Garmin introduces second major update for new high-end smartwatch following recent release

The Fenix 8 Pro landed less than a month ago. Regardless, Garmin has released a second stable software update to the smartwatch, which can be configured with microLED or AMOLED display options (curr. $1,199.99 on Amazon).

To recap, Garmin issued System Software 18.41 over a week ago with a dozen changes from the Fenix 8 Pro's release software. As we discussed at the time, System Software 18.41 focused on addressing bugs, many of which related to the smartwatch's LTE functionality.

Since then, Garmin has not offered any public beta builds. In fact, the company does not even list the Fenix 8 Pro on its Beta Program, nor has it been bundled with the rest of the Fenix 8 series. Nonetheless, Garmin has now moved the Fenix 8 Pro onto System Software 18.51, which it claims to have already offered to 50% of smartwatches.

Surprisingly, the company has found another dozen areas of improvement. This time, Garmin has included more improvements than bug fixes, as well as new touchscreen firmware for microLED variants. Ultimately, the new update continues to refine Garmin's new LTE and inReach functionality, the combination of which remains exclusive to the Fenix 8 Pro for the time being. The full changelog between System Software 18.41 and System Software 18.51 is as follows:

• Fixed issue where initial setup could progress beyond the pairing page too quickly.
• Fixed issue where NTN pointer animation could get stuck/frozen.
• Fixed issue with the list trackbar position in the assistance menu.
• Fixed possible crash when exiting voice note or voice message playback.
• Improved consistency when pressing the back button in a Messenger call between both Bluetooth and LTE calls.
• Improved inReach first time tips to automatically push after a device is activated.
• Improved layout of auth. code in the about loop.
• Improved layout of incoming Messenger call notifications during activities.
• Improved Messenger chat threads to center the top of long messages.
• Improved responsiveness of Messenger calls.
• Improved voice message recording to automatically pause music.
• Update touchscreen firmware to v3.05. (MicroLED only)