This most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching 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 significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken 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 less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
