This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor 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 outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This 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 locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
