This latest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account 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 tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make 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, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
