This newest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. 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 subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
