In 2025, Garmin rattled out a huge number of new models, many of them making our list of the best Garmin watches overall. We’ve seen everything from a Fenix 8 Pro with a microLED display, the Garmin Venu X1 emerge as a direct rival for the Apple Watch Ultra, and get a brighter follow up to the Forerunner 965 in the shape of the Garmin Forerunner 970. We also got more Garmin watches with built-in flashlights, which is definitely a win in my eyes.
I don’t expect things to slow down in 2026 as Garmin looks to cement its position as a leader in the smartwatch space. While I don’t know what’s coming next, I think it’s fair to assume that some of Garmin’s most popular watches will be in line for an update. Hopefully some older watches will get some upgrade love too.
1. Garmin Forerunner 65 (maybe Forerunner 70?)
It’s hard to predict where Garmin will go with its model numbers at the moment, especially after launching the Garmin Forerunner 570 as the successor to the Forerunner 265. What I do know is that the Forerunner 55 is a watch that’s starting to feel a bit old next to other Forerunner watches. Whether it’s a Forerunner 65 or Forerunner 70, it’s maybe time for a new entry-level running watch from Garmin.
The excellent Garmin Forerunner 165 arguably should be considered Garmin’s most beginner-friendly watch, but it’s not exactly cheap. When the Forerunner 55 launched in 2021, it cost less than $200 / £200 / AU$400. It can now be picked up for much less than that.
I’d still like to see Garmin offer a more budget-friendly option in its range. Whether that means forgoing features like an AMOLED screen, I think there would be appetite for a stripped back watch that can still deliver a strong tracking and smartwatch experience. Garmin has new competition at around this price point as well. Chiefly the excellent Coros Pace 3.
It doesn’t need to include all of the latest voice-enabled smartwatch features or necessarily have to pack features like maps either. I’d love to see a Forerunner 55 successor that embraces some of Garmin’s latest training and tracking smarts in a package that’s much more affordable than the options available right now. I don’t think I’d be alone in thinking this would be a good idea.
2. Garmin Venu X2
Of all the many Garmin watches that launched in 2025, the unveiling of the Venu X1 was the most surprising of them all. When Garmin launched the Fenix E as a more affordable, albeit stripped back version of the Fenix 8, it seemed to be testing the waters with a watch to go up against the Apple Watch Ultra. Then the Venu X1 turned up, with its square look, giant AMOLED screen and slender design and we finally had Garmin’s answer to Apple’s biggest smartwatch.
I liked the Venu X1. It managed to pack in most of Garmin’s best features. While it took some adjusting to the sheer size of it, it felt like a good addition to an already bustling Garmin range.
It lacked in some areas though.. The battery performance wasn’t fantastic, it missed out on features like ECG and Garmin’s impressive dual-band GPS. It also lacked the LTE connectivity that Garmin later introduced on the Fenix 8 Pro.
Given the mostly positive reception the Venu X1 received, I expect Garmin to give us a Venu X2 and I hope it does. Next, I’d want to see it better optimised for Garmin’s latest operating system largely built for its many round watches. Hopefully it’ll get dual-band GPS and ECG upgrades, without impacting on the already slim design. Hopefully it’ll get a big battery boost too.
LTE connectivity would make it a stronger match for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (or Ultra 4), especially if the focus is on using those added connectivity smarts for safety scenarios as well being able to make calls, without needing your phone nearby.
3. Garmin Instinct 4/4E
The Instinct line has been an intriguing addition to Garmin’s family of smartwatches. There’s definitely room for a more affordable alternative to its Fenix series and the Instinct arrived with a distinctive design that set it apart from other watches.
The Instinct 3 saw Garmin take a similar design approach to the Fenix, giving you the option of an AMOLED or solar display. We still got a fun-looking yet tough look, useful features like a built-in flashlight and most of Garmin’s best tracking and training features.
I don’t think the Instinct is going anywhere. While I think lacking features like maps will continue to be a big differentiator between Instinct and Fenix lines, I’d like to see a new Instinct show improvements in other departments.
An added LTE variant would be a sensible move, if Garmin can keep the price close to the Instinct 3’s current price. Giving that colour screen touchscreen support has to be a must here. Mostly though, not forgetting what makes using an Instinct feel different to any other Garmin watch. Embracing the split display and showing how spreading stats and features across the two can make it a more intuitive watch to go on adventures with.
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The best Garmin watches for all budgets
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