The most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, 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 screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain 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 is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee 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 carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
