I just lately appeared again on my 2025 predictions for Android smartwatch manufacturers like Google, Samsung, and OnePlus. I used to be extra proper than flawed, however now I will attempt to higher predict how Android smartwatches will change in 2026.
It would not take Nostradamus to say that the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 will launch in 2026. However other than 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 12 months.
Samsung might relaunch Samsung Well being with a Galaxy AI subscription
This summer time, 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” circumstances like most cancers.
Galaxy AI options like Vitality Rating, Vascular Load, and Antioxidant Index usually have high quality print saying they’re free by way of 2025. That does not imply Samsung will begin invoicing us on January 1. As an alternative, anytime from Samsung’s CES 2026 “First Look” presentation to the Galaxy Watch 9 reveal subsequent summer time, it might announce an “optionally available” $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 stunned in the event that they cost us for it.
Google and Samsung will escalate their well being struggle 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 research with Fitbit Labs for Pixel Watch 3 homeowners, so in idea, it might use that knowledge to develop its personal predictive characteristic for hypertension warnings.
Google’s medical lead for cardiology instructed me she needs Pixel Watch customers to have extra entry to “customized threat” knowledge, tying your stats and medical information to medical research. And Google’s medical sleep lead says he hopes smartwatches can sooner or later detect indicators of sleepwalking or Stressed Leg Syndrome.
I am not saying we’ll see these in 2026, simply showcasing the medical doctors behind these Android watch manufacturers with bold targets for customized 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 scuffling with Put on OS updates. In 2025, Mobvoi hasn’t introduced something official, nevertheless 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 depend, 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 12 months 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 instructed 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 relatively than change it once more, with improved battery effectivity and additional upgrades to Watch Face Format like 3D Faces.
As an alternative, I feel Put on OS 7 will deal with AI upgrades. Put on OS 6’s on-watch good replies — just lately enhanced on Put on OS 6.1 — are the template. The thought is to shift extra work away out of your cellphone, so the AI assistant can reply questions extra rapidly 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 is not handy to have your cellphone readily available. I might additionally see Google making a Gemini equal to Apple’s Exercise Buddy, synced to your Fitbit coaching plan; it might provide you with real-time, customized suggestions and recommendation throughout an exercise.
Subsequent-generation {hardware}
One among my massive hopes for 2025 was a strong Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 SoC with RISC-V structure, based mostly 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 an alternative, the Gen-2 chip we obtained was a extra incremental improve, targeted on improved effectivity and satellite tv for pc connectivity. It is completely useful, 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 depend 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. Perhaps Google might even make a Tensor chip with stronger neural efficiency, as one leak prompt. I simply do not anticipate a {hardware} change so quickly, given how usually 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 creating 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 enhance: The 590mAh capability hasn’t modified because the Watch 5 Professional, and the OnePlus Watch 3 lasts almost 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 provide the Extremely 2 show one thing to face out, like the next PPI ratio.
Extremely watches are meant for the outside, however the Galaxy Watch Extremely by no means actually delivered the coaching software program vital to draw athletes; anybody prepared to spend $650 would spend much more on a Garmin Fenix 8. Samsung began off with a Operating Coach this 12 months, nevertheless 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 fundamental, unable to import most exercises (moreover operating) from Gemini’s coaching plans. You must log issues like gymnasium reps manually.
If light-weight Garmin watches can sync exercise plans from the Join app and routinely observe 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 instantly 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 observe it throughout a run, hike, or bike exercise. The Galaxy Watch Extremely can import GPX recordsdata from different apps; Google might 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 process efficiency, and two new well being sensors. It primarily 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.
