Garmin's Software Update Strategy: Are 'E' Models Changing the Game?

The Quick Take

If you've been following Garmin's smartwatch lineup lately, you've probably noticed something curious happening. The once-reliable update patterns for the Instinct and Fenix series seem to be shifting, and there's a new kid on the block: the 'E' models. After spending way too many hours digging through forums, update histories, and official statements (while my wife correctly pointed out I should probably go for a run instead), I've put together this deep dive on what's really happening with Garmin's software update strategy.

The Short Version: While Garmin hasn't officially changed their update policy, there are clear signs they're prioritizing newer flagship models more aggressively than before. The 'E' series models? They're not the golden children getting all the updates either - they appear to be repositioned Epix/Instinct models with questionable value propositions. And if you own a Fenix 7 Pro that's barely 18 months old, you might be feeling particularly left out as features roll out to both older and cheaper models while skipping yours entirely.

What Got Me Looking Into This

I've been tracking Garmin devices for years now, and one thing that's always set them apart is their stellar long-term support. Buy a high-end Garmin, and you could reasonably expect significant feature updates for years. The Fenix 6, for example, is still getting updates four years after release - albeit at a slower pace than before.

But recently, the comments section of my reviews and my inbox have been filling up with a common theme: "Hey Ray, what's going on with my Fenix 7 Pro? It seems like Garmin has forgotten about it!"

This sentiment has been echoed across Garmin's forums and Reddit threads, where users are expressing increasing frustration about update patterns. And with the introduction of the 'E' series models in both the Instinct and Fenix lines, some folks are wondering if Garmin has shifted their strategy to focus on these newer variants.

So let's break down what's really happening here.

Meet the 'E' Models: Not What You Might Expect

When Garmin announced the 'E' series, many assumed the 'E' stood for 'Essential' or maybe 'Economy' - suggesting these would be streamlined, more affordable entry points to the Instinct and Fenix ecosystems.

The Instinct E

The Instinct E launched in January 2025 as a rugged GPS smartwatch in both 40mm and 45mm sizes. It offers basic health tracking features like wrist-based heart rate and sleep monitoring. But here's where things get interesting - and by interesting, I mean confusing.

When I compared it side-by-side with the older Instinct 2, I found the Instinct E actually takes some steps backward in battery life and features. In fact, it seems more like a repackaged original Instinct with minor tweaks than a true evolution of the line.

The most head-scratching part? At launch, the Instinct E was priced similarly to (and sometimes higher than) the more capable Instinct 2. This left many potential buyers wondering, "Why would I choose this over the better, similarly-priced Instinct 2?" Good question, indeed.

The Fenix E

Over in the premium Fenix territory, the Fenix E arrived in October 2024 sporting a bright 1.3" AMOLED display and stainless steel bezel. It looks impressive on paper with enhanced map navigation and strength training features.

But wait a minute... if you've been following Garmin products closely (guilty as charged), this spec sheet might look familiar. That's because the Fenix E is essentially a rebranded Epix Gen 2 base model. It uses older hardware like single-band GNSS and a previous-generation heart rate sensor.

Yet somehow, Garmin priced it at $799 at launch - often higher than both the Epix Gen 2 and even some Epix Pro Gen 2 models, which offer better materials and features. It's like walking into a car dealership and finding last year's model with fewer features priced higher than this year's improved version.

The Update Pattern: Follow the Software

To understand if there's really been a shift in Garmin's update strategy, I compiled a timeline of significant software updates across the Instinct and Fenix lines. This is where things start getting revealing.

The Instinct Family Updates

• Original Instinct (Oct 2018): Received meaningful updates for years, including Body Battery widget (v6.60) and improved heart rate broadcasting (v11.00)

• Instinct 2 (Feb 2022): Got Edge Remote Display support (v8.64) and removed course point limitations (v14.12)

• Instinct 2X (Apr 2023): Mostly bug fixes lately (v15.08)

• Instinct E (Jan 2025): Launched with basic tracking features

• Instinct 3 (Jan 2025): Already received Area Calc app, Jump Rope activity, and Golf Live Scoring (v8.09)

The Fenix Family Updates

• Fenix 6 (Aug 2019): Still receiving updates four years later, like device settings backup (Beta v26.79)

• Fenix 7 (Jan 2022): Added CIQ System 8 Support (v20.22)

• Fenix 7 Pro (May 2023): Primarily bug fixes in recent updates, missing features found in older and cheaper models

• Fenix 8 (Oct 2024): Already added Gaming Activity, Meditation Activity (Beta v12.09), Passcode Support, and Body Battery TrueUp (v13.31)

• Fenix E (Oct 2024): Received Passcode Support, Body Battery TrueUp (v13.31), and map fixes (v13.35)

Looking at this timeline, a pattern emerges. While older models like the Fenix 6 continue to receive updates (which is commendable), newer premium models like the Fenix 7 Pro seem to be hitting a feature update wall much earlier in their lifecycle than we've seen previously.

The most telling example? The Fenix 7 Pro - a premium device released just 18 months ago for upwards of $799 - is missing features that have been rolled out to older and less expensive Forerunner models. Features like Strength Workouts for Garmin Coach and Passcode Protection are notably absent from the Fenix 7 Pro while appearing on devices that cost hundreds less.

What Garmin Says (And Doesn't Say)

Garmin's official policy on updates is, well, not very specific. They state that they release software updates "periodically" to provide improvements and new features. They recommend checking for updates every 3-4 months for outdoor devices like smartwatches and acknowledge that newer models typically receive updates more frequently than older ones.

For map updates, Garmin defines a product's "useful life" as the period during which it has sufficient memory and technical capabilities to utilize current map data without major repairs. A product is considered "out of service" if no updates have been downloaded for 24 months.

But here's what's missing: any clear statement about how long flagship devices like the Fenix 7 Pro will receive significant feature updates. And this information gap is leading to a lot of speculation and frustration.

When users ask about this on forums, Garmin representatives typically provide vague responses. For instance, when asked about the Instinct 2 series, a rep confirmed it's still part of the beta program but didn't provide specific timelines or guarantees about future feature updates.

Hardware Limitations or Business Strategy?

Whenever update discrepancies arise, there's always the question: Is this due to hardware limitations or business strategy?

Older devices do have legitimate constraints. The original Instinct, for instance, has memory and processing limitations that might prevent implementation of detailed mapping features. Battery degradation in older models could also impact support for power-intensive new features.

But many of the current update discrepancies are harder to explain away with technical limitations. When the Fenix 7 Pro - one of Garmin's most premium and recent offerings - misses out on features that appear on less powerful Forerunner models, it's difficult not to see this as a strategic business decision rather than a technical constraint.

So What's Really Going On?

After analyzing all this data, here's my take: Garmin appears to be shortening the window of significant feature updates for its premium devices, even while continuing to provide some level of support to much older models.

The newer flagship models (Instinct 3 and Fenix 8) are clearly receiving priority for feature updates, which is expected. But the relative neglect of recent premium models like the Fenix 7 Pro represents a shift from Garmin's historical approach, where flagships would typically receive substantial updates for 2-3 years.

And what about those 'E' models? They don't appear to be the focus of Garmin's long-term update strategy either. Instead, they seem to be repositioned older hardware at questionable price points - perhaps an experiment in market segmentation that hasn't quite found its footing yet.

What This Means For You

If you're considering buying a Garmin watch, here's what you should keep in mind:

1. The "Buy What It Does Today" Rule Is More Important Than Ever: Never buy a Garmin (or any tech device) based on features you hope might come in future updates. If the current feature set doesn't meet your needs, look elsewhere.

2. Flagship Models May Have Shorter Feature Update Windows: While Garmin will likely continue providing bug fixes and basic updates for years, the window for significant new features on premium models like the Fenix series appears to be shrinking.

3. The 'E' Series Offers Questionable Value: Based on current pricing and feature sets, the 'E' models don't present a compelling value proposition compared to slightly older models in the same family.

4. Timing Your Purchase Matters: Buying a Garmin device just before its successor launches might mean a shorter period of feature updates than previously expected.

What I'd Like to See From Garmin

If I could make some suggestions to the folks in Olathe (where Garmin is headquartered):

1. Transparency About Update Lifecycles: Provide clearer expectations about how long different product tiers will receive significant feature updates.

2. More Consistent Feature Distribution: Where hardware capabilities allow, roll out compatible features across all recent models rather than selectively withholding them from certain devices.

3. Clearer Market Positioning for 'E' Models: If these are meant to be more accessible options, price them accordingly and be upfront about their update roadmap.

4. Respect for Premium Customers: Users who spend $799+ on a Fenix 7 Pro deserve more than 18 months of feature updates, especially when cheaper models continue receiving them.

In the meantime, I'll keep tracking these update patterns and holding Garmin accountable. That's all for now - I'm off for a trail run with the Fenix 8, Fenix 7 Pro, and Fenix E strapped to my wrist. Overkill? Perhaps. But that's how we get the data!

Got thoughts on Garmin's update strategy or experiences with the 'E' models? Drop a comment below or hit me up on social media. As always, thanks for reading!