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Garmin Releases for 2021 | rumored 955, Fenix 7, 1040, Dual GPS and more

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new Garmin GPS Watches Q4.2021

Edit: updated with H1.2022 intel below

A year ago there was a leak of planned new Garmin models for 2020-21. At the time, and for many months since some of those potential models were labelled as ‘ridiculous’ by some commenters.  I think now is a good time to have a quick recap of the level of accuracy of those rumours and to see what we might have left in store for 2021.

This article is in 2 parts with a quick look at the leaks from last year that have almost all come to fruition and then further below my thoughts on what else is probably scheduled/due for release this year. There are also links to a couple of other posts where some of this stuff is discussed in much more detail.

Here are the leaked models with a TICK next to the ones that happened

There we go. Accurate after all, despite the CV19 delays. 

Note: Garmin ENDURO thew us all for a while and it was assumed that this was in some way a mistake or a bike product. Nope. The leak was correct. It’s actually 2 top-end watches.

More detailed comments are further below on what might be in store for us in late 2021 and beyond

Garmin Anti-Predictions – What WON’T happen in 2021

 

There are a LOT of plausible arguments for a LOT of new Garmin replacement models in 2021/22 against that bear in mind delays from Covid-19 and delays from the significant supply chain disruptions and chip shortages of H2.2021.

ALL of the models below just won’t happen too quickly. If in doubt about what should come first…follow where the money leads you to think (Edge/Vivoactive/Fenix)

  1. For Q2. 2022, my bet for the next Garmin Edge would be the Edge 140 and the Edge 1040. That’s a slightly controversial prediction but the Edge 1040 has been leaked twice no so it WILL be happening sometime soon. Then I’m guessing the Edge 140 (zero intel) will be released at the same time with a much later 840/540 joint release maybe even in 2022.
  2. Garmin released the ✔️  745. This is NOT a mid-range tri watch. It is a smaller, non-PRO version of the high-end FR945, so there is still scope for Garmin to target the mid-market position of the 735XT if they want to. More likely is that they will let the price of the FR935 drift lower to take up the mid-market mantle, at least in terms of price it’s mid-market. We’re talking about targetting Coros Pace 2 and any Polar Vantage M replacement, maybe the Pace 2 is at a lower-to-mid price point. Anyway, you get the drift there is still scope for a cheaper Garmin tri watch.
  3. Don’t expect a Fenix 6 Plus. The SOLAR models were the F6+. Fenix 7 is definitely next in Jan 2022?
  4. A Fenix 7 AMOLED will happen in H1.2022, probably Q1.2022 (aka January!)I wonder what they could call it as they would need to distinguish it from the Fenix. I don’t know, maybe Garmin Epix 2 or Garmin EPIX LTE? Well, I do know…Epix is back albeit in a round format.
  5. It’s obvious that LTE-somethings will be on the cards at some point and further likely that such tech will find its way onto all higher-end models to a) justify a replacement high-priced model and b) be a tech gateway to enable new features without a phone. The limiters are Garmin’s global ability to get commercial access to the right cell networks; meaningful LTE features over limited bandwidth; and customer demand! We’ve seen LTE on the VA3 & 945, my speculation would be LTE for Fenix, high-end forerunners, high-end Vivoactive, Venu and maybe at some point the Edge 1040/540. Providing that commercial viability can be secured, I suspect there will be MORE interest and demand for LTE than might initially seem to be the case (it will eventually enable some cool sporty stuff)
    • ✔️An FR945 replacement in April 2021 would match a 2-year release cycle the arrival of 945LTE delays the likelihood of FR955 to Spring 2022 (kinda confirmed by a leak)
    • A Fenix 7 will be early 2022 (Jan)
    • ✔️a 945LTE makes no sense to me, at least not as the only LTE model but the 945LTE is leaked in multiple sources and IS happening. What will be more interesting will be what new features are included AND if the 945LTE gets any upgraded hardware (which it probably will eg ELEVATE gen 4✔️). Edit we now have many 945LTE features leaked HERE perhaps the most interesting is that it appears to be a small format shell ie like the 745. (Edit: now launched, Edit: 955 already exists but wont be launched until mid-2022ish)
    • Venu SQ LTE makes sense to me. A good bet for October 2021
  6. ✔️GARMIN RALLY: Vector 4 will be released, I’m guessing it’s more likely to be around the end of Q1.2021. Maybe there will be a ruggedised, off-road (gravel/MTB) version too? (Edit: yes!!! 6x Garmin Rally SKUs, one spindle length, dual/single, LOOK/spd/spd sl, maxing out at $1200 on Wed 24 March.)
  7. The 655 is overdue but not rumoured. Maybe there is too much overlap with the triathlon models for Garmin to bother with a new model here? Maybe February’s ENDURO effectively becomes the top-end Forerunner running watch? That DOES make sense to me.
    • Jan 2022 would match a 4-year release cycle. Perhaps there will be a different, top-end running watch 😉
  8. A Forerunner 245Plus in April 2022 would match a 3-year release cycle targeting the Spring start to the running season.
  9. A Garmin Vivoactive 5 and 5S Release Date for September 2021 (Venu) would match a 2-year release cycle. However, VA5 is not widely leaked. ✔️ Garmin Venu 2 *IS* however leaked (*NOT* the square Venu SQ one…the OLED one that will probably have LTE this time around).
  10. April 2022 would match a 3-year release cycle for an Edge 530 replacement. (Edge 530 Plus or Edge 540). This could be an interesting one to watch as we see the effect of Karoo 2 & Wahoo Elemnt on sales and I would imagine that Wahoo must be due a replacement or addition to their ELEMNT range (no intel on that at all – it was the ✔️  BOLT 2). Again, Garmin will be worried about Wahoo to some degree, less so about Hammerhead – at least for now. However, the only leaks are for the Edge 1040 (think Solar and/or LTE…with few new actual cycling features). April has gone…I know, I know.
  11. ✔️At the lower end, there WILL be an FR55 in Q3.2021…I’m less interested in writing about that. (Just have! but that’s it!)

I could talk about Solar trickle-down, or LTE, or new sporty variants. The following linked post does that towards the end where you might find some of the sections about impending tech to be interesting (or not!).

2022: Sports Watch Update: All new & current Bike/Run/Tri/Fitness Models with GPS. Rumors + replacement dates for Garmin, Apple, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo, Samsung, Fitbit, Whoop

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