This latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
