This most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas 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 got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight 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 vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
