Garmin has launched the world’s first microLED watch, the Fenix 8 Pro

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is now official, this premium smartwatch introduces significant innovations in connectivity and display technology with the addition of Google’s Satellite SOS communication support. There is a lot of things to discuss about this smartwatch so without wasting any time lets dive into everything the wearable has to offer including the expected Garmin Fenix 8 Pro price in Nepal.

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Overview

Design and Display

Garmin, despite owning the premium smartwatch segment above $500, ask any random person in Nepal about Garmin watches and you'll get blank stares. Even tech bros here think smartwatches begin and end with Apple Watch. To say the least, Garmin never has been a mainstream smartwatch mostly because of its price and non-minimalist rugged design. And the Fenix 8 Pro is no alien in the updated catalogue. Same chunky, tactical look with reinforced bezel and red-ringed power button. Five physical buttons designed for gloves and sub-zero adventures. Needless to say, it's the opposite of Apple Watch minimalism.

The flagship 51mm model comes with microLED display technology. Which has incredible features, but makes you wonder if they have made a gamble? The devices comes 4,500 nits brightness, which surpasses the brightest smartphones you buy in market. But this brightness indeed comes with a caveat, that is, the battery dies in 4 days instead of 15. Even Samsung canceled their microLED smartwatch project after Apple pulled out. You may also like

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LTE Features

You're getting full voice calls and texts without your phone nearby. It runs on LTE-M networks with a Garmin subscription starting at $8 monthly. The Garmin Messenger app handles everything, and when you're out of cell range, satellite messaging works in automatically. The Fenix 8 Pro is Garmin's answer to smartphones stealing their satellite emergency features. Apple's adding satellite SOS, so Garmin decided to fight back with proper LTE connectivity plus their proven inReach satellite messaging. But the catch is they're using a different satellite constellation than other inReach devices, meaning more limited coverage where you'd actually need it most.

Battery

Alhough i forgot to mention that Battery life do vary wildly. OLED versions give you 8-15 days, depending on size. The microLED variant drops to just 4 days.

Health Tracking and Sports Features

The device features multi-LED heart rate sensor whose purpose goes by its name to track pulse and blood oxygen levels. Similarly, you will also get other features like sleep, stress and recovery tracking like you get in most fitness trackers. VO₂ max and training readiness metrics are included too.

Sports modes go way beyond basic running. Skiing, climbing, swimming, cycling - it covers pretty much every activity you can think of. Moving beyond health features and other sports modes, you also get music storage that works with Spotify and Amazon Music. The app is compatible with Connect IQ and you get some other typical features like thousands of watch faces as well

Like mentioned before it has the same Satellite SOS communication support like we have seen in the Google Pixel 4 Watch. Along with that

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Specifications

• Display: OLED or microLED (51mm only), up to 4,500 nits (microLED)
• Connectivity: LTE-M, satellite messaging (inReach), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Battery Life: 4 days (microLED), 8 days (OLED 47mm), 15 days (OLED 51mm)
• Size Options: 47mm and 51mm
• Build: Reinforced bezel, tactical button layout, QuickFit band compatibility
• Health Tracking: Heart rate, SpO₂, sleep/stress tracking, VO2 max, training readiness
• Sports Modes: Running, cycling, swimming, skiing, hiking, climbing, and more
• Navigation: Multi-GNSS, offline maps, turn-by-turn directions
• Water Rating: 10ATM

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Price in Nepal and Specifications

With all of this features, it sure does come at a hefty price. Currently, the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro starts at USD 1,199 for the OLED model while the microLED version has an enormous price tag of USD 1,999. If the watch ever arrives in Nepal, it will cost no less than NPR 169,999 for the OLED and NPR 284,999 for the microLED.

• Meanwhile, check our review of the A17