The device had already leaked through teasers and celebrity appearances, but now we have pretty much all the information on what Fitbit Air is supposed to be (via Techradar). The company clearly wants a simpler kind of wearable, one that quietly collects health data without constantly buzzing, flashing or demanding attention.

It seems the official unveil is on May 7th. At least according to the company’s Instagram account.

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A different direction for Fitbit

Fitbit Air tracks heart rate, steps, estimated calorie burn, blood oxygen and skin temperature. There is no display and no built in GPS. Instead, Google appears to be betting that many people no longer want another screen on their wrist.

That makes Fitbit Air very different from products like the Fitbit Charge 6 or Pixel Watch lineup. It also puts Google much closer to competitors such as WHOOP and the growing category of screenless fitness wearables.

The hardware itself sounds intentionally minimal. The tracker weighs 12 grams with the strap attached and only 5 grams without it. Battery life stretches to seven days and fast charging adds enough power for a full day of use in just five minutes.

The tracker stores seven days of minute by minute movement data along with one day of workout data before syncing everything to the companion app over Bluetooth.

Fitbit becomes Google Health

The more important part of this launch may actually be the software side. Google is rebranding the Fitbit app and Fitbit Premium into something called Google Health, continuing the gradual shift away from the Fitbit identity.

That includes a redesigned app experience built around Google Health Coach, an AI assistant powered by Gemini. According to Google, the assistant can use sleep data, heart rate trends, activity tracking and even meal photos to generate personalised recommendations.

The pitch is broader than fitness alone. Google says Health Coach can suggest training plans, sleep advice, recovery guidance, nutrition tips and injury recommendations based on the user’s goals and overall health profile.

In some regions, users may even be able to connect medical records into the system. That gives Google a much larger pool of data to work with than traditional fitness platforms typically use.

Subscription optional, unlike WHOOP

One important detail is that Fitbit Air still works without a subscription. Buyers get three months of Google Health Premium included, but the tracker does not become useless once that expires.

That is a notable difference from WHOOP, where the hardware is tied tightly to the membership model. With Fitbit Air, users can still access the core tracking features without paying monthly fees. The subscription layer mainly unlocks the AI coaching side of the platform.

That could make Fitbit Air appealing to users who want passive tracking without fully committing to another recurring subscription. Granted, the software experience is very different from what you get on Whoop. Which is the main advantage of the other platform.

Google is revisiting an old Fitbit idea

There is also something slightly familiar about this whole approach. Early Fitbit devices were small, simple trackers that faded into the background. They counted steps, logged sleep and stayed out of the way.

Over the years, Fitbit gradually moved toward full smartwatch territory. Fitbit Air feels like Google reversing course a little and returning to the idea that wearable tech does not always need a bright screen attached to it.

Whether people actually want to move back toward invisible fitness tracking is another question. But after years of increasingly complicated smartwatches, Google clearly thinks there is room again for something simpler.

The post Google Fitbit Air launches today with no screen and a big AI health push appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

The easiest mistake is to treat this as a simple sequel. It is not. Gen 3 shifts RingConn’s top model into a more active smart ring, while Gen 2 keeps the slimmer design and Gen 2 Air remains the cheaper entry point.

Let’s dive into the detail.

The headline change is vibration

The clearest hardware difference is vibration. RingConn Gen 3 has vibration alerts, while Gen 2 and Gen 2 Air do not. That gives the new model a direct feature split from both older rings.

RingConn has also clarified what this feature does. Gen 3 does not vibrate for messages or alarms. It uses vibration for health alerts and reminders, so this is not a phone notification ring.

That limit is worth spelling out because vibration on a smart ring can easily sound like smartwatch territory. RingConn is taking a narrower route here. The ring can nudge the user, but only for health-related prompts and reminders rather than texts, calls or wake-up alarms.

That makes the feature less broad than some people may have expected. But it also keeps Gen 3 in the smart ring lane. It adds a physical alert layer without pretending the ring can replace a wrist device.

The sensors have changed too

RingConn is also saying Gen 3 has new optical heart rate sensors for more accurate readings. The temperature sensor and 3-axis accelerometer have also been upgraded. That is important because it gives Gen 3 more than just an added vibration motor.

Those changes are harder to judge from a spec sheet because accuracy depends on fit, firmware and real-world use. Still, better optical heart rate hardware should matter most during daily tracking, sleep and overnight health data collection. The upgraded temperature sensor and accelerometer also feed into the kind of background tracking smart rings rely on.

The vascular health feature needs careful wording. Gen 3 uses vascular load patterns, which RingConn describes as automatic background blood pressure measurements, alongside optional manual blood pressure inputs and lifestyle factors. The result is personalised vascular health insight, essentially blood pressure trend data rather than single cuff-style readings on demand.

Now, this feature is also currently in Beta for the Gen 2 device. So presumably at some stage it will be coming to owners of that version as well. Gen 2 Air is not part of that Beta so those rings are not capable of capturing the metric.

Battery life moves up

Battery life also improves with Gen 3. RingConn rates the new ring at up to 14 days, compared with up to 12 days for Gen 2 and up to 10 days for Gen 2 Air. That gives Gen 3 the longest quoted runtime in the current lineup.

There is a catch, because vibration affects runtime. RingConn says Gen 3 lasts around 10 to 12 days with vibration on, or 11 to 14 days with vibration off. So the headline figure depends on how the new alert feature is used.

The charging setup changes as well. Gen 3 comes with a universal wireless charging case. Gen 2 uses a size-specific wireless charging case and Gen 2 Air uses a universal wired charging dock, so the new model gets the cleaner charging accessory in the lineup.

Offline data storage also increases. Gen 3 stores data for 10 days, while Gen 2 and Gen 2 Air store 7 days. It is not the most exciting upgrade, but it is useful if the ring does not sync with the phone every day.

Gen 3 is slightly thicker

Not everything is in favour of Gen 3. That version measures 2.3mm and weighs between 2.5 and 3.5 grams. Gen 2 is thinner at 2.0mm and weighs between 2 and 3 grams. Gen 2 Air is also 2.0mm thick, but weighs between 2.5 and 4 grams. So Gen 3 is not the thinnest RingConn ring, even though it stays within a light range for a smart ring.

The bottom line

Gen 3 is currently showing at $383, reduced from $426 on the RingConn website. It comes in Future Silver, Royal Gold, Matte Black, Brushed Silver and Brushed Rose Gold. RingConn also offers trade-in discounts of up to $70, depending on which older ring you own.

One detail worth flagging is sizing. Gen 3 uses a different sizing system, so existing RingConn users should not assume their Gen 2 or Gen 2 Air size will carry over. The sizing kit is the safer option because fit affects both comfort and sensor contact.

Gen 3 is the obvious pick if you want the newest hardware. Vibration alerts, upgraded sensors, longer battery life, 10 days of offline storage and the wireless charging case give it the strongest spec sheet in the lineup. The price and slightly thicker body are the trade-offs.

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The $299 Gen 2 still has a role. It is thinner than Gen 3, lighter at the low end and still offers up to 12 days of battery life. For users who do not care about vibration alerts, it may still be the cleaner choice.

The $199 Gen 2 Air is the value option. It keeps the basics, costs less and still reaches up to 10 days of battery life. But it misses out on vibration, uses stainless steel rather than titanium and does not get the same top-end positioning.

All three rings keep RingConn’s no-subscription setup, which remains one of the cleaner advantages in this category.

The post RingConn Gen 3 vs Gen 2 and Gen 2 Air: Differences explained appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

This is not one of those comparisons where the two watches are pretending to be completely different things. They share the same general shape and everyday smartwatch focus, but Bip Max pushes the format bigger, while Bip 6 keeps things lighter and a bit more polished on the wrist.

So let’s get into the detail as to what separates these two devices. It’s worth noting that this article is based on leaked information about the upcoming device. We will update it when more info becomes available.

Bigger screen and brighter display

The display is the obvious starting point. Amazfit Bip Max is uses a 2.07 inch AMOLED, compared with the 1.97 inch AMOLED on the Bip 6. That does not sound like a huge jump, but on a square smartwatch it should be noticeable, especially for widgets, maps, workout stats and larger watch faces.

Resolution also moves up from 390 x 450 on the Bip 6 to 432 x 514 on the Bip Max. Peak brightness climbs as well, from 2000 nits to 3000 nits. So the Max is not just larger, it should also be easier to read outdoors if the leaked figure holds up.

Both watches use tempered glass with an anti fingerprint coating, so this is not a case of the Max moving to a more premium glass material. The difference here is mostly about size, pixels and brightness. That fits the visual design too, as the Max looks like it has been built to make the screen the main selling point.

Bigger body and different controls

The size difference is plain to see. Bip Max measures 49.5 x 42.63 x 10.93 mm, while Bip 6 measures 46.3 x 40.2 x 10.45 mm. The Max is wider, taller and slightly thicker. Hence the name Max!

Bip Max weighs 52.6g with the strap, while Bip 6 weighs 44g. So yes, the Max is heavier, but not by a lot. What you will probably feel more is the larger case, because the Max simply takes up more space on the wrist.

The controls also split the two devices visually. Bip Max has the more obvious crown on the right side, paired with a flat button below it. Bip 6 uses two flatter side buttons instead, which gives it a more basic control system.

More storage for music and maps

Storage is another big gap between the two. Bip Max comes with 4GB, while Bip 6 has 512MB, with around 100MB available for files. That is a sizeable difference for a budget smartwatch.

The extra space on Bip Max can be used for maps as well as music, which gives the watch a bit more standalone appeal. It also makes the Max feel less like a basic fitness watch and more like a low cost smartwatch with some proper offline capability.

Bip 6 still covers the essentials, but its available file storage is much more limited. For users who do not care about storing anything on the watch, that may not be a big issue. But if offline content is part of the appeal, the leaked Max spec has the clear advantage.

Battery life gets a clear bump

Battery capacity also moves up sharply. Bip Max has a 540 mAh battery, while Bip 6 has a 340 mAh battery. That is a large increase and it helps explain the bigger case.

Typical battery life is quoted at up to 20 days for Bip Max, compared with up to 14 days for Bip 6. As always, real use will depend on brightness, workouts, Bluetooth calling, health tracking and always on display settings. But on paper, the Max has more headroom.

WiFi joins the spec sheet

Connectivity is another area where the Max steps ahead. It adds WiFi and uses Bluetooth 5.3, while Bip 6 has Bluetooth 5.2 and no WiFi. That helps with faster syncing, updates and transferring files.

Both watches still include a microphone and speaker, so Bluetooth calling is present on both. NFC is absent from both spec sheets, so there is no difference there. The Max gets the advantage mainly through WiFi and the newer Bluetooth version.

The sensor is pretty much the same. Both include the BioTracker PPG biometric sensor with 5PD and 2LED, along with acceleration, gyroscope, ambient light and geomagnetic sensors. So this is not a sensor upgrade story.

Our takeaway

Amazfit Bip Max is expected to come in at $100, while Bip 6 sits at $80. So this is not a huge price gap, but the two watches do start to make sense for slightly different people.

Bip Max is the one to go for if you want the larger screen, longer battery life, WiFi and more room for music and maps. It is also the bigger watch on the wrist, so that extra hardware comes with a chunkier feel.

Bip 6 is the neater option. It costs less, weighs less and keeps the same basic Bip idea in a smaller body. If you do not care about the bigger display or extra storage, that $80 model still looks like the easier everyday pick.

Tech specs comparison

The post Amazfit Bip Max vs Bip 6: Where the newer model moves ahead appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

That is good news if you use an Amazfit watch for structured training but prefer Runalyze for deeper analysis. Amazfit devices have become much more capable in recent years, but external platform support still plays a big role for runners and cyclists who want to keep their training history in one place.

What the new connection does

The integration lets users connect their Zepp Health account directly to Runalyze. After that, new activities such as running and cycling can sync automatically. Sleep data and heart rate variability also come across, which makes this more useful than a simple workout export.

That broader data mix is the main point here. Runalyze already gives users detailed tools for analysing load, fitness trends and recovery. Adding sleep and HRV from Amazfit devices gives those charts more context, especially during heavier training blocks or periods when recovery starts to drift.

This also makes the setup much cleaner. Until now, Amazfit users who wanted their data in Runalyze often had to rely on a chain of services. One common workaround involved syncing to Intervals.icu, exporting to Dropbox and then using RunGap to move the file onwards. It worked, but it was clunky and not entirely free.

The direct connection removes that friction. It also helps users avoid using other platforms as a middle layer. For people who care about clean training records, that is probably the biggest practical benefit.

To link the two accounts simply go to the Configuration section in Runalize. Then click on Services and choose Amazfit. This link will take you directly to that page. Then it’s a matter of signing into your Zepp Health account and giving Runalize the necessary permissions.

Historical import is not ready yet

There is one catch worth mentioning. The connection currently works only for new data after setup. Existing activities, sleep records and HRV history from Zepp Health do not come across yet.

Runalyze says historical import is already in development and will be available soon. Once that arrives, users should be able to bring older Amazfit data into the same Runalyze account, instead of only building the record from today onwards.

For now, it makes sense to connect early if you plan to use the feature. That way, fresh data starts flowing immediately and the backfill can fill the older gaps later.

Our takeaway

This is a small software addition, but it improves the practical value of Amazfit watches for serious training. The hardware side has moved on quickly, with better battery life, stronger health tracking and more advanced sports features across recent models.

The platform side still counts, though. A good watch becomes more useful when the data can leave the companion app cleanly and land in tools people already use. Runalyze is one of those tools for runners who want more than a basic weekly summary.

That makes this a sensible integration rather than a headline grabbing one. It gives Amazfit users a cleaner workflow, gives Runalyze access to more complete recovery data and removes a workaround that many people only tolerated because there was no better option.

This article originally appeared on Gadgets & Wearables, the first media outlet to report the story.

The post Amazfit and Runalyze now connect directly for training data appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Smart rings are where most of the heat is

The most recent development is the one we covered last week. Just like Samsung previously, Zepp Health has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Oura in Texas. The company is claiming the Oura Ring Gen 3, Oura Ring Gen 4 and the Oura app use technology covered by six of its patents. The case focuses on the software and sensor systems behind activity tracking, sleep analysis and health scoring.

That makes the smart ring fight more interesting. Zepp Health is not just defending itself against Oura’s earlier action. It is now going after Oura directly.

Oura, on the other hand, had already filed an ITC complaint against Samsung, Reebok, Zepp Health and Nexxbase over smart wearable devices. That investigation was opened in December after Oura accused those companies of importing and selling devices that infringe its patents. It is one of the higher stakes routes because ITC cases can lead to import restrictions if a company wins.

But Oura has also trimmed part of that case. On April 28th, the ITC said it would not review an earlier decision allowing Oura to withdraw 22 patent claims. The withdrawn claims and the entire ’159 patent are now out of the investigation. That does not mean Oura has lost the case. It means the case has become narrower before the next heavier stages.

WHOOP is trying to protect the screenless band look

WHOOP’s Polar case has also moved forward. The recent update is that Polar has now formally answered WHOOP’s complaint, after earlier exploring a motion to dismiss.

That dismissal route did not go anywhere. Polar first tried to file a motion to dismiss, but the court required a pre-motion conference. After that conference in March, Polar withdrew its request to file a renewed dismissal motion. The court then told Polar to respond, and Polar filed its answer on April 10th.

So the case is now on the normal litigation track. WHOOP still argues that Polar Loop copies the look of its screenless tracker, including the faceless design, woven band, thin metallic side accents and clasp style. Polar denies the claims.

This is not about sensors or recovery algorithms. It is about trade dress, basically whether WHOOP can protect the look of a screenless band. That could become important if more brands try to make health trackers that do not look like watches.

WHOOP also has a separate case against Bevel in Delaware. The recent activity there looks procedural, mostly attorney appearances and early filings, so there is less to say for now. But taken together, the message is pretty clear. WHOOP is watching the screenless band space closely and is willing to go after rivals it thinks are getting too close.

Garmin and Suunto are fighting over watch tech

Sports watches are not staying out of the courtroom either. Suunto sued Garmin last year over several patents, including claims tied to golf shot detection, respiration tracking from optical heart rate data and watch design elements. Garmin has since responded with its own counterclaims.

Garmin’s counterattack makes the case more than a one way patent complaint. The counterclaims pull in technology around GPS antenna design, training and recovery metrics and flashlight hardware.

This case will probably move slowly. Patent disputes usually do. The useful point for buyers is that there is no immediate reason to expect Garmin or Suunto watches to disappear from shelves because of this.

Why this is happening now

The wearable market has matured. That is the short version. Early on, everyone raced to prove that wrist based health tracking, smart rings and recovery metrics could find an audience. Now the big product categories are clearer, so companies are trying to protect the territory they helped define.

Smart rings show this most clearly. Oura helped make the category mainstream. But other companies have moved in with cheaper or more specialised alternatives. Once that happens, patents become part of the competitive playbook. The same thing is now happening around screenless bands, where WHOOP wants to stop rivals from getting too close to its visual identity.

There is also a commercial reason. Hardware margins can get squeezed quickly. Subscriptions, health scoring systems and recovery insights are harder to differentiate than they used to be. If a company believes its rivals are copying core ideas, the courtroom becomes another way to slow them down.

The post Wearable lawsuit recap as Oura, WHOOP and Garmin cases move ahead appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

The cheaper route comes with the smaller charger

The headline number is easy to understand. The Super Early Bird Kickstarter tier is $299 and includes the Ultrahuman Ring PRO, three PowerPlugs free for one year, the Ring PRO Mini Charger and a Type-C to Type-C cable. Local taxes and customs may still apply, but free worldwide shipping is part of the reward.

That puts the Kickstarter price quite a bit below the Ring PRO price shown through Ultrahuman’s own direct channel. The official website currently sells the Ring PRO with the PRO Charging Case at $479.

The difference sits in the charging accessory. The Kickstarter reward includes the Mini Charger, which Ultrahuman describes as the compact everyday charging companion for the Ring PRO. It is a small dock that plugs in via USB-C and is designed for simple charging at a desk, in a gym bag or while travelling.

The official website bundle includes the larger PRO Charging Case. That accessory adds more than just another way to charge the ring. Ultrahuman says the case extends total battery life to up to 45 days, stores up to one year of ring data, includes Find My Case support with an integrated speaker and supports Qi wireless charging.

So yes, Kickstarter is cheaper. But the official store bundle gives you the more capable charging accessory from day one.

The core Ring PRO pitch stays the same

The Ring PRO itself is still the same. Ultrahuman claims up to 15 days of battery life, a dual-core processor with on-chip machine learning, BLE 5.3 and up to 250 days of on-ring storage. The ring also has 100 metre water resistance, a unibody titanium design and ProRelease technology, which allows it to be cut apart more easily if finger swelling or injury becomes an issue.

There are four finishes on offer: Bionic Gold, Aster Black, Space Silver and Raw Titanium. Sizes run from 5 to 14, and a free sizing kit ships before the actual ring. That is useful because smart ring sizing can be awkward, and a poor fit can hurt both comfort and sensor performance.

Ultrahuman is also using the campaign to push Jade, its real-time biointelligence AI. The company says Jade connects ring data with Blood Vision biomarkers, M1 CGM glucose trends and Ultrahuman Home environmental data. It is available as a platform upgrade to Ultrahuman users globally, including Ring AIR users, so this is not being framed as a Ring PRO-only feature.

The campaign also leans into PowerPlugs. These are Ultrahuman’s add-on health tools, and the Super Early Bird tier includes three of them free for one year. The included PowerPlugs are Respiratory Health, Cycle & Ovulation Pro and Cardio Adaptability, with the campaign valuing the bundle at $130.

Kickstarter adds a different kind of buying decision

The lower Kickstarter price makes the Ring PRO easier to consider, but it also changes the nature of the purchase. Buying through Kickstarter is not the same as ordering through a normal online store.

That said, this is not a mystery startup trying to build its first device. Ultrahuman points to previous Kickstarter campaigns for the Ultrahuman Ring and Ring AIR, and says it previously raised close to $1 million from 3,135 backers. This new campaign also passed its $10,000 goal quickly, with about $30,101 pledged in the first few hours and 29 days still left to run.

That does not remove the usual Kickstarter caveats, but it does make the campaign feel less speculative than most crowdfunded wearables.

For buyers, the decision is fairly simple. Kickstarter gets the upfront price down, but the Super Early Bird tier includes the Mini Charger rather than the larger PRO Charging Case sold through Ultrahuman’s own website.

I reviewed the Ultrahuman Ring Air back in 2023 and came away thinking the basics were already strong. It was light, the recovery and sleep tools were useful and there was no subscription to deal with. The weaker bits were comfort around the sharper edges and some uneven health data, so Ring PRO feels like Ultrahuman trying to move the hardware up a level with longer battery life, tougher titanium construction and a more serious charging setup.

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The WHOOP message recently spotted uses the usual subscription language. It says a membership renewal did not complete and points the user toward updating billing information. At a quick glance, it looks like the kind of admin email many people would deal with without thinking too much about it.

The issue is the sender address. A report on Reddit points to the email coming from a Gmail account rather than a WHOOP address. That alone should make you stop before tapping anything, especially when payment information is involved.

Wearable users are becoming a target

This is not the first time a major wearable brand has been used as bait in a phishing attempt. For example, we previously covered Garmin users receiving emails that tried to push them into handing over account or payment details. The pattern is much the same here, with a recognisable brand name used to make a fake message feel normal.

That is what makes these emails effective. Most people expect occasional billing notices from subscription services. WHOOP has memberships, Garmin has accounts and services, Oura has subscriptions and Fitbit has Premium. That gives scammers an easy hook.

The emails do not need to look dramatic. In fact, the more boring they look, the better they work. A routine billing problem feels believable because expired cards and failed renewals happen all the time.

The safest route is through the app

The easiest way to avoid this kind of trap is not to use billing links in emails. Open the WHOOP app directly or go to the official website by typing the address yourself. Then check the account from there.

This applies even when the email looks clean. A visible link can say one thing while the actual destination points somewhere else. On a phone, that is easy to miss because people often tap before checking the full address.

The sender address remains the first thing to inspect. A billing message from WHOOP should come from a WHOOP controlled domain. A random address should not be trusted with account or payment updates.

A few extra steps worth taking

If there is still any doubt, contact WHOOP directly through the support details on its official site rather than replying to the email. That keeps the conversation away from the suspicious message and gives you a cleaner way to confirm whether the account alert is real.

The same goes for links. Even if part of the email looks legitimate, avoid clicking through from the message once something feels off. A fake email only needs one believable button or link to do its job.

Once you have decided the message is suspicious, delete it. That sounds basic, but it removes the chance of coming back to it later when you are rushed and clicking the wrong thing by habit.

It is also worth checking whether the claim actually fits your account. A renewal warning should match your real renewal timing, membership status and recent payment activity. If those details do not line up, the email has already failed the smell test.

Two-factor authentication is another useful layer if the account supports it. It will not stop fake emails from arriving, but it can make stolen login details less useful if they ever end up on the wrong page.

The post Fake WHOOP renewal email shows why sender checks are vital appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

A familiar big screen formula

Redmi Watch 6 sticks with a large 2.07 inch AMOLED display, but Xiaomi now claims up to 2000 nits peak brightness. The Redmi Watch 5 already had one of the better screens in this price range, with a sharp, vibrant panel that made menus, widgets and workout data easy to read. The new brightness figure should make outdoor visibility stronger, assuming real world performance lines up with the spec sheet.

The case now measures 46.45 x 40.03 x 9.94mm and weighs 31 grams without the strap. That makes it slimmer and lighter than the Redmi Watch 5, although this is still a large rectangular watch.

Xiaomi has kept the aluminium alloy frame and added a stainless steel crown plus a second physical button. The later should make it a little easier to use during workouts.

Battery life remains the safe bet

Battery life was one of the strongest parts of my Redmi Watch 5 review. It used the same 550mAh battery, and during my two week test I did not need to charge it once. That was impressive for a watch with such a large AMOLED display.

Redmi Watch 6 keeps the 550mAh capacity, with Xiaomi claiming up to 24 days in light use, 12 days in typical use and 7 days in heavy use. Those figures will depend on settings, GPS use and the always on display, but the Watch 5 gives some confidence that Xiaomi’s battery claims are not just decoration.

NFC is the upgrade to watch

The most interesting part is the separate Redmi Watch 6 NFC model. Xiaomi says it supports contactless payments through Mastercard and Visa, although this will depend on the region and supported banks.

That stood out because NFC was one of the gaps in my Redmi Watch 5 review. The Watch 5 had a great screen, strong battery life, Bluetooth calling, local music storage and built in GNSS, but the lack of wrist payments made it feel slightly less complete as an everyday smartwatch. The NFC version of Redmi Watch 6 changes that, at least in markets where support is active.

Fitness tracking should feel familiar

Redmi Watch 6 supports more than 150 sports modes and built in satellite positioning through GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou and QZSS. Xiaomi also mentions a dual L1 antenna setup that chooses the stronger signal depending on how the watch is worn.

The Watch 5 performed surprisingly well in my testing, including GPS runs in Central London where tall buildings can make tracking messy. Heart rate also improved once I swapped to a tighter strap, bringing the readings much closer to my Garmin comparison setup. That is worth remembering here, because fit still plays a big role in optical heart rate accuracy.

The new model also includes all day heart rate, blood oxygen, stress and sleep tracking, plus 5ATM water resistance. Xiaomi says heart rate tracking now works while swimming, which gives the watch a slightly broader fitness profile.

Early takeaway

Redmi Watch 6 looks like a tidy follow up. Xiaomi has kept the parts that worked on the Watch 5, including the big AMOLED screen, strong battery life, built in GNSS and practical smart features. The brighter display, slimmer case, extra button and NFC option make it feel better rounded.

The NFC model is the one I would watch most closely. If Xiaomi gets pricing and regional payment support right, Redmi Watch 6 could be one of the more interesting budget smartwatch launches of the year.

The post Xiaomi brings Redmi Watch 6 global with one key Watch 5 gap fixed appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

A bigger Cheetah 2 model appears likely

The Cheetah line has always leaned into running, but the newer information suggests Zepp Health may be preparing something with a broader trail and outdoor angle. The details point to a circular watch with a 1.5 inch AMOLED display, 480 x 480 resolution and sapphire glass, which would put it above the 1.32 inch display found on the Cheetah 2 Pro.

That larger screen would make sense for maps, navigation and longer outdoor sessions. The information also points to improved offline maps with faster loading and rendering, which would fit the larger display well.

The design also appears to stick with the four button layout used on the Cheetah 2 Pro. That suggests Zepp Health may not be changing the basic control setup, but instead scaling the concept into a more premium outdoor form. The case styling looks tougher as well, with more prominent bezel detailing and a less minimal feel.

The build details need a bit of caution. The information points to titanium being used in the case construction, while there’s also mention of plastic. So this should not be read as a full titanium case unless Zepp Health confirms it.

The battery could be the real clue

Another interesting part is the battery figure. The information we have seen points to a 780mAh battery, which is a sizeable jump from the 540mAh unit in the Cheetah 2 Pro. That would also line up with a claimed battery life of up to 30 days in normal use and up to 70 hours with GPS.

Those figures would move this model into a different conversation. The Cheetah 2 Pro is already well equipped for serious runners, but a larger battery would make the next variant more appealing for trail runs, long hikes and multi day use away from a charger.

Storage may also be getting a bump. The details point to 64GB, compared with 32GB on the Cheetah 2 Pro. That could help with offline maps, music and future software features.

The flashlight also appears to carry over from the Cheetah 2 Pro, which already includes a dual-mode LED with white and red light, Boost and SOS modes. It keeps the practical outdoor angle intact, especially for early runs, late walks and outdoor use where a built-in light can be genuinely handy.

More than just a Cheetah 2 Pro with a bigger case

The Cheetah 2 Pro can remain the performance model, while this possible new version would likely sit above it for people who want more battery life and a more substantial build. It would be a logical move, especially as the line now overlaps more with hiking and navigation than the original Cheetah watches did.

Zepp Health has been moving quickly with its recent watch launches. Cheetah 2 Pro arrived with a stronger build and more serious navigation features than the older Cheetah line, and there should be more to come soon. We are also expecting a new addition to the Bip line, along with an Amazfit HYROX watch, so the next few weeks could be busy for the company.

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This is the first G-LIDE model with an optical heart rate sensor, and it connects two strands of Casio’s lineup that have been running in parallel. The GBX-100 brought the surf features and MIP display. The DW-H5600 brought heart rate and Polar-backed training metrics. The GBX-H5600 is where those two meet.

A G-LIDE that now works off the beach

Up to now, G-LIDE has been very specific in what it does well. Tide graphs, moon data and ocean timing have always been the focus, with only light activity tracking in the background. That made sense for its audience, but it also limited how often the watch made it onto the wrist outside of surf sessions.

The GBX-H5600 changes that. It tracks heart rate, steps and workouts, and uses smartphone GPS to tighten up distance data. More importantly, it adds a layer of analysis that was missing before. Polar handles that side, with metrics like Running Index, Cardio Load, Energy Used and Nightly Recharge, along with sleep tracking and recovery insights.

That does not turn it into a full sports watch, but it does make the data more useful. You are not just logging activity anymore, you are getting context around effort and recovery. For a G-SHOCK, that is a noticeable shift.

Same square look, lighter feel

On the hardware side, Casio keeps things familiar. The case comes in at 51.1 by 44.5 by 17.3 millimetres and weighs 47 grams, which is lighter than earlier heart rate equipped squares. That matters because these watches are often worn all day, not just during workouts.

The Memory in Pixel display is also the right call here. It keeps visibility strong outdoors and fits the digital G-SHOCK identity much better than a brighter but more power-hungry screen would. You still get shock resistance, 20 bar water resistance and bio-based resin used across the case, bezel and band.

Battery trade-offs are still there

Casio goes with USB charging supported by solar assist. Solar helps keep the time display running when the battery is low, but the health tracking and connected features rely on regular charging. That is the same compromise seen on the DW-H5600.

Battery life lands at around 35 hours with activity tracking and about a month in basic watch mode with heart rate turned off. It is not aiming to compete with full solar G-SHOCKs here, but it does enough to balance features with battery size.

Our takeaway

Casio is clearly leaning into this whole Polar powered thing. Up to now, this was mostly sitting in watches like the DW-H5600 and the more sports focused GBD-H2000. Now that same layer is turning up in a G-LIDE, which is not where you would have expected it a year ago.

That is what makes this interesting. Casio is not trying to build its own big fitness platform, it is just plugging in Polar and dropping those insights into different watches. So now you have a surf watch that can actually tell you something useful about your training and recovery, not just show you tides and moon phases.

At the same time, they are not overdoing it. This is not suddenly trying to be a Garmin. There is no deep training ecosystem or standalone GPS. It just sits in that middle space, where you get enough data to be useful, but it still feels like a proper G-SHOCK you can wear anywhere without thinking about it.

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