This newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey 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 – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
