This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £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 – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
