This most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey 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 cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed 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 does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
