This newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £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 variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled 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 audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends 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 message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost 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, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
