Garmin smartwatches: Maps could change significantly as Google Maps is being replaced

Garmin has a pretty big lineup of smartwatches with very different price points. Among other things, these wearables also differ in terms of navigation features. Depending on the model, maps and navigation may be usable entirely without a connected smartphone and without an active internet connection.

Not all smartwatches offer this capability, but even on those smartwatches, users can view completed activities on a map in Garmin Connect and the corresponding smartphone app. This can be useful for getting an overview or finding out which landmark you walked past.

Garmin Rumors has reported that these maps on Garmin smartwatches might change. We were not immediately able to verify the reported change when looking at activities that had already been recorded. To be more exact, Garmin is now reportedly utilizing Mapbox instead of Google Maps as a foundation for its activity maps.

The difference is not necessarily immediately visible, but Mapbox is based on OpenStreetMap data. Mapbox is certainly not unknown and is also used by other apps and developers. It is not yet entirely clear whether the switch to Mapbox is due to purely technical reasons or if Garmin expects to save some money. Google Maps is free for regular users, but companies that offer services based on Google Maps have to pay a fee, just as they would for Mapbox.