Garmin slipped a few interesting signals into its latest earnings call, including fresh speculation around a possible Fenix 9 down the line. Alongside strong momentum for its Connect Plus subscription, driven by rising trials and solid conversion, the company also pointed to a busy second half of 2026 for outdoor launches and a wider push into connected services.
Nutrition driving Connect Plus
One of the biggest takeaways from the call is how Garmin’s nutrition feature is really helping to boost their subscription growth. Management pointed out that adding nutrition tools within Connect Plus has accelerated the number of free trials, and the conversion from those trials is looking really promising.
This is significant because Garmin has often struggled to explain why users should pay for extra software on top of their already pricey hardware. But nutrition is different. It fits seamlessly alongside training load, recovery, sleep and readiness. It gives users something actionable every day.
What stands out is how specific Garmin was about this. They didn’t throw around vague terms like “engagement.” Instead, they directly connected one feature to user acquisition and conversion, showing they’re learning what truly encourages users to go from free to paid.
Garmin also tackled the bigger question about how crucial subscriptions are to their business. According to management, subscription revenue is growing just as fast, if not faster, than the rest of the business. The reason it looks small is that device sales are soaring at the same time.
Connectivity as a growing focus
Garmin also spoke about their connectivity services. When asked about the fēnix 8 Pro and inReach subscriptions, Pemble described the watch as a solid connectivity platform. Users are eager to activate satellite services, and Garmin has already seen actual SOS calls coming from the device.
Even more interesting, he hinted that Garmin plans to expand this capability to more products. It looks like they’re aiming for a broader strategy. Perhaps using connectivity to boost recurring revenue, especially in outdoor and adventure-focused areas.
A busy second half for outdoor products
The earnings call also gave some hints about future outdoor products. Garmin didn’t drop any specific launch dates but mentioned that they have a solid plan for outdoor items in 2026, with multiple launches expected later in the year. Who knows, we might even see the Fenix 9. The suggestion is definitely there.
On the flip side, there were a few things Garmin didn’t touch on. They didn’t say anything about a ring or band, and there weren’t any hard numbers regarding Connect Plus subscribers or revenue.
All this together shows that Garmin is focused on building a services layer that supports its hardware business rather than competing with it. Nutrition features are bringing people into Connect Plus, connectivity is opening up new subscription options, and they have a packed schedule for outdoor product launches coming up. It’s a gradual process, but it feels like they have a clear plan.You can read the transcript in full
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Check out our YouTube channel.
And of course, you can follow Gadgets & Wearables on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
