How Much Have Smartwatch Prices Risen Since 2016? Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Pebble Compared
A Decade of Price Changes
Prices have significantly risen since 2016—from groceries and gas to cars and clothing. Apple hasn’t escaped the trend, either, with the iPhone 7 starting at $649** when it launched in 2016, compared to **$799 for 2025’s iPhone 17.
If you take a look at the Apple Watch, though, you may be surprised. When the Apple Watch Series 2 landed in 2016, it started at $369**. Fast forward to 2026, and the **Apple Watch Series 12** starts at **$399—an increase of just $30.
Meanwhile, a number of other smartwatch brands have experienced more dramatic price increases.
Important Note: Some of these comparisons aren’t like-for-like, as device product lines and their place in the market have changed over the years. But they still offer useful insight into how prices have moved.
Smartwatch Prices: 2016 vs. 2026
| Brand | 2016 Model | 2016 Price | 2026 Model | 2026 Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Watch Series 2 | $369 | Watch Series 12 | $399 | +$30 |
| Samsung | Gear S3 Classic | $350 | Galaxy Watch 8 Classic | $420 | +$70 |
| Garmin | Forerunner 735XT | $450 | Forerunner 570 | $550 | +$100 |
| Pebble | Pebble 2 | $99 (Kickstarter) / $129 (retail) | Pebble Round 2 | $199 | +$100 |
The Bottom Line: Apple has kept its smartwatch prices remarkably stable, while other brands have seen more significant increases.
What You Get for the Extra Money
Whether it’s an extra $30** for an Apple Watch or **$100 for a high-end Garmin, what do you get for the extra money?
| Brand | Price Increase | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | +$30 | Massive feature upgrades (see below) |
| Garmin | +$100 | Advanced training metrics, AMOLED display, payments, music |
| Samsung | +$70 | Improved sensors, performance, and design |
| Pebble | +$100 | Modern features and build quality |
Apple Watch Series 2 vs. Series 12
In 2016, the Apple Watch Series 2 could track exercise. Looking at Apple’s efforts, it has been working to add more features.
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 2 (2016) | Apple Watch Series 12 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate | Standard | Background readings every 5 seconds |
| Hypertension Notifications | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| ECG | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Blood Oxygen | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Wrist Temperature | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fall Detection | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Crash Detection | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| International Emergency Calling | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Emergency SOS | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Chip | Slower | Faster, more powerful |
| Battery Life | Standard | Better |
| Fast Charging | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Always-On Display | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
The Takeaway: Not bad for a $30 increase.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT vs. 570
Garmin’s Forerunner 735XT was already a serious multi-sport smartwatch with GPS, wrist-based heart-rate monitoring, running dynamics, cycling/swimming metrics, and support for triathlons.
The newer Forerunner 570 takes things a lot further.
| Feature | Forerunner 735XT (2016) | Forerunner 570 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Standard | Brighter AMOLED |
| Contactless Payments | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Onboard Music | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Multi-Band GPS | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Daily Workout Suggestions | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Wrist-Based Running Power | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| HRV Status | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Stress Tracking | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Battery Life | Standard | Longer |
| Price | $450 | $550 (+$100) |
The Trade-Off: The 570 is clearly a much more advanced watch than the earlier comparable model. While Apple has added plenty of functionality for just $30 more**, Garmin has added another **$100 to the 570’s price tag for its new features.
Are Smartwatch Prices About to Jump?
Pricing for electronics, including smartwatches, could look very different over the next decade. The AI boom is already putting pressure on the wider semiconductor industry, as chipmakers divert manufacturing capacity toward components needed for AI data centers.
The Memory Chip Squeeze
| Forecast | Details |
|---|---|
| Gartner | Memory and storage component prices could increase by up to 130% by the end of 2026 |
| Smartphone Price Hike | Estimated at 13% |
| PC Price Hike | Estimated at 17% |
| Smartwatch Price Hike (CCS Insight) | Estimated at 12% in 2026 |
Why This Matters: The shift toward AI is creating a squeeze in the supply of memory chips used in consumer electronics, pushing up costs for manufacturers.
Will Apple Raise Prices?
It doesn’t necessarily mean that Apple will suddenly hike the prices of its smartwatches by 12%. Companies can choose to:
| Strategy | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Absorb costs | Accept lower margins |
| Change components | Use alternative parts |
| Adjust product ranges | Introduce different models |
The Challenge: After a decade in which Apple has managed to keep its smartwatch prices remarkably stable, the current market conditions may make it hard for the company to avoid upping its prices going forward.
Comparison Table: Smartwatch Pricing 2016 vs. 2026
| Brand | 2016 Price | 2026 Price | Increase | Key Upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch | $369 | $399 | +$30 | ECG, blood oxygen, hypertension, crash detection, always-on display |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch | $350 | $420 | +$70 | Improved sensors, performance, design |
| Garmin Forerunner | $450 | $550 | +$100 | AMOLED, payments, music, multi-band GPS, HRV |
| Pebble | $99–$129 | $199 | +$100 | Modern features and build quality |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much have Apple Watch prices increased since 2016?
A: The Apple Watch Series 2 started at $369 in 2016, while the Series 12 starts at $399 in 2026—an increase of just $30.
Q: Which smartwatch brand has seen the biggest price increase?
A: Garmin’s Forerunner line has increased by $100 (from $450 to $550), and Pebble’s Round 2 is double the price of the Pebble 2.
Q: What do you get for the extra money in a 2026 smartwatch?
A: Features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, hypertension notifications, crash detection, AMOLED displays, contactless payments, onboard music, multi-band GPS, and advanced training metrics.
Q: Are smartwatch prices going to rise further?
A: CCS Insight expects average smartwatch prices to rise by 12% in 2026, partly due to higher component costs and the memory shortage.
Q: Why are component costs rising?
A: The AI boom is diverting manufacturing capacity toward AI data centers, creating a squeeze in the supply of memory chips used in consumer electronics.
Q: Will Apple absorb the costs or raise prices?
A: It’s unclear. Apple could absorb costs, change components, or adjust its product range. But after a decade of stable pricing, raising prices may be difficult to avoid.
Quick Reference Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Increase | +$30 (2016–2026) |
| Samsung Increase | +$70 |
| Garmin Increase | +$100 |
| Pebble Increase | +$100 |
| Smartwatch Price Forecast 2026 | +12% (CCS Insight) |
| Memory Chip Price Forecast | Up to +130% by end of 2026 |
| Main Cause | AI-driven semiconductor demand |
Final Thoughts
Over the past decade, smartwatch prices have risen—but not evenly. Apple has kept its Apple Watch pricing remarkably stable, adding a wealth of new features for just $30 more. Samsung, Garmin, and Pebble have seen more significant increases, though each brand has delivered meaningful upgrades in return.
The bottom line: If the AI-driven component shortage continues, smartwatch prices may rise further in 2026 and beyond. After a decade of stability, even Apple may find it hard to avoid passing some of those costs on to consumers. For now, though, the Apple Watch remains one of the best values in the smartwatch market—especially considering how much you get for that extra $30.
