Garmin fixes Fenix 8 Pro battery drain as the premium smartwatch remains heavily discounted

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro review — (Image credit: Matt Kollat)

Garmin has rolled out a small but potentially important software update for the Fenix 8 Pro, addressing one of the biggest complaints reported by some owners in recent weeks.

While System Software 22.39 isn't packed with new features, it fixes a possible battery drain issue that could make a noticeable difference for affected users.

According to Garmin's official release notes, the update includes just two changes: a fix for "possible battery drain" and another for "possible issues when doing voice calls."

It's a brief changelog, but one that follows reports from some Garmin watch owners who experienced unusually high battery consumption after previous firmware releases.

The company hasn't revealed what caused the issue or how widespread it was, so it's worth noting that not every user was affected.

More than a maintenance release

The timing is also good news for anyone thinking about buying Garmin's flagship outdoor smartwatch.

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED (47mm) is currently available at Very for £869, £160 below its £1,029 RRP.

It's not quite the lowest price we've seen, but it's still one of the strongest deals available on Garmin's premium multisport watch.

The Fenix 8 Pro sits at the top of Garmin's adventure watch range and packs just about every feature an outdoor enthusiast could want.

Alongside comprehensive fitness and health tracking, it offers full-colour offline mapping, multi-band GNSS, advanced navigation tools, training readiness, endurance and hill scores, and Garmin's extensive suite of recovery and performance metrics.

The 47mm model also features a bright AMOLED display protected by a sapphire crystal lens, a titanium bezel for added durability, built-in LED flashlight, speaker and microphone for calls and voice commands, and LTE connectivity for additional safety and communication features.

Combined with Garmin's excellent battery life (now improved) and regular software support, it remains one of the most capable outdoor smartwatches you can buy.

[via NotebookCheck, Garmin Forums]

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Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator for T3.com and T3 Magazine, where he works as Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, action cameras, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019.

His work has also appeared on TechRadar and Fit&Well, and he has collaborated with creators such as Garage Gym Reviews. Matt has served as a judge for multiple industry awards, including the ESSNAwards. When he isn’t running, cycling or testing new kit, he’s usually roaming the countryside with a camera or experimenting with new audio and video gear.