Garmin 2025 recap: Free updates with new features, big hardware upgrades and several smartwatches planned for 2026

Garmin is likely best known as a maker of smartwatches and wearables, some of which we have thoroughly reviewed over the years. For users of Garmin devices, 2025 was a pretty exciting year, and not just for those who purchased brand-new hardware.

New hardware with new features and tech

In 2025, Garmin launched the Fenix 8 Pro (from $1,175 on Amazon) with two significant improvements. The Fenix 8 Pro now supports satellite connectivity, which allows for communication even when there’s no cellular signal. This is undoubtedly a great feature for people who go on extended hiking or off-the-grid trips. That being said, a subscription is required, which is not exactly praiseworthy.

Moreover, the Fenix 8 Pro microLED is now available and sports a particularly bright display. At the same time, the era of MiP displays at Garmin may slowly be coming to an end. Somewhat unexpectedly, it became apparent last year that these MIP displays can also be affected by some kind of burn in. Beyond the Fenix flagship smartwatches, Garmin also launched the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 in 2025 and targeted ambitious runners with those.

Software updates for older Garmin smartwatches

Over the course of 2025, numerous software updates were released, including stable, major quarterly updates. These included many new features, such as the so-called Health Status, which provides a condensed view of key health metrics and recent changes. A smart wake alarm is now also available, while Garmin Coach now offers adaptive workout plans, which may help prevent overuse injuries, especially for beginners. According to the manufacturer, Sleep Alignment is intended to better align sleep timing with the user’s body.

New Garmin smartwatches likely to launch in 2026

It is very likely that Garmin will release new wearables in 2026. Garmin Rumors has recently published an informative and fairly detailed overview in this regard. The release of the Garmin Vivosmart 6 is certainly plausible, and the Fenix 9, MARQ Gen 3 and Forerunner 170 might also debut this year. In 2026, we further expect the continuous expansion of the Garmin Connect Plus paid subscription, which might not be a particularly popular decision in the eyes of some users.