This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already 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 designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
