2025 has been a great year for Garmin, with the release of new watches in the Forerunners, Instinct, Venu, Vivoactive and Fenix 8 Pro series. The product line has been almost completely updated.
As 2026 approaches, I’ve been thinking about my wish list of the best Garmin watches of 2026. Not necessarily the models (although I’m sure there will be a Fenix 9), but the features included in those models.
Our options are limited. Check it out below. Only they know what Garmin is planning, but I hope they make bold decisions so we don’t have to discuss the same old issues again next year.
1. AMOLED energy glass
The introduction of Power Glass AMOLED eliminates the solar charging limitation of MIP-only models. Now, users must choose between the long battery life of solar panels and a modern, bright AMOLED display. The combination of these features allows high-end AMOLED watches such as the Forerunner series to regain the passive battery expansion feature last seen in the Garmin Forerunner 955, eliminating a major compromise for high-end users.
Garmin rightly points out the technical challenges of making this possible, including the difficulty of creating a solar cover that can collect light without blocking or impairing visibility. The way solar coating and AMOLED displays coexist is beyond my pay grade, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting it.
The inclusion of solar charging capabilities in AMOLED will ensure the future of Garmin’s flagship product line. By using Power Glass, Garmin can deliver the high-quality images we’ve come to expect while maintaining long battery life.
2. Detect high blood pressure.
Smartwatches that monitor high blood pressure use optical sensors (PPG) to track heart rate and blood flow patterns and analyze the data over time to detect potential signs of high blood pressure. Leading models like the latest and greatest Apple Watch use complex algorithms and PPG signals, while other models like the Huawei Watch D2 feature micropump cuffs that allow for more direct measurements.
Garmin has not traditionally integrated this technology into smartwatches, favoring standalone smart blood pressure monitors that sync readings with the Garmin Connect app to track trends and share them with doctors. Garmin sees this as a complementary product, but it would be great if Garmin could integrate this technology directly into its watches, like Apple has done.
Onboard hypertension monitoring might be seen as a departure from the brand’s fitness reputation, but while there’s still time to stay competitive among rivals, it should play a role. Even Whoop has added heart health features to its fitness product Whoop MG.
3. Gesture control
Apple and Samsung are better at this than Garmin. Since most Garmin users use their hands when exercising, we’d like to see Garmin take some steps to promote hands-free working. Apple has simple double-tap and wrist gestures that allow users to perform common actions with one hand, while Samsung has universal gestures including fist and squeeze motions.
The Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch combo is certainly more user-friendly than competitors like the Garmin Venu 4 and Garmin Vivoactive 6 . If Garmin wants to retain users who want top-notch fitness and the latest smart features, it needs to add features like gesture controls to make its user interface more user-friendly.
Hands-free gestures are also nice.
