This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found 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 watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text 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 voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices 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 emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at 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 isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
