In February 2025, Garmin expanded its ECG functionality to European Union and Australian users. Initially, this feature was available only for Fenix 8, Venu 3, and Venu 2 Plus users, excluding the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models. The exclusion was notable as these models share identical hardware with the Fenix 8 in terms of ECG sensor capabilities.
On February 14, Garmin enabled ECG functionality on the Fenix 7 Pro, Epix Pro, D2 Mach 1 Pro, Quatix 7 Pro, and Tactix 7 AMOLED, all of which have Garmin’s Gen5 optical HR sensor. The Tactix 7 non-AMOLED remains excluded due to its Gen4 sensor. The UK is not included in this update due to regulatory requirements, but users can activate ECG functionality when traveling to the EU or the US, and it will remain activated permanently.
Software Update and Activation Process
Users can activate the ECG feature by following Garmin’s standard activation process, which takes 1-2 minutes. The update was part of Garmin’s broader firmware rollout for supported models.
Reasons for the Update Expansion
Garmin has not provided a detailed explanation for the decision to extend ECG functionality to previously excluded devices. However, the change aligns with ongoing discussions about software update policies for flagship devices. Historically, Garmin has introduced new features via firmware updates across multiple product generations, though recent updates have primarily focused on newer hardware models.
User Reactions and Market Impact
The decision to initially exclude the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro from the ECG update was met with user criticism. Many pointed to Garmin’s historical precedent of supporting premium-priced devices with software updates, making the exclusion of the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro unexpected. The reversal of this decision has been received positively, though concerns remain about Garmin’s long-term approach to software support for older devices.
Additionally, some users have raised concerns about recent firmware updates introducing more issues than fixes. Garmin’s quarterly update strategy has led to feedback regarding software stability, with some users opting to downgrade firmware versions.
Broader Implications for Wearable Technology
The inclusion of ECG functionality in the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models highlights broader discussions within the wearable technology industry regarding software update policies, hardware support longevity, and consumer expectations. As competition in the premium smartwatch market increases, consistent feature updates are becoming a key factor in customer satisfaction and product longevity.
Beta Software Update Rollout
Garmin has released Beta software update version 20.14 for Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro, Fenix 7x, Fenix 7x Pro, Fenix 7s, Fenix 7s Pro, Epix and Epix Pro 42mm/47mm/51mm, Enduro 2, Quatix 7, and MARQ Gen 2 models. Key fixes and improvements in this update include:
- Added open connections notification to heart rate broadcast app.
- Fixed abnormal cadence issue when using metronome.
- Fixed color inconsistencies in BMX cycling profile.
- Fixed incomplete map rendering.
- Fixed map settings not updating properly.
- Various bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Users enrolled in Garmin’s Beta Program can manually download the update by navigating to the watch’s Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates. To enroll, users can sign in to their Garmin Connect account on a computer, select the watch icon, choose the device, select “Join Beta Software Program,” and accept the terms and conditions.