The Garmin Enduro series is a legend among ultra-endurance athletes, known for its colossal battery life and rugged, no-nonsense feature set. Following the success of the Enduro 3 (released in August 2024), speculation is already building around the next-generation ultrarunner’s tool: the Garmin Enduro 4.
Based on Garmin’s typical product cycles and the feature evolution seen in the latest Enduro and Fēnix models, here is a unique look at the likely release window and expected core features of the Enduro 4.
The Release Window: Sticking to the Ultra-Cycle
Garmin has generally maintained a two-year refresh cycle for the Enduro series:
- Garmin Enduro (original) was released in February 2021
- Enduro 2 was released in August 2022.
- Enduro 3 was released in August 2024.
Following this pattern, the most probable release window for the Garmin Enduro 4 is August 2026.
While a surprise earlier release (perhaps an ‘Enduro 3 Pro’ in 2025) is always possible, the company prioritizes significant technological jumps for the Enduro line, which often requires a full two-year development cycle. For those planning a major ultra-event in 2026, marking the late summer for a new watch announcement is a safe bet.
Expected Core Features: Doubling Down on Endurance
The Enduro’s identity is defined by its battery life and durability. We expect the Enduro 4 to take these foundations and push them even further, drawing on advancements from the Fēnix 8 series and its own lineage.
1. The Ultra-Battery: A New Standard for Endurance
The Enduro 3 saw a massive leap in solar charging efficiency and overall battery life. The Enduro 4 is likely to deliver a new “best in class” metric:
- Smartwatch Mode: Pushing beyond the Enduro 3’s 90 days with solar to possibly reaching 100+ days of use in optimal conditions.
- Max Battery GPS: The Enduro 3 currently offers up to 320 hours (13+ days) of solar-assisted Max Battery GPS. The Enduro 4 will likely target the 400-hour (nearly 17 days) mark for extreme expedition use.
- Power Manager 2.0: Expect more granular, intelligent power management profiles that let users customize sensor use mid-activity for maximum longevity.
2. Display Evolution: MIP’s Last Stand (or a New Hybrid?)
One of the key differences between the Enduro line and the Fēnix/Epix lines is the Enduro’s commitment to the MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) screen for superior battery life and visibility in direct sunlight.
- Improved MIP: The Enduro 4 will almost certainly feature the latest generation MIP display for greater resolution, brighter colors, and even better solar harvesting capability through a nearly invisible solar panel.
- AMOLED Option: While a long shot, Garmin is under pressure to offer a non-MIP option. A compromise could be a new, ultra-low power AMOLED version, likely called the Enduro 4 Pro, that offers an AMOLED display while still significantly outlasting the Fēnix line. However, the true Enduro faithful will likely stick with the MIP version.
3. Advanced Navigation and Mapping
The Enduro 3 brought Dynamic Round-Trip Routing and enhanced TopoActive maps. The Enduro 4 is expected to build on Garmin’s mapping dominance:
- Built-in inReach/Satellite Connectivity: The Fēnix 8 Pro introduced satellite messaging capabilities. For the Enduro 4, which is designed for remote exploration, this feature is a must-have upgrade. Expect a model with built-in two-way satellite communication and SOS functionality (likely requiring a subscription).
- Next-Gen Multi-Band GPS: The Enduro 3 already has excellent multi-band GPS with SatIQ™. The Enduro 4 will likely feature an even more power-efficient and sensitive chipset for millimeter-level accuracy, even in deep canyons or dense forests.
4. The Smartwatch Crossover
While battery life is king, the Fēnix 8 series incorporates a built-in speaker and microphone for voice commands and calls. The Enduro line has historically skipped this to save weight and maintain water resistance and battery.
- Integrated Speaker/Mic (Optional): Given the Enduro 3 skipped this, it’s a coin flip for the Enduro 4. If added, it will likely be an optional feature on a slightly heavier “Pro” model, allowing users to choose between maximum lightness and limited voice functionality.
- Advanced Health Metrics: Building on the Enduro 3’s ECG app and Gen 5 HR sensor, the Enduro 4 will undoubtedly feature new biosensors, potentially including continuous, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring or more advanced hydration/sweat rate tracking for ultrarunners.
Enduro 4 Feature Projection Table (Based on Previous Models)
| Feature | Enduro 3 (Aug 2024) | Enduro 4 (Projected Aug 2026) | Significance |
| Max Battery GPS | 320 hrs w/ Solar | 400+ hrs w/ Solar | New standard for multi-day events. |
| Display Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) | Improved MIP / Possible Low-Power AMOLED Option | Maintaining visibility and extreme battery. |
| SOS/Messaging | Garmin Messenger (via phone) | Built-in inReach/Satellite SOS | Critical safety upgrade for true ultrarunning. |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Elevate Gen 5 (with ECG) | Elevate Gen 6 (Advanced Vitals) | Better accuracy and potential for new health metrics. |
| Smartwatch Features | No Speaker/Mic | Speaker/Mic (Likely on a Pro/Solar model) | Bringing voice interaction to the ultra-watch. |
| Navigation | Dynamic Round-Trip Routing | Real-Time Hydration/Energy Alerts | Integration of biometrics into navigation. |
The Garmin Enduro 4 will not just be an incremental update; it is anticipated to be a paradigm shift in ultra-watch functionality, finally integrating critical safety features like satellite communication while maintaining its legendary battery dominance. It will remain the flagship for those whose adventures last days, not hours.
Also Read: Garmin Fenix 9 Release Date & Expected Features
