If you follow the GPS and wearables space, Garmin needs no long introduction. The company makes everything from running watches and aviation flight decks to marine chartplotters and automotive systems. That breadth is exactly why the company keeps growing while many of its competitors stay locked in one lane.
The company reported $6.94 billion in total revenue for the period ending September 2025, marking a 16.56% growth from the prior year. That number reflects demand across multiple product categories.
Five Segments, One Company:
Most people know Garmin through its GPS watches and fitness trackers. But the company runs five distinct business segments: fitness, outdoor, aviation, marine, and automotive OEM. Each one contributes meaningfully to the overall business.
Fitness segment revenue increased 30% in Q3 2025, led by strong demand for advanced wearables. Aviation revenue grew 14% in Q2 2025, with contributions from both OEM and aftermarket product categories. That kind of cross-segment growth is unusual for a hardware company.
The Fenix 8 Pro Changes Connectivity:
The most talked about Garmin product of 2025 was the Fenix 8 Pro. It is the first Garmin smartwatch to feature built-in inReach technology for satellite and cellular connectivity, allowing users to exchange messages, send location check-ins, make phone calls, and receive weather forecasts without a paired phone.
The Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED starts at $1,599.99 and offers up to 27 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, while the MicroLED variant, priced at $2,799.99, introduces the first MicroLED display in any smartwatch. The MicroLED model pushes 4,500 nits of peak brightness, a meaningful upgrade for anyone reading maps in direct sunlight. For serious trail runners, mountaineers, or adventure racers, the connectivity alone separates it from anything else on the market.
Software Updates in 2026:
Hardware is only half the story. In February 2026, Garmin pushed new software and feature updates to select smartwatches, including the Venu X1, Vivoactive 6, Fenix 8 Pro, Forerunner 570, and Forerunner 970, along with updates available to all users in the Garmin Connect app.
New gear tracking features let users log distance, hours, and days of use across an expanded list of gear types, including running shoes, skis, bike components, and wheelchairs. These updates reward long-term Garmin users and add value to devices people already own, which matters when comparing a Garmin fitness tracker against a competitor.
Aviation and Marine Stay Strong:
In Q2 2025, The company launched SmartCharts, a dynamic data-driven charting system tailored in real time for specific aircraft and approach conditions. Aviation gross margins held at 75% in Q1 2025. On the water, Garmin launched the Force Current, the industry’s first hands-free kayak propulsion system, and expanded its Force Kraken trolling motor lineup with a model featuring a 110-inch driveshaft for large fishing boats.
The Garmin Outlook for Buyers:
During Garmin’s Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Cliff Pemble pointed to an unusually active product roadmap for the outdoor segment in 2026, with full-year outdoor growth expected to accelerate, driven by a significant number of new product introductions.
The key buying decision usually comes down to GPS accuracy, battery life, and offline maps. Garmin’s multi-band GPS support delivers better positioning in dense forests and urban canyons compared to single-band systems. The Forerunner and Vivoactive lines cover moderate budgets, while the Instinct series sits below that.
The company has shipped over 300 million units since its inception. For buyers evaluating a Garmin GPS watch or any Garmin fitness tracker, the software support track record and cross-device ecosystem are as important as the hardware specs on launch day.
Stay ahead of the curve, explore our full Gadgets coverage.
