A new version of some of Garmin’s more expensive smartwatches has been introduced. Beta Version 23.16, which is being distributed globally through its Beta Program, comes ahead of a far more significant stable software update that seems to be imminent.
After revealing the August 2025 Feature Update a little more than a week ago, Garmin has just upgraded a number of its devices. In summary, since releasing its most recent Feature Update, the business has released new stable upgrades for the Fenix 8, Forerunner 970, Instinct 2, Instinct 3, and related smartwatches. Additionally, it has produced significant modifications for its cycle computers, such as the Edge 1050 from the previous year.
Through a new beta update for the Enduro 2, Epix 2, Fenix 7, Marq Gen 2, and Quatix 7, Garmin has now resorted to its more expensive, older smartwatches. In June, Garmin published System Software 22.06, the most recent stable update for these smartwatches. As it prepares to release a new stable build at some point, the corporation has released a number of beta updates in the interim.
Following a wait of more than three weeks, Garmin has begun releasing a new beta version, known as Beta Version 23.16. According to reports, Beta Version 23.16, the fourth v23.xx update to date, fixes two major problems that can lead to problems with CT10 sensor pairing and Hunt activity navigation. When Garmin will complete v23.xx development is still unknown. But given its recent modifications, the shift from v23.08 to v23.16 indicates the corporation may be on the verge of releasing a stable build.
The Amazon Big Spring Sale has begun, and while it may not be as lucrative as Prime Day, you may still find a nice deal on a smartwatch. For example, the Garmin Fenix 7 is now available at its lowest price ever.
Right now, Amazon US is offering $300 off the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, which is currently $499 instead of $799. That is the lowest price ever on a still-impressive Garmin for adventure and the great outdoors.
Across the pond in the UK, there are a few discounts to choose from, but my favorite is this £499 Fenix 7X Solar, which is down from £649. That is not the lowest price we have ever seen, but it is a significant savings nonetheless.
With a $300 discount, this is the lowest price we have ever seen for the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar at Amazon US. That includes solar charging, outdoor ruggedness, and all of Garmin’s industry-leading health and fitness tracking capabilities.
Long-running solar powered multisport GPS watch with always-on 1.4” display and new ultratough athletic design uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life; a built-in LED flashlight keeps you going after dark
The Fenix 8 performs better in terms of solar charging, and the newest model allows you to take phone calls, issue voice commands, and more.
However, the Fenix 8 is approximately twice the price of this discounted Fenix 7, and overall, I would rather save the money. This is a lot of smartwatch for around $500/£500, and it should provide excellent health and fitness tracking for years to come.
A new stable update for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Fenix 8 is being released by Garmin to close out the year. In the past few months, the company has delivered hundreds of bug patches to the three, but it has also discovered a number of other enhancements that have emerged.
The Fenix 8 (now available on Amazon for $999.99) has received a new update from Garmin, which is also being rolled out for the Enduro 3 and Fenix E. Notably, the latest version is now available via Garmin’s official software distribution channel instead of its beta program.
Garmin fēnix® 8
AMOLED, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Silver with Whitestone Band
System Software 12.35 should therefore have fewer issues than the most recent beta versions. In light of this, Garmin just released an update for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro smartwatches that fixes a previous stable build that was troublesome.
In the same way, System Software 12.35 for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Fenix 8 primarily fixes issues in previous software. For example, after transferring settings from a Fenix 7 family smartwatch, alarms should not be set to silent any more.
Additionally, Garmin claims to have resolved problems that hindered the proper display of CIQ watch faces following a device reset. Additionally, System Software 12.35 should not have any missing call alert tones.
Additionally, Garmin’s Workout Execution Score is limited to running and cycling workouts as a result of the recent upgrade. Additionally, by positioning sensors in pairing mode at the top of a search list, Garmin has improved the user experience of its sensor search. For reference, the following is the whole changelog for System Software 12.35 as detailed by Garmin in its forum post:
Fixed missing tones for phone call alerts.
Fixed alarms being set to silent after migrating settings from Fenix 7.
Fixed CIQ app ability to close with Palm Cover.
Fixed CIQ watch face display issue after device reset.
Fixed event Countdown icon selection via touch.
Fixed Fishing timer status toggle.
Fixed Tides app time-out issue.
Fixed potential crash when opening Map Manager from Garmin Connect Mobile.
Fixed potential ConnectIQ application crash.
Restricted Workout Execution Score to only Running and Cycling workouts.
Updated sensor search to place sensors in Pairing Mode at the top of the search list.
Garmin fēnix® 8
AMOLED, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Silver with Whitestone Band
A major upgrade has recently been made available in beta form for the Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 watches. The release of this public beta has been announced by Garmin on the Garmin forums. The Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and Fenix E watch families can use it.
What is fresh? Among Garmin’s patch notes, three features are particularly noteworthy. In addition to a new mini-app, there are two additional activities.
New features for Garmin Fenix 8
The activities are Jumpmaster and Sail Race. Before the debut of the Fenix 8, some people complained on Reddit about the lack of Sail Race, which had previously been included in Garmin Fenix 7-series watches.
This mode, like a lot of Garmin’s modes, does a little more than merely record the statistics you see in other modes. According to the Garmin website, “you can utilize the device to help you cross the start line of a race exactly when the event begins.”
“When you set the starting line, the device uses GPS data to indicate whether your boat will cross the start line before, after, or at the correct time to start the race.”
Another mode that was present in the Fenix 7 series but was not initially included in the Fenix 8 and other models is Jumpmaster.
It is for people who leap out of airplanes with a parachute attached, making it even more specialized than Sail Race. You can set the intended landing spot and use it to gauge when you are at the proper height for the jump.
More information on this pro-grade mode can be found on the Garmin website. The Trolling Motor app is the final significant update, and no, it has nothing to do with online trolls.
Although not necessarily present in the more popular Fenix/Enduro models, this type of feature would be a mainstay of the Garmin Quatix line. From your wrist, you can operate compatible Garmin Force Trolling boat motors.
Garmin Fēnix® 8
The Garmin Fenix 8 is a premium multisport GPS smartwatch that combines rugged durability with advanced training features. Built for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, it features comprehensive activity tracking, advanced performance metrics, and enhanced navigation capabilities.
Many additional fixes and adjustments are included in the release. According to Garmin’s post, here is the complete list:
Added CIQ System 8: Supports the latest Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields.
Added Sail Race Activity.
Added Jumpmaster Activity.
Added Trolling Motor App.
Added connection type information for paired sensors.
Improvements to the icons that display with notifications.
Added Insight Hint to Health and Fitness Apps.
Added Missing Map Option in Mountaineering Activity.
Added Respiration Graph to Meditation Activity Summary.
Added Stress Card to Gaming Activity Summary.
Added Support for HRM as Speed and Distance Monitor for BLE Sensors.
Added Support for Nautical Units.
Added Support to Show Needed Equipment for Strength Workouts.
Added Touch Support to Dismiss Popup Notification.
Fixed a possible issue where touchscreen input could not be disabled in activities.
Fixed Apps that were Inaccessible from the Recents Menu.
Fixed Auto Climb Data Screen Selection.
Fixed Blank Calendar Card in Morning Report.
Fixed Blank Map for Power Guide Preview.
Fixed Current Time Indicator on the Tides Graph.
Fixed Do Not Disturb Smart Notification Setting.
Fixed InReach Contacts List Layout.
Fixed InReach PIN Code Display Page.
Fixed Morning Report Showing Stale HRV Data.
Fixed Pool Swim Interval Details Page Layout.
Fixed Potential Crash after Deleting Activities from the list.
Fixed Potential Crash during Meditation Setup.
Fixed Potential Crash on Body Battery Glance Folder View.
Fixed Potential Crash on Fitness Age Page.
Fixed Potential Crash when Dismissing Notifications.
Fixed Potential Crash when Enabling Broadcast HR.
Fixed Potential Crash when Viewing Breathwork Preview.
Fixed Round Trip Routing Not Calculating Full Distance.
Fixed Sleep History Graph after Traveling.
Fixed Sleep Window Setup Sometimes Getting Skipped on Initial Setup.
Fixed Weather App Accidentally Returning to Watch Face.
Improved Countdown Glance Folder Info Text.
Improved GPS Progress Bar Presentation when Beginning Search.
Increased the Maximum Speed of Virtual Partner to 48.95 kph.
Updated Sunrise/Sunset Time Alert Range.
Since Garmin’s beta program is free to join, it is important to note that this update will also turn off the watches’ Dive mode and ECG readings. Since Garmin releases software on a quarterly basis, it will probably take several weeks before these capabilities are included in a full non-beta version.
Having been unveiled at the end of August in tandem, the Fenix E, Garmin Fenix 8, and Enduro 3 have had a mixed start. Leaving aside the choice to replace some of its smartwatches for outdoor activity with AMOLED screens, numerous forum posts claimed that Garmin had issued all three with problematic launch software. In order to achieve this, Garmin has been packing beta releases full of problem patches.
On the other hand, the initial stable versions made little tweaks here and there with their change logs, failing to solve every issue that was being discussed online. To put it briefly, since the Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Garmin Fenix 8 (buy it now at $1,099.99 on Amazon) were released, a long list of faults has been reported, but Garmin has not officially addressed them. But this is essentially confirmed by the comprehensive changelog that comes with System Software 11.89.
Garmin fēnix® 8
47 mm, Solar, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band
The changelog for System Software 11.89, which is shown below, is approximately fifty lines long, eleven of which are devoted to new features. For instance, voice commands are now available for adjusting display brightness, while AMOLED models lacking solar charging capabilities can now utilize Solar watch face patterns. Furthermore, nearly as many “improvements” have been made, which are claimed to address a variety of topics, such as decreasing power consumption on the map page and improving the responsiveness of the user interface compared to previous builds.
However, System Software 11.89 also brings about thirty-one problem fixes, all of which are listed in the forum posts that accompany the software and which we have replicated below. The Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Garmin Fenix 8 are said to have received System Software 11.89, which has been “completely released,” by Garmin. You can start the download of System Software 11.89 by going to Menu, System and Software Update, and then selecting ‘Check For Updates,’ even though the firm has not yet released any additional information regarding the update’s worldwide deployment.
System Software 11.89 changelog
Added Display Brightness to Voice Commands.
Added ability to toggle third party maps in Map Layers menu.
Added Autolap by Position.
Added data screen for Ski/Snowboard difficulty tracking.
Added option to connect to WiFi in Map Manager.
Added PacePro and Power Guides to the Active Navigation loop.
Added solar percentage on the watch face (Solar models).
Added support for alarm volume settings and fixed an issue where alarms could be muted when Do Not Disturb is enabled.
Added support for Water Ejection feature.
Added the Location Info drawer to the Map page.
Added two of the Solar watch face layouts as options on AMOLED models.
Fixed a potential crash when saving Run, Walk, or Hike activities.
Fixed accidental touches during phone calls.
Fixed an issue where Turn Prompts were not alerting when using Navigation.
Fixed an issue where you could not save or discard Expedition activities after skipping the saving of the last point.
Fixed broken re-dial button after a missed call.
Fixed bug affecting pairing with an InReach Device.
Fixed bug preventing workout cancellation.
Fixed button and touchscreen handling of backlight in Do Not Distub mode.
Fixed button functionality for Transfer Call to Phone feature.
Fixed ClimbPro behavior in Active Navigation loop.
Fixed ClimbPro preview visibility.
Fixed crash in Battery Saver for various languages.
Fixed Golf map rendering (Solar models).
Fixed inability to do Strength Free workouts.
Fixed incorrect active timer count.
Fixed incorrect waypoint elevation in the Saved App.
Fixed map cursor in Pan/Zoom Mode.
Fixed missing weight values on Strength workout page.
Fixed potential crash in HIIT and Indoor Climb activities.
Fixed potential crash when searching for locations in the Weather app.
Fixed potential for Battery Drain after saving Activities.
Fixed Save Location list layout in Hunt Activity.
Fixed Saved App listing items out of order.
Fixed scrolling in very large lists.
Fixed Ski Run descent value truncation.
Fixed some charts not displaying properly when launched from Recent Menu.
Fixed workout scheduling in the Calendar App.
Improved Always-On watch face brightness (AMOLED).
Improved animations and speed when scrolling through the Watch Face Editor.
Improved handling of the touch screen turning on the backlight (Solar models).
Improved Off/Disabled icons for Power Controls menu.
Improved power consumption on the map page.
Improved processing time of large courses.
Improved Saved app performance.
Improved visuals for disabled power controls.
Improved Waypoint draw speed on the map.
Removed Daily Suggested Workouts from Calendar if suggestions are disabled.
