Garmin Fenix SATELLITE Technology is feasible – proven today by Google
More: Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
A significant development in wearable technology has just been unveiled, demonstrating that direct-to-satellite communication from a smartwatch is possible. More than that. Google’s new Pixel Watch 4 is the world’s first smartwatch to integrate standalone satellite emergency messaging. This groundbreaking feature clearly signals the feasibility of such technology for other leading outdoor and sports watch brands.
There have been rumours that the Watch Ultra 3 will have this capability for a year, and several signals and leaks from Garmin that they are actively pursuing the same goal.
Let’s look at how Pixel handles this, and we can assume that something similar is possible from Garmin as early as this year.
Google Pixel gets satellite! It’s a great feature but on the wrong watch.
The Pixel Watch 4’s Satellite Breakthrough
Google’s 2025 Pixel lineup was announced today. On the face of it, it is visually similar to its predecessor, but the satellite communications are the obvious standout. This new capability allows the watch to send messages for help directly to satellites without requiring a phone or cellular towers. It is designed for off-grid situations when you need SOS assistance, but that’s how it started on the iPhone before quickly expanding its capability to include messaging. The Pixel and other watches will undoubtedly follow to add more Satellite services in the same way as the iPhone.
Key details of the Pixel Watch 4’s satellite feature:
- Purpose: Primarily for emergency SOS.
- Functionality: The watch automatically uses a satellite connection if no wiFi or cellular connection is available. It takes the wearer through a quick series of questions covering health or accidents, and includes GPS location with the message. Two-way communication with the emergency services is also supported.
- Technology & Partners: The Skylo Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service powers the feature and uses Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 Wearable Platforms. This platform is purpose-built for wearables (Wear OS), optimised for ultra-low power consumption, and enables direct access to Skylo’s satellite network.
- Availability: Only available in the USA on the LTE-enabled model of the Pixel Watch 4, and interestingly, does NOT require an active data plan. Further geographic rollouts to Europe, Canada, and Australia are planned.
- Battery Conservation: In emergency mode, the watch enters a super low-power mode, extending battery life to 72 hours (large size) or 48 hours on the smaller Pixel.
- Pricing: The satellite SOS feature is free for the first two years, similar to Apple’s approach with iPhone, with future pricing yet to be determined.
Massive Leak Reveals Garmin’s LTE and Satellite Plan, Likely with New Devices
Garmin Response – The Direct Garmin Connection
What makes this development particularly interesting is the Garmin connection.
Last year, Google signed a deal to use Garmin’s Response Centre as part of its satellite SOS phone service. This centre is Garmin’s inReach emergency services hub and manages emergency responses.
Only a few days ago, this site was the first to report a leak from Garmin that strongly indicated upcoming changes to LTE and Satellite plans. These could have been inReach related, but the jigsaw pieces are falling into place. Fenix 8 Pro will hopefully have LTE and satellite comms…as soon as September .
Implications for Garmin Fenix
The Pixel Watch 4’s technical success in integrating satellite SOS directly from the wrist without needing a phone or cellular service demonstrates such a feature’s technical and operational viability on a compact wearable. Pixel is smaller than Fenix, thus the long-held view that satellite aerials were too large for a watch is now clearly wrong – technology has moved on.
The question is no longer “if” satellite technology is feasible for devices like the Garmin Fenix, but rather “when” Garmin will directly integrate this now-proven, life-saving capability into its iconic outdoor smartwatches.
Implications for Wear OS
I’ve long said that Wear OS will eventually be one of the key platforms on the world’s wrists. This is another step in that direction. And interesting too, around 5 years ago, Wear OS was becalmed in a sea of indifference as the company struggled to get the tiniest number of new features released each year. In some ways, it’s caught up with Apple (not commercially), and this is one of several tech leaps that have put Google ahead in places.
Take Out
Satellite connectivity on the Fenix series is Garmin’s strategic priority. The main threat appeared to be Apple, leapfrogging technically and commercially with SOS features on both a Watch Ultra and iPhone – this could make the former a far more attractive package for the occasional adventurer than a Garmin Fenix. That lower-grade adventurer represents a large share of that particular market, perhaps the market that Garmin was most at risk of losing.
Maybe not now.
Sources
- Garmin Newsroom – Garmin partners with Google for Satellite SOS (2024)
- Snapdragon W5+ details.
- Google and Skylo Partnership announcement
- Pixel Watch 4 Press Release
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Garmin is late and will ruin their take with some weird proprietary subscription pricing
defintitely there would be first mover advantage.
Garmin does have the ecosystem and commerical hook ups (Eg Iridium, Garmin Response Center). Once the technology is right it MIGHT be better placed to initially offer more than just simple emergency response (what Google has done)
Interessting to read about the SOS via satellite on a wearable! Ok, Google is the first, but at the moment only with announcement. DCR wrote that it will only be available at 9th October 2025 – so time for other companies to release a watch with this capability earlier and to be the real first one. 2 years for free is great- but it is only for SOS: I assume you have to have a clear view to the sky to send the message/get contact, if only possible via satellite. If the emergency happens in a dense forrest etc., … (so nice to have, but time will tell how it is working in real life).
We’re not going to see watches used for regular messaging back and forth over iridium for much other than SOS. You’re looking at 5 watts+ for a few seconds on transmit – something that would devastate the batteries charge after a handful of messages.
You’re realistically going to handheld device with a large battery for messaging. The watch will likely just be for SOS.
Will we see a Garmin with “wear OS” on? I don’t think the current hardware has the power. I have a 945lte lying in my drawer, and it’s definitely not the fastest watch. I’m aware thar the current hardware seems faster, but not Apple fast.
its’ possible. strategically it would make sense. But I would bet against it.
Wear OS seems to be optimised for the qualcom snapdragon chipset, garmin would probably need to use that. then there are significant battery issues comapred to what people normally expect from garmin’s great performance in that area.
I wouldn’t trust a Pixel watch or any smart watch for emergency use, the battery life is appalling and something that small is clearly going to have very limited access to satellites in anything but perfect conditions.
If you do anything that might need such access away from cellular networks I would definitely recommend a dedicated communicator device and keep it attached firmly to your person.
I saw DC Rainmaker’s review of the Suunto Race 2. He said there will be a lot of new sports tech in the next couple of weeks, making it the busiest two weeks in the past few years. Based on that, I wonder if there will be a release of a new Garmin Fenix 8 Pro watch.
I’m very interested in this
since I ordered a tactix 8 watch
and if the fenix 8 pro comes out with elevate 6 sensors, it will be a shame, especially if it happens in September
yes there is a lot of stuff inbound. remember sports tech isnt just limited to watches