Massive Leak Reveals Garmin’s LTE and Satellite Plan, Likely with New Devices
source: via @JohnW, thank you
According to new information shared exclusively with this site by a long-term trusted source, Garmin is poised to make a much-hoped-for leap towards a new hybrid communication service. It seems to be a highly significant change for the company as it merges aspects of Messenger and Connect, expanding how the new hybrid service can be accessed by inReach and the latest voice-enabled devices such as Fenix 8.
I’ll outline the known details in a minute. The tease would be that these services are so significant that they may herald a new generation of watches that support them; the most obvious starting point would be a Fenix 8 PRO, where the PRO moniker signifies 4G LTE. More than that, including a hybrid LTE+satellite service might point to new inReach capabilities or even a satellite-capable Fenix 8 PRO.
Let’s dig deeper…
A New LTE and Satellite Plan
A new plan combines 4G LTE and satellite capabilities, covering features like voice calling, SOS messaging, and LiveTrack.
The key thrust here is standalone functionality. Subscribers to the Garmin service can leave their phones behind or get coverage when exploring out of cell range. Specifically noted are the abilities to make calls and share Livetrack locations over LTE.
This is a big jump compared to Garmin’s existing satellite-only, text-based inReach capabilities. Voice calling is a first for Garmin’s ecosystem (Bounce excepted). It represents a massive step toward competing with the Apple Watch as a smartwatch. It also staves off to some degree the expansion of satellite capabilities to smartphones, which threatens the previously unique position of some of Garmin’s products and services when off-grid.
Starlink also has rumoured new services in this area. Perhaps Garmin leverages them or, more likely, plans to introduce these features via Iridium to stave off the threat from that new competitor.
Marketing Note: These services will target off-grid adventurers, urban users, and sporty users who want or need to leave their phones behind.
Tech Note: The information confirms that Garmin is pursuing LTE. LTE is older 4G technology, which confirms that Garmin stays with proven tech rather than moving toward the newer 5G RedCap.
The leak does not mention that these new capabilities are being introduced behind the new Garmin Connect+ paywall subscription. That remains possible, but the information strongly implies deeper integration of Garmin Messenger and inReach into the broader Connect ecosystem outside Connect+.
Take Out: This is a strategic move from Garmin, adding capabilities and laying the groundwork for several years of new, more tightly integrated voice and data communication features. It’s a big deal.
Garmin Connect Plus is a success – Garmin doubles down on its commitment, hints at LTE
Messenger app integration into Garmin Connect
A move toward a unified communication ecosystem.
Previously, the Messenger app was a standalone app for calling and messaging, used as a companion for a physical inReach device.
The two appear now to be more closely integrated. Either Connect will contain some of the features previously performed by Messenger or, at least, will prompt for its use.
Google satellite Hook Up with Garmin Response Center (2024) signal extended partnership
Last year Google partnered with Garmin's response centre to handle Pixel phones' emergency satellite responses. In August, Google announced that the Pixel Watch 4 has satellite comms. This signals the technical feasibility of satellite comms on a watch.
Garmin Fenix SATELLITE Technology is feasible – proven today by Google
inReach Integration into Garmin Connect
inReach plan management is being moved into Garmin Connect.
Currently, you access and manage your inReach plan via the Explore app/website. The Explore ecosystem might start down a path towards closure, merging with Connect, with Plan management being the first step in that process.
More: Current inReach plans
I’ve shown the current range of consumer inReach plans in the image below, the choice is effectively simplified to three tiers: Essential, Standard, and Premium, with the ability to upgrade or downgrade in near real time.
Marketing Note: Various new types of promotions will be added, including a Free Trial.
Tech Note: The move here is towards a more streamlined experience with inReach, various aspects of the existing service are merged into one ‘hub’.
Enhanced Assistance Features
I’ve no details yet on the new calling features, but other changes to assistance features have also leaked.
There are slight improvements to the existing Assistance features, including new assistance haptic trigger methods and timer delays to prevent false alerts.
Implications and Future Devices
I explained previously in this article how there are some Apple Watch smart features that Garmin cannot replicate, making its job to compete as a smart watch and a sports watch difficult or impossible. The regulatory landscape will not remain static, and for Garmin to be able to exploit new feature opportunities, it needs LTE and satellite connectivity. Today's leak clearly demonstrates that Garmin understands this and has been working towards deeper smartwatch features for some time.
Set against that strategic carrot dangled before Garmin, there are competitive sticks. For several years, Apple’s latest iPhones have supported satellite connectivity. While Apple’s connectivity there is limited, it is expanding in scope. Still, the point is that, before Apple’s satellite service, true off-grid adventurers needed some means of emergency communication. The advent of Apple’s satellite capabilities somewhat negated the need for a Garmin inReach plan, posing a risk to the service. Garmin needed to respond.
Even worse, rumours for the year’s second half are that Apple Watch Ultra will also get satellite connectivity. Whilst Watch Ultra in no way competes with Fenix for true adventurers, adding a key safety feature might make less serious customers lean towards Watch Ultra – a watch they can use all week and on the occasional annual expedition.
We will see some interesting new hardware here to leverage and highlight the new service. It’s speculation, but strong speculation, that as a minimum Garmin will either release a new handheld Montanna 720i/770i or new inReach Messenger featuring LTE for the first time (as well as satellite), or we could see a Fenix 8 PRO featuring LTE, or LTE+satellite…or something else!
Any new premium LTE+Satellite models in 2025 would have a trickle-down effect over several years to other Garmin ranges. Fenix 8 derivatives like Tactix are highly likely, as would be a new iteration of a Forerunner 970 and Venu X1.
Take Out
Tech Note: Garmin’s earlier leaks of a Fenix 8 microLED watch will almost certainly not be combined with these new hybrid connectivity capabilities.
So, we have a game-changing LTE + satellite plan, inReach in Connect, and enhanced Assistance features. A good combination of changes from the relatively trivial to the strategic.
In my mind, this information strongly suggests new hardware to highlight the hybrid features. That hardware must be primarily adventure-focused, but secondary sports-related uses will also be possible. Thus, we could see a new inReach handheld or the hoped-for Fenix 8 PRO.
Currently, it looks like inReach has a phone-like little device, as well as a pod of some kind that can be used in conjunction with a phone or one of few Garmin watches.
So this is consolidating the inReach functionality (Satellite location/messaging) into a wrist worn device like Fenix etc?
I was going to say that this is absurd that demand would justify such a thing – but then 10-12 years ago I was strapping a Timex GPS module onto my upper arm that connected to a Timex watch on my wrist to give me Satellite tracking…and now look what wrist-based watches can do.
I was hoping for InReach to be integrated into the Fenix 8. I am sure they are getting close to being able to do it. With everything happening in the Starling/Satellite world, InReach will need to raise its game in the next 2-5 years. What better way to do that then to put it on your Fenix? They will still get the subscription which is what Garmin seems to want the most.
Im still waiting that the existing assistance automations get connected. If a watch or an Edge detects an incident/fall/crash, it only uses internet connection via your phone to send the „i need help“ message.
I’ve those devices are connected to an InReach, it will still use the phones internet and you have to use the remote functionality of your watch to trigger an sos. If you are without cell service, the incident detection is useless
Why can’t it leverage InReach as soon as the Garmin Vonnevt app on the mobile is offline.
First they should make sure other devices don’t just reboot randomly 3 times in 30k while navigating. Enduro 3. For no reason. Thanks garmin. These watches are not cheap so you can afford not to address this issue.
yup
Wow. Genuinely surprised that it’s a combined LTE/sat strategy. I would’ve assumed LTE is way, way easier to integrate into smaller hardware. Hope the cost of the plans isn’t crazy. LTE is a daily use feature for me. Satellite messaging is a couple times a year.
the strategic imperative is for garmin to do something with satellite to counter the moves being made by apple.
so it makes ense to do the satellite/lte combo
previsouly the required antenna was too large for a watch format. i’m unsure exactly how that issue has resolved (antenna size)
They need to expand on what they excell at battery and solar if someone wants an in reach mini they will buy one trying to compete with apple is pointless if you needed assistance with an apple device the battery would most likely be flat and how many of your friends make phone calls from there watches ? It’s just a gimmick to go with their 30hr battery life and daily charging
they have to compete with Apple at the ‘lower’ end of the market. or they will lose it.