Fenix 8 Pro smartwatches are now eligible for beta software updates (Image source: Garmin)
More users of Garmin smartwatches now have the chance to benefit from new features and an overall better user experience ahead of time. The corresponding beta program is now available to Fenix 8 Pro owners, although there are some limitations.
Garmin updates its smartwatches for quite some time after the initial release. In addition to bug fixes, the company also brings new features onto wearables that have been on the market for a while, including features that have been introduced on its latest watches. Garmin benefits from the technical similarities of its smartwatches, many of which feature similar hardware as well as software.
That said, owners of a Garmin smartwatch can also participate in a beta program. The manual installation of beta software updates via a computer or laptop is not necessary anymore, since registered participants of the beta program can use the convenient OTA update feature on their watch. Naturally, beta versions can still contain bugs and cause some other issues, but based on our limited experience with the Fenix 6 Pro, Garmin’s beta software tends to be quite stable.
Another limitation also affects the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (from $1,199 on Amazon), which has just joined the beta program and can now be used to try out the latest smartwatch firmware. However, Garmin still disables certain features for safety or even certification reasons. For instance, Fenix 8 Pro users who install the latest beta update won’t be able to use the ECG or diving features. Anyhow, updates for the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro will likely be rolled out simultaneously with those for the regular Garmin Fenix 8 going forward.
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.
Translator: Enrico Frahn – Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer – 5571 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.