This most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit 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 easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent 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 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 incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
