This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark 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 a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
