This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting 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 smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches 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 message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries 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. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
