This newest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent 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 found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once 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 are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
The 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
