It's shaping up to be a busy season for smartwatch launches, and Garmin is making sure athletes and outdoor adventurers don't feel left out. The company's new Fenix 8 Pro is its most advanced multisport watch to date, debuting LTE and satellite connectivity alongside a micro-LED display that Garmin says is the brightest ever on a smartwatch. Pair that with the Fenix's signature 27-day battery life, and you've got a potentially life-saving tool that's built to keep up with endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in even the most remote conditions.
With a starting price of $1,200, it's several hundred dollars more than even the most expensive sport watches. The price tag also sets it above mainstream, general-purpose smartwatches, and makes it a serious investment reserved for athletes who truly need its pro-level performance and potentially life-saving features even when they're off the grid.
Fenix 8 Pro pricing and availability
The Fenix will be available to order on Monday, Sept. 8, and starts at $1,200 for the 47mm version and $1,300 for the 51mm option (both with AMOLED screens). There's also a $2,000 51mm option with that bright micro-LED display.
Garmin charges $8 per month for LTE and inReach (satellite) connectivity and subscriptions, without an activation fee and a free 30-day trial to get started. Messages sent over satellite are billed separately on a per-use basis.
The Fenix 8 Pro has satellite and LTE connectivity for two-way communication in remote areas that are out of cellular range. Garmin
Fenix 8 Pro LTE connectivity and satellite communication
The Fenix 8 Pro's headline feature is what Garmin calls "connectivity without compromise." The watch debuts Garmin's built-in inReach technology, with both LTE and satellite connectivity. This means you can send texts or voice messages, share your live location or trigger an SOS message, even if you're out of LTE range and your phone is dead or without a cell signal.
Unlike Google's Pixel Watch 4, which recently introduced emergency-only satellite messaging, Garmin goes a step further with two-way satellite communication. This allows you to check in with loved ones for nonemergencies off the grid, too.
In the event of an actual emergency, SOS alerts go directly to Garmin's global response center, sharing critical details like your location, current activity and known medical information to help responders act quickly. The response team manages communication with rescue personnel and family members, with support for multiple languages.
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