Category: Wearables

  • Best New Casio Analog Watches with Steel Cases

    Best New Casio Analog Watches with Steel Cases

    Key Takeaway

    – New Casio MTP-220 series launching at $80-90 with five variants.
    – Case measures 43.7mm, with weight varying from 46g (band) to 93g (bracelet).
    – Features stainless steel case, mineral crystal, 50m water resistance, and three-hand quartz movement.
    – Design blends dressed-up field watch with minimalist dress watch, with textured dials.
    – No official announcement yet; expected on Casio’s international site within weeks.

    New Casio MTP Watches Popping Up Online

    Casio’s MTP line has been putting out some of the better-looking budget analog watches over the past few years, and a new one collection is seemingly on the way. The MTP-220 series has surfaced via Instagram leaker @geesgshock, showing five variants ahead of an expected release next month at $80-90.

    Five Styles and Dial Combinations

    The five models — MTP-220D-1A, MTP-220BL-7A, MTP-220BL-1A, MTP-220D-7A, and MTP-220GL-9A — cover a reasonable spread of dial and strap combinations. Looking at the images, the lineup includes a black dial on a steel bracelet, a white dial with olive green resin band and red seconds hand, a gold-tone case with a cream dial on a black leather strap, a silver dial on a steel bracelet with a blue seconds hand, and a grey dial with yellow seconds hand on a black resin band. The seconds hand color across each variant appears to be doing a lot of the visual work here.

    Specs and Dimensions Detailed

    On the specs side, the case measures 43.7 × 38.0 × 8.4 mm and weighs 93 g on the bracelet variants, or 46 g on the band options — a big difference that’s worth knowing before ordering. The case is stainless-steel with a mineral crystal, 50-meter water resistance, and a three-hand quartz movement with a three-year battery life. There is no date and no complications — just time.

    The design lies somewhere between a dressed-up field watch and a minimalist dress watch. The textured dial finish punches well above the price point. However, please note that Casio hasn’t made an official announcement yet. Based on the leaker’s timeline, the MTP-220 series should surface on Casio’s international site within the next few weeks.

     

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  • Grand Seiko SBGY045 Spring Drive Exclusive Elegance Watch

    Grand Seiko SBGY045 Spring Drive Exclusive Elegance Watch

    Key Takeaway

    – 2027 GS9 Club exclusive model is the SBGY045, chosen in “Minato-nezumi” (soft blue-gray) from three candidates.
    – First time the GS9 Club exclusive program extends globally beyond Japan, with 600 units total (300 for Japan).
    – Features 38.5mm stainless-steel case, layered translucent gray dial, gold accents, and manual-wind Spring Drive caliber 9R31.
    – Orders open via lottery until end of July 2027, with delivery expected in February 2027.
    – Japanese price is ¥1,276,000 (~$8,700); comes with dark brown leather and Minato blue straps.

    Grand Seiko’s Newest Club Exclusive

    Grand Seiko has officially confirmed the 2027 GS9 Club exclusive model as the SBGY045. This comes after months of anticipation that started when the project was first announced in 2025. The watch was chosen from three candidate colorways — the Minato-nezumi (“port gray”) design won out, a soft blue-gray tone drawn from the traditional color palette of Japan’s Edo period. Enthusiasts have been waiting for this reveal and now the details are finally here to share.

    The GS9 Club Program Expands Globally

    The GS9 Club exclusive model project has been running since spring 2025, and this is the first time the program has extended beyond Japan to GS9 Club members worldwide. The previous exclusive, the SBGW319 released in 2024, was limited to Japanese members and sold out within minutes of orders opening. This time around the brand wanted to offer international members a chance to participate and own something truly special.

    Design and Movement Specifications

    The SBGY045 sits in the Elegance Collection. It’s built around a 38.5 mm stainless-steel case measuring 10.2 mm thick and 43.7 mm lug-to-lug. The flat dial uses layers of translucent gray paint finished with a thick clear coat polished to an enamel-like appearance. The only embellishment is a golden seconds hand, GS logo, and a gold Arabic numeral 9. Inside is the 9R31 manual-wind Spring Drive caliber. Two straps ship in the box — dark brown leather and a Minato blue option. The dial really captures the essence of a misty port city in the morning light.

    Limited Production and Order System

    Production is capped at 600 units globally, with 300 allocated to Japan. Orders open via a lottery system running until the end of July, through each country’s GS9 Club website. Delivery is expected in February 2027. Japanese pricing is set at ¥1,276,000 — approximately $8,700 at current exchange rates. International pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet but will likely be announced closer to the order date.


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  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Redesign Leaked in New Renders

    Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Redesign Leaked in New Renders

    Key Takeaway

    – Evan Blass leaked high-quality official press images of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in two color options.
    – Key specs include a 47mm case, sapphire glass, LTE, GPS, and 10 ATM water resistance.
    – New features likely include the Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset and a battery upgrade.
    – Design retains squarish shape with rotating bezel-style numbers and a round Quick Button with orange ring.
    – Launch date is July 22, 2026, alongside three new Samsung foldables.

    He Just Couldn’t Resist

    A few months ago, Evan Blass stepped back—at least from his official @evleaks Twitter account—but his mail distribution channel is apparently still active and has now been used to share a few very high-quality images of the upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. These are official press images, shown here in two color options. While one matches the greenish hue of the Galaxy Watch 9—which was also shown in official renders yesterday, the other appears to be a dark gray to black, which only partially matches the two leaked names “Titanium Gray” and “Titanium Silver.”

    Design Elements and Dial Details

    One design element that’s immediately recognizable as a feature from the classic series of Galaxy Watches are the numbers 1–12 on the edge of the round AMOLED panel suggesting a rotating bezel, though that remains to be confirmed. For the case, Samsung is sticking with its squarish design, where the sides are heavily rounded. On the right side, you can see the trio of buttons, which have changed slightly less than expected a few days ago. The Quick Button in the center remains round and is framed by an orange ring. The two buttons on the top and bottom sides will no longer show a distinct color coding in the middle.

    Specifications and Hardware Revealed

    A look at the back of Samsung’s ultimate smartwatch reveals some specs, such as a 47mm case, a sapphire glass screen protection, LTE connectivity, GPS, and a 10 ATM water-resistant case. This matches its predecessor, though the new Version 2 of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is said to be based on the new Snapdragon Wear Elite introduced earlier this year, a battery upgrade is expected as well. The launch date will be July 22, 2026 alongside three new Samsung foldables.

     

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  • Garmin Stable Update Boosts Battery Life for High-End Smartwatches

    Garmin Stable Update Boosts Battery Life for High-End Smartwatches

    Key Takeaway

    – Garmin released System Software 22.38 as a stable update for Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, and Enduro 3.
    – This update fixes a battery drain bug on Tactix 8 watches from the previous v22.35 version.
    – v22.38 resolves LiveTrack activation failures after ending an LTE call.
    – Golf activities crashing and dive depth resetting to 0 after hitting maximum depth are also fixed.
    – Only 20% of eligible smartwatches have received the update notification so far.

    System Software 22.38 Ships with Bug Fixes

    A few weeks have passed since Garmin announced a new stable update to the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro and other smartwatches like the Enduro 3. Offered as System Software 22.35, the update contained dozens of changes, including over half a dozen new features.

    Beta to Stable Transition

    Initially, v22.35 was supposed to be Garmin’s final v22.xx update. However, Garmin quickly issued Beta Version 22.37 to address multiple bugs found after the rollout of Software Version 22.35. Now, the company has transitioned this update to its stable software development branch with the release of System Software 22.38.

    Four Core Issues Resolved

    According to Garmin, System Software 22.38 fixes four overarching issues. For instance, v22.38 should resolve a battery drain bug that affected Tactix 8 smartwatches running System Software 22.35. Moreover, the new stable update is said to fix LiveTrack failing to activate during an activity after finishing an LTE-based call.

    On top of that, golf activities should no longer crash after updating to System Software 22.38. The same update fixes a possible issue where dive depth would automatically ascend to 0 after hitting maximum depth on older firmware. Garmin warns that only 20% of eligible smartwatches have recieved a notification to download System Software 22.38. Hence, it could take a few days for the new stable update to reach your smartwatch even if it is eligible.

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  • Samsung Galaxy Watch9 & Ultra 2 Colors Leaked

    Samsung Galaxy Watch9 & Ultra 2 Colors Leaked

    Key Takeaway

    – Galaxy Watch9 in 40mm (Cream, Graphite) and 44mm (Graphite, Silver).
    – Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in Titanium Gray and Titanium Silver only, no Bluetooth-only variant.
    – Ultra 2 gets a boxy redesign with thinner bezels, numbered markers, and orange accent button.
    – No Galaxy Watch9 Classic model (contradicts earlier rotating bezel rumors).
    – Charging remains at 10W, matching the Watch8 series with no upgrade.

    Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Colors Leaked

    A new leak from Digital Citizen Life has listed all the color options for the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 ahead of Galaxy Unpacked, which is rumored to be taking place on July 22. According to the leak, the Galaxy Watch9 will launch in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with both Bluetooth-only and LTE variants being made available. Color options differ by size: the 40mm comes in Cream and Graphite, while the 44mm is offered in Graphite and Silver.

    Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Drops Some Colors and Bluetooth Version

    The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is expected to launch in Titanium Gray and Titanium Silver only, which is a reduction from the four colors available on the current model. Interestingly, there will be no standalone Bluetooth variant this time around, as there was on the original Galaxy Watch Ultra. This marks a significant shift in Samsung’s approach to its premium wearable lineup.

    Design Overhaul for the Ultra 2 and No Classic Model

    On design, a separate leak from tipster GalaxyTechie points to a major Ultra 2 overhaul, adopting a more boxy shape. The watch features numbered hour markers on the bezel, thinner display bezels, and a redesigned button layout on the right side that includes an orange accent. The same source also confirmed there won’t be a Galaxy Watch9 Classic, contradicting earlier rumors of a rotating bezel model. This is consistent with our own report on FCC filings that revealed no Classic among Samsung’s registered wearables.

    Charging Speed Remains the Same as Last Year

    On charging, 3C certification filings for two model codes – SM-L3550 and SM-L7150 – both show a 10W wireless charging rating. This rating matches the Watch8 series and suggests there will be no speed upgrade for the new generation. Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed a date for Galaxy Unpacked yet, so we still await confirmation of the July 22 date.

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  • Meta Glasses $299: 12MP Camera, 3K Video, Live Translation

    Meta Glasses $299: 12MP Camera, 3K Video, Live Translation

    Key Takeaway

    – **26 design variations** across three frame styles in multiple colors.
    – **AI-powered features** include a chatbot with real-time camera analysis and live translation for 20+ languages.
    – **8-hour battery life**, extendable to 48 hours with the charging case.
    – **32 GB storage** holds ~1,000 photos or 30+ video clips.
    – **Price range** of $299–$479, with clear, tinted, and prescription lens options available.

    A Ton of New Designs for Everyone

    The brand-new Meta Glasses are available in three frame designs and a wide variety of colors, giving Meta a total of 26 different designs to offer. The AI glasses offer similar features to the older Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, led by a 12-megapixel camera capable of taking photos and recording 3K video clips up to 3 minutes long.

    Audio, Calls, and Smarter AI Features

    Thanks to built-in speakers and microphones, the glasses can also play music or handle phone calls via a Bluetooth-connected smartphone. However, Meta is primarily promoting the glasses for their numerous AI features. The AI chatbot can answer questions at any time and also access the camera, allowing users to ask questions about objects in the real world. The live translation feature supports more than 20 languages, enabling conversations and even movies to be translated in real time.

    Long Battery Life and Storage

    According to Meta, the glasses have a battery life of about eight hours, and the charging case can extend that runtime by up to 40 hours before it needs to be connected to a charger. The 32 GB of internal storage is enough to store 1,000 photos or at least 30 video clips directly on the glasses before they need to be transferred to a smartphone via the companion app using Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.4.

    Pricing and Availability Options

    The new Meta AI Glasses are now available at Meta’s online store. Depending on the design, Meta estimates a price range of $299 to $479 for the smart glasses. Meta also offers versions with clear lenses, tinted lenses, and prescription lenses for people who wear glasses. Meta always includes a charging case and a cleaning cloth with each purchase.


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  • Huawei Smartwatch: 2500-Nit Display, 10-Day Battery

    Key Takeaway

    – Design closely resembles Apple Watch (rounded rectangular case, digital crown, side button).
    – Features a bright 2,500-nit AMOLED display and precise heart rate sensor (6 LEDs, 6 photodiodes).
    – Includes GPS, NFC for payments/digital keys, and a panda-themed workout coach for desk exercises.
    – Battery life: up to 10 days in power-saving mode, 7 days normal, 4 days with always-on display.
    – Targeted at business customers with customizable packaging, startup logo, watch faces, and straps.

    It’s probably no coincidence that the brand-new Huawei Qingyun H3550 features a design reminiscent of the Apple Watch Series 11 ($279 on Amazon), from the heavily rounded rectangular case to the placement of the digital crown and the side button. The 9.5-millimeter-thick smartwatch is made of aluminum, and the case is waterproof up to 5 ATM, so the watch can even be worn while swimming.

    Display and Sensor Capabilities

    Huawei has equipped the device with a 1.82-inch AMOLED display that features a resolution of 480 x 408 pixels and an impressive brightness of 2,500 nits, ensuring the display remains readable even in direct sunlight during an outdoor workout. The heart rate sensor consists of six LEDs and six photodiodes, designed to collect data with exceptional precision. The smartwatch can also measure blood oxygen saturation and track sleep.

    Workout Coach and Battery Performance

    The smartwatch features a workout coach that looks like a cartoon panda and is designed primarily to demonstrate exercises you can do at your desk without any preparation. Thanks to a GPS module, the Huawei Qingyun H3550 can track the distance covered while cycling and running even without a smartphone. An NFC chip enables contactless payments and allows the smartwatch to be used as a digital key. Huawei claims a battery life of ten days in power-saving mode, seven days with normal use, or four days with the always-on display active.

    Target Audience and Personalization

    Huawei has not yet confirmed details regarding the price and availability of the Qingyun H3550 smartwatch. The watch is specifically targeted at business customers, who, among other things, can personalize the packaging, the logo displayed when the watch is turned on, the watch faces, and the included straps when the smartwatch is purchased for employees.


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  • Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11 & SE 3 Hit Lowest Prices

    Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11 & SE 3 Hit Lowest Prices

    Key Takeaway

    – Apple Watches (SE 3, 11, Ultra 3) are at their lowest prices ever on Amazon.
    – They get Siri AI with watchOS 27 for tasks, answers, and workout tips.
    – Only the Watch 11 and Ultra 3 add blood oxygen and ECG monitoring.
    – The Ultra 3 is the most rugged model with cellular and satellite connectivity.
    – Apple Watches lack solar charging and may trail some rivals in AFib accuracy, but offer best iPhone integration.

    Select Apple Watches Hit New Lows

    The Apple Watch 11, Watch SE 3, and Watch Ultra 3 have all dropped to there lowest prices ever recorded. They’ll run the upcoming Siri AI features with the watchOS 27 update, which can assist with your daily tasks, answering questions and giving workout tips. These deals represent a signifigant savings over regular retail pricing.

    Best Deals on Amazons Platform

    While many Apple Watches are on sale right now, only the following models are offered at there absolutly lowest prices ever on Amazon. The Watch SE 3 is Apples entry-level offering in there smallest form factor design. The Watch 11 and Watch Ultra 3 add blood oxygen monitoring alongside ECG health tracking which the SE 3s basic heart rate monitor lacks completly.

    Rugged Connectivity Options

    The Ultra 3 is the companys most rugged model, with added cellular and satellite connectivity for communications while hiking in remote wilderness areas with out cell service. Apple Watches do not have runtimes as long as watches with built-in solar panels for recharging like the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar. Other smartwatches may be more accurate when measuring atrial fibrillation according to one recent meta-analysis that was published.

    Ecosystem Integration Wins

    The functionality and deep integration with Apple iPhones is the best available anywhere in the smartwatch market, which Apple ecosystem users really enjoy using everyday. Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers at there discretion. The discounted price or deal mentioned here was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions or limited unit availability.

    • Apple Watch SE (GPS) 40mm – $199 after 20% off MSRP
    • Apple Watch 11 (GPS) 42mm – $279 after 30% off MSRP
    • Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS+Cellular) 49mm – $649 after 19% off MSRP
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  • Oura Ring 5 Teardown: ARM Chip, 384KB RAM, Impossible Repairs

    Oura Ring 5 Teardown: ARM Chip, 384KB RAM, Impossible Repairs

    Key Takeaway

    – The Oura Ring 5 is virtually impossible to repair due to a bonded titanium casing.
    – iFixit had to cut through the thin titanium shell to open the device.
    – The battery cannot be replaced, making the ring electronic waste after its lifespan ends.
    – The ring uses an Ambiq Apollo 3 Ultra Low Power SoC and a compact 10.2 mAh battery.
    – Oura is developing a future smart ring with a replaceable battery, per a patent.

    Smart Ring Teardown Reveals Design Flaw

    The Oura Ring 5 ($399 on Amazon) was unveiled in May. The smart ring promises more precise sensors and a battery life of up to nine days in a case that’s 40 percent more compact. However, the manufacturer was unable to solve one of the Oura Ring 4’s biggest problems. As the teardown video from iFixit embedded below shows, the Oura Ring 5 is virtually impossible to repair.

    Titanium Construction Creates Repair Barrier

    Unlike older models, the inner casing is also made of titanium. The two halves of the casing are bonded together with synthetic resin, and iFixit was unable to open the body without damaging it. Instead, iFixit had to cut through the outer titanium shell, which required surprisingly little effort – while titanium is a very hard material, Oura it uses a very thin case.

    Internal Components and Processing Power

    The flexible mainboard and the 10.2 mAh battery make full use of the space inside the Oura Ring 5. The smart ring appears to be based on an Ambiq Apollo 3 Blue Ultra Low Power SoC, which features an ARM Cortex-M4 processor core with clock speeds up to 96 MHz, 384 KB of RAM, and 1 MB of flash memory. Nice touch: The mainboard bears the word “Oulu,” a nod to Oura’s hometown.

    Battery Replacement is Practically Impossible

    However, the teardown video shows that it’s still practically impossible to replace the battery in the ring, which costs at least $399, meaning the ring becomes nothing more than electronic waste once the battery ’s lifespan comes to an end. This currently applies to all smart rings on the market. As a patent shows, Oura it is working behind the scenes on a smart ring with a replaceable battery.

    • Oura Ring 5 priced at $399
    • Battery life up to nine days
    • Case is 40 percent more compact
    • Inner casing is titanium bonded with synthetic resin
    • Arm Cortex-M4 processor at 96 MHz
    • 384 KB RAM and 1 MB flash memory
    • 10.2 mAh battery
    • iFixit (YouTube)


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  • Garmin Fenix 9 Launch: New Features to Expect

    Key Takeaway

    – Garmin Fenix 9 likely launching in second half of 2026, following typical release cycle.
    – Solar charging for AMOLED displays is a possible upcoming feature, supported by active patents.
    – Improved GNSS accuracy is a realistic and plausible upgrade for the next model.
    – Muscle oxygen saturation is possible but may require a multi-sensor setup for practical use.
    – Enduro 4 appearance in Garmin APK is a weak but potential hint at an upcoming Fenix 9 launch.

    Upcoming Garmin Fenix 9 Successor

    It’s safe to say that Garmin is working on a successor to the Garmin Fenix 8. In a recent YouTube video, TechAvid summarizes the latest speculation, much of which is based on information that is already familiar. Garmin has not yet officially commented on the Fenix 9—at least not directly. However, Garmin has already confirmed plans for the second half of 2026, which would fit the usual release cycle. TechAvid’s claim that Garmin’s Enduro and Fenix watches tend to launch around the same time is at least supported by the Enduro 3 and Fenix 8 launch. That makes the appearance of the Enduro 4 in the Garmin APK a possible, if still weak, hint at an upcoming Fenix 9 launch.

    Possible New Features for Fenix 9

    It remains unclear which new features the Fenix 9 might bring. One obvious possibility—also mentioned in the video—is that Garmin could eventually bring solar charging to its AMOLED watches. Garmin is still actively working on solar charging, as patents suggest. Just today, there were also reports that Amazfit may be developing solar charging for its own smartwatches. If both companies manage to combine solar cells with AMOLED displays, an interesting showdown could follow. Amazfit could also target MIP fans with a MIP-based solar watch, a segment Garmin appears to be gradually moving away from.

    Better GNSS Accuracy and Muscle Oxygen

    Another plausible improvement—and one we consider entirely realistic—is better GNSS accuracy. We have already reported on a relevant patent and also looked at where even higher location accuracy might actually matter in practice. There is also discussion of muscle oxygen saturation. In our view, however, this would not necessarily be a feature exclusive to the Fenix 9. Muscle oxygen saturation is measured locally and refers to a single muscle rather than the body as a whole. For most sports, the wrist is still not the ideal measurement location, so a multi-sensor setup would likely be the more practical approach.

    • Garmin Fenix 9 launch likely in 2026
    • Solar charging for AMOLED watches is a possibility
    • Improved GNSS tracking is expected
    • Muscle oxygen saturation might need alternative sensors
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