Reservations are now open through Honor’s Chinese store, although pricing and the full specifications have not yet been announced. This is therefore more of an official preview than a complete launch.

Three versions are coming

The range consists of the Honor Band 11, Honor Band 11 Pro and Honor Band 11 Pro GPS. That is a broader lineup than last year, when Honor introduced the Band 10 as a single main model.

The Pro GPS version is the most interesting addition. It includes independent satellite positioning, allowing users to record outdoor runs and rides without relying on a connected phone.

Honor says the tracker supports five satellite navigation systems. It has not yet named the individual constellations or provided any accuracy claims. Some translated reports have described the feature as “five-star GPS.” That wording refers to support for five positioning systems rather than a rating of its performance.

The standard Pro model appears to omit built-in GPS. Honor has not yet explained what else separates it from the regular Band 11, although the official images suggest a different case and strap design.

Battery life increases sharply

Honor is quoting up to 18 days of battery life for the standard Band 11. The Band 11 Pro and Band 11 Pro GPS are both listed with a maximum of 26 days.

That is a sizeable increase over the Band 10, which was rated for up to 14 days. Honor has not published the testing conditions, so the real figure will depend on display settings, health monitoring and workout use.

GPS recording will also reduce endurance on the Pro GPS model. The 26-day figure will almost certainly apply to lighter everyday use rather than frequent outdoor tracking.

Honor has also mentioned a dedicated badminton mode and upgraded sleep monitoring. No details have been provided on the metrics included in either feature.

Design and colours

The Band 11 keeps the familiar rectangular shape, with a rounded display and narrow-looking bezels. The Pro models appear slightly more substantial and use perforated sports straps.

The standard version is shown in white, purple and black. The Pro range comes in white, black and green, with the green model using a two-tone strap.

Honor has not confirmed the screen size, resolution, brightness, case materials or water-resistance rating. NFC support, charging speed and the full health sensor package also remain unknown.

Pricing is still under wraps

The company has started taking reservations in China through a low-cost benefits package, but it has not announced the retail price or sale date. The reservation voucher remains valid until the end of August, suggesting the full launch should follow soon.

There is also no word on international availability. The Band 10 reached markets outside China, so a wider release is possible, but Honor has not confirmed any regional plans.

The Band 11 Pro GPS is clearly the model to watch. Standalone positioning fixes one of the main limitations of the previous generation, while the longer battery claim gives it more appeal as an everyday fitness tracker. Those wanting a larger display and a more complete sports package can step up to the Honor Watch 6.

Source: Honor China

The post Honor Band 11 series adds a Pro GPS model and 26-day battery appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Garmin has confirmed that CIRQA uses its previous-generation Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor because the newer module would have made the screenless tracker thicker. The company has also clarified that owners are expected to switch between CIRQA and a Garmin watch rather than wear both as competing trackers.

The explanations come from Garmin product manager Chrissy Wheeler, who answered several questions about the new band in an interview with Forbes. CIRQA recently went on sale for $199.99 and is the company’s answer to the likes of Whoop.

Thinness won over the newest sensor

When CIRQA launched many people found it strange that it packs the Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor rather than the newer Gen 5 hardware. Wheeler has now explained that this was a deliberate design decision rather than an attempt to reuse old components.

“The reason we didn’t go for the very latest one is the size of the module,” she said. Using Garmin’s newer sensor would have increased the thickness of a device designed to remain comfortable during sleep and continuous wear.

CIRQA measures 9mm thick and weighs just over 20 grams with its standard band. Which is pretty low-key. Having said that it is very wide, especially when compared to the recently launched Fitbit Air.

That does not automatically mean CIRQA will be less accurate during workouts than Garmin’s newer watches, as fit, placement and movement all affect optical readings. It is not exactly the same Gen 4 hardware used in older devices, either. Garmin has tweaked it to include skin-temperature tracking, which the earlier version did not offer.

CIRQA is meant to replace your watch between workouts

Beyond the sensor, Wheeler also addressed whether people should wear CIRQA and a Garmin watch simultaneously. Her answer was fairly direct, saying there is “no real benefit” to using both in that way.

The intended setup is to make CIRQA the Primary Wearable for sleep, steps and daily health tracking, while a Forerunner, Fenix or another Garmin watch remains the main Training Device. Owners can wear the band throughout the day, then switch to the watch when they need built-in GPS, maps or live workout data.

There is one useful exception. CIRQA can broadcast heart rate over Bluetooth, allowing someone to place it on the upper arm and use it as an external sensor with a watch, bike computer or compatible device from another brand. Which is something that we flag in our screenless fitness tracker buying guide.

A few smaller details are now clearer

Connected GPS works with automatically detected activities, so owners do not have to start every walk or run from Garmin Connect to receive a route map. The band can also vibrate once per hour during a manually started activity, reminding the wearer that recording is still active despite the lack of a screen.

Its vibration motor supports alarms but will not reproduce phone notifications or incoming-call alerts. That keeps CIRQA focused on passive health and activity tracking rather than turning it into a smartwatch without a display.

Garmin CIRQA

Screenless tracking with no required subscription

View on Amazon View on Garmin

Garmin has also repeated that users will not be charged simply to access the data recorded by CIRQA. Connect+ will continue to offer optional extras, while the company has already said that CIRQA’s current heart rate reading will become available without Connect+ following criticism of the launch software.

The post Garmin explains why CIRQA uses an older heart rate sensor appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Samsung Galaxy Watch9 brings a larger battery, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite processor and a longer software-support period. It is the better watch for most new buyers, but the size you choose makes a surprisingly large difference to the value of the upgrade.

The 40mm Watch9 receives a substantial 20% battery-capacity increase over its Watch8 equivalent. The 44mm version gains just 10mAh, making it much harder to recommend to someone who already owns the previous model.

There is also the Galaxy Watch8 Classic to consider. It retains Samsung’s physical rotating bezel, offers twice the storage of the standard watches and has the same 445mAh battery as the larger Watch9, although it is considerably heavier and still uses Samsung’s older Exynos processor.

Galaxy Watch 9 vs 8 vs 8 Classic specifications

Samsung has changed the processor and battery, but much of the surrounding hardware is familiar. The displays, dimensions, durability ratings, storage capacity and health sensor categories are effectively unchanged between Watch9 and the standard Watch8.

On mobile, swipe across the table to see both watches.

Feature	Galaxy Watch9	Galaxy Watch8	Galaxy Watch8 Classic
Product
Case sizes	40mm and 44mm	40mm and 44mm	46mm
Dimensions	42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm 46.0 x 43.7 x 8.6mm	42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm 46.0 x 43.7 x 8.6mm	46.4 x 46.0 x 10.6mm
Weight without strap	31.5g or 34g	30g or 33.8g	63.5g
Case and controls	Armor Aluminum, two buttons	Armor Aluminum, two buttons	Stainless steel, rotating bezel and three buttons
Display	1.34 inches, 438 x 438 1.47 inches, 480 x 480	1.34 inches, 438 x 438 1.47 inches, 480 x 480	1.34 inches, 438 x 438
Peak brightness	3,000 nits	3,000 nits	3,000 nits
Processor	Snapdragon Wear Elite, 3nm	Exynos W1000, 3nm	Exynos W1000, 3nm
RAM and storage	2GB and 32GB	2GB and 32GB	2GB and 64GB
Battery	390mAh or 445mAh	325mAh or 435mAh	445mAh
Official battery estimate	Up to 30 hours with always-on display	Up to 30 hours with always-on display	Up to 30 hours with always-on display
GPS	Dual-frequency L1 and L5	Dual-frequency L1 and L5	Dual-frequency L1 and L5
Durability	5ATM, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H	5ATM, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H	5ATM, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H
Launch software	Wear OS 7 with One UI Watch 9	Wear OS 6 with One UI Watch 8	Wear OS 6 with One UI Watch 8
Expected support	Five major Wear OS upgrades, security support into 2031	Expected support into 2029	Expected support into 2029
Band compatibility	Compatible with Watch8 Dynamic Lug bands	Compatible with Watch9 bands	Compatible with Watch8 and Watch9 Dynamic Lug bands
US launch price, Bluetooth	$379.99 or $409.99	$349.99 or $379.99	$499.99
US launch price, LTE	$429.99 or $459.99	$399.99 or $429.99	$549.99

The battery upgrade depends on the size

Battery capacity is the most important difference, but the headline requires some qualification. Samsung has not improved the two Watch9 sizes by anything close to the same amount.

The 40mm Watch9 moves from 325mAh to 390mAh. That is an exact 20% increase and should provide more breathing room for sleep tracking, workouts and notifications on the smaller watch.

The 44mm version rises from 435mAh to 445mAh. That works out to an increase of only 2.3%, which is unlikely to transform how frequently it needs charging.

Most comparisons describe Watch9 as simply having a larger battery. Someone buying the 40mm model, however, benefits more. A 44mm buyer is getting almost the same battery as before.

Samsung still gives the watches a headline estimate of up to 30 hours with the always-on display enabled and 40 hours with it switched off. The larger battery therefore should not be interpreted as a guaranteed 20% improvement in actual runtime.

Early evidence is mixed. A ComputerBild test of the 40mm Watch9 produced a little over 24 hours, despite the larger battery, which was shorter than the publication recorded from its predecessor.

One result cannot describe every combination of settings, workouts and network use. It does show why capacity and endurance should not be treated as interchangeable figures, especially when the new Snapdragon platform may distribute power differently from Samsung’s Exynos chip.

Charging speed has not changed significantly either. Short top-ups remain useful, but Watch9 does not introduce the kind of charging improvement that would alter the daily routine on its own.

Snapdragon Wear Elite is the bigger long-term change

Watch9 replaces Samsung’s Exynos W1000 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform. Both processors are manufactured using a 3nm process, but the Qualcomm chip introduces a different architecture and low-power system.

The Exynos W1000 already makes Watch8 feel responsive during ordinary use. Notifications, Samsung Health, maps and most apps do not suddenly become difficult simply because a newer processor exists.

Watch9 should still have advantages in app loading, voice processing and maintaining performance as Wear OS becomes more demanding. The new platform may also provide Samsung with more room for future on-device health analysis and Gemini features.

Battery efficiency is less certain. The Snapdragon name alone does not guarantee longer endurance, particularly when Samsung’s official runtime estimate has remained unchanged and the first independent results have not shown a clear breakthrough.

The stronger argument for the new chip is longevity. Samsung is promising five major Wear OS upgrades for Watch9, with security support expected to continue into 2031, giving it a longer runway than the Watch8 generation.

For someone who replaces a watch every two or three years, that difference may have little practical value. Anyone planning to keep it for four or five years has a better reason to pay extra for Watch9.

Watch8 Classic remains a very different proposition

Galaxy Watch8 Classic is not simply a larger Watch8. Its stainless-steel case, physical rotating bezel, additional Quick Button and 64GB of storage give it a distinct identity.

The rotating bezel remains one of Samsung’s best watch controls. It makes scrolling through menus and notifications easy without covering the screen with a finger, and it gives the Classic a more conventional watch-like feel.

There are substantial compromises. The Classic weighs 63.5g before the strap is attached, compared with 34g for the 44mm Watch9, and its 10.6mm case is noticeably thicker than the 8.6mm standard models.

It also uses a 1.34-inch display, the same screen size as the 40mm watches, despite having a 46mm case. The physical bezel occupies space that Samsung uses for additional display area on the 44mm Watch9 and Watch8.

Battery capacity is more competitive. Watch8 Classic has a 445mAh cell, matching the larger Watch9 and slightly exceeding the 44mm Watch8.

Storage doubles from 32GB to 64GB, which is helpful for offline music, apps and downloaded media. It retains the Exynos W1000, however, so buyers do not receive Watch9’s new processor or extended support period.

At its $499.99 starting price, the Classic is difficult to recommend purely on specifications. It makes the most sense when the rotating bezel and stainless-steel construction are features someone actively wants, rather than extras that merely sound useful.

The design has barely changed

Samsung has retained the cushion-shaped case introduced with Watch8. The circular display sits inside a softly squared outer frame, producing a design that falls somewhere between a conventional Galaxy Watch and the larger Ultra.

Watch9 uses the same 40mm and 44mm sizes and the same 8.6mm thickness. The case is slightly heavier, rising from 30g to 31.5g at 40mm and from 33.8g to 34g at 44mm.

Those increases are too small to affect comfort. Both standard watches remain much easier to wear overnight than Watch8 Classic or either Galaxy Watch Ultra generation.

The design continues to divide opinion. Some will find the cushion shape more distinctive than Samsung’s older fully circular cases, while others will see little reason to replace a Watch8 with something that looks almost identical.

Watch9 does introduce Cream as a 40mm color, while the larger version is available in Graphite and Silver. Color availability is a minor buying consideration rather than an upgrade reason.

The displays are effectively identical

Watch9 retains the same display sizes, resolutions and claimed 3,000-nit peak brightness as Watch8. The 40mm models use a 1.34-inch, 438 x 438 panel, while the 44mm versions use a 1.47-inch, 480 x 480 panel.

Both generations use Super AMOLED panels protected by sapphire crystal. Visibility, sharpness and always-on watch faces should therefore look very similar.

The Classic also reaches 3,000 nits, but its physical bezel limits it to the smaller 1.34-inch display. Buyers are trading screen area for tactile control rather than gaining both.

The unchanged displays reinforce the broader upgrade picture. Watch9 improves the platform underneath the screen, but it does not provide a visibly larger, brighter or sharper interface.

Health tracking is mostly about interpretation

Samsung lists the same core sensor categories across all three watches. These include optical heart-rate monitoring, ECG, bioelectrical impedance analysis, blood oxygen, temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass and ambient light sensing.

Watch9 launches with additional tools including Vitals, Heart Health Score and Fitness Index. These features organize and interpret signals the watch is already collecting rather than measuring an entirely new type of health data.

Vitals builds a baseline using overnight measurements and looks for changes from someone’s usual patterns. Heart Health Score and Fitness Index apply further analysis to existing cardiovascular and activity information.

That may make the presentation more useful, but it is not a completely new health-sensing platform. Some of these software features are also expected to reach older watches through Samsung Health updates, although availability and timing may differ by device and region.

Watch8 already provides Running Coach, Energy Score, sleep coaching, Bedtime Guidance, Antioxidant Index and Vascular Load in supported markets. The everyday health experience is therefore much closer than Samsung’s Watch9 feature list initially suggests.

The usual restrictions remain. Some health functions require a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, and ECG, blood-pressure and sleep-apnea features depend on local regulatory approval.

GPS and fitness hardware have not moved far

All three models support dual-frequency L1 and L5 GPS. This was already one of Watch8’s more valuable improvements, particularly when tracking through built-up areas or beneath heavy tree cover.

Watch9 does not introduce a clearly different GPS system in Samsung’s specifications. Any change in route accuracy or power consumption would therefore be more likely to come from software, antenna tuning or the Snapdragon platform than a new headline capability.

The same applies to workout tracking. Samsung Health remains well suited to general fitness, running plans, sleep tracking and daily activity, but Watch9 does not suddenly turn the standard Galaxy Watch into a specialist endurance device.

The more revealing buying debate continues to be Samsung against Garmin rather than Watch9 against Watch8. Samsung is stronger for apps, calls, messaging and everyday phone integration, while specialist sports watches generally provide longer endurance and deeper training analysis.

Watch8 bands still fit Watch9

Samsung has retained the Dynamic Lug System used by the Watch8 generation. Compatible Watch8 and Watch8 Classic bands can therefore be used with Watch9, and Samsung is selling newer bands as compatible across the three models.

That removes a potential hidden upgrade cost for existing owners. Someone who has already bought several Watch8 bands does not need to replace the collection when moving to Watch9.

Galaxy Watch Ultra bands use a different connection and are not interchangeable. The compatibility applies to the standard Watch8, Watch8 Classic and Watch9 Dynamic Lug families.

Price may matter more than the specifications

Galaxy Watch9 starts at $379.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth model and $409.99 at 44mm. Adding LTE increases either price by $50.

Watch8 launched at $349.99 and $379.99, making Watch9 officially $30 more expensive at each size. That is a reasonable premium for the Snapdragon processor, larger 40mm battery and longer support period.

Retail discounts create a different comparison. Samsung has already listed Watch8 from around $299.99, and third-party prices may fall further as retailers clear older stock.

At 40mm, paying around $50 to $80 more for Watch9 is defensible because the battery increase is substantial. Once the difference passes roughly $100, Watch8 becomes the stronger value unless long-term software support is especially important.

At 44mm, the older watch becomes attractive sooner. Watch9 adds just 10mAh, so the processor and support period must do most of the work when justifying the extra cost.

Watch8 Classic starts at $499.99, or $549.99 with LTE. At that price, it should be chosen for its bezel, steel construction and 64GB storage rather than on the assumption that “Classic” means universally better.

Trade-in offers can, of course, overturn any of these calculations. So they are worth checking out.

Samsung’s standard watches are not the only models to receive a major update this year. Our full Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs Ultra comparison looks at the larger battery, faster charging, slimmer case and new Snapdragon processor, as well as whether the changes justify upgrading from the original Ultra.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch9 vs Watch8: How they stack up appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 improves the original with a 35% larger battery, much faster charging, a slimmer body, a brighter display and Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. It is clearly the better watch for a new buyer, but the case for upgrading from an existing Galaxy Watch Ultra is far less convincing.

Worth clarifying, there are actually two original Ultra models

Samsung launched the first Galaxy Watch Ultra in 2024, then refreshed it in 2025. The second release added Titanium Blue and increased storage from 32GB to 64GB, but the processor, battery, display and sensor selection remained virtually unchanged.

This distinction is important when comparing storage. Ultra 2 doubles the capacity of the 2024 model, but it offers no storage advantage over the 2025 Ultra, which already comes with 64GB.

For most of this comparison, the 2024 and 2025 versions can be treated as the same watch. Where storage and colour options differ, the model year needs to be taken into account.

With that in mind, let’s continue.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs Ultra specifications

The headline specifications point to a substantial hardware update, but not every difference will be equally noticeable in daily use. The larger battery, faster charging and slimmer case should have the clearest impact, while the new processor and brighter display are more likely to feel like useful refinements.

On mobile, swipe across the table to see both watches.

Feature	Galaxy Watch Ultra 2	Galaxy Watch Ultra
Product image
Case size	47.4 × 47.1 × 10.7mm	47.1 × 47.4 × 12.1mm
Weight without strap	61.5g	60.5g
Display	1.52-inch AMOLED, 498 × 498	1.47-inch AMOLED, 480 × 480
Peak brightness	5,000 nits	3,000 nits
Processor	Snapdragon Wear Elite	Exynos W1000
RAM	2GB	2GB
Storage	64GB	32GB in 2024, 64GB in 2025
Battery	800mAh	590mAh
Fast charging	Up to 40% in around 30 minutes	Not supported
GPS	Dual-frequency L1 and L5	Dual-frequency L1 and L5
Water protection	10ATM and IP69K	10ATM and IP68
Diving certification	EN13319	None
US launch price	$699	$649 for the 2025 model

It looks the same but should wear better

From the front, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could easily be mistaken for the original. Samsung has retained the 47mm cushion-shaped titanium case, circular display, three physical buttons and distinctive orange Quick Button.

The significant change appears when the watches are viewed from the side. Ultra 2 measures 10.7mm thick, down from 12.1mm, which works out to a reduction of around 12%.

That does not turn it into a small watch. The width and height have barely changed, so it will still dominate a smaller wrist and may feel excessive for sleep tracking.

It should, however, sit closer to the skin and catch sleeves less often. The redesigned Marine Band is also softer and thinner, with an Air Pocket structure intended to help moisture escape.

One detail that has already been reported incorrectly is the weight. Ultra 2 weighs 61.5g without its strap, one gram more than the original, so the watch itself is not lighter.

Samsung’s lighter band may reduce the total weight on the wrist, but that is not the same as making the case lighter. Existing Ultra bands remain compatible, so owners do not need to replace their current collection.

Battery is the biggest reason to choose Ultra 2

Samsung has increased capacity from 590mAh to 800mAh, a jump of around 35.6%. That is easily the largest practical upgrade and the main reason some existing owners are considering replacing their watches.

The official runtime figures create a slightly odd situation. Samsung advertises up to 60 hours with the always-on display enabled and up to 80 hours with it switched off, even though the battery is substantially larger.

As we noted in our earlier look at Samsung’s Ultra 2 battery claims, the extra capacity does not automatically translate into a similar increase in advertised endurance. The brighter display, new processor, LTE modem, health processing and outdoor features may use some of that additional energy.

There should still be more breathing room during normal use. The larger cell should be particularly helpful during GPS workouts, LTE sessions and overnight tracking, where the original Ultra’s battery can feel more restrictive.

The difference may also feel larger for someone upgrading from a 2024 Ultra. A battery that has already gone through two years of regular charging will no longer perform like a new 590mAh cell, so the real comparison may be 800mAh against an ageing battery rather than the original factory specification.

Fast charging could have an equally noticeable effect. Ultra 2 can reach up to 40% in around 30 minutes, while Ultra has slower charging, with no equivalent 30-minute claim.

That makes it easier to top up the watch while showering, having breakfast or getting ready for bed. It also reduces the usual conflict between charging and collecting overnight sleep data.

Snapdragon Wear Elite is the unknown quantity

Ultra 2 moves from Samsung’s Exynos W1000 to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite. Both use a 3nm manufacturing process, but Qualcomm’s platform introduces a different CPU layout, on-device AI hardware and a redesigned low-power system.

Samsung says apps launch faster and interactions feel smoother. That sounds good, although the Exynos W1000 is already quick enough for normal watch use and early demonstrations do not show an enormous difference.

Efficiency could be more important than raw speed. LTE, GPS, background health tracking and the always-on display place a steady load on a smartwatch, so even modest power savings could improve endurance.

The new chip may also give Samsung more headroom for future health analysis and AI features. We previously looked at Samsung’s switch to Snapdragon Wear Elite, but the final judgement will depend on battery tests, heat, GPS performance and long-term software support.

The display is larger and much brighter

Samsung has reduced the bezel slightly, increasing the screen from 1.47 to 1.52 inches without making the case wider. Resolution moves from 480 x 480 to 498 x 498 pixels, so the difference in sharpness will probably be difficult to spot.

Brightness rises from 3,000 to 5,000 nits. That should improve visibility under strong sunlight and may be useful when glancing at workout data outdoors.

There is some small print behind the 5,000-nit figure, though. Samsung describes it as localised peak brightness under high ambient light, so the entire display will not necessarily sit at that level.

The original Ultra already has a bright screen, which means this is more refinement than rescue operation. It should be most noticeable on exposed trails, bright summer runs and underwater.

Health tracking is not a complete sensor overhaul

Samsung has packed broadly the same sensor categories on both watches, including its BioActive package, skin temperature, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, compass and ambient light sensor. Ultra 2 still supports ECG, body composition, blood oxygen, heart rate and the usual Samsung Health tools.

The company describes the BioActive sensor as upgraded on the Ultra 2 product page, but it does not provide much detail on what has changed internally. The closer fit due to the thinner case may contribute to better readings.

Many of Samsung’s newer health tools are software-led rather than dependent on new hardware. Vitals, Heart Health Score, Fitness Index and other features use signals that Galaxy Watches were already collecting.

Several of these tools were announced before Ultra 2 and are part of Samsung’s wider health platform. Our earlier coverage of the new Galaxy Watch health features explains how Vitals builds a personal baseline from overnight heart rate, HRV, breathing, temperature and blood oxygen.

Diving is the clearest new capability

Both watches carry a 10ATM rating, but Ultra 2 steps up from IP68 to IP69K and gains EN13319 certification. The IP69K rating adds protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets, while EN13319 covers depth and time instruments used for diving.

Ultra 2 can automatically show depth, dive duration and water temperature after entering the water. Samsung rates it for diving down to 40 metres, while more advanced software developed with Mares is scheduled to arrive later in 2026.

This is a real functional difference rather than a specification created for marketing. Anyone who plans to use a Galaxy Watch for recreational diving should choose Ultra 2.

For everyone else, IP69K is reassuring but unlikely to change daily use. The original Ultra is already rated to 10ATM, so Ultra 2 does not increase the headline pressure rating beyond 100 metres.

Trail running gets more attention

Ultra 2 introduces a dedicated Trail Run mode with elevation, climbing progress and terrain-related information. It also adds hydration guidance that estimates sweat loss relative to body weight and suggests when to drink.

This does not mean the watch directly measures hydration or sweat composition. It uses workout and personal data to estimate fluid loss, which can still be useful but should not be confused with a new hydration sensor.

Samsung also retains GPX navigation, dual-frequency GPS and climbing guidance. Those features make Ultra 2 a more credible outdoor watch, especially when combined with the larger battery.

It still approaches the category as a smartwatch first. Garmin and Coros offer deeper navigation, recovery and training systems, while Samsung remains stronger for apps, calls, messaging and integration with a Galaxy phone.

That same division appears repeatedly in owner discussions. People interested mainly in training continue to look towards Garmin, while those who want a watch that can replace more phone functions tend to favour Samsung.

Price could decide the comparison

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 starts at $699 in the US, while the 2025 Ultra launched at $649. A $50 increase looks reasonable considering the upgrades.

The calculation changes once retailers discount the older model. If the price gap reaches several hundred dollars, the original Ultra begins to look much more attractive.

Existing owners are looking at the decision in much the same way. Many appear willing to upgrade only when trade-in offers bring the cost down substantially, while others see no point paying again for a watch that looks and behaves much like the one already on their wrist.

That is probably the right way to approach it. Ultra 2 is better hardware, but the value of those improvements depends heavily on what someone already owns and what the upgrade actually costs.

Buyers who do not need the Ultra’s larger case and outdoor focus should also look at our Samsung Galaxy Watch9 vs Watch8 comparison. It covers the battery changes, Snapdragon Wear Elite processor and whether the standard Watch9 offers enough to justify upgrading from Watch8.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs Ultra: All the differences explained appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

More than a single oxygen reading

The APK includes fields for average, minimum and maximum saturated haemoglobin percentage. It also contains average, minimum and maximum total haemoglobin concentration.

The potential upcoming device would need to track both because they measure different things. Saturated haemoglobin measures the amount of oxygen-carrying haemoglobin in the muscle, while total haemoglobin measures the total amount of haemoglobin present, whether it is carrying oxygen or not. Together, they give a more complete picture of what is happening inside the muscle during exercise.

MUSCLE_OXYGEN
Muscle Oxygen
sensor_name_type_muscle_oxygen

avg_saturated_hemoglobin_percent
min_saturated_hemoglobin_percent
max_saturated_hemoglobin_percent

avg_total_hemoglobin_conc
min_total_hemoglobin_conc
max_total_hemoglobin_conc

That is more detailed than simply recording one muscle oxygen number at the end of a workout. Garmin Connect can follow how muscle oxygen changes throughout an activity, then identify typical levels, the lowest point reached and the highest recovery point.

Average saturated haemoglobin percentage provides a broad view of muscle oxygen availability across the session. The minimum value shows when the working muscle became most depleted, while the maximum reflects recovery during easier sections, rest intervals or the period immediately after an effort.

Total haemoglobin concentration adds another layer. This measurement reflects changes in blood volume within the monitored tissue, which can help distinguish between a drop in oxygen saturation and a wider change in local blood flow.

The device would need specialised optics

Current Garmin devices cannot produce these readings. Muscle oxygen monitoring normally relies on near-infrared spectroscopy, using several light wavelengths to estimate oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin inside a specific muscle.

That also explains why the likely device would need to sit directly over the muscle being measured. A cyclist may place it on the thigh, while a runner could use the calf or quadriceps. An upper-arm position might work for strength training or general conditioning.

The fields in Garmin Connect suggest the sensor would need to record continuously and send more than a basic SmO2 percentage. It would also need enough optical information to calculate total haemoglobin concentration and track changes over time.

In essence, we are expecting a dedicated optical pod. Garmin watches could act as the display and recording device, while the sensor itself handles the specialised measurements.

That matches our reporting in April on the Garmin Muscle Battery patent filing. This described software for analysing muscle oxygen saturation and related performance data.

Muscle oxygen sensors are not new

Muscle oxygen sensors have been around for years, although they remain few and far between. They have never really caught on outside serious endurance athletes. We reviewed the Humon Hex back in 2019, while Moxy remains one of the better-known options.

The difference is that these have always been third-party products sitting on the edge of the Garmin ecosystem. They can send muscle oxygen data to compatible watches, but Garmin has zero control over the hardware and the algorithms.

Whether these fields currently support third-party sensors or future Garmin hardware, they show that Garmin Connect already understands the muscle oxygen data Muscle Battery could use. A Garmin-made sensor could integrate those measurements more closely with Body Battery, Training Readiness and the wider Garmin ecosystem.

Separately, the same Garmin Connect 5.27 teardown also revealed more clues on the likely Enduro 4 and possible Fenix 9 family.

APK teardown note

This article is based on an APK teardown. Code found inside an app can reveal features or devices that are under development, but there is no guarantee they will appear in a future public release.

The post APK teardown reveals what Garmin’s muscle sensor could measure appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

As revealed by 9to5Google, the listing names the device as Pixel Watch 5 and gives it the codename “godric.” It also shows 2.8GB to 2.9GB of available memory, which means Google is almost certainly fitting the watch with 3GB of RAM.

That would be the first memory increase in the history of the Pixel Watch range. Every model since the original Pixel Watch has shipped with 2GB.

The processor looks unchanged

The Play Console identifies the system-on-chip as Qualcomm SW5100. It lists four Cortex-A53 CPU cores running at 1.7GHz, paired with an Adreno 702 GPU at 1GHz.

Those figures match the Pixel Watch 4 listing. They also trace back to the Snapdragon W5 platform Google first adopted with the Pixel Watch 2.

There is a little more nuance here than the listing initially suggests. The SW5100 name covers the main application processor used across different Snapdragon W5 generations, so it does not tell us the complete platform configuration.

Google moved to the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 with the Pixel Watch 4. That upgrade retained the same basic CPU and GPU arrangement but added support for Satellite SOS, improved location technology and a newer Cortex-M55 co-processor.

The Play Console does not identify the Pixel Watch 5 co-processor. Google could, potentially, upgrade that part of the platform while leaving the main processor untouched. However, there is no evidence of such a change yet.

As things stand, the safest conclusion is that Pixel Watch 5 will offer little or no conventional CPU and GPU improvement over Pixel Watch 4. Which is a bit of a disappointment.

More memory could be the real upgrade

The jump from 2GB to 3GB of RAM is positive, though. An extra gigabyte gives Wear OS more room for apps, background services and increasingly demanding AI features.

Google has been pushing Gemini deeper into its smartwatch software, and the previously leaked Pixel Watch 5 renders show a new analogue face with a prominent Gemini shortcut. The same design appears in the Play Console image (as shown above), adding another indication that the listing relates to finished hardware rather than an early prototype.

More RAM does not automatically make a processor faster. It can, however, reduce the need to reload apps and allow more services to remain available in the background. That may prove more noticeable in daily use than a modest increase in clock speed.

It could also help Google introduce new Gemini features without making them exclusive to cloud processing. That remains speculation for now, as the listing says nothing about specific AI capabilities.

Samsung has the faster platform on paper

The timing makes Google’s apparent processor decision stand out. Samsung has just launched the Galaxy Watch 9 with Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon Wear Elite platform.

The 3nm chip uses one Cortex-A78 performance core and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. It also includes dedicated AI hardware, while the watch itself has 2GB of RAM.

That gives Samsung a sizeable architectural advantage on paper. Our earlier look at the Snapdragon Wear Elite explains why it represents a much bigger processor step than the changes Qualcomm made between the two W5 generations.

Real-world performance will still depend on software, power limits and how often a smartwatch needs its fastest cores. A Pixel Watch does not have to win a benchmark contest to feel responsive, but Google may have a harder time explaining a price increase if the core processor barely changes.

The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch on August 12 in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Previous leaks suggest the familiar domed design will return, so the combination of 3GB of RAM, software changes and any unannounced co-processor upgrade may have to carry much of this year’s hardware story.

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The details come from WinFuture, which also published images showing the tracker in grey, Pomelo Pink, black and white. There is no confirmed launch date, but the report says sales should begin soon, most likely within the next few weeks.

The leak adds another model to the picture created by our recent Smart Band 11 certification findings. Those filings pointed to standard and NFC versions, but there was no mention of an Active edition at the time.

The hardware barely moves

The Smart Band 11 Active reportedly uses a 1.47-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 172 pixels. It weighs 16.5 grams without the strap and measures 10.2mm thick, keeping it in lightweight fitness band territory.

Inside sits a 300mAh battery. This should be good for up to 14 days of normal use, dropping to nine days with the always-on display enabled, while a full charge should take around two hours.

Health tracking covers the familiar basics, including heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress. The tracker is also expected to offer more than 50 sports modes and 5ATM water resistance, so swimming should be covered.

The strange part is how closely all of this matches the Smart Band 9 Active. That model also has a 1.47-inch 320 x 172 TFT display, weighs 16.5 grams, carries a 300mAh battery and offers 50 fitness modes with 5ATM protection.

The older tracker is actually rated for up to 18 days of typical use, four days more than the figure in this leak. Xiaomi may have changed its testing conditions, or the always-on screen may require a different display setup, but the headline battery number does not look like progress.

This looks like the entry-level model

There is no sign of built-in GPS or NFC in the leaked specification sheet. Outdoor routes will therefore probably depend on a connected phone, while contactless payments look unlikely.

That places the Active well below the regular Smart Band 11 described in an earlier specification leak. That device may come with a larger 1.78-inch AMOLED display, HRV, temperature sensing, EDA-based stress tracking and more than 200 sports modes, although none of those details have been confirmed by Xiaomi.

The distinction also leaves the new Active in a slightly awkward position. Our Smart Band 10 review found that Xiaomi’s current regular model already offers a bright 1.72-inch AMOLED screen, more than 150 sports modes and strong exercise heart-rate performance, while keeping the usual long battery life. And that one is pretty budget friendly, as well.

Xiaomi has not announced the Smart Band 11 Active or confirmed its price. For now, it looks like a cheap and lightweight tracker for steps, sleep, basic workouts and notifications, but the leaked headline specs give Smart Band 9 Active owners very little reason to upgrade.

This is one of several unannounced devices currently appearing in filings, app code and leaks. You can follow them through our regularly updated upcoming wearables guide.

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Three new features lead the update

Let’s start with the new “Advance Up” navigation view in the Map app. Zepp Health does not provide much explanation in the release notes, but the wording suggests a map orientation that keeps the direction of travel towards the top of the screen.

That should make routes easier to follow while running, hiking or cycling. It also fits nicely with the large displays found on these watches, particularly the Balance Ultra and Balance 3.

Global automatic dive detection has also been added for Diving workouts. Owners will no longer need to manually start the relevant activity every time they enter the water, although it remains to be seen how quickly the watch recognises the beginning and end of a dive.

The third new feature turns the watch into a Bluetooth speaker for phone audio. Once connected, media playing on the phone can be routed through the watch speaker.

Running and navigation get some attention

Zepp Health has also adjusted the Running Lactate Threshold algorithm. The company says the change should improve accuracy, although users may need several threshold runs before it becomes clear whether the resulting estimates have shifted.

This is a relevant change for the Amazfit Balance 3, which already offers a fairly deep collection of training and recovery features for its price. Better lactate threshold calculations would make those tools more useful to runners following structured plans.

Track Run mode has received a unit display adjustment for people using the imperial system. Oddly, the release notes state that distance-related information will continue to appear in metric units, so this does not sound like a complete conversion to miles.

The data carousel shown after pausing a workout has also been reordered. That is a small interface change, but it could reduce the amount of swiping needed to reach commonly checked workout information.

Navigation gets one more tweak when the user reaches a destination. Zepp Health says it has refined the interface on that screen, although it has not detailed exactly what has changed.

A shared update across the range

Distributing the same package across Balance Ultra, Balance 3 and Cheetah 2 Ultra makes sense. All three run Zepp OS 6 and share many of the same sports and mapping tools, even though Zepp Health positions them slightly differently.

The Cheetah 2 Ultra has received several substantial additions last month, including Zepp OS 6 and expanded HYROX features. Firmware 6.2.104.6 continues that pattern, but focuses more heavily on navigation and general usability.

This is not a huge update, but the feature mix is useful. Automatic dive detection broadens the outdoor credentials of all three watches, while the map view and lactate threshold changes should be more relevant to everyday training.

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That does not mean the extra capacity has gone to waste. It does, however, leave Samsung with an obvious question to answer when the first independent battery tests arrive.

The larger battery comes with a catch

The previous Galaxy Watch Ultra used a 590mAh battery, so moving to 800mAh is a substantial change. Samsung has somehow fitted that larger cell inside a 10.7mm case, down from 12.1mm, while also expanding the display slightly to 1.52 inches.

Samsung’s move to the new Snapdragon Wear Elite processor should also improve efficiency. Qualcomm previously claimed its 3nm platform could extend usage by around 30% compared with the preceding Snapdragon generation.

Put those changes together and you might expect a noticeable increase in Samsung’s advertised runtime. Instead, the company is once again quoting up to 100 hours in power saving mode and 48 hours while tracking exercise with power saving enabled.

Galaxy Watch owners picked up on that almost immediately. The main question in early discussions was what the extra 210mAh is doing if the published endurance figures have not increased.

One possible answer is the display. Ultra2 can reach a claimed 5,000 nits under strong ambient light, up from 3,000 nits, while the slightly larger panel also has more pixels. Samsung may have used some of the added capacity to support that screen without reducing battery life.

The processor, new health tools and expanded sports tracking could also increase power demands. Still, an 800mAh smartwatch battery is unusually large, so it will be interesting to see whether Samsung is simply being conservative with its estimates.

A stronger watch with a familiar shape

Ultra2 adds more than a larger battery. It now supports Trail Run tracking with elevation, climbing progress and terrain information, while Nutrition Alert uses estimated sweat loss to provide hydration guidance during activities.

Samsung has also pushed the watch further into diving territory. Ultra2 carries IP69K, 10ATM and EN13319 ratings, and it can automatically show depth, dive time and water temperature. A more advanced diving app developed with Mares is due later this year.

Storage doubles from 32GB to 64GB, while Bluetooth moves to version 6.0. These are useful additions, particularly for someone buying their first Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The difficulty is that Ultra2 still looks very similar to the previous models. That became another recurring theme among existing owners, alongside disappointment with the initial trade-in offers available in some markets.

Many people said they would keep their 2024 Ultra for another year. Others questioned why Samsung appeared to value the 2024 and 2025 versions similarly when calculating trade-ins, although launch-day offers can change quickly.

That reaction does not make Ultra2 a weak product. It suggests Samsung has made a better Ultra for new buyers, rather than creating a compelling reason to replace a recent one.

Watch9 gets more subtle improvements

The regular Galaxy Watch9 may have the cleaner everyday story. It comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, uses the same Snapdragon Wear Elite processor and reaches 3,000 nits of brightness.

The smaller version receives the more useful battery increase, moving from 325mAh on the Watch8 to 390mAh. Samsung has kept the case at 8.6mm thick, which should make it a more practical option for smaller wrists without sacrificing comfort. The larger model moves from 435mAh to 445mAh, so its improvement will depend more heavily on processor efficiency.

Many health features are not exclusive

Samsung is also introducing Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, Fitness Index and hearing protection tools. The company continues to push the Galaxy Watch as a device that interprets health data rather than simply collecting it.

Several of these features will also reach older models through One UI 9 Watch. Daily Cardio Load and Fitness Index, for example, will work with the Galaxy Watch7 and newer devices once they receive the software.

That leaves hardware as the main reason to buy this generation. Ultra2 offers the biggest specification jump, but the 40mm Watch9 may deliver the improvement that more people notice every day.

Galaxy Watch9 starts at £349, which is £30 more than last year’s model. Even so, the smaller version finally gets a battery that looks better suited to sleep tracking, workouts and normal smartwatch use without making the watch noticeably bulkier.

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Garmin is buying more than two apps

As detailed in the press release, around 120 employees from the two businesses will join Garmin, although the companies have not disclosed the financial terms.

TrainingPeaks has spent more than two decades building tools for endurance athletes and professional coaches. It handles training calendars, structured workouts, performance analysis and coaching relationships, with a particularly strong following among runners, cyclists and triathletes.

TrainHeroic covers the strength side. Its platform allows coaches to create programmes, manage clients and deliver workouts remotely, while athletes can buy plans through its training marketplace.

Together, they give Garmin something it has never quite had before. Garmin already collects huge amounts of workout and recovery data, but these platforms sit above that data and help athletes decide what to do next.

The Garmin connection already runs deep

This is not a case of Garmin buying a completely unfamiliar service. TrainingPeaks already has a close integration with Garmin Connect, allowing planned running, cycling and swimming workouts to sync to compatible Garmin devices.

Completed activities then travel back to TrainingPeaks for analysis. Sleep, HRV, resting heart rate and Body Battery data can also feed into the platform.

That makes the acquisition fairly logical. Garmin now owns one of the main services coaches use to interpret the information coming from its watches and bike computers.

The tricky part is that TrainingPeaks does not only serve Garmin users. It also works with Apple, Polar, COROS, Wahoo, Suunto, Amazfit and other platforms.

Garmin will need to maintain that broad compatibility if it wants coaches and athletes using rival hardware to remain comfortable with the service. Turning TrainingPeaks into a Garmin-first platform could quickly undermine much of what made it valuable.

Strength training could see the biggest improvement

Garmin’s endurance tools are already extensive, while its strength features still feel less developed. The company has expanded Garmin Strength Coach and introduced more adaptive fitness plans, but logging gym sessions and following detailed programmes can still feel clumsy.

TrainHeroic gives Garmin access to established strength-programming tools, exercise demonstrations, coach dashboards and progress tracking. A deeper integration could eventually make strength workouts easier to build, follow and review on Garmin devices.

TrainingPeaks Virtual is another interesting part of the deal. The indoor cycling service, previously known as indieVelo, gives Garmin a foothold in the same broad market as Zwift and TrainerRoad.

This acquisition is unlikely to produce a major new watch feature straight away. Longer term, it could help Garmin own much more of the planning, coaching and analysis that happens around its devices.

Connect Plus questions are already appearing

The early social media discussions around the acquisition quickly turned to Garmin Connect+. Some users are already wondering whether more advanced coaching plans will eventually become part of Garmin’s subscription service.

That concern is understandable. A recent Garmin Connect app teardown found references to coaching plans that require Connect+, covering cycling, fitness, triathlon and other categories.

Garmin has also been steadily expanding the paid side of Connect. TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic could eventually provide more content and coaching tools for that subscription, although Garmin has not announced any immediate changes.

For now, there is no indication that TrainingPeaks or TrainHeroic pricing will change. Garmin has also not said the platforms will be merged into Garmin Connect or Connect+.

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