Garmin vivosmart 6 is on the way. We recommend waiting unless you need a watch right now.
📅 Add launch to calendarGarmin vivosmart 5 is nearly 4 years old and the vivosmart 6 is confirmed for 2026 — prices are at historic lows and this is the best time to buy if you need a tracker before the new model arrives.
Expected 2026
Korean regulatory filings (Nov 2025) and Garmin website leaks (Dec 2025) pointed to an early 2026 launch, but the vivosmart 6 has not appeared as of March 2026. The device remains on Garmin's rumoured roadmap for 2026 with built-in GPS expected as a first-ever feature for the line. No official announcement has been made.
Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Key strengths
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
The Garmin vivosmart 5, released April 2022, brings Garmin's unmatched health analytics to a slim fitness band — including Body Battery energy monitoring, HRV status, Pulse Ox SpO2, and stress tracking with 7-day battery. For users who want the depth of Garmin's health data without wearing a sports watch, the vivosmart 5 is the thin-band alternative.
Yes, if you can. Regulatory filings and leaks confirm the vivosmart 6 is coming in 2026 with built-in GPS — the first time a vivosmart has had standalone GPS. If you need a tracker now, buy the vivosmart 5 at its lowest-ever price. If you can wait a few months, the 6 will be a meaningful upgrade.
Only at a significant discount ($50–$70). The vivosmart 5 is nearly 4 years old and the vivosmart 6 is imminent. For the Body Battery and HRV data, it's still functional — but wait for the 6 unless you find a great deal.
Yes, via the Garmin Connect app on iOS and Android. All health data, notifications, and analytics sync to both platforms.
Garmin vivosmart 5 has Body Battery and HRV analytics unique to Garmin. Fitbit Charge 6 has ECG, built-in GPS, EDA stress sensing, and Google Maps. For Garmin ecosystem users, vivosmart 5 is the pick. For GPS running and ECG, Fitbit Charge 6 is the better tracker.
No standalone GPS — it uses connected GPS via your phone. If you want built-in GPS in a slim Garmin band, the vivosmart 5 does not have it. The Forerunner 165 is the entry Garmin watch with GPS.
Body Battery is Garmin's composite energy score (0–100) based on HRV, sleep quality, stress, and activity. It tells you how ready you are for exercise or demanding tasks. It is one of Garmin's most distinctive features and works better the more you wear the band consistently.