Garmin’s subsequent satellite-connected watch seems on the FCC

A brand new FCC submitting has uncovered an unannounced Garmin wrist-worn gadget with LTE voice assist and direct satellite tv for pc connectivity. It goes by the mannequin quantity A05170, and whereas Garmin has hidden its title and look, the general public radio exams reveal rather a lot about what it could possibly do.

The submitting provides away the essential half

The FCC equipment authorization was granted on August 5 following an utility submitted someday earlier. Garmin describes A05170 merely as a transportable digital transceiver, however the accompanying SAR evaluation report explicitly calls it a wrist-worn gadget that helps no different use situations.

Inside is a radio package deal overlaying LTE-M bands 2, 4 and 12, together with NB-NTN satellite tv for pc bands 23 and 255. The gadget additionally helps 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ANT/ANT+ and NFC, in accordance with Garmin’s antenna data sheet.

The report says LTE-M can be utilized for voice transmissions, whereas the satellite tv for pc connection is proscribed to information. That factors to phone-free calling when mobile protection is obtainable and satellite-based communication when it’s not, though the paperwork don’t spell out the options Garmin plans to supply.

Garmin examined the gadget with silicone, heathered black nylon and vented titanium straps. That mixture makes a premium outside or multisport watch more likely than a small health tracker, however the industrial product title stays absent from each public doc.

There isn’t any GNSS transmitter listed, however that doesn’t imply the gadget lacks GPS. Location receivers typically don’t transmit and due to this fact wouldn’t essentially seem on this a part of the FCC submitting.

Enduro 4 or Fenix 9?

The submitting doesn’t reveal the watch’s industrial title, however Enduro 4 and fēnix 9 are the 2 most believable candidates. Our Garmin Connect 5.26 teardown discovered an Enduro 4 entry with inner ID 5179, though nothing within the app linked that watch on to LTE or satellite tv for pc {hardware}.

A05170 now confirms that Garmin has one other wrist-worn gadget utilizing each applied sciences, nevertheless it doesn’t hyperlink the regulatory mannequin to Enduro 4. The similarity between the numbers 5170 and 5179 is fascinating, however Garmin’s FCC mannequin numbers and app identifiers don’t essentially match.

Fēnix 9 is simply as credible, and maybe the extra pure match. Garmin launched LTE calling and inReach satellite tv for pc communication with the fēnix 8 Pro, so carrying that {hardware} into the following full fēnix era would make sense. If A05170 is Enduro 4, it will be the primary Enduro with this functionality.

What stays hidden

Garmin says the examined unit has the bodily, mechanical and thermal traits anticipated from manufacturing {hardware}. That suggests growth is properly superior, though it doesn’t verify that manufacturing has began or {that a} launch is imminent.

The exterior photographs, inner photographs and proprietor’s guide are being stored confidential till February 1, 2027. Garmin may announce the watch earlier than then, launch the paperwork early or request an extension, in order that date shouldn’t be handled as a launch deadline.

For now, there is no such thing as a dependable info on the show, case measurement, sensors, battery life or worth. The stable takeaway is narrower however nonetheless fascinating: Garmin has one other phone-free LTE and satellite tv for pc watch within the pipeline, and its id is the one main piece nonetheless lacking.

This article initially appeared on Gadgets & Wearables, the primary media outlet to report the story.