This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate 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 fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
