I have recently purchased an S60 golf watch. Garmin has then released the S62 and based on the forum comments and action to date Garmin are not going to apply the software upgrades to the S60. The result is S60 users will now feel unloved and ripped off.
The S62 has some hardware advantages that will attract buyers but the software should be easily applicable to the S60. Apple allows software upgrades to be used on earlier models so should Garmin. The Garmin strategy seems to be to try and force people to upgrade to a new watch and this approach just creates resentment.
The idea is why not monetise the software improvements in the S62. The software development is done so the cost to supply it to existing S60 owners is effectively zero. So Garmin why dont you say to your existing customers the S62 software is more than just a version bugs update, you can have the S62 software but at a price of say $75. This will in effect be $75 of pure profit that you can source from the existing customer base.
New customers will still pay for the S62 because the hardware and software together remain a superior offering to the s60.
A small portion of S60 owners may well upgrade to the S62 most will not. A large chunk will choose to pay $75 for a major software upgrade and you will get profit that was not previously available. And most importantly you keep your customers on side for future spends eg buying CT10 or the “S70” when it comes as a major improvement.
The current approach upsets your existing customer base and reduces your profit
