Garmin introduces update for high-end smartwatches after recent new release

In recent weeks, Garmin has been readying a new stable update for the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro (curr. $1,139.99 on Amazon) and other associated smartwatches. At the same time, the company has just expanded its range with the Quatix 8 Pro. While v21.xx beta development started over a month ago, Garmin had shown no sign that this beta phase was coming to an end in its recent Beta Version 21.16 release.

Nonetheless, the company has gone ahead and issued a fresh stable build across the Fenix E, Quatix 8 and Tactix 8 rather than just the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro. However, the new update does not represent a culmination of v21.xx development. Instead, Garmin has returned to older v20.xx development with System Software 20.29. Replacing System Software 20.24, the new update is actually the third in Garmin's v20.xx development branch following the debut of System Software 20.19 in November.

While we await Garmin's next major stable release, System Software 20.29 should tide over Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Quatix 8 and Tactix 8 owners with three fresh bug fixes. In forum posts, Garmin clarifies that its latest stable update resolves an issue that could cause crashes when saving Dive activities on Tactix 8 smartwatches.

Additionally, System Software 20.29 should fix bugs that resulted in airport lists and the Contacts button not showing correctly on certain models. Garmin claims to have issued System Software 20.29 to around 50% of eligible smartwatches. Thus, the new update could take a few days to reach all models.