This newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, 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, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This 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 trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
