This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, 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 even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside 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 place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
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 application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile 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 time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds 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 increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, 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 touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
