Garmin: New app brings map display to affordable smartwatches

Garmin, a highly successful manufacturer, offers smartwatches across a broad price spectrum and has steadily expanded its wearable portfolio. A clear distinction remains: map display and onboard storage are reserved for higher-end models, which unlock more advanced navigation features. In this respect, Garmin appears unfazed by the competition.

For example, the affordable Amazfit Active 2, which we tested, already offers map display for around $99 dollars - a feature still missing from the significantly more expensive and recently launched Garmin Forerunner 70. With Awesome Maps, a new app now brings limited map functionality to more affordable Garmin smartwatches. It can be used for both outside activities and during workouts as a data field. Unlike Garmin’s native maps, Awesome Maps loads only small sections of a map on demand, which requires an active (data) connection.

The app supports various map types, including satellite imagery and Swisstopo maps. However, it is primarily designed for map viewing rather than full navigation. Dynamic route tracking is not supported, although users can zoom in and out, enabling a basic, paper map–like navigation experience directly on the wrist. Awesome Maps is available in a limited free version. Full access costs £3.49 or £4.99 for three months, with a significantly lower monthly rate available via an annual subscription.