Latest from Android Central in Wearables

My favorite Garmin watch is on sale right now, but there's an even better deal if you're trying to stay active this summer

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:38:17 +0000

Prime Day is almost over, but there are still plenty of deals available right now. While scouring the web for products I like, I came across a Garmin Venu 4 deal that I was tempted to highlight. However, I found an even better deal on the Garmin Forerunner 570, which I think is more worth your time (and money).

The Garmin Forerunner 570 launched last year for $550, but this 18% discount shaves $100 off, bringing the price to $450. That's around $50 cheaper than the Garmin Venu 4 with its current discount, which is why I think the Forerunner 570 deserves your attention.

The Forerunner 570 already feels like a bargain compared to its more expensive 970 sibling, but a $100 disocunt is a pretty good deal if you ask me, especially since it makes it cheaper than the also-excellent Venu 4.View Deal

✅Recommended if: You're someone who enjoys running and wants a watch that can coach them as well as track their activities.

❌Skip this deal if: You're not a big runner and watch a more all-purpose smartwatch with access to your favorite apps.

Garmin makes watches for all kinds of fitness enthusiasts, and the Forerunner 570 is an ideal watch for runners. It's similar to the Forerunner 970, which is also on sale right now, but it's more affordable at the expense of some features. That said, after testing the Forerunner 570 myself, I must say that it's an incredible fitness watch if you're into running or even if you want to get into it (like me).

The watch is great at fitness tracking, and the OLED display is vibrant and highly visible outdoors. The Garmin UI is also much easier to navigate, with quick access to your most important metrics and activities. There are also plenty of external buttons for shortcuts and navigation, making it easy to use the watch even while on a run.

The Garmin Venu 4 is still a great watch, and the $50 discount may be tempting for someone who just wants an all-around fitness watch with a streamlined design and experience. You can also check out deals on the tech devices I used to lose weight in time for the summer.

Don't miss out on this insane Oura Ring 4 deal that practically comes with up to 3 years of its membership FOR FREE

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:06:35 +0000

We clearly love Oura here at Android Central, and even with the new Oura Ring 5 available now, we would still recommend buying the Oura Ring 4, especially if you can find a good discount. Right now, the Oura Ring 4 just hit its lowest price for Prime Day, but you'll have to act fast because color options are falling out of stock.

The cheapest Oura Ring 4 starts at $349, but you're saving roughly $135 by opting for the Silver colorway, bringing it down to just $214. Plus, you can save even more at Best Buy when you buy pricier color options. As great as this ring is, that's more than worth it. And the great thing about this Prime Day deal is that with the money you're saving, you can basically cover the cost of the Oura Membership (which I'll break down further below), so it works out!

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

This incredible Oura Ring 4 deal from Amazon saves you over $130, which is an incredible value if you don't mind sticking with Silver.

Alternative deal: If you want more expensive colors, this Best Buy deal on Gold and even Ceramic finishes saves you up to $220, so instead of $499, you only pay $279.View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want a low-key health and fitness wearable to help you track sleep, activities, and give you a comprehensive view of your health.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer the newer and smaller Oura Ring 5 or you're really against paying for a monthly or yearly membership to access it's most useful features.

Oura is interesting because it's probably the only smart ring on the market that uses a subscription model. However, that membership gives you full access to the Oura Ring 4's features and helps Oura build on and improve its products, including the Oura Ring 4.

On the plus side, the subscription is only $6 a month (or $70 annually), which actually feels pretty reasonable. And you can pay for both the Oura Ring and the membership using your FSA or HSA, which is also a plus.

But as I mentioned before, you're saving a ton of money on the Oura Ring 4. For the Silver variant above, you're saving about $135, and when you divide that by the membership cost, it comes out to roughly two years' worth.

And when you factor in the $220 savings from the Best Buy deal, that's about three years of Oura Membership that you can use that extra money for. I don't know about you, but the math is mathing here.

Fitbit Air gets its first update, which we hope fixes a bunch of early problems

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:56:50 +0000

What you need to know

Google is reportedly rolling out its first update for the Fitbit Air to Android and iOS users late this week.
The company didn't state much aside from "bug fixes" in its patch notes, drumming up hope that many early Fitbit Air issues are getting fixed.
Shortly after the device launched, Google highlighted its commitment to fix issues, such as those for its automatic workout detection, and more for the Health app.

The Google Fitbit Air is the latest device on consumers' minds for its screen-less appeal, like Whoop. The wearable is getting its first software patch in June, which is not as detailed as we would like.

Late this week, Google started rolling out an update to the Fitbit Air, its first since its launch in late May. The folks at 9to5Google spotted the update, noting it's slowly rolling out to Android devices as v67.20001.253.2. The post adds that the update isn't as widespread yet, meaning most Androids are likely still waiting for the patch to arrive. When it does, Google's kept its changelog pretty light.

Android Central's Take

Seeing some of these issues affecting the Fitbit Air and the Google Health app make it feel like things were a little rushed. I can understand Google's hype and interest about getting these two major pieces out into the world, but there are issues. The only good thing is that it's committed to working out these issues, and it shows.

The publication says the company only lists "bug fixes and general improvements" as the core of this first patch. While Google hasn't highlighted much, there's a lot it's been working on behind-the-scenes. The Fitbit Air and the updated (rebranded) Google Health app debuted as a duo. However, early impressions of the Health app left users feeling like it was a bit unfinished.

Android Central's Sanuj Bhatia reported on this, highlighting several missing features from the Health app. The Fitbit Air wasn't excluded from scrutiny, either, but Google has come forward with a commitment to fixing both sides.

Light as air

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Shortly after everything debuted, Google brought attention to its faults and errors in the Health app and the Fitbit Air. The app was receiving fixes for workout tracking and sleep scores. It also rolled out fixes for the app's connectivity with the Fitbit Air. What's more, the company said users would soon get an option to customize the Health dashboards and rearrange their metrics.

Google claims that it's working on better automatic workout detection, as well as "inconsistencies" with workout data. The only issue is that, if Google had fixed these glaring Fitbit issues, surely it would've been highlighted in this week's patch. That's not to say it's not worked these improvements into its new update, though. We'll have to wait and see the overall user sentiments after the majority receive it.

Early Fitbit Air users were struggling with the device since a Health update wasn't available after pre-orders. That's since been patched (or, at least, should've been), seeing as we're late in June now.

The Fitbit Ace LTE hits an all-time low price, making your kid the coolest on the playground when they go back to school

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:36:52 +0000

As our reviewer Nick Sutrich put it, the Fitbit Ace LTE redefines what I thought a smartwatch for kids could be. It is one of the most fun pieces of modern tech for children, almost making me wish my grown-up Pixel Watch was this fun! The UI is very colorful and full of cute characters, exciting animations, and dynamic game-based prompts, tools, and activities.

Google did an outstanding job with the Fitbit Ace LTE, equipping it with bare necessities like health and fitness tracking, GPS tracking, LTE connectivity, and quick charging, as well as some incredibly exciting extras.

For more than half off during Prime Day, this Fitbit Ace LTE deal is only good until the end of the day today. So if your child has been begging you for a cool new smartwatch, you better run to buy it at this bottom-of-the-barrel price.

Prime Day June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Enjoy a spectacular $63 off the best fitness watch for kids only while this Prime Day deal lasts. The Fitbit Ace LTE is jam-packed with fun features, games, emoji, and avatars. It helps motivate your kids to keep moving with fun games and daily activities, virtual pets, and more.View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want a premium-grade smartwatch with fitness and tracking features especially designed to engage kids.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a kids' smartwatch with sleep tracking.

The Fitbit Ace LTE is the perfect starter "smartphone" for children. It gives them access to important features like calls, texts, and GPS tracking, but at the same time, it also limits their access to the internet in a key way: it doesn't have social media or internet browsers.

This mix of crucial features and restricted access is what makes the Google Fitbit Ace a fantastic smartwatch for children and one of the best ways to start them out on phones and internet access.

Your children can learn how to manage money and how to stay fit in a fun, gamified way using the Fitbit Ace. The watch has "Daily Quests" for healthier living, a point-based activity system, and six games preloaded onto the watch that require them to move about and engage in physical activity.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

What I love is that Google regularly drops new updates for the Fitbit Ace, with new games added seasonally, as well as features like "Family Chat" and "School Time". Children can even have virtual pets within the watch called Eejies. Here's how Nick Sutrich, our reviewer, described Eejies:

"Eejies feel a bit like a cross between Tamagotchi and Animal Crossing. Daily activity will grant rewards in the form of outfits and furniture for their Eejie's rooms, and new watchbands from Fitbit unlock exclusive outfits that match the bands. It's an incredible experience that's unlike any other smartwatch on the market, and it's made just for kids!"

Sutrich's kid adored the Fitbit Ace LTE so much, he went on to say that it has become their favorite smartwatch. At 51% off, this is an epic deal for a really well built kids' smartwatch.

Run don't walk for this Garmin deal because if you're training for your first marathon, there's only one watch you should get

shruti.shekar@futurenet.com (Shruti Shekar) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:20:33 +0000

If I were to start running from scratch, there’s only one watch I would get to help me track my progress.

Oh, wait, I have started running, haha, and I did end up getting a watch that is actually the greatest invention ever; the Garmin Forerunner 970. And lucky for you, it’s on sale right now for Prime Day.

All color variants were 749.99, but now they're 649.99 and are selling out fast. If you were thinking of getting one of the best watches to train for a marathon, then this is the watch you need to get.

Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

🏃🏽🏃🏽🏃🏽 A premium, multi-sport powerhouse that doesn't sacrifice style. It combines top-tier triathlon features, a brilliant AMOLED screen, an elegant soft-gold titanium case, and a unique French gray/indigo band. Plus, it has a built-in flashlight for whenever your training takes you past sunset.View Deal

But let me backtrack, about a month ago, I decided on the crazy idea of running my first half-marathon, and who knows, maybe by the end of my training, it will become a full marathon. But running isn’t a joke. It’s hard, even if I’ve been working out my whole life.

I did what anyone did: I went online and did a whole bunch of research, and you know where that landed me? Confused, overwhelmed, and right back where I started, not knowing how to start my training.

What helped me was reading what Android Central has written about Garmin. I learned that while other watches can track pace and distance and monitor heart rate, one watch delivered the ultimate performance. It’s why I got the Garmin Forerunner 970.

And from the fitness test we did, “it’s the running watch you buy when you don’t want compromises.”

The watch has many features that are great for runners who aren’t just running as a hobby but want to track every specific detail of their training.

I will add that if the watch is a bit out of your budget, then you can also get the Forerunner 570, which is also on sale. While it is much less premium and lacks some of the features that the 970 has, it is still a stellar device. And I think the Forerunner 570 is a great watch for those considering taking up running as a hobby but who still want to track progress, might consider running a marathon, and want a few more features than a simple smartwatch.

All color variants of the Forerunner 570 are on sale on Amazon for $449.99, down from $549.99.

Light up your training and your wrist. This advanced, compact running and triathlon watch features a brilliant, full-color AMOLED display that brings your stats to life. Packed with smart tools to guide your training and speed up your recovery, it’s wrapped in an eye-catching raspberry aluminum case with a bold bone and translucent mango band.View Deal

Do I need to be a Prime member to shop during Amazon Prime Day?

Although select discounts may be available to the general public, the vast majority of deals during Prime Day are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Haven't joined yet? Sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a cent. The cost of a membership is $14.99 per month once the trial period is up, but you can cancel at any time with zero hassle.

I beat the summer heatwave with this wearable AC, and it just went on sale

harish.jonnalagadda@futurenet.com (Harish Jonnalagadda) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:45:19 +0000

As someone who lives in India, I know a thing (or ten) about intense heat. This summer is proving to be particularly hot, going up to 107 degrees F (42 degrees Celsius) in my city. Other parts of the world are also experiencing heatwaves, and if you're going out on vacation or just need a way to stay cool while outdoors, there's a product for you.

Accessory brand Torras makes wearable air conditioners, and the Coolify Cyber Fold does a great job controlling your microclimate — the immediate vicinity around you. It's designed to cool up to 50 degrees F and provides cool airflow of 3m/s, and you know what? It actually works. I tested it for the last two months, and even on days when it was 104 degrees out (40 deg C), it made a legitimate difference. The Cyber Fold is the costliest model in the Coolify range, and it's now down to $226. If you need an affordable alternative, the Coolify 2S Pro is a good option at $161, and the Coolify Air is just $89 right now.

The Cyber Fold is the best product in the Coolify range, and it is the one I used the most. If you just need a wearable AC that's a little more affordable, you should consider the 2S Pro. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You need an easy way to stay cool outdoors. The Cyber Fold uses innovative cooling tech that immediately makes a difference, and it's effective even in extreme heat.

❌Skip this deal if: You want something that isn't conspicuous. You will get plenty of attention while wearing this.

The Coolify Cyber Fold has much better build quality than other wearable ACs, and it uses Peltier cooling tech in conjunction with fans to ensure you stay cool outdoors. There are eight vents around the product that blow air, and you get decent coverage around your face and neck.

Obviously, the design means it will stand out when you're wearing it in public — there's no getting around that. But I will admit that it isn't as bulky or unwieldy as it looks, and I didn't notice the heft after a day or two of regular use. The best part about the Cyber Fold is that it's effective even on days where it's over 100 degrees F, and the cooling pads around your neck make a huge difference.

The built-in battery doesn't quite last all day, but it's good enough for a few hours of use on full blast. You can eke out better battery life by switching to efficient cooling, and unless it's over 100 degrees outside, you won't need to crank up the cooling all the way.

It is a niche product, but it's one that made a decent amount of difference in the summer months, and if you're interested in trying out a wearable AC, the Cyber Fold is the one I'd recommend — get it while it's still down to $226.

The Galaxy Watch 8 helped me sleep better, and it's 38% off for Prime Day

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:38:57 +0000

When smartwatches are brought up, the Google Pixel Watch is the first topic of conversation. It shouldn't be, because Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 is the all-around best Wear OS smartwatch around. I reviewed it last year, and spent my own money on one. The selling point for me was its size — it's only 8.6mm thick and sits comfortably on my wrist.

That meant I could take it more places and wear it more consistently, using the extra data to power my workouts and get better sleep. The price is surprisingly the best part. You can get a Galaxy Watch 8 for just $218 during Prime Day, down from the usual $350 sticker price.

That's about what I paid for my Galaxy Watch 8 at launch, and I had to trade in another smartwatch to get that price. You can get it with no strings attached.

Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the sleekest Wear OS smartwatch on the market, with a slim profile that helps it stay comfortable for workouts and sleep tracking. It has a gorgeous screen, robust health sensors, and superb software. View Deal

✅ Recommended if: You use Samsung Galaxy devices and need a Wear OS smartwatch; you need a thin and lightweight watch for fitness and health monitoring; you want longtime Wear OS update support.

❌ Skip this deal if: You need a smartwatch with the longest battery life; you want to wait for the Galaxy Watch 9, even though it'll cost much more.

I've tested many smartwatches, and I learned one thing along the way: the best smartwatch is the one you'll actually wear. Every other smartwatch felt too thick for me to wear for sleep tracking, and even some strenuous workouts. When I took them off, I missed out on data. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8's slim profile makes it ideal for your vacation getaways, summer workouts, or nightly sleep tracking.

It runs Wear OS 6 out of the box, and it's guaranteed to get four years of software updates. So, you can buy this watch for 38% off and it'll be updated to Wear OS 7 in a few months' time. A capable chip, Samsung's Exynos W1000, powers the entire experience.

On the inside, a Samsung BioActive sensor capable of handling optical and electrical heart-rate sensing monitors your underlying health metrics. There are also BIA and temperature sensors that help give you a complete picture of your health.

My one gripe with the Galaxy Watch 8 is that you need to charge it daily, but a quick recharge while showering should be all it takes. Aside from that, this is a current-gen smartwatch that'll stay up to date for years to come available for just over $200. I've used one for nearly a year, and I can't recommend it enough.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

The best budget smartwatch is somehow just $61 for Prime Day — but you need to act now

harish.jonnalagadda@futurenet.com (Harish Jonnalagadda) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:48:02 +0000

Looking to get a smartwatch just to mirror notifications to your wrist, measure daily activity, and monitor vitals? There's no reason to shell out hundreds of dollars towards a Wear OS smartwatch; there are dozens of great budget smartwatches that do a lot of the same tasks for a lot less cash.

My favorite is the CMF Watch 3 Pro. The Nothing-owned sub-brand is doing incredible things with its products lately, and the Watch 3 Pro has all the things you need in a smartwatch: it's stylish, has a bright AMOLED panel, tracks 130 workouts, and you'll only need to charge it once a week. In short, if you need a full-fledged smartwatch in under $100, this is the only one to get — and it's selling for just $61 as part of Prime Day.

There's no doubt that the CMF Watch 3 Pro is the best budget smartwatch today. There really isn't anything missing on this model, and if you want a full-fledged smartwatch that doesn't look like a budget model, this is the obvious choice. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You need the best smartwatch under $100.

❌Skip this deal if: You want Wear OS. Honestly, I don't see the utility of Wear OS when you need to shell out at least thrice as much to get a decent smartwatch.

I don't have any negatives to point out with the CMF Watch 3 Pro. I used the smartwatch when it launched, and it has a stylish design that belies its price tag. You even get good color options, and that just adds to its uniqueness.

The best part is that it runs RTOS, a lightweight OS that does a good job with the basics: mirroring notifications, monitoring activity, and so on. You don't get Spotify integration or Google Wallet, but if you just want a good-looking smartwatch that excels at the essentials, the Watch 3 Pro is more than good enough.

I also like that the smartwatch lasts over a week on average, and this is a huge plus point over my Pixel Watch 4. On the whole, I think the Watch 3 Pro is the best sub-$100 smartwatch available today, and it's selling for just $61 as part of Prime Day.

Get a hot summer bod at an even hotter price with these Garmin, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, and Amazfit deals

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:14:03 +0000

Prime Day 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving. Many of the most incredible flagship Android smartwatches are currently on sale, with some hitting record low prices. Wear OS watches with fantastic fitness features like the Google Pixel Watch 4 are priced at an all-time low.

It doesn't end there, because two of the greatest wearables made by Samsung, the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), are also on sale, with up to 38% off. Samsung is well known for its advanced health tracking sensors, especially the BioActive Sensor found in its flagship wearables. Prices are changing every day, and tomorrow is the last day of the four-day Prime Day festivities.

If you want to reach your fitness goals and get your summer bod in order, you don't want to miss these awesome fitness smartwatch discounts!

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Google Pixel Watch 4

The Google Pixel Watch 4 come sin 41mm and 45mm size options, and you can choose between Wi-Fi and LTE variants. It has the most gorgeous UI and runs Wear OS 6 out of the box, with plenty of Gemini-based goodies baked in. The Watch 4 just received the Wear OS 7 update and is guaranteed to get Wear OS 8 as well.

And now that Google has revamped the Fitbit app to make it into the new and improved Google Health app, the Pixel Watch 4 is easily one of the best fitness tracking watches out there.

What I love about the Pixel Watch 4 is the unique pebble-like shape, fluid transitions, and that pure Made by Google quality that every Pixel smartwatch and phone carries. It is a powerful watch with snappy performance and loads of excellent fitness and health features.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 sports a charming curved display and delivers powerful performance thanks to the latest Snapdragon chipset. It is jam-packed with rich features like on-device Gemini responses, dual-frequency GPS, blazing charging speeds, and improved battery efficiency.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Samsung redesigned the Galaxy Watch 8 to sport a striking "squoval" shape. Not only is this a very elegant and sleek smartwatch, but the Galaxy Watch 8 is also incredibly powerful thanks to the Samsung Exynos W1000 processor. It also runs One UI 8 Watch based on Wear OS 6 out of the box and is slated to get Wear OS 7 any day. Samsung promises 4 major OS updates.

The Galaxy Watch 8 has a fantastic AMOLED display that gets super bright, up to 3000 nits of peak brightness in fact. Health and fitness wise, Samsung has some of the best sensors in the biz and AI-powered features like Running Coach and Energy Scores. The Watch 8 also collects a ton of useful data during sleep, from Vascular Load and sleep apnea detection to your energy score as well as circadian rhythm.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a lightweight Wear OS smartwatch with a lot of muscle under the hood. You get on-wrist AI, fitness and health tools, a unique design with functional benefits, and excellent software support.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)

Samsung updated the beefy Galaxy Watch Ultra with its successor, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), last year. Just like the previous iteration, you get some beastly specs on your wrist. The latest Watch Ultra (2025) still has the same 1.5-inch AMOLED display and squircle titanium case.

It's a very heavy-duty smartwatch, sporting a 10ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H waterproof ratings and a tough Sapphire Glass on top. The insides are just as impressive, packing the Samsung BioActive Sensor, the Exynos W1000 chipset, and AI-powered health and fitness features.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) has amazingly helpful health features like the Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, Bedtime Guidance, and Vascular Load. These features will do everything from judge the carotene levels in your body from fruits and veggies to warn you how much stress your heart is under or create a running training plan based on your abilities. Perfect for sticking to your diet and ensuring you get your workouts in!

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) delivers plenty of incredible health and fitness tracking sensors and software features, as well as many other perks like a Quick Button, a durable titanium build, and a bright and crispy 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display.View Deal

Garmin Venu 4

There are plenty of amazing Garmin deals ongoing, but the Garmin Venu 4 is the best of the lot. If you are a fitness-focused individual, this smartwatch is a must have. It has many sensors for measurement including ECG, HRV, breathing rate, and skin temperature, and the Health Status establishes your body's baseline health and then warns you of "outliers" that signal potential health issues.

The Garmin Venu 4 has a really bright OLED display, a flashlight, dual-band GPS, and is built to last, bearing a 5ATM waterproof rating. The battery life is insanely good, as is connectivity — Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFC, the works. You know you can rely on this watch when you're outdoors, doing a grueling run or hiking through rough terrain.

The Garmin Venu 4 has the full suite of Garmin Coaching and workout features as well as accurate HR, HRV, Sleep Coach with skin temp and nap detection, continuous SpO2, ECG, and Health Status. It is one of the best fitness smartwatches that money can buy. Get $50 while this deal lasts!View Deal

Amazfit Balance 2

Amazfit is everyone's go-to brand for affordable fitness wearables. The spectacular Amazfit Balance 2 has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display reinforced by hardy Sapphire Glass. From the polished design to the accurate tracking, it pretty much checks every box.

For a large 47mm case, the smartwatch is surprisingly lightweight. This is thanks to the aluminum build. The Amazfit Balance 2 touts 10ATM water-proofing and has useful features like advanced Zepp Coaching and training insights. You even get an excellent LLM-based food logging feature. Battery life is stellar too, easily lasting a full week on a single charge.

The Amazfit Balance 2 is the king of the hill when it comes to affordable smartwatches with nearly flagship-level features. It has a premium aluminium body and Sapphire Glass display, combining style with durability. With up to 21 days of battery life and advanced GPS, it's built for performance without sacrificing everyday comfort.View Deal

The only Switch 2-compatible smart glasses are finally on sale, and they're going to transform your summer entertainment

Nicholas Sutrich — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:08:40 +0000

Viture's smart display glasses, also known as a wearable TV, are the only brand compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and they're finally on sale for Prime Day! Get a cool $120 off Viture Luma Pro XR glasses, then pair it with the 23% off Viture Pro Mobile Dock and enjoy the most comfortable portable Switch 2 gaming ever!

That Pro Mobile Dock comes with a free Switch 2 mount for Prime Day, and the Luma glasses all come with a free Pro-style controller, sweetening the deal even further. The Pro Mobile Dock attaches to your Switch 2 like the TV dock, but it's designed to be fully portable, so it's got a built-in battery to keep the play going longer and give you full Switch 2 docked power on the go.

You could also choose to pick up a pair of Viture Beast XR glasses, which add native 3DoF spatial tracking to the mix, but those aren't on sale for Prime Day despite what Amazon shows. They're the usual $549 price.

One of my least favorite things about modern mobile gaming systems is the weight. At over 530g, the Switch 2 is pretty heavy, and the Steam Deck makes that even worse with its 640g weight, making it uncomfortable to hold up for long gaming sessions. But what if you could play handheld without having to hold up the console at all? That's the joy of using a pair of smart glasses like Viture Luma with your system.

Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Viture Luma: ~~$399~~ $339 at Amazon

Viture Luma Pro: ~~$499~~ $379 at Amazon

Viture Luma Ultra: ~~$599~~ $499 at Amazon

Viture Pro Mobile Dock: ~~$129~~ $99 at Amazon

Grab any pair of Viture Luma glasses and pair it with a Viture Pro Mobile Dock to play Switch 2 games on a glorious 200-inch virtual display, powered by fantastic micro-OLED panels inside the glasses. It's going to change how you play!

🚨🚨Price Comparison🚨🚨

Viture Luma: $399 $339 at Viture

Viture Luma Pro: $499 $379 at Best Buy

Viture Luma Ultra: $599 $499 at Best Buy

Viture Pro Mobile Dock: $129 $99 at Best BuyView Deal

✅Recommended if: You're tired of neck and arm pain from looking down at or holding up your Switch 2 for a long time, want an OLED display for your Switch 2, or want a private display that no one else around you can see (unlike the system's screen).

❌Skip this deal if: You don't like the idea of toting around more equipment for portable travel play.

Attaching more things to your Switch 2 might sound like the opposite of lowering the weight, but you don't hold a Switch 2 once it's docked since the controllers don't allow it to operate like that. Instead, you'll click the Viture Pro Mobile Dock together with the Switch 2, then set it down in your lap or somewhere else next to you and hold your controllers as if you were playing on a TV.

This is the only way to use smart glasses with a Switch or Switch 2, as Nintendo has specially coded the USB-C port on the system to only operate with authorized docks. That's a pain for other smart glasses, but a great thing for Viture, and the rewards don't stop there, either!

Viture's Pro Mobile Dock lets you connect two Viture glasses to it so you can play split-screen multiplayer games on your Switch 2 while sitting at the airport, on an airplane, or anywhere else you might want to set up a portable gaming throwdown. It's a way better alternative to trying to play split screen with the Switch 2 using the tabletop mode with the kickstand!

I also use Viture glasses with my laptop when I'm traveling for work, and it gives me the same advantages as with the Switch. Getting sweet neck relief by using a pair of smart glasses to look forward at the display instead of down at the laptop is a game-changer, and all you'll need to do is plug the glasses' USB-C cable into your laptop like a monitor.

If you're like me and still looking for a (late) Father's Day gift, this is my Prime Day pick for a dad who likes tech but likes to keep it classy (and classic)

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:34:53 +0000

My father is notoriously difficult to shop for. He likes tech, but he likes to stick with the classics. He rarely buys the latest and greatest devices, but he at least knows about them, and he's still young enough to keep up with today's tech. He also loves Samsung (like father, like son). So, when the time came to look for a Father's Day gift, two things came to mind: Prime Day and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

Of course, I'm late to Father's Day, but that's what happens when Prime Day begins days later. I'm glad I waited, though, because the Galaxy Watch 8 is currently on sale with a 33% discount, shaving $165 off the price.

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is hard to recommend at its regular $500 price, but when you're getting more than $150 off, the watch becomes much more enticing of a buy.

Price comparison: Best Buy - $349.99 | Samsung - $349.99 View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want a powerful smartwatch with good battery life, tons of health and fitness features, and a classic design with a rotating bezel for navigation.

❌Skip this deal if: You don't want a heavy smartwatch, you own a Pixel (get a Pixel Watch), or you want a smartwatch that lasts for more than a couple of days per charge.

Samsung has on-and-off years with the Classic series of Galaxy Watches, and last year's Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the best one we've gotten. It has a very fast, high-performance processor, so navigation is smooth as ever. It also runs Wear OS 6 with Samsung's UI on top, and we can expect Wear OS 7 to bring even more goodies.

But I think my dad (and dads like mine) will love it because of the design. Samsung tried something new by giving it a squircle shape, but the round watch face and metal chassis still give a classic style. And the best part is that you can rotate the bezel for easy navigation (or just to fiddle with).

Our reviewer said that he liked the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's bezel "because its ridged design is more striking than past models; the 6 Classic's bezel is easier on the fingers but almost too subtle for anyone to see, especially with my Black model. This version's bezel is rougher to the touch, but still easy to turn."

I also think it will be good for my dad to have something to monitor his health and, hopefully, motivate him to get serious about exercising, as my favorite fitness tech products have for me.

Don't get the Ray-Ban Meta — these smart glasses are just as good, and they're just $249 now

harish.jonnalagadda@futurenet.com (Harish Jonnalagadda) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 02:16:21 +0000

Smart glasses are everywhere these days, and while Meta has an early lead in this category, Chinese brands like Rokid are making heady inroads. Rokid's AI Glasses Style goes up against the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, and you get a similar set of features: onboard cameras to take photos and videos, Gemini integration, and great battery life.

These glasses are particularly great to use while traveling; you don't have to take out your phone everywhere, and still take photos of landmarks and monuments. Where the AI Glasses Style stand out is the value; they debuted at $299, and they're now down to just $249 for Prime Day. By contrast, Meta's glasses start at $349.

The AI Glasses Style aren't as stylish as Meta's alternative, and the case doesn't charge the glasses. If that isn't an issue, there are decent savings to be had with Rokid's smart glasses. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want value-focused smart glasses with Gemini integration, decent photo and video quality, good onboard sound, and reliable battery life.

❌Skip this deal if: You need a stylish design and ease-of-use. Meta still leads the way in both areas.

I like what Rokid did with the AI Glasses Style; the design of these smart glasses isn't going to turn heads, but that isn't the point. If you want attention-grabbing smart glasses, you should just get the Oakley Meta Vanguard anyway.

While the AI Glasses Style look a little generic, the build quality is decent, and you get good battery life. The built-in 12MP camera takes good photos and videos, and while it won't rival the images you get out of your phone, it's a good choice if you need a point-of-view lens that records daily activities.

Outside of that, Rokid's software has a lot to offer, with the glasses integrating Gemini. That's a big deal in and of itself, and Rokid is building an ecosystem around its glasses that gives you a decent level of choice around features.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Battery life is good too, and I didn't see many issues in this area. The only annoyance is that the case doesn't automatically charge the glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta. You instead get a dedicated cable that you need to connect to charge the glasses, and it's cumbersome to do so. Rokid says it wanted to make the AI Glasses Style affordable, so it chose not to bundle a charging case with the glasses, and that leads to an added hassle in regular use.

Outside of that though, there are no problems with the AI Glasses Style. The fact that they're now available for just $249 makes these a great choice if you want to try out smart glasses and don't want to use Meta.

The Pixel Watch 4 just hit its lowest price ever, so it looks like I'll finally be upgrading

Nicholas Sutrich — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:29:26 +0000

Google's Pixel Watch has long been my favorite smartwatch design. It's not only uniquely beautiful with the curved, circular glass that looks like a perfect watch design, but the curved back is by far the most comfortable design of any smartwatch I've ever worn. That watch will look just as good on your budget as on your wrist, too, thanks to this incredible Prime Day deal!

Add the Pixel Watch 4 to your cart today and get an instant $60 off the 41mm version, or grab the larger display version with better battery life and get $80 off the 45mm version.

For me, this is a no-brainer upgrade. Google's been substantially improving Wear OS over the years, and the Wear OS 7 upgrade just rolled out last week, delivering even more improvements to Google's best smartwatch yet.

Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm): ~~$349.99~~ $289.99 at Amazon

Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm): ~~$399.99~~ $319.99 at Amazon

No matter which size you choose, the Pixel Watch 4 is at its lowest price ever this Prime Day! Save up to $80 on Google's best smartwatch yet, including the new Gemini-powered Google Health app and a refined design that includes a better, faster charger.

Price Comparison: Best Buy - $309.99 (41mm) | Best Buy - $339.99 (45mm)View Deal

✅Recommended if: You're looking for one of the best Wear OS watches available, including a gorgeous, unique design and a great new charger.

❌Skip this deal if: Garmin and Amazfit watches have better battery life and track more workout activities, so check to make sure your favorite activities are supported before you choose.

In our Pixel Watch 4 review last year, we noted that "Google has been building toward a water-droplet smartwatch for years, and the Pixel Watch 4 has reached the finish line." This includes an improved design that's now user-replaceable — something most smartwatches don't even seem to bother with — as well as a brand new UI, deeper Gemini integration, and the new Google health app.

Fitbit users were largely unhappy with the changeover from Fitbit to Google Health when it launched in May, but Google has taken feedback and improved several pain points since then. We even published a guide for how to make the most of the new Google health app, including how to deeply customize your experience.

Before you order, we've also assembled a list of the best Pixel Watch 4 bands on sale for Prime Day, so you can get the look you want and make that gorgeous watch shine even brighter!

Forgot a Father's Day present? Become the favorite child fast with this 51% off Oura Ring 4 deal during Prime Day

shruti.shekar@futurenet.com (Shruti Shekar) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:16:57 +0000

I’ve been thinking about my dad a lot these days, especially his health. He’s 70 now, and while he’s incredibly fit and healthy, I wanted to ensure he was optimizing his life even more with as few gadgets as possible.

So, for a late Father’s Day present, I was thinking about getting him the Oura Ring 4, which is currently up to a whopping 51% off on Amazon for Prime Day, depending on the style you get.

Track over 50 health metrics with the HSA/FSA-eligible Oura Ring 4—featuring an ultra-sleek screen-free design, an incredible 8-day battery, and your first month of membership included so you can start leveling up your wellness journey instantly! 🚀🔋✨View Deal

Currently, the metallic version in Black and Silver are 35% off during Prime Day, the Brushed Silver and Stealth are 43% off, and the Gold is 51% off. Not to mention, you could probably get this device with your HSA or FSA funds. The thing I love about the Oura Ring is how subtle it is, and it performs in the background of your life, and it is passive. What I mean by this is that you’re not constantly getting notifications.

(Image credit: Oura)

Without giving too many personal details about my dad’s health, one thing he’s actively monitoring is his blood pressure, how good his sleep is, how many steps he’s getting, and if he’s feeling rested and well enough for the next day.

If my dad sees any irregularities in his health these days, he’s actively thinking about any differences he’s experienced in his day, and sometimes it can give him additional and unnecessary anxiety.

The Oura Ring would monitor his health overnight, provide him with his Readiness Score, and help him track his heart rate, steps, and, if you’re in the U.S., blood pressure. Just to clarify this, it is not a traditional blood pressure monitor, but rather it uses a health radar feature that monitors cardiovascular strain and shifts that could indicate blood pressure variations.

I love that the smart ring, if you have a subscription, automatically detects which workouts you’re doing, and if you’re planning to get this for yourself and you’re a woman, know it has stellar menstrual cycle monitoring.

My dad is a simple guy, and, more importantly, he is a man of consistency in his daily rituals. I want to make sure that he has no reason to worry about his health, that he monitors it efficiently, and that he doesn't feel anxious about it.

And if you’re feeling the same about your parents and want them to feel comfortable monitoring their health with something that is passive, subtle, and gorgeously constructed, then I would highly recommend getting the Oura Ring 4.

If you're a runner, you need to know about this 19% Prime Day discount on a great Amazfit watch

Zachary David — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:10:00 +0000

Runners, rejoice! Amazon's 2026 Prime Day sale brings with it a 15% discount on the Amazfit Active 3 Premium, which is an especially good fitness smartwatch for those hoping to spend under $150.

Great battery life, fitness features, and responsiveness make the Active 3 Premium a worthy competitor, even amongst higher-priced fitness watches. It's backed by the Zepp platform and sports a 1.32-inch AMOLED display that users love. It's specifically designed with runners in mind, sporting a durable yet lightweight housing, GPS tracking, and features like structured training presets that draw on a wide range of health metrics. The Prime Day price drop is also available in all three of the Active 3 Premium's color options, including the Aero White, Apex Silver, and Atlas Blue.

Prime Day 2026 is LIVE: see the full list of deals

Amazfit Active 3 Premium: ~~$169.99~~ $137.26 for Amazon Prime Day

Prime members can get 19% off the price of the Amazfit Active 3 Premium, bringing the total down to just $137. Designed with runners in mind, this watch is a great pick for new and intermediate runners alike, and the discounted price makes it even more compelling than usual. Prime Day ends on June 26th, however, so don't wait too long if you're interested.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for one of the best Amazfit smartwatches out there, but you don't want to spend more than $150; you like a medium-sized watch face of around 1.3 inches, and you'd prefer a vibrant AMOLED display; you want a watch with a wide range of workout modes and health sensors, GPS, and a battery life suitable for longer outdoor excursions.

❌Skip this deal if: you need a watch with dual-band GPS for hyper-accurate readings; you prefer a smartwatch with an actual crown; you'd rather upgrade to the Active Max for up to 25-day battery life and a larger screen.

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is packed with features that make it feel like a true premium smartwatch, but without the hefty price tag. From health monitoring and training programs to cycle tracking, sleep monitoring, and stress readings, it's a user-friendly pick for runners at any level. I also like the Zepp App platform, which makes it easy to sift through the many features and data points, while also offering a thorough analysis of a range of health and training factors.

Where it falls a little short is in its exclusion of dual-band GPS. However, those who find that to be a dealbreaker should probably consider upgrading to the Active Max anyway.

Galaxy Watch 9 couldn't wait: major leak has me looking forward to the summer

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:46:42 +0000

What you need to know

A leak claims to have discovered the alleged design for Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9.
The device, reportedly featuring a 40mm and 44mm variant, could feature a similar design to the Watch 8, but with a slightly altered default band.
Samsung confirmed during its huge Health app upgrade that many new features will be present in the Watch 9, while also stating the Snapdragon Wear Elite will power it.

We're expecting Samsung to release another wave of smartwatches this summer, and that's where this major leak leads us.

Alongside tipster OnLeaks, Android Headlines claims the Galaxy Watch 9 could feature a similar design to the Watch 8 from 2025. The tipster was credited with several leaked renders, showcasing a slightly refreshed smartwatch design. "Squircle" was a buzzword that accompanied many Galaxy Watch 8, and those continue for the 9. The alleged renderings show the circular watch face atop a brushed metal body. The watch appears thin, but it's not clear if Samsung's managed to shave down anymore.

Android Central's Take

Don't think I mind the continued design (if this rumor's true). I will say that the Pixel Watch is a gorgeous device. A clean glass-dome design that's uniquely Google. Samsung's new approach with the Galaxy Watch 8 and that squircle design is clean, too. It's a comfortable watch and that's easy on the eyes. It's not overly gaudy or trying to do too much. For me, it makes sense that Samsung would think to stick with it.

Rumors suggest the Watch 9 will be available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. A closer look at the watch's display purports screen bezels similar to what we already have. Two physical buttons sit on the right side of the watch, as well. The publication adds that the Galaxy Watch 9 will feature Bluetooth and LTE connectivity.

While the watch seems mostly the same, the renders show the device with a slightly altered band.

A subtle divot rolls down the center of the band like a racing stripe, whereas the Galaxy Watch 8's default band is smooth with a soft, bumpy underside. Two colorways are expected for each watch size, beginning with "Cream" and "Graphite" for the 40mm and "Silver" and "Graphite" for the 44mm variant. Price increases were rumored at ~$50 more for this year's models.

Major internal changes

Android Headlines

Galaxy Watch 9 rumors have been surfacing slowly, but a recent report has us paying attention. Samsung's next watches, alongside the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, were supposedly spotted receiving 3C certification in China for charging. It appears that Samsung will equip the watches with 10W wired charging support, similar to what we have with the Watch 8. Battery sizes weren't specified. It's unlikely to see them at 3C, anyway.

Aside from rumors and leaks, Samsung confirmed that there will be new health features available for its Galaxy Watch 9 with its Health app overhaul. The company kicked off its Health app update on June 8, introducing a new Vitals feature, incorporating Daily Cardio Load, Heart Health Score, and more. A Heart Health Score is also present to note how your sleep, stress, and activity affect you. Many of these new features and the updated Antioxidant and AGEs Index will be available on the Watch 9.

Moreover, Samsung's going back to Qualcomm. The next Galaxy Watch is confirmed to feature the Snapdragon Wear Elite, boosting the device in multiple ways.

Xreal's best smart glasses are up to $100 off for Prime Day, and they're my absolute favorite way to game on the go

Nicholas Sutrich — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:04:37 +0000

My flight home from New York this week got delayed several hours, but I passed the time by playing 007 First Light on a giant home theater in the airplane. No, I don't have my own private plane, but Xreal 1S certainly helps make it feel that way, and now you can get your very own portable, wearable home theater for $50 off with this fantastic Prime Day deal.

Xreal 1S is a pair of smart display glasses, also known as a wearable TV or home theater, that packs dual micro-OLED panels into a svelte pair of glasses. Plug the USB-C cable into any compatible device — be it a laptop, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or even your phone — and you'll be greeted with a massive floating display in front of your face.

Xreal set itself apart from the pack when it launched the Xreal One series last year, and this year's Xreal 1S upgrades things with even better displays and the amazing X1 chip inside that provides full 3DoF spatial tracking for the virtual display. In short, that means the display can smoothly follow your head movements to iron out airplane turbulence, or be "pinned" to a wall in your home to create the ultimate virtual home theater experience.

Get the home theater that travels with you! With a giant virtual screen that's fully spatially tracked, you'll be chilling in comfort while watching movies or playing games on your favorite devices, no matter where you find yourself.

Price comparison: Best Buy - $399 View Deal

✅Recommended if: You're tired of boring phones and want something new and interesting, want a phone with a solid camera and lots of great updates, or you just don't want to spend a ton of money on a new phone.

❌Skip this deal if: You want glasses with a wider FoV, or if the reflections from the underside of Birdbath lenses annoy you. They also aren't compatible with a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2.

Xreal 1S is a full replacement for Xreal One, as it ships with brighter, higher-resolution micro-OLED panels and brings down the weight by 2g in the process. Plus, it's got a great blue color that looks snazzy as heck.

Just keep in mind that it isn't compatible with the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. If you were planning on using them with any of Nintendo's handhelds, you'll need to pick up a pair of Viture smart glasses and the Viture Pro Mobile Dock, instead.

Xreal One Pro upgrades the Xreal 1S experience with prism lenses, a slimmer profile, wider FoV, and all the great automatic 3D and spatial tracking features Xreal fans know and love.

Price comparison: Best Buy - $549 View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want a top-tier wearable home theater experience, the best prism lenses on the market, or want smart glasses that support 6DoF tracking (with the optional Xreal Eye accessory).

❌Skip this deal if: You want to use these on a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. They're just not compatible.

Xreal also has an upgraded pair called Xreal One Pro, which further increases display quality with prism lenses. These lenses are a completely different design from the Birdbath style used on other smart glasses (including Xreal One and 1S), and offer an even clearer picture with a 5-degree wider FoV. That means you can see more of that virtual screen on Xreal One Pro than with other glasses.

Prism lenses also avoid the reflective nature of Birdbath lenses, so you won't see a slight reflection of your lap (or light colored clothing) on the display. That alone might be a big enough upgrade for some folks, and things get even cooler when you pair an Xreal Eye camera or Xreal Beam Pro with either of these glasses.

3 tech products I used to help me lose more than 10 pounds in one month, just in time for summer (and they're all on sale right now!)

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:37:24 +0000

I've been on a weight loss journey for the past few months, and it's been going surprisingly well. While I was aiming to lose roughly 1 pound per week, I managed to lose 11 pounds in a single month, and I also decreased my body fat percentage and increased my muscle mass (my main goal).

These are the three main products that have helped me get into shape in time for the summer, all of which are on sale right now for Prime Day.

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Google Pixel Watch 4

The Pixel Watch 4 is one of my go-to smartwatches, thanks to its advanced health and fitness tracking, accurate GPS, and access to my favorite music and fitness apps, including YouTube Music, MyFitnessPal, and Strava.

With the Google Health app Premium subscription, I tell the AI health coach my goals, and it creates a fitness plan for me. Based on my goals, the coach put together a plan that incorporates some of what I already do and includes recommended gym and running sessions. I can then send them to my Pixel Watch 4 to track my workouts.

I can even use my Pixel Watch 4 as a live heart rate monitor for my Peloton, which adds even more value.

The Pixel Watch 4 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy, and it drops to its lowest price yet at just under $300 for the 41mm Wi-Fi variant.View Deal

Oura Ring 4

The Oura Ring 4 remains one of the best health and fitness wearables, one that I rarely took off my finger. My favorite thing about the Oura Ring 4 is that it has some of the best automatic activity detection on a wearable. It knows when I'm walking, running, working out, and even when I'm dancing, all without me having to manually track it.

The Oura Ring 4 is also incredibly comfortable to wear while sleeping, which is an important part of fitness.

Even with the newer Oura Ring 5 already on store shelves, the Oura Ring 4 is still worth it. The best part is that you can purchase the Oura Ring 4 and the Oura Membership with your FSA/HSA.

The Oura Ring 4 remains one of the best health wearables on the market, and it's now cheaper than ever for Prime Day, knocking off more than $100 and reaching its lowest price since launch.View Deal

Withings smart scale

It wasn't until after getting a Withings smart scale that I realized my weight trend had been going upwards over the past several years. Fortunately, that was a big part of my motivation to take my fitness and nutrition seriously.

Since I started paying more attention to what I eat and being more consistent with my workouts, I noticed that my weight trend had been going down, just as I expected. My Withings scale has become one of the main ways I track my progress, and while I don't expect it to be 100% accurate, I know it's at least in the ballpark for my weight, body fat, and muscle mass.

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on a smart body composition scale when you can spend less than $100 on the Withings Body Smart, one of our favorite smart scales.View Deal

Bonus: MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is a great way to track your caloric intake and your macros. It's easy to log food in the app, and even on my Pixel Watch 4. With the subscription, you can make it easier by scanning barcodes. There's even an Intermittent Fasting mode to help you stay within your eating window, which I highly recommend.

Smart Glasses for under $240 is the kind of wild sale you only see during Prime Day, but you're running out of time to get them

Nicholas Sutrich — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:15:00 +0000

RayNeo is one of the top 3 smart glasses makers today, and the company's latest pair just hit a record low price for Prime Day! You can get $59 off either the regular RayNeo Air 4 Pro or the limited edition Batman and Joker models, all without having to break a sweat to get to a store.

I've been using the RayNeo Air 4 Pro Justice Edition (that's the Batman one) for the past month and a half, and love the comfort and image quality RayNeo’s 120Hz OLED technology brings to the table. With tinted lenses and 3840Hz PWM dimming, you can be sure the picture quality looks amazing in any light, and your eyes won't get fatigued even after hours of movie watching or playing games.

Check out my unboxing if you want to see everything in the special Batman edition!

Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Ready for your first wearable TV? RayNeo Air 4 Pro is the best place to start, with a comfortable design, excellent micro-OLED picture quality, impressive eye-comfort with 3840Hz PWM dimming, and even 10-bit HDR support through a software algorithm. To sweeten the deal, Prime Day drops 20% off the regular price for the first time!

Price comparison: Best Buy View Deal

✅Recommended if: You've never had a pair of smart display glasses, need a more affordable second pair for any reason, or find that other smart glasses cause you eye strain.

❌Skip this deal if: You need a pair of smart glasses with 3DoF tracking or if you need a pair of glasses that work with a Nintendo Switch 2.

Like most smart display glasses, which are also known as wearable TVs, RayNeo Air 4 Pro plugs into any device that supports USB-C video output. I regularly find myself using them with my Steam Deck to play games anywhere I'm at without my arms or neck getting uncomfortable from looking down at the screen or holding it up to my face.

That's because, as the name suggests, a pair of micro-OLED panels are conveniently mounted inside the glasses’ lenses, so the picture follows your head movements. That's great for any position, including lying down or sitting in an uncomfortable airplane seat, as it means you can find the best posture and still enjoy your games.

These are also amazing for working on the go, as you don't have to worry about poor posture while using your laptop on those cafe tables, since the monitor is where you look. Keep in mind that these, like most smart glasses, don't work with a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. For that, you'll need this Viture glasses and dock kit.

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Justice Edition

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Chaos Edition

If you're a Batman or Joker fan, you'll absolutely want to upgrade to the limited edition RayNeo Air 4 Pro! At its lowest price ever for Prime Day, these limited edition models come with Batman branding, a special box, and lots of amazing swag, including a character-themed cover for the front of the glasses.

Price comparison: Best Buy View Deal

The Justice and Chaos editions come with special Batman or Joker branding, including a ridiculously fun lens cover that blocks light and makes you look like your favorite character, as well as a cover stand and a few extra goodies inside a themed box. If that doesn't appeal to you, stick with the standard Air 4 Pro model and save some cash, instead!

Prime Day Garmin watch deals are ALMOST GONE — score up to 50% off Epix, Venu, Forerunner, and beyond

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:31:28 +0000

Amazon's biggest sale of the year is nearly over, and there are still plenty of Prime Day Garmin deals left for us to enjoy. Whether you want a rugged Epix Pro or the hybrid-style Venu 4, you can save up to 50% off some of Garmin's most popular models by shopping at Amazon today. Remember, this is the last day of savings, so if you've got something in your cart, you will need to buy today to take advantage of the deals.

Garmin has been producing some of the world's best fitness watches for years, with a bounty of options for every budget and skill level under the sun. These picks range from rugged wearables with military-grade durability to stylish devices that could easily be mistaken for a traditional smartwatch. Keep reading for all of my favorite discounts available right now, and don't forget to check back later to see what's new: I'll be updating this guide with new Garmin deals until the Prime Day wraps up.

Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Best overall

Garmin Venu 4

Best affordable

Garmin Forerunner 165

Best last-gen

Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)

Best premium

Garmin Fenix 8

Best battery life

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar

Best for runners

Garmin Forerunner 970

Best for kids

Garmin Bounce 2

Best for hikers

Garmin Instinct 3

Best for pros

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro

Best lightweight hybrid

Garmin Venu 3S

Best hybrid design

Garmin Instinct Crossover

Most stylish

Garmin Vívoactive 5

When is Prime Day?

Prime Day 2026 has officially started, running from June 23th until June 26th. That gives you four days to explore the sale, with there are plenty of deals already available.

Do I need to be a Prime member to shop during Prime Day?

For the most part, yes. Since the inaugural sale event in 2015, Prime Day has largely been a way for Amazon to celebrate its existing members and encourage new sign-ups, which means the vast majority of discounts will only be available to users of Amazon Prime.

In other words, if you aren't a member, you're going to miss out on a lot of the fun until Prime Day concludes on June 26th. The good news is that Amazon offers a 30-day free trial that lets you explore all of the ins and outs of a Prime membership without paying a dime. You can cancel at any time, which means you could simply sign up today, do some Prime Day shopping, and delete your account as soon as the sale is over with zero hassle.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

What is the best Garmin watch to buy?

We consider the Venu 4 to be the best overall Garmin watch, largely because it has something for everyone without costing an exorbitant amount of cash. You get all of the latest health and fitness tracking technology, of course, but there's also support for voice commands, a built-in flashlight, an AMOLED display, and dual-band GPS. The Garmin Venu 4 also features a more smartwatch-esque design, which is nice for users who prefer something discreet over a bulky fitness watch.

That being said, despite its versatility, the Venu 4 is not necessarily the most powerful or feature-packed watch by Garmin. If you can afford it, the Garmin Fenix 8 is the best model for serious athletes, boasting fantastic battery life with an ultra-durable build and a comprehensive suite of accurate health and fitness tracking features.

Meta is supporting your anti-Prime Day shopping by launching three AI glasses at $299, including one in partnership with Kylie Jenner

Nicholas Sutrich — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The next evolution of Meta AI glasses is taking an unexpected turn. The company announced three new styles today, one of which is co-designed with Kylie Jenner, but none of the new styles use familiar designer glasses brand names. Instead, 2026’s new Meta AI glasses prominently sport the company's branding, and I got to try them all on at a hands-on event in New York.

Meta Fury, Meta Adventurer, and the Kylie Jenner-styled glasses are all launching at a lower price point than the previous generation because of it, enabling more people to experience Meta AI glasses.

In a Q&A, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth told Android Central that these glasses are still built by EssilorLuxottica, the brand behind Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, and countless other popular fashion brands, so customers can expect the same quality and lens customization options as previous entries.

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

Meta showed us just a handful of the 26 total new styles it's launching, which include color and lens options from each of the three designs. Meta Fury are the thickest pair of the trio, Adventurer is a slimmer design than Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and Kylie's design is all its own.

The new designs all come with more personalization options than ever, including 3-way adjustable nose pads to fit a wider variety of nose shapes, as well as adjustable temple arms that move 5 degrees inward and outward for added comfort. While the temple arms didn't feel like they did much for me, the adjustable nose pad angle made an immediate comfort difference.

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

Meta also added a new customizable action button on the top of the right glasses arm, which defaults to starting a Meta AI conversation so you can skip the “Hey, Meta” hot word. Alternatively, it can be used for different image capture modes, to start a live translation, to call the Be My Eyes service, to play music, or to start Meta AI in various ways.

All three glasses come with a charging case design that looks identical to Meta Ray-Ban Display, but now feature a detachable soft outer layer that you can swap out for different styles. Just like the Ray-Ban Display case, the sides can be folded inward and the case folded up to make it more pocket- or bag-friendly.

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

The Kylie Jenner “Starfire” model includes several special features over the other two models, as well, including metal nose pads (which Meta says are easier to clean), special action sounds, a custom Meta AI voice modeled after Kylie Jenner’s, and even a mirror inside the charging case.

Even more surprising is that these new glasses use the upgraded chipset that debuted with Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses late last year, giving them a slight advantage over other Ray-Ban- and Oakley-branded Meta AI glasses. While Meta was conservative with battery life estimates — which the company says is possibly slightly better than previous generations — they highlighted the smoother Meta AI conversations the spec bump brings.

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

These glasses also include turn-by-turn audio directions, bringing the feature over from the Display glasses. With the new glasses, Meta is also launching a bevy of new features for new and existing Meta AI glasses owners.

A whopping 14 new languages have been added to live translation: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese. While all of the new ones require cloud processing to work, that brings the total number of supported languages to 20.

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

A Meta representative had me run through a real-time demo while he spoke Chinese, a language Meta says is particularly difficult because words often require some context to understand. Processing latency on Chinese translation was noticeably longer than in other languages; however, the Meta AI app shows real-time progress and translations into both languages, so the person you're speaking to can understand what you say by reading the screen.

Meta AI glasses can now also help with food logging by analyzing photos of food with Meta AI. Just ask Meta AI how many calories are in whatever you’re eating, and it’ll give you a breakdown to help you more accurately log your food.

Meta Fury, Adventurer, and Meta Glasses by Kylie are available right now for $299 at Meta.com, Lenscrafters, Sunglasses Hut, Best Buy, and Amazon. You can order clear lenses, sunglasses, and prescription lenses for prescriptions from -12 to +2.25.

Looking to get back in shape? Samsung's best smartwatch is now $200 off during Prime Day

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Summer is a great time to reset your fitness goals, and the latest deal on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra might have just removed one of the biggest barriers to getting started. Thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale, the smartwatch is currently $200 off.

I've always felt that the Ultra models from Samsung and Apple are a little hard to justify at full price. They're excellent Android smartwatches, but they're also expensive. If there was ever a time to pick up the Galaxy Watch Ultra at a more reasonable price, it's probably now. In fact, I'd argue buying it now makes more sense than waiting for whatever Samsung announces next month.

Prime Day is back June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra is down by $200 for Prime Day. With LTE connectivity, up to three days of battery life, and Samsung's latest AI-powered health features, it's one of the best deals right now.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want a rugged smartwatch with a titanium design, LTE connectivity, multi-day battery life, and Samsung's rotating bezel experience.

❌Skip this deal if: you prefer smaller watches, want the newest model regardless of price, or don't mind charging your watch every day.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is still arguably one of the best Wear OS smartwatches you can buy. It launched at $650, which made it difficult to recommend to a lot of people, but this Prime Day discount changes that. With a 31% discount, the watch is now down to around $450.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

And if battery life is important to you, the Galaxy Watch Ultra remains one of the strongest Wear OS options available. We reviewed the latest model, and while Samsung didn't change much, that's not necessarily a bad thing. You can still expect close to three days of battery life on a single charge.

What's also interesting is that Samsung recently updated Samsung Health with several new AI-powered wellness features. The Energy Score feature now works alongside a new Vitals system that combines metrics like Daily Cardio Load, Heart Health Score, and other health data into a single view.

Another major advantage is that this is the LTE version of the watch. That means you can leave your phone at home while going for a run and still stay connected. You also get features like Advanced Sleep Coaching, and Samsung backs the Galaxy Watch Ultra with a two-year warranty in the U.S., which is longer than what many wearables offer.

Of course, it isn't the perfect smartwatch for everyone. The Ultra is still a large and bulky wearable, and some people will prefer something smaller and lighter on the wrist. If that's you, there are other Prime Day fitness deals worth looking at, including the Fitbit Air, which is currently 20% off at $80, and the Oura Ring 4, which is down to around $280.

Does the Oura Ring 5 support automatic activity detection?

christinep2424@gmail.com (Christine Persaud) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:41:29 +0000

Does the Oura Ring 5 support automatic activity detection?

Short Answer: Yes, the Oura Ring 5 supports Automatic Activity Detection (AAD), which carries over from the previous generation rings. But the feature has also been improved with an updated app, which will work with Gen3 models and later. The ring can automatically sense more than 40 common activities like yoga, pilates, swimming, martial arts, walking, running, and even yardwork. It has also been refined through rigorous testing and algorithm training to be more accurate than ever.

How Oura Ring 5 tracks activities

(Image credit: Android Central)

Since the Oura Ring 5, like any smart ring, is a circular device you wear on your finger without a screen or buttons, everything is controlled in the app. With AAD, you can begin a specific workout, and the Oura Ring can use its motion-sensing accelerometers and heart rate measurements to determine not only that you're doing something but, in many cases, also pinpoint the specific activity.

This could be housework, walking your dog, or going for a run. Oura says the feature is 89% accurate, meaning it can guess the activity and begin logging it accordingly. It doesn't always get it right, but if it doesn't, you can edit the log and change it to what the activity really was. This level of intricate logging is challenging to accomplish, since most smart rings and even smartwatches with automatic activity detection can only detect specific activities with very distinct movements, like running, boxing, or rowing.

Oura says incorrect activity detection was one of the biggest pain points for customers with previous-generation rings like the Oura Ring 4, so the company set out to fix it. In fact, user input helped build it. The more users corrected the incorrect logging of an activity, like thinking a hike was an elliptical workout, the more these updates were slowly training its algorithm. The update will, as noted, apply to rings dating back to the Oura Ring Gen3.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Company employees also put the feature through rigorous tests to help the machine learning algorithm better detect specific movement patterns. Following the tests, Oura said logging of activities like hiking, yard work, and housework saw up to a 50 percent gain in prediction accuracy. For those who engage in intense activities, you'll also see more data, like more accurate total duration, intensity, and active calorie burn.

It isn't perfect, of course. The device is worn on your finger, which moves less than your arm during exercises but more during activities like typing or washing dishes. This makes it a challenge for the sensors to intelligently figure out what you're doing. If an activity involves limited or no hand movements, such as lifting weights, riding a bicycle, or using an elliptical machine, it might not get it right. But AAD has been refined to take into account certain factors it never did before. Oura even had volunteers take fake showers to train the algorithm not to count movements during showers as activity!

The result with the Oura Ring 5, one of the best smart rings, is that you can not only more confidently go on with your day's regular exercises knowing that the smart ring will track them even if you forget to manually set it in the app, but it may also track activities you never gave yourself credit for before, like walking the dog, doing chores around the house, or dancing.

Being able to simply do an activity instead of telling an app you're about to do it and advising once you've stopped makes the process easier. And these updates to AAD with Oura Ring 5 also ensure you get the credit you deserve for every moment of log-worthy movement throughout your day.

Oura Ring 5

Slim but mighty

As Oura's slimmest smart ring yet, the barely there Oura Ring 5 and is more scratch resistant. That's a good thing because with improved features like more accurate automatic activity detection, you'll never want to take it off.

I've lost two Oura Rings, but Oura finally added an Android feature that iPhone users have had for years, and this upgraded version has given me peace of mind

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:54:00 +0000

I've been an Oura Ring owner for more than a few years now, having tested and owned each model since the Oura Ring Gen 3. However, during that time, I've unfortunately misplaced a couple of rings, which is never ideal for a device that costs at least a few hundred dollars.

The Oura app for iPhone has included a function to locate the Oura Ring via its last known location, but the feature was missing on Android for years. Fortunately, Oura finally brought the feature to Android, and the Oura Ring 5 launch introduced an updated version of this feature for both iPhone and Android users, called Locate.

Locate your Oura Ring

The thing to know about the Oura Ring 5 and previous versions of the smart ring is that there's no built-in GPS. It will connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth to use its GPS when performing activities like walking or running, and this is also how the Locate function is leveraged.

So long as you've granted location permissions to the Oura app (you can do this in the app info menu or in the app itself), your phone will save the ring's last known position based on when the ring was last connected. This should happen fairly often if you wear your ring a lot and ensure it has a good amount of battery life. The app may not save your ring's location if your phone is in battery save mode, so keep that in mind.

(Image credit: Android Central)

You must also keep in mind that, unlike the Oura Ring, the Oura Ring 5 doesn't feature ultra-wideband (UWB) or the newer Bluetooth 6, so the location function won't work like on devices equipped with UWB (like Bluetooth trackers). That means the app's Locate function will tell you when you're near the ring, but it can't pinpoint its exact location.

Even so, the Oura Locate feature should be quite helpful for retracing your steps and locating a misplaced ring.

How to Locate your Oura Ring 5

1. Open the Oura app and tap the circular battery icon in the top right corner (or the hamburger menu in the top left corner) to access My Devices.

2. Scroll down and tap Locate. Here, you will see a map with all Oura devices connected to your app and their last known locations.

3. Tap Search on the ring you're looking for. (Note: You can only search for the ring currently active in the app. To find another, you'll have to go to the My Devices page and activate it.)

(Image credit: Android Central)

The Oura app will search for a Bluetooth connection to the Ring. The status will change to "Weak signal" when you're within range, "Nearby" when you're closer, "Very close" when you should be close enough to spot the ring, and "Right here" when you're basically right on top of it. The app will also clue you in visually with each status change, indicating how close or far you are from the ring.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Don't be like me

Losing an expensive piece of tech sucks, especially when it's something you love. I feel like this feature could have saved me a lot of trouble when I first lost the Oura Ring Gen 3.

I feel like I dropped it in my car or somewhere near my apartment, but as an Android user, I didn't have access to what was then called Find My Ring in the Oura app. Instead, I was directed to try a third-party Bluetooth tracking app, which didn't work, nor did it have helpful features like the ring's last location.

The Locate feature isn't perfect, but it's a lot better than nothing. I also like that, despite not having pinpoint location accuracy with UWB or Bluetooth 6, Oura at least makes it easy to know when you're hot on the trail or getting colder, as that's sometimes all it takes.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leak reveals thinner bezels and a boxier new look

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:10:00 +0000

What you need to know

A new leak claims Samsung is skipping the Classic model and shifting focus to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
The Galaxy Ultra 2 is rumored to feature a boxier body, slimmer display bezels, and a numbered outer ring.
Leaked renders also point to a revamped Samsung Health app, a new watch face picker, and a dedicated compass interface.

If you were expecting a brand-new Samsung smartwatch with a clicky, physical rotating bezel this year, you’re out of luck. A new leak suggests Samsung is scrapping the rumored Galaxy Watch 9 Classic and is instead focusing its efforts on a revamped Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The latest rumor from tipster GalaxyTechie on X suggests your dreams of a 2026 Classic model with a mechanical ring are officially on ice, but you might get a more premium Ultra model with thinner bezels to make up for it (via 9to5Google). That’s a setback for early regulatory chatter and FCC docs that had fans hoping for a big dual-release this year.

‼️Watch 9 & Ultra 2 comes with new band designs + colours, watchfaces and features as part of One UI 9 Watch. The ultra variant is slightly more boxier with Classic-like numbering (1-12), thinner bezels, better side buttons area, quick button colour reduced to an orange outline.June 19, 2026

Additionally, the rumor claims the Watch Ultra 2 will combine rugged durability with a much “boxier” chassis than its predecessor.

No rotating bezel comeback yet

@GalaxyTechie / X

The screen is also said to have thinner bezels, and the outer ring will reportedly have the numbers 1 to 12 stamped onto the surface. But don’t get your hopes up for a mechanical dial just yet — the leak hasn’t confirmed if this ring actually turns.

Samsung also appears to be fixing one of the most divisive design choices from last generation: buttons. The middle “Quick button” is said to lose its solid, toy-like orange coat. Otherwise, the rumor suggests you could get a wider, more flush button with a subtle orange outline accent.

The hardware itself is apparently getting a glow-up, too. The leaked renders give a good look at what is coming inside One UI 9 Watch. Samsung’s existing tracking menus aren’t the most organized, but an enormous overhaul could be coming to Samsung Health to help tidy up your daily metrics. The leak also reveals a brand new watch face picker and a dedicated compass interface, specifically designed to work with the new side button.

Android Central's Take

Samsung’s flip-flopping between the Classic and Ultra lines is getting exhausting. The constant shift between the highly functional mechanical bezel and the top-notch internal hardware every other year gives the impression that the company is experimenting with design.

For those of you who like to personalize their tech, the colors are looking pretty sharp this year. Both the standard Galaxy Watch 9 and the Ultra 2 will apparently be available in a clean beige option. You could also grab a black version that comes with a deep bluish strap or a silver one that goes well with a green band.

We won't have to wait long to see if these leaks prove true. At the next Galaxy Unpacked event, which could happen sometime in late July, Samsung will probably unveil the whole 2026 mobile ecosystem.

Ultrahuman seeks to define: M2 Live keeps your metabolic health close with a small sensor

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:32:27 +0000

What you need to know

Ultrahuman debuts M2 Live, a new CGM (continuous glucose monitor) with Abbott's Lingo biosensor for users.
Glucose spikes are serious, and Ultrahuman is giving users a clear path to managing their metabolic health with M2 Live, incorporating sleep, stress, food, and more.
Ultrahuman says M2 Live will launch in the U.S. "in the coming weeks" on ultrahuman.com; single sensors cost $129, while the subscription costs $99.

Today (June 18), Ultrahuman announced what's next for its health platform, and it's all about redefining what metabolic health truly means for users.

In a press release, Ultrahuman shared insights about M2 Live: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) from Abbott's Lingo. This integration brings Abbott's over-the-counter monitor to more people through M2 Live in the U.S. The subscription for this begins at $99 per month, and consumers won't need a prescription either. CGM isn't anything new for Ultrahuman's platform; however, where M2 Live leads us is reportedly set to "become one of the most affordable wearable metabolic health platforms in the U.S."

M2 Live will stream your insights directly to the Ultrahuman app's metabolic health engine. This will include your sleep, stress, activity, and recovery to help paint the picture of how your body regulates its glucose. Ultrahuman is combining its health markers and blood biomarkers to help users make sense of why their glucose might spike.

What's more, data from Abbott's Lingo is said to put a neat bow on the whole situation for users. This data will bring a storied history of five years of research, health institution partnerships, and millions of logged meals.

(Image credit: Ultrahuman)

Behind the scenes, Ultrahuman says its AI assistant, Jade, will use its biointelligence to connect your changing glucose patterns (if there are any) with your logged sleep, HRV, and more from your smart ring. Your metabolic score, which ranges from 0-100, reflects your glucose regulation. Since food can impact this, the app will offer a "Food Score."

It's through this that Ultrahuman says it can show users how certain foods they've eaten impact their glucose. The "Fueling Score" is more focused on your fitness/workouts, showing how your levels might impact your activity.

Take your health seriously

(Image credit: Ultrahuman)

While the M2 Live announcement is today (June 18), the post states that the feature will officially launch "in the coming weeks" in the U.S. on Ultrahuman.com. A singular Lingo biosensor can be purchased for $129 (and the monthly subscription is $99). Users should be aware that these sensors can only be worn for up to 14 days. Lingo offers more details about its full safety instructions for its sensors and wearers.

Android Central's Take

Something like this would probably catch the eyes of those who really need it, and absolutely must take this type of management seriously. From my POV, I think this could really help people who have to take care of their glucose more seriously than others. I've got family who need to pay attention to this type of thing. They have their own management styles, of course, as this has been going on for years. Either way, glucose spikes can be dangerous, and it looks like Ultrahuman wants to try and help.

Google Health returns 'Hourly Activity' in June, tosses in extra for Android

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:35:13 +0000

What you need to know

Google Health app receives a June update this week, bringing back "Hourly Activity" to the Today and Health tabs.
Google's also giving Android users better customization tools, alongside Nap recording, which will head to iOS in a future patch.
The Google Health app debuted around the time of the Fitbit Air's launch, but it was missing some classic features users were accustomed to.

Google Health is the new future for the Fitbit app. This week, the company detailed a massive v5.02 patch that's bringing updates Android users desperately need.

This morning (June 18), Google detailed an update that's rolling out now for Android and iOS devices. This patch will arrive "in phases" over the next few weeks, so reception times will vary from device to device. Two updates this week concern Android specifically. In the Health tab, Google says it's made it easier for Android users to "re-order Key Metrics." Users can now hit Customize > long-press desired chart > drag to new location.

iPhone users will have to wait for v5.03 of the Google Health app for this. Another update hitting Androids only is "Naps." The app is giving more attention to recorded naps, highlighting them in a separate tab within the daily Sleep Score view. The next update will bring this to iOS.

More sleep data updates head to both Android and iOS this week, such as a better understanding of your restlessness. Users can now delete sleep sessions and edit them, which was an issue Google says some had reported.

The "Today" tab welcomes you to the app, and that's receiving upgrades, too. With v5.02, Google is adding "more metrics." It states this was done to give users an expanded metric focus without needing to switch between tabs. What's more, similar to reordering your Key Metrics, users will find easier reordering controls for Today tab metrics.

(Image credit: Google)

On the fitness front, Hourly Activity returns to the Google Health app. Charts for your step goals per hour can be found in the Today and Health tabs. Users can hit the customize button on their Today tab to add this chart. Google's also fixing issues with this feature, including incorrect "step and distance" reports and more for biking.

Health app made some changes

Around the time that the Fitbit Air launched, Google was talking about its Health app, which replaced the former's app. We were told early on that we would miss a few features the Fitbit app had. A few of the classics (sleep profile, badges, social aspect) were going away. For badges, Google said its AI-driven health coach would keep you up to date and congratulate you on making progress. The same AI approach was taken with its sleep profile and badges.

The animal-based summaries are gone, replaced by a Q&A session with the AI about sleep management. Google started fixing some issues with the app shortly after, in May, which affected workout tracking and sleep scores.

Android Central's Take

A few of the features rolling out this month were teased back in May by Google. The company was aware early on of what users wanted, and it seems it made it a goal to get them out. We'll probably see these types of updates again as Google figures out and polishes the app until it's in a good place. It's on its way, but could probably use some more attention.

The Honor Watch 6 wants to outlast your next vacation

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:00:45 +0000

What you need to know

Honor is tackling one of smartwatches' biggest pain points with the new Watch 6, promising up to 35 days on a single charge.
A massive 980mAh battery, IP69 protection, and 5ATM water resistance make the Watch 6 better suited for long trips and outdoor activities.
Fitness is a major focus, with 120+ sports modes and specialized tools for trail running, badminton, and football, backed by dual-band GPS and AI coaching features.

For all the advances smartwatches have made in recent years, battery life remains one of the category's biggest frustrations. Most high-end Wear OS watches still require charging every couple days, forcing users to treat their watches like another phone-sized responsibility. Honor thinks it can do better.

The company has officially launched the Honor Watch 6, a new wearable that combines extensive sports tracking, AI-powered health tools, and one feature many buyers arguably care about most: a battery that can last for weeks, not days.

That promise is what makes the Watch 6 different from the best Android smartwatches. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series and the Google Pixel Watch 4 are more about deeper Wear OS integration and AI features than ultra-long endurance. Even the new OnePlus Watch 3, which is one of the best battery performers in the Wear OS space, usually maxes out at around five days of use.

Battery is the headline

The Watch 6’s boldest claim revolves around battery life. With a sizable 980mAh battery rated for up to 35 days of typical use, the Watch 6 is more in the league of endurance-focused devices from Garmin and Amazfit rather than regular Wear OS watches. The device is also IP69 and 5ATM rated for water and dust resistance.

The Watch 6 has a Racing Dashboard design, taking inspiration from performance cars. The smartwatch weighs 41g to 50g (without the strap) and is available in Shadow Black and Twilight Brown finishes. The body is a hybrid of aluminum alloy and stainless steel accents for a more premium look and feel.

Fitness is still a big focus. Honor says the watch has over 120 sports modes, including specific ones for trail running, badminton, and football. The company’s dual-band six-star GPS provides trail runners with AI coaching, route deviation alerts, climbing metrics, and positioning. Badminton players can monitor the speed of their smashes and the number of rallies, and football fans receive heat maps of movement and trajectory analysis.

Health tracking features include 24/7 heart rate, blood oxygen, stress tracking, sleep, and body energy metrics. A Quick Health Scan gives a snapshot of key indicators, and Honor’s IntelliSense technology is built to enhance signal quality for more precise measurements. As with most wearables, the company says the features are intended for wellness tracking, not medical diagnosis.

The smartwatch also has a few convenience features. Other specifications include a 1.46-inch AMOLED display with up to 3,000 nits peak brightness for better outdoor visibility, Bluetooth 5.4, 4GB storage, and support for Android 9.0 and above and iOS 15.1 and above devices. The watch can connect to two phones at a time, so you can control alerts from both phones in one place.

Honor also packed in an AI Recorder that can generate voice notes and summaries automatically. Wrist gestures enable users to silence alarms, answer calls, and control music without touching the display, while Video Watch Faces let owners turn short clips into animated backgrounds. It also has NFC support, and Mastercard and Visa payments are expected to be available in July 2026, depending on the region.

The Honor Watch 6 will be available in the UK from June 18. The Twilight Brown leather model is RRP £250, while the Shadow Black fluoroelastomer model is RRP £230. Early birds can save £80 between June 18 and July 17, which means the price drops to £170 and £150. Buyers also get a free pair of Honor Choice Earbuds Clip in Black.

Android Central's Take

AI features are inevitable, but I’d argue most people would happily trade another chatbot feature for fewer charging sessions. The Watch 6 isn’t going to replace a full Wear OS experience from Samsung or Google, but it could make sense for people who just want reliable health tracking and battery life in weeks instead of days. Sometimes the best innovation is no innovation, but fixing an old problem that should never have existed in the first place.

I used the Oura Ring 4 for nearly two years, and it's still one of the best low-key health and fitness trackers you can buy, especially now that it's as much as $100 off

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:25:10 +0000

It's been less than two years since the Oura Ring 4 launched, and the Oura Ring 5 is already here. And while we have some good first impressions of Oura's latest smart ring, the last-gen model is currently on sale ahead of next week's Prime Day. Now, select Oura Ring 4 models are on sale, but some of the more expensive color options are currently seeing discounts, including the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic.

The Oura Ring 4 Stealth and Brushed Silver colors usually go for $399, which is $50 north of the cheapest Oura Ring 4 models. However, with the $50 discount, these colors are now among the cheapest you can buy. That said, the bigger $100 discounts will be found on the fancier colors, such as Gold and Rose Gold, as well as the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, all of which are going for $399 or lower if you get the Midnight Ceramic color.

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of early deals

If you've been waiting to get your hands on one of the more expensive Oura Ring 4 colors, now's your chance, thanks to these $50-$100 pre-Prime Day discounts on colors like Stealth, Brushed Silver, Gold, and more.View Deal

The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is still fairly new, but you can already get more than $100 off, depending on which model you get. The dark Midnight color is seeing the biggest discount, making this sleek shade a steal for anyone who's a fan of blue.View Deal

I've been using the Brushed Silver Oura Ring 4 since it launched in 2024, and while it's thicker than some feel comfortable with, I've never had an issue with it. I don't often wear rings, so I don't really have anything to compare it to aside from the Oura Ring Gen 3. Still, even with the slimmer Oura Ring 5 now on the market, I think the Oura Ring 4 is a fantastic device with a great design.

But beyond a great design, the Oura Ring 4 has stellar battery life, lasting up to eight days on a single charge. There are also a ton of health and fitness tracking features, and it even has automatic activity detection, tracking things like walking, running, yard work, gardening, and even dancing.

The Oura Ring 4 also provides a comprehensive view of your health in the app. You can see your timeline of activities, set goals for yourself, log food and track nutrition, and even chat with the AI advisor about your health, based on what it knows about you.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Of course, many of the most useful features are hidden behind the Oura Membership, which costs $5.99 per month. To some, it seems like a lot to add to the cost of a relatively expensive ring. However, keep in mind that if you have an HSA or FSA, you can use that to pay for both the ring and the membership. For many people, that money is often just sitting there unused, and the Oura Ring 4 feels like a good way to put it to use.

Samsung shows off ultra-bright XR displays that could power future smart glasses

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:10:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung doubled XR display brightness to 40,000 nits, potentially solving one of AR glasses' biggest limitations: outdoor visibility.
The new RGB OLEDoS panels deliver brighter and more vibrant visuals by generating red, green, and blue light directly instead of relying on color filters.
Samsung showcased the tech through interactive demos, including AR smart glasses with translation and navigation features, plus MR experiences like Synth Riders.

Getting enough brightness into a lens to actually read a map outdoors usually means building a headset so bulky you wouldn't want to wear it in public. But at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2026 in Long Beach, Samsung Display showed off a sliver of hardware that finally solves this trade-off.

Samsung Display said in a blog post that its newest iteration of RGB OLEDoS panels increases peak brightness to an eye-popping 40,000 nits, twice the 20,000 nits it displayed last year. The company is hoping these small yet super-bright displays will help solve one of extended reality’s greatest challenges: delivering clear visuals in small headsets and smart glasses.

Samsung's booth is centered around a dark room experience called "The Big Dipper." Seven displays form the famous constellation, two of which feature Samsung’s new 1.3-inch RGB OLEDoS panels. This configuration is intended to show the difference in brightness and color reproduction in relation to traditional display technologies.

RGB OLEDoS is the differentiator

(Image credit: Samsung Display)

For those unfamiliar with the technology, OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) is basically a microdisplay directly on a silicon wafer. Samsung takes a different approach, using RGB to generate red, green, and blue light directly, rather than a white OLED layer with color filters.

And Samsung isn’t stopping at demos behind glass. The company also showed off a prototype of AR smart glasses, featuring a 0.62-inch RGB OLEDoS panel. Visitors can view digital overlays against a simulated Long Beach backdrop, with features including real-time translation, navigation directions, and weather information.

Elsewhere, a separate mixed reality area is allowing attendees to try out an MR headset that uses the same display tech. The company is showcasing what these panels can do with immersive experiences like K-pop concerts and the rhythm game Synth Riders.

Whether these 40,000-nit panels end up in Samsung’s own products or in those of other brands, the technology is moving fast. The next step is to take these amazing prototypes and turn them into actual hardware that people can wear every day.

Android Central's Take

For my money, these ultra-bright panels are exactly what we need to make AR glasses genuinely useful in the real world. You finally have a HUD that doesn’t require you to wear a heavy, socially awkward cyberpunk helmet to beat back the midday sun. But I’ll hold my applause until I can actually buy one. You know, the ones that the big tech companies love to show off at trade shows, only to ship a heavily nerfed, laughably expensive version three years later. Certainly, 40,000 nits appears impressive in theory; however, until Samsung demonstrates that this technology will not deplete a headset's battery within twelve minutes or cause harm to my eyes, it remains merely another flashy booth demonstration.

Minimal but meaningful? Galaxy Watch 8 grabs a mid-June Wear OS refresher

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung is reportedly rolling out its latest Wear OS security patch to U.S. users with a Galaxy Watch 8, Ultra, and Watch 7.
The update is minimal, and separate reports claim it might only contain a series of security fixes to help the watches.
Previously, Galaxy Watch owners reported severe battery drain issues brought on by Google Play Services, and it's unclear if this has been fixed yet.

Samsung's monthly run of security updates continues this week, as its smartwatches are reportedly getting their turn.

A report by SammyGuru provides the rundown, stating Samsung has started rolling out its latest Wear OS security patch to the Galaxy Watch 8, Ultra, and Watch 7. This patch, which, though it's arriving in June, bears May 2026 fixes, has been spotted for the Galaxy Watch 8 with vAZE1 and vBZE1 for the Watch Ultra and Watch 7 in the U.S. The publication speculates Samsung is simply keeping its watches updated and refreshed, as the download is ~200MB.

It's common for these updates to focus on major security fixes, and that's exactly where SamMobile's thinking goes. The post takes us back to May, which included a truckload of security fixes for Samsung's devices. Many of those are heading to the aforementioned Galaxy Watches this week in the U.S., bolstering their defenses.

Since this patch is seemingly all security-based, there's a chance users are still missing a fix to a crucial battery issue.

Galaxy Watch gets spruced up

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Android Central's Take

This issue is the biggest thing here. Battery drain problems force those affected to reach for their charges more often than they would like. We get these devices for their longevity so we're not doing that. Hopefully, Samsung is aware and is working on a fix. Maybe we're looking at one next month? Unpacked is coming up, after all.

There was a battery drain issue Galaxy Watch owners brought up in mid-April, which put the blame on an update the month prior. This issue wasn't as restricted as some might've hoped (though it's bad enough regardless). Reports cited battery drain problems across multiple Galaxy Watches, even down to the Watch 6 Classic. The Galaxy Watch 7 and 8 were involved, as well.

After the March update, users said their watch's battery dropped significantly quicker, and in-depth reviews show that Google Play Services was accountable. This background service was seen absorbing large amounts of battery power on devices not really doing much. Similar issues in the past required a patch from Samsung to fix, and it's likely we still need one.

On a health note, Samsung's Galaxy Watch achieved "Fainting Prediction" as part of its work to continue preventative features for users. In a collaboration with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in Korea, the Galaxy Watch 6 successfully predicted a fainting spell. Samsung said it could do this with 84.6% accuracy and within five minutes in advance.

Which Oura Ring 5 color should you buy?

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 08:18:12 +0000

The Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller than its last-gen counterpart, making it a highly attractive and even more non-intrusive wearable. Oura is offering six colors in matte and shiny finishes for the sleek Oura Ring 5, with select colors priced higher. This is nothing new as we saw the same situation with the Ring 4.

Oura eventually expanded the colors available for the Ring 4 with the ceramic lineup, adding up to ten different shades and finishes. It remains unknown whether the brand plans to do the same with the Ring 5. For now, these are all the available colors and finishes of the Ring 5. All of them come in ring sizes six through 13 and are made of titanium.

All the colors of the Oura Ring 5, as well as their pricing

Oura Ring 5 - Gold

The dark lord's favorite

The Oura Ring 5 in Gold costs $499 and is cool enough to make Gollum, the Nazgûl, and the dark lord himself jealous. With a ring this classy, you might feel powerful enough to destroy Middle-earth. Slay!

Oura Ring 5 - Black

Glossy dark band

Black is a shiny, dark colorway and one of the cheaper variants of the Oura Ring 5. At $399, you save a whole Benjamin on this stylish colorway. This shade looks more casual and pairs nicely with everyday outfits.

Oura Ring 5 - Brushed Silver

It looks expensive

The Brushed Silver version of the Oura Ring 5 looks luxurious and has a steep $499 price tag to match. If you want to ooze class and feel rich, this is a stunning silver color with a soft satin-matte finish.

Oura Ring 5 - Silver

A minimalist look

Minimalists will love the Oura Ring 5 in Silver with its silver metallic sheen and $399 asking price. It gives the appearance of a plain silver ring, one that could easily match anything in your wardrobe. Elevate it by stacking more rings or wear as is.

Oura Ring 5 - Deep Rose

Understated piece

Are you a fan of rose gold jewelry? Maybe most of your watches, earrings, and accessories are largely this color. In that case, the Oura Ring 5 in Deep Rose makes the most sense for you. Keep in mind that this will set you back $499 to acquire.

Oura Ring 5 - Stealth

A matte affair

Stealth is a matte black finish of the Oura Ring 5 that costs $499. It might be more expensive, but it definitely looks the part too. This colorway has an almost satin-like finish. Those who aren't fans of shiny metal will adore this finish.

Back to the top ^

Price is a key decider when choosing which Oura Ring 5 you color should buy

All six colorways of the Oura Ring 5 look fabulous, but there's an elephant in the room that's very hard to ignore. The Ring 5 starts at $399, which is $50 more compared to the Ring 4. Plus, users still need to pay for the monthly subscription to be able to use their Oura Ring 5. Naturally, this means that saving $100 could very likely be the deciding factor when picking a color.

Those who don't want to cross the $399 budget are limited to just two Oura Ring 5 colors, both with shiny finishes. The basic Silver and Black options are the cheapest of the lot, but those aren't bad choices. You can match almost anything in your wardrobe to these two shades. While the Silver one is undoubtedly classier, you could get away with pairing the glossy Black smart ring with your formals. Just make sure you have the right accessories to compliment it, like a matching glossy black bracelet or a watch.

Unfortunately, if you wanted the Gold colorway or a matte finish, it'll cost you $100 more to purchase. My personal favorite variant of the Oura Ring 5 is the one in Gold because it compliments my skin tone and matches almost every single piece of clothing or jewelry I own. Think carefully about your everyday watch and the articles of clothing or accessories you like to wear. Whether to go for the gold option or one of the other colorways will become apparent to you very quickly.

This Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 battery leak has me more excited than any new AI feature

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:43:01 +0000

What you need to know

A new leak claims the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 may pack a battery rated at 784mAh, potentially marketed as 800mAh.
The Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm) is also tipped to receive a larger 382mAh battery, around 23% bigger than its predecessor.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chip is also expected to debut in the Ultra 2, combining improved efficiency with a larger battery for longer runtimes.

Recently, the 3C certification database revealed the charging details of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watches. Now, a new report claims the company’s next premium smartwatches could finally deliver on one of the biggest demands from power users: longer battery life.

A new report from SamMobile suggests the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could have a significantly bigger battery. If the report turns out to be true, then this could be one of the biggest hardware upgrades the Ultra lineup has seen to date.

Battery life has always been a compromise on Wear OS devices. The original Galaxy Watch Ultra launched with a 590mAh battery, which was already one of the largest cells Samsung had ever put inside a smartwatch. In real-life tests, many owners managed to get almost three days between charges, putting it among the better-performing Wear OS watches in that regard. Still, competitors have continued to close the gap, and users have consistently asked Samsung for even more endurance.

Based on information uncovered by SamMobile, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could be equipped with a battery rated for 784mAh. Samsung could push that number as 800mAh, a roughly 35% jump from the current model.

The larger battery reportedly won't be the only upgrade. The watch is also rumored to be paired with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear Elite processor. With a more efficient chip and a much larger battery, we could see noticeably longer runtimes than previous Galaxy Watch Ultra models. Some reports indicate that Samsung could offer more than three days of battery life.

Trickle-down upgrades

The leak also mentions improvements elsewhere in Samsung’s smartwatch lineup. The Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm) is said to feature a 382mAh battery, which is about 23% larger than the 325mAh cell in the previous model. Meanwhile, earlier reports suggest that the 44mm model could stick with a 435mAh battery.

Samsung is apparently prepping three new wearables for launch: the Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch 9 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. All three are expected to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 at Samsung’s next Unpacked event with retail availability most likely to kick off in August.

Android Central's Take

Battery life has been one of the most common complaints about Wear OS watches for years, and this potential upgrade seems more like Samsung finally addressing a long-standing request from many buyers rather than an unexpected bonus. If these leaks are true, then the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 could be a great upgrade, but giving users more battery after years of compromises does not exactly deserve a standing ovation.

Exclusive: The future of Viture smart glasses is bright. Very bright

Nicholas Sutrich — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:53:00 +0000

AC thVRsday

In his weekly column, Android Central Senior Content Producer Nick Sutrich delves into all things VR, from new hardware to new games, upcoming technologies, and so much more.

The past two years have yielded significant advancements in smart glasses. Whether you're looking at a "wearable TV" or a pair of glasses with an AI companion built in, smart glasses have never made more sense to get than they do now. And as they continue to grow in popularity, they're only getting better and better.

Viture specializes in the "wearable TV" smart glasses segment and recently delivered its first pair of glasses with built-in spatial tracking. It also offers the best smart glasses ecosystem you can find today; that includes the only smart glasses that work with the Switch 2, a wearable spatial neckband, and several controllers.

I had a conversation with Viture's Optical Lead, Dr Deqing Kong, about the company's latest releases and learned about even more exciting products in the pipeline for the future. These represent the next generation of quality and eye comfort, and it won't be too long before they're ready to buy, too.

The roadmap to perfection

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

My biggest issue with smart glasses today isn't display quality or functionality; it's comfort. Smart glasses like Viture Beast offer built-in spatial tracking and a design that's significantly smaller and lighter than a VR headset, but the micro-OLED displays at the heart of the optics engine aren't always the most comfortable to look at for long periods of time.

For me, this is because I'm sensitive to low-frequency PWM dimming. Almost all smart glasses that use PWM dimming employ a 120Hz or 240Hz frequency, while RayNeo's most recent two generations offer 3840Hz (not a typo) PWM dimming. According to Dr Kong, this disparity is due to two factors: display quality and manufacturer specifications.

RayNeo uses SeeYa micro-OLED displays, a smaller firm out of China, while Viture and Xreal utilize Sony micro-OLEDs. Viture used SeeYa SY049 panels for the Viture One, but Dr. Kong told me that Sony panels offered greater color saturation and pixel density, so Viture switched to Sony for future product releases.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

SeeYa panels have historically been more comfortable for me, in part because they use different dimming methods and, according to Dr. Kong, because Viture One's optics have a narrower FoV and higher pixel density. All major Viture and Xreal models released in the past year have a much wider FoV over 52 degrees, which lowers the pixel density of the glasses, but Viture's next glasses will more than make up for this.

Dr. Kong tells me that Viture's upcoming smart glasses, set to release later this year, will feature a large FoV with 2560 x 1600 resolution, a notable upgrade from the 1920 x 1200 resolution Viture's latest releases sport. The following year, we should expect a further bump in resolution, which may also coincide with an increase in FoV.

In addition to this, they'll feature up to 3840Hz PWM dimming, ensuring that people like me can find them comfortable no matter how long they're worn. That solves two huge problems in one fell swoop, and while there are plenty of other obstacles that'll need to be overcome to make smart glasses "perfect," these important steps will ensure that everyone finds the sweet spot as products evolve.

Pushing the boundaries of wearable tech

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Every pair of smart display glasses (wearable TVs) you can buy today uses micro-OLED displays, regardless of which company makes the display or the glasses. While micro-OLEDs deliver some of the same great advantages of OLED TVs and smartphones, they also need to work a little differently because of the inherent nature of how lenses work on a wearable.

So while the latest Sony ECX348 micro-OLEDs can pump out an eye-searing 5,000 nits of brightness, that amount of light is cut by 1/5th — meaning your eyes receive around 1,000 nits — by the time it hits your eyes because of the glasses' birdbath optics. That number is even lower on VR headsets, and even though headsets like Galaxy XR and Apple Vision Pro use similar 5000-nit panels, their pancake optics reduce brightness down to under 200 nits by the time the light reaches your eyes.

For a VR headset, this low brightness level isn't a huge deal since most headsets block out external light, but smart glasses have to work around this differently since they don't obscure your vision. Glasses like Viture Beast and Xreal 1S use dimmable electrochromic film, which you can adjust in the glasses settings, adding tinting to the front of the glasses to reduce light interference with the display.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

And while electrochromic film is very effective in reducing forward light, these glasses still have to overcome peripheral light leaks with higher brightness levels. Dr. Kong tells me the next Viture glasses will feature displays with a peak brightness of 8,000 nits, which, if the math stays the same, means they'll deliver an effective brightness level of 1,600 nits to your eyes.

Dr. Kong indicated that VITURE's display roadmap extends well beyond next-generation glasses, with further gains in resolution, brightness, and custom silicon on the horizon.

At the same time, we'll also see an improvement in color reproduction and capabilities. Current micro-OLEDs use 8-bit SDR color output, and while glasses like RayNeo Air 4 Pro are the first to debut with HDR10 support and 10-bit color, RayNeo's HDR10 implementation uses temporal dithering — a software flicker technique that simulates HDR.

VITURE's position is to wait for true panel-level HDR rather than ship a software workaround. Any flickering like this can cause headaches and discomfort for some people, so companies must offer ways to disable these techniques for affected users.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

These upgraded micro-OLED panels will also feature RGB self-emission, which means they'll work more like the OLED screen in your TV or smartphone. Current smart glasses and VR-mounted micro-OLEDs feature white light pixels with RGB filters on top. Self-emissive color pixels will provide an upgraded color range and power efficiency.

I'm not privy to which of the two upcoming generations of glasses will support a wider color gamut, but Dr. Kong tells me that future Viture glasses will support 10-bit HDR output and 100% DCI color. Some of these improvements are tied to the coprocessor in the glasses, and Viture is working on a new, custom chip scheduled to debut in 2027.

That new chip will also support AI-based super-resolution, similar to AI upscaling on phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the quality upgrade will likely be even more pronounced because of the perceived size of the virtual display in Viture glasses.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Lastly, Viture tells me it's working on several other pain points for its users. Native color options, "professional grade color management," anti-aliasing, and anti-chromatic aberration are all in the pipeline for future Viture glasses. That last part, in particular, is music to my ears, as many glasses with larger FoV suffer from chromatic aberration around the edges of the lens.

This all spells an incredibly exciting future for smart display glasses, especially ones that focus on delivering top-tier image quality. Viture Beast was a huge step forward for the company's glasses, adding native spatial tracking and several other important features. The company's next steps look to take those improvements and combine them with the Luma line to create something even more impressive.

And if you absolutely can't wait, stay tuned for Prime Day (starting June 23) to check out some smart glasses sales. These kinds of products always go on discount for Prime Day (and similar sales events), which makes it the perfect time to pick up a pair.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Should you play the waiting game?

roydon.cerejo@gmail.com (Roydon Cerejo) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:11:00 +0000

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

New chip ahoy!

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 should arrive in July 2026 and is expected to debut Qualcomm's new Snapdragon chip. This upgrade alone should unlock features like better battery life, new on-device AI capabilities, 5G connectivity, and better all-round performance.

Pros

Expected to debut the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip
Might add ultra-wideband (UWB)
New Galaxy AI features likely
Expanded health monitoring features

Cons

Should look similar to the Watch 8
Some health and fitness tracking features expected to go behind a subscription paywall
More expensive (?)

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Current best

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 stands out from the crowd thanks to the squircle design. It's incredibly light and slim, delivers accurate fitness tracking data, and has plenty of AI smarts. Battery life is the only weak point which means you need to charge it daily.

Pros

Cushion design looks stunning
Very slim and light
Wear OS 6 with Gemini support
Near Garmin-level accuracy for health and GPS tracking

Cons

Requires almost daily charging
No big price cuts yet
Strap feels a bit too thin compared to the body

We're nearing the middle of 2026, and this means two things — we're nearly halfway to the launch of GTA VI (fingers crossed), and it's time for new Samsung wearables to drop. Going by the last couple of years, we should have the next Samsung Unpacked announcement soon slated for July, where the new foldables, watches, and audio products will be unveiled. There's little known about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 so far, and this could mean one of two things: either Samsung knows how to keep a secret, or the upgrades won't be that significant.

Either way, if you're looking to get a new Samsung watch or upgrade your existing one, should you wait for the Galaxy Watch 9 or simply buy the Galaxy Watch 8 right now? Word on the web is that Samsung might not be making any major hardware changes to the Watch 9, but it is rumored to finally get a new processor, which could usher in improvements across the board to battery life, AI features, and new metrics to monitor.

If you're unsure about waiting, here's a breakdown of what we expect from the Galaxy Watch 9 and how it should compare to the Watch 8.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Design and display

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

It's surprising that we don't have any leaked renders of the Galaxy Watch 8 yet, but a mention of its model number showed up in a recent test firmware, thereby confirming that it should be on track for a July release. Based on everything we know about the Galaxy Watch 9 so far, it should look and feel almost identical to the Galaxy Watch 8. This also means we should be expecting the usual two sizes of 40mm and 44mm, with each having Wi-Fi and cellular options.

The Galaxy Watch 8 was pretty slim and light, and we expect the Watch 9 to have the same or better specifications. You should expect a thickness of about 8.6mm and a weight of either 30 grams or 34 grams, depending on the variant you choose. The same ruggedness should also transfer, which includes the IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H certification.

Not everyone is a fan of the squircle design of the Galaxy Watch 8, but I personally think it looks quirky enough to stand out. The Watch 9 will most definitely use the same design, as I don't think Samsung will backtrack to the circular design anytime soon (if ever).

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

We're likely to see the same display size used on the Galaxy Watch 9 too. The 44mm Galaxy Watch 8 had a 1.47-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 480x480 resolution, up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, and a Sapphire Crystal glass cover. It's possible the Galaxy Watch 9 will tweak these specs a bit, like a higher peak brightness or even a slightly larger display in the same frame, but I don't see any other changes beyond this.

The Galaxy Watch 8's display has been excellent when we tested it, and we have no real complaints here. Touch response is great, sunlight legibility is adequate, and colors are rich and vibrant. You should expect the same or better quality display from the Galaxy Watch 9.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Hardware & specs

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The big upgrade that we're all expecting to see in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is the processor. Samsung has used the Exynos W1000 chip for the past two generations of Galaxy watches, so it's due for an upgrade. My money is on Qualcomm's recently announced Snapdragon Wear Elite platform for wearables.

Compared to the W5 Gen 2 chip, it's expected to deliver up to 5x and 7x performance for the CPU and GPU, respectively. The NPU is rated at 10 TOPS and can handle 2B-parameter AI models, making it well-suited to running the upcoming Gemini Intelligence or even Gemini Live. The Watch 9 should still come with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, just like the Watch 8.

As for pricing, the Galaxy Watch 8 was already $50 more expensive than its predecessor, starting at $349.99. Samsung has held onto this price till now with only minor discounts on some shopping platforms. I'm hoping Samsung keeps the same price for the Galaxy Watch 9 too. The 44mm variant starts at $379.99, and you can add another $50 if you pick the LTE variant. The Watch 9 could debut with 5G connectivity as the Wear Elite chip can support it.

Category	Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (speculative)	Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
OS	One UI Watch 9 (Wear OS 7)	One UI 8 Watch (Wear OS 6)
Screen Size	40mm (1.34-inch, Super AMOLED, up to 3,000 nits, 438 x 438 pixels, Sapphire Crystal) ; 44mm (1.47-inch, 480 x 480 pixels)	40mm (1.34-inch, Super AMOLED, up to 3,000 nits, 438 x 438 pixels, Sapphire Crystal) ; 44mm (1.47-inch, 480 x 480 pixels)
Storage	32GB	32GB
Swappable Band	Yes	Yes
Battery	40mm (325mAh), 44mm (435mAh)	40mm (325mAh), 44mm (435mAh)
Battery Life	Up tp 40 hours	Up to 40 hours
Sensors	Accelerometer, Barometer, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Sensor, Electrical Heart Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Infrared Temperature Sensor, Light Sensor, Optical Heart Rate Sensor	Accelerometer, Barometer, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Sensor, Electrical Heart Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Infrared Temperature Sensor, Light Sensor, Optical Heart Rate Sensor
GPS	Yes, dual-band	Yes, dual-band
Water Resistance	5ATM, IP68	5ATM, IP68
Dimensions	Unknown	40mm (42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6 mm) ; 44mm (46 x 43.7 x 8.6 mm)
Weight	Unknown	40mm (30g) ; 44mm (34g)
Colors	Unknown	Graphite, Silver

Some of the other specs that could change with the new chip would be an upgrade to Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 6. Dual-band GPS should make it as well, which is what makes the Watch 8 one of the best GPS smartwatches on the market.

The Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to use the same health tracking sensors and battery capacity as the Watch 8. The one-day battery life of the 8 was our biggest gripe with the watch, especially since at least a two-day battery life has become quite common for most modern smartwatches. Even if the battery capacity remains the same on the Watch 9, I'm hoping that the new chip is able to extract a longer runtime per charge.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Health & fitness tracking

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 already introduced a redesigned BioActive sensor for more accurate readings and the tracking of new metrics like Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, Vascular Load, and AGEs Index. We could see some upgraded LEDs for better tracking, or even for tracking new metrics.

Whether all of these features will be open and free to use like before also comes into question. Samsung has publicly toyed with the idea of a Samsung Health subscription model, and perhaps 2026 is the year it finally announces it. I don't think it will hide commonly used health-tracking metrics behind a paywall, but advanced features like Sleep Coach could be put behind a paywall.

The Galaxy Watch 8 already does a fantastic job of tracking health and fitness data. In our review of the watch, we found that certain metrics like Energy Score tended to be overestimated at times. For instance, even when the score would be above 80, the watch would still suggest prioritizing rest. I'm hoping the Watch 9 addresses these few shortcomings with more accurate analysis.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Should you wait?

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Honestly, it doesn't seem like the Galaxy Watch 9 is going to bring about any major upgrades, but if you're not in a hurry, there's no harm in waiting for a month or so to find out. If you already own the Galaxy Watch 8, I don't see any reason to upgrade to the Watch 9, so you can safely skip this generation.

If you can't wait and need a new watch or an upgrade right now, I would confidently recommend the Galaxy Watch 8 today. It's still a fantastic product with a lot of life left in it. Apart from having to charge it daily, which is not a big deal in my opinion, it delivers excellent tracking performance, a beautiful display, is lightweight and comfortable, and has a cellular option.

If you need better ergonomics and slightly longer battery life, there's the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that's also worth considering.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

Value yet to be proven

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is not out yet which means it's hard to draw conclusions on it. From leaks so far, it's not going to be a big upgrade so you could skip it if you have the Watch 8.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Best Galaxy for your wrist

The Galaxy Watch 8 is still the best Samsung smartwatch to buy, even nearly a year later. It doesn't have a multi-day battery life, but it's fantastic in pretty much all other areas.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: To wait or not to wait

christinep2424@gmail.com (Christine Persaud) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:48:56 +0000

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

Big things are coming

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 won't be here until the summer, but that hasn't stopped rampant speculation about the potential for an improved processor and battery life, new health features, and possibly a subscription app tier.

Pros

Possible battery, processing, and efficiency improvements
Potentially new health tracking features like non-invasive blood glucose monitoring
Might add ultra-wideband
Suspected better AI integration with an improved coprocessor

Cons

A subscription option could put certain data behind a paywall
Might not be a massive step up in specs
Design may be identical to the Galaxy Watch 8
Likely no Classic variant

Google Pixel Watch 4

Among the best

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is already here and it's among one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy. And with the switch to the Google Health app that replaces Fitbit and enhanced AI with features like Health Coach, it adds so much more value today.

Pros

Now works with the new Google Health app and Health Coach
Heavy AI integration into the experience
Recharges very quickly
Ultra-fast processor
Useful extra features if you have a Pixel phone

Cons

Some features only work or work best with Pixel phones
Battery life isn't amazing
Side button can be annoying to press
Screen can be prone to scratches
Requires a subscription to get the most out of it

If you're in the market for a smartwatch to complement your Android smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch are probably two brands that are at the top of your list. Both work best with the same brand phone with special features that you can unlock. But they can also pair with any Android phone since they are Wear OS devices.

When considering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4, it's important to note that the former isn't officially available yet. Rumored to launch at Galaxy Unpacked in July, there's already a lot of chatter about it, and features we expect and want to see. Given this, should you wait for that device, especially if you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, or pick up the Google Pixel Watch 4 now? While I can't say either way definitively just yet, this will help you make a decision.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Design and durability

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

As noted, we don't yet have official details for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, which is likely to launch at Galaxy Unpacked this summer. But there are a few things we can speculate about what's to come with it.

One of the things we expect to see with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is a continuation of the squircle design the company employs for its Galaxy Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch 9 will probably be the only design launched without a Classic variant since Samsung usually only releases those every other year. But there might be a Galaxy Watch Ultra variant for 2026 and potentially a Galaxy Watch FE 2 step-down affordable option as well. Here, however, I'll focus just on the base Galaxy Watch 9.

It will most likely come in two sizes with a durable aluminum case that meets MIL-STD-810H and 5 ATM for water resistance. It will likely have a higher version of Bluetooth, hopefully at least 6.0. It may also add ultra-wideband.

In terms of the battery, it will probably have the same 325mAh and 435mAh batteries for the two sizes, offering up to 40-hour battery life per charge. With a more efficient Wear OS and a better processor, it's possible the watch will last a bit longer than its predecessor. But it won't be anything groundbreaking: you'll still need to charge it daily or every two days.

Something better could be coming in future iterations, according to reports, through all-solid-state batteries. But this likely won't be until the Galaxy Watch 10 in 2027. For now, we'll have to stick with what we have.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

Over to the Google Pixel Watch 4, since it launched in late 2025 and has been on the market since, we already know all the details. It comes in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm. The 41mm size comes in a Polished Silver aluminum case with an Active Iris or Porcelain Active band, a Champagne Gold aluminum case with a Lemongrass Active band, or a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian Active band.

The larger 45mm edition comes with a Satin Moonstone aluminum case with a Moonstone Active band, a Polished Silver aluminum case with a Porcelain Active band, or a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian Active band. So, you have tons of choice in terms of both finish and band, and of course, can swap bands if desired for third-party options, too.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 has a side button and a haptic crown along with a built-in mic and speaker. In his review of the Google Pixel Watch 4, Michael L Hicks says he likes the crown but finds the side button annoying to press. The display shows a new Tile format with more information and shortcuts than in previous-generation Pixel Watches. Hicks says he actually prefers Samsung's multi-info Tiles design.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

You get a 320ppi AMOLED LTPO 1-60Hz always-on Actua 360 display with a unique domed design. With up to 3,000 nits of brightness, it's comfortably viewable in all lighting situations, including bright, sunny days outdoors. The screen is durable, made of Corning Gorilla Glass, and the watch meets both IP68 and 5ATM ratings for dust and water resistance. So yes, you can swim in freshwater with it. However, the absence of sapphire glass means it's more prone to scratches and cracks than other smartwatches that use it, notes Hicks.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 41mm has a 325mAh battery, and the 45mm has a 455mAh battery, which provides up to 30 and 40 hours of use with the always-on display, respectively. But you can extend this to up to 48 hours with Battery Saver mode on the 41mm and up to 72 hours on the 45mm. That's not amazing compared to other smartwatches that last much longer, but it does work with a quick charger dock that Hicks says is "absurdly fast" at recharging it. The Pixel Watch 4 takes about 45 minutes to fully charge the 41mm watch and an hour for the 45mm. But with both, just 15 minutes will get you back to a 50% charge.

With a 4G LTE option, you can get a separate add-on cellular connection for the Google Pixel Watch 4 that lets you use it without your phone. It also includes Bluetooth 6, NFC, and ultra-wideband connectivity with satellite SOS communications in case of emergency. One important thing to note is that it's also repairable, so you should be able to easily swap components yourself if necessary.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Specs

Let’s look at how these two smartwatches compare when it comes to basic specs.

Category	Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (speculative)	Google Pixel Watch 4
Compatibility	Android 11.0 or higher (likely)	Android 11.0 or higher
OS	Wear OS 7 + Samsung One UI Watch 9	Wear OS 6
Colors	Unknown	Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone, Matte Black
Swappable Band	Yes	Yes
Battery	325, 435mAh	325mAh
Battery Life	Up tp 40 hours (probably)	Up to 40 hours (72 hours with Battery Saver Mode)
App	Samsung Health	Google Health
Heart Rate Tracking	Yes	Yes
Stress Tracking	Yes	Yes
Blood Oxygen	Yes	Yes
GPS	Yes	Yes (built-in)
Sleep Monitoring	Yes	Yes
Water Resistance	5ATM, IP68	5ATM, IP68
Mobile Pay	Samsung Wallet	Google Wallet
Storage	32-64GB (unsure)	32GB
Screen Size	1.3-1.43 inches	1.2-1.4 inches
Screen Type	AMOLED	Super Actua AMOLED LTPO
Screen Resolution	480 x 480	456 x 456
Peak Brightness	3,000 nits	3,000 nits
Dimensions	Unknown	41 x 12.3 mm, 45 x 12.3 mm
Weight	Unknown	31, 36.7 grams (without band)

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Health, wellness, and smarts

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch function as great health, fitness, and wellness companions. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 may possibly include a step-up processor from the 3nm Exynos W1000 chip and 2GB RAM in the last two versions to a potentially faster 3nm chip.

If not that, we might see a new coprocessor design, as many other brands have been employing, to handle background versus more intensive tasks separately and thus more efficiently. A recent leak suggests that a Snapdragon Wear Elite 3nm chipset could be incorporated into this watch to afford both better performance and battery efficiency. It will likely also gain greater efficiency through Wear OS 7.

The Galaxy Watch 9 will almost definitely continue to work with the Samsung Health app, though there are some rumors about Samsung toying with the option of adding a subscription to the now free service. You already get tons of fantastic features through the BioActive sensor that will likely continue in this model, like Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, Vascular Load, and AGEs Index. Plus, there are Galaxy AI health tools.

If Samsung adds a subscription tier, the company might have to offer more than simply hiding all these measurements behind a paywall. We'll have to wait and see if there are any new health-related features, better AI integration, and possibly some type of Health Coach AI. One such addition could be non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, which is something Samsung has reportedly already been working on.

In terms of AI integration, the hope is that with a faster, more efficient processor, AI tools will benefit, too. This means faster and smarter AI responses or contextual analysis of your data within the app. Gemini Live would be nice to have, but we'll have to wait and see.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is already a pretty solid smartwatch for health and fitness tracking with a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 4nm processor that's wonderfully efficient. The coprocessor is efficient for running AI and background tasks, fueled as well by Wear OS 6. Hicks notices the improvement in battery life thanks to the efficient processing.

With the new Google Health app that is officially replacing the Fitbit app, you're going to get much more out of the Pixel Watch 4 than before. To take advantage of everything, however, you will need a Google Health Premium subscription, which is similar to the requirement for a Fitbit Premium subscription in the past anyway.

You, of course, get deep Gemini AI integration with tracking for all the typical metrics, as is expected with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. It offers additional metrics like cardio load and recovery, and features like the ability to build your own custom runs and get real-time guidance. There's also the Morning Brief that provides key insights on data like sleep, weather, and readiness.

(Image credit: Google)

There are tons of upgrades with Google Health, notably Health Coach, an AI-powered trainer that can assist you through your fitness and health journey. You provide data like your goals, what equipment you have, and even provide photos, and it will help you build a proper plan.

You'll be able to pin favorite metrics to the dashboard in the app and integrate data from other third-party apps like Apple Health, Peloton, and MyFitnessPal. The base-level app will provide basics, but you need Premium for things like Ask Coach, adaptive fitness plans, more detailed sleep insights, medical record summaries, a library of workouts and mindfulness sessions, and more. However, if you already have a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription, you'll get Google Health Premium included.

Beyond the revamped Google Health app, the Pixel Watch 4 offers some useful additional features, like loss of pulse detection, car crash detection, smart replies, the ability to see who's calling with a compatible device, a Pixel Camera app, the option to record voice notes, and even control a Google TV Streamer from the watch face. Some features only work with a Pixel phone, like the camera shutter remote and recorder app.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Should you wait?

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

If you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and you're wondering about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4, I'd suggest you wait. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 might not be a huge step-up from the Galaxy Watch 8. But if it can run more efficiently and offer enough software upgrades and battery life improvements, it could be worth it. If Samsung does add a subscription, it would work with other Galaxy Watch models, too. But it's possible the Galaxy Watch 9 could have features specific to it that make paying worth the upgrade.

If you have a Google Pixel phone, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is already one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy, and it's only getting better with Google Health Premium. Yes, you need the subscription to unlock everything. But you may have already been subscribed to Fitbit Premium anyway.

If you have a phone from another brand altogether, or maybe you aren't tied to the ecosystem play, it's tough to determine at this point which of these two smartwatches is the better choice. Based on expectations, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 will probably fall very close in line with the Google Pixel Watch 4 in terms of basic specs, including durability, battery life, processing, AI integration, and app experience. I don't suspect there's going to be anything especially groundbreaking about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 that makes it worth waiting several months for it if you really need or want a new smartwatch now.

If you have a Galaxy Watch that is several generations old, I'd suggest waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 before upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 8. Even if it offers slight improvements in processing and battery life, every bit counts. If you have a Google Pixel phone, the Pixel Watch 4 offers an incredible experience, and Google Health is poised to be one of the most comprehensive, AI-centric fitness apps around. So, I'd go ahead and upgrade now if you're wearing an older-model Pixel or a different-brand smartwatch and want something more sophisticated.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

Only if you have an older Galaxy Watch

If you have an older Galaxy Watch, you're better off waiting to upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 9. It might offer improvements in the chip and processing, which facilitates better AI features as well as greater battery efficiency. But it may not best the Pixel Watch 4 in any significant way.

Google Pixel Watch 4

It won't disappoint

The Google Pixel Watch 4 won't disappoint as a companion to any Android phone, especially with the Google Health app upgrades. That is, if you're willing to pay for the premium subscription. If you want something now, don't wait. This smartwatch is among and probably will be for some time to come.

Verizon may have revealed which Pixel Watches are getting Wear OS 7

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:47:42 +0000

What you need to know

Verizon's support page suggests Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 are getting Wear OS 7 with the June update.
The original Pixel Watch appears to be missing from the Wear OS 7 upgrade list once again.
Wear OS 7 brings new Wear Widgets, Live Updates, and Gemini-powered task automation features.

A new support document from Verizon may have accidentally revealed which Pixel Watch models are getting Wear OS 7.

At I/O 2026, Google quietly unveiled Wear OS 7, but the company stopped short of confirming which smartwatches would receive the update or when it would begin rolling out. Now, a newly published Verizon support document may have filled in some of those gaps (via Droid-Life).

According to the support page(s), the Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Watch 4 are all set to receive the Wear OS 7 update. Verizon says the update will arrive alongside the June 2026 security patch and will include Wear OS 7 along with additional performance and stability improvements. The carrier lists the software version as CP2A.260603.001.

(Image credit: Google)

Unfortunately, that also appears to confirm that the original Pixel Watch won't be getting Wear OS 7. The first-generation Pixel Watch also missed out on Wear OS 6, so it's not entirely surprising. Still, it's a disappointing outcome for early Pixel Watch owners, especially since smartwatch software support has become an increasingly important selling point.

For those who don't remember, Wear OS 7 is more than just a minor update. It introduces Wear Widgets, replacing the older static Tiles system with a more flexible widget experience.

The update also brings Live Updates, allowing smartwatches to display persistent real-time information like deliveries, ride tracking, and sports scores, similar to what Android phones already offer.

Google is also bringing some Gemini Intelligence features to Wear OS 7, including task automation capabilities that will allow users to trigger certain actions directly from their smartwatch.

There's still no official rollout date from Google just yet, but since Verizon has already published the update details, it seems likely that Wear OS 7 will begin arriving sometime this month.

Galaxy Watch 9, Watch Ultra 2 just crossed a key checkpoint on the way to launch

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 reportedly obtained charging certification in the 3C database for the Chinese market.
It was found that the watches feature 10W wired charging, which keeps things identical to the last iterations.
Samsung recently highlighted its major Health app rework for June, which includes features we can expect on its next Galaxy Watches.

Galaxy Watch rumors have been slow these past few months, but a new report claims Samsung's devices have just obtained an important certification.

A report by SammyGuru states it discovered a crucial 3C certification database listing for the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Watch Ultra 2. This certification concerns the Chinese market for devices; however, it typically involves battery/charging details that have been approved. According to its discovery, the Galaxy Watch 9 is listed with 10W wired charging support.

The publication found that the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will also support 10W wired charging. It reiterates that these numbers are identical to the original Watch Ultra and the Watch 8. Battery totals weren't listed in this 3C database for the watches, leaving only our hopes and dreams for potential upgrades. The good thing here is this apparent listing, as it typically precedes an official reveal. We are expecting these devices at Samsung's summer Unpacked.

The publication made an interesting note, pointing out that there are rumors about a "Galaxy Watch 9 Classic." We saw this speculated as well by GSMArena, so this will be something to keep an eye on this summer.

Time for the Galaxy

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

Android Central's Take

Considering what Samsung stated for its Health app overhaul, the next Galaxy Watches seem to have user health in the spotlight. I think this is a good move. These watches have consistently moved in this direction, and Samsung doubling down on that seems like the most obvious trend.

The Galaxy Watch 9 has moved to the forefront of our minds ever since an apparent firmware leak was reported. In late March, the software for the upcoming watch supposedly appeared on a U.S. test server. Usually, this occurs after a significant portion of the work has been completed for the device (like its entire build). Earlier rumors suggest the watch could feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite for performance and efficiency increases.

While we are curious if Samsung has worked in any battery capacity upgrades, there's a chance it could stick to the same 435mAh cell. Efficiency and better battery life are two aspects we'd like to see Samsung improve on the Watch Ultra 2, as well. Workout tracking was another issue that the original Watch Ultra struggled with, which we'd like to see rectified on the second go-around.

It's also worth mentioning the major overhaul Samsung has planned for its Health app. The company listed a series of features that users will find, which we can expect on its next Galaxy Watches.

This open-source app lets you use your Whoop without a monthly fee

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:17:54 +0000

What you need to know

An unofficial open-source app lets Whoop users view fitness data without paying a monthly subscription fee.
The app works fully offline, syncing data locally over Bluetooth without relying on cloud processing.
Users can track strain, sleep, recovery, HRV, and heart rate, similar to the official Whoop app.

A developer has created an open-source app that lets you use a Whoop band without paying a subscription fee.

Ever since the launch of the Fitbit Air, Whoop has faced criticism over its subscription model. The Fitbit Air costs $100, and while Google offers a $10-per-month Google Health subscription, it's completely optional. Whoop, on the other hand, locks access to most of its data and insights behind a subscription. If you stop paying, the band effectively becomes a dead paperweight.

Now, an independent developer has created an unofficial open-source app that lets users access data from their Whoop band without an active subscription. The app works on Android and macOS and allows users to view metrics collected by the band directly on their device.

(Image credit: Future)

According to the developer, the app is designed around a local-first approach and works entirely offline. Data is transferred directly from the Whoop band to the connected device over Bluetooth, without relying on cloud processing.

Like the official Whoop app, it calculates things like daily strain, sleep stages, recovery scores, heart rate variability, and live heart rate data after a few days of use. The app can also import existing health information from Apple Health and even previously collected Whoop data.

Of course, this is an unofficial solution. Installing it currently requires sideloading an APK on Android, which isn't something every user will be comfortable doing. Still, it's an interesting project, especially at a time when many Whoop users have been questioning whether the subscription fee offers enough value compared to newer competitors like Fitbit Air.

It's also worth noting that Whoop does not officially support this approach. In fact, the company reportedly states that using third-party apps like this violates its terms. That said, if you're still interested, you can download the app files from GitHub and try it on your device.

Android Central's Take

I'm not sure how long this survives before Whoop's legal team starts paying attention, but it's still a fascinating project. I've still got my old Whoop 4.0 sitting around doing nothing, so I'm definitely tempted to give this a shot over the next few days and see how well it works.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Both might be better than just one

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:51:00 +0000

Google

Fitbit Air

Slim and subtle

Google's new Fitbit Air tracker stays out of the way, passively recording fitness and health data while taking up minimal space on your wrist. It doesn't have a screen or many smart features, but it does pack a capable suite of sensors for everyday health monitoring, sleep tracking, and workout detection.

Pros

Small, light, and comfortable on the wrist
$99 with no required subscription
7-day battery life
Works with iOS, Android, and Pixel Watch

Cons

No inbuilt GPS tracking or support for features like ECG or cEDA
Less accurate than advanced fitness trackers
Slow charging to full
Uses proprietary charger

Google

Pixel Watch 4

The smarter watch

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a simplistic smartwatch with all the features you'd expect out of a Wear OS 6 device. The battery life only lasts a day or two, and it's quite thick on the wrist, but it offers dual-band GPS and the latest sensors.

Pros

Wear OS 6 with wide support for wearable apps and features
3,000-nit domed display
Accurate dual-frequency GPS
Key features like Satellite SOS, Loss of Pulse, and Gemini Raise to Talk

Cons

Design is thick and could be more rugged
More expensive, LTE model is pricier
Battery life is relatively short

Google wearable fans have long clamored for a minimal Pixel tracker, and the brand somewhat answered the call with the Fitbit Air. While it bears the Fitbit brand name rather than the Pixel name, it's a Google fitness band nonetheless. The screenless tracker is incredibly tiny, taking up less space on the wrist than a Whoop band. In many ways, the Fitbit Air serves as an alternative to traditional smartwatches, so how does it stack up against the Google Pixel Watch 4?

One thing's clear — the Pixel Watch 4 and the Fitbit Air aren't completely at odds. Sure, if you need a no-frills fitness tracker with a low-profile design, the Fitbit Air is for you. The same could be said of the Pixel Watch 4 for those who want advanced smartwatch features, such as dual-band GPS, Wear OS 6, or LTE connectivity. However, the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4 also work better together, and the former makes a great sleep tracking companion, allowing you to charge the latter overnight.

The jump from the $99 Fitbit Air to the $350 Pixel Watch 4 is steep, but both Google fitness trackers excel in their own right. Here's how.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Design and display, or lack thereof

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

First, let's review the categorical differences between the Pixel Watch 4 and the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 4 is classified as a smartwatch and features a touchscreen display, runs Wear OS 6 with app support, offers a full suite of health sensors, and supports a range of connectivity standards, including optional LTE. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Air is a passive fitness tracker without a screen. It's essentially a tiny oval-shaped tracking device that snaps into different bands, including the fabric one that comes in the box.

The two trackers both have similar band options, with the Fitbit Air shipping inside a fabric, textile Performance Loop band that uses Velcro for a one-size-fits-all approach. On the other hand, the Pixel Watch 4 comes with a silicone Active band by default. Separately, you can buy Active or Elevated Modern bands for the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 4 offers more variety, with Performance Loop, Stretch, Woven, Crafted Leather, Two-Tone Leather, Metal Mesh, Metal Slim, and Metal Links bands all available for purchase separately from Google.

As you can imagine, the Fitbit Air is much smaller than a Pixel Watch 4. The tracker itself only measures 34.9 x 17 x 8.3mm, and weighs just 5.2 grams. Add in a band, and the entire package gets thicker and weighs 12 grams — but it's still incredibly tiny.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

That's quite a far cry from the Pixel Watch 4, which is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Either way, you're getting a smartwatch that's 12.3mm thick, and that number doesn't account for the sensors that protrude from the bottom of the Pixel Watch 4 case. It's quite heavy, at 31 grams for the 41mm model and 36.7 grams for the 45mm model. Neither of those numbers includes the band, and some bands are heavier than others.

The Pixel Watch 4 could certainly be worth the extra thickness and weight if you care about the additional hardware and features it offers. The big difference is the display. The domed Actua 360 display, which uses an AMOLED LTPO panel, supports 3,000-nit brightness and variable refresh rates up to 60Hz. It's a gorgeous display that offers numerous practical benefits, including being able to view workout stats or change activity types on your wrist, things that the Fitbit Air can't do.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

I personally find the low-profile, lightweight design of the Fitbit Air more comfortable than smartwatches like the Pixel Watch 4, but it all comes down to personal preference — and how many features you need on your wrist.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Hardware and specs

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

There are numerous hardware differences between the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4. For the user, the short summary is that the Pixel Watch 4 (especially the LTE model) is a standalone device, whereas the Fitbit Air is more reliant on a connected smartphone for features. As an example, the Pixel Watch 4 offers dual-band GPS for location detection during workouts, while the Fitbit Air lacks GPS support entirely. To track a workout with GPS on your Fitbit Air, you need to bring your phone.

Since there's no screen or Wear OS operating system running on the Fitbit Air, all controls, settings, and activity tracking are handled in the Google Health app on a connected smartphone. The Fitbit Air has sensors that can detect firm taps on its surface, plus a vibration motor. You can double-tap the tracker to check battery life using the side LED or to silence alarms in the morning.

That's about the extent of the Fitbit Air's standalone features, though. The Google Pixel Watch 4, by comparison, has the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 and Cortex M55 co-processor working inside. The chip pairs with Wear OS 6 to run an Android-based operating system, complete with rich third-party app support. If you want to do more on your device, the Pixel Watch 4 is the Google tracker to choose.

Specs
Specs	Google Fitbit Air	Google Pixel Watch 4
OS	--	Wear OS 6
CPU	--	Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, Cortex M55 co-processor
Display	--	1.33- or 1.49-inch Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO display, 320ppi 3,000 nits, 1-60Hz refresh rate
RAM / Storage	--	2GB + 32GB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5	Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, UWB, LTE (optional), dual-frequency GPS, Galileo, Glonass, (ROW) Beidou, QZSS, Navic, Satellite SOS,
Sensors	Optical HRM, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope	Compass, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, multi-path optical heart rate sensor, cEDA, SpO2, ECG, far field skin temperature sensor
Battery	Up to 7 days	41mm: 325mAh, 30 hours with AOD, 48 hours with Battery Saver 45mm: 455mAh, 40 hours with AOD, 72 hours with Battery Saver
Charging	5 minutes for 24 hours of battery life, 90 minutes to 100%	41mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 25 minutes to 80%, 45 minutes to 100% 45mm: 15 minutes to 50%, 30 minutes to 80%, 60 minutes to 100%
Materials	Sensor: Recycled polycarbonate, PBT plastics Band: Textile, stainless steel	Recycled aluminum
Protection	Water resistant up to 50 meters	Custom Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 5ATM, IP68
Band	Fabric textile band	Active (fluoroelastomer)
Dimensions	34.9 x 17 x 8.3mm (tracker without band)	41 x 41 x 12.3mm / 45 x 45 x 12.3mm
Weight	Sensor: 5.2g Sensor+band: 12g	41mm: 31g (without band) 45mm: 36.7g (without band)
Colors	Obsidian, Berry, Lavender, Fog, Special Edition Stephen Curry	Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold (41mm), Satin Moonstone (45mm)

The Fitbit Air has a modest set of sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor (HRM), a blood oxygen sensor, a skin temperature sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The Pixel Watch 4 has a more accurate HRM and a more versatile sensor suite overall. It adds a cEDA body response sensor, ECG support, an ambient light sensor, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, and compass. These sensors, paired with the aforementioned dual-frequency GPS onboard, make the Pixel Watch 4 better than the Fitbit Air for serious workout tracking.

The Fitbit Air's respectable, but limited, assortment of sensors is best for the kind of person who wants to review stats and automatically detected activities in the Google Health app at the end of the day.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Fitness and health features

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Both the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4 will heavily rely on the new Google Health app for analyzing and reviewing tracked activity data. This is a refreshed and rebranded version of the Fitbit app. Crucially, neither device requires a subscription.

There is a Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) plan available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. It unlocks extras like the AI-powered Google Health Coach. But all the basics are included for free, and frankly, I suspect many users will like the Google Health app better without the AI tools that require a subscription.

The Google Health app opens with a Today page with customizable focus tiles at the top. Underneath, you'll see Google Health Coach insights if you're a subscriber. Then, there are Fitness, Sleep, and Health pages. The Fitness page is where you'll start manual workouts on the Fitbit Air, while the Pixel Watch 4 starts a workout on its screen. The Sleep page is where you'll find your daily sleep score, and the Health page is the home for long-term fitness insights.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The data you can see for each tracker will vary, with the Pixel Watch 4 offering more information and features due to its extra sensors. Features like Satellite SOS, Loss of Pulse Detection, and Gemini Raise to Talk are only available on the Pixel Watch 4.

Notably, you can pair a Fitbit Air and a Pixel Watch 4 to the same Google Health app and Google account. This makes it possible to use the two trackers in tandem. You could use the Pixel Watch 4 as a smartwatch during the day and rely on the Fitbit Air as a sleep tracker, for example. This could make the Fitbit Air a competitor to the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, a $170 sleep tracker designed to work with a Garmin watch.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Which should you buy?

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Google Pixel Watch 4 isn't a perfect smartwatch, and the Fitbit Air isn't a perfect fitness tracker. The Pixel Watch 4 is light on battery life and lacks the thin and light design of modern smartwatches, while the Fitbit Air forgoes some advanced sensors, features, and metrics.

The two devices may be better together. You could use the Pixel Watch 4 as a smartwatch and activity tracker during the day, and wear the more comfortable Fitbit Air to bed for sleep tracking while the other is charging overnight.

If you're considering a Pixel Watch 4 or already have one, the Fitbit Air is easy to tack on for just $99 more, and it'll greatly improve the experience of using either device alone. Those who aren't sold on the Pixel Watch 4 — or already have a different smartwatch — might like the Fitbit Air on its own at $99. It provides the fitness and health-tracking basics at a low cost that isn't dependent on a subscription, and that's hard to beat.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 and Fitbit Air exist in separate spheres, as one is a smartwatch and the other is a screenless band. Their audience appeal will overlap, though, and both achieve their goals of being slim and accessible (Fitbit Air) or smart and fully featured (Pixel Watch 4).

Google

Fitbit Air

The affordable, minimal pick

The Fitbit Air is perfect for those who don't want to make the time or monetary investment in a full-blown smartwatch, but still need basic fitness and health tracking. At only $99, the Fitbit Air is extremely accessible. The lack of a screen could prove to be a perk in itself for the right buyer.

Google

Pixel Watch 4

The fully featured pick

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is for those who need to view real-time activity data on their wrist. The screen enables extra smartwatch features and even a few fitness and health perks, such as ECG tests and Loss of Pulse Detection. It's significantly more expensive, though, and takes up more space on your wrist.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Slimmer, and still with a subscription

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:05:38 +0000

Oura

Ring 5

Seriously slim

The Oura Ring 5 is an incredible design feat, as the heaviest Ring 5 is lighter than the lightest Ring 4. It's also slimmer than ever, helping wearers track fitness and health data while staying out of the way on their finger. Best of all, there are new health features, including the AI-powered Health Radar suite. The drawbacks are the same — a high upfront cost paired with a recurring, mandatory subscription.

Pros

Lower-profile sensors for better contact, accuracy, with powerful LEDs
Roughly 40% smaller than the Ring 4
Up to 9 days of battery life (depends on usage and ring size)
AI-powered Health Radar platform with features like Blood Pressure Signs

Cons

High upfront cost of $399 or $499, depending on model
$5.99 monthly recurring subscription adds up
Fewer size options compared to Ring 4
No ceramic option

Oura

Ring 4

Still going strong

The Oura Ring 4 is thicker and heavier than the new Ring 5, but it's still a capable smart ring. The device is cheaper than the Ring 5, starting at $349, although it also relies on a subscription. The older smart ring is available in more size options than the newer model.

Pros

Attractive and slim titanium or ceramic materials
Battery life lasts longer than a week
Excellent activity detection, accuracy, and heart rate data
New fitness and health features added over time
Available in sizes that the Ring 5 doesn't support, including 4,5, 14, and 15

Cons

Find My Ring only works for iOS
Hardware is expensive, and you still need to pay for a monthly subscription
Thicker and heavier than the Ring 5

Many smart rings come with a subscription, but few double down on paid memberships as much as Oura rings. The recurring charges, plus the high upfront cost, make Oura Ring wearables tricky to justify. However, Oura has a new smart ring that aims to convince new users to try the form factor and get current users to upgrade — the Oura Ring 5. It's a design marvel, with a size that's around 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4.

The biggest Oura Ring 5 upgrade is its thinner, lighter profile, which will help the smart ring blend in better on the finger. The design overhaul extends to the health and activity sensors themselves, which now make better contact with your skin for more accurate readings. Overall, the feature set sounds similar to the Oura Ring 4, so which should you buy? Let's break down all the differences and help you find the Oura smart ring that's right for you.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Design, sizes, and materials

(Image credit: Oura)

The Oura Ring 5 is all about refinement, and that's clear from its design. It's advertised as roughly 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4, which might actually be underselling it. Looking at the dimensions of each smart ring, the newer model is seriously slim. The Oura Ring 5 only measures 2.28mm thick, down from 2.88mm on the Ring 4. That difference might not seem like much, but it'll make the Oura Ring 5 feel more like a jewelry ring than a clunky smart device on your finger.

The Oura Ring 5's weight reduction is even more impressive. Like with any smart ring, Oura rings are offered in different sizes, and they each have their own weights. Bigger sizes use more material and offer a higher battery capacity, so they're heavier. What's incredible here is that the lightest Oura Ring 4 size is still heavier than the heaviest Oura Ring 5 size.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The lightest Oura Ring 5 size weighs just two grams, while the heaviest one isn't much heavier at 2.69 grams. Meanwhile, the Oura Ring 4 weighs 3.3 grams at its lightest and 5.2 grams at its heaviest. That means the biggest Oura Ring 5 is almost half as light as the comparable Oura Ring 4. The lightweight and slim build of the Oura Ring 5 will hopefully make it blend in with your fingers with any other rings, so you forget you're wearing it.

One thing to note is that the sizing for the Oura Ring 5 is different from that of the Oura Ring 4, and there are fewer size options available on the newer model. The Oura Ring 4 is available in ring sizes four through 15, while the Oura Ring 5 is available in ring sizes six through 13. If you require larger or smaller sizes, you'll be out of luck with the Oura Ring 5. This also explains why the Ring 5 is so light, even in larger sizes, compared to the Ring 4.

That isn't a knock on the Oura Ring 5's weight reduction claims at all, however. The smaller size is larger this generation, and that Ring 5 variant is still 1.3 grams lighter than the size-four Ring 4 model.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Oura Ring 4 launched in 2024 in a titanium finish, but Oura refreshed the smart ring in 2025 with a mid-cycle ceramic alternative. The Oura Ring 5 is only launching in a titanium finish for now, and it's possible that it too will see a mid-cycle refresh eventually. You can choose from Silver, Black, Stealth, Brushed Silver, Gold, and Deep Rose finishes for the Oura Ring 5. The first two options are $399, while the latter four are $499.

The Oura Ring 4 is available in Black, Brushed Silver, Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, and Stealth finishes. It starts at $349 for the Silver model, with other finishes available for $399 or $499. However, discounts are starting to hit for the Oura Ring 4 that make the premium finishes more accessible. Meanwhile, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is $499, but it's discounted to $399 at the time of publishing.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Hardware and specs

(Image credit: Oura)

Both the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 5 share similar hardware and specs. They're made out of a "high-performance titanium exterior" and a "seamless titanium interior." Titanium is a lightweight yet durable metal, making it a solid material choice for a smart ring. Certain models, like the Ceramic or Stealth versions, will have differences in materials. The two Oura Ring generations have the same water resistance — up to a depth of 100 meters (328 feet).

The two rings each use a combination of infrared LEDs, a digital temperature sensor, and an accelerometer to process health and activity data. On the Oura Ring 5, these sensors are more accurate thanks to a few changes. The new design helps the Ring 5 make better contact with your finger's skin, and more powerful LEDs emit stronger red, green, and infrared pulses. There are exclusive features tied to the new model, like Blood Pressure Signs.

Specs
Category	Oura Ring 5	Oura Ring 4
Materials	High-performance titanium exterior Seamless titanium interior	Titanium with physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating or Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coating (Stealth)
Protection	Water resistant at a depth of 100m/328 ft	Water resistant at a depth of 100m/328ft
Sensors	Red, green, and infrared LEDs (heart rate, blood oxygen, respiration rate)	Red, green, and infrared LEDs (heart rate, blood oxygen)
	Digital temperature sensor	Digital temperature sensor
	Accelerometer	Accelerometer
Battery	Up to 9 days, up to 80-minute charge time	Up to 8 days, up to 80-minute charge time
Connectivity	Bluetooth LE	Bluetooth LE
Platform support	iOS (Apple Health), Android (Health Connect)	iOS (Apple Health), Android (Health Connect)
Dimensions	Width: 6.09mm	Width: 7.9mm
	Thickness: 2.28mm	Thickness: ~2.88mm
Weight	2-2.69g (depending on size)	3.3-5.2g (depending on size)
Sizes	6-13	4-15
Colors	Silver, Black, Stealth, Brushed Silver, Gold, Deep Rose	Black, Brushed Silver, Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, Stealth

Battery life could be slightly longer on the Oura Ring 5, with the company touting up to nine days of runtime. The Oura Ring 4 advertises up to eight days of battery life. However, on both models, this will vary based on real-world usage habits and ring size. Charging will take up to 80 minutes to get to full on both ring models.

Unfortunately, you only get a charging base cable in the box with either the Oura Ring 5 or the Oura Ring 4. The charging case for both ring generations is optional and will run you $99 separately. It's a disappointing added cost you might want to tack onto the ring hardware and the perpetual subscription fee.

The Oura Ring 4 and Ring 5 both use Bluetooth Low Energy tech to connect to companion smartphones on either iOS or Android. The rings integrate with Apple Health or Google Health Connect, but these integrations won't help you avoid the Oura Membership fee.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Subscription and features

(Image credit: Oura)

Smart rings like the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 5 are passive trackers, meaning they record health data in the background, which can be viewed in the Oura app. To view all these insights, you need the $5.99 monthly or $69.99 annual Oura Membership. Without it, your smart ring won't be able to do all the cool things advertised on Oura's website.

The Oura Ring 5 adds a new suite of AI-powered features called Health Radar. It uses AI models and health data from your smart ring to identify biometric trends that could indicate health problems. For instance, Blood Pressure Signs uses sleep data to pick up signs of cardiovascular strain. The Oura Ring 5 also supports live activity tracking in the app, with improvements to Automatic Activity Detection also available.

That said, the Ring 4 is still well-positioned to deliver fitness features and health insights. It provides activity and fitness data, readiness insights, stress analysis, and heart health and women's health information. The Oura Ring 5 does all this too, for what it's worth. Both rings can auto-detect up to 40 different workouts, while the Oura Ring 5 can provide up to 50 different metrics.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Is it worth the upgrade?

(Image credit: Android Central)

The hurdle to buying an Oura smart ring is the subscription. To get all the health insights and features that make an Oura ring great, you need to subscribe to a monthly membership. It costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year, and frankly, it's an expensive requirement on top of the $350 or $400 you've already spent on Oura Ring 4 or Oura Ring 5 hardware. If you can get over that hurdle, there's a reason Oura smart rings are so popular.

The app analyzes your vitals and activity data to provide insights you wouldn't have known about otherwise. The Oura Ring 5 is thin and lightweight, making it the best option for new smart ring users. If you already have an Oura Ring 4, sticking with your current smart ring may be the best choice. It's not even two years old yet, and paying $400 to upgrade to an Oura Ring 5 already is difficult to justify.

Oura

Ring 5

For new users

At only $50 more than the Ring 4, the newer Oura Ring 5 makes sense for those ready to try a smart ring for the first time. It's slimmer and lighter than its predecessor with more health features. However, be aware that it'll be a pricey addition considering the $6 monthly subscription.

Oura

Ring 4

Still great

Current Oura Ring 4 users shouldn't feel pressured to upgrade to the Ring 5. Spending $400 on a new smart ring in addition to the monthly subscription is unnecessary when the Ring 4 is still great at passively tracking fitness and health data. Consider holding onto your Ring 4 until the battery starts to degrade beyond acceptable levels.

The Circular Ring 2 is a decent, subscription-free Oura alternative, but it misses out on what made Circular rings truly unique

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:57:00 +0000

The Circular Ring 2 is one of the latest smart rings available, having launched in the latter half of 2025. It's a bit of a departure from Circular's previous models, offering a streamlined design and experience, although at the cost of some of its predecessor's more unique features.

I've been testing the Circular Ring 2 for a month, and it delivers a lot of what anyone would want in a smart ring. However, in the shadow of Oura, especially after launching the new Oura Ring 5, it feels like the Circular Ring 2 doesn't really have much room to shine, even with some rather rare smart ring features.

Circular Ring 2 specs
Category	Circular Ring 2
Materials	Titanium body, PVD coating, hypoallergenic interior
Protection	IP68
Sensors	ECG, PPG, temp sensor, accelerometer
Battery	Performance mode: Up to 4 days Power mode: Up to 8 days
Connectivity	Bluetooth LE
Platform support	iOS (Apple Health), Android (Health Connect)
Dimensions	Width: 7.8mm Thickness: 2.5mm
Weight	3g
Sizes	6-14
Colors	Black, Gold, Silver, Rose Gold

Questionable design choices

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Circular Ring 2 features a pretty standard smart ring design, which is mostly symmetrical, aside from two protrusions on the inner side of the ring where the sensors are. The ring is relatively thick at 2.55mm, but that isn't the problem; those two protrusions dig into my finger, and it can make wearing the ring somewhat uncomfortable.

Frankly, I'm not sure what compelled Circular to design its sensors this way, but it doesn't promote prolonged wear on something meant to be worn comfortably, especially at bedtime.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Unfortunately, things aren't much better on the exterior side of the ring. Circular Ring 2 is available in four colorways, and my silver option started off nice, but it quickly took a turn for the worse. The finish on the ring gets scratched and scuffed so easily; it looks like I've been wearing my unit for at least a year when it's only been a month. Granted, I do work out with it, so some of that is definitely my fault, but I often put a rubber cover on it. Even so, just doing regular things such as holding objects can add to wear and tear, which isn't a good look.

The top of the ring is clearly marked with the Circular logo, making it easy to know how to properly wear it. It's a nice touch, but I find myself cleaning it often as dirt can easily get trapped here.

Circular's coolest features aren't here

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Unfortunately, the logo at the top of the ring doesn't serve as a "button" as it does on the Circular Ring Slim, which launched in 2023. It's a shame, but there's an even more disappointing reason as to why: there's no vibration motor in this ring.

Previous Circular Ring models would vibrate to alert you to notifications or alarms, and, in the case of the Circular Ring Slim, you could tap the top of the ring to stop the vibration.

This would have been a very cool feature to include on the Circular Ring 2, especially if the company could figure out how to implement it with the more streamlined design. Not many health-tracking smart rings feature vibration motors, and it would help the Circular Ring 2 stand out against heavyweights like Samsung and Oura.

When I asked why these features were removed, it seemed they were complicated to implement on such a small device, and the company wanted to focus this model on other areas, such as ECG. That said, it's up to you to decide if these features are worth it.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

But here's the thing... some of the new features announced for the Circular Ring 2 aren't even available. The company teased blood pressure and blood glucose trend estimates, features not found in many smart rings. However, despite a planned "early 2026" launch, these features remain unavailable, while other companies like Oura hone in on blood pressure estimates.

The basics

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Design may be a bit off, and some features may be missing, but the Circular Ring 2 has pretty much all the features you could need. As a health and fitness tracker, it does a decent job, especially with regard to sleep tracking. It manages to match my other wearables pretty well, including heart rate and changes in body temperature.

I also like that the Circular Ring 2 evaluates how well you wake up, something a lot of people don't pay much attention to. How you feel when you wake up can be based on how long you slept, but also on the sleep stage you're in when you wake up.

To help, the Circular app features a built-in alarm with a smart alarm that wakes you at an ideal time, usually during your lightest sleep stage. Some features, like vibration and smart snooze, aren't available even though they're clearly present in the app. It feels somewhat like an unfair tease.

On the plus side, ECG measurements and Afib detection are also available, and you can set rhythm monitoring to run daily, weekly, or monthly. It also comes with medication reminders, and you can set up multiple alarms if you need to take multiple medications at different times.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

You can track activities with the Circular Ring 2, but this isn't its specialty. There are a number of activities you can track in the app, and it does a decent job, with real-time heart rate monitoring that you can view directly on the app. It also uses the phone's GPS for certain activities like walking and running, and you can even view the map of your pathway while exercising.

That said, I find that for workout tracking, the Circular Ring isn't too reliable and even omits some useful information. I've tracked several workouts with the ring, comparing them with other wearables, including the Oura Ring 4, Garmin Venu 4, and Fitbit Air. The Circular Ring 2 often overestimates or underestimates heart rate during these activities, though at times it can be in the ballpark.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Unfortunately, I couldn't perform a step test because while the Circular Ring 2 features an overall daily step count, it doesn't appear to count steps during individual workouts. The ring also doesn't feature any automatic activity tracking, so you'll have to manually track each workout, which is kind of a bummer.

An imperfect app

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Circular Ring offers a very robust app experience, which I find a bit overwhelming. There's a lot of information crammed into the main home page, though fortunately it's mostly visual.

At the top is a row of "circles," which can be customized to display your most important metrics. You can find your sleep and energy scores here, or tap each metric to dive into them.

That said, you might be waiting a bit to get the most up-to-date information; the app is incredibly slow to sync data with the ring. You can view this process in real time in the app, but it only highlights how slow it is, which is kind of a bummer, since the app is your main point of interaction with the ring and its data.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Fortunately, there are five widgets you can add to your phone: the battery, energy score, sleep score, steps tracker, and an overall wellness summary that includes all of the above and a calendar. In fact, it has more widgets than I find available on many apps I have downloaded, and they're well designed.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The app also features Kira+, an AI health coach that provides a summary of your metrics and recommendations for your day. Its implementation is pretty clunky, and I often have to manually generate daily recommendations, which isn't as useful as automatically surfacing each morning.

As for the summaries themselves, Kira+ doesn't do the best job of displaying them. It's all squeezed together in a rather dense set of bullet points, where it mostly throws a bunch of numbers at me that don't mean much, while not doing much to really explain them. Fortunately, the recommendations are a bit easier to take in, but it would be much better if summaries and recommendations were accessible throughout the app and not within a separate tab on the home page.

Still, it's a decent offering as AI health coaches go, but not close to what you'd find with the likes of Oura's Advisor or Google's Personal Health Coach, since you can't really interact with Kira+.

Battery life and modes

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

One thing that the Circular Ring features that I don't find on other rings is its power modes. By default, the Circular Ring 2 is in Performance mode, meaning you'll get the most accurate data from the ring. Unfortunately, this hurts battery life, so you should only expect about 4 days of use, which is pretty accurate in my testing.

On the other hand, there's Power mode, which gives you up to eight days of battery life but at the expense of data accuracy. Still, it's pretty impressive and is on the higher end of battery life offered by smartwatches. You can also easily switch between the two modes in the app, and I recommend using Power mode most of the time and switching to Performance during workouts and sleep, which provides a good middle ground for battery life.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The inclusion of a charging case, rather than a cradle, is a nice addition, so you can carry it with you in case you need a top-up. It's a decently sized case, no bigger than most wireless earbud cases, but simply setting the ring on the charger won't do anything; you have to press the button on the back to begin charging. It's somewhat unintuitive, and I have found I've forgotten to press the button a few times, leaving me with a dead ring when I thought it was charging.

Verdict

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The smart ring market isn't quite as robust as I thought it would be, with Oura still dominating and stomping all over the competition. However, smaller companies like Circular are still kicking and proving they can offer compelling alternatives for anyone who doesn't want to add another subscription on top of the ring's price.

Unfortunately, the Circular Ring 2 gave up some of its most distinctive features to become a run-of-the-mill smart ring that does just the bare minimum. And even when more compelling features like blood pressure and blood glucose estimations arrive, they'll be paywalled, meaning you'll need to be willing to fork over more money, ruining one of Circular's biggest advantages over Oura.

For $349, the Circular Ring 2 might be priced out of its league. It's not a bad smart ring, but I think Circular might need to rethink some of its design, app, and feature set to truly compete with the big boys. It may cost $50 less than the Oura Ring 5 if you don't account for the Oura membership, but I can't help but think the splurge on Oura might be worth it, especially if you'll end up paying more for extra Circular features anyway.

Circular

Ring 2

Oura alternative

The Circular Ring 2 is a smart ring with great battery life and features like ECG for more comprehensive health monitoring. There's also no subscription, at least for now, so you can access all its available features for free.

I just started testing the Oura Ring 5, and it's so thin I keep forgetting I'm wearing it

shruti.shekar@futurenet.com (Shruti Shekar) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Oura very recently announced the Oura Ring 5, and while I knew that it would be “40% smaller than Oura Ring 4,” when I received my unit, I never anticipated that the ring would be as gorgeous, sleek, and thin as it is.

No, I’m not even kidding; this ring is so thin that after I put it on, I’ve forgotten that I’ve been wearing it. But that’s not my only takeaway after wearing it just for a few days, so ahead of our full review, here are my first impressions of the Oura Ring 5.

40% smaller, same battery size

(Image credit: Android Central)

I want to spend a bit more time on how thin and sleek this new ring is. In two years' time, Oura managed to make the ring 40% smaller without compromising its battery life or performance.

The company says that the new design was based on the internal architecture, adding lower-profile sensor domes for better skin contact, more powerful LEDs, and more consistent readings.

At the time of writing this article, I’ve worn the Oura Ring 5 for two days, and the thinner design is so unobtrusive that I keep forgetting that it’s on my finger.

The Oura Ring 4 is visibly thicker by comparison. I didn’t hate it because it kind of reminded me of a gold cigar band ring, which I always thought was pretty fashionable. But now the Oura Ring 5 blends nicely with my other rings and truly feels like a regular gold ring.

Again, while I didn’t care much about the size, I could always tell when I was wearing the Oura Ring 4. I could feel it even if I was just reading a book. But with the Oura Ring 5, it truly feels like an invisible and silent health tracker that always runs in the background.

Working out has been a dream

(Image credit: Android Central)

I can say ad nauseam how thin this ring is, but you notice it more when you’re working out. Part of my workouts includes weightlifting, and when it comes to heavier weights, there were many times when I would remove my Oura Ring 4 because it would pinch my skin or, because of its bulkiness, would make lifting uncomfortable. That defeats the purpose of wearing a tracker.

But now, with the thinner model, I didn’t even feel my ring while weightlifting. I explicitly expressed how impressed I was to Android Central’s managing editor, Derrek Lee, who has been extensively testing the ring for a full review coming soon.

I will also add that, from the Oura Ring Gen 3 to the Oura Ring 5, my biggest concern has been scuffing. Both my Oura Ring Gen 3 and Oura Ring 4 have gotten so scuffed because they're so thick, especially during my workouts. But so far, I genuinely do not think this will be the case with my Ring 5, or at least not to the same extent. The ring's construction is so fantastic that, with any luck, scuffing should be less of a concern (though we might still recommend buying a cheap ring cover for added protection).

Automatic activity detection continues to impress

(Image credit: Android Central)

I think Oura has been taking automatic activity detection (AAD) a lot more seriously, because since the Oura Ring 4, I have noticed a considerable improvement in detecting my workouts.

My household is working on a backyard project that involves extensive digging. I didn’t think Oura would be able to detect it, so I figured I would have to go into the app and manually enter my work.

Turns out, the auto-detection has improved so much that the Oura Ring 5 detected I was doing “yardwork.” Derrek has also told me that when he goes out, it will always auto-detect that he’s dancing.

This is huge because the less work I have to do to input my workouts, the easier it is for me, as lazy as that might sound. But if I am going to spend money on a wearable like a smart ring, I want to know that it is actually smart.

Moreover, with the Oura Ring 5, the company supports live workout tracking directly in the app, including pace and distance, as well as lock screen widgets. Plus, lower-motion workouts like Pilates will also be detected, which more fitness enthusiasts should love.

Is the price worth it??

(Image credit: Android Central)

The new ring is $50 more than its predecessor, and while that might not be a HUGE change, it’s still a change.

But for how sleek and thin it is, I would get the Oura Ring 5 over the Oura Ring 4 any day. I think the big problem that most people have with the ring is that it requires a separate paid subscription. And while that sucks, I will say it’s a pretty big bonus as part of the ring, especially given how inexpensive the subscription is.

Here’s a list of all of the features you get with a $5.99/month membership that I have taken full advantage of:

Detailed sleep analysis
24/7 heart rate tracking (Daytime, Nighttime, Activity)
Integration with third-party health and wellness apps like Strava
Advanced temperature monitoring
Blood Oxygen Sensing (SpO2)
Daytime Stress
Dynamic activity goals with Automatic Activity Detection
Heart Health (Cardiovascular Age, Cardio Capacity (VO2 Max))
Metabolic Health (Glucose Tracking, Meals)
Oura Labs
Resilience
Weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and anniversary reports
Women's Health (Cycle Insights, Pregnancy Insights)

But the good news is you can buy the Oura Ring 5 and the membership with your HSA/FSA, which is a potentially great way to use your medical benefits.

And honestly, I think the monthly subscription is worth it. I am so thrilled and excited to see Oura continuously improving and investing in its product and listening to user feedback. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wearing a smart ring because it’s truly changed the way I think about my health, and I think if you’re going to invest in getting a ring, it should be the Oura Ring 5.

Oura

Ring 5

Big things, small packages

The Oura Ring 5 is just what consumers have been asking for: a powerful, long-lasting smart ring that's thin and comfortable to wear without sacrificing what makes it so great.

This Fitbit Air hack lets you turn your analog wristwatch into a smartwatch

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:51:02 +0000

Many watch enthusiasts are known to "double wrist," which is internet slang for wearing two watches at once, one on each of their two hands. Android Central is no stranger to this practice, with one staff member taking this trend to great heights, ten watches adorned altogether, all for science.

Screenless wearables like the Google Fitbit Air, Whoop, or Polar Loop present as the perfect opportunity to wear two watches without looking silly. One particular Redditor showed off a clever hack to leverage screenless fitness trackers.

With this hack, you can essentially convert your favorite analog watch into a smartwatch without sacrificing the design of the dial. Here's how.

How to use the Fitbit Air to "convert" a traditional analog wristwatch into a smart fitness tracker

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Before all else, make sure the band size of your watch dial is compatible with that of your Fitbit Air, or whichever screenless fitness tracker you chose.

1. Remove the straps from your analog wristwatch, but leave the spring bars inside.

2. Next, slip one end of your Fitbit Air's band through the spring bar on one side.

3. Pull the band through and bring it out through the other spring bar of the analog wristwatch. View slide 2 to see what this should look like:

4. Lastly, close the clasp of your Fitbit Air as normal.

Derrek Lee / Android Central

As demonstrated by the Reddit user u/stm2657, the final result is much cleaner than wearing two separate wearables. Even though they acknowledged this is still an experiment and not perfect, with the right dial and Fitbit Air, you could accomplish this yourself at home. It will require some trial and error, however.

The biggest roadblock is the wristwatch itself. Not all traditional watches have a gap between the spring bar and the dial, as depicted in the tutorial. Thus, this is not a universally applicable strategy. You may also need to purchase spring bars if your watch doesn't already have them.

Reddit user u/stm2657 shows how to double wrist an analogue watch dial with the Fitbit Air fitness tracker. (Image credit: u/stm2657 / Reddit)

Be sure to check out all the available Fitbit Air bands to brainstorm which one would be suitable for you to play around with another watch dial.

There is a neater solution, if you're willing to drop some coin

(Image credit: Smartlet)

While it is definitely not as cluttered as typical double-wristing, this is not the most elegant solution. A much cleaner solution is available, but it is exorbitantly priced.

A Paris-based startup called Smartlet has meticulously crafted a universally compatible stainless steel bracelet called the Smartlet One Classic. There are plenty of other bracelet/straps available from the brand.

A Smartlet metal band does the same thing depicted by the Reddit user u/stm2657. You connect an analog watch dial on one end and a smartwatch face on the other.

Every Smartlet can be bought with specific lugs, compatible with every smartwatch imaginable. From the Google Pixel Watch and Fitbit lineups to the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch families, Smartlet has tried to be very inclusive.

Two-in-one

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

At the end of the day, you don't need a €299 ($348.66) accessory to wear two watches at once on your wrist. Find the right Fitbit Air band and try to make it work somehow.

Maybe your wristwatch dial is incompatible. Or perhaps you can't stand the trial-and-error process, or the inelegant mismatching of colors, textures, and styles. In that case, Smartlet is a finer, more finessed solution that works with every watch imaginable.

If you know any other useful hack to make double-wristing easier, share it in the comments below!

Google opens the Fitbit Air to creativity: now you can make your own bands

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:12:25 +0000

What you need to know

Google announced that it's providing the official design guidelines for the Fitbit Air to the public for independent designers.
The company has offered a few rules, such as encouraging designers to use gentle materials to avoid skin irritation.
The Fitbit Air launced a week ago for $99 with continuous 24/7 heart rate and blood-oxygen tracking.

Google's take on the classic screenless Whoop-style fitness band is barely a week old, and the company's already taking major strides toward consumer creativity.

Google announced to its Health community that it's giving users and other companies the tools to create their own Fitbit Air bands and accessories. Beginning this week, "independent designers and artisan makers" can check Google's official Fitbit Air specs to start crafting. These design guidelines are available to the public, revealing the necessary dimensions and design blueprints to make everything feel official.

As you'd expect, Google has a few rules before designers start brainstorming. Whatever design is created, it must ensure the Fitbit Air's "optical heart rate and SpO2 sensors on the base of the tracker remain entirely unobstructed and maintain flush, consistent skin contact." What's more, the band should be stable on the wearer's wrist with "gentle pressure" for comfort.

The company also wants any custom-designed bands to utilize gentle, high-quality materials to reduce skin irritation. You can check out Google's 2D CAD drawings for a more detailed look. If the company certifies your custom band, it will receive a "Made by Google" badge for promotional purposes.

Start brainstorming

(Image credit: Google)

The Google Fitbit Air launched on May 27, debuting as the company's first screenless, very low-profile fitness tracker. The device features an optical heart rate sensor for continuous 24/7 tracking and the required sensors for SpO2 (blood oxygen) monitoring. The Fitbit Air debuted with a selection of Google-made bands. Consumers could choose between the fabric Performance Loop, silicone Active, or Modern bands. A few colorways include Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry.

For $99, the Fitbit Air is pretty low-budget and compatible with Android and iOS devices. If you're just getting yours (or thinking about getting one), we've got seven things you absolutely should check out while you're setting things up.

There were some early struggles with Fitbit Air consumers last week. A few consumers online had received theirs earlier than Google expected, and it broke the pairing process. Users couldn't pair the Fitbit Air with their phone since the updated Google Health app wasn't available for their device. Google said it was accelerating its rollout to ensure users don't encounter more problems.

Android Central's Take

This is probably the best place to take the Fitbit Air. Realistically, the device is barebones (but in a good way). On the surface, it has not screen. It's literally all band with the tracking sensors beneath. Opening things up to where designers can create something new and fresh keeps the Fitbit Air feeling special. Now, people can browse for something that speaks to them in a way that Google's offerings don't.

Samsung's getting fit: early rumors spark Galaxy Fit 4 interest, but launch will have to wait

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Rumors claim Samsung is working on another fitness tracker, likely named the Galaxy Fit 4.
Little information is available; however, the tracker isn't expected to debut until after Samsung's summer Unpacked event.
The Galaxy Fit 3 launched in 2024, and it passed on a U.S. debut until early 2025.

We hope you didn't forget about Samsung's Galaxy Fit series because there's a rumor going around that says another one is in the works.

A report from SamMobile claims that the Korean OEM could be working on a Galaxy Fit 4. According to the publication, the Fit 4 could debut with an RTOS operating system. This will likely be a rather noticeable difference from Google's Wear OS, which Samsung's smartwatches typically sport. Aside from this difference, the post claims the Fit 4 will be "improved" upon over the Fit 3; however, there aren't many specifics at this time.

Android Central's Take

I find this fitness tracker rumor quite interesting. And by that, I mean very interesting. I'm looking at this from a Galaxy AI perspective. Samsung's come a long way with it in the past couple of years. It's probably a guarantee by this point that it's going to find some way of implementing its AI into this tracker, should this rumor prove true.

The publication then speculates on its launch. Allegedly, the Galaxy Fit 4 is going to skip Samsung's summer Unpacked event. It theorizes that the company will opt for a "few months later" to debut this new fitness tracker. Right now, the running theory is that it could appear in September, which could see it joining the Galaxy S26 FE.

If this is the scenario we're looking at, perhaps it's only a matter of time until we see other details rise to the surface.

What's on the way?

(Image credit: Samsung)

The Galaxy Fit 3 has gone through an interesting life. The fitness tracker debuted in February 2024 with a 1.6-inch display, smarter workouts, and a battery that could last up to 13 days. The Fit 3 stuck to the classic vertical bar design that fitness trackers typically feature. However, one thing was missing: a U.S. launch. Samsung announced that the Galaxy Fit 3 would debut in "select regions in Europe, Central and South America, and Asia."

The U.S. was excluded, and for good reason. According to Samsung, it evaluated how well its devices have performed "historically," and there wasn't enough data to warrant a U.S. launch. Things did change, as the U.S. finally got the Fit 3 at retailers like Best Buy last year. We'll have to see how Samsung treats its next device, if we're indeed supposed to expect another iteration later this year.

What's more, since we're "not supposed" to expect the Fit 3 at Unpacked this summer, all of our attention is on Samsung's next foldables. A Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra. If these names look confusing, it's because rumors claim the "Wide" Fold will take the Fold 8 moniker, leaving the one we're used to with "Fold 8 Ultra."

I wore James Bond's smart glasses featured in 007 First Light, and now you can too

Nicholas Sutrich — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:14:09 +0000

Android Central Labs

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Android Central Labs is a weekly column devoted to deep dives, experiments, and a focused look into the tech you use. It covers phones, tablets, and everything in between.

When I was a kid, I always looked forward to seeing what new gadgets Q would cook up in the latest 007 James Bond movie. From Geiger counter wristwatches to folding sniper rifles, exploding pens, and even X-ray glasses, there's no shortage of fantastic devices that the Bond universe has cooked up.

Every gadget has its roots in the era it came from, so it makes sense that the 5-star-rated 007 First Light video game that just came out in May 2026 would use smart glasses as one of its gadgets. The partnership between Even Realities and IO Interactive came at the perfect time, as I was already using the company's new G2 glasses for a few weeks when I found out.

Even Realities G2 sports dual monochrome displays (one in each lens), the most minimalist frames you'll find on any pair of smart glasses today, and up to 2-day battery life. To make things even cooler, the G2 is designed to pair with Even Realities R1, the company's first smart ring, enabling health monitoring and glasses gesture control by just touching the ring. It already feels like a 007 gadget, and that's made even more legitimate by seeing James Bond wear them.

The all-day wearable smart glasses

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Most smart glasses suffer from two main problems: weight and battery life. Take my beloved Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2's, for example. While Ray-Ban Metas are arguably the most popular smart glasses on the market, no one is buying them for their battery life. No matter which Meta glasses I use, I can't get more than a few hours' use out of them, and that number drops substantially if you use the camera.

Then, there's weight to consider. My reading glasses weigh 32g, while Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses weigh between 48g and 52g, depending on the size and style you choose. The higher-end Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses with a display in the right lens bring that up to a whopping 69g.

Even Realities G2 is only 37g, despite having a display in each lens, a pair of batteries, and a microphone for commands. The battery lasts well over a day in my use, and the charging case makes it easy to quickly top up if I need to. They're also substantially thinner and more svelte-looking than any of Meta's glasses, and that's all down to a very specific design constraint Even Realities worked under.

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

I spoke with Will Wang, Founder and CEO of Even Realities, ahead of the G2's launch, specifically about the company's design ethos. "How do you define a good pair of glasses?" Wang asked me during the interview. The obvious answer is that they've got to look good and be comfortable; otherwise, I'm not going to want to wear them.

"To make a good pair of smart glasses, we knew we had to look at the traditional glasses category and see how we evolve from that."

On top of those two categories, smart glasses need good enough battery life to keep you from worrying about charging them. Smartwatches went through this pain point for years until a true 24-hour+ watch debuted, but the first ones to achieve that goal did so by including only "necessary" features and leaving out the battery-draining ones.

Likewise, Even Realities glasses — both the G1 and G2 — ship without any kind of onboard speakers or cameras. It's the polar opposite of what companies like Meta and Google are trying to achieve with the "AI glasses" product category, and it just might be the winning combination for a different crowd of people.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Regarding glasses with cameras, Wang was adamant that they posed a privacy problem. "To me, at this stage of how society is or how regulation is in place, I think it's a big 'no,'" Wang says, noting that there's far too little concern being paid to glasses with cameras onboard because they're not obvious enough.

"It's really different from a VR device because, you know, as a VR device, everybody knows that you are wearing it, and you're not wearing it outdoors all the time, right?" Wang noted, "You can have all the cameras you want to capture the room for spatial tracking [on a VR headset]" without it being a visible privacy problem.

But smart glasses are different.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

"You really need to respect your own privacy as well as people around you, right?" Wang is far from alone on this front, too. Cruiselines and even the U.S. Air Force have banned those types of glasses, and Wang clearly doesn't want Even Realities to get mixed up in those kinds of headlines.

And don't worry, no one can see the displays on the glasses when they're looking at you. The waveguide optics are designed to shine light towards the wearer. If someone sticks their face up to your glasses from the outside, they can see a mirrored version of the display, but if someone is this close to you already, you might have other things to worry about.

Apps that make it feel like a gadget

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

While there are no cameras or speakers on Even Realities glasses, they do have a single microphone that can be used to interact with Even Realities' own (limited) AI assistant or selectively with Perplexity via a setting on the Even Realities app on your phone.

You can also use the microphone to translate a conversation live, something other smart glasses do, and the translation will appear right on your glasses' lens displays. It's crazy cool, and the various scaling and comfort-level options on the green monochrome display make reading easier and more comfortable than I've found with Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses.

The displays can be set to three different distance levels and also adjusted vertically to best fit your vision. The display will light up any time a notification comes in, if you tilt your head up enough, or if you double-tap either the touchpads at the end of each temple or the Even Realities R1 smart ring on your index finger.

A smart ring a spy would love

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

This smart ring is another unique point that sets Even Realities G2 apart from the pack and, again, makes this pair feel more like a James Bond gadget. One side of the R1 ring features a touchpad you can swipe or tap to navigate the glasses' on-screen menus. A single tap acts as a click or touch, while a double-tap navigates backward. Having the pad on one side ensures that lefties and righties can wear it comfortably on their index finger and only interact with their thumb.

On top of genius navigation via a very unobtrusive smart ring, Even Realities G2 supports web apps that both Even Realities and the community have made. At the time of writing, there are hundreds of apps available for the glasses, ranging from weight-lifting counters to speedometer dashboards, calculators, virtual pets, birdsong identifier apps, and even ePub readers. Yes, you can read a whole book on it, and it's surprisingly comfortable since it's right in your line of sight.

In essence, these glasses are a smartwatch for your face. Pairing it with the R1 ring will also track heart rate, body temperature, sleep cycles, and all the usual stuff you'd expect from something like an Oura Ring. Since I don't like wearing watches most of the day (I only wear them while working out), this concept appeals to me greatly.

Your next smartphone companion?

Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central

As with anything, it's not a perfect experience, but I can see most of my concerns being addressed quickly through feedback. I'd love a more customizable dashboard, as I don't care to read news regularly on my glasses; it's just too much regular information for my taste.

I'd also love to be able to launch apps from the glasses a little more easily than with the current implementation. Right now, launching them from the Even Realities phone app is the quickest way (and sometimes the only way, depending on the app), partially defeating the purpose of having apps on your glasses in the first place. Lastly, better messaging reply capabilities are a must, especially if I'm replacing a smart watch with these glasses.

Get those in place, and I can see myself offsetting a significant amount of my daily phone checking and tinkering to my Even Realities glasses in no time. Until then, I'll be toying around with all the new apps on the glasses in my downtime and enjoying every minute of it. Even Realities G2 is available from the Even Realities website for $599 and ships in two different styles.

A Pixel Watch 5 may have leaked from the most unlikely place yet

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 03:51:16 +0000

What you need to know

An alleged Pixel Watch 5 was reportedly found on the ocean floor near St. Martin.
Photos shared online show “Google” and “Pixel Watch 5” branding, along with references to SpO2, EDA, heart-rate tracking, UWB, and IP68 water resistance.
Unlike most early prototypes hidden inside bulky cases, the leaked watch appears remarkably complete and close to a retail-ready product.

Google’s next smartwatch may have just leaked in the strangest way possible, and no, it wasn’t left behind in a coffee shop or spotted in a blurry subway photo. Instead, what appears to be an unreleased Pixel Watch 5 was allegedly found sitting at the bottom of the ocean.

The bizarre story started when Gearbox Software co-founder Randy Pitchford shared photos on X, claiming a friend discovered the smartwatch while scuba diving near the Caribbean island of St. Martin. According to Pitchford, the watch was recovered underwater and still appeared to be partially functional despite an apparently drained battery.

A friend of mine found this watch a few days ago ~underwater~ when he was scuba diving near the island of St. Martin. He noted that the reverse of the watch indicates that it is a Google Pixel 5, which has not yet been announced, let alone released. It seems to be fine. The face… pic.twitter.com/Mnenov1sFEMay 31, 2026

That alone would make this one of the weirdest gadget leaks in recent memory. But it’s the photos that have really captured the Android community’s attention.

Key specs revealed

The images reveal a smartwatch that appears to be very similar to Google’s existing Pixel Watch lineup. More importantly, the rear casing seems to be clearly labeled with both “Google” and “Pixel Watch 5.” There are also a few health and connectivity elements mentioned around the sensor housing, including SpO2 monitoring, EDA, a heart-rate sensor, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support. The back panel also references IP68 water resistance.

Randy Pitchford / X

If this story sounds strangely familiar, it’s because Google’s smartwatch leaks have a habit of showing up in unexpected places. Back in 2022, months before the first Pixel Watch was officially announced, a prototype was reportedly left behind at a restaurant in the U.S. Photos later shared with Android Central gave the world its first real look at Google’s long-rumored wearable, complete with its signature domed display and rotating crown. The incident quickly drew comparisons to Apple’s infamous lost iPhone 4 prototype saga.

Somehow, this latest leak is even better than that tale. Unlike the restaurant prototype, the alleged Pixel Watch 5 appears to have survived a long stint in the water. Even more surprisingly, the device appears to be pretty complete. Most of the early leaks of unreleased hardware are camouflaged in bulky protective shells to mask their look. This watch appears much more like a finished product than an engineering sample.

There’s no official word yet from Google on a successor to the Pixel Watch 4, and no one outside of Google can definitively say whether the watch found in the ocean is real. The company has not issued any public comments, and the device could always be a well-made fake. Still, several details shown in the images line up with what you would expect from a real Pixel Watch prototype, which is why the leak has gained so much traction so quickly.

Adding another twist, Pitchford later claimed that, thanks to the “magic of the internet,” he managed to identify the owner of the watch and that efforts were underway to return it. That means the alleged prototype might end up back in somebody’s hands as mysteriously as it vanished.

Android Central's Take

I like this leak better than most carefully planned teaser campaigns. If the watch is real, then the apparent survival through an underwater jaunt is a positive sign for those buyers concerned about durability. But you have to wonder how Google is always in the middle of these strange prototype stories. A restaurant prototype was rare enough in 2022, but an unreleased smartwatch allegedly washing up on the ocean floor seems like something straight out of a tech-themed treasure hunt. At this rate, Google may spend as much time tracking its hardware as it does building it.

4 Google Health app customizations I use to make the app truly personal

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:41:22 +0000

The long-awaited Google Health rebrand is here, and not everyone likes it. In fact, the sentiment regarding the fresh Google Health app is so negative that Google put out a support document highlighting the bugs it's already squashed, and confirming that it is "committed to continuing to listen to feedback, add new capabilities, and fix existing issues, while being transparent with our users." There are bad reviews criticizing the redesign on the App Store and Google Play Store.

I've been using the new app design, formerly the Fitbit app, since the Public Preview launched last year. If you aren't satisfied with the new Google Health app, there are steps you can take to improve the experience. There's quite a bit of room for customization available in the Google Health app, and these are the four things you should do first.

Edit your focus tiles

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The new Google Health app puts focus tiles front and center. These are snapshots of individual data points, like your steps, distance, or calories burned. Tapping a focus tile opens a full-screen view of that metric, and you can see more data about the data point in day, week, month, three-month, and year views. The problem is that only four of those focus tiles fit on the homepage at once by default — the rest of the room is reserved for the Google Health feature, which you'll only see with a subscription.

The good news is that you can change the focus tile arrangement to better work for you. When you first open the Google Health app, you'll see a big focus tile and three smaller ones on the homepage. To see more, you'll need to swipe to another page. The key to customizing the layout is editing the selection and size of the focus tiles.

Besides the Log and Start buttons, you'll see a pencil-shaped Edit icon. Tapping this button opens a focus view editor that shows all available tiles. You can remove or add tiles, placing six small tiles or two large tiles on a single page. When you're finished, simply press the Back arrow to return and save your changes.

Unfortunately, there's no way to reorder the tiles without removing them all and adding new ones in the order you'd like. This is a big oversight — you should be able to touch and hold them like home screen apps or widgets to move things around. For now, this workaround will have to do.

Choose your key metrics

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Honestly, I agree with some of the complaints about the main Today page in the Google Health app. It isn't as data-dense as it could be, but there is a Health page that satisfies the itch for more information. Here, you'll see your Health status and Key metrics. These include heart rate, weekly cardio, resting heart rate, active zone minutes, weight, energy burned, calorie intake, carbs, fat, protein, steps, exercise days, blood glucose, sleep duration, distance, floors, run distance, hydration, resilience, mindfulness, or body responses.

You can customize the Key metrics and set their order by tapping the Customize button. This is crucial to viewing the most important data at the top of the Health tab. For instance, calorie intake, carbs, fat, and protein are listed as default metrics, but I don't log by food intake in the Google Health app. So, these are just taking up space that could be better used by another fitness metric.

Tap the + to add a metric or the - to remove one. Unfortunately, there's no way to reorder the metrics without removing them all and re-adding them in a specific order, just like Today page tiles.

Sync apps with Google Health

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

You can sync third-party apps and devices with the Google Health app for a consistent experience. To do so, open the Google Health app and tap the Connections button in the top-left corner of the homepage. Then, tap Partner apps. Press Sync your favorite health apps and Set up to continue. This uses the Health Connect API to read and write data to or from other health apps, devices, or services. Tap Accept if you want to continue.

The app lets you choose to share Personal health records, Fitness and wellness data, or both. Then, hit Continue. Finally, press Allow all to permit the Google Health app to access fitness and wellness data. Tap Done when finished, and you'll be able to share information using Health Connect with other apps and services.

Tell Health Coach your health goals

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Finally, if you have the Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) subscription, you can tell Google Health Coach your fitness goals. Health Coach is an AI-powered coach that uses custom Gemini smarts to analyze and advise you about your health progress. To tell Health Coach your goals, switch to the Fitness tab and tap Set your goal. This will open an experience with Google Health Coach where you can tell or ask the chatbot anything about your goals or health.

Although the $9.99 monthly Google Health Premium is completely optional, it's clear the Health app is designed to work better with it than without it. Whether you're a subscriber or not, these tips will help you customize the Google Health app and make it your own.

Google

Fitbit Air

The perfect Google Health wearable

Google's new Fitbit Air is a great entry into the Google Health ecosystem. It costs $99 and will track your health data for up to seven days before needing a recharge. You might also want to subscribe to Google Health Premium ($9.99/mo.) or Google AI Pro ($19.99/mo.) for access to the AI-powered Health Coach, although it's completely optional.

Which Fitbit Air band color should you buy?

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Fri, 29 May 2026 20:44:56 +0000

The Google Fitbit Air comes with three types of bands and seven colors overall, with a bonus Stephen Curry variant that costs $30 more than the others. Certain bands share colors, whereas a few of them are unique to a specific band. To simplify your decision-making process when selecting which Fitbit Air band color you should buy, I have listed every single color below.

Check out all the colors of the Fitbit Air bands first, as well as which band types come in each color. Then, you can narrow down which Fitbit Air band to buy.

Every color of the Fitbit Air band and the type of band each color comes in

Berry - Performance Loop Band & Active Band

It's berry coral

The spunky coral-toned Berry colorway comes in the Performance Loop Band and Active Band. You can choose it as the color you want to get with your Fitbit Air for free when buying the wearable, but only in the woven Performance Loop Band.

Rye - Special Edition Stephen Curry Band

For NBA fans

You cannot purchase the brown and orange Special Edition Stephen Curry Band separately. It is an ode to basketball lovers. If you have your eyes on this, be sure to buy the Fitbit Air Special Edition Stephen Curry to get the Performance Loop Band in Rye.

Porcelain - Elevated Modern Band

It's all class

Porcelain is a prevalent shade across Google's Pixel hardware portfolio. This shade has a gold clasp and is only available in the Elevated Modern Band for the Fitbit Air. This belt looks so classy, you could easily wear it to black tie events.

Obsidian - Performance Loop Band, Active Band & Elevated Modern Band

Black is forever

Obsidian is another one of those immortal shades that we see with nearly every single Google release. You can grab this ashy hue in any of the three Google Fitbit Air bands, including the Performance Loop Band that comes in the box.

Moonstone - Elevated Modern Band

Gray side of the moon

Blue-toned grays pair marvelously with silver, as is evident with the Fitbit Air Elevated Modern Band in Moonstone. Pair it with your Google Pixel 10 series flagship in the matching colorway if you want to match everything Pixel you possess.

Lavender - Performance Loop Band & Active Band

Blue rebranded as lavender

Google called it Iris with the Pixel 9a, Indigo with the Pixel 10, and now, Lavender with the Fitbit Air. Call this color what you will but there are two things we can all agree on: it is a lovely color and it most certainly is not lavender.

Fog - Performance Loop Band & Active Band

Fresh like mint

Fog is a cool-toned version of the Jade colorway seen in the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. Available in the Fitbit Air Performance Loop Band and Active Band, it a very refreshing hue.

Back to the top ^

All these beautiful colors make it hard to settle on one Fitbit Air band color

The rich mix of colors, textures, and different colored metal clasps add depth to each Google Fitbit Air band colorway and band type. Placing all the options in once place helps you to compare and contrast all your options in a nutshell.

Now that you've studied all the possibilities, you know that four Fitbit Air band colors come as standard with the Fitbit Air itself, but only in the Performance Loop Band made of synthetic yarn. Namely, Berry, Lavender, Fog, and Obsidian.

Of course, if you want something different, you can also shell out $30 more and get the Fitbit Air Special Edition Stephen Curry Band in Rye as well.

I suggest choosing a basic color for the free Google Fitbit Air Performance Loop Band, something that goes with most of the casual, daily wear in your closet. This will be your most used strap, so it needs to be very versatile. Obsidian is the best option, unless you're like me and dress like a rainbow. In that case, just choose a color that's predominant in your wardrobe.

As with any wearable, I highly recommend grabbing at least one spare band, and two if you have the budget for it. This can be something waterproof, like the Active Band, or something more formal, like the Elevated Modern Band. It depends on your personal taste, lifestyle, and dressing preferences entirely. Happy shopping!

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