I’ve been obsessed with tracking the A04986 for a while now, and today I finally caught it again. This morning, it officially hit the Singapore IMDA database.
This is a massive deal for us because it confirms a pattern. If you’ve been following the site, you know this model was first spotted months ago in the South Korean RRA certification. When a device shows up in Korea first and then hits Singapore, it means the regional “blackout” is ending and a global launch is imminent.
Update: I have to hold my hand up and apologize for the mix-up on the A04986. After double-checking the latest SIRIM filings, I found that this model is actually listed as a Bicycle Rear Radar (Varia RearVue 820). A lot of us were convinced after that Korean certification that we were looking at the vívosmart 6, but it turns out the device is something else entirely. Sorry for the confusion, but I want to make sure I’m giving you guys the most accurate data possible.
The Paper Trail is Getting Hard to Hide
Garmin has been trying to keep a lid on this, but they’ve been slipping up all over the place. Finding the A04986 in the IMDA today is just the latest piece of a much bigger puzzle:
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The Korean RRA Leak: We first saw the “A04986” model number pop up in Korean regulatory filings late last year. That was our first real proof that a new tracker was in the works.
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The Swedish Placeholder: Then, Garmin Sweden accidentally pushed a placeholder page for the “vívosmart 6.”
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The Indonesian Meta-Data: We even found metadata on the Indonesian site that basically spoiled the specs, mentioning over 30 sports apps and wheelchair mode.
Finally, Built-in GPS?
The biggest takeaway from the A04986 radio filing is that we are likely looking at built-in GPS.
The main reason the vívosmart 5 felt “old” was that you still had to carry your phone to track a run. Based on the registration details I’m seeing, Garmin is finally fixing that. We’re looking at a slim, lightweight band that actually has the brains to track your pace and distance on its own.
What This Means for Us
Seeing the A04986 clear the IMDA right now tells me that the “9-series” production cycle is in full swing. Garmin is clearing the mid-range and “Fitness” category filings first before they pull the curtain back on the bigger flagship releases.
The wait for a modern, GPS-equipped tracker has been long, but the paperwork doesn’t lie. The vívosmart 6 is moving through the system, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s on our wrists.
I’m still digging into the other “9-series” numbers that are currently hidden, so keep checking back.
Also Read: The 5 Garmin Launches I’m Saving My Money For in H2 2026
