The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
That 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, 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 monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches 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, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling 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 service packages begin 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
