This latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice 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 functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
