Particle.news
Download on the App Store
16 ARTICLES
·
4w ago

Garmin’s Fēnix 8 Pro Brings inReach Satellite and LTE to the Wrist With a MicroLED Flagship

Phone‑free messaging and SOS rely on Garmin’s subscription Messenger ecosystem as the ultra‑bright MicroLED option trades battery life for top‑tier brightness and price.

A photo of a man in the mountains wearing a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, using it to call someone using LTE cellular data.
Image
A photo of a man in the mountains wearing a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, using it to check his nearby mapped location.
The too-small Fenix 8 43mm

Overview

  • Sales begin September 8, with AMOLED models priced at $1,199.99 (47mm) and $1,299.99 (51mm) and the 51mm MicroLED version at $1,999.99.
  • Built‑in inReach enables satellite texts and location check‑ins, and LTE supports LiveTrack, weather, and 30‑second voice messages without a paired phone.
  • LTE uses low‑power LTE‑M data and the watch does not have a phone number, so traditional calls and SMS are unavailable; calls and messages work with other Fēnix 8 Pro users or contacts on the Garmin Messenger app.
  • The MicroLED display reaches up to 4,500 nits but is rated for up to 10 days in smartwatch mode versus up to 27 days for the AMOLED versions.
  • SOS alerts route to the Garmin Response center, which has supported over 17,000 inReach incidents, and satellite/LTE features require paid plans starting around $7.99 per month with a waived activation fee and 30‑day trial for new buyers; availability varies by region.