This most recent version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
