Garmin has just announced the fēnix 8 MicroLED smartwatch in Vietnam with a suggested retail price of VND 54.89 million. This is one of the rare smartwatches priced above VND 50 million that is officially distributed, targeting the high-end customer segment in the Vietnamese market.
The fēnix 8 MicroLED is the latest product in the fēnix line, Garmin's flagship GPS sports watch series, and is the first to utilize MicroLED display technology. According to the manufacturer, the device's screen has over 400,000 micro-LEDs, achieving a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits, allowing for clear visibility even in direct sunlight. The color gamut is expanded by approximately 15%, and contrast is increased sixfold compared to traditional technology.
In addition to its display capabilities, MicroLED is also said to be more durable, reduce image retention, and extend screen lifespan.
Integrating MicroLED into smartwatches is seen as a bold experiment, as this technology has previously been primarily found in TVs or large-scale dedicated displays.
InReach technology has not yet been implemented in Vietnam.
Alongside the fēnix 8 MicroLED, Garmin also introduced the fēnix 8 Pro Series (AMOLED and MicroLED), featuring the new inReach technology. This marks the first time a GPS multi-sport smartwatch allows satellite and LTE connectivity for messaging, calling, location sharing, or sending SOS signals even without a phone.
In satellite-only environments, the device can transmit messages and location coordinates; with LTE, it adds features such as calling, voice messaging, LiveTrack sharing, and real-time weather updates. In emergencies, users can activate SOS to connect with Garmin Response – a global support center operating 24/7. This unit has over 20 years of experience and has coordinated over 17,000 rescue operations, with multilingual support capabilities.
Design and features focused on movement.
The fēnix 8 MicroLED retains the familiar design style of the fēnix line, with a titanium bezel, leak-proof metal buttons, and submersible water resistance. Measuring 51mm, it features an integrated LED flashlight for use in low-light conditions.
In terms of features, the device includes the full suite of Garmin fitness and health tracking applications. Users can measure electrocardiograms (ECG), track workout performance with metrics such as Endurance Score and Hill Score, receive daily workout suggestions, and access the built-in TopoActive maps. The device also supports intelligent routing, sleep coaching, Garmin Pay contactless payments, and basic connectivity features.
The battery is advertised to last up to 10 days for the 51mm version, depending on usage mode.
Garmin announced that the fēnix 8 MicroLED will officially go on sale in Vietnam from October 13th, through the company's website and Garmin retail stores. The product will be distributed in limited quantities.
Meanwhile, there are currently no plans to bring the fēnix 8 Pro Series (including AMOLED and MicroLED versions, with support for inReach satellite communication technology) to the Vietnamese market.
High-end smartwatch trends
The Vietnamese market for smart wearable devices has seen expansion in the high-end segment in recent years. While popular models range in price from a few million to around 20 million VND, devices costing over 50 million VND, such as the fēnix 8 MicroLED, are quite rare. These are typically aimed at tech enthusiasts, professional athletes, or collectors seeking something unique.
With Garmin launching the fēnix 8 MicroLED at nearly 55 million VND, the domestic smartwatch market continues to witness the emergence of luxury products, directly competing with brands already prominent in the luxury fashion segment such as Apple Watch, Hermès, or hybrid watches from Switzerland.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/kham-pha-smartwatch-xa-xi-hon-50-trieu-dong-ar964387.html
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