This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside without 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, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible 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 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor 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 outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
