Garmin has officially unveiled its new Fenix 8 Pro smartwatch series, introducing major upgrades including built-in LTE and satellite connectivity, alongside a new high-brightness MicroLED display option. The series will be available in two sizes, 47mm and 51mm, with different display and battery life configurations.
A major highlight is the 51mm model with a MicroLED screen, capable of reaching up to 4,500 nits of brightness. However, the technology comes with trade-offs, as battery life drops to around 10 days in smartwatch mode, or just four days if the Always-on Display (AOD) is enabled. For longer endurance, Garmin is offering OLED-based models that can last up to 27 days, depending on usage.
Another notable addition is LTE-M cellular support. While these watches do not have their own phone numbers and cannot make traditional voice calls or SMS, they allow users to communicate through the Garmin Messenger app. This includes sending texts, sharing LiveTrack locations, accessing real-time weather forecasts, and even recording 30-second voice messages. Users can also contact other Fenix 8 Pro owners or anyone who has the Messenger app installed.
Satellite connectivity is also part of the package, leveraging Garmin’s InReach service. This enables messaging, location check-ins, and SOS alerts from areas without cellular coverage. In emergencies, requests can be routed through the Garmin Response centre to relevant emergency services and contacts.
On the hardware front, the Fenix 8 Pro includes a 1.4-inch touchscreen with 454 x 454 resolution, 32GB of onboard storage, 10ATM water resistance, and a wide range of health and wellness tracking features. These cover heart rate, breathing, stress, energy levels, sleep, meditation, and women’s health tracking. Unlike its non-Pro siblings, the newer Fenix 8 entries do not support solar charging.
Pricing for the series starts at US$1,200 (~RM5,067) for the 47mm OLED model, US$1,300 (~RM5,491) for the 51mm OLED version, and US$2,000 (~RM8,445) for the 51mm MicroLED model. Meanwhile, access to both LTE and satellite features will require a subscription, starting from US$8 (~RM34) per month. Garmin says activation fees will be waived for Fenix 8 Pro users, who will also get a free 30-day trial.
All three Garmin Fenix 8 Pro models will be available starting 8 September in select markets. For now, Garmin has not confirmed a Malaysian release, and it remains uncertain whether the LTE and satellite connectivity features will be supported locally if the watches do arrive here.
(Source: Garmin [official website])
