Best Smartwatches of 2026
Quick answer
On documented facts, the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 scores highest (7.9): it has the lowest starting price ($379.99), 5 ATM plus IP68 and MIL-STD-810H ratings, and a security update period listed until 31 July 2031, but many health features need a Samsung Galaxy phone (as of 2026-10-02). The Google Pixel Watch 5 ($399.99) is the pick for other Android phones, with Google's claim of up to 40 hours (45mm) and guaranteed updates until at least October 2029. The Apple Watch Series 12 (from $399) is the choice for iPhone owners, with the S11 chip and a broad health feature list, but Apple claims only up to 24 hours of normal use. The Garmin Forerunner 970 ($749.99) has the longest rated battery (up to 15 days, Garmin's claim) and works with both iPhone and Android, at nearly double the price. Firsthand does not test devices; ratings are based on official specifications and policies. Pick by phone first, then by battery and budget.
This guide compares four current smartwatches for 2026: the Samsung Galaxy Watch9, Google Pixel Watch 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Garmin Forerunner 970. Every price and specification comes from each maker's official store, spec sheet, manual or support page and is accurate as of 2026-10-02; prices change, so check before you buy. Honesty note: Firsthand does not run a lab. We did not wear or test these watches, and we do not measure battery life, heart-rate accuracy or GPS accuracy. Battery figures are reported as each maker's claim and cited to the official source. We score each watch on five weighted criteria: Performance (30%), Value (25%), Reliability (20%), Ease of Use (15%) and Support (10%), using published specs, durability ratings, phone compatibility, warranty terms and stated software update commitments. The single biggest factor in practice is your phone: two of these watches do not work with iPhone at all, and one does not work with Android.
How we scored: every product below was rated 0–10 on five weighted criteria — Performance (30%), Value (25%), Reliability & Security (20%), Ease of Use (15%), and Support (10%). Firsthand does not run a lab: ratings analyze manufacturer-published specifications and official documentation, not independent benchmarks, and each figure is cited to a primary source with an as-of date. Affiliate commissions never affect scores or rank order. Read our full methodology.
2026 rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Rating | Best for | Price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samsung Galaxy Watch9Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.9/10 | Samsung Galaxy phone owners who want the longest stated security support and strong durability ratings at the lowest starting price here. | From $379.99 (40mm Bluetooth); other US configurations listed at $409.99, $429.99 and $459.99 (as of 2026-10-02) | |
| 2 | Google Pixel Watch 5Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.8/10 | Android owners who want the clearest published software update commitment and long rated battery life in the 45mm size. | From $399.99 (as of 2026-10-02) | |
| 3 | Apple Watch Series 12Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.8/10 | iPhone owners who want the Apple Watch health feature set and do not mind charging every day. | From $399 (42mm or 46mm aluminum, GPS) (as of 2026-10-02) | |
| 4 | Garmin Forerunner 970Not an affiliate — no commission earned | 7.6/10 | Runners and triathletes, on iPhone or Android, who care most about battery life and training features. | $749.99 (as of 2026-10-02) |
Samsung Galaxy Watch9
7.9/10The Galaxy Watch9 has the lowest starting price in this guide, strong durability ratings and the longest stated security update window, but many of its health features only work fully with a Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Lowest starting price of the four watches here at $379.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth model, per Samsung's US store (as of 2026-10-02)
- Many headline health features, including Energy Score coaching, Vitals and the Heart Health Score, require a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, per Samsung's footnotes, so owners of other Android phones lose part of the advertised experience
Google Pixel Watch 5
7.8/10The Pixel Watch 5 pairs a long rated battery (45mm) and satellite SOS with a published guarantee of updates until at least October 2029. It only works with Android phones.
- Google rates the 45mm model at up to 40 hours with the always-on display and up to 72 hours with Battery Saver (maker's claim); the 41mm model is rated at up to 30 and 48 hours
- Android only: Google's spec sheet says it works with most phones running Android 12.0 or newer, so iPhone owners cannot use it
Apple Watch Series 12
7.8/10The Series 12 adds the S11 chip and keeps Apple's broad health feature list, with good durability ratings. It needs an iPhone and has the shortest rated battery here.
- S11 chip with a 64-bit dual-core processor and 4-core Neural Engine, and up to 2000 nits peak brightness, per Apple's spec sheet
- iPhone only: Apple requires iPhone 11 or later with iOS 27 or later, so Android owners cannot use it
Garmin Forerunner 970
7.6/10The Forerunner 970 has the longest rated battery and the only full iPhone and Android support in this guide, plus a sapphire lens. It is also the most expensive by a wide margin.
- By far the longest rated battery here: Garmin claims up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and up to 26 hours in GPS-only mode
- At $749.99 it costs nearly twice the other watches in this guide (as of 2026-10-02)
Frequently asked questions
Which smartwatch is best in 2026?
It depends mostly on your phone. For Samsung Galaxy phone owners we rank the Galaxy Watch9 first; for other Android phones, the Pixel Watch 5; for iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12; and for runners or anyone who wants multi-day battery on iPhone or Android, the Garmin Forerunner 970. Prices and specs are from official maker sources as of 2026-10-02.
Did you test these watches?
No. Firsthand does not run a lab and did not wear or test these watches. Every figure is taken from the maker's official spec sheet, store page, manual or support page, and battery figures are reported as the maker's claim.
Which smartwatch has the longest battery life?
The Garmin Forerunner 970, which Garmin rates at up to 15 days in smartwatch mode. Among the others, Google rates the 45mm Pixel Watch 5 at up to 40 hours with the always-on display, Samsung rates the 44mm Galaxy Watch9 at up to 40 hours with the always-on display off, and Apple rates the Series 12 at up to 24 hours of normal use. All are maker claims (as of 2026-10-02).
Which of these watches work with both iPhone and Android?
Only the Garmin Forerunner 970, which Garmin lists as compatible with iPhone and Android. The Apple Watch Series 12 needs an iPhone, and the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch9 need an Android phone, with many Galaxy Watch9 features needing a Samsung Galaxy phone.
How long will these watches get software updates?
Samsung's official Galaxy Watch9 spec sheet lists security updates until 31 July 2031, and Google guarantees Pixel Watch 5 updates until at least October 2029. Apple and Garmin do not publish a minimum update period for these watches.
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