A major new software upgrade has arrived for Polar watches, with Polar OS6. It’s available for models in the Vantage, Grit , Ignite and Street ranges.

This is the first numbered Polar software update since January 2026, eight months ago. It’s worth paying a little attention to, although the focus is as much on feel and behind-the-scenes elements as glitzy new features.

There are some more visible changes, though. For example, Polar OS6 brings a series of new data screens to Polar watches, intended to let you see more historical information without needing to head into the Polar Flow app proper.

There’s a 7-day sleep summary graph, a reminder of how much you’ve slept each night over the last week. Other graphics include ECG test results, your running index, recovery and weight readings over time.

In a similar vein of opening up the watch experience, Polar WatchOS 6 will let you alter the settings for different sport/activity modes on the watch itself. Previously you had to do that on the phone app, and sync.

These changes see Polar attempt to make its watches more closely competitive with those of arch rivals Garmin and Coros , which have managed to drum up more enthusiasm of late.

Another neat change for Polar watches a button present on many models is now customizable. The upper-left button’s role can now be changed — what it does as standard varies by model and of course this does not apply to the budget Polar Ignite 3 as it does not have a top-left button.

After digging around for an explanation of what this button can do, I can across this explanation on a Vantage M3 digital manual page:

  • Flashlight toggle
  • Display on/off
  • Breathing exercise shortcut
  • Quick settings
  • Notifications
  • Lock buttons

OLED watches also gain the faces added in the Polar Street X, the most recent model in the wider line-up.

Other slightly less front-facing changes include a mode that introduces an 80 per cent charge ceiling, in an effort to improve long-term battery health and longevity. Some tweaks have been made to the interface too, including a slightly reworked menu system with tweaks color use and screen transitions.

Polar OS6 doesn’t bring the wider app and interface overhaul these watches arguably need to compete better with the big rivals, but the update is absolutely worth checking out.

It’s available for Polar watch models including the Polar Vantage V3, Polar Vantage M3, Polar Grit X2 Pro, Polar Grit X2, Polar Ignite 3, and Polar Street X, and you should see an update notification when you sync using the Polar Flow phone app.