This year’s smartwatch launches were packed into a short period. Samsung and Google introduced their new watches in July and August, while Garmin also released the Fenix 9 series just recently.
Most of the major changes this year focus on health, fitness, and battery life. Samsung improved its sleep apnea and cardio tracking features, and Google introduced a breathing emergency detector that can contact emergency services automatically. Here are five of the best smartwatches to consider in 2026.
1. Best for iPhone Users
The Apple Watch Series 11 keeps the familiar design, but Apple has added some useful health features. The biggest addition is hypertension notifications. The watch looks for signs of long-term high blood pressure by analyzing blood vessel responses over 30 days using its optical heart sensor. Apple trained the feature using data from more than 100,000 participants and tested it in a clinical study involving 2,000 people.
Apple also introduced a new sleep score system that looks at sleep duration, sleep stages, and bedtime consistency. You can check the score on the watch or through the Health app.
The Series 11 also supports 5G through a redesigned antenna system. Its fast charging can provide up to eight hours of use after just 15 minutes of charging. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours with normal use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode.
The aluminum models use updated Ion-X glass, which Apple says is twice as scratch-resistant as the previous generation. The watch comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes. Prices start at $399 for the GPS model and $499 for GPS + Cellular.
For iPhone users, the Apple Watch Series 11 is the easiest option to recommend thanks to its close integration with Apple’s apps, notifications, and health features.
2. Best Rugged Option
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is Samsung’s most rugged smartwatch, built for outdoor activities. It keeps the titanium case from the original Ultra but is 12% thinner. Its 1.52-inch Sapphire Crystal Super AMOLED display can reach 5,000 nits, making it easier to see in direct sunlight.
Samsung launched the Watch Ultra 2 alongside the Galaxy Watch 9. Both watches are powered by Qualcomm’s 3nm Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset. The battery has also grown to 800mAh, which is 35% larger than the battery in the previous Ultra. Samsung has added a Trail Run mode that tracks elevation and terrain during outdoor runs.
The watch uses Samsung’s BioActive sensor system for health tracking. It supports features such as FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection, Heart Health Score, and Daily Cardio Load tracking to help with workout recovery.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 starts at $699 for the LTE version in the US and €749 in Europe.
3. Best for Google Users
The Pixel Watch 5 keeps the round design with curved glass that has become a signature of the Pixel Watch series. This year’s model adds deeper Gemini AI integration along with several new health features.
One of the most notable additions is Breathing Emergency Detection, which will launch first in Europe. It monitors for major drops in blood oxygen and can automatically contact emergency services if the wearer becomes unresponsive.
Google also improved the battery life on both versions. The 41mm model has a 332mAh battery and is rated for up to 30 hours with the always-on display enabled. The larger 45mm model has a 465mAh battery and can last up to 40 hours. Both models can charge to 50% in around 15 minutes with the included charging dock.
The 41mm model starts at $399 for Wi-Fi and $499 for LTE. The 45mm version starts at $429 for Wi-Fi and $529 for LTE, making the Pixel Watch 5 more expensive than the previous generation.
4. Best for Outdoor Adventures
Garmin’s Fenix watches are designed for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, and the Fenix 9 continues that approach. It has a display that can reach 3,000 nits of brightness, satellite messaging support, and much longer battery life than most mainstream smartwatches.
Garmin rates the Fenix 9 for up to 57 days of battery life, depending on the mode you use. The company launched it alongside the Fenix 9 Pro, with the Pro model adding built-in inReach connectivity for two-way satellite messaging without a phone.
The watch has 64GB of storage, enough for around 7,000 offline songs. It also includes TopoActive maps for multiple continents and fitness features such as Training Readiness, Endurance Score, and an ECG app for AFib detection.
Garmin has also added Garmin Epic, which puts several days of activities, photos, and health data into a single timeline. The Fenix 9 starts at $999.99, while the Fenix 9 Pro starts at $1,099.99.
5. Best Value
The Amazfit Balance 3 is made for people who want a capable smartwatch without spending flagship-level money. It has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with sapphire crystal glass and can reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness.
Amazfit launched the Balance 3 with a 51.4mm case. It is 14.6mm thick and weighs 62 grams in the stainless steel version. A lighter 55-gram titanium version is also planned.
The watch has a 10ATM water resistance rating, and its HybridCharge Energy Intelligence system tracks training load, daily stress, and sleep. It can then use this information to suggest when you should focus on rest and recovery.
Amazfit has not announced global pricing for the Balance 3 yet. The previous Balance 2 launched at $299 in the US and Rs 24,999 in India, which gives us an idea of where the new model could be priced.
6. Which Smartwatch Should You Buy?
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the best choice for iPhone users who want seamless access to Apple’s apps, notifications, and health features. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a better fit for Android users who want a rugged design, strong health tracking, and a larger battery.
The Google Pixel Watch 5 makes the most sense for Pixel users and anyone who wants Gemini AI features built into their smartwatch. The Garmin Fenix 9 is the better choice for outdoor activities, navigation, and long battery life.
Finally, the Amazfit Balance 3 is a good option for anyone who wants a capable smartwatch without spending as much as they would on a flagship model.
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