Here's everything Garmin added to its smartwatches in the December 2024 update

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Garmin's newest Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 are already getting four new features.

A close-up side view of the Garmin Fenix 8 with the default watch face
(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Garmin's feature drop for December 2024 brings a total of five new features to select watches and computers.
  • The Garmin Fenix 7/Pro series, Epix Gen 2/Pro series, Enduro 2, Tactix 7 series, MARQ Gen 2, Quatix 7/Pro, D2 Mach 1/Pro, Fenix E/8 series, Enduro 3, Forerunner 165/255/265/955/956 series, Venu 3, Vivoactive 5, Edge 540/840/1040/1050 series, and Edge Explore 2 will all receive various parts of the update.
  • The rollout of the December 2024 feature drop is ongoing, but will continue over the coming weeks, according to Garmin.

Garmin is rolling out the December 2024 feature update to many of its smartwatches and computers, according to a PDF breakdown spotted by NotebookCheck. Users of select Garmin models may already be able to download the update, and the rollout will continue "over the coming weeks." Among the most notable improvements are functional threshold power (FTP) auto-detection and lactate threshold auto-detection.

The update is available for a wide variety of Garmin models, including the Garmin Fenix 7/Pro series, Epix Gen 2/Pro series, Enduro 2, Tactix 7 series, MARQ Gen 2, Quatix 7/Pro, D2 Mach 1/Pro, Fenix E/8 series, Enduro 3, Forerunner 165/255/265/955/956 series, Venu 3, Vivoactive 5, Edge 540/840/1040/1050 series, and Edge Explore 2. However, not every watch and computer will receive every feature.

The following Garmin models will receive the December 2024 update, and get the following features:

A breakdown of the features coming to various Garmin models.

(Image credit: Garmin)

The new Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 watches, plus the Forerunner 955/965 series, are the only smartwatches to receive every feature. That includes lactate threshold and FTP auto-detection, Garmin Coach strength training plans, workout execution score improvements, and meditation activity. However, it's worth noting that the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 shipped with Garmin Coach strength training plans out of the box.

The new functionality will make it possible for wearers to get their lactate threshold heart rate, pace, and power from their Garmin watch, even without doing high-intensity workouts.

The screen of the Garmin Enduro 3.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

At least one feature, workout execution score improvements, will also be coming to select Garmin Edge cycling computers. After the update is available for your device, you'll be able to download it and try out the latest features.

Render of the Garmin Enduro 3

Garmin Enduro 3

The longest-lasting Garmin ever

Garmin's latest Enduro 3 watch features an impossibly-long battery life and a ton of advanced features. Plus, it's getting a few more as part of the December 2024 update, including lactate threshold and FTP auto-detection.

Brady Snyder
Brady Snyder
Contributor

Brady is a tech journalist for Android Central, with a focus on news, phones, tablets, audio, wearables, and software. He has spent the last three years reporting and commenting on all things related to consumer technology for various publications. Brady graduated from St. John's University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. His work has been published in XDA, Android Police, Tech Advisor, iMore, Screen Rant, and Android Headlines. When he isn't experimenting with the latest tech, you can find Brady running or watching Big East basketball.