclaimer that some upcoming features cannot be disclosed in advance and are not included in published notes: one to watch.
- HYROX Virtual Pace builds a segmented race plan with target times for each stage, calculated from your target finish time.
- Pool swimming gains Manual Rest, which separates swimming from rest in the workout record and categorises the swimming segments by stroke.
- FTMS support connects the watch to third-party rowing machines including the Concept2 RowErg, with real-time power and distance on the wrist and distance calibration in metric or imperial.
- Zepp training courses, training plans and the Training Calendar can now be viewed and followed on the watch.
- A Training Library appears near the top of the workout section.
- Map Download Management adds delete, resume, update and download task management.
Full release notes: Amazfit product update
Amazfit — Balance 2 Series — v6.2.208.7 — 18 August 2026
the5krunner insight: The largest release of the fortnight across any brand, and the lactate threshold and navigation changes are the parts that touch training.
Zepp OS 6 lands on the Balance 2 Series with gear tracking, RPE logging and a revised running lactate threshold algorithm, putting the watch closer to Garmin and COROS on training admin. Apple Notification Forwarding is restricted to EU users on iOS 26.5 or later, and the release notes name Zepp App 10.5.5 as a requirement without publishing notes for it: one to watch. The Balance 2 does not receive the Zepp OS 6 Motion UI launcher that shipped on the Balance 3 and Balance Ultra.
- The running lactate threshold algorithm has been changed for accuracy.
- Gear tracking links workout records to running shoes or bikes and accumulates usage.
- RPE can be recorded after a workout and feeds into training load and training effect.
- Route navigation shows the upcoming route track and route name on the pre-workout screen, and turn alerts respond faster.
- Route storage on the watch rises to a maximum of 100.
- FTMS support connects third-party rowing machines including the Concept2 RowErg.
- Pool swimming gains Manual Rest, which separates swimming from rest and categorises swimming by stroke.
- Voice Memos record a note mid-workout without ending the session, and the note is reviewable in the Zepp App.
- The Training Calendar app puts plans set in the Zepp App on the wrist.
- Morning Brief becomes Daily Brief and adds an evening recap covering heart rate, HRV, stress, calories and HybridCharge.
- HRV data now writes to Apple Health.
- Apple Notification Forwarding allows replies to iPhone notifications from the watch (EU only, iOS 26.5 or later).
- The default pause control on some workouts changes from a crown press to a press and hold.
Full release notes: Amazfit Balance 2 Series
Amazfit — T-Rex 3 / T-Rex 3 Pro / T-Rex Ultra 2 — v6.3.13.5 — 19 August 2026
the5krunner insight: Worth installing if you navigate off-road, where the wrong-direction alert is the substance.
Route navigation on the T-Rex 3 now detects when you are travelling the wrong way along a route and offers a one-tap reversal. Map rendering has been reworked so trails are drawn in a different colour from urban roads, with sidewalk data added alongside some major roads. Amazfit has published this change log in the Zepp app only and has posted nothing to its product update blog.
- Route navigation detects travel in the wrong direction, raises an alert and offers a one-tap reversal.
- The watch notifies you once it has recalculated a route after you go off course.
- Contour lines are easier to see, trails are drawn in a distinct colour from urban roads, and sidewalk data appears alongside some major roads at the 200m to 8m scales.
- A larger geographic area can be downloaded per map, and POI display and place names have been adjusted for legibility at different zoom levels.
- The VO2 Max algorithm has been updated for accuracy and stability.
- Helio Strap and Helio Strap Pro can be controlled from the watch, covering low battery alerts, Find Device and the heart rate broadcast toggle.
- A new Accessory Reminder workout setting scans for compatible accessories at the GO screen and offers to connect.
- Track Run can display imperial and metric distance together on the second workout page.
- Freediving allows separate buzzer types for depth and time alerts.
Full release notes: Amazfit software updates
Hammerhead — Karoo — v1.650.2509 — 20 August 2026
the5krunner insight: A modest update, and the route waypoint ceiling is the only part most riders will notice.
Dashboard now accepts routes of up to 500 waypoints, which matters for anyone building long gravel or bikepacking routes with dense turn data. Battery reporting for SRAM power meters and tyre pressure monitors outside a ride has been brought into line with the AXS app. Hammerhead has also opened self-service submission to the Extension Library, so developers can build, test and submit apps without going through SRAM.
- The maximum number of waypoints per route rises to 500 in Dashboard.
- Battery status for SRAM power meters and tyre pressure monitors out of ride now matches the AXS app.
- Developers can build and test apps through a new developer settings menu and submit them to the Extension Library directly.
- The iOS Companion App excludes paused time from the workout time written to Apple Health.
- The screen shown when the Karoo is plugged in with a flat battery now displays a charging icon.
Full release notes: Hammerhead Karoo
Samsung — Galaxy Watch 8 / Galaxy Watch 8 Classic — One UI 9 Watch Beta — 26 August 2026
the5krunner insight: Only relevant if you are in South Korea and prepared to run beta software.
The first Wear OS 7 build for the Galaxy Watch 8 backports the Galaxy Watch 9 features that are not tied to new hardware, including Fitness Index and Vitals. Enrolment runs through Samsung Members and the beta is restricted to South Korea, with no confirmation of wider availability. Samsung has published no change log for the build, which carries the 5 August security patch level.
- Fitness Index and Vitals arrive from the Galaxy Watch 9.
- Samsung Health gains deeper reporting on aerobic load, sleep vital signs and heart health.
- Sleep management has been reworked.
- Google Gemini integration includes Gemini Raise to Talk.
- New watch face options and wider watch face customisation have been added.
- New safety tools have been added.
No updates this week
Checked and nothing to report for the fortnight ending 29 August 2026: COROS, Suunto, Polar, Wahoo and Huawei either had no release in the window or released stability and bug fix updates only. COROS shipped DURA firmware V3.1809.0 and iOS app V4.8.9 on 18 August, both carrying the same one-line change log of bug fixes and performance optimisations, and nothing at all between 19 and 29 August. The COROS “August 2026 Feature Update” carrying Live Tracking and the new sleep model is dated 29 July and was covered in an earlier edition. Suunto has published no release notes since 14 July, and its 9 Peak Pro page now states that no further feature or software updates are planned for that watch. Wahoo’s most recent firmware for the ELEMNT ACE and ROAM v3 remains the 31 July build, and the BOLT v3 page has not been updated since 20 May. Polar shipped Flow 7.36.3 for iOS on 18 August to fix a Loop Gen 2 connection drop. Huawei’s most recent watch firmware is the July security update pushed on 10 August. Garmin’s watch line also produced nothing qualifying across two weeks: 22.43 and 22.44 for the Fenix 8 family, 17.38 and 17.39 for the Forerunner 970 and 570, 29.05 for the Forerunner 965, 265, 165, 955 and 255, and 9.21 for the Forerunner 170 and 70 are display fixes, security work and translations. Samsung’s stable releases were the August security patch for the Galaxy Watch 4, Watch 5 and Watch 9.
Previous edition: #11 Deep Dive Feature Files: Week Ending 15 August 2026
Quick answers
Does the Garmin Edge 1050 detect climbs automatically on mountain bike rides?
Yes. Automatic climb and descent detection is now switched on by default in the Enduro and E-Enduro profiles under MTB/CX. The Edge 850, Edge 550 and Edge MTB receive the same change.
What is new in the latest Garmin Edge 850 firmware update?
The main addition is automatic climb and descent detection for the Enduro and E-Enduro profiles. Garmin has also improved the Stamina model, the Bosch eBike metrics screen, and the positioning of rider and Virtual Partner markers in zoomed elevation profiles on the ClimbPro and Segment pages.
Can the Amazfit Balance 2 track how much use your running shoes have had?
Yes. Gear tracking links each workout record to a piece of gear such as running shoes or a bike, and the watch accumulates the usage against it.
Does the Amazfit Balance 2 record RPE after a workout?
Yes. You can log a rating of perceived exertion once a workout ends, and the figure feeds into the training load and training effect calculations.
What is new in the latest Amazfit T-Rex 3 firmware update?
Route navigation now detects when you are travelling the wrong way and offers a one-tap reversal, and the watch tells you once it has recalculated a route after you go off course. The maps have been redrawn so trails are a different colour from urban roads, and the VO2 Max algorithm has been updated.
Does the Amazfit Active Max help you pace a HYROX race?
Yes. HYROX Virtual Pace takes your target finish time and builds a segmented race plan with a target time for each stage.
How many waypoints can a Hammerhead Karoo route hold?
Up to 500. The ceiling was raised in Dashboard as part of this release, which helps when building long routes with dense turn data.
Which watches can now connect to a Concept2 RowErg?
The Amazfit Active Max and the Amazfit Balance 2 Series both gain FTMS support in this window, which sends power and distance from a compatible rowing machine to the watch rather than the watch estimating from wrist movement.
Last Updated on 2 October 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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Written by real people, with AI assistance. Fact-checked and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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
