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If you've been using diabetes technology for a few years, you've probably noticed how quickly things change.
A CGM that once felt like a huge step forward can suddenly have a newer version. Pumps are becoming smaller. Apps are doing more. Some systems can adjust insulin automatically, while researchers and manufacturers are working on sensors that can measure more than glucose.
Keeping up with all of it can be difficult, especially when you're already managing diabetes every day.
So, what's actually changing in diabetes technology in 2026, and what could these developments mean for people living with diabetes?
From longer-lasting CGMs to automated insulin delivery and new ways of monitoring glucose and ketones, here's a look at some of the developments worth watching.
Continuous glucose monitors have changed considerably over the past few years. The next stage isn't simply about measuring glucose. It's also about making the technology easier to live with.
One example is Eversense 365, an implantable CGM designed to last for up to a year. The system received FDA approval in the US in 2024 and launched there later that year. In 2026, it began expanding into European markets following CE Mark approval.
The system is designed to reduce some of the interruptions associated with replacing traditional short-term sensors. It also sends glucose information to a smartphone app every five minutes.
For some people, fewer sensor changes could mean fewer reminders, supply changes and disruptions to think about.
That's an interesting direction for diabetes technology: technology that asks less of the person using it.
Of course, a longer-lasting sensor isn't automatically better for everyone. Different people have different preferences around wearability, insertion, cost, access and how they want to interact with their diabetes technology.
Automated insulin delivery, or AID, systems are another area moving quickly.
These systems use information from a CGM to automatically adjust insulin delivery according to the system's algorithm. The goal is to reduce some of the decisions a person needs to make throughout the day.
One recent development is the planned integration of the Eversense 365 CGM with the iLet Bionic Pancreas. Senseonics and Beta Bionics announced plans in September 2026 to pair the year-long CGM with the iLet system by the end of the year.
The iLet already aims to reduce the amount of hands-on decision-making involved in insulin dosing. Its current system uses CGM data to make insulin delivery decisions, rather than requiring users to calculate every dose themselves.
This is particularly interesting when we think about the mental side of diabetes management.
More automation doesn't mean diabetes becomes effortless. But reducing some repetitive decisions may be helpful for people who find the constant mental workload tiring.
DiaTribe points to this same issue in its recent technology coverage, noting that some people find tasks such as carbohydrate counting and changing CGM sensors contribute to diabetes distress.
Size might sound like a small detail, but when you wear a device every day, it can make a real difference.
In 2026, Medtronic's MiniMed Flex has been introduced in the US as a smaller automated insulin delivery pump. The pump is around half the size of the company's 780G and can be controlled using a smartphone.
Smaller devices can potentially make diabetes technology easier to carry and less noticeable during everyday activities.
That matters because diabetes technology doesn't exist in isolation. People wear it to work, school, the gym, swimming, travelling and social events.
Comfort, appearance, size and convenience can all influence whether a person feels comfortable using a device day after day.
What about Australia?
This is where it's important to distinguish between technology that has been announced or approved overseas and technology that is actually available in Australia.
A device being FDA-cleared in the US doesn't automatically mean it is approved, subsidised or available here.
For Australians, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), NDSS access and local supplier arrangements can all affect whether and how a particular device can be accessed.
One of the more interesting developments is the move towards sensors that can monitor more than glucose.
Abbott's Libre Duo technology combines glucose and ketone monitoring in a single wearable sensor. The technology received CE Mark approval in Europe in May 2026, and the Libre Duo 10 Day received FDA authorisation in the US in August 2026.
Why does that matter?
Ketones can be particularly relevant for people with type 1 diabetes and others at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Having access to glucose and ketone information from one wearable device could eventually provide another way to identify rising ketone levels earlier.
However, this technology is still developing and availability differs between countries. The US authorisation does not mean Libre Duo 10 Day is currently available through Australian diabetes services.
For now, anyone concerned about ketones or DKA should continue following the sick-day and ketone-monitoring advice provided by their healthcare team.
Diabetes technology isn't limited to pumps and CGMs. Connected insulin pens are also becoming more sophisticated.
MiniMed Go, for example, combines a connected insulin pen with a CGM and smartphone app. According to DiaTribe, the system can recommend insulin dose adjustments and provide alerts when a dose has been missed.
For someone using multiple daily injections, technology like this could help bring some of the information that pump users have access to into an injection-based routine.
It may also make it easier to identify patterns and share information with a healthcare professional.
Again, the important point is that technology isn't about finding one "perfect" system.
Some people prefer injections. Some prefer pumps. Some want lots of information and control. Others would rather have fewer decisions to make.
The technology is increasingly giving people more options.
When we talk about diabetes technology, it's easy to focus on glucose results such as time in range, A1C, highs, lows and glucose variability. These measurements are useful, but they don't tell the whole story. There's also the mental workload that comes with managing diabetes every day. Looking after your mental health while living with diabetes is an important part of managing that bigger picture.
Checking glucose, counting carbohydrates, remembering insulin, changing sensors, responding to alerts, troubleshooting devices and keeping supplies organised can all add up. This is why some of the latest developments in diabetes technology are interesting. Longer-lasting sensors, automated insulin delivery and connected insulin pens may help take care of some of these repetitive tasks, giving people fewer things to think about throughout the day.
But more technology and more data aren't necessarily better for everyone. Constant alerts or having glucose information at your fingertips can sometimes feel overwhelming. When considering a new device, it can be just as useful to ask how it will fit into your life as it is to look at what features it offers.
Will it make your routine easier? Are the alerts helpful or distracting? Do you want more automation, or would you rather have more control yourself? How comfortable is the device, and what happens if it stops working? Cost and availability also matter, particularly in Australia, where a device being approved overseas doesn't necessarily mean it's available or subsidised here.
Looking at the developments happening now, several trends are starting to emerge. CGMs are moving towards longer wear times, devices are becoming smaller and more connected, and automated systems are taking on more of the day-to-day work involved in insulin management. We're also seeing technology explore information beyond glucose, including combined glucose and ketone monitoring.
For people already using diabetes technology, this doesn't mean you need to change your setup every time something new comes along. If your current CGM, pump or insulin routine works well for you, there's no reason to upgrade simply because a newer device has been released. But if you're frustrated by frequent sensor changes, too many alerts, the size of a device or the amount of work involved in managing it, newer options may be worth discussing with your healthcare team.
And sometimes, making your routine easier doesn't mean changing your technology at all. Simple accessories can help you get more comfortable with the devices you already use. A CGM patch can help keep a sensor covered during exercise, swimming or everyday activities, while a dedicated case can keep diabetes supplies together when you're travelling.
Diabetes technology will keep changing, but you don't have to keep up with every new release. What matters is finding a setup that fits your routine, your preferences and your life. Technology should support the way you manage diabetes, rather than becoming another thing you have to manage.
1. What is the newest diabetes technology in 2026?
Some of the developments attracting attention in 2026 include longer-lasting CGMs, automated insulin delivery systems, connected insulin pens and wearable sensors designed to monitor glucose alongside ketones. Availability varies considerably between countries.
2. Are new diabetes technologies available in Australia?
Not necessarily. A diabetes device may be approved or launched in the US or Europe before becoming available in Australia. Australian access can depend on TGA registration, NDSS eligibility, suppliers and other local arrangements.
3. Will diabetes technology replace the need to manage diabetes?
No. Technology can automate or simplify parts of diabetes management, but people still need to understand their treatment, respond to problems and work with their healthcare team.
4. Can diabetes technology help with diabetes distress?
It can, depending on the person and the technology. Some systems may reduce repetitive tasks such as frequent sensor changes or certain insulin dosing decisions. However, alerts and constant access to glucose data can also feel overwhelming for some people.
5. Do I need to upgrade to the newest CGM or pump?
No. If your current technology works well for you, there may be no reason to change. If you're experiencing problems with your current system, however, newer options may be worth discussing with your healthcare team.
6. What should I consider when choosing diabetes technology?
Think about how the device fits into your actual life. Consider wear time, comfort, alerts, smartphone compatibility, cost, access, maintenance and how much information or automation you want.
External sources
Explore our blog for more tips and resources on diabetes and exercise.
Disclaimer: This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health provider with any questions about your condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 (US) or 000 (Australia) immediately, or visit your nearest emergency care center.
