Smartwatches in Autumn 2026: Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Google and Fitbit at a Glance
Image: 3r1ccc / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
In short: 2026 is a strong year for smartwatches. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at 449 euros, the Galaxy Watch9 at 409 euros and the Pixel Watch 5 at 419 euros. Garmin's Enduro 4 offers up to 320 hours of GPS battery life. If you only want to track steps, sleep and heart rate, Google's new Fitbit Edge costs 179.99 euros and the screenless Fitbit Air 99.99 euros.
The new models
| Model | Starting price | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | 449 euros | Health Sensing System, S11 chip |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | 899 euros | Rugged outdoor model |
| Galaxy Watch9 | 409 euros | Snapdragon Wear Elite |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra2 | 749 euros | About 35 percent bigger battery, up to 5,000 nits |
| Pixel Watch 5 | 419 euros | Wear OS 7 out of the box |
| Garmin Enduro 4 | 899.99 euros | Up to 320 hours GPS |
| Garmin MARQ (Gen 3) | 2,550 euros | inReach satellite messaging |
| Fitbit Edge | 179.99 euros | Display, GPS, up to 7 days battery |
Data from the manufacturers and the sources in our individual articles, October 2026.
Brand by brand
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 have been available since 18 September 2026; their Health Sensing System checks your pulse every five seconds and calculates a daily form score from 0 to 10. Samsung's Galaxy Watch9 and Ultra2 use a Qualcomm chip for the first time, and there is no Classic model this year. Wear OS 7 and the Pixel Watch 5 bring a more personal Gemini, offline commands and new gestures. Garmin's Enduro 4, MARQ and Approach S72 cover endurance, luxury and golf. The Fitbit Edge and Fitbit Air work without a mandatory subscription, but the Gemini Health Coach needs Google Health Premium at 8.99 euros a month after three free months.
Who should buy what
iPhone users should choose the Apple Watch, Samsung owners the Galaxy Watch9 and Pixel owners the Pixel Watch 5. Endurance athletes get the longest battery life with the Garmin Enduro 4, and beginners on a budget are well served by the Fitbit Air or Edge. Check phone compatibility, battery life, GPS and any subscription costs before buying. Smartwatches do not replace medical devices. More articles are in our watches category.
Sources
