This most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very 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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view 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 lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
