This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
