This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 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 smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know 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 coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
