This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent 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 smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch 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 respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
