The newest iteration of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This 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 edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with 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 connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location 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 coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
