Garmin Fenix 8 users are getting loads of new features for free – including one it should have had at launch

• The Garmin Fenix 8 has just received a huge free update
• The upgrade includes Running Economy, a triathlon coach, and more
• It also adds a Smart Wake Alarm, which has been missing for a while

If you’ve got your eye on one of the best Garmin Watches, there’s no doubt that the Garmin Fenix 8 is an incredible choice. And despite being one of the best smartwatches around, the Fenix 8 isn’t resting on its laurels, as a new update has brought a significant array of changes and improvements to Garmin’s wearable.

The latest 17.28 software update has arrived, and with it comes a raft of new features. That includes one that arguably should have been present from the time the Fenix 8 was launched in August 2024.

The most notable addition could well be Running Economy. This analyzes your running technique, including stride length, pace and heart rate, plus a new feature called Step Speed Loss, which looks at how much velocity is lost with each footfall. That makes Running Economy a handy metric for understanding your running proficiency, although it does require a compatible heart rate monitor.

Elsewhere, Garmin has added several new features that can help runners and athletes across multiple disciplines. That includes the Garmin Triathlon Coach, Running Tolerance, Projected Race Time, Suggested Finish Line, and a lot more.

Features for free

When it comes to understanding your rest, recovery and sleep, the new Evening Report feature adds a new layer of analysis and insight to the Fenix 8. This report recaps your day and shows you anything that’s on the horizon for the immediate future, from workouts to calendar events.

There’s also a new Smart Wake Alarm, and this aims to rouse you from bed within a specific time window once you’re in a light sleep stage. Many rival smartwatches have this feature, and its long absence from the Fenix 8 has made it feel a touch behind the times. It’s something that this device really should have had from the get-go.

The Fenix 8 update is a massive one, but it’s also worth noting that it includes multisport workouts, custom focus modes, daily summary notifications in the Notification Center, and a whole lot more. The fact that it all arrives in a free software update makes it even more worthwhile.

You might also like

• Garmin Fenix 8 review: Rugged, expensive perfection
• I love my Garmin watch, but there's one health feature I've always wished it had
• The best Garmin watch 2025: Multisport watches for every outdoor pursuit