I lately regarded again on my 2025 predictions for Android smartwatch manufacturers like Google, Samsung, and OnePlus. I used to be extra proper than unsuitable, however now I will attempt to higher predict how Android smartwatches will change in 2026.
It does not take Nostradamus to say that the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 will launch in 2026. However apart from guessing what Google and Samsung have deliberate, I will speak about my expectations for Gemini, Fitbit, and Samsung Well being, and the Put on OS platform extra broadly, which has proven some warning indicators this yr.
Samsung may relaunch Samsung Well being with a Galaxy AI subscription
This summer season, I noticed warning indicators that Samsung may begin charging us for Galaxy AI well being options. Two weeks later, Samsung SVP Hon Pak admitted in an interview that they’re “exploring” premium subscription fashions for “superior teaching options,” in addition to serving to customers spot “preventable” situations like most cancers.
Galaxy AI options like Power Rating, Vascular Load, and Antioxidant Index sometimes have fantastic print saying they’re free by means of 2025. That does not imply Samsung will begin invoicing us on January 1. As a substitute, anytime from Samsung’s CES 2026 “First Look” presentation to the Galaxy Watch 9 reveal subsequent summer season, it may announce an “non-compulsory” $10/month Samsung Well being subscription and begin cramming beforehand free options into it.
Samsung will need a flashy, AI-driven various to Fitbit Private Well being Coach; do not be shocked in the event that they cost us for it.
Google and Samsung will escalate their well being conflict with Apple
Nearly each main smartwatch model is in a wellness arms race to pack as many “life-saving” or doctor-replacing options into their watches as potential, from Apple’s hypertension alerts and Google’s Lack of Pulse detection to Huawei’s blood pressure-tracking D2 watch. It ought to solely ramp up in 2026.
Samsung has already confirmed plans to make use of Galaxy Watches to detect coronary heart failure, a “World-First” characteristic, very quickly. Google launched its six-month hypertension examine with Fitbit Labs for Pixel Watch 3 homeowners, so in idea, it may use that information to develop its personal predictive characteristic for hypertension warnings.
Google’s scientific lead for cardiology informed me she needs Pixel Watch customers to have extra entry to “personalised threat” information, tying your stats and medical data to scientific research. And Google’s scientific sleep lead says he hopes smartwatches can in the future detect indicators of sleepwalking or Stressed Leg Syndrome.
I am not saying we’ll see these in 2026, simply showcasing the docs behind these Android watch manufacturers with formidable objectives for personalised well being. Samsung clearly has the identical medical aspirations, too.
Put on OS will proceed to shed its “open platform” label
In 2024, Fossil stopped making smartwatches after battling Put on OS updates. In 2025, Mobvoi hasn’t introduced something official, however it appears to have stopped promoting TicWatches and pivoted to AI units, whereas Tag Heuer quietly left the platform with its new Calibre E5. And OnePlus has fallen months behind its pledge to replace its 2024 watches to Put on OS 5.
By my rely, Put on OS has 4 energetic manufacturers remaining: Google, Samsung, OnePlus/OPPO, and Xiaomi. I might guess that Xiaomi or OnePlus would be the subsequent to quietly distance itself from Put on OS, releasing extra watches with proprietary software program, such because the OnePlus Watch Lite operating an RTOS.
Whether or not by design or neglect, Google’s non-Samsung companions cannot sustain on Put on OS model updates, falling a yr behind on common, and that makes their watches appear poor in comparison with Pixel and Galaxy Watches. I am nonetheless anticipating a OnePlus Watch 4 till I am informed in any other case, however we’re trending towards Google and Samsung hoarding Gemini on smartwatches for themselves.
Gemini upgrades would be the Put on OS 7 spotlight
Put on OS 6 was a way more dramatic, system-level replace than Put on OS 5 and Put on OS 4, with Materials 3 Expressive because the spotlight. I might anticipate Put on OS 7 to optimize this new UI reasonably than change it once more, with improved battery effectivity and additional upgrades to Watch Face Format like 3D Faces.
As a substitute, I believe Put on OS 7 will concentrate on AI upgrades. Put on OS 6’s on-watch good replies — lately enhanced on Put on OS 6.1 — are the template. The concept is to shift extra work away out of your cellphone, so the AI assistant can reply questions extra shortly with out counting on the cloud.
I’m wondering if we’ll get an official Gemini Dwell instrument on Put on OS, for conditions the place it isn’t handy to have your cellphone available. I may additionally see Google making a Gemini equal to Apple’s Exercise Buddy, synced to your Fitbit coaching plan; it might offer you real-time, personalised suggestions and recommendation throughout an exercise.
Subsequent-generation {hardware}
Certainly one of my large hopes for 2025 was a strong Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 SoC with RISC-V structure, primarily based on an interview with a Qualcomm VP the place he talked about their aim of constructing “AI-driven” {hardware} with a “week’s price of battery life” and the flexibility to help years of updates.
As a substitute, the Gen-2 chip we received was a extra incremental improve, centered on improved effectivity and satellite tv for pc connectivity. It is completely practical, however not particularly quick, even for on a regular basis app and menu loading. Samsung’s 3nm Exynos W1000 is extra superior for on a regular basis efficiency, however I would not rely on it for next-gen AI capabilities, both.
The earlier we get a real next-generation smartwatch chip with the neural processing for highly effective on-watch AI, the happier I will be. Possibly Google may even make a Tensor chip with stronger neural efficiency, as one leak recommended. I simply do not anticipate a {hardware} change so quickly, given how typically smartwatches preserve the identical chipsets for years.
A extra thrilling Galaxy Watch Extremely 2
Whereas the Galaxy Watch Extremely (2025) was a minor refresh, Galaxy Membership claims Samsung is growing a brand new flagship look ahead to 2026. It did not share different particulars, aside from its inner identify “Galaxy Watch 9 Extremely.” No matter it is known as, Samsung must make the Extremely 2 a lot extra thrilling to justify the $650 price ticket, now that cheaper Galaxy Watches have stolen its look.
For one, I might demand a battery increase: The 590mAh capability hasn’t modified for the reason that Watch 5 Professional, and the OnePlus Watch 3 lasts practically twice as lengthy. For one more, LTE alone is not that thrilling when the Apple Watch Extremely 3 has 5G and satellite tv for pc connectivity. If its MicroLED tech is not prepared for a smartwatch, Samsung nonetheless wants to offer the Extremely 2 show one thing to face out, like a better PPI ratio.
Extremely watches are meant for the outside, however the Galaxy Watch Extremely by no means actually delivered the coaching software program obligatory to draw athletes; anybody keen to spend $650 would spend much more on a Garmin Fenix 8. Samsung began off with a Working Coach this yr, however it must do extra to maintain tempo with Apple and Google/ Fitbit, as a substitute of counting on third-party health instruments like iFit.
Improve the Pixel Watch 5 to match the brand new Fitbit Coach
We already know the Fitbit Private Well being Coach will launch in 2026 with AI-generated teaching and well being insights. However the Put on OS Fitbit app continues to be fairly primary, unable to import most exercises (apart from operating) from Gemini’s coaching plans. You need to log issues like gymnasium reps manually.
If light-weight Garmin watches can sync exercise plans from the Join app and robotically monitor train reps, I might assume Google can do the identical with extra highly effective Snapdragon {hardware}! It is only a matter of implementing Fitbit Coach’s plans and insights straight in Put on OS 7.
I’ve additionally waited for years for Google to supply a Google Maps course creation instrument, the place you construct a route, export it as a GPX file to your Pixel Watch, after which comply with it throughout a run, hike, or bike exercise. The Galaxy Watch Extremely can import GPX recordsdata from different apps; Google may one-up Samsung by truly letting you create them.
A OnePlus Watch 4 with its personal software program surprises
For OnePlus, 2025 was all about {hardware} upgrades. In comparison with the Watch 2, the Watch 3 added a titanium bezel, a working crown, a denser silicone-carbon battery, a bigger and brighter show, an upgraded coprocessor with higher background activity efficiency, and two new well being sensors. It basically caught up with different premium smartwatches.
Ignoring my Put on OS pessimism and assuming a OnePlus Watch 4 is coming in a few months, I do not want extra {hardware} upgrades, actually. I simply wish to see if OnePlus’s spin on Put on OS 6 has a standout characteristic, in comparison with Google’s Materials 3 Expressive and watch face theming, or Samsung’s phone-like multi-info Tiles.
