This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply 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 recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool 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 does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
