Garmin Beats Apple to Market with Satellite-Connected Smartwatch

[MacRumors]

Less than a week ahead of when Apple plans to unveil the Apple Watch Ultra with satellite capabilities, Garmin introduced its own smartwatch with satellite connectivity.

The Fenix 8 Pro is Garmin's first smartwatch to feature its inReach satellite and cellular connectivity. InReach is the technology that Garmin uses for its handheld navigation devices. With inReach, the Fenix 8 Pro can send location check-ins and text messages over satellite using the Garmin Messenger app.

There is also included cellular connectivity, so the smartwatch can make phone calls, send 30-second voice messages, and provide LiveTrack links and weather forecasts when an LTE connection is available.

LiveTrack is a feature that allows the wearer's family and friends to keep track of their location during an activity or adventure.

For emergencies, there is an SOS feature that will send a message to the Garmin Response center over a satellite or cellular connection. Garmin Response will then communicate with the user, their emergency contacts, and search and rescue organizations to provide help. Garmin says that its Response team has supported over 17,000 inReach incident responses across over 150 countries.

Along with satellite connectivity, the Fenix 8 Pro has a high-resolution microLED display with 4,500 nits of brightness, making it the "brightest smartwatch ever," according to Garmin. Other features include dive-rated and leakproof metal buttons, a metal sensor guard cover, and an LED flash light. It can track health metrics and provide an endurance score, hill score, daily suggested workouts, sleeping advice, ECG functionality, and more.

There are two Fenix 8 Pro sizes, including 47mm and 51mm, and two different display options. The AMOLED model is priced starting at $1,200 and it gets up to 27 days of battery in smartwatch mode. The microLED model, which is available only in a 51mm size, is priced at $2,000 and it gets up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Garmin's new smartwatch models will be available for purchase on September 8, one day before Apple's September 9 event that will see the unveiling of the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple's upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to include integrated satellite connectivity, allowing Apple Watch wearers to send text messages and get help when a cellular or Wi-Fi connection is unavailable.

Apple does not charge for satellite service at this time, while Garmin does. Garmin's inReach plans start at $7.99 per month, with additional fees for some of the satellite-based features based on which plan is selected.

Article Link: Garmin Beats Apple to Market with Satellite-Connected Smartwatch

 

[Just Jeff]

The Pixel Watch 4 does SOS on the LTE model. I wonder if they will expand beyond that.

 

[GMShadow]

Putting aside the fact these really aren't AW competitors:

The AMOLED model is priced starting at $1,200

The microLED model, which is available only in a 51mm size, is priced at $2,000

They also aren't even mass market devices. These are luxury fitness trackers catering to the rich. That's fine, but it'd be like if the only Apple Watch was the Hermes model - it's not really a product for everyone.

 

[jz0309]

Apple does not charge for satellite service at this time, while Garmin does. Garmin's inReach plans start at $7.99 per month, with additional fees for some of the satellite-based features based on which plan is selected.

This says it all...

 

[jz0309]

Putting aside the fact these really aren't AW competitors:




They also aren't even mass market devices. These are luxury fitness trackers catering to the rich. That's fine, but it'd be like if the only Apple Watch was the Hermes model - it's not really a product for everyone.

And on top of those prices: subscriptions

 

[dannyyankou]

They also have Apple beat on price. And I mean a lot more expensive.

 

[Mansu944]

$2,000????? Please don't give Apple any ideas.

 

[AppleWarMachine]

10 days battery life!

 

[Think|Different]

I didn’t know we were racing.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Putting aside the fact these really aren't AW competitors:

They also aren't even mass market devices. These are luxury fitness trackers catering to the rich. That's fine, but it'd be like if the only Apple Watch was the Hermes model - it's not really a product for everyone.

They're not THAT expensive that only the rich have them. I see the Fenix fairly often, and I had one myself..returned it because it was too bulky for my taste, and went with the Forerunner.

Both were a replacement for the Apple Watch. I don't see myself going back.

And on top of those prices: subscriptions

I have an inReach. It's month-to-month, so pay when you need it and don't when you don't. I spend a hefty amount of time in the boonies and wilderness away from cell service and electricity, and only pay about three or four months per year. You don't need a phone or watch for it to work, and the battery last over 20 days with 30-min pings.

 

[WilliApple]

Garmin also beats Apple in Battery Life and L5 GPS

 

[alchemistmuffin]

There is also included cellular connectivity, so the smartwatch can make phone calls, send 30-second voice messages, and provide LiveTrack links and weather forecasts when an LTE connection is available.

But Garmin’s watch isnt 5G cellular. Apple’s plans are for 5G connections.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Does beating someone to market by 5 days, for a similar new feature, matter to anyone outside of the Marketing department (and maybe Julie)? If you were waiting for this functionality in an Ultra 3, and read this headline/article, you're not going to rush out and buy a Garmin because you can do so 5 days earlier than an Ultra. There is a Garmin audience and an Apple audience. The two very different companies are leveraging two very different devices to target two very different types of users/audiences - with two very different price points.

TBH, I assumed Ultra 2 already had that functionality. Has that just been iPhone to date?

 

[johhno140]

Putting aside the fact these really aren't AW competitors:




They also aren't even mass market devices. These are luxury fitness trackers catering to the rich. That's fine, but it'd be like if the only Apple Watch was the Hermes model - it's not really a product for everyone.

I have the Fenix 6 Pro, you can pick one up for less than the cost of an Apple Watch, it’s great and for my requirements it’s far, far superior to the Apple Watch.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

But Garmin’s watch isnt 5G cellular. Apple’s plans are for 5G connections.

Other than spec-chasers, who cares? On a watch there is zero difference to anyone.

I don't even care on my phone and keep 5g disabled.

 

[bluecoast]

Trying to understand Garmin's smart watch lineup makes my head hurt. Seriously.

They're even more confusing than Sony and that's saying something.

Anyway, this watch feels like bragging rights i.e. we got their first.

I'm sure that the Ultra will have something similar for way cheaper. Umm, I hope.

 

[jdavid_rp]

How’s that the microLED is more expensive but it’s battery life it’s worse? What benefits does it has then?

 

[Windoes]

Comparing a bike with a car, they both roll

 

[rwilliams]

I'll be getting the Ultra 3 next week when it goes on sale and I hope that Apple has found a way to improve battery life. But I also understand that Garmin watches and Apple watches are not performing the same duty and I can live with the trade offs.

 

[Grayburn]

Garmin also beats Apple in Battery Life and L5 GPS

Ultra 1 & 2 has L5 GPS as I’ve told you numerous times.

 

[ignatius345]

I think these are very different devices. The AW Ultra is really an attractive "lifestyle" type watch with some added durability for outdoorsy stuff (or for some people I suspect, the appearance of outdoorsy stuff). The Garmin looks like ass but also seems more likely to be up and running multiple days off the grid. The AW Ultra looks like something you might wear when you go out on the town, or even go boating or biking -- but cuts some corners you might not want cut if you were relying on it in truly rough conditions.

 

[jz0309]

Garmin also beats Apple in Battery Life and L5 GPS

Battery life - how does Garmin calculate that? Apple publishes how it does, eg x number of notifications and such.
Does such a spec exist for Garmin? Can you point to it please?

 

[humerc]

I switched to the Garmin Enduro 3 a few months ago (coming from the Ultra 2), mainly to due battery life, and man, that thing has around 30 days battery with a lot of workouts each week. I am deep into the Apple ecosystem, but this was the best (technical) descission in the last years I made…

 

[nostaws]

For the rich?

If you are a professional (or semi-pro) athlete, this is a serious tool for your job.

Putting aside the fact these really aren't AW competitors:




They also aren't even mass market devices. These are luxury fitness trackers catering to the rich. That's fine, but it'd be like if the only Apple Watch was the Hermes model - it's not really a product for everyone.

 

[Mikep976]

Ugh. I’d this actually let me use the LTE for stuff like messaging and calling, I’d actually be down to look at this vs the Ultra 3, but the fat that to call or text it’s to OTHER Garmin Watches or those with the Garmin Messaging app makes it useless to me, I just want to call or send a message to a normal number.