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Garmin releases new software for high-end smartwatches with future major update planned

The Fenix 8 is one of several smartwatches in line for System Software 15.33. (Image source: Garmin)
The Fenix 8 is one of several smartwatches in line for System Software 15.33. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin has quietly updated its latest batch of high-end smartwatches with a new update. Initially offered on its Beta Program before moving to its stable software branch, the new update precedes a much larger one that should be arriving later this summer.

Garmin has been plugging away with its latest Fenix 8 beta cycle for a few weeks now. To that end, it has now issued four v17.xx builds with a total of 83 changes split across them. While a stable release date has not emerged yet, past experience suggests that Garmin still has a way to go before finalising v17.xx development.

In the meantime, Garmin surprised beta participants by returning to v15.xx development. Offered without warning across the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 (curr. $1,299.99 on Amazon), Beta Version 15.33 appeared with a solitary bug fix, which Garmin described in the following terms:

Fixed issue where automatic shot detection could stop working if the device stays on for multiple days.

Beta Version 15.33 also arrived with Dive and ECG features enabled, which was a sure sign that Garmin would quickly transition it to its stable software branch. To that end, the company has now reissued the update as System Software 15.33 for non-Beta Program participants. According to Garmin, all Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 smartwatches should have received a notification to download the new update. If that is not the case, then you can navigate through Settings, System, Software Update and Check for Updates to request the update manually.

Source(s)

Garmin (1) (2)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 07 > Garmin releases new software for high-end smartwatches with future major update planned
Alex Alderson, 2025-07-17 (Update: 2025-07-17)