The latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, 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 satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want 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 additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
