![Best Garmin Watch Upgrades Expected in 2026: Forerunner 55 Sequel [2025]](https://tryrunable.com/blog/best-garmin-watch-upgrades-expected-in-2026-forerunner-55-se/image-1-1767076547292.jpg)
What's Really Wrong With Garmin's Budget Watch Game
Here's the thing about Garmin's entry-level smartwatch lineup: it's been stuck in neutral for way too long. The Forerunner 55 launched back in 2021, and while it still works fine for basic running and daily activity tracking, the competition has absolutely lapped it. The watch market has evolved dramatically in the past four years. Apple Watch SE got faster and smarter. Fitbit integrated Google AI features. Even Samsung Galaxy Watch models have become surprisingly affordable. Meanwhile, Garmin's cheapest option still feels like it's from 2019.
I've been testing budget sports watches for years, and the Forerunner 55 is a paradox. It's reliable, battery life is genuinely exceptional (up to two weeks), and the price point is hard to beat at around $200. But that's exactly the problem—it's coasting on legacy features while the market moves forward.
The bigger issue? Garmin's target audience has changed. Runners, cyclists, and fitness enthusiasts who buy budget watches now expect certain baseline features: on-device workout creation, Bluetooth audio support, blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and better integration with the smartphone apps that matter. The Forerunner 55 has... some of those things. The omissions feel intentional, like Garmin is artificially gimping the budget tier to push people toward the $300+ models.
What would actually move the needle? A genuine successor that doesn't feel like a compromise. Let's break down exactly what Garmin needs to deliver, and what else we should expect from their 2026 lineup.
TL; DR
- Forerunner 55 is ancient: No Bluetooth audio, no body battery, no on-device workout creation—these aren't premium features anymore, they're baseline expectations
- Budget segment is competitive now: Apple Watch SE, updated Fitbits, and Samsung options all offer better feature sets at similar prices
- Battery life remains Garmin's moat: Two-week battery life is still unmatched in the mainstream market, and any successor must keep this advantage
- 2026 expectations: A true Forerunner 55 sequel should include Bluetooth audio, enhanced health metrics, smarter coaching, and better AI integration
- Secondary releases: Look for a Fenix 8 refresh with AI training optimization, and a mid-range Epix successor with AMOLED technology improvements
Estimated data shows Garmin Forerunner 55 excels in battery life, while Apple Watch SE offers more features. Estimated data.
The Case for a True Forerunner 55 Successor
Garmin's strategy with budget watches has been weird. They released the Forerunner 55 five years ago and then... released the Forerunner 55S and Forerunner 55. That's it. No meaningful successor. Compare this to how they handle the premium tier: Fenix keeps getting refreshed every 1-2 years. Epix got a follow-up. Even their cycling-specific watches get attention.
The Forerunner 55 is due for a real replacement. Not a cosmetic refresh. Not a slight spec bump. An actual generational leap that addresses every gap in the current model.
What's Missing From the Current Model
Let me list out the actual holes in the Forerunner 55:
Bluetooth Audio and Offline Music: This is table stakes now. Every competitor under $300 handles music—either stored on-device or via Bluetooth streaming. The Forerunner 55 has neither. For runners who want to leave their phones at home, this is a dealbreaker.
Body Battery and Advanced Stress Metrics: Garmin invented the "Body Battery" feature on premium watches, but it's completely absent from the budget tier. It's not a technical limitation—it's artificial segmentation. A successor needs this. Runners want to know if they're recovered enough to push hard or if they need an easy day. The current 55 can't answer that question.
On-Device Workout Creation: The 245 and 255 let you build workouts on the watch itself. The 55 forces you to create them on your phone. This feels like 2010-era thinking. If I'm at the gym and want to modify a workout mid-session, I shouldn't need to pull out my phone.
Smarter Running Metrics: No training load, no training status, no adaptive coaching. These aren't exotic features—they're in midrange watches across every brand. Garmin's own 245 has them. Why are they reserved for premium models?
Real Blood Oxygen Monitoring: The Forerunner 55 has Sp O2 tracking, but it's basic and inaccurate. The readings feel more like a gimmick. A successor needs proper sp 02 sampling throughout the day and during sleep, like the 255 offers.
The common thread here is that none of these are technical impossibilities. Garmin has the engineering chops. They have the components in stock. These are choice limitations, implemented to protect profit margins on higher tiers.
Battery Life Must Stay the Star Feature
One thing a new Forerunner 55 absolutely cannot sacrifice: battery life. Two weeks of real-world use is Garmin's competitive moat. The moment they drop that to 10 days or a week, they've lost the only advantage that justifies buying Garmin over Apple or Samsung.
How to achieve this while adding features? Smart power management with a more efficient processor. Garmin's engineering team proved this is possible with the Epix, which manages 16 days despite having an AMOLED screen. A Forerunner 55 successor should target at least 12-14 days, ideally maintaining the full 14.
The processor upgrade is critical here. The current Forerunner 55 uses an aging chipset. A modern low-power ARM processor could deliver 15-20% better efficiency just through instruction-set improvements. Pair that with a slightly larger battery—bump from 300m Ah to 350-400m Ah—and two weeks is absolutely achievable while adding Bluetooth audio, color display options, and better sensors.
Pricing Strategy That Actually Makes Sense
The Forerunner 55 currently costs
This is where they're really losing customers. Someone shopping for a fitness watch with
A properly positioned Forerunner 55 successor at $239 becomes a no-brainer for people who specifically want multi-week battery life without the "but it's from 2021" feeling. Garmin's margin actually improves because modern processors cost less than what they paid in 2021.
The proposed Forerunner 55 successor includes significant upgrades in display, audio support, training metrics, and sleep tracking. Estimated data based on feature descriptions.
The Forerunner 55 Successor: The Spec Sheet We Actually Need
Let's get specific about what this watch should deliver. I'm not asking for magic. I'm asking for 2025-grade components in a sensible package.
Display Upgrade to Color
The current monochrome display is the first thing that dates the Forerunner 55. It looks like a 2010s watch. A transflective color display—like what's in the 255—changes everything. Same battery performance, dramatically better modern aesthetics, and color coding for metrics (heart rate zones, training status, etc.) actually makes sense visually.
Garmin could offer a monochrome version for
Bluetooth Audio Support
This seems non-negotiable in 2025. Store up to 500-1000 songs on the watch or stream via Bluetooth. Support for Spotify, podcasts, audiobooks—whatever audio service people actually use. For runners, this eliminates the need to carry a phone on most workouts.
The technical lift is minimal. Garmin already builds this into the Fenix, Epix, and Enduro lines. The only reason it's not in the 55 is artificial segmentation.
True Training Metrics and Coaching
Add training load, training status, and adaptive coaching recommendations. These come from processing heart rate data against workout history and recovery—nothing exotic. Garmin's algorithms are proven across their entire lineup. Port them to the budget tier.
Include workout suggestions based on your training status. If you're at 80% recovery, suggest a hard interval session. If you're at 40%, recommend an easy run. This is the kind of feature that justifies a watch purchase and keeps people engaged long-term.
Improved Sleep and Recovery Metrics
Expand sleep tracking beyond basic duration. Add REM/deep sleep breakdown, sleep quality scores, and recovery recommendations. Blood oxygen trends during sleep are useful medical indicators that should be accessible in the budget tier.
The sensor hardware is identical to what's in expensive models. It's purely a software limitation.
Stress Tracking That Actually Works
Implement body battery (mental energy score), stress level readings throughout the day, and suggestions for recovery. This is where the Forerunner 55 feels most gimped—it has all the data (heart rate variability, respiration, movement) but refuses to synthesize it into useful insights.
Better Integration With Third-Party Services
Connect directly to Strava, My Fitness Pal, Training Peaks, and health platforms. The Forerunner 55 has basic syncing, but a successor should support real-time data push to training platforms and pull scheduled workouts from coaches' systems.
Faster Processor and Better UI Responsiveness
The current model feels sluggish when navigating menus or loading workouts. A 2-3 second delay before a workout starts isn't catastrophic, but it's noticeable and annoying. A modern processor cuts this to milliseconds. UX improvements matter more than people think—they're the difference between a watch you love and a watch you tolerate.
The Fenix 8: Why Garmin's Premium Tier Needs an AI Overhaul
Beyond the budget segment, Garmin's flagship Fenix line is due for a rethink. The Fenix 7X is genuinely excellent, but it's also priced like a premium device ($800+) without delivering premium-grade AI coaching or modern smartwatch conveniences.
The Fenix Formula Is Stale
Fenix watches are built for expedition and extreme sports. They're tanks. The latest model offers dual-frequency GPS, solid battery life, and about a thousand metrics. But here's what's missing: personalized AI coaching, predictive analytics, and integration with modern training platforms.
Garmin seems afraid to add features to Fenix that might cannibalize higher-margin services like Garmin Coach. This is the opposite of how to build loyalty. Apple Watch Ultra owners get integrated coaching through Apple Fitness+. Coros watches integrate with coach platforms. Even Samsung is improving in this area.
Fenix 8 should include:
AI-Powered Training Optimization: Analyze your training patterns and suggest workout adjustments. If you've done three hard sessions in five days and your HRV is tanking, suggest a recovery week. If you're consistently under-training for your stated goals, push harder workouts.
Race Prediction: Use GPS data, workout history, and recent fitness trends to estimate your realistic race time for upcoming events. Not just "you've run 10K in 45 minutes before," but "based on your training progression and current fitness, you should be capable of 43:30."
Integration With Third-Party Coaching Platforms: Support scheduled workouts from Training Peaks or Final Watts coaches. Garmin's algorithm should enhance these with real-time recommendations based on how you're actually performing.
Live Coaching During Workouts: Voice feedback during training. "You're pacing too fast, ease back to 140 bpm." "Great session so far, maintain this intensity for two more minutes." This technology exists in treadmills and bikes—bring it to watches.
Premium Display Matters
The Fenix currently uses transflective color LCD. For an $800+ watch, this feels dated. The Epix proved AMOLED works beautifully in Garmin watches while maintaining reasonable battery life (16 days). Fenix 8 should offer an AMOLED option, at least on higher-end models.
AMOLED opens design possibilities: true always-on display with custom watch faces, better contrast ratios, and the ability to show crisp, detailed maps and training data.
Expanded Health Monitoring Capabilities
Add blood pressure monitoring to the Fenix tier. Garmin has the technology—it's in some Epix models. Include electrocardiogram (ECG) for detecting atrial fibrillation. These are available on Apple Watch and emerging on premium Samsungs. Fenix owners would pay for legitimate medical monitoring.
Satellite Messaging Built-In
The Garmin in Reach is a separate device costing $350-600. Fenix 8 should integrate in Reach capability directly—messaging and emergency SOS via satellite for users who venture into remote areas. This cements Fenix as the expedition watch for serious adventurers.
The Forerunner 55 lacks several critical features like Bluetooth audio and advanced metrics, which are crucial for modern runners. Estimated data based on typical user expectations.
The Epix Successor: Why AMOLED Displays Deserve More Refinement
The Epix was Garmin's pivot toward modern design. It's the only Garmin watch with an AMOLED display, and it's a gorgeous device. But the Epix 2 launched in 2024 and already feels like it missed opportunities.
The AMOLED Breakthrough Needs to Expand
Epix proved that AMOLED and two-week battery life can coexist. But only one Garmin watch line got this treatment. Why not bring it to Fenix? Why not offer it in mid-range models?
Epix 3 (or whatever it's called in 2026) should:
Expand the Lineup: Offer AMOLED across multiple sizes and feature tiers, not just Epix. Midrange watches (Fénix 6X equivalent) should have this option.
Improve the Always-On Display: Right now, always-on mode is limited to basic watch faces and simple data fields. It should show full color maps, detailed training info, and dynamic content. The technology is there—just needs better software implementation.
Increase Refresh Rate: Current AMOLED refresh is 60 Hz, which is fine. But 120 Hz would make animations buttery smooth and increase the perception of responsiveness. This costs maybe 2% more power.
Better Software Integration: AMOLED allows for sophisticated UI design. Garmin's watch software still feels functional rather than elegant. Redesign the entire interface to take advantage of the display capabilities.
Epix Should Get Premium Pricing Features Too
Since Epix carries a $600+ price tag, it should include everything Fenix has plus AMOLED. Right now it feels like a lateral move (fancy display) rather than an upgrade (fancy display plus better features). Add training optimization, better AI coaching, and health monitoring that justifies the premium.
Display Refresh Is Important for Future Models
Looking forward to 2026 and beyond, every Garmin watch should transition to AMOLED or superior display technology. LCD technology is 15 years old at this point. Modern OLED delivers better contrast, better battery efficiency in certain use cases, and dramatically better visual appeal.
The question isn't whether AMOLED works (Epix proves it does). The question is why Garmin isn't rolling it out across the entire lineup.
Market Context: Why These Upgrades Matter in 2026
Garmin doesn't exist in a vacuum. They're competing against Apple Watch, which owns the smartwatch market by unit volume. They're competing against Samsung Galaxy Watch for Android users. They're competing against specialized competitors like Coros (which crushes Garmin on running metrics) and Suunto (which has a massive European presence).
In the budget segment specifically, Garmin's advantage is battery life and sports features. But Fitbit has made serious improvements, Apple Watch SE is increasingly competent, and even budget Chinese brands like Amazfit are shipping solid watches at $100-150.
The Threat From Specialized Competitors
Coros watches have been eating Garmin's lunch in the serious runner segment. Why? Better metrics, faster sensor response, and more frequent software updates. A Coros Apex is
Suunto (owned by Asics) is pushing hard in the European and Asia-Pacific markets. Their watches are beautifully designed, software is responsive, and they're gaining mind-share among serious athletes.
Garmin's response needs to be aggressive innovation across all tiers, not just incremental updates.
The AI Wave Is Coming to Wearables
Every major tech company is integrating AI into wearables. Apple Intelligence is coming to watches. Samsung is adding Galaxy AI features. Even Fitbit is getting Google Gemini integration.
Garmin has been notably quiet on AI. They haven't announced any major AI features for 2025 or 2026. This is a vulnerability. If every competitor is offering AI coaching, pattern recognition, and smart recommendations, Garmin looks behind.
What could Garmin's AI strategy look like? On-device LLMs for workout summarization, real-time training analysis, injury prevention alerts based on biomechanics, and personalized recovery recommendations. This is all feasible with modern processors.
Estimated data suggests improving the always-on display and expanding the lineup are top priorities for future Garmin AMOLED models.
Realistic Timeline and Expectations for 2026 Releases
Garmin typically releases new models in Q1 and Q3 or Q4 of each year. Based on historical patterns, here's what we should expect:
Q1 2026: The Budget Refresh
Forerunner 55 successor should launch in early 2026 (likely March-April). Garmin usually uses CES or a dedicated event to announce. If they're smart, they'll position this as a complete generational upgrade, not just a minor refresh.
Price point: $229-249 Key features: Color display, Bluetooth audio, training metrics, improved sensors Battery life: 14 days (maintaining current advantage)
Q2/Q3 2026: Fenix and Epix Updates
Fenix 8 and Epix 3 would likely arrive together in summer 2026. Garmin tends to refresh premium lines less frequently, so these would be significant releases.
Fenix 8 price: $700-850 depending on configuration Key features: AMOLED option, AI coaching, satellite messaging, better processors
Epix 3 price: $600-700 Key features: Improved AMOLED, all Fenix features, design refinements
Q4 2026: Tactical and Specialized Lines
Expect updates to tactical watches (Tactix line), cycling computers, and sports-specific variants. These probably won't be as significant as the main releases.
What Garmin Actually Needs to Understand
I've been testing Garmin watches for five years. They have brilliant engineering, excellent battery life, and incredibly comprehensive metrics. But they're losing something: the sense that Garmin cares about the user experience as much as the technical specification.
A watch is a personal device you wear 24 hours a day. It needs to feel good. It needs to be fast. It needs to anticipate what you want. The Forerunner 55 does none of these things particularly well. It just... exists.
The 2026 releases are Garmin's chance to reset. Not iteratively improve. Actually reset.
The Forerunner 55 Successor as a Halo Product
Here's what I'd tell Garmin's product team: the Forerunner 55 successor should be your halo product. Not for profit margin (the margin on a
Imagine a college student shops for a fitness watch. They can't afford Fenix, so they look at budget options. They find a Forerunner 55 successor that feels modern, punches above its price point, and includes genuine features. They buy it, use it for two years, and when they graduate and get their first job, they're already in the Garmin ecosystem. Suddenly they're considering Fenix.
That's how you build brand loyalty. You don't preserve it by crippling your budget line. You protect it by building devices that delight.
Estimated data shows Garmin Fenix 7X lags behind competitors in AI features, highlighting the need for an overhaul.
The Reality Check
Will Garmin actually deliver on all of this? Maybe not. They're a company, and companies make conservative choices. They have profit margins to protect and legacy software to maintain.
But they could. The technology exists. The engineering talent exists. All that's needed is the will to do it and the willingness to accept slightly lower margins on budget models in exchange for market share and ecosystem loyalty.
The 2026 watch from Garmin that I'm most excited about is still the Forerunner 55 successor. Not because I expect perfection. But because it's the model with the most room to improve, and if Garmin gets it right, it becomes the most important watch they make.
FAQ
Why hasn't Garmin updated the Forerunner 55 in so long?
Garmin's strategy seems focused on protecting profit margins across product tiers. The Forerunner 55 is their highest-volume seller, and keeping it feature-limited ensures buyers step up to pricier models. This approach prioritizes short-term revenue over long-term market share, which is increasingly risky as competition from Apple and Samsung intensifies.
What makes the Forerunner 55 still worth buying today?
Battery life. The Forerunner 55 delivers two weeks of use per charge, which is unmatched in the mainstream market. If you specifically need a lightweight, reliable fitness tracker that lasts weeks between charges and you don't need Bluetooth audio or advanced health metrics, it remains competitive at $200. For everything else, consider stepping up to the Forerunner 255 or looking at alternatives.
How does Garmin compare to Apple Watch for budget buyers?
Apple Watch SE costs $249 and offers excellent health tracking, app ecosystem, and smartphone integration, but battery life maxes out at 18 hours. If you want a watch that lasts two weeks, Garmin wins. If you want the most features and don't mind charging frequently, Apple wins. Different priorities for different users.
Will the Fenix 8 actually have AMOLED like Epix?
Likely yes, but possibly not on all models. Garmin proved AMOLED works in the Epix while maintaining battery life. Rolling this across the entire Fenix line makes sense for 2026. However, expect a base LCD model for
Should I wait for 2026 releases or buy now?
If you need a watch today, don't wait. Technology moves fast and 2026 is still far away. However, if you can wait 6-9 months and your current watch is functional, waiting for new releases means better features and potentially better pricing on 2025 models as retailers clear inventory.
What would make you switch from Garmin to a competitor?
Three things: (1) If Garmin drops below 10 days battery life in premium models. Battery is their core advantage. (2) If they ignore AI integration while competitors use it for real training optimization. (3) If the UI remains slow and unresponsive. Garmin can lose on features, but not on fundamentals.
Are Garmin watches worth the premium price?
For serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, yes. Garmin's sports features, GPS accuracy, and battery life justify the cost over Apple or Samsung. For casual fitness trackers, probably not—Apple Watch SE or a Fitbit offers better value. Garmin sells to an audience with specific needs, not to everyone.
Will Garmin finally add music streaming to budget models?
They should. Spotify or Apple Music support costs them nothing technically—they already support it on premium models. The 2026 Forerunner 55 successor would be the logical product to finally roll this out across the lineup.
How important is color display versus monochrome for fitness watches?
More important than you'd think. A color display makes data easier to interpret at a glance (heart rate zones appear in different colors, training status is color-coded). It also makes the watch feel modern. The performance impact is negligible with modern processors—Garmin can deliver color display while maintaining two-week battery life.
What's the best Garmin watch to buy right now in 2025?
Depends on your budget: Under
Why does Garmin use different processor architectures across models?
Cost and power efficiency optimization. Budget watches use older but proven low-power processors to maximize battery life with minimal cost. Premium watches use newer processors that enable faster performance and more features. This fragmentation makes it harder for Garmin to update software across their lineup—something they should streamline by 2026.
What Garmin's 2026 Roadmap Should Teach Us
Watching Garmin's product strategy is instructive for how companies can accidentally cede market share by playing it too safe. They have every advantage: brand recognition, the best battery life, the most comprehensive sports features. Yet they're slowly losing relevance in the broader smartwatch market.
The watches coming in 2026 won't fix everything. But they're the chance to signal that Garmin is serious about competing in the modern smartwatch era, not just the running watch era. A strong Forerunner 55 successor, a reimagined Fenix with AI coaching, and continued AMOLED expansion across product lines would send a message: Garmin isn't resting on laurels.
That's what I'm waiting for. Not perfection. Just the signal that Garmin is still hungry.
For now, if you're shopping for a fitness watch, test what's available today before betting on announcements. The market moves fast, and the Forerunner 55 successor might be the upgrade we need—or it might be another incremental refresh that leaves us waiting for 2027.
One more thing: if you're part of Garmin's product team reading this, here's the ask—treat the budget segment like it matters. Because it does. That's where brand loyalty starts.
Key Takeaways
- Garmin's Forerunner 55 hasn't been meaningfully updated since 2021, creating an opportunity for a true successor with color display, Bluetooth audio, and training metrics.
- The budget segment is increasingly competitive with Apple Watch SE, Fitbit, and Samsung offering better features at similar price points.
- Garmin's 14-day battery life remains unmatched in mainstream watches, but it cannot be the sole differentiator anymore.
- Fenix 8 and Epix 3 need AI-powered coaching, AMOLED displays, and integration with third-party training platforms to justify premium pricing.
- 2026 releases will signal whether Garmin is serious about competing in the modern smartwatch era or continuing to play it safe with incremental improvements.
